"- 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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After that encounter, I had more time for myself to retreat and to think. I found myself lying in bed 24/7. Luckily, I had completed my master's thesis, so I just stayed home waiting for the results. My friends from school called to check on me, and I just laughed and said I was feeling under the weather. Yoshinori occasionally came by to check on me. I still begged him to buy me a cup of milk tea, or some sweets, and he pampered me every time.
Besides Yoshinori, no one else knew about my accident. Could it be Shohei, when I jerked my body away from his grasp. The look in his eyes suggested that he might have known something; he's smart like that.
Shohei. I don't want to think about him too much anymore. Because every time I think about him, I remember the desperate hope for him to come and save me that night. And the chilling sensation creeps back into me. He did bring a cake for me, but I just stored it in the fridge. I don't want to cut off ties with him at this stage, but honestly, my mind and body are overwhelmed at the moment. I can't push myself any further.
But then I remembered how Shohei held me and whispered words of comfort through my tears. I remembered the way his arms wrapped around me. His lips against mine, kissing my skin and giving me relief. But then again, Shohei wasn't here right now. It was just me and myself. Maybe this was the time for me to take care of myself.
I was lost in my thoughts when I heard my phone ring. It was Yolanda, my uni friend.
"Hey," she greeted me. Her voice was soft and calm. I could tell that she had slept well last night.
"Hey there!" I said happily.
"How are you?" she asked
"I'm good. You?"
"What's up? You sound weird. Did something happen?"
"Oh, just studying," I responded, trying to sound convincing, even though I was not.
"Everything is fine."
I lied. I didn't feel okay either. Maybe I was sick. Yolanda would know how to fix it, but maybe she was already too busy with her own exams. Yolanda and I were very close. I didn't want to impose on her any longer than I already had. That's why I hadn't told Yolanda anything yet. I knew she wouldn't ask questions; she knew me too well. Besides, this was something I needed to deal with on my own. I know it sounds selfish, but please understand, Yolanda. I couldn't burden Yolanda anymore.
"Wanna hang out with me? I'm gonna light up your mood!" she asked excitedly.
She probably thought I would say yes. "Sorry, I don't really feel up to doing that tonight. I'd love to though." I assured her with a fake smile on my face. "Maybe some other time."
Yolanda must've caught the fake smile in my tone because she immediately stopped talking to me. "Okay, but you're gonna miss One Direction night at the Black Sheep Pub!"
