Yuna stood in front of the school gates and tried not to look like she was hesitating.
The building was taller than her old one. Glass windows. Clean white walls. Students gathering in small, confident groups like they already belonged.
She adjusted her bag strap.
You're stronger than you think.
Ren's words echoed louder than the noise around her.
Inside, the hallways buzzed with introductions and awkward laughter. Teachers guided students toward classrooms. Names were exchanged too quickly to remember.
Yuna smiled politely.
Nodded.
Sat near the window.
The seat beside her stayed empty for a few seconds too long.
Then someone dropped their bag into it.
"Is this seat taken?"
She looked up.
A girl with short dark hair and curious eyes smiled at her.
"No," Yuna replied.
"I'm Hana," the girl said casually. "You're new, right?"
Yuna blinked. "Is it obvious?"
"Only because you're looking at everything like it might move."
That made her laugh.
It felt… natural.
Back home, Ren checked the time.
Orientation should've started an hour ago.
He tried not to imagine worst-case scenarios.
Aio noticed immediately. "You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Staring at your phone like it owes you answers."
Mio leaned against the railing beside them. "Trust her."
Ren exhaled slowly. "I do."
He just didn't trust distance.
Meanwhile, in class, Yuna found herself actually participating. Answering questions. Introducing herself when asked.
"My hometown is by the ocean," she said softly when it was her turn.
"Oh, I've always wanted to live near the sea," Hana whispered afterward.
Yuna smiled.
"So have I," she replied.
At lunch, Hana pulled her outside to sit beneath a tree in the courtyard. The sunlight filtered through leaves, warm and steady.
It wasn't the same tree as back home.
But it offered shade just the same.
Her phone buzzed.
She hesitated—then checked it.
Ren: Survive?
She smiled.
Yuna: I think so.
Back at the railing near the pier, Ren's shoulders relaxed.
Ren: Just think. By next summer you'll be a city expert.
She looked around the courtyard—students laughing, wind brushing through grass, unfamiliar but not unfriendly.
Yuna: Maybe.
Then she added—
Yuna: But I still prefer our ocean.
Ren read that and felt something settle in his chest.
Not possession.
Not fear.
Just warmth.
Aio glanced at him. "Good news?"
Ren nodded once.
"Yeah."
Across the distance, Yuna looked up at the sky between the tree branches.
Still blue.
Still endless.
Still shared.
First days were always hard.
But maybe beginnings didn't have to mean endings.
Summertimes were coming.
And this one was teaching them how to grow—without letting go.