MUINEZU || childhood friends, or more.

_4_|moving away|/|goodbyes|

Another year had passed, and Muichiro and Nezuko were now 9 years old, almost 10. They had both grown taller and a bit more mature, though they still maintained their close bond.

As the years passed, there was a subtle but noticeable shift in their relationship. The promise they had made about being a couple someday had become a lighthearted inside joke between them. They still mentioned it occasionally but played it off more as a silly thing they had said when they were kids, rather than a genuine plan for the future.

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Today was another school day coming to an end, and Muichiro and Nezuko were walking home together as usual. The sun was already setting, casting a warm, orange glow over the surroundings.

They were talking about school, friends, and various random things like they always did, but there was a hint of tension in the air that neither could quite place. It was as if something was unsaid, a topic hovering just beyond the surface of their conversation.

"W-we're moving away.." Muichiro unexpectedly brings that up.

Nezuko's eyes widened in surprise as Muichiro spoke, her heart skipping a beat. She stopped walking for a moment, the realization of his words sinking in, and a look of hurt and fear crossed her face.

She glanced at him, her voice coming out as a nervous whisper.

"What? Y-you're... moving away? Where?"

"I don't know... Somewhere far I think...very far.." Muichiro answers.

Nezuko's heart sank at his words, the reality of the situation hitting her like a ton of bricks. The thought of not seeing Muichiro, her best friend and unofficial boyfriend, every day was too much to bear.

She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, a lump forming in her throat as she tried to find the right words to speak.

"F-far? How far?"

Muichiro could see the hurt and pain in Nezuko's eyes, and it tugged at his heartstrings. He clenched his fists and averted his gaze, unable to look at her directly as he responded.

His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, the truth of his situation hanging heavy in his words.

"I'm not sure... But it's going to be far... Across Japan, at least. Maybe overseas, too."

Nezuko's heart seemed to stop at the mention of "overseas." The thought of Muichiro moving so far away that they might not see each other for years shattered any delusions she had about their friendship staying the same.

Tears began streaming down her face, and she couldn't hold back a small sob. Her voice cracked as she spoke, trying and failing to compose herself.

"O-overseas? You're... you're b-leaving the country?"

Muichiro felt a pang of guilt at seeing the tears streaming down her face, knowing that he was the cause of her pain and sadness. But the situation was out of his control, a decision made by his parents, and he couldn't change it no matter how much he wanted to.

He turned to her, his own eyes glossy and filled with regret.

"I-I'm sorry, Nezuko.. I... I didn't want this.. My parents... they're making me go.."

Nezuko tried to blink away her tears, but they continued to fall, dampening her cheeks and leaving tiny trails down her face. Hearing Muichiro's apology and explanation only made it harder for her to hold back her emotions.

She nodded, understanding that it was not his choice, but that made it no less difficult to accept.

"I-I know... I know it's not your fault... I just.." she hiccuped, her voice shaking as she spoke, "...I don't want you to go. I don't want to lose you, Mui."