The second the train screeched to a stop, Asahi practically jumped out of his seat, already reaching for both his and your luggage.

"Baby! Wake up! We're finally here!" he beamed, voice bubbling with excitement as he started dragging the bags down the narrow aisle. The cool breeze hit his face the moment the doors opened, and he practically jumped when he heard a voice shout across the platform.

"ASAHIIIIII!"

Kaito came running like a missile, practically tackling Asahi and you in one dramatic sweep. Asahi laughed, arms wide open. "KAITOOOO!" The two of them collapsed into a tangle of arms and half-sobs, their reunion way louder than necessary but too pure to interrupt.

Asahi looked up mid-hug, catching a familiar face behind Kaito—Ren, standing with his signature deadpan expression and slouched posture like he hadn't just traveled hours back to their hometown too.

"Come on, Ren! Don't be shy. Hug your best friend! You haven't seen me in a year!"

"No thanks," Ren muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, come on, don't give me that 'I don't care' attitude," Asahi pouted, arms out like a dramatic child chasing a retreating cat. "I *know* you missed me."

Kaito laughed, snuck behind Ren, and wrapped him in a tight bear hug, locking him in place as Asahi closed in with exaggerated kissy sounds.

The whole group burst out laughing—even Ren's lips twitched into the smallest grin, which was basically a full-blown laugh by Ren standards.

Asahi peeked over Kaito's shoulder and blinked at someone unfamiliar. Or... maybe not that unfamiliar.

"Whoa, Miyuki? Is that you? Damn, you *changed*. That's a whole glow-up," he teased with a playful smirk.

Miyuki flipped her hair with a fake smile. "Why thank you. Can't blame you if you break up with your girlfriend to be with me."

Ren scoffed from the side. "Guess the attitude didn't change."

Asahi made a face. "Oh hell no. I'd rather be skinned alive than date you. She has my whole heart." He shot you a wink, smug and sincere all at once.

The train ride back to their old hometown had been a haze of laughter, snacks, and half-finished stories. Before they knew it, they were standing in front of the old shack—the one they used to sneak off to every summer, their secret base. But something was... off.

"Keep out? Under construction?" Asahi squinted at the crooked sign nailed to the old wooden fence, blinking like the words might change if he stared long enough.

Kaito shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... they're finally taking it down."

Ren's brows drew together. "What for?"

Kaito let out a small sigh, eyes flicking toward the building like he was bracing for backlash. "They're building a new youth center. For local kids. You know... a safe spot to hang out, play games, get help with school."

Asahi's mouth opened like he wanted to argue, but nothing came out right away. He glanced at you, then back at the half-collapsed shack behind the barrier.

"You serious?" His voice cracked a bit, caught between surprise and something else he didn't want to name. "This place was our whole world."

"I know," Kaito said gently. "That's why I waited. I wanted us all to see it together."

Asahi blew out a long breath, hands on his hips. "Right..."

There was a pause, just long enough for the wind to pass through, carrying the scent of dry grass and sun-warmed wood. Then he added, quieter this time "I just didn't think it'd ever be gone."

Asahi sighed through his nose. "Right... okay. Whatever. Anyway! I better head home—Mom and Dad are probably waiting on me and you."

They all said their goodbyes, each peeling off toward whatever place they were crashing in for the summer.