The next day I went to a shop to get my pictures developed. On my way home I saw Louis waiting on a bus stop. He seemed to have something in his mind. After a separation of several years I could not figure out what he was thinking * especially in the hot summer of Hong Kong. At this time, Louis saw me.
"What's up."
"Well, I saw Eric on other day."
"Hum… finally saw his DDR skills, right?"
"Sort of," I said. "What brings you here?"
"Visiting a friend, and actually, I am going to call you after I go home. You know, I am going to call up some friends to have a picnic and you are invited. I think the location is Stanley Beach."
"Very well then."

Another day had passed. I was waiting at a MTR station where I met my friends.
"Time to go."
"After you are half hour late."
"OK. I'm so sorry. Traffic jam."
"Whatever. Get your ass moving."

As we walked near the beach, we saw someone wakeboarding at the horizon.
"Look." I said. "He got the money and the skill to do this. It is not cheap to own a ship in Hong Kong and not to mention the maintenance. And, how much practice is needed to get the skill?"
"Sure." Louis said, as the wakeboarder made a sharp turn in the sea. "Just like DDR. It takes a lot of money to play in the arcades. Yet, it takes a lot of practice to be an expert, like Eric."
"Who is that?" said one of Louis' friend.
"My old classmate and an expert DDRer. He was quite active in the DDR community, as far as I know, and Eric had won a tourney too."
"I know a friend and his girlfriend who go to tourneys…"

This reminded me about Emi and Rage. I had not seen them for a while. At this time, the wakeboarder was gone.

After I got home, I got an e-mail from Emi:

Hey Kenny,

It is Emi here. How is your vacation in Hong Kong? Good? I and Rage have finished the summer school and we are enjoying our vacation. Playdium still has that old 1.5 Mix and Rage is working on Paranoia double trick. (I wonder when will he be able to pass it =)

However, I'm sorry to tell you that this is probably our last summer in Ontario because we are moving to New York next summer. Our parents are moving there to work and so do we. I always want to get to the top of World Trade Center and have a look of New York's skyline, and also Statue of Liberty and other landmarks. In fact, after me and Rage go to New York we will study in a college.

Oh well. That's what I know for now. Can't wait to hear you talking about Hong Kong (with DDR 4th Mix, and your DDR skills. LOL) Hope you can be someone's "samurai". =p

Love,
Emi.

I paused for a long time before a sighed. I had met people all over the world in internet and in real life. I was wondering how would our friendship change after they move to New York. Maybe they would become another internet pen-friend of me. Maybe what we should do is enjoying our friendship for this year.

Emi and Rage never went up the World Trade Center before the building was destroyed by a kamikaze attack, however. In fact, they had to run for their dear life on their second day of college.

And, it is time for me to pack up for my return to Mississauga.