Leon sat down on the edge of the gym’s pool, his feet in the water, moving them slowly while staring at his own reflection.

“Grimac” echoed in his head, that word making his feet freeze in the water as he just looked up at the ceiling.

“I promised a new life…” he muttered. “Where the hell is that promise, Ríthe?” He stood up and headed to the benches to dry his feet.

“Feeling a bit wired, are ya?” The coach approached Leon, arms crossed, his imposing frame looming over him.

“I don’t get how people can tell what others are feeling. Doesn’t that count as invading?” Leon lifted his head slightly, giving him a vague look.

“I’m not forcing you to answer anything. So no, not an invasion—just a question.” He let out a short laugh.

“Since when did you become a teacher of anything besides swimming?” Leon grumbled, finishing drying his feet.

“Look, if you don’t wanna talk to me about whatever’s going on in that head of yours, fine—but don’t snap at me like that, yeah? Try talking to someone who actually gets ya.” The coach stepped away, blowing his whistle to start a new session.

Leon slipped his trainers back on and stood up, grabbing his phone and checking the time.

“Still early… I could train more.” He glanced around as others practiced in their own ways.

Then Leon stopped and stared at his phone as it went black, his reflection staring back at him again.

“Someone to talk to?” He scratched the back of his neck. “But who’d even want to listen to me? Maybe…” He paused, pocketing the phone and heading for the exit.

“Heading off early today?” the receptionist asked in a friendly tone.

“Yeah… seems I’ve got a new task to deal with, and I’m not mad about it.” He waved and walked out, his steps heavy as he moved through the streets.

“How can I be sure he’ll even listen?” Leon thought. “He seems like a bit of an eejit… or just completely out of it.” He stopped at a red light. “But then again, that might be good… maybe he won’t judge.” He kept walking once it turned green. “But if he doesn’t care, how’s he meant to give an opinion? Ah, this is doing my head in!!!”

He stopped abruptly outside a shop and walked straight in without even looking properly—smacking right into a glass panel.

“Ah! Feckin’ fake-out technology… tricked by a cheap bit of glass like that,” he muttered, heading to the actual door and pushing it open hard.

“I don’t even know how I’d find him again.” Leon kept arguing with himself as he grabbed a few bits and pieces. “Well… actually, I do. But what would I even say? I told him I didn’t want to be friends. Wouldn’t that have made him go somewhere else?” He sniffed a few fruits absentmindedly. “Nah… he’s stubborn. He was probably there this morning. Writing with all that wind… what a strange lad…” He headed toward the till. “But… why am I even thinking about talking to him again after what I said? I hate not having answers.” He squeezed a tomato too hard, crushing it in his hand, and growled when he saw the mess. “Oh brilliant, now this? What’s next, a pie to the face?” He huffed and went back to grab another one.

Laughter echoed from the pavement nearby, where two people were chatting closely.

“And what did he do then?” Liuk let out another short laugh, looking at the girl beside him.

“He tried replacing the strings with dental floss.” She laughed along with him.

“Ah, Max… it’s always him. Didn’t Taylor say it was a terrible idea?” He looked ahead, one hand in his pocket.

“Of course he did. It’s Taylor, isn’t it? Remember when he twisted your ear just ‘cause you bought the wrong milkshake flavour?” she laughed.

“Course I remember, that brute. He once threw milk in my face when I reminded the teacher about homework. That was ages ago… you had to be there to see it, Yuri.” He gave her shoulder a light tap.

“And hear him roasting you with that dead-man voice? No thanks.” She let out a dry laugh.

“Dead men don’t talk, you know. What d’you even mean by that?” He looked a bit awkward.

“Don’t be thick, or I’ll do to you what he did on Mother’s Day back when we were in school.” She nudged him sharply with her elbow, giving him a warning look.

“Right… yeah… I’ll just shut up then!” He put both hands behind his head and looked up at the sky. “Jaysus, no sun here either? I could be out doing photosynthesis on some beach in Indonesia right now,” he complained.

“Tell me about it. And feel that cold? Imagine chilling on the islands in Portugal… or Copacabana in Brazil.” She gestured with her hands while Liuk laughed with her. “Liuk.” She suddenly stopped and looked at him.

“Hm? Yeah?” He turned to her.

“How’s your sister doing?” she asked with a smile.

“She’s grand, actually. Even a bit happier now—got a raise at work.” A small smile crept onto his face.

“And I’m still barely earning anything. Only €70 a day! I want a proper election!” she snapped, and Liuk laughed at her reaction.

“Easy now, shorty, we’re just—” Liuk stopped mid-sentence, dropping his hands as soon as he saw who stood in front of him.

“Who are you calling short—” Yuri cut herself off when she noticed Liuk freeze, following his gaze.

“Alright, wind writer,” the blond lad’s voice rang out.

“Le… Leon…” Liuk looked at him, his fingers twitching nervously.

Yuri said nothing—she just stood beside Liuk, staring straight at Leon.