Author's Note / Blurb:Secrets buried in the past have a way of resurfacing… just when you least expect them.
Ryu never imagined that a dusty attic and an old photograph could unravel memories she didn't know she had. When Aakash walks into her classroom, the familiarity is undeniable—but who is he really? And why does his presence stir something she can't quite remember?
Between unexpected connections, hidden truths, and a summer that promises more questions than answers, Ryu will have to confront the past, her feelings, and the mysterious bond that ties her to someone she thought she'd forgotten.
Get ready for a story of family secrets, heart-tugging emotions, and the first sparks of unforgettable friendships and love.
The attic was coated in layers of silence and dust. A single beam of sunlight sliced through the cracked window, illuminating motes of dust dancing in the still air. Ryu climbed up, her hands brushing against the old wooden ladder, heart pounding—not from fear, but something... tugging.
She had never come up here before.
As her eyes adjusted, she moved aside an old trunk and an unused easel, and that's when it happened.
Thud.
A cardboard box fell from the stacked pile. It burst open slightly, scattering aged belongings across the floor—bracelets, letters, a small worn shawl, and then...a photograph.
Ryu's fingers trembled as she picked it up. Her mother's smile beamed in the photo, her eyes kind. The ache in Ryu's chest deepened.
And then she saw him—her stepfather in another photograph. Her breath caught. The memories, those long-buried feelings, came crashing down like tidal waves. Panic clawed at her throat, and before she realized, she threw the photo across the attic.
But there was something else.
A larger photo slipped out from under the mess. In it, her mother stood with a big boy beside her. His features were soft yet striking. Something about him felt oddly... familiar.
"Who is this boy...?" Ryu whispered, staring, heart thumping.
"Why can't I remember?"
She clutched the photo tightly, gathered all her mother's things carefully, and left the attic—silent, confused, shaken.
The next day—the last day before summer break—the school buzzed with restless energy. No one wanted to study. Everyone was already halfway into vacation mode.
Ryu sat at her desk in Section C, still lost in thought, the photo of the mysterious boy hidden carefully in her notebook. Her eyes kept drifting to it, comparing every angle.
That's when he walked in.
The door slid open, and a tall boy entered—sharp features, confident posture.
"Aakash Negi," the class whispered.
Within seconds, most boys from Section C had circled him, cheering and high-fiving like they had reunited with an old hero.
Aakash's eyes scanned the classroom... and landed on her.
He froze. His smile faltered for just a second.
Ryu stood up, sensing something strange.
"You look... familiar." she said, squinting.
Aakash blinked. "Hey, I'm Aakash. Aakash Negi."
"Negi..." Ryu repeated slowly, a chill crawling up her spine.
"Why does that name sound so... familiar?"
Aakash looked down for a second. "I came late because of... reasons."
Before either could speak further, the class teacher entered.
"Students, there will be no classes today. Please don't make any noise or I'll cancel your early leave."
A wave of cheers echoed across the room.
The boys quickly decided on a game of truth or dare. Laughter broke out. Bottles spun. Some danced, some shared secrets. But Ryu?
Ryu sat silently, still staring at Aakash. Every time he laughed or looked away, she compared the photo in her head. His jawline... his eyes... even his smile—they matched the boy in the picture.
"Is it him? Was he with mom? Why can't I remember him?"
To calm herself, Ryu pulled out her sketchbook. She imagined the boy from the photo as a grown-up. Her pencil moved rapidly—outlining the shape of his eyes, the tilt of his lips...
Halfway through, her exhaustion took over.
The pencil slipped from her hand as her head rested on the desk. Her sketch lay unfinished beside her.
Across the room, Rey had been watching. He slowly stood and walked over, sliding into the seat next to her, gaze locked on her sleeping face.
Rey's POV:
There she goes again... always somewhere far away. Why do I even care? Why does seeing her asleep like this make me feel so... soft? She looks tired. And beautiful. Ugh. Snap out of it, Rey.
He smiled faintly and leaned closer.
"Hey, Miss Sensitive. Come and play with us, or should I just call you Sleeping Beauty?"
Ryu stirred, blinking awake—and there he was, sitting right beside her, that usual half-smirk on his face.
Ryu's POV:
Why is he so close? Why is my heart suddenly racing? Why now—when my mind should be on Aakash and this photo... why is Rey's voice the one that feels grounding?
But someone else was watching.
Ravi's POV:
Rey... again. Sitting beside her, calling her names like it's a joke. But it's not just a joke anymore, is it? I see it in his eyes. And Ryu... the way she looks at him sometimes. Is she falling for him too? Am I too late...?
Just then, Ryu's turn came.
She was given a dare.
The boys gave her options:
Take someone's phone and read the last message.
Or... draw something blindfolded and let others guess.
Ryu chose to sketch. It distracted her mind from the storm within. She drew quickly, almost subconsciously... again it was the boy from the photo.
Eyes. Smile. Familiarity.
Meanwhile, one of the boys teasingly turned to Ravi.
"Hey Ravi! Do you have a crush on anyone?"
He looked away but gave a small smirk. "Yes," he said softly.
"No name?" someone asked.
Ravi didn't reply.
As the day ended, students began packing up. Laughs faded into goodbyes.
Ryu stood, placing the photo of the boy carefully into her notebook again—but her hands were slippery with sweat. The photo slipped—
Fell.
Aakash bent swiftly, caught it.
His fingers tightened around it as he looked at the photo—and froze.
His face turned pale.
"Where did you get this?" he whispered, voice barely above a breath.
Ryu looked at him.
"Why? Do you... recognize him?"
Aakash's eyes didn't move from the photo.
Aakash's POV:
That photo... that day... I thought it was lost forever. Mom said never to bring it up. But she's here. She's standing right in front of me. Is it really her? My...
He blinked, forcing a smile.
"No. It just reminded me of someone. That's all."
But Ryu could tell—he was lying.
And something deep inside told her—this summer wouldn't be ordinary.