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By the time he understands what she meant to him, sheβs already gone β leaving him with nothing but memories and the quiet regret of words he never said.
The sun hung high in the sky, beating down relentlessly on the sandy expanse of the beach where the Inarizaki High volleyball team had gathered to set up their net for an impromptu game, with waves crashing rhythmically against the shore in the background as Atsumu delivered a powerful spike that sent the ball slamming into the sand, prompting laughter from the group when Osamu attempted to block it but ended up diving too late and missing entirely.
Kita worked methodically to adjust the net poles with his characteristic calm and focused demeanor, while Aran shouted instructions for plays from the opposite side of the court, his voice carrying over the sound of the surf. Suna Rintarou, however, remained seated off to the side with his knees drawn up toward his chest, a joint pinched between his fingers as he took a slow, deliberate drag, allowing the smoke to curl lazily upward while he stared out at the endless stretch of water before him. The high from the weed made the world feel somewhat distant and hazy around the edges, but the memories that surfaced were sharp and unrelenting, pulling him back to this very same beach where they used to hold bonfires late into the night, where everything had begun to unravel between him and you in ways he could never have anticipated.
He missed you deeply, the way you used to manage the team with such fierce determination, handling everything from water bottles to towels and sharply calling out reminders for them to stay focused during practices that often devolved into chaos without your steady presence. Suna exhaled another plume of smoke, feeling a tightness constrict his chest as regret washed over him once again for that impulsive shove in the gym all those months ago; he knew he should have treated you with the respect and care you deserved, recognizing now more than ever that despite all the stubborn pride and constant bickering, you two were truly meant for each other, two idiots who fought like hell but always circled back to some unspoken connection that neither could deny.
You had joined the Inarizaki volleyball team as their manager right at the beginning of the school year, armed with a clipboard tucked under your arm and a no-nonsense attitude that made it clear from the outset you were there to keep these energetic and often unruly players organized and on track, ready to handle everything from scheduling practices to tracking player stats with precision. Suna caught your attention almost immediately during that first session in the school gym, his tall frame leaning lazily against the wall with those half-lidded eyes and a perpetual smirk that suggested he viewed most rules as optional suggestions rather than strict guidelines, and at seventeen years old, you both embodied that teenage stubbornness and pride that made admitting any vulnerability feel like an insurmountable defeat. The very first argument between you erupted during a routine practice when Atsumu executed a flawless serve that soared across the net, but Suna, lost in his own thoughts for a moment, completely missed the receive, allowing the ball to bounce harmlessly away.
βWhat in the world were you doing, Suna? You need to stay focused and pay attention out there instead of daydreaming through every single drill,β you snapped at him without hesitation, crossing your arms over your chest as frustration bubbled up inside you at the wasted opportunity.
He turned toward you slowly, his eyebrows arching in mild surprise before settling into that familiar challenging expression, stepping a bit closer until he loomed over you with his height advantage. βHey, relax a little, missy; it's only practice, not some national championship match where one missed ball is going to end the world, so why don't you ease up and let us breathe for a second?β
Your voice rose in response, the irritation sharpening your tone as you refused to back down. βOnly practice? That's exactly the problemβif you treat every session like it's optional, then how do you expect to perform when it actually counts?β βYou're wasting not just your time but everyone else's around you, and that's not how a team operates.β
Atsumu let out a low whistle from his position on the court, unable to resist chiming in with a grin. βWhoa, looks like we've got a full-on lovers' quarrel kicking off before the warm-ups are even done! You two should take it to the locker room if it's going to get this intense.β
You and Suna both whipped your heads around to glare at him simultaneously, the shared annoyance momentarily uniting you against the intruder, but even as the heat of the moment faded, a lingering tension sparked between you two that neither could quite ignore or dismiss.
That very same night marked the beginning of your shared habit of skipping classes together, starting innocently enough when Suna spotted you lingering in the hallway during math period, clearly uninterested in the lecture droning on inside the classroom. βYou look bored out of your mind standing there, want to get out of here and do something actually worthwhile for once?β he asked, leaning casually against the row of lockers with that easy confidence that always seemed to draw you in despite yourself.
