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Chapter 4
Ayla led the two boys toward the lakeshore.
The Lake of Moonshadows was one of the Solalune territory’s most famous sights.
A legend told that the Spirit of Water had created this watery mirror as an offering to the moon.
On windless days, the lake reflected everything with breathtaking clarity.
Another boat, huh, she thought, reading their expressions.
“Why don’t we try going all the way to that island today?” Ayla suggested brightly.
The so-called island was nothing more than a triangular patch of land jutting up near the middle of the lake—visible only when the water level was low.
Boys like adventure best, don’t they?
“Once, my brother Parakel told me he buried treasure there,” she added, baiting the hook.
“Treasure?” Sada perked up at once, while Luka asked more practically,
“Do we even have a boat?”
“Um, probably. Over there?”
The last time they’d gone boating, of course, a ferryman had accompanied them. But today was different—today had to be just the three of them.
If I ask for an attendant, they’ll never leave us alone. No, today has to be only us.
She pointed to an old rowboat tied to a tree, its paint peeling, bobbing against the ripples.
“This one will do.”
The boys swallowed their unease and climbed in. The boat creaked ominously.
Sada reached for the oars, but Ayla snatched them.
“I’ll row.”
“Huh? But—”
“No, really! I can do it!”
She shouted with determination and strained against the oars.
Row… row… move already!
At last, the boat scraped forward across the surface of the lake, though painfully slowly.
Sweat poured down her temples as the silence stretched. Her grand plan of heartfelt conversation mid-lake seemed increasingly unrealistic.
But still—phase one of her plan was complete. They were isolated. Now came phase two: truth.
Between breaths, Ayla spoke.
“Hey, Luka, Sada… I need to confess something.”
Both boys tensed, eyes sharp with suspicion.
“What’s she up to now?”
“What’s she going to demand this time?”
Ayla squeezed her eyes shut and blurted:
“All this time… I’ve been pretending!”
Once the words spilled out, the rest followed in a flood.
“That whole lady-like act—yeah, that wasn’t really me. Well, not completely me. Anyway, I’m sorry for forcing you to go along with it. I’m done now. No more pretending.”
She opened her eyes, voice steady.
“From now on, I just want to build friendship. Only friendship.”
The boys exchanged odd looks. Unsure if they understood, Ayla repeated, desperate:
“Really… I mean it. I only want true friendship.”
Sada finally spoke, voice soft.
“Ayla… do whatever you want. I don’t really mind.”
What’s that supposed to mean—‘don’t mind’?
Flustered, she turned to Luka.
“And you?”
“Well…” Luka gave a sheepish smile. “I think we should just go along with what you want too.”
“Wait, no, what I mean is—”
CRACK.
The floorboards gave way beneath her feet.
“Wha—?!”
“Ayla!” Luka lurched forward and caught her as her leg plunged through.
Water gushed in through the hole.
Sada muttered, “So much for safe. Looks like this boat’s been rotting for years.”
But Ayla barely heard him. Her voice shook.
“S… S-Sada.”
“What?”
“I-I can’t swim.”
“…What?!” Sada gawked.
“You live next to a lake and you can’t swim?!”
His head spun. He roared,
“Then what the hell were you thinking, dragging us onto a rotten boat?!”
“Wait,” Luka interrupted quietly.
Sada turned—and his face hardened.
“Don’t tell me…”
“…I can’t swim either,” Luka admitted.
By then, the boat had already begun to list.
“Jump,” Sada growled.
“Huh?”
But before he could stop her, Ayla obeyed like a soldier and hurled herself into the water.
“Idiot!” Sada dove in after her.
“Grab the side of the boat!” he shouted.
Flailing, Ayla clutched the edge. Luka soon splashed in too. Together, their combined weight slowed the boat’s sinking. It was still going under, but slowly enough.
“Don’t cling too hard,” Sada ordered. “Loosen your body, stretch your legs. Just… lightly hold on. Got it?”
“Yes!” Ayla barked, still breathless.
“Good. We’ll kick toward shore. It’s not far.”
They swam with all their strength, dragging the half-sinking boat with them until, finally, their feet brushed solid ground.
“Haah… haah…”
The three collapsed on the muddy bank, soaked through.
For Ayla, though, this was the perfect dramatic moment. Something memorable. Something that would stick.
“W-We survived, right?”
“Survived?!” Sada shot upright, dripping. “You’re lucky we’re not corpses!”
“N-No, I mean—”
But then she laughed.
“Pfft—ha!”
“What the hell’s so funny?!” he snapped.
“It’s just… this is the first time you’ve ever spoken to me so roughly. I like it.”
“…You’ve lost your mind.”
Sada glared, exasperated. But beside him, Luka suddenly made a strangled sound.
“Kh—!”
He was doubled over, shoulders shaking.
“Luka, it’s okay. You can laugh,” Ayla told him.
“Pfft—ahaha! Sorry, it’s just—hah!” Luka finally burst out.
After a long laugh, he smiled gently at her.
“I see now. What you want is friendship. Fine. Let’s have that.”
“R-Really, I mean it! I really—”
Her voice broke, dwindled. Her cheeks flamed red. She buried her face in her hands.
“Sorry. I keep… forcing it on you…”
She collapsed flat against the ground. Both boys flinched.
“Forgive me. I almost got you killed. I swear I won’t do something so reckless again.”
Her tears spilled fast and hot.
“…Ayla.”
Sada scrubbed a hand through his wet hair and gripped her shoulder.
“We should’ve spoken up about the boat too. But we understand. We’re alive—that’s what matters.”
Luka nodded.
“Yeah. Honestly… I had fun.”
Ayla peeked up, eyes wide.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Sada thought a moment, then smirked.
“This whole ‘friendship’ thing is better than your last act, anyway.”
“…I’ll… keep working on it,” she murmured.
“Don’t try too hard,” he said dryly.
Ayla sniffled, then managed a small smile.
“Come on,” Sada added, rising to his feet. “We’re soaked through. Let’s get back before we catch cold.”
Supported by both boys, Ayla staggered upright.
I was too impatient. I thought I could erase three years of mistakes in one go. No… it’ll take time.
She clenched her fist with new resolve.
Step by step. From now on, I’ll build it properly.
