The morning sun filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled light across the dew-kissed ground. Birds chirped lazily, and the lake shimmered with a quiet serenity that made the events of the previous night feel like a dream.
Students emerged slowly from their tents, some still half-asleep, others already chasing breakfast with sleepy chatter. The smell of grilled sausages wafted from the open firepit area where Rin and Hana were attempting to cook with varying levels of success.
Leo, stretching and yawning, stepped out of his tent and spotted Kai sitting on a picnic bench, notebook in hand, humming something off-key.
"Morning," Leo mumbled.
Kai didn't look up. "Morning. You sleep?"
"Barely. Too many frogs."
"Country ambiance."
Leo chuckled and sat beside him, enjoying the quiet.
But quiet didn't last long.
---
A sudden exclamation broke the morning calm.
"WHOA! Guys, look at this!"
It was Yuto, a second-year, waving a sketchpad over his head as he ran toward the group.
Rin frowned. "Please don't run with someone's artwork—"
"It's Aira's!" Yuto said, breathless. "I found it hanging on that big pine tree by the lake. I think she left it out to dry!"
Kai raised an eyebrow. Leo sat up straighter.
Students began to gather around as Yuto opened the pad.
And there it was.
A full-page, watercolor sketch. Soft blue tones swirled with grays and gold. The subject: a boy standing under moonlight by the lake, hands in his pockets, staring at the water. A campfire glowed behind him.
It was Leo.
Rendered with startling detail. Not just his posture or hair—but the feeling of him. Alone, thoughtful. The kind of image that made you stop and stare.
Someone whispered, "That's amazing..."
Another, "She's crazy talented..."
Kai whistled low. "She captured your entire mood, bro. That's spooky."
Leo was frozen. Heart thudding.
Yuki stepped forward, lips slightly parted. "Did she... draw that last night?"
Kai nodded slowly. "Yeah. I saw her down there. Thought she was journaling."
"I didn't even see her…" Leo murmured.
"Dude," someone said. "She must've been watching you. From across the lake."
That comment sparked murmurs.
Leo felt a dozen eyes turning to him.
Rin gently took the sketchpad from Yuto's hands and flipped through the next few pages. More studies of landscapes, trees, and then—
Another sketch of Leo.
This time seated by the fire. Alone. A faint, unreadable smile.
And then—one more. A rougher, unfinished pencil drawing.
Leo and Yuki, side by side. Yuki was mid-laugh. Leo was looking at her.
Rin blinked, expression unreadable. She closed the pad.
"I'll give this back to Aira," she said, voice measured. "It wasn't meant to be passed around."
---
Later that afternoon, Leo found Aira sitting on the far end of the dock, her knees pulled up, sketchpad resting across her lap. She didn't react when he sat beside her.
"I didn't mean for them to see it," she said before he could speak.
"I know."
"They weren't supposed to see you like that. Not like... a character in a painting."
Leo watched the water for a long time before speaking.
"I didn't realize I looked that lost."
"You didn't look lost," she said softly. "You looked... like someone waiting for something."
Leo glanced sideways. "And you saw that?"
"I feel it. Because I'm waiting too."
They sat in silence.
Then she added, "But I think I'm done waiting for something that isn't mine."
Leo's throat tightened. "Aira—"
"I'm okay," she said, turning a page in her sketchpad. "Really. Drawing helps."
He didn't respond.
After a moment, she handed him a loose sheet tucked inside the cover.
It was the sketch of him and Yuki.
"I think this belongs to you now," she said with a smile that trembled just slightly.
Leo took it with both hands, heart heavier than he expected.
"Thank you."
Aira nodded.
And together, they watched the lake ripple under the fading sun.