Summer arrived with a heavy heat, but it didn't deter Ren and Aiko from their routine. They met often, sometimes with friends and sometimes alone, exploring the city's hidden corners. Aiko brought her camera everywhere, snapping moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
One sweltering afternoon, they sat on the steps of an old temple, sharing ice cream and stories of their pasts. Aiko confessed her fear of failing, of disappointing those she loved.
Ren listened, feeling the weight of her words. "You don't have to live for others' expectations, Aiko. You have to choose what makes you happy, even if they don't understand."
Aiko gave him a faint smile. "Maybe… but it's hard to let go, isn't it?"
Their conversation was interrupted as more friends arrived—Aiko's cousin, Hana, an aspiring musician, and her friend Takumi, who brought a guitar everywhere he went. They began an impromptu performance, filling the air with melodies that seemed to echo Ren and Aiko's own hopes and fears.