"Do you still hate summer?" Taehyung asked as he stared at his fingers, fiddling with them.

Natsuki's mother had told them to go to bed early but, who wants to sleep early when they can talk about the most random things while the silence of night comforts them?

So, that's why, Natsuki laid on her bed, looking at Taehyung who had previously insisted on sleeping on the floor because, well, it was too soon even for him. Not to mention, if her mother saw them sleeping on the same bed, it would look really inappropriate.

Those were Taehyung's words. Being a good boy now, wasn't he?

"Hm? Why are you suddenly asking me that?" Natsuki chuckled, extending her hand downwards, dangling it by the side of her bed.

"Do you remember that time? When I first visited your place, we talked about our favourite seasons and you said that you didn't like summers all that much." he spoke in a soft voice, casually stretching his hand to touch Natsuki's.

"I remember," she replied.

"I was wondering if you still hate it..." he looked at her, caressing her fingers as if playing with them.

Natsuki sighed, pretending to think deeply for a while and stared at the ceiling, "to think about it, I've never really hated it. I thought there wasn't anything fun to do and it is always so hot and humid." she rolled her eyes, making Taehyung laugh.

"But," she looked back at him and continued, "I think I have come to like it now." then she smiled with her eyes as they turned into cute little crescents.

"Why?" Taehyung only wanted to know the reason out of curiosity.

"The burning streets in the afternoon didn't seem so bad when we walked together till the train station. The shrine on the little hill was cool and calm when we played with water and planted the seeds." her smile grew softer as she spoke further, "even the crowded and noisy festivals seem to grow onto me because we were together. The lonely nights didn't scare me and I no longer hate the summer classes because we can walk back home, side by side."

"I think it sounds really corny but," she couldn't help but laugh, "I like the summer more and more ever since I've got to know you. It's like, you're my summer. I keep wanting more of the calm summer afternoons with you by my side and I want to keep watching the stars with you at night while the insects sing in the background."

She finally looked back at him, only to find him staring at her with a frown and furrowed brows.

She almost panicked but his face soon softened and he smiled making her relieved.

"Natsuki, you really never cease to amaze me. Good for me though! I'll keep getting reminders of why I like you so much." his fingers finally found their way around Natsuki's as they intertwined innocently.

"You know, I was really scared. I've never been good with people. I thought I wouldn't be able to fit in here, but you made it all so easy. It's so funny," his smile widened, "finding a love interest was never a part of my to-do list and yet, here I am." he said, giving their hand a gentle squeeze.

"Life has a way to surprise us!" Natsuki commented shortly, "say, how do you think they will react once they find out?" and then asked suddenly.

"Our friends?" Taehyung laughed, "OH MY GOD, NATSUKI-CHAN AND TAEHYUNG?! that's probably how Jimin would react."

Natsuki was stunned and the silence was loud. But once it was too much to take, she burst out laughing.

"I think that's pretty accurate,"

"Alright, alright. Let's go to sleep now, it's really late." Taehyung glanced at the clock.

"Aw, I still want to keep talking, but I get it. Then... good night!" she slipped her hand back from Taehyung's hold and waved at him before turning away from him.

Taehyung only shook his head with a smile on his face and muttered a small good night before drifting off to sleep as well.

•~•~•

"Why don't you believe me?" Fumiya sighed frustratedly, looking away from him.

"Because... how did that happen?! When? I just..." Jimin furrowed his eyebrows, lost in thoughts.

"Even Yoongi says that it's right, see!" Fumiya turned to Yoongi who nodded in response.

"But..."

"Jimin, let them get here, then we can talk about what's right and wrong, okay? Now, please shut up." Yoongi went to sit beside him as Jimin pouted, offended by how he shut him up.

"Hey, we're here." Natsuki skipped towards them, followed by Taehyung.

"Here you are, Natsuki-chan, tell me what is Fumiya-kun sa-"

Before Jimin could ask, Fumiya had already sabotaged the possibility of him speaking any further by pressing his hand on his mouth.

"It's nothing, so, what are you guys wanna talk about?" Fumiya laughed it off, a nervous smile still lingering on his lips.

"Um, alright...?" Natsuki looked at them weirdly, like, 'what are they even doing?'.

