A boy named Captlox!

A Boy: "...Hello."
Shayan slowly looked up.
Their eyes met for the very first time.
Standing a few steps away was a boy about the same age as him.
He had messy black hair, curious eyes, and a warm smile that somehow didn't feel forced.
For a few moments...
Neither of them spoke. But they already said a lot. 
The river continued flowing peacefully between them.
The boy finally broke the silence.
The boy: "...Are you okay?"
Shayan immediately looked away.
Shayan: "...Yeah."
The boy tilted his head.
The boy: "You don't look okay."
"..."
Shayan didn't answer.
Instead, he picked up another small stone and threw it into the river.
Splash.
The boy quietly walked closer.
Instead of sitting beside him...
He sat a few feet away, giving Shayan some space.
The boy: "My name is Captlox."
"..."
Captlox: "I'm four years old."
"..."
Captlox: "I like climbing trees."
"..."
Captlox: I also talks too much."
For the first time...
The corner of Shayan's lips twitched.
Captlox noticed it.
Captlox: "...Was that almost a smile?"
Shayan quickly looked away.
Shayan: "It wasn't."
Captlox: "Oh."
Captlox nodded seriously.
Captlox: "I must've imagined it."
Silence returned.
Only the sound of the river remained.
After a while...
Captlox picked up a small pebble.
Captlox: "You know..."
"My father used to tell me that rivers are strange."
Shayan quietly listened.
Captlox: "They never stop moving."
"No matter how many rocks try to block them..."
"They always find another path."
Captlox gently tossed the pebble into the water.
Captlox: "I think people should be like rivers."
Shayan finally looked at him.
Shayan: "...What do you mean?"
Captlox smiled.
Captlox: "If someone blocks your path..."
"You don't stop."
"You find another one."
Shayan stared at the flowing river.
Those words...
For some reason...
It made sense.
Captlox: "My father also said..."
"People cry because their hearts become too heavy."
"..."
"But tears make them lighter."
Shayan immediately rubbed his eyes.
Shayan: "I wasn't crying."
Captlox scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Captlox: "I know."
"..."
"...I wasn't either."
The two boys looked at each other.
Then...
Without warning...
They both laughed.
Not loudly.
Just enough to break the awkward silence.
It was the first genuine laugh Shayan had shared with anyone his own age.
Captlox smiled.
Captlox: "There it is."
"What?"
"The smile."
Shayan sighed.
Shayan: "...You really do talk too much."
Captlox: "I know."
"My mother says the same thing."
"..."
Shayan: "...Your mother?"
Captlox's smile softened.
Captlox: "Yeah."
"She says if I keep talking this much..."
"I'll become friends with everyone."
He looked toward the river.
Captlox: "But..."
"...I haven't made many friends."
Shayan blinked.
Shayan: "...Really?"
Captlox nodded.
Captlox: "They think I'm weird."
"I talk about stars..."
"I climb trees..."
"I ask too many questions."
He laughed.
Captlox: "So they usually leave."
“But I'm happy” 
Shayan asked.
Shayan: “Why are you still happy?”
Captlox laughed and said.
Captlox: “Happiness isn't about getting what you want”
“it’s about enjoying what you have”
“I want some friends” 
“But instead I should enjoy the only one I have” 
Shayan asked
Shayan: “Who are you friends with?”
Captlox smiled and replied 
Captlox: “I don't actually have one But I consider Him as my friend”
And quietly says “It’s you”
“Shayan heard that but pretend that he didn’t”
Captlox said
“People usually leave me”
Shayan quietly looked down at the water.
Shayan: "...People leave me too."
Captlox didn't ask why.
He simply smiled.
Captlox: "Then..."
"We have something in common."
“but I'm happy”
“Because they became happy too when they leave”
“it means that someone is happy because of me”
The evening breeze gently blew through the grass.
For the first time in a long while...
Shayan didn't feel lonely.
Not because someone had solved his problems...
But because...
Someone had chosen to stay.
The river continued flowing beside them.
Neither of the two boys realized...
That this ordinary evening...
Would become the beginning of a friendship strong enough to withstand hatred, war, and even death.