You met his gaze with a smirk of your own, matching his energy without missing a beat. βBored doesn't even begin to cover itβ¦ this class is draining the life out of me, so yeah, I'm in if you've got a better plan than sitting through equations I already know.β
He jerked his head toward the exit doors at the end of the hall, a subtle invitation that you accepted without a second thought. βThere's this old abandoned building just a couple blocks down the street that I've been meaning to check out. Itβs got all sorts of creepy vibes and probably some cool spots to explore if you're up for itβ¦?β
You followed him out into the afternoon sun, the thrill of ditching school buzzing through your veins as you walked side by side, chatting about nothing and everything until you reached the weathered structure with its boarded-up windows and graffiti-covered walls. Inside, the air was thick with dust and the faint scent of decay, but that only added to the excitement as you climbed the creaky wooden stairs together, kicking at loose debris along the way and laughing when a particularly stubborn door stuck fast until Suna gave it a firm shove to force it open. The upper room revealed a panoramic view of the city sprawling out below, and you both settled on the edge of the platform with your legs dangling over the side, sharing a cigarette he'd swiped from his friends stash earlier that day.
βThis is the kind of trouble I could get used to, you knowβway better than pretending to care about derivatives and integrals back in that stuffy classroom,β you said after exhaling a thin stream of smoke, feeling the smoke calm your nerves just a bit.
He bumped his shoulder against yours lightly, a playful gesture that sent a small spark through you. βComing from the girl who didn't hesitate to tag along with a guy she barely knows, if anyone's the troublemaker here, it's you for enabling all this without a second thought.β You shoved him back in retaliation, both of you dissolving into laughter that echoed through the empty space, the easy camaraderie forming a bond that would pull you into more escapades over the coming weeks.
From that point forward, teasing and picking fights became your unspoken routine, woven seamlessly into the fabric of team life, where the other members quickly picked up on the dynamic and reacted in their own waysβOsamu would roll his eyes dramatically whenever you two started bickering over something trivial during shared meals after practice, Kita would step in with a sigh to mediate and restore order before things escalated too far, and Aran would chuckle deeply, commenting that your constant challenges actually seemed to motivate Suna in ways nothing else could during games or drills.
Yet, whenever it was just the two of you without the rest of the team around, the world seemed to shrink down to a more intimate scale, filled with those reckless and utterly stupid adventures that somehow always turned out feeling exhilarating and fun in the moment, like sneaking out after late practices to wander the dimly lit streets while debating every topic under the sun.
One evening as you walked home together after a particularly grueling training session, the argument flared up over something as mundane as volleyball technique, your voice carrying conviction as you laid out your point. βYou're completely off base with that serve technique you've been practicing lately!β βItβs too predictable and leaves you wide open for blocks, so if you adjusted your arm angle just a fraction, you could generate way more power without sacrificing control!β
He grabbed the strap of your backpack to pull you back toward him when you tried to surge ahead in frustration, his grip firm but not aggressive. βNo, I'm telling you, I'm right on this oneβgo watch any professional match and you'll see players with similar forms dominating the court, so why fix what isn't broken when it's clearly working for me in games?β
You yanked away from his hold, but the proximity made your pulse quicken noticeably, a reaction you hoped he didn't catch. βBecause I'm not talking about pros who have years of refinementβat our level, you need every edge, and stubbornness like yours is just going to hold the whole team back if you don't listen to reason for once.β
Suna had a habit of initiating these arguments deliberately, often poking at your meticulous organizational habits during team meetings where you'd present detailed schedules and rotations, his comments laced with just enough provocation to draw you out. βAll these rigid schedules and timelines feel so unnecessary sometimes.β βLife isn't a checklist, so maybe we should just wing it more and see what happens instead of micromanaging every second.β
Your retort came swift and pointed, refusing to let him undermine your efforts. βEasy for you to say when you're the one who shows up late half the time without a plan.β
But beneath the surface of all that friction, you both recognized the underlying care in each other's barbsβhe'd linger after the worst of the fights, casually bumping your arm with his elbow as a silent olive branch, a way to signal apology without the humiliation of outright saying it, and you'd find yourself thinking about him constantly, replaying conversations in your head long after the team had dispersed. One afternoon in the gym following a disappointing loss to a rival school, the accumulated tension from the defeat finally pushed things into uncharted territory when the rest of the team filed out to the showers, leaving you alone to pack away the equipment and wipe down the benches. Suna stayed behind as well, toweling off the sweat from his forehead and neck with deliberate slowness, his presence filling the emptying space.
