The camp was quiet, the air thick with the stillness of an overcast afternoon. Gray clouds hung low in the sky, blocking the sun, and a damp chill lingered in the air. The group sat in a loose circle, their conversation heavy with unspoken tension.
Roslin exhaled sharply, breaking the stillness. "So you're telling me… after that day, you guys never saw each other again?"
Toping stared at the fire for a moment before answering, his voice unreadable.
"Actually, no. We came to this camp together."
Tsunami's eyes widened. "Wait. You guys came here with Hina and Soccer?"
Toping nodded.
The group immediately exchanged glances. They had to know—why did Hina betray Sam after everything he had done for her?
Shon sighed, rubbing his temples. "They already left before you guys arrived. Hina got a call from her sister—her mom suddenly fell sick after they got home. So, Hina and soccer had to return urgently."
Jangla leaned forward. "Then… did you guys ask her why she did it? Why she betrayed Sam?" before they left.
Toping hesitated before responding. "We ran into her unexpectedly. We mates had a gathering at my place a week ago and that was when she appeared all of a sudden with soccer to pay a visit, since we were neighbors.
We felt uneasy seeing her acting cheerful, like nothing had happened. But we didn't want to ruin the reunion moment by bringing up a taboo topic
He exhaled, shaking his head. "Then, all of a sudden we made this plan to come here, and everything seemed fine—until she left and Sam arrived. It's like… the universe is trying to pull up something."
Shon crossed his arms. "We don't know how much Sam remembers or how much it still hurts him. I'd rather keep this conversation between us.
Make sure to keep it a secret from Sam.
"What secret are you talking about?" A voice cut through like a blade. Everyone flinched, their heads snapping upward.
Sam stood at the top of the slope, hands in his pockets, his expression curious yet happy. His black hair gleamed under the single ray of sunlight that pierced through the heavy clouds, making him look almost angelic against the dark clouds.

The crackling fire was the only sound as the group froze.
Sam had arrived at the worst possible moment.
He seems to be unaware of what they said.
What secret are you guys trying to hide from me? He said.
Panic spread through the group. Jangla, quick to think on her feet, blurted out, "Ah—now he know we're keeping a secret? I guess we have no choice but to tell him…"
She took a dramatic breath.
"…about the secret lover who has a huge crush on Sam."
The others quickly caught on to her desperate attempt at a cover-up.
"She's so beautiful," Ori added with an exaggerated nod.
"You'll instantly fall in love," Toping chimed in.
Sam narrowed his eyes at them, unimpressed. Without a word, he jumped down from the slope, landing lightly. "What nonsense. Do you think I'm stupid or an idiot?"
The group exchanged glances, then, completely deadpan, answered in unison: an idiot.
Tsunami: "No doubt."
Ori: "For sure."
Shon: "Definitely."
Roslin: "100%."
Jangla: "Certainly."
Toping: "Yes, yes."
Sam blinked, offended. "that hurt more than when I chocked at my own saliva.
He frowned. "And wait… since when did you all become such good friends?"
The group smirked, looking at each other before answering casually, "Maybe because of you. We can give you credit for this."
Sam, confused, titled his head. "What are you talking about?"
Toping suddenly walked up, grabbed him by the head, and dragged him toward the group.
Sam barely had time to protest before being pulled into their circle. He glanced around and noticed something.
"Oh, you guys made another fire," he muttered. "I guess it's warmer this way."
The group chuckled, while Sam—still unsure of what just happened—found himself unintentionally settling into the warmth of both the fire and the unexpected camaraderie.