"- Promise? - Promise."
Shohei Ohtani, a baseball superstar worldwide, carried the weight of an injury that threatened to shatter his dreams. He now faced not only the painful physical injury, but also a disease that posed threat to his mental healt...
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Y/N
Through the media, I was aware of Shohei's deteriorating condition physically, as rumors of his self-imposed exile began to circulate. It was then that I received a call from Ippei.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Hey, it's Ippei," came the familiar voice on the other end.
"Ippei. How're you doing? Do things go on well lately?" I greeted him.
"Thanks Y/N. For me, it still does good. How about your life lately?"
"Me? Yes, I'm doing fine. What makes you call me?"
"I need your help, Y/N." He went straight to the point, making me feel surprised.
"Shohei... he's in a really bad place right now. He's shut himself off from everyone, and I'm worried about him. I remember you used to be his English teacher. I thought maybe you could reach him somehow."
My heart sank at the gravity of Ippei's words. Shohei's condition had taken a turn for the worse, I could never imagine how a brilliant person Shohei could be so dark.
There was a too long silence on the line, Ippei continued "I really can't find anyone else. He doesn't want to communicate with people around him anymore"
Knowing that Ippei had no other choice so he had to call a really random person like me. I hesitated for a moment, this was too much for me to handle.
However, in my memory, Shohei was kind, easy to talk. Besides, it costed nothing to give it a try.
"Ippei, thanks for remembering me. I'm not sure if I can help," I said. "But just let me try once."
I can heard his sighing clearly. "Thank you Y/N"
Ippei explained Shohei's current state, how he had withdrawn from everyone and refused to interact with anyone, even those he had been closest to. He mentioned Shohei's declining physical health, the PTSD, the lack of appetite, and the overwhelming sense of despair that seemed to engulf him.
Listening intently, I absorbed every detail, my mind already thinking possible ways to break through Shohei's barriers.
"I'll try, Ippei" I replied, my voice filled with sincerity.
"Now I can only count on you. Y/N"
Flashback
2019.
That was my sophomore year, while Shohei had just moved to here for 10 months. My lecturer was acquaintance with Angels' management team, so she introduced me, her best student, to take up teaching Shohei basic English to communicate.
The memory of the first time I met Shohei as his English tutor flooded my mind, transporting me back to that Angels' guest room, where I would spend 45 minutes a day teaching him. Of course, we just met 2-3 days per weeks in 3 months, 'cause he was really busy.
I was always amazed at the progress he had made in such a short time.
"I've been thinking about visiting Japan one day," you mentioned during one of the breaks, a glimmer of excitement in my eyes. "It must be an incredible country with a rich culture and history."
Shohei's face instantly lit up with enthusiasm when I mentioned his hometown, his eyes shining with a shared passion. "Oh, you should definitely go!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. "Japan is unlike anywhere else. The culture, the traditions, the history... It's truly magical."
A playful smile tugged at my lips as I continued the conversation. "And what about the food? I've heard the sushi and ramen are out of this world."
A mischievous grin spread across Shohei's face as he eagerly responded, "Absolutely! You have to try them. The flavors, the freshness... It's an experience you won't forget."
Caught up in the moment, a mischievous thought crossed my mind. I playfully asked Shohei, "So, will you be there for me if I get lost in the bustling streets of Tokyo?"
His grin widened, and his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Of course, princess!" he declared, his voice laced with playful affection. "Anytime you need guidance or a helping hand, I'll be your loyal guardian angel."
A warm feeling enveloped me as I exchanged laughter and banter, the camaraderie between me and him growing stronger with each passing day. In that shared moment, I playfully dubbed him my "Angel Guardian".
"You've done a great job, Y/N," Shohei expressed, his voice brimming with gratitude. "You've created a safe space for me to open up and talk freely. It's like all the stress and pressure fade away when I'm with you."
A gentle smile graced my lips as I listened to his heartfelt words.
"It's been my absolute pleasure, Shohei," I replied, sincerity evident in your voice. "I'm glad that you feel safe enough to be you around me"
He just laughed and seemed to agreed to my words. Even when he was silent, I knew he was comfortable enough to be silent with me. It was better to talk some cheesy words to break the awkward atmosphere.
Reflecting on those moments, I couldn't help but regretted how shiny he was. I didn't understand what drove him to the limit of endurance like that. Whatever it was, it must be terrible and went beyond what a human can suffer.
And now, as I was trusted to support him in a time of need, it would be a lie if I said that I was not clueless.
Little did I know that this endeavor would test my own resilience and compassion, as I also joined the depths of Shohei's suffering in search of a glimmer of hope.