---

The sun had almost risen beyond the mountains.
Orange light reflected across the river as the cool evening breeze brushed through the grass.
Shayan and Captlox sat quietly.
Neither of them felt the need to speak.
Sometimes...
Silence was enough.
Captlox suddenly stood up and stretched his arms.
Captlox: "Well..."
"I should get going."
Shayan looked at him.
Shayan: "...Already?"
Captlox smiled.
Captlox: "My mother will worry if I'm late."
He dusted the dirt off his clothes before taking a few steps away.
Then he stopped.
Shayan: "Oh."
"I almost forgot."
He turned around with the same cheerful smile.
Captlox: "See you tomorrow."
Shayan blinked.
Shayan: “...Tomorrow?"
Captlox: "Yeah."
Captlox answered as if it were obvious.
Captlox: "I'll come here after school."
Shayan lowered his head.
Shayan: "...You don't have to."
Captlox: "Why not?"
Shayan: "You'll get bored."
Captlox laughed.
Captlox: "You've only talked to me for ten minutes."
"How do you already know I'll get bored?"
"..."
Shayan couldn't answer.
Because...
Everyone before had left him eventually.
Captlox noticed the sadness in his eyes.
Instead of asking about it...
He simply smiled.
Captlox "I'll still come."
"If you're here..."
"I'll sit here."
"If you're not..."
"I'll wait a little."
"And if you still don't come..."
"I'll try again the next day."
Shayan stared at him.
Shayan: "...Why?"
Captlox shrugged.
Captlox: "Because friends don't give up after one day."
Shayan's heart skipped a beat.
Friends...
That word felt unfamiliar.
No one had ever used it for him before.
Captlox waved his hand.
Captlox: “Bye, Shayan!"
Without waiting for a reply...
He began jogging toward the village.
Shayan quietly watched him disappear down the path.
For a long time...
He remained sitting by the river.
A small smile slowly appeared on his face.
Shayan: "...Tomorrow..."
He whispered.
"I'll come tomorrow."
---
That night...
For the first time in years...
Shayan fell asleep with something he had almost forgotten.
Expectation.
---
The next afternoon...
Classes at Sharomasi Academy ended.
Shayan hurried home.
As usual...
His mother pretended to ignore him.
His brothers walked past him without a word.
His father was nowhere to be seen.
Normally...
He would have gone to the playground hoping someone would invite him.
Instead...
He ran toward the river.
His heart beat faster with every step.
Shayan: "...He probably won't come."
He whispered to himself.
Shayan: "I was stupid for believing—"
Captlox: "...You're late."
Shayan froze.
Captlox was sitting on the same rock as yesterday.
His feet dangled above the water.
Shayan: "You..."
"...You actually came."
Captlox Laughed.
Captlox: “You think I wouldn't?”
“I never break promises”
"I told you I would."
Shayan: "...Sorry."
"I had to stop by home first."
Captlox: "No problem."
Captlox jumped off the rock.
Then he looked around with an excited grin.
Captlox: "So..."
"What should we do today?"
Shayan scratched his head.
Shayan: "I don't know."
Captlox's eyes sparkled.
Captlox: "I do."
He pointed toward the forest across the river.
Captlox: "Let's go exploring."
Shayan looked toward the trees.
The forest was huge.
Dark.
Mysterious.
Shayan: "...Isn't it dangerous?"
Captlox grinned.
Captlox: "I know it is."
Shayan: "...Then why are you smiling?"
Captlox: “Don't act like this. What do you think adventure is?"
Shayan couldn't help laughing.
Shayan: "...You're weird."
Captlox: "I've been told that."
The two boys looked at each other.
Then...
Without another word...
They started running toward the forest together.
Neither of them knew...
That small adventure...
Would become the first of countless memories they would one day treasure..

