The dreamers

**Episode 1: --Ice cream dreams and promises--

The sun shone brightly over Kyoto, casting a warm glow on the cherry blossoms that adorned the streets. Eliza and Marco, two inseparable friends, were on a mission: to conquer the ultimate challenge of their teenage years—finding the best matcha ice cream in the city.

“Okay, Marco, I’m telling you, this place has the best matcha ice cream in all of Kyoto!” Eliza declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She tugged at Marco’s sleeve, pulling him toward a quaint little shop nestled between two towering sakura trees.

“Are you sure it’s not just your taste buds playing tricks on you?” Marco teased, a playful smirk on his face. “Last time you said that, we ended up with that weird wasabi-flavored ice cream!”

Eliza rolled her eyes, laughing. “That was an accident! This time, I promise it’s going to be amazing. Just trust me!”

As they entered the shop, the sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones filled the air. The shop was adorned with vibrant decorations, and the cheerful music playing in the background added to the lively atmosphere. Eliza approached the counter, her eyes scanning the menu like a hawk.

“Two scoops of matcha, please!” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Marco chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re going to turn into a matcha ice cream if you keep this up.”

“Better than turning into a boring old tea leaf like you!” Eliza shot back, sticking her tongue out playfully.

After receiving their ice cream, they stepped outside, the sun warming their faces. Eliza took a big bite of her matcha ice cream, her eyes widening in delight. “See? I told you! This is heavenly!”

Marco took a tentative lick of his own cone, and his eyes lit up. “Okay, okay, you were right this time. This is actually amazing!”

Eliza beamed with pride, her victory dance drawing amused glances from passersby. “I knew it! I’m the queen of ice cream!”

As they strolled through the park, enjoying their treat, they chatted about their plans for the future. Eliza dreamed of becoming a renowned artist, while Marco aspired to take over his family’s tea shop. They laughed and joked, their playful banter echoing through the cherry blossom trees.

“Imagine it, Eliza! You, a famous artist, and me, the king of tea!” Marco exclaimed, puffing out his chest dramatically.

“More like the prince of tea,” Eliza teased, nudging him playfully. “You’ll always be my sidekick!”

“Sidekick? I’ll have you know that I’m the one who keeps your creative juices flowing!” Marco shot back, pretending to be offended.

“Yeah, right! You just want to be my taste tester!” Eliza laughed, taking another bite of her ice cream.

As they continued their playful banter, they stumbled upon a group of kids playing a game of tag. Without a second thought, Marco challenged Eliza to join in. “Let’s show them how it’s done!”

“Are you serious? We’re not kids anymore!” Eliza protested, but Marco was already sprinting toward the group, his competitive spirit ignited.

“Come on! Just for fun!” he called back, his laughter ringing in the air.

With a reluctant smile, Eliza chased after him, her ice cream forgotten. They joined the game, darting around trees and dodging laughter-filled shrieks. Eliza felt a rush of exhilaration as she and Marco raced through the park, their carefree spirits shining brighter than ever.

After a few rounds of tag, they collapsed onto the grass, breathless and giggling. “Okay, I think I’m officially too old for this,” Marco panted, wiping sweat from his brow.

Eliza lay back, staring up at the sky. “You’re just out of shape! I could do this all day!”

“Sure, until you trip over your own feet,” Marco replied, chuckling.

“Hey! I’m a graceful swan!” Eliza retorted, pretending to flap her arms like wings. “Watch me take flight!”

“More like a clumsy duck!” Marco laughed, shaking his head.

As they lay there, the sun setting behind the cherry blossoms, Eliza turned to Marco, her expression softening. “You know, I’m really going to miss moments like this when we go our separate ways.”

Marco’s laughter faded, and he looked at her seriously. “Yeah, me too. But we still have time before that happens, right?”

“Right,” Eliza said, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice. “We have the whole summer ahead of us.”

They spent the rest of the evening talking about their dreams, their hopes, and the adventures they wanted to embark on together. They made plans to visit their favorite spots in Kyoto, promising to create memories that would last a lifetime.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Marco turned to Eliza. “Let’s make a promise,” he said, his voice earnest. “No matter where life takes us, we’ll always be there for each other.”

Eliza felt her heart swell with emotion. “I promise, Marco. No matter what happens, we’ll always have each other’s backs.”

They sealed their promise with a pinky swear, their fingers intertwined as they grinned at each other. In that moment, everything felt perfect. They were two dreamers, ready to take on the world together.

But as the summer days passed, the reality of their impending separation loomed over them like a dark cloud. Eliza had received a scholarship to study art in Tokyo, while Marco would remain in Kyoto to help with his family’s tea shop. The excitement of their dreams was tinged with the bittersweet knowledge that their paths were diverging.

One evening, as they sat on the steps of the tea shop, sipping on iced matcha, Eliza turned to Marco, her expression serious. “Have you thought about what happens when I leave?”

Marco sighed, his gaze fixed on the ground. “Yeah, I have. It’s going to be tough. I can’t imagine not seeing you every day.”

Eliza nodded, her heart heavy. “I don’t want to lose what we have, Marco. You mean so much to me.”

“I feel the same way,” Marco replied, his voice filled with sincerity. “But we can’t let distance break us. We made a promise, remember?”

“Of course,” Eliza said, forcing a smile. “We’ll make it work. We’ll call each other every day and send messages.”

“Definitely,” Marco agreed, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in his eyes.

As the days turned into weeks, they tried to make the most of their time together. They visited their favorite spots, laughed over ice cream, and reminisced about their childhood adventures. But beneath the surface, the tension of their impending separation grew.

On the day before Eliza’s departure, they found themselves back under the cherry blossom tree where they had made their promise. The blossoms were in full bloom, creating a breathtaking canopy above them.

“Can you believe it’s finally here?” Eliza said, her voice tinged with sadness.

“I know. It feels surreal,” Marco replied, his expression serious. “But I want you to know that I’m proud of you, Eliza. You’re going to do amazing things in Tokyo.”

“Thanks, Marco. That means a lot,” Eliza said, her heart aching. “I just wish we didn’t have to say goodbye.”

“Me too,” Marco said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But this isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning of a new chapter.”

Eliza nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “Promise me we’ll stay in touch. No matter what.”

“I promise,” Marco said, reaching for her hand. “We’ll always be connected, no matter the distance.”

As they stood beneath the cherry blossoms, Eliza felt a mix of hope and fear. They had made their promise, but the uncertainty of the future loomed over them like a shadow. Little did they know that the challenges they would face would test the strength of their bond in ways they never imagined.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the park, Eliza leaned in and pressed her forehead against Marco’s. “No matter what happens, you’ll always be my best friend.”

“Always,” Marco replied, his voice filled with warmth.

With that, they sealed their promise with a gentle kiss, a moment that felt both like an ending and a beginning. The cherry blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, a reminder of the beauty of their friendship and the adventures that lay ahead.

END OF EPISODE 1

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