"Yukio, you go ahead." she turned to him, and spoke while smiling innocently.

"Me?! Uh.. how do I say it again?" he was clearly struggling. Poor him! Natsuki left him struggling on his own.

It can't be!

"Ah! Me and Yukio are-"

"DATING?! FOR REAL?!" and there he goes! Jimin was already free from Fumiya's hold.

"Silly, Aki-kun, you didn't even let her finish." Fumiya covered his face in disappointment.

He really shouldn't have spoiled it beforehand. Not to Jimin, that's for sure.

"Wait, how do you know?!" Natsuki asked, wide eyed. Taehyung just stood there without a word.

"Well, Fumiya-kun told me-"

"Ah ha! I was just... you know, trying to prepare them for the shock." Fumiya tried to make sense of his actions but looking at Natsuki's fierce eyes, it was sure not working very well.

"If you ask me, it wasn't much of a shock. They were obvious." Yoongi finally spoke, hands folded in front of his chest.

"Right?!" Fumiya quickly replied.

"Instead, the shock should be something like this," Yoongi continued and suddenly turned to Jimin, who looked at him, clueless as ever, "right, Jimin?" and as he leaned down to briefly peck his lips, everyone gasped in unison.

What the....

"Well, well, what am I seeing right now?!" Fumiya was the first one to recover from the shock.

"Oh my god.." Jimin could only muttered those words out of shame.

"Hey, that's not fair! We were supposed to have our center of attention moment but now you've stolen it, Yoongi." Natsuki complained, whining.

"I'm sorry," Yoongi said but laughed, making Natsuki pout. She soon softened her face though!

"Tell us everything, right now." Fumiya demanded.

Although Fumiya was sharp enough to sense this a long time ago, there's just a different type of fun in hearing it from themselves.

"Shouldn't we be asking these two first?" Yoongi pointed at Natsuki and Taehyung.

"Well, what's there to say?" Natsuki shrugged but Taehyung came forward.

"There is," he interrupted her, "I think it's important to say it out aloud, um, also because I want to." he turned to Natsuki.

"Oh!" Fumiya was really enjoying it.

"I really like you, Natsuki, I hope we can stay together for a very long time, and I hope everyone will support us." he then faced the others.

Natsuki had heard it before but, to hear it from him in front of everyone, it made her extra flustered. And the sound of others cheering them only made it worse.

"God! Yukio, how can I not like you?" she muttered in a small voice but couldn't stop her smile from growing.

"Wow, how sweet!" Fumiya teased who instantly earned a smack from Natsuki.

"Ugh! Alright, enough attention for today, let's hear from Yoongi now." Natsuki quickly changed the subject.

"Ah, right! I can't believe Fumiya tricked me. I was really jealous of Yoongi. It's a relief, really." Taehyung said, making everyone laugh.

If Fumiya told them about their secret, then, there was no doubt he already told them the story of how he helped Taehyung. He must have had a good time bragging about it.

"There's nothing much really... I thought I made it obvious but our Mr Park is a bit too oblivious so I went ahead and told him clearly." Yoongi said, voice cool.

"Oh, please, you make it sound so easy." Jimin complained midway.

"Then how would you explain it?" Yoongi asked.

"You guys don't know, Yoongi is a scary guy. He cornered me in the- I mean, I had no other choice but to listen to him. I thought he was going to threaten me if I said no." As always, Jimin was whining again.

If we think like this, Natsuki and Jimin are similar in a way. And that's probably why they're often bickering.

"Oh really? So, it wasn't you who sneaked a kiss from me at first?"

"I- I.. what am I supposed to do if you are all over me like that? I have a fragile heart-"

"Your words are saying that you didn't hate it, Aki-kun." Fumiya chimed in.

"Oh my! You guys are really something." Haruki shook his head, who was silent all this time, "now, don't tell me that Fumiya-kun is also seeing someone."

"Well..."

Everyone went silent.

"No way!" Natsuki exclaimed.

"Oh my god, Fumiya-kun, you too?!" Jimin also joined in.

"Um, I guess, I have to say it now." Fumiya said nervously.

"Yes,"

"You guys remember the island trip? So, um, I met someone there."

"Who?!" everyone asked at the same time.

