The rain ceased, leaving behind a glistening world washed anew. Sunlight filtered through the parting clouds, casting a warm glow on the streets. Rika and Max stood at the stoplight, their surroundings transformed by the shifting weather. Observing the change in weather, Rika remarked, "The rain has stopped."
Turning his attention to Rika, Max inquired, "Rika, have you been staying up all night again?" Rika nodded silently, acknowledging the sleepless nights she had endured. Concern etched on his face, Max continued, "You haven't been eating much, have you?"
However, before Max could delve deeper into their conversation, Rika abruptly interrupted, "Max". Max responded with a questioning tone, "What is it, Rika?" Sensing the seriousness in her tone, he awaited her words with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
"About your job, is it okay to lay you off after next week?" Rika asked Max, leaving him momentarily stunned. He struggled to process her unexpected statement, his voice tinged with surprise, "What?"
"This is my only problem. I'm sorry for saying this suddenly, but I think I can introduce you to a couple of workplaces which are better than mine. Can you wait a little longer?" Rika, gazing at Max intently, apologized for springing this news on him so suddenly.
Max stood there, frozen in thought, as his mind raced to comprehend the implications of Rika's words. The mix of emotions within him was palpable, a whirlwind of uncertainty, gratitude, and conflicting feelings.
In that moment, Max's thoughts were in disarray, his decision hanging in the balance as he grappled with the weight of Rika's proposition and the uncertainty it brought.
The pottery room was bathed in sunlight as the rain had given way to a clear, sunny day. Evie sat on a pot beside the window, the warm rays casting a soft glow on her face. The room smelled of damp earth and clay, the remnants of the recent rain still lingering in the air.
Amidst the tranquil ambiance, Evie turned to Edward, who was diligently molding something out of clay on the pottery wheel. "Hey, Edward. Did you get the answer to my riddle?", her curiosity evident in her tone.
Edward replied, "I'm almost there." He sighed, taking a moment to focus on the clay before him.
After a moment, Edward sighed, signaling that he had finished. Evie, eager to see his creation, stood up from her chair and approached him. After a brief pause, Edward couldn't resist a playful moment. He unveiled his creation - a clay replica of what appeared to be Max's poop. "It's Max's poop," he declared with a chuckle.
Evie's surprise quickly turned into annoyance. She took the clay in her hands and threw it out the window. Her frustration was palpable as she sighed deeply, feeling as though Edward was making a mockery of her.
Undeterred by her reaction, Edward jumped to another table. "You know, I think I've got the answer now," he said with a mischievous grin.
Evie, seemingly done with the riddle and Edward's antics, removed her apron. "I don't care anymore," she replied, her tone dismissive.
But Edward, ever the persistent optimist, playfully continued. He hopped from table to table, finally announcing the answer: "You can't fight a war on an empty stomach."
Puzzled, Evie asked, "Huh?"
Edward clarified, "Fill up with gas, so you can do your best when the opportunity arises." He playfully likened it to heroines in movies finding happiness on a full stomach, patting her head affectionately.
Still perplexed, Evie admitted, "I don't quite understand what you're getting at."
Unfazed by her confusion, Edward changed the subject. "Hey, how high would the temperature in a kiln go up to?" he inquired.
Evie thought for a moment before answering, "Around 1300 degrees."
Edward's face lit up with excitement. "That's perfect," he exclaimed, his mind seemingly racing with ideas.
Carlo stood there, mesmerized by Honey's artwork, his mind lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The conversation with Arthur lingered in his thoughts, the weight of their words adding depth to his contemplation. His cellphone interrupted his reverie, and he retrieved it from his pocket. The caller ID displayed Edward's name, signaling another interruption to his introspection.
"Why must people chase after things that are impossible to reach? Why must people continue to walk forward while following a goal they can't see?"
Meanwhile, Max found himself lying on a bench outside, a cigarette held between his fingers. Disappointment etched on his face, a lingering effect of his earlier conversation with Rika. Just as he was lost in his thoughts, his cellphone broke the silence with an incoming call from Edward.
Carlo walked outside the campus, basking in the warmth of the sun's gentle rays. Cherry blossom petals danced through the air, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The scenery was like a painting come to life, a beautiful tapestry of nature's artistry. 
