The decision weighed heavily on Kanna, as though her heart were caught between the love she had for Yuki and the future he deserved. Deep down, she knew what she had to do. This wasn't just about them anymore—it was about Yuki's lifelong dream. He deserved to go to Italy without hesitation, without holding back for her sake.
But the thought of breaking his heart, of leaving him, tore her apart.
One evening, Kanna decided to embrace the love she felt for Yuki one last time. She planned it carefully—wanting to give him a memory that would linger long after she was gone. She had prepared dinner, lighting soft candles and playing the music they often listened to when they wanted to escape the outside world.
Yuki walked through the door that night, his expression easing into warmth the moment he saw her. "Hey," he greeted, his voice tired but soft. "What's all this?"
Kanna smiled, feeling the bittersweet tug in her chest. "Just wanted to do something special," she said quietly, wrapping her arms around him. "I know things have been tough lately, with everything going on... I just thought we could enjoy tonight."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his touch gentle as he pulled her closer. "You're amazing, you know that?" His voice was low, filled with love, and Kanna couldn't help the lump that rose in her throat.
They spent the evening in each other's arms, talking and laughing over dinner, both of them carefully avoiding the subject of Italy. For those few precious hours, it felt like nothing else mattered but the two of them.
Later, as the night deepened, Kanna led Yuki to the bedroom, her heart racing with a mixture of love and sorrow. She knew this would be the last time she would hold him like this, and she wanted to give him everything she could. She wanted him to feel her love, to know just how much he meant to her, even if she couldn't stay.
They made love slowly, tenderly, every touch and kiss filled with emotion that neither of them spoke aloud. Kanna poured her heart into every moment, committing it all to memory—his warmth, his strength, the way his hands moved over her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
Afterward, they lay in silence, their bodies entwined as Yuki gently stroked her hair. "I don't want this to ever change," he whispered, his voice laced with contentment. "I don't want to lose you, Kanna."
Tears filled Kanna's eyes, but she blinked them back, pressing a kiss to his chest. "You won't," she lied softly, her voice barely a whisper.
Yuki eventually fell asleep beside her, his breathing deep and steady, but Kanna lay awake long into the night. Her mind replayed every memory they had shared—the years of friendship, the love that had blossomed between them, the quiet moments that had defined their bond.
And now she had to let it go.
In the early hours of the morning, Kanna quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. She dressed in silence, the room still dark except for the soft glow of the streetlights filtering through the curtains. Every step felt heavy, every movement a painful reminder of what she was about to do.
Before she left, she sat down at the small desk by the window, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen. Her hand trembled as she began to write, pouring her heart into the words she could never say to his face.
Yuki,
I love you more than I can ever put into words. You've been my best friend, my rock, and my greatest love. And because I love you, I need to do something that I never thought I'd have to do.
I need to let you go.
I overheard your conversation about Italy, and I know how much this opportunity means to you. It's everything you've worked for, and I can't—I won't—be the reason you hold back. You deserve to follow your dreams without hesitation, without worrying about me.
I know how much we love each other, and that's why this is so hard. But I don't want you to look back one day and regret not taking this chance because of me. You've always supported me, and now it's my turn to support you. Even if it means letting you go.
Last night, I wanted to show you just how much you mean to me, how much I love you. I hope you'll remember it, even after I'm gone.
I'm leaving now, but please know that this isn't goodbye forever. I'll always be rooting for you, Yuki. I'll always love you.
Go to Italy. Shine like I know you can.
Love,
Kanna
Kanna folded the note, her tears blurring the edges of the paper. She placed it gently on the pillow beside Yuki, her heart breaking as she took one last look at him. He was still asleep, his face peaceful, completely unaware of the storm inside her.
Quietly, she left the apartment, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
When Yuki woke up the next morning, he immediately reached for Kanna, expecting to find her warm body curled up beside him. But the bed was empty. His brows furrowed in confusion as he sat up, scanning the room.
Then he saw the note.
His heart dropped as he grabbed the paper, his hands shaking as he read Kanna's words. Each sentence hit him like a punch to the gut, the realization of what she had done sinking in.
"No..." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he scrambled out of bed. He rushed to the door, throwing it open, but the hallway was empty. She was gone.
Yuki's legs gave out beneath him as he collapsed against the wall, the note crumpled in his fist. Tears filled his eyes, blurring his vision as the weight of Kanna's absence settled over him like a crushing wave.
She was