𝙏𝙊𝙐𝘾𝙃𝙀𝙎 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙀𝙎 (𝙄𝙒𝘼𝙄𝙕𝙐𝙈𝙄 𝙓 𝙍𝙀𝘼𝘿𝙀𝙍) 18+

Chapter 28

"We'll leave it at that today. Remember, portfolios are due when we're back from holidays, 10am," you conclude as your class thanks you on your way out. You wait until the room is empty before you begin tidying up. Once the room is organized, you sit down at your desk and open your laptop. It's currently 6:30 pm, time for your usual video call meeting.

You fix your hair in the camera before seeing the call notification. Clearing your throat, you click to answer.

They adjust their phone's camera so you can see their face, and you softly smile. "I always feel bad for waking you up early," you say, and they rub their eyes tiredly. "I set the alarms myself so it's my pleasure," they joke, and you laugh. "What are the plans for today then?" you ask, and they smile back at you. "I have a friend from Canada coming over to see me soon," they say jokingly.

"You wish," you tease. "Canada to Japan sounds exhausting though, that's almost eleven hours of travel," you point out, and they shrug. "All they have to do is get from point A to point B. It's not like they bought their tickets themselves," they reply. "I'm still paying you back for that, those tickets were so expensive. I told you I'd save up for them myself," you defend, but they shrug off your words. "You can tell me all about how you'll repay me when you see me," they tease. "Gross," you say back, and you both laugh again.

It's been four years since you left Japan to continue teaching in Canada. Life was different, but you adjusted easily, finding peace in doing what you loved. You hadn't talked to anyone from Japan since you left, abandoning that life once more until recently when familiar faces contacted you first. You didn't mind; you were glad to keep these connections alive. Some bonds couldn't be cut, no matter how far apart you were.

"What do you think I should pack, though?" you ask, and their jaw drops. "You haven't packed yet?!" they exclaim, and you stick out your tongue. "I'm kidding, those prices were too high not to take this trip seriously," you joke, and they sigh. "You're not funny; I thought I'd have to come over myself," they say. "Absolutely not, this is my one opportunity to go back home so I can't miss it," you tell them, hearing their alarm ring.

"Shit," they say, and you smile softly. "You're off to work?" you ask, and they groan in response. "This is why I hate mornings," they complain. "Wow, sorry for being a hindrance," you reply sarcastically, and they get out of bed. "I can wake up early for you, but I'd rather take the week off for myself," they say. "Don't get yourself in trouble because of me; you'll see me soon anyway," you say back, and they smile. "I'll let you get away with that just this once. I'll see you later, Y/n," they say before waving goodbye.

You close your laptop, pack it away, and head home, picking up some food on the way. There's no point in buying groceries to cook. Your phone rings again once you unlock your door, and you drop all your items on the table to answer it.

"Hello?" you answer. "Hey! When's your flight again?" they ask, and you smile recognizing the voice. "Oh, wouldn't you like to know," you say back. "Ugh, I thought I missed it—I could have gotten more sleep," they lament. "Just be there on time to pick me up; that's all I ask," you remind them, but there's a pause on the phone.

"... Yeah, about that."

"What do you mean about that?"

"You've got to find your own way to your crib."

"What—why?"

"Plans came up, but I will grace you with my presence, I promise."

"You've always been bad at lying," you scold, and they laugh over the phone. "I agree, but unfortunately, this time, I'm telling the truth. It's kind of complicated, but I want to explain it to you in person to see your reaction," they explain. "Surprises! Things I couldn't hate more in life!" you say sarcastically, and they scoff. "At least you're being informed about it this time," they retort, and you both laugh again. "Okay, you go and do whatever you need to do; I've got to double-check things here and be on my way," you tell them, and they wish you well before hanging up.

"Right," you say to yourself, looking at your food on the counter. You heat it up and eat quickly so you can pack all your bags into the car and head to the airport. There isn't much you need since you're only staying for three weeks; you plan on buying anything else you might need.

You check the time and double-check your house once more. This is your fifth time repeating this process. To be honest, you're nervous about coming back. It's a bit scary, but everyone is older and more mature now; it should be different. Besides, people like Kai, Hina—whomever—they're people you shouldn't have to deal with anymore, right? That's all behind you; now, the future is in the present. You take a deep breath before locking up your house and driving away to your new destination.

It's a silent drive.

Too silent.

You blame the overcast weather for dampening your mood and turn up the radio to distract yourself so your cloudy thoughts can disperse. It works for a minute. Tapping your finger lightly against the steering wheel to the beat is fun until the repetitive song makes you zone out. You change radio stations, giving each one a chance before switching again. None of them fit your mood.

You're getting frustrated when you hear a familiar song playing. It's mainstream but could keep your mind distracted as it tries to remember where you first heard it and the memories attached. More time passes, and the radio show comes on after a few more songs.

The rain picks up, making it hard to hear anything with all the static.

Your anxiety peaks again. Are you ready to go back? Do you want to see everyone again? Who even is everyone now? You're so out of the loop; did everything fall apart while you were gone? No, the world doesn't revolve around you, Y/n. Stop being so self-centered.

Your grip tightens on the wheel.

Things are different now. It's not the same as before, but you left Japan, and everyone else moved on. Maybe that's what's affecting you. You never got the chance to 'move on.' Is that why you were eager to come back when they contacted you? Are you romanticizing the past? Even so, how different are you compared to everyone else? You changed locations, but are you still the same? Did you change at all? It didn't really feel like it, but neither have they since they want you back. But you moved for change. You moved to experience something different and make your own choices, yet they reached out first. They booked the tickets. But is it because of a future they see with you or the past you once saw?

You snap out of your thoughts quickly when you see bright headlights filling up your vision.

The truck beeps heavily at you for drifting into the middle of the road, and you quickly steer back into your lane.

The rain makes it slippery, and the car accelerates more than intended.

You pull over to the side once you regain control, breathing heavily.

You take two deep breaths before checking the mirror to see your reflection. Tears are pouring down your face without you realizing it. "Shit," you curse out, feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed. You quickly dry your eyes and turn on the car again to continue driving. The phone rings again, and you pick it up immediately, grateful for a distraction.

"Hello?" you say, and the person speaks back. "Where are you now?" they ask, and you sniffle as you get back on the road. "I'm on my way there," you tell them. "Are you close? The plane boards in an hour," they say urgently. "You're more stressed out than me," you joke. "Duh, I need to make sure you get there safely," they say, and you laugh. "A bit too late for that," you mumble, but they hear you. "Huh? What do you mean?" they ask worriedly. "I zoned out on the road and almost hit a truck. I had to pull over to the side to snap myself back," you admit, and they gasp over the phone.

"Y/n?! Are you stupid?! I need you here in one piece. Are you okay?" they ask, and you laugh at their reaction. "I'm all good. Honestly, I could do with the shock, but just stay on the call with me until I board my flight," you ask.

And they do just that, staying with you until you arrive safely on the other side, into their arms in Japan.