𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔

12

Pulling your hair up into a bun as you secured it with a pin. You look at yourself in the mirror. Tonight's the night of the summer festival.

You waited downstairs and ate a cookie. A few minutes had passed and you heard a knock from the front door. You grabbed your purse and opened the door. "Yaho, (Y/N) !!", Tia said as she greeted you with a hug. "Hey, we're gonna be late for the festival", you said laughing as you both pulled away from the hug.

"What's up with you tonight, Tia? You're somehow not your usual self", you asked out of concern. "Oh it's nothing, really. Just had a feeling i should give you the sacred besties-for-lifesies hug. We never know if this might be the last time you'll be here by my side", she replied with a sad smile. "Besides, i realized that i dont hug you as much as i should have..".

It sort of made you feel things. You wanted to enjoy your time at the festival since it's been so long. And most importantly, with the ones you love, the ones you care about. But nevertheless, you gave her a smile and a reassuring tap on the shoulder as you held her hand tight. "Let's go".

TIME SKIP TO SUMMER FESTIVAL 🎆
You are now standing at a takoyaki stand. Eating takoyakis at a summer festival with your friends was one of your lifelong dreams. And your dream is now  being fulfilled on this very day. Tia who just got back from the apple candy stall is standing beside you as you both lined up. After buying the takoyakis, there was an announcement that informed everyone there that the fireworks show was starting in 15 minutes.

It just struck you that you haven't seen Miya around.
You checked your purse to grab your phone. You wanted to call Miya. As your hand fumbled around the contents of the purse, you realised that you left your phone on the night table beside your bed. You mentally face-slapped yourself. "How am I supposed to contact Miya now?", you thought to yourself. 

Tia noticed the frustration in your face. "What's up, (Y/N)-chan?", she asked. "I was gonna call Miya but I left my phone on my night table", you explained. "Wait, I think I saved his contact number", Tia said as she went through her contacts list. "Ah there we go, here", Tia handed out her phone to you. "Tia, you're such a lifesaver!", you exclaimed. "So I've heard hehe".

As the line rang, you waited for Miya to pick up. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, the firework show will begin in 5 minutes. Prepare yourselves for a spectacular show! Have a good night, everyone!".

"Oh, the show's starting soon. I hope Miya finds us in time", Tia said. "I hope so too. He's not picking up", you sighed with a slight disappointment in your voice. "Hey, he'll be here in time. I'm sure about that". "Thanks Tia, I know he will", you smiled. 

You munched on the takoyakis. Your mind still stuck on how you were going to tell Miya that you'll be moving away. Since he'll be so busy with his scheduled practices and interviews while you're attending boarding school, this probably might be the last time you'll be seeing Miya. Since Tia's hometown is in Sendai where her grandmother resides, she can visit you during school breaks and holidays. But that still doesn't mean you won't miss her. Everything is about to change after tonight. Change is a part of life, and you hope that this change will make you a stronger and better person in the future. 

*BOOM* (fireworks noises)

"Oh (Y/N)-chan, look! the show has started!", Tia said with amazement. 

The sky was lit with colourful fireworks. It was so mesmerising. Miya was still nowhere to be found. "I don't get it. He said he'll be here. Where could he have gone?", you whispered to yourself. Were you being stood up? Did he not care? Did something happen to him? A lot of questions were roaming inside your head, yet nobody can give a clear answer. 

You set aside those thoughts as you wanted this night to be your last hurrah before you leave for Sendai. "(Y/N)-chan? You good?", Tia asked when she noticed that you were spacing out. "I'm okay! The fireworks are beautiful!", you said to reassure your friend that you were alright. "They sure are! Let's have lots of fun, (Y/N)-chan!!", Tia said with a smile as you hummed in agreement.

The two of you watched the colourful firework show in awe. It's been so long since you've seen such a mesmerising scenery. It reminded you of the time when you went with your late-grandmother all those years ago. Everything was perfect back then, and you were filled with so much happiness. 

After your grandmother passed away, nothing stayed the same. But that doesn't mean you forgot how much you cherished the memories you shared with her. Even though  you'll be moving far away, leaving the people you care so much about behind, you know for certain that you're going to cherish this very moment as you did when you were with your late-grandmother, even with the absence of Miya.

"Tia", you called out. "After I move, please don't tell Miya about my whereabouts, and that I quit ice-skating".

"Oh, why?", she asked.

"Please just.. Consider this a huge favour. I'd really appreciate it.. Please?".

At first, Tia didn't know what to respond and only stood in silence. But since it was your wish, how could she comply? "Okay. I won't".

"Thanks Tia. This means a lot to me", you said with a said smile. 

"Okay snoopy-pants, but you know my silence ain't free, right?",she joked as you both laughed in sync.

Suddenly, Tia leaned in and gave you a tight hug. "You know I'm gonna miss you so much, right?", she whispered with a quivering voice. "I know", you replied, tears now welling up in your eyes. 

"You know he'll miss you too, right?", she added. 

"... Yeah, I know". 

author's note

HI YALL.

this chapter marks the first update i've made on this book after three LONG years. I can't apologise enough.. To any of you who's been here since I first posted this book, thank you for staying this long. I only wrote this for fun. And it HAS been a lot of fun. 

Anyway enough with the yappin'. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading !!