As summer deepened, Ren's friends noticed his lingering sadness. To cheer him up, Mei organized a beach trip, inviting Sora, Takumi, and Hana along. They laughed and splashed in the waves, but Ren felt like an outsider, his mind drifting to thoughts of Aiko.
"Hey, Ren! Come join us!" Sora shouted, throwing a beach ball in his direction. Ren forced a smile, catching the ball but feeling hollow inside.
Later, as the sun set, they gathered around a bonfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories. Ren tried to participate, but the conversation felt distant, as if he were watching from behind glass.
"Let's sing something!" Takumi suggested, strumming his guitar. "How about that song we used to sing at school?"
The group erupted in song, but Ren remained quiet, his heart heavy with unexpressed emotions. As he stared into the flames, Mei leaned closer. "Ren, talk to us. We're worried about you."
"I don't know how to move on," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Aiko was my everything, and now... she's just gone."
"We're here for you, Ren," Mei reassured, her hand resting on his shoulder. "You don't have to face this alone."