βYou were way off your game today during that match, and honestly, it showed in the final set when we could have turned it around,β you remarked while folding a stack of towels, your tone a mix of critique and concern that you couldn't quite mask.
He moved closer to help, his hand accidentallyβor perhaps notβbrushing against yours as he reached for one of the towels, the contact sending a jolt through you both. βYeah, well, the coach rides everyone hard after a loss like that, but it's not like I was the only one struggling out there. The pressure gets to all of us eventually, so maybe cut me some slack instead of piling on right now.β
The air between you thickened with unspoken energy, and when you glanced up to meet his eyes, he was already leaning in, closing the distance until his lips pressed firmly against yours in a kiss that started tentative but quickly ignited into something more intense. You hesitated for only a heartbeat before responding, kissing him back with equal fervor, your hands coming up to grip his waist as he backed you gently against the cool gym wall for support. His fingers splayed across your sides, holding you steady while your own tangled into the damp strands of his hair, tugging lightly to urge him closer as his tongue sought entry and you parted your lips to let him in, the kiss deepening with shared breaths and the faint taste of sweat from practice lingering on your mouths. He nipped at your lower lip playfully, drawing a soft gasp from you that made him press his body flush against yours, the heat building until you both pulled back after what felt like an eternity, chests heaving as you caught your breath in the quiet gym.
βDon't go blabbing about this to anyone on the team. I don't need Atsumu turning it into his next big joke at my expense,β he muttered, that signature smirk returning to his face even as his eyes held a spark of something softer.
You straightened your shirt, cheeks flushed but voice steady as you fired back. βAs if I'd waste my time bragging about kissing someone as infuriating as you!β βThis changes nothing about how you drive me up the wall during practices!β
It happened again just a week later, tucked away behind the bleachers after another practice had wrapped up, the seclusion allowing for a quicker, more stolen moment where he cornered you against the metal frame, his mouth claiming yours hungrily without preamble, hands roaming boldly over your sides and hips while you arched into him, your back pressing into the unyielding surface as nails scraped lightly down his neck in response to the urgency of his touch. No words were exchanged afterward, just the lingering rush of adrenaline and the way he made every argument fade into the background for those brief, electric instances.
The reckless escapades with the team only intensified from there, evolving from simple class skips into full-blown days of adventure that pulled everyone in when possible. One memorable afternoon, the group crammed into Atsumu's rundown old carβyou squeezed in the back next to Suna, with Osamu shotgun and Kita and Aran somehow fitting in the remaining spaceβand headed out to an derelict factory on the outskirts of town, the drive filled with rowdy banter and music blasting from the speakers. Once inside the cavernous building with its rusted beams and echoing halls, you all spread out to explore, climbing precarious metal ladders and platforms that groaned under your weight, hearts racing from the danger as Atsumu let out triumphant whoops after leaping from one ledge to another.
Kita voiced his reservations even as he trailed behind the group, his practical nature shining through. βThis whole idea strikes me as incredibly stupidβone wrong step on these unstable structures, and we're looking at serious injuries that could sideline the entire team for weeks!β
But he followed regardless, unable to resist the pull of the group's energy, while Osamu shoved Atsumu's shoulder in mock annoyance after his brother nearly knocked over a pile of old crates. You and Suna turned it into a spontaneous race to the highest point, your hand instinctively slipping into his for better balance on the slick rungs, the contact feeling natural in the midst of the chaos. At the roof level, with wind whipping fiercely around you and the city visible in the distance, you collapsed side by side onto the concrete, thighs brushing as you caught your breath.
βYou have to admit that this beats staring at a blackboard in school all day no?β Suna said, his voice carrying a rare note of genuine satisfaction.
You leaned your head briefly against his shoulder, allowing the vulnerability of the moment to show. βMaybe just this once, but don't let it go to your headβ¦ we can't make this a habit of risking our lives like this every time we're bored.β
The nighttime gatherings with the team took on an even wilder edge as getting high became a regular ritual, with joints circulating freely in the dimly lit gym after hours or out in forgotten parking lots where the risk of getting caught added to the thrill. Laughter bounced off the walls as Atsumu launched into exaggerated imitations of the coach's stern lectures, Osamu rummaged through a bag of pilfered snacks to distribute unevenly among the group, and even Kita attempted to maintain some semblance of order despite the buzz clouding his usual composure.
