We met at the age of five.
The three of us.
We were inseparable.
Kairi moved with her father and brother into the house between Riku and mine. Our parents introduced us. Kairi was shy at first, hiding behind her older brother Axel. I tried to be friendly, but I guess I seemed more awkward than anything. It was Riku who get her to open up. He offered her a flower and spoke in a gentle voice. He was like the girl-whisperer. She timidly accepted and introduced herself, smiling kindly at the two of us.
After a few play dates, Kairi loosened up. I lost my awkward edge and Riku became less formal. We started to form tight bonds and we would play every day.
Then one day our parents brought us to the island. At first, we were too awestruck to do anything more than stare with gaping mouths. And then we began exploring. Before too long, we knew the whole island. It became our island and we would play there whenever possible.
Riku and I would spar. Using our wooden swords to swash-buckle the other into submission, we were like two rival knights dueling for a beautiful princess. Our princess would look on and cheer, encouraging the underdog to do his best and not give up. That gave the battles an odd twist as we were conflicted over winning and getting the rights to sit next to Kairi on the boat ride home or receive her gracious condolences as she always felt bad for the loser.
Riku would teach Kairi to swim. It seemed kinda silly that Kairi moved to an island when at best, she floundered in the sea. Riku and I discovered quickly that she was rather clumsy in water and since he was the better swimmer, he took on the task of instructing her. I remember I would sulk on the beach as I watched Riku pulling Kairi through the sea by the hands. I wanted to be the teacher. I wanted to help Kairi and impress her with my strength and swimming knowledge. But my brooding would always subside as soon as Kairi called at me, beaming as she managed to swim on her own.
Kairi would teach me crafts. When she wasn't learning to swim or watching us boys fight, Kairi would make things from items she found on the beach. She created picture frames, pucca-shell necklaces and bracelets, but her favorite things to make were wayfinders. She entrusted me with the task of helper and I worked hard to assist her while she worked. Riku's hands were too big and he lacked finesse, so he typically kept a steady watch over us, making sure we didn't prick ourselves with the needles. I always thought it amazing that Kairi could make such intricate things at her age- even if they weren't perfect.
No matter what we did, the three of us were always involved somehow in the activity. Even in two-person games, the other would be a good sport and wait their turn as they made encouraging or snide comments from the sidelines.
We spent a year that way. Playing and having fun. Just the Riku, Kairi and me.
There were some rough patches of course, mostly with Riku and me being so competitive, but our squabbles never lasted more than a couple hours with Kairi there to pester us into patching things up.
A tight bond was formed that year. 365 days worth of connecting to each other. We thought we were on top of the world.
Which made it even harder when that world came tumbling down on us.