Sero Hanta

The atmosphere at the race remained electric. While the students chatted about the runners, Sero Hanta stood with his friends, trying to act normal.

"Hey, Sero," one of them said. "Have you ever been truly in love?"

Sero let out a small laugh and leaned back against his car.

—There was a girl... during the summer.

His friends immediately showed interest.

Sero began telling them about her: how he had met her during that vacation, the afternoons they spent together, the conversations that seemed to go on forever, and how much she had come to mean to him. Although he tried to maintain his usual relaxed demeanor, a nostalgic smile appeared on his face.

"And what happened to her?" they asked.

Sero lowered his gaze.

—We had to separate. I never thought I would see her again.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the track, you were with your friends.

One of them asked you if you had ever had a summer love.

You smiled with a touch of nostalgia.

—Yes. There was a boy...

You started telling them about that summer: the boy who made you laugh, the afternoons you spent together, and how special he had been to you. You didn't mention his name, but you spoke of him with such affection that your friends immediately understood you still cherished those memories.

"Do you still want it?" one of them asked.

You looked towards the track.

—I don't know... But I could never forget it.

Without either of them knowing it, they had both just been talking about the same person.

And when their eyes met again in the crowd, that old summer story ceased to be a memory.

I was about to start again.