The Magic Potion | Omori Sunflower

Chapter 1

The air smelled like grass, cheap perfume, and too many different brands of cologne.

Sunny stood at the edge of Kel's backyard, his hands deep in the pockets of his oversized hoodie, his shoulders drawn in like he wanted to disappear into the fabric. It was louder than he expected — music blaring from a Bluetooth speaker set on the porch railing, people laughing too hard at jokes he hadn't heard, cups sloshing with fizzy pink punch.

Mari had promised it would be small.

But there were at least twenty kids milling around, most of them upperclassmen. A few sat on the low stone wall near the bushes, others gathered near a folding table that held snacks and pizza boxes slowly going cold. Someone was already trying to stack empty cans into a pyramid.

Sunny exhaled slowly through his nose and stepped forward.

He didn't know anyone here — not really. Not since he transferred schools last year. And even now, after months of being back in Faraway Town, everything still felt like trying to break into a conversation that had started without him.

He spotted Mari near the patio lights, her laughter bright and soft as she handed a plate of brownies to someone. Her boyfriend, Hero, was next to her — tall, calm, and totally at ease. They always looked like they belonged everywhere they went.

He envied that.

"Sunny!"

Kel's voice rang out, and then the boy himself came bounding up like a Labrador on too much caffeine. His signature mullet bounced with every step, sweat already clinging to his temples. He had a basketball tucked under one arm and a punch cup in the other.

"You made it! I was starting to think you bailed!"

Sunny shrugged one shoulder, trying to look casual. "Mari dragged me."

Kel laughed like it was the funniest thing he'd heard all week. "Classic Mari." He pushed the cup into Sunny's hand without asking. "Here, try the punch. It's good, promise."

Sunny gave him a skeptical look, but took the drink anyway. The cup was cold, condensation slick on the sides. He took a sip. Sweet. Bubbly. With something sharp and fizzy underneath that made his tongue feel funny.

Kel clapped him on the back. "I'm gonna start a game in a bit. You should play."

"I don't really—"

"C'mon, you can watch then," Kel grinned. "Loosen up, man. It's a party."

And just like that, he was gone again, melting into the crowd with the kind of energy that made people naturally follow him.

Sunny stayed where he was, sipping his drink slowly, letting the sugar and carbonation distract him from the fact that he still felt like an extra in someone else's movie.

The lights buzzed overhead. Someone turned up the music. People laughed too loud.

He looked around, hoping to see Mari again, or even Hero — anyone he could drift toward. But then, his eyes caught something else.

A figure slipping through the side gate.

Blonde hair. Blue eyes. A soft, unsure smile.

But Sunny didn't know that yet.

Not that his whole night was about to change.

Not that someone named Basil had just walked into the party.

And not that the drink in his hand was already working its magic.