The summer sun poured its golden warmth through the open window, filling the room with a soft light. The occasional distant laughter of children playing outside could be heard. A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers, bringing a touch of nature into any space.

The room itself seemed to exhale in the heat, the curtains swaying softly. It was a space caught in the embrace of summer, where I sat for quite a while doing my summer homework.

As I tackled my assignments, my mind wandered to the moments when I would spend the rest of the time with my siblings once the homework was completed.

I have already thought about which games we'll be playing. I think I should read them some stories too. Expectations bubble up within me, that's why I'm completing my task for today as soon as possible.

Just as I was lost in these thoughts, my room's door burst open. Startled, I turned to see who had done that. In the doorway, a familiar boy stood with a smile on his face. That sight of him irritated me instantly, and I couldn't help but glare at him before speaking.

“Paxon, how many times have I told you not to barge into my room like this?”

I'm clearly showing a hint of annoyance in my voice as I talk to him. However, he flashed a cheeky grin in response and shrugged casually. Likewise, he is always unfazed by my irritation.

"Where's the fun in coming in the normal way, Biha?" Paxon’s grin widened.

“And I also told you multiple times not to call me by that name.”

I feel quite annoyed and frustrated when he deliberately calls me by the wrong name. But he just shrugs his shoulders once more and casually settles down in front of me with nonchalant confidence.

Despite my initial irritation, I couldn't help but be patient. I wondered to myself how someone like him became my friend. Pushing aside my exasperation, I turned my attention back to my unfinished homework.

As I was doing my task, Paxon seemed content to entertain himself with paper shuffling and pencil scratching. It was creating a backdrop to my concentration and occasionally pulling my attention away from my homework.

After a few more moments, he rose from his seat and came beside me. “When will you be done with your homework?” It seems he has become bored by himself.

“A little while longer. If you're feeling bored, why not go play with my siblings?”

“They are just kids.” He sat down nearby after saying that.

"You're 12 years old yourself, which makes you a kid too." I put down my pen and looked at him. I noticed Paxon sitting with a hesitant expression on his face. He seemed to be grappling with something he wanted to say. Seeing this, I asked him,

“You seem like you want to say something." Paxon immediately smiled, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"Actually….” he began, then abruptly stopped talking. Now his behavior seemed off to me. Just as I was about to say something else, Paxon spoke up again.

“How about we watch a movie together?” His sudden proposal left me puzzled.

I tilted my head in confusion because it didn't match how he was behaving. I became suspicious of him and said,

“I thought you were planning to do something like last time.”

His smiling face completely vanished when I reminded him of the past incident. I mean, he should feel that way, he almost burned the whole house down with his previous prank, which had led to his two-month grounding.

“Anyway, I'm not doing something like that.” I was taken out of my thoughts when Paxon spoke up again. I refocused on my remaining homework and replied, 

“Then wait a bit longer. We can all watch the movie together once I'm finished.” 

“Nooo.” I could sense Paxon standing up and taking a few steps toward me. Without turning to face him, I questioned,

“What do you mean by ‘No’? Do you want to watch a movie or not?”

“Yes,” he answered immediately. However, before I could say anything, he continued, 

“I mean, I just want the two of us to watch it.” I looked at him this time with a suspicious expression, 

“Just as I thought, you might have done something wrong or had something mischievous in mind.”

As the words left my lips, I noticed a subtle flinch in Paxon's eye. However, in the next instant, his expression brightened, and he quickly clarified, 

“No, no, it's nothing like that. Do you remember the movie we tried to watch in my house? We didn't understand anything because our siblings kept interrupting?”

I pondered for a moment, then said, “You mean the ‘Forgetting Gift’ movie?”

Paxon nodded eagerly in agreement. It's true that both of our siblings disturbed us a lot, which made it difficult for Paxon to understand anything about the movie's plot. However, I couldn't tell him I somehow understood everything, even though I was also in the same situation as him.

I looked at him. Despite his response, I'm still suspicious of him. But I accepted it: “Alright, fine. But let me finish my homework first.”

As I agreed to Paxon's request, a bright smile spread across his face, his eyes lighting up with excitement. Watching his expression, a small sigh escaped as I muttered to myself, 

"What worse could he do? Plus, he might have learned his lesson after last time." With that thought, I returned my focus to the remaining homework.

As Bian turned her face, Paxon's expression changed. His childlike smile turned into a grin. When Bian permitted him, he started to use her computer.

Bian didn't look at him because it wasn't the first time he had done this. Paxon came over to Bian's house almost every day since they had known each other since elementary school. After he was done with what he was doing, he asked, “Are you done?”

“Yes.” I came in front of the computer after tidying up everything. Paxon seemed entirely absorbed in the screen. He might have wanted to watch it for some time. If he had been waiting for it, why hadn't he simply watched it alone?

Just as he was about to hit play, I remembered I needed to inform my siblings that I would play with them later. I got up from my seat and said, "Wait a moment, I need to let my siblings know I'll play with them after this."

Before I could take another step, Paxon interjected, "Don't worry, they're already occupied. My brother is playing with them right now."

“Your brother!? But you never…..”

“My mom bought us here,” I started, but Paxon cut me off before I could finish speaking. It would be quite shocking if Paxon brought his brother with him because he never did that. Resuming my seat, I realized Paxon had already started the movie.

The movie is quite interesting. I don't know why, but as time goes by, my interest in movies deepens. I felt quite familiar with this plot, and it surprised me a bit. Momentarily diverting my attention from these thoughts, I glanced at Paxon.

However, I was taken aback to find him staring at me instead of the screen. His eyes looked quite hazy and unfocused. I composed myself and asked him, “What happened?”

Paxon remained silent. Yet, he still stared at me. Then he suddenly started rummaging through his bag.

“Hey, what are you…?”

Before I could finish talking, he sat up abruptly. However, he placed one hand behind his back. It seemed he was holding something. As I was about to ask him anything, he began to say, “Do you remember the ‘—————’?”

“What?” I became confused because I could see his lips moving but didn't hear anything. I tapped my ears to see if they were blocked. When I looked at him, my eyes widened in shock. He revealed his other hand from behind his back. I rose from my seat and asked him,

“Why did you bring it here?”

{Crack}