---

The afternoon sun filtered through the towering trees as Shayan and Captlox stepped into the forest.
The sounds of Hisha Village slowly faded behind them. 
Shayan Says
Shayan: “Woah! You really are a good friend”
Captlox: “What makes you say that?”
Shayan: “C’mon I never explored things like this”
In their place came the songs of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant sound of running water.
Shayan looked around nervously.
Shayan: "...I've never been this deep into the forest."
Captlox grinned.
Captlox: "Really?"
Shayan nodded.
Shayan: "My family never let me wander around."
Captlox chuckled.
Captlox: "My mother tells me not to come here either."
Shayan stopped walking.
Shayan: "...Then why are we here?"
Captlox shrugged.
Captlox: "Because sometimes..."
"The things you're curious about are stronger than the rules."
Shayan sighed.
Shayan: "...You're definitely weird."
Captlox: "I know."
The two laughed as they continued walking.
---
After several minutes, they reached a fallen tree blocking the path.
Captlox jumped onto it with ease.
Captlox: "Come on!"
Shayan stared at the log.
Shayan: "It looks slippery."
Captlox: "You won't know unless you try."
Taking a deep breath, Shayan climbed onto the trunk.
His first step was steady.
The second...
His foot slipped.
"WAAAH!"
Before he could hit the ground—
Captlox grabbed his wrist.
Captlox: "Got you!"
Shayan hung in the air for a moment before Captlox pulled him back onto the log.
Both boys sat there breathing heavily.
Then...
They burst into laughter.
Both: "Hahaha!"
Captlox: "You almost fell!"
Shayan: "You laughed first!"
Captlox: "I was scared!"
Shayan: "So was I!"
Their laughter echoed through the forest.
---
As they continued, Captlox suddenly crouched near a bush.
Captlox: "Shh."
Shayan immediately lowered his voice.
Shayan: "What is it?"
Captlox pointed ahead.
A tiny white rabbit was nibbling on a flower.
Its ears twitched every few seconds.
Shayan's eyes widened.
Shayan: "It's so cute..."
Captlox smiled.
Captlox: "Stay still."
The rabbit looked toward them.
For a brief second...
It seemed curious.
Then—
It hopped away into the bushes.
Shayan: "Aww..."
Shayan laughed.
Captlox: "It escaped."
Captlox stood up.
Captlox: "That's because you smiled."
Shayan: "...What?"
Captlox: "Animals can tell when someone's happy."
Shayan blinked.
Shayan: "...Can they?"
Captlox: "I have no idea."
Captlox admitted with a completely straight face.
Captlox: "I just wanted to sound smart."
Shayan stared at him for two seconds...
Then started laughing so hard that he had to hold his stomach.
Shayan: "You really are impossible."
Captlox: "I've heard that before."
---
The boys continued deeper into the forest until they found a huge oak tree.
Its branches stretched high into the sky.
Captlox's eyes sparkled.
Captlox: "Race you to the top!"
Before Shayan could answer...
Captlox had already begun climbing.
Captlox: "Hey!"
Shayan: "That's cheating!"
Shayan hurried after him.
The bark scratched their hands.
Leaves brushed against their faces.
Halfway up...
Captlox looked down.
Captlox: "You're slower than a turtle!"
Shayan smirked.
Shayan: "We'll see about that!"
He climbed faster.
Soon the two boys reached the highest sturdy branch.
From there...
The entire Hisha Village could be seen.
The rooftops looked tiny.
The river shimmered like silver.
The distant mountains touched the clouds.
Shayan's eyes widened.
Shayan: "...It's beautiful."
Captlox nodded.
Captlox: "I come here whenever I feel lonely."
The two sat side by side.
Neither spoke.
Sometimes...
A view said everything words couldn't.
After a long silence, Captlox smiled.
Captlox: "You know..."
Captlox: "I'm glad I said hello yesterday."
Shayan looked at him.
Shayan: "...Me too."
For the first time in his life...
Shayan didn't feel like the lonely boy everyone avoided.
He simply felt like...
A child spending time with his first friend.
Far below them...
The bushes suddenly rustled.
A low growl echoed through the forest.
Captlox slowly looked down.
Captlox: "...Shayan."
Shayan: "Yeah?"
Captlox: "I think..."
"...we climbed the wrong tree."
Another growl shook the forest.
This one was much louder.
Both boys slowly leaned over the branch.
Standing beneath the tree...
Was a massive black bear.
It looked up at them.
Their eyes met.
Silence.
Then the bear roared.
ROOOAAARRR!!
Captlox gulped.
Captlox: "...This..."
"...might be a problem.”

---

Shayan looks at Captlox.
Shayan: “Are you joking or is this really a problem?”
Captlox: “This might cause trouble” ROAARRSS!!!!!
Shayan: “He is coming towards us”
“Do something Captlox”
Captlox: “I think we should Climb a tree”
They Both ran Toward a tree Tries to climb 
Captlox Said 
Captlox: “You will try to climb first.”
Shayan: “But…”
“I don't know how to climb a tree”
Captlox: “Is this a joke?!”
Shayan: “No!”
“What should we do now” 
The bear was behind them.
Captlox: “Shayan! Hold your breath”
Shayan: “What do you mean?!”
Captlox: “Just do as I said” 
“Act died!!!”
They both laid on the ground and threw their shirts.
The bear first smells their shirts. And runs toward them.
They were both laying on the grass holding their breath.
The bear smelled them and left thinking they were dead.
After the bear left Shayan exhales while laughing 
Shayan: “Hahahahaha That was fun”
Captlox: “Yah and dangerous too”
They both start laughing loudly and start coughing.
---
Time passed another moon has appeared 
They were both still in jungle sitting at the edge of the hill swinging their legs
Captlox pointed at the Moon 
Captlox: “Look! It's so beautiful, isn't it?”
Shayan: “Blah! I don't think it's that beautiful”
Captlox: “That's normal. Everyone got their own opinions”
Shayan: “You know why I don't like the moon?”
Captlox: “Why?!”
Shayan: “Because No matter how bright it shines I still like earth”
“Moon is beautiful I'm not denying that”
“But it does not matter how beautiful Blue you're if their favorite color is red”
Captlox: “That’s really crazy”
Shayan: “Btw have you heard about the last han?!”
Captlox: “Ya! He is the same age as us”
Shayan: “I know I'm kinda feeling bad for what happened to his parents…”
---
Time passed and another sun rose.
Another morning came.
Another day started. 
They both were still sitting their 
Shayan: “You know? I learn about Powerhuman things at Sharomasi school”
Captlox: “You do? Really?!”
Shayan: “Ya!”
“My teacher Capihato is really a good master!”
“It’s my time to go”
“See you at academi exams”