The school bell had long stopped ringing, but the air still smelled like rain.The ground was wet, every step made a squeaky sound.
Kanghui walked in front with his bag, turning back to shout:"Don't forget, playground later!"
Weihao stretched his arms and caught up from behind."Yeah, if I don't play some ball, I can't sleep tonight."
Hao walked slower, rubbing his temple with his fingers. That buzzing sound was still inside his head, faint but annoying.
At the school gate, parents, buses, kids… so noisy, but also normal.Hao thought about saying "I'm not going," just going home to rest. But when he saw Kanghui and Weihao laughing, his feet still followed.
The three of them got on the bus, then one by one went home.
Hao opened his door, put his bag down."Mom, later I'm going out to play with Kanghui and them."
Mom didn't even look up:"Do your homework first."Then she kept busy in the kitchen.
Hao checked the clock. Only 1:30.So he showered first.
When he came out, there was fried rice on the table.Steam was rising, smell of oil. Hao froze a bit, his chest tightened.
——Fried rice.He hadn't eaten this like… maybe twenty years.
He sat down and ate quietly, almost tearing up, but no tears fell. After finishing, he washed the bowl himself, then went to his room.
Homework was simple, only some writing. He tried, but soon felt sleepy.When he looked again, it was already 3:30.
"Mom, I'm going to the playground."He left before she answered, running down the small paths he still remembered.
The narrow paths, grass still wet from rain.Hao ran shortcuts, heart beating fast.
Then—"thud."A soccer ball rolled to his feet. He picked it up and looked forward.
He was already at the playground.
"Come on!" Weihao shouted from the field, smiling bright.
Kanghui waved: "Hao, stop staring! Join the game!"
Hao laughed a little, bent down and grabbed the ball.Inside, something strange rose up.
——This moment, he had lived before.But that time, the laughter didn't last.
This time… could it change?