Kisami

Kisami remembered the taste of smoke and river-salt from the first fish Keuko ever shared with them. Before that day, Keuko was just a rival—a flash of competitive fire on the water during the annual Waterfall City boat races. They saw each other not as people, but as obstacles to victory. Then came the race in the storm, when the river swelled and Keuko’s boat was dashed against the rocks at the base of the falls. Kisami didn’t hesitate. They abandoned the finish line to pull their rival from the churning water. That evening, soaked and silent, Keuko appeared with a perfectly grilled fish. No words of thanks were needed. In the quiet sharing of a meal, their fierce rivalry was washed away, replaced by a bond forged in the rapids.