There Was No Summer at Seventeen

"In a suffocating little town, two souls on the verge of rot keep each other alive."

Zhu Lexun is used to keeping his head down, as though even breathing is an unnecessary disturbance.

Si Yu watches him through the window. The boy who always wears an old school uniform is like a flame about to go out. He despises the banality of this little town, yet develops an almost cruel fascination with Zhu Lexun.

One day after school, he stops him and asks in a cool voice, "Why don't you fight back?"

Zhu Lexun pauses, his eyes empty. "...Would it even help?"

Si Yu smiles, but ice has formed in his eyes.

One of them keeps silent in the mire; the other burns with weariness.

Please don't hate every character. If you want to hate someone, hate me.

Theme: At least stay alive.