As he strolled, he noticed Honey, engrossed in coloring her drawings on a sheet of paper. The vibrant hues she applied to the grass beneath the falling cherry blossoms caught his eye. The sunlight enveloped her, casting a radiant glow upon her figure. Sheets of paper adorned with her colorful creations surrounded her, as if her imagination had spilled onto the page. The petals delicately carpeted the ground around her, creating a surreal atmosphere. Honey, adorned in her white apron over a green dress, captivated Carlo's gaze, evoking a cascade of emotions within him.
"I don't know the reason why. However, there is just one thing which is certain. I was the one who chose a spring where nothing began and nothing changed."
Summoning his courage, Carlo called out to her, breaking the silence that enveloped the room. She turned her gaze toward him, a gentle smile gracing her lips. She stood up gracefully, reminiscent of a graceful flower swaying in the breeze. The scene mirrored their previous encounter by the pond.
Carlo found himself at a loss for words, yet Honey continued to gaze at him with an air of serenity. Finally, he managed to utter, "You painted the scenery here, right? The piece you won the contest with? I was really touched by it. It's as if I was looking at the same scenery, and yet, your art moved me even more."
"Thank you." Honey thanked him softly, her voice like a soothing melody that resonated in Carlo's heart. He confessed that he couldn't fathom the ability to create such a beautiful picture and admitted, "I'm jealous of you."
Honey turned her gaze towards the pond, her voice soft and delicate as she spoke, gently sharing her world to Carlo. "Art is all that I have. Since I was little, I lived overseas, and all I did was draw pictures,"
Carlo nodded, understanding the depth of her words. He took slow steps closer to her, his curiosity piqued. "How was Crescendo City?"
Honey's eyes sparkled with joy as she replied, "I was surprised. It felt like everyone here is living life to the fullest."
Carlo chuckled, relating to her feelings of awe when arriving in a new place. He agreed, "I know what you mean. If you come here all of a sudden, you'd be surprised." The beauty of the moment, coupled with Honey's presence, made the world seem magical.
Honey's smile widened, and she mused, "It felt like everyone's living their best life. When I'm drawing, I can really feel that I'm alive." Carlo paused, realizing that this newfound sense of vitality could be attributed, in part, to Edward's influence.
Carlo paused, his emotions swirling within him, a mixture of admiration, longing, and perhaps even envy. He couldn't help but attribute this newfound sense of fulfillment in Honey to Edward's influence, a realization that deepened the complexity of his feelings.
The sun cast a warm glow over the scene, highlighting the delicate blossoms falling around them. Carlo and Honey stood there, caught in a moment where art, beauty, and the intertwining of lives converged, forever altering their paths in ways they were yet to fully comprehend.
In the baking room, the aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air. The room was equipped with stainless steel countertops, ovens lined up in neat rows, and various utensils hanging on the walls. Evie, wearing a vibrant red apron, skillfully arranged ceramic plates while Edward diligently worked on fixing the broken pizza spatula.
As Edward tied the spatula's head with a glimmering silver wire, Evie couldn't help but express her annoyance, asking him, "Edward, don't you care about causing trouble to others?" She continued to handle the plates, her frustration evident.
With a carefree grin, Edward replied, "If I spent time worrying about other people, I can't enjoy life, can I?" He carried on with his task confidently, adding, "The limit is different for each person, so according to my ruler, I'm completely okay." His laissez-faire attitude seemed to exasperate Evie further, and she let out a deep sigh, conceding, "Then you can do whatever you want."
As Evie readied a tray of ceramic plates and headed towards the exit, she was taken aback by the sudden appearance of Max. "Hi," he greeted cheerfully, stopping her in her tracks. Noticing the tray, Max offered to help and said, "Give it to me. Over here, right?" He took the tray and smoothly placed it in the oven, showcasing his familiarity with the baking process.
Still surprised by Max's appearance, Evie nodded as he put the tray away, her mind seemingly preoccupied with something else. Max, noticing her distraction, mentioned, "I couldn't get the drinks, is that okay?" He casually placed his shopping bag on the table. Edward chimed in, "Carlo has been buying those."
Suddenly, Honey entered the room, much to everyone's surprise. Her radiant smile lit up the atmosphere as she greeted Evie and the others. Max couldn't resist teasing Carlo, saying, "You can do well too when you really try." He chuckled heartily. Carlo, trying to maintain composure, insisted, "It's not like that," his embarrassment evident.
