Epilogue

A new day rose above the distant horizon of the ocean, bringing new possibilities with it. After all, it was the first first day of summer vacation. During the school year I usually slept through most of the morning on weekends, but this was different. It felt good knowing that for a while, I wouldn’t have to prepare for classes.

My mother heard my footsteps coming down the stairs and didn’t understand why I had gotten up so early. Sitting at the dining table, I told her that the end of school was enough reason to be happy. When she placed a glass of milk and my favorite toast with strawberry jam in front of me, I eagerly devoured it.

On the small TV in the corner, the Horin Academy of Natural Sciences was broadcasting an award ceremony. A brown-haired, bearded professor named Fergus Maxim was handing out recognition awards to several students.

My mother stared at the TV with interest.

“Oh, that’s Uncle Fergus! A good friend of your father’s and mine!”

I continued eating happily, and she pouted.

“Hey! Are you listening??”

I answered a bit tensely, since I never liked being disturbed while eating my favorite foods.

“I know him, Mom. You two sent me to his high-school entrance prep classes, don’t you remember?”

My mother looked embarrassed, admitting I was right.

The guy was actually a very good instructor. As a university professor, he wouldn’t have been obligated to deal with high-schoolers, but he cared deeply about the fate of young people. He saw them as an investment in society’s future.

When he mentioned a familiar name, I almost spit out my cocoa.

“And the award for best research achievement goes to Miss Olivia Gauss.”

While my mom scolded me to eat properly, I jumped in front of the TV. I watched as Olivia — a blonde girl with green eyes, dressed in formal attire — received her well-deserved recognition.

It looked like the suited man whispered something to her — something like “I’m proud of you.” At least, that’s what I read from his lips. Olivia’s happiness was almost palpable even through the screen. I silently praised her in my thoughts, telling her she did a great job.

My mother then asked if she was my girlfriend. I reminded her that I met Olivia through the professor before we became friends. I planned to send her a message or call her to congratulate her. After doing so and lazing around for a bit, I needed to get ready for my early-afternoon plans. My friends and I were going to a fast-food place that day.

While getting dressed, I noticed my favorite piece of jewelry on my desk — a dark blue bracelet. I always wore it whenever I left the house. Its presence and appearance filled me with a pleasant feeling. The most interesting part was that Emma owned a similar one, which she also wore regularly. Hers was white, and she cherished it as well. Our theory was that we must have bought them for each other at a festival when we were little. Though neither of us remembered anything like that.

Just as I was about to leave, my mother stopped me.

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to give you this. It’s from the girl who used to teach and look after you a lot back then.”

She handed me a postcard, and as I read it, my heart softened.

“So… you didn’t forget me…”

After that pleasant surprise, I headed out, enjoying the sunshine.

I loved my hometown, Lichtland. It was a great place — clean, aesthetic, and beautiful. This was also thanks to a new type of energy discovered a few decades before I was born, called aguy. Because of it, technology became futuristic. Transportation rings and aerial walkways around tall towers became possible. It also replaced pollution-heavy fuel types.

Experts said we had enough aguy for centuries. That’s why humanity needed to research proper alternatives with maturity. Selfish business interests couldn’t be allowed to hinder it. But all of this depended on us — and on future generations.

When I arrived at Emma’s gate, there was no need to ring the doorbell. The girl was happily playing outside with her little brother, Oscar. At first glance, they were playing tag.

I greeted her kindly, and Emma cheerfully opened the gate.

“Hi, Reina big sis!”

After I stepped inside, her parents soon appeared at the door. They tried to invite me in — especially her mother. She was like a good-hearted fairy. That’s exactly how I imagined Emma would be when she grew up.

I could only go in for a short time, though, because Emma needed to change quickly and fix her hair so we wouldn’t be late.

Later, at the meeting spot, we joined Merona and Nolen, and Maria also arrived in the meantime. They were the only ones who were free. We had one or two other friends at school, but they couldn’t come. Once inside the restaurant, we ordered all sorts of things. Happily munching on fries and hamburgers, sipping orange juice and cola, we also teased each other playfully.

Maria texted Emma with a smiling emoji, asking if she wanted to switch seats under some excuse — so she could sit next to Nolen and flirt.

Emma’s face turned as red as a tomato. Under the table, she nervously kicked Maria’s leg, who hissed in pain. Nolen saw the awkward tension between the girls but didn’t understand the situation.

When he asked about it, Merona simply sighed with pity.

“Heavens… you really have no idea…”

The rest of our outing passed with the same playful cheerfulness. My thoughts kept drifting to how much I needed to appreciate all of this. Though I felt something was missing. And I could read that same feeling on Emma’s face too.

Still, we pushed it aside and continued enjoying each other’s company.

We visited one or two more places that day, then said our goodbyes. They were all wonderful people. I was really glad I found such good friends.

I slowly headed home, but first I needed to stop somewhere. I was walking calmly when a blue-haired girl with a ponytail passed by me, wearing a bracelet made of pink beads.

My heart pounded.

I froze on the spot — and I felt that she did too. I didn’t have to look back. I simply knew.

A stronger breeze lifted both of our hair as we stood in silence.

Something rose from deep within my soul. Something forgotten surfaced again.

Finally, we both turned around.