𝗞𝗢𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗢 | ꜱʜᴏʜᴇɪ ᴏʜᴛᴀɴɪ

𝟎𝟑 | 𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

when she told a news but he told a bigger news

year 2016

INSIDE HER ROOM, MEGUMI sat at her desk, the soft glow of her desk lamp casting a warm light on her face as she stared at her notebook, pen poised but unmoving. she bit her lip, her mind full of conflicting thoughts.

her gaze drifted to a framed photo on her desk, a picture of her and shohei from their high school graduation, smiling together. how will she break the news to him?

he was gaining fame, becoming a heartthrob among the media and girls alike. they only spoke over the phone now, the distance between them growing as he gained popularity. megumi cherished their privacy, avoiding the spotlight that followed shohei wherever he went.

but her thoughts were interrupted by another flashback, this time of her parents. despite their not-so-good relationship, they still provided her with an allowance, supporting her financially even if they couldn't support her dreams. she sighed, torn between gratitude and frustration.

new york waved at her, offering the opportunity of a lifetime to pursue her master's degree and her passion for art. yet, doubts tormented her, fueled by her parents' lack of support and the fear of leaving everything she knew behind.

should she really continue abroad, leaving her parents and friends behind, unsure if she'd ever truly find the success she craved?

as she sat in silence, the weight of her decision pressing down on her, megumi knew she needed to find the courage to follow her heart, even if it meant facing the unknown alone.

she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty, but she knew she had to tell shohei about her decision. with a deep exhale, she texted him, arranging a meeting spot at a playground they used to hang out as kids.

while walking, lost in her thoughts, she replayed memories of their friendship, realizing just how much she relied on shohei. would he grow tired of being her rock, especially as their lives took different paths?

suddenly, she spotted shohei waiting for her sitting in one of the swings, his smile warming her heart. she waved, a mix of nerves and relief flooding her as she approached.

before megumi could say anything, shohei beat her. "megumi, have you tried that new ramen place down the street yet?" shohei asked, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

megumi grinned, shaking her head. "not yet, but i've heard it's amazing. we should definitely check it out sometime."

"absolutely!" shohei exclaimed, his enthusiasm contagious. "i'll even treat you to a bowl of their famous miso ramen."

megumi chuckled with a scoff, nudging him playfully. "wow, shohei, you're really pulling out all the stops."

shohei laughed, "hey, what are friends for, right?"

their banter was interrupted by a brief lull in the conversation, and megumi took a deep breath, seizing the moment to share her news.

"you know, shohei, speaking of trying new things..." she began, her voice tinged with excitement.

shohei's eyebrows lifted in curiosity. "what's on your mind, megumi?"

with a smile, megumi leaned in, her eyes sparkling. "i've made a decision. i'm going to pursue my master's degree in new york after i graduate."

shohei's expression softened, pride shining in his eyes. "that's amazing, megumi! i'm so proud of you."

relief flooded through megumi as she shared her plans with her friend, knowing that shohei's unwavering support meant the world to her.