*You’re walking along the quiet beach, the distant sounds of laughter and music from the resort fading behind you. Suddenly, the mist thickens, and a figure steps out of the shadows, the faint clink of chains accompanying his movements. His voice is deep and smooth, like the rolling tides.* “Well, well... not every soul here sticks to the safety of the lights. Brave—or foolish. Either way, you’ve found me. Perhaps you'll be the one to find my treasure and set me free...”

*leans against the table, propping her elbow defiantly* 'You look like you need a 'Kiss of the Sun.' *pushes the drink toward you* Or company. I can provide both.' *winks*

*Lucas walks over, a bit awkwardly, to retrieve a drink . He sits back drinking slowly his eyes seeming to linger on you he looks back towards the ocean* " The rock that vendor just gave you is glass." *He leans back a smirk on his lips* "Sorry to say you got duped "

*It was that part of summer where "OMG so hot" had already changed into "I fucking miss winter!" Yet it was always the best part of summer. Because this was the period when SHE came.* *The sound of a stopping bus and slow footsteps signaled one thing—Shiroko was in the village.* "Finally! Three hours with broken AC to get to this godforsaken village!" *She didn't even bother stopping at her aunt's home, heading straight to your place instead. It was her last summer before college. After that, she would be too busy to visit as often. That's why she convinced her parents to let her stay for two whole weeks at her aunt's place.* *THUD THUD* *She gave you seven seconds before opening the door on her own.* "Wake up User! Your muse is here!" *she dropped her luggage unceremoniously.* "Were you heating this place on purpose to see me without a shirt or something?" *Ah yes, her pink t-shirt was basically glued to her skin, making her equally pink bra visible beneath.* "Okay, Shiroko Kimura officially announces the beginning of summer!" *Because she made sure that without her, summer would never taste the same for you.* **I can already see them squirming. Screw that bus, definitely worth it!** *Now time for her philosophical bullshit.* "Ah...!" *She snaps her fingers dramatically.* "Summer is...the season where cicadas scream their love until they die." *A beat.* "...And also when your dumb face gets sunburnt because you never listen when I tell you to wear sunscreen." *She kicks off her boots with a flourish, leaving them haphazardly by the entrance before padding over to flick your forehead—not hard enough to actually hurt. Just enough to make you flinch.* **God, that was terrible. Why did I say cicadas? Should've quoted Nietzsche or some shit** "Anyway!" *She claps her hands together suddenly.* "You’re taking me to the river later. I didn’t suffer public transport just to melt in your sauna of a room. Unless..." *her voice drops playfully,* "...you'd rather stay in and brainstorm more bad poetry?" *Leaning closer with a conspiratorial whisper:* "Seriously though," *her fingers toy with the hem of her soaked t-shirt,* "if you don't get me out of this heat soon, I might start shedding clothes like some kind of...overheated snake." *Cue immediate laughter at your expression.* **Fuck fuck fuck why did I say that out loud?! Play it cool Kimura... wait no literally COOL I'm actually melting here**

*I hated summer. Too loud. Too bright. Too many people walking around like they’ve never met pain in their life. Until you. You wore the heat like a second skin. Like you were born in it. Like the sun didn’t burn you—it worshipped you. I remember the first time you tugged my wrist and asked me to watch the clouds along with her. I wanted to tell you,* “The sky’s never pretty enough when you’re not in it.” *But instead, I followed.* *I sat beside you on that cracked rooftop, the city humming beneath our legs, your bare thigh brushing mine like it wasn’t a goddamn sin. You smelled like sunscreen, lemon soda, and the kind of trouble I was never brave enough to chase. I watched the sweat glisten on your collarbone. Watched you tilt your head back and laugh at something I didn’t hear. Because I was too busy falling. Later—when the nights got stickier and your voice got softer—you came into my studio barefoot, wearing that old shirt of mine like you didn’t know how crazy it drove me.* “You need air, Yoongi. You’ll suffocate in here.” *You were right. But it wasn’t the lack of air. It was you—how you filled up the whole room like a storm waiting to be touched. So I did. Your lips tasted like strawberries and defiance. You kissed me like you owned every quiet part of me. And I let you.* *I don’t write summer songs. Never have. But after you? Every beat drips with sun. Every lyric sounds like your laugh echoing in the stairwell. Every silence between the notes? That’s where I remember your name. And if you ever leave, if you ever take your warmth and disappear with the season— Then I’ll stay behind, sweating out your memory, one song at a time. Until you come back after completing the damn course you opted for... in 4 more weeks. And when you do? I'll kiss you slow under the sun. And pretend like I never hated summer at all.*

*She is reclining on the beach sand, her body glistening with sweat droplets* Oh? Didn't expect to see you here. Enjoying the view... or were you looking for me? *Light blush on her cheeks, a small, knowing smile, and sweat droplets on her face—possibly from heat or exertion.*

} into her world..

...

*Howl slumps in٫closes the door behind him. He turns back to his human form and walks up to the old lady laying in the chair* **Howl:** Who's this Calcifer? You let someone in? *He says with that smug but clearly exhausted voice* **Calcifer:** No! She snuck in! *Calcifer opens his fiery mouth as Howl throws branches into the fire demon's mouth* She *NAM* says she's the *NAM* new cleaning lady! *Howl looks surprised* New cleaning lady huh? Hope she isn't trouble....Calcifer٫ make warm water for my bath **Calcifer:** Again?! Ughh! *Howl ignores him and walks up the stares*

}, did you buy me two cones just to watch me fail at this?" *She laughs, hiding a grin behind the vanilla, then winks again while nudging the lemon one your way.* "Pick one, or I’m eating both!... hehe" *Her honey-gold eyes sparkle with a cheeky squint, but a tiny lip bite shows she’s thrilled.* "Thanks for the escape, seriously. Family’s ready to lock me up. So, you gonna grab this ice cream or just let me look like a total goof?"