The beach bonfire that summer night represented the absolute peak of those carefree times, with stars dotting the dark sky overhead and the fire crackling warmly on the sand as the team formed a loose circle around itβyou wedged comfortably between Suna and Aran, the joint making its way around the group while smoke mingled with the salty sea air. Everyone was thoroughly relaxed and laughing freely, Atsumu recounting a particularly embarrassing failed spike from an earlier practice with dramatic flair, while Osamu interjected corrections to the story, insisting on the accurate details that made his twin look even more foolish. Kita nodded along thoughtfully, adding his own measured insights, and Aran filled in the gaps with additional anecdotes that kept the mood light and engaging.
You leaned into Suna's side as the high settled in, warmth spreading through you from both the fire and his casual arm draped over your shoulders, a gesture that felt possessive yet comforting in the haze. As the night deepened and the conversations turned more introspective under the influence, fragments of old arguments resurfaced naturally, starting with your teasing nudge against his ribs. βDo you even remember that time after the away game when you tried to pin the entire loss on me for calling out your positioning too loudly? It was ridiculous how you twisted it to make me the villain.β
He tilted his head to look at you, his voice dropping to a more intimate level amid the group's chatter. βHow could I forget? You were distracting me on purpose with all that yelling from the sidelinesβif you'd just stayed quiet for once, I might have nailed that receive and changed the whole outcome.β
The laughter from the others faded into a more subdued hum as the exchange drew subtle attention, the high loosening tongues and allowing deeper sentiments to emerge. Suna fixed his gaze on the flickering flames, taking another pull from the joint before passing it along, his words coming out heavier than usual. βI can't give you everything that you might want or deserve in this situation. I really wish circumstances were different so that I could step up without all these limitations holding me back.β
You blinked up at him, the confession catching you off guard in its raw honesty, especially since you'd noticed his recent embarrassment over being short on cash from pitching in more at home, unable to cover even the small things like extra snacks or team merchandise you'd mentioned offhand. βWhat exactly are you talking about right now? You don't owe me anythingβ¦ that's never been the point between us, so why bring it up like some big revelation?β
His eyes finally met yours, vulnerability cracking through his usual guarded expression. βYou know exactly what I meanβthe stuff you've hinted at wanting, like treating you to something nice after a long week or just having the means to not feel like a broke idiot every time money comes up. I'm tapped out constantly, and it kills me that I can't provide even the basics without scraping by.β
The team fell into a respectful quiet, sensing the shift toward something personal and charged, the weight of his admission hanging in the air like the smoke. A pang of empathy twisted in your chest because you truly didn't care about the financial side, but seeing his pride wounded like that hurt in its own way, prompting a response that came out sharper than intended due to your own defenses rising. βYou're being absolutely ridiculous about this, it's not about money or gifts or whatever you're imagining in your headβI've never once made you feel like you had to buy my attention or approval.β
He handed the joint off to Atsumu without breaking eye contact, frustration edging into his tone. βYeah, right, as if everyone around us doesn't pick up on how you push for more sometimesβ¦ it's obvious, and it stings more than you'd think when I have to hold back because of my situation.β
The argument ignited fully then, pulling you both to your feet with sand shifting underfoot as emotions ran high. βYou're the one making it into a problem by assuming that's all I care about, if you'd just talk to me instead of bottling it up, we wouldn't be here rehashing this like idiots under the stars.β
Suna stood as well, closing the gap until your faces were inches apart, his voice low and intense. βAnd you're always the one escalating every little thing into a fight, maybe if you didn't push so hard, I'd feel like I could open up without it turning into an interrogation right away.β
You turned on your heel and stormed a short distance down the beach, the cool night air doing little to temper the heat in your cheeks, but he followed quickly, his hand wrapping around your arm to halt your retreat. βWaitβhold on just a secondβwe can't keep doing this shit every time things get real.β
Spinning back toward him, you shoved at his chest with both hands, the force surprising even yourself. βThen let go of me and stop acting like you control every conversation! βI need space when you're being this dense!β
He refused to release his hold at first, instead using it to draw you closer until your bodies collided, his lips crashing down on yours in a fierce makeout that channeled all the pent-up frustration into passion. Tongues battled for dominance as hands fisted into clothing, your bodies slamming back against a nearby piece of driftwood for leverage, the salty tang of the ocean mixing with the lingering smoke on your breaths while his fingers dug firmly into your hips and your nails raked down his neck, leaving faint red trails. The intensity eased the immediate anger, leaving a simmering undercurrent as you broke apart, lips swollen and breaths ragged, before returning to the fire where the group pretended not to notice but exchanged knowing glances.
