With summer's arrival, Ren's friends planned another beach trip. This time, it wasn't just a getaway but a chance to celebrate their shared growth. They camped under the stars, their laughter mingling with the sound of waves, and talked late into the night, the warm breeze carrying their voices.
Sora leaned back, gazing up at the sky. "We've come so far, haven't we?"
"More than we could've imagined," Mei replied, her gaze soft as she looked at Ren. "You've taught us all something, Ren. You made us believe in resilience."
Ren chuckled, embarrassed but grateful. "I think I just needed to be reminded of what I had."
In the quiet that followed, they watched the sunrise, each of them feeling an unspoken connection—bound not by past regrets, but by the promise of futures yet to be written.