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"Kairi, your shoes will get wet." A pause. "Kairi? You're standing on the water, your shoes…"

I blink. Selphie can't really know.

"Are you thinking about Sora again?"

Oh well, maybe she can. "I'm thinking about both of them, Selph," I say.

"Oh." She doesn't say anything else, choosing to retreat quietly instead, which is rare for her. I look down, she's right, my shoes will get wet and they're the only pair I own for school. But I don't step back. I raise my eyes again and watch the waves.

I didn't lie, I am thinking about them both. It's Riku's birthday today. Wherever he is, he's 16 now and we're not with him for it. It was a tradition we had, Sora and Riku and me. Possibly because he was older, we paid more attention to his birthday than we did ours. And even in the later years, when we thought of ourselves as grown ups, not children anymore, that tradition still held on.

A particular memory springs right at me, as I knew it would.

"Riku, look! Happy birthday!" Sora's voice squeaks slightly, but he's only 10, that's still allowed. He's clutching at Riku's yellow t-shirt as he drops something on his friend's hand. "Kairi found it behind the shack. Isn't it cool? We can light it tonight!"

Aqua eyes widen in excitement as the now 11 year old recognizes what lies on his palm. "Sora, this is great! Thank you," he says, a bright smile across his face. Then he remembers they're not a duo anymore and turns to the girl. "Kairi, thanks." The smile is still sincere, if maybe not as bright. She blushes a bit, Riku almost never smiles at her, she feels special.

That same night, on the islet with the bent paopu-tree, the three friends crouch around the short fuse and then dash away quickly, soon as it catches fire. A soft whistle escapes the older boy's lips as they sit back to enjoy the brief play of lights that lits the dark sky, shining down on them, brighter than any star.

"Thanks, guys," Riku whispers, arms around Sora and Kairi's shoulders. "Best fireworks I've ever seen." And the lights on the sky reflect on their upturned eyes.

I close my eyes, smiling and seeing the fireworks again behind my eyelids. I tell myself that I don't miss my childhood, nor my friends. Only the fireworks.

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