The night wound down with renewed laughter and lighter stories, but that subtle crack in your shared armor lingered, hinting at the deeper feelings neither of you was ready to voice outright.
As months slipped by, a new complication arose when Aran's cousin, Mari, arrived in town for an extended visit and quickly inserted herself into the team's orbit, her bubbly personality and athletic background making her a natural fit at first glance as she offered to help with basic stats during practices and cheered enthusiastically from the benches. You didn't mind her presence initially, appreciating the extra pair of hands since managing the team solo could be overwhelming with their endless energy, but gradually, the dynamics shifted in uncomfortable ways as conversations during breaks began centering around her experiences and ideas. βMari, come on, show the guys that killer serve you've been working on, it's got more spin than half our rotations,β Atsumu called out one afternoon, completely overlooking your attempt to distribute water bottles and remind them of the next drill.
You continued handing out the hydration, forcing a smile even as eyes turned toward her demonstration, with Osamu offering to share his lunch bento as they chatted about flavors, Aran patiently explaining complex plays in response to her questions, and even Kita engaging more than usual with her thoughtful observations on team strategy. Suna, who had always gravitated toward you in these moments, now found himself drawn into longer talks with her, laughing at her witty remarks while you busied yourself alone with organizing gear bags and wiping down the court edges.
The irritation built steadily over time, turning practices into endurance tests where you felt increasingly sidelined and undervalued despite pouring your heart into the role, from meticulously tracking performance metrics to motivating the players through slumps. Subtle comments from the team amplified the exclusion, like Kita's offhand praise during a huddleββMariβs bringing a fresh energy to these sessions that really motivates everyoneβ, or the way side conversations formed around her, leaving you on the periphery. One particularly stinging day, you tried to join the post-drill discussion, clipboard in hand with updated stats, but Mari stepped forward assertively, effectively blocking your path with a polite but firm smile. βIt's okay, girl! Weβve got this covered for now, so you can focus on the equipment if you want.β
The team chuckled along, oblivious to the way your jaw clenched in response, the dismissal cutting deeper than any intentional slight. As the months dragged on in this pattern, the weight of being overlooked became too much to bear; the passion for the manager position that had once fueled you now felt like a burden, leading you to the painful decision that it might be best to step away entirely and seek a fresh start as manager for a rival school where your efforts would be appreciated without the constant overshadowing.
Before making it official, though, you held onto a flicker of hope that talking to Suna might change things, that perhaps he still harbored the same feelings amid the growing distance and could convince you to stay if he showed any sign of prioritizing your connection over the new distractions. Practice that day in the gym was running at full throttle, with balls thudding against the floor and sneakers squeaking sharply on the polished wood as sweat flew from determined swings, and you lingered on the sidelines, heart pounding with nerves while watching Suna execute a powerful spike before turning immediately to Mari, who clapped and leaned in to offer feedback that elicited a rare genuine smile from him.
Gathering your courage, you approached the huddled group as the drill paused briefly. βSuna, do you think we could step aside for a minute and talk privately about something important that's been on my mind? It won't take long, I promise.β
He glanced over at you with visible confusion creasing his brow, still catching his breath from the play. βWhat's this about that you can't just say right here in front of everyone? We're in the middle of a set, so if it's quick, spit it out now instead of dragging me away.β
Irritation flared hot in your chest at the dismissal, sharpening the edge in your voice as you pressed on. βIt's not something trivial that belongs in a group settingβ¦ this is personal between us, so please, just give me a few minutes alone without making it into a scene.β
His eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of annoyance igniting as he straightened up fully. βWhy does it always have to be private with you, like nothing can ever be discussed openly? If you're going to bring up whatever drama you've cooked up, at least have the guts to do it where the team can hear, because this secretive approach is starting to feel exhausting and unnecessaryβ¦β
The team began to slow their movements around you, curiosity drawing sidelong glances as the exchange heated up, with Atsumu pausing mid-serve and Osamu exchanging a worried look with Aran. Hurt welled up inside you at his words, twisting into defensiveness as you stepped closer, voice rising. βThat's not fair at allβyou've been pulling away for weeks now, chatting up Mari like I'm invisible, and the whole team has turned rude, excluding me from everything! I can't keep pretending it doesn't bother me when it's clear I'm not wanted here anymore!β
Suna's frustration boiled over, his tone turning aggressive as he gestured sharply. βPulling away? You're the one who's been paranoid and snappy lately, reading into every conversation like it's a personal attack! Mariβs just visiting and fitting in naturally, so why turn it into this big jealousy fest that poisons the vibe for everyone?!β
The yells built in intensity, words flying back and forth with increasing venom. βParanoid? Try sidelined and disrespected while you all fawn over the new girl! Itβs been months of this, and you've let it happen without a single word in my defense!β you shouted, fists clenched at your sides.