In response, Carlo hurriedly moved towards Max, defending himself with a hint of embarrassment, "I just coincidentally passed by her," placing his shopping bag on the table as well. Honey approached the group, her gentle presence captivating everyone.
Max playfully taunted Carlo once more, saying, "So you picked her up, huh?" Carlo, cheeks reddening, retorted, "Idiot, it's not like that!"
Edward, donning a pair of gloves, proudly presented the masterpiece before his friends. "So is everyone here now?" he asked with a cheerful grin. Carlo confirmed, "We are all here."
With a theatrical flourish, Edward opened the baking oven's door, revealing the steaming hot pizza inside. "Ta-da!" he exclaimed. The sight was a feast for the eyes, and their stomachs responded with eager anticipation.
"Alright!" Edward declared, readying his trusty pizza spatula. Carefully, he slid it beneath the perfectly baked pizza, skillfully lifting it from the oven's confines. "Yay!" he cheered as he placed it on the table, and the group erupted in joyful applause.
The aroma filled them with delight, and their mouths watered at the sight of the scrumptious pizza before them. Max couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming, "Wow! It looks delicious!"
Unable to resist, Carlo's hand reached for a slice of pepperoni, but Evie swiftly slapped it away, teasingly chiding him, "Don't do that! You can't touch it yet!" Honey joined in the laughter, her smile radiating warmth and joy.
Under the clear blue sky, the friends gathered in the lush field, where Edward had laid out a delightful spread of pizzas on the table, each with its unique and mouthwatering toppings. There were classic pepperoni and cheese pizzas, a savory Margherita, a flavorful Hawaiian with pineapple and ham, and even a vegetarian option with an array of fresh veggies. The aroma of the pizzas filled the air, tempting their taste buds even before the first bite.
As they indulged in the delicious feast, their faces lit up with delight. Max exclaimed happily, "This is really good!" Carlo joined in, complimenting Edward, "Edward, you're a genius," as he savored a slice. Evie, her earlier annoyance now long forgotten, grinned and said, "I decided to forgive you just now." Edward chuckled, proud of his culinary prowess, and playfully teased, "See?"
But curiosity got the better of Max, and he questioned Edward's sudden decision to make pizza. "Why did you suddenly make pizza?" Max inquired, raising an eyebrow. Edward pointed at Evie and explained, "Because you canceled the plans you made with Evie," causing Evie to react with feigned indignation, "I was not crying!" Edward, undeterred, continued to tease her, standing on his chair, insisting she had been crying, while Evie vehemently denied it.
Amid their friendly banter, Evie's attention suddenly shifted to Honey, who was calmly devouring an entire pizza all by herself. The friends burst into laughter, amused by Honey's innocent enthusiasm. Evie asked in surprise, "How is it? Is it good?" Honey replied softly, "It's delicious. Pizza tastes good, doesn't it?" The others nodded in agreement.
Curious, Evie asked, "I think you probably have, but is this the first time you've eaten pizza?" Honey confirmed it with a nod, eliciting even more laughter from the group. Evie wondered in jest, "How have you lived without it all this time?" To which Honey replied with a smile, "I don't usually go out much, so I don't know much about pizza."
Edward chimed in with a charming Crescendo tradition, "In Crescendo, when you eat pizza with someone, you become good friends." 
Honey, intrigued by this idea, asked, "Really? Friends?" 
Evie nodded, affirming it, "That's true." 
Edward added with a playful grin, "You don't have the right to reject." 
To everyone's amusement, Carlo humorously chimed in, "I hope we can do this forever!" which earned him a momentary silence.
Honey, sweet and innocent, said, "The pizza is delicious, isn't it?" causing the rest to burst into laughter, realizing that everyone had unknowingly ignored Carlo's statement. Max teased him, saying, "You just got ignored by Honey!" and they all laughed together.
In the end, the friends enjoyed not only the delectable pizzas but also the heartwarming camaraderie that filled the air. Under the gentle caress of the sunlight, surrounded by laughter and friendship, they cherished this moment, knowing that the bonds they shared would forever hold them together.
"Time won't stop for us. The flower petals which float in the wind, the flowing of the waves, and the sparkling smiles. The day will probably come when all of these turn into memories. However, I will most likely remember it constantly. I will probably remember that the five of us have gathered here today. Something surely began to move on that day."