The evening sun hung low on the horizon, draping the small town in shades of orange and gold. Birds fluttered across the sky, their chirps blending with the steady rush of the river below.
From the camp, nine friends crossed the narrow wooden bridge together, their voices rising in laughter and easy conversation. The planks creaked softly under their steps, the river glimmering beneath their feet.
Among them walked a boy with white-and-dark-green hair that caught the fading sunlight. His fair skin contrasted with the cotton jacket he wore — white with streaks of green — paired with blue jeans and simple sandals.
He stretched lazily, hands tucked in his pockets, and spoke in a calm, stoic tone that carried a hint of boredom.
"Yoi, guys. I'll see you all tomorrow. Time to help mom in the bar."
With that, he lifted a hand in a half-hearted wave and broke away from the group, heading down a side path toward the town.
The group continued across the bridge, their footsteps mixing with the hum of the river.
Eve, a petite girl standing about five-foot-three, glanced back at the path Oiki had taken. Her light pink-and-white hair framed her soft features, her casual skirt swaying lightly with each step. Her fair skin flushed faintly in the fading sunlight as she asked, her voice laced with concern,
"What do you guys think of Oiki? Do you think he has a chance in the tournament?"
Ella tilted her head thoughtfully, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "He's got the talent, Eve," she admitted, her tone careful.
A tall boy — nearly five-foot-eleven — pushed his glasses up with a single finger. His frame was slightly muscular despite his nerdy appearance. He spoke in a stretched, matter-of-fact way, as though pointing out a mistake on a test paper.
"Yeah, but talent alone isn't enough. He's a lazy brat, after all."
Ella's eyes shifted toward Salazar, curious. "What do you think, Salazar?"
Salazar walked with his hands loosely tucked in his pockets, his gaze on the horizon for a moment before answering in a gentle, almost earnest tone.
"I believe in him. And I wish he performs well in the tournament."
Divy, walking a little behind the group, said nothing. His grey eyes flickered briefly toward his brother, then back to the road.
As the road split into narrow paths leading deeper into town, the group gradually parted ways.
Ella stretched her arms behind her head. "I'll see you all tomorrow. Don't be late, Salazar!" she called over her shoulder with a playful glare before heading down her street.
Eve adjusted the hem of her light skirt as she fell in step with Niko, the bespectacled boy. He balanced a stack of books under one arm as the two disappeared into a quieter lane, still caught in conversation.
That left Divy and Salazar walking side by side, the path home stretched out before them. The sounds of the river grew softer behind, replaced by the faint chatter of townsfolk preparing for the evening.
Salazar glanced at his brother, his grin subdued but still lingering. Divy kept his hands shoved in his pockets, his expression calm but unreadable.
For a while, neither of them spoke, only the crunch of their footsteps filling the silence.
Divy and Salazar continued down the path that led toward their homes.
"Yo, now say it," Salazar broke the silence, his tone casual but expectant.
Divy sighed, "I don't think Oiki will win the tournament… nor does he really care. It's just because of us he even registered."
Salazar listened carefully, then nodded slightly. "I see. What about Niko?"
Divy thought for a moment, then answered, "Hmm… he can win it. He's got that stretchable strength."
"Yeah," Salazar said, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the fading sky. "The tournament will have four selection rounds, right? Three for the boys, one for the girls. The winners become district champions and qualify for nationals."
Divy nodded.
Salazar sighed softly, his tone shifting. "Let's see how far we'll go."
Divy glanced at him. "How far do you want yourself to be?"
Salazar stopped for a second, his gaze fixed on the night sky as the first stars began to flicker into view. "The very peak of the world," he said, his voice carrying a determined edge.
Divy chuckled quietly. "As expected."
The two walked on, their figures fading into the quiet night as the sky above shimmered with starlight.
Under the quiet midnight sky, Oiki sat alone on the open green field, the cool grass brushing against his hands as he leaned back and stared upward. The stars stretched endlessly above him, their faint glow reflected in his calm but unreadable eyes. For a moment, the world seemed silent—only the distant hum of the night and the weight of unspoken thoughts lingered around him.
Chapter 2 ---Ends