βAnd you're being a petty bitch and dramatic about nothing! If you can't handle a little change in the group, maybe the problem is you, not us!β he fired back, voice echoing off the gym walls.
Insults sharpened further in the heat. βYou're such an insensitive asshole who starts every fight and then acts innocent afterward! I thought we had something real, but clearly, I was wrong!β
The entire gym hushed then, the other players frozen in placeβOsamu shifting uncomfortably on his feet, Kita frowning deeply with concern, Aran looking torn between intervening and letting it play out. Mari chose that moment to step forward tentatively, her voice soft but insistent. βHey, everyone, maybe we should all just take a breath and calm down before this gets out of handββ
Your anger spilled over unchecked, and you whirled on her by mistake, the words bursting out. βStay out of this!β βItβs not your place to insert yourself when you've already taken enough from me!β
Suna's face darkened instantly at the outburst directed at her, rage flashing in his eyes as he surged forward and shoved you backward with more force than intended, your body stumbling and then hitting the hard gym floor with a thud that jarred your palms against the wood, sending a sharp pain shooting up your arms. The silence that followed was deafening, every eye in the gym locked on the scene in stunned disbelief, your entire body trembling uncontrollably as tears welled up hot and unbidden in your eyes, refusing to meet his gaze while you pushed yourself up slowly on shaking legs, wiping furiously at your face to stem the flow.
βI... I'm so sorry, that wasn'tβI didn't mean to push you like thatβplease, let me help you upββ Suna stammered, extending a hand toward you with regret already etching lines on his face, his voice cracking under the weight of realization.
You ignored the offered hand completely, standing on your own as your voice broke through the quiet, raw with pain. βI'm done hereβI'm quitting as manager for this team effective immediately, and I'm transferring to another school where I won't have to deal with this kind of toxicity anymore.β
His mouth opened and closed several times, words failing him utterly as he desperately wanted to beg you to reconsider, to explain his side and promise to make it right, to fight for the connection he knew was there beneath all the pride and fights. But you simply turned away, snatching your bag from the bench with trembling hands and walking out of the gym without another glance back, the door slamming shut behind you like a final punctuation. The team stared at Suna in heavy silence, the air thick with collective disappointment and the undeniable truth that he had ruined everything irreparably, the weight of their unspoken judgments pressing down as they resumed practice in awkward quiet.
Which was all he remembered.
Back on the sun-drenched beach in the present, the volleyball game came to a brief halt as Atsumu tossed the ball idly to Osamu, who caught it with a nod toward their spaced-out teammate. βSuna, you planning to join us out here on the court, or are you just going to sit there staring into space all afternoon like some lost puppy?β
Suna ground out the remnants of the joint into the sand, grains sticking to his fingertips as he rose to his feet with a distracted nod. βYeah, I'm coming nowβjust needed a minute to clear my head.β
But his thoughts remained firmly anchored in the past, regret clawing at him relentlessly for not apologizing properly that day, for not chasing after you and laying everything bare to salvage what you had built through all the chaos. The team missed your presence acutely as well, with practices lacking the sharp edge of your motivation and the gym feeling emptier without your organizational touch; even Kita had mentioned once how the dynamic had dulled since you left. As Suna stepped onto the court and spiked the ball with a force born of pent-up emotion, sending it crashing deep into the sand on the other side, he held onto the quiet certainty that you were meant for each otherβtwo stubborn souls who fit together in ways no one else could understand. One day, he vowed silently to himself, he'd track you down and make amends, proving that the connection hadn't faded despite the time and distance.