Summer arrived, and the Reed River was completely transformed.
The crisp air of winter and the rushing waters of spring were no match for the scorching summer sun.
The river water shimmered white, steam rising under the fierce sun. On the banks, tender green sprouts had long given way to thick, overgrown stalks that stood crowded at the water's edge, the tips of their leaves scorched a curly, yellowish-brown.
Kenken floated listlessly in the shallow water near the bank, with only half its head and its wet, brown-and-tan back exposed.
After its precious dam collapsed, the sadness seemed to have evaporated in the summer heat, leaving only a pervasive exhaustion and emptiness in its body.
It rolled over, belly-up, letting the murky river water support its small body.
The sunlight made it squint its little eyes.
'Maybe... this is fine, too?'
'Give up the struggle. Give up on rebuilding. Give up the dream of that fortress I once thought was indestructible.'
