𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞

Break Up

The clouds hang heavily in the sky as Yachi trudges down the road, feeling the weight of both the weather and her thoughts. She's never been a fan of overcast skies or storms; they always seem to reflect her mood too closely. On days like this, when the sky is a swirling gray, the gloom seeps into her heart.

She hums softly to herself, her footsteps echoing against the damp pavement as she heads toward Tokyo Station. The rain, which started as a light drizzle, has grown heavier. Despite the raincoat shielding her, she can feel the cold seep through. Her stomach grumbles, but she quickly pushes the hunger aside, focusing instead on the comfort of her home and the cozy bed waiting for her.

The presentation she'd given earlier that day had gone better than expected. Her boss had even given her an approving nod, which had brightened her mood, albeit temporarily. She'd hoped that dressing up in heels and a pretty dress would lift her spirits further. But now, as the rain lashes down harder, it feels as though her efforts were in vain.

She should have listened to Grandma, Yachi thinks with a wry smile, remembering her grandmother's warnings about rain being an ill omen. The thought does little to ease her current predicament, so she decides to run the rest of the way to the train station, despite the challenge of navigating the slick pavement in heels. She nearly trips several times, but the determination to avoid being soaked in public drives her forward.

Arriving at the train station, she allows herself a moment of calm, her heart rate slowing as she takes a deep breath. With a sigh of relief, she waits for her train, her mind drifting to the comfort of home and the gentle purring of her cats. Kenma had given her a cat for her birthday—a gift that had been both unexpected and deeply appreciated. It was a reminder of a simpler time, and the companionship of her furry friend brought her solace.

The nostalgia of high school days mingles with her thoughts. Despite the challenges and rivalries, she treasures the memories of meeting all the players. It feels like a different lifetime now, but it's one she looks back on with gratitude.

The train arrives, and Yachi boards with a relieved smile, looking forward to sinking into her bed and escaping into the warmth of her home.

Hours later, after a refreshing shower and slipping into her pajamas, Yachi flops onto her bed.

Her phone buzzes, pulling her attention away from her comfortable cocoon. Seeing a message from her boyfriend, she feels a flutter of anticipation. Without hesitation, she dials his number, her heart racing slightly with the hope of hearing his voice, not checking once to read the message.

"Hi, what's up?" she says softly, a small, hopeful smile forming on her lips as she curls up with her pillow.

"Hello," comes the deep, somewhat brusque voice from the other end.

"Everything good there?" Yachi asks, trying to gauge his mood through his voice.

"Yeah, guess so," he responds, his tone distant.

"You don't know?" she tries to lighten the mood with a gentle giggle, hoping to bring a smile to his face.

"I don't have to know everything, okay?" His voice is sharp, cutting through the phone line with an edge that startles her.

A pang of anxiety hits Yachi. She tightens her grip on the phone, her heart sinking as she murmurs, "It was just a joke... I didn't mean to offend you."

There's a heavy silence on the other end. Yachi's lips tremble as she tries to muster the courage to speak, but no words come.

"I know," he finally says, his voice strained. "I'm just... feeling a little off today."

It's unusual for him to sound so unlike himself. Yachi tries to reassure herself that it's just a rough day for him. She stretches her lips into a soft smile, her heart aching with concern.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asks, her voice gentle and comforting.

"It's just practice, work, and getting home. Everything feels repetitive," he sighs deeply, his frustration evident. "I'm starting to miss you."

Her heart flutters at the thought of him missing her. She glances at her cluttered schedule, filled with red circles marking important meetings and deadlines. But for him, she's willing to rearrange her plans. She grabs a black marker, "When are you free? I could adjust my schedule to meet you next week—"

"When are you free? We could meet up next week—"

"Yachi, let's break up."

The words hit her like a cold wave. She freezes, her grip on the phone slackening. Without thinking, she collapses onto her bed, pulling the comforter over her. The warmth of the blanket contrasts sharply with the chill that has settled in her heart. Tears begin to flow freely as she nestles into her pillow, her sobs muffled by the fabric.

His silence on the other end feels both comforting and painful. It gives her space to cry, but it also underscores the finality of his words. Eventually, she manages to speak through her tears, her voice quivering, "I-I know."

There's a long, heavy sigh from him. Yachi can almost feel the weight of his internal struggle. The pause stretches on, filled with the unspoken words and emotions they both share.

"Thank you for everything," she whispers against her pillow, her voice breaking.

"Goodbye, Yachi. I wish you the best," he says softly, his voice carrying a mix of sadness and sincerity.

His words feel almost too kind at this moment, and a small, bitter part of her wishes for something less gentle, something more fitting for the pain she feels. She remains wrapped in her comforter, her heart aching with the finality of his goodbye.

As the line goes dead, Yachi stares at the now silent phone. She feels a strange emptiness settle over her. It's almost ironic how she had looked forward to coming home to a warm bed, only to find herself surrounded by tears and loneliness instead. The room feels colder, the pillow now damp with her mascara-streaked tears.

In the quiet of her room, Yachi curls up into a tight ball, clutching her pillow as if it could somehow mend the broken pieces of her heart. The rain outside continues to fall, and she finds herself lost in the melancholy of the moment, wishing for a solace that seems just out of reach.

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End of chapter.