A carriage's wheels rattle and shake as it bounces over the bumpy road. The sound of horseshoes striking the cobblestone street echoes through the air, creating a rhythmic clattering noise. Carriages, carts and horses crowd the streets—with their drivers shouting and jostling for space.

     Oliver and Gregory sit inside one of the luxurious carriages that roam the busy streets. A roof looms above the vehicle, sheltering them from the windy outdoors. Oliver gazes out the window, and his eyes scan the bustling sidewalk.

While looking through the window, Oliver turned to his friend. "What time is it?" he questioned him.

Gregory pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time before replying, "It's almost five in the afternoon."

"I hope we don't arrive too late at the lake," Oliver said.

"Don't worry," Gregory reassured him. "We'll be there at twilight."

     Gradually, the noise outside the carriage began to fade. Oliver leaned forward and looked through the window. He noticed a gateway opening in the reflection, revealing a plain grassland in place of the crowded streets. The endless sea of green instantly replaced the crowds and the buildings.

     The carriage passed through the gateway, and the endless grasslands stretching to the horizon replaced the cityscape. As the carriage left the concrete street and struck the soft earth, the repetitive sound of the horses' hooves became muffled and mushy. Oliver could no longer hear the loud chattering outside but the rustling grass and the chirping birds.

     As the carriage approaches the city limits, the noise and congestion of the crowded streets give way to a serene expanse of grassland stretching out as far as the eye can see. From afar, the entire landscape resembles a green painting—with subtle shades of grey at the bottom of the canvas. And the path ahead is uncertain.

     After hours of travelling across the grassy plain, Oliver felt as if he had been sitting in the carriage for years—with nothing to do but watch the endless expanse of grass rolling by. He leaned forward and gazed out the window. As he looked out, he saw nothing but grass everywhere.

"Feeling bored?" Gregory asked, turning his head slightly.

"Yeah," Oliver tightened his lips.

"Allow me to keep you company," Gregory grinned, quickly moving from his seat in front of Oliver to sit beside him. "Hello, friend."

Oliver smiled in response. "Hello," he whispered timidly.

"My, I couldn't help but notice you're wearing the same outfit as last week," Gregory commented, gesturing towards Oliver's tailcoat.

"And you too... I see you're wearing that same black coat again. Do you ever shower?" Oliver chuckled.

"Of course I do," Gregory replied.

"Heh," Oliver giggled, trying to conceal his giggle.

     Gregory's gaze drifts to the window beside his friend. He can see lush green fields and sprawling plantations filling every horizon. As he looks out at the unspoiled landscape, he feels a bittersweet warmth spread through his chest, igniting a flutter of butterflies in his stomach.

"Nostalgia..." Gregory spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Oliver followed his friend's gaze out the window. "Wow..." Oliver murmured.

"Oli? Do you remember when we were in this same grassland last year?" Gregory asked.

"I remember it well. We were on this same path during that time," Oliver beamed.

"How'd you know? It's grass everywhere," Gregory chuckled.

"Instincts," Oliver smirked.

"Well, good for you, then," Gregory laughed. "I only remember being lost."

"I understand if you were lost here. This grassland is so vast. I wouldn't be surprised if someone went missing here," Oliver said with a glimmering grin.

"We were missing here," Gregory crossed his arms, grinning.

Oliver and Gregory fell into a comfortable silence as they peered through the window, feeling their thoughts drifting back to the past.

"Truly, this grassland is an icon of my memory," Oliver said.

"An icon of memory, indeed," Gregory replied. "This is the very place where my dear friend was liberated from the shackles of his oppressive life."

Oliver looked at his friend. "...You truly are a great friend," Oliver said.

Gregory's eyes softened, and he smiled at Oliver. "And I see you as an amazing friend as well," he whispered.