"She's not from here."

"From another prefecture then?"

"Not from Japan-"

"Really?! Not bad, Fumiya-kun!" now, it was Natsuki's turn to tease him.

"I know, right? We're still just talking though!" but he wasn't easily teased by.

"That means, I'm the only one left single?" Haruki frowned.

"Aw, you have your video games though!" Fumiya said.

"Well, that's right." and he started smiling again, which made the others laugh at how easily his mood can change.

No matter how much things change, one thing will always remain in their lives, it is the bond they have build. Their friendship is something they cherish more than anything and I think, everyone should!

As the time passed, they talked about all the random things, this and that. It was already time to head back home.

"Yoongi is leaving soon, we're gonna meet up before that, right?" Haruki asked as they were about to part ways.

"Of course!" Fumiya answered without a second thought.

"Aw, man! I'm already missing you, Yoongi." Natsuki frowned, going over to give him a hug.

"You're the only person I'd let Yoongi hug like his life depended on it." Jimin shook his head dramatically while sniffling, pretending to shed a tear or two.

"Cut the act, lover boy." Fumiya commented, earning a small chuckle from Yoongi.

"I'm not lying though, try and hug him. I can see myself chasing you for a nice future beating." Jimin cracked his knuckles, trying to intimidate him.

"Oh, no, I'm scared." Fumiya also played along and hid behind Taehyung. Jimin just gave him a middle finger.

Taehyung cleared his throat, discretely pulling Natsuki away towards him.

"Let's go before it gets dark, shall we?"

"Yes, bye everyone. Get home safe."

They parted their ways with smiles on their faces and a content feeling in heart. Although the night can be a little lonely, it was worth it because of the comfortable silence it brought with it.

On their way home...

"Isn't it nice out here?" Taehyung asked, referring to the clear starry sky and cool wind.

"It is," Natsuki answered shortly.

"Are you.. really sad that he's going away again?" he could feel it. She genuinely cared about her friends.

"Mhm, kind of." she looked at him. He smiled in return.

"It's alright. When he leaves, I'll accompany you if you wanna cry, or we can eat ice cream together. I heard it's good for when we're feeling down. What do you say?" his attempts of cheering her up didn't go to waste as she finally smiled.

"You're so cute for no freaking reason!"

"Well, can't deny that." he winked, a sly smile on his face.

"Is that really you, Yukio?" and she finally laughed. Taehyung felt at ease after watching her laugh like always.

"You know, if it makes you feel better I can learn how to crack better jokes." he said casually, swinging their arms together.

"You don't have to, silly." she looked at the stars, "just being with you makes me feel better already."

"I'm glad," he replied with a smile.

The stars were especially beautiful tonight.

"I know, life isn't going to get any easier as time passes by. At first, I was really scared and didn't want to accept these.. feelings. I wanted to run away, but you made me feel at ease without even realising. And for the first time, I thought, if it's with you, I can take a step forward even if I'm scared." Natsuki confessed honestly.

She wasn't someone who fancied talking about serious things, but with him, she really did feel the most comfortable.

"I understand what you feel," Taehyung said.

"If one day, things don't go the way we want, can you be patient with me?" Natsuki asked, puppy eyes looking up at him.

"Of course, sweetie." he stopped to give her a loving caress on the head.

"That's all I need," she smiled and began to stretch her hands, "ah, I'm so tired," and sneakily snuggled towards Taehyung.

He understood the assignment and went ahead to embrace her properly as he chuckled.

He will need a year or two more to get used to her creative tactics. He found it cute anyways.

As it is said, the time is no one's friend. If they wanted, they could have pondered over the dumb 'what ifs' and could have wasted what they had in present. That could be their biggest regret, but instead, they decided to embrace the flow of life.

That's what living is all about!

Natsuki could finally welcome the upcoming summers with open arms and Taehyung finally found the place where he belonged.

This summer of their youth, ended up becoming the best summer of their lives.

■□■□
I can't believe it's over. Bye, I'll go and cry.
Vote and comment please. <3 don't go without sharing your views on the book. I'll look forward to it.

Ps: the person 'not from Japan' is......... @/Veautiful_taes 🤡🤷🏻‍♀️🌚