Tomoko, on the other hand, looked surprised and then embarrassed to see him. She didn't expect him to show up at the convention. She tried to act casual, but it was obvious that she was nervous. The new guy she was with was a bit intimidated by Kolton, not knowing what to make of the situation.As they all stood there in awkward silence, Kolton finally found the courage to speak. "Hey, Tomoko. I, um..." His voice cracked a bit as he spoke, and he couldn't meet her eyes.
"The fuck you talkin to?"
The new guy said.
"Oh, hi... Kolton. This is my boyfriend, Jason." Tomoko said, her voice barely audible.
Kolton looked at her, then at Jason. He tried to keep his expression neutral, but he couldn't help but feel a pang in his chest. Jason was tall, muscular, and had a cocky smile that didn't quite fit with Tomoko's personality.
Jason pushed Kolton.
Kolton immediately pushed him back. Revealing that he was quite strong as well.
"You don't want any part of me." Kolton said, his voice low and menacing. Jason, who was no stranger to fights, recognized the tone and knew better than to push it further. He backed off, giving Kolton a death glare.
Kolton immediately gives him a more menacing look.
Jason pushes Tomoko to the ground for no reason.
Kolton was shocked and furious. Without hesitation, he punched Jason in the face, sending him flying across the convention hall. People screamed and scattered as they tried to get out of the way. Jason landed on the floor, blood pouring from his nose and mouth. He looked up at Kolton, his eyes wide with fear and surprise.
Meanwhile, Tomoko was trying to regain her composure. She was stunned by Kolton's reaction, and at the same time, she felt a mixture of emotions: gratitude, love, and maybe even a hint of desire. She couldn't believe that after all these years, Kolton still cared about her. She tried to speak, but no words came out.
As the crowd continued to disperse, leaving Jason and Kolton alone in the center of the convention hall, Tomoko slowly got to her feet. Her heart was racing, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She walked over to Kolton, her steps uncertain. When she reached him, she looked up into his eyes, searching for some sign of what he was feeling.
She sees his rage, immediately go to a sweet and caring look, that he had all of those years ago.
"Kolton, please calm down. It's not worth it." She whispers softly, reaching out to touch his arm gently.
"Tomoko... I can't let him hurt you... You are the love of my life..."
Kolton said softly. She looks up at him, tears welling up in her eyes. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Kolton. I've always known how you felt."
"Lets run away together... Like we are kids again..." Kolton whispers in her ear.
"No... We can't... I can't do that to Jason... I mean... He's my boyfriend now..." She says, her voice barely audible.
"But he doesn't love you..." Kolton said.
"It doesn't matter... We can't run away... We have to face our responsibilities..." Tomoko said, her voice barely audible.
"No, we don't. We can be happy together. Just the two of us." Kolton insisted, his grip on her arm tightening but not enough to hurt her.
She looked at him, her expression softening. "You really mean that, don't you?"
"Of course I do." Kolton replied, his voice gentle. "I've always meant it. You're the only one for me. It sucks what that obsessive bitch did to you..."
"Don't call her that." Tomoko said softly, her cheeks flushing.
"Oh come onnnnnn! You have to admit she was."
Kolton smirked, unable to help himself. Tomoko rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile back. The tension between them eased slightly, and they both found themselves laughing softly. It was a bitter-sweet laugh, one born of the pain and confusion they had both endured over the years. But it was a laugh nonetheless, and in that moment, it felt like they were truly connecting again.
As they stood there, lost in their own memories and emotions, the rest of the convention hall faded away. The sounds of people talking and laughing and cheering became background noise, a distant hum that they barely registered. It was just the two of them, sharing a moment that felt simultaneously like a lifetime had passed and like no time had gone by at all.
Kolton reached up to wipe a stray tear from Tomoko's cheek, and she leaned into his touch, feeling a shiver run down her spine. His hand lingered there for a moment, tracing the outline of her cheekbone before moving to cup her jaw. She closed her eyes as he leaned in, their faces inches apart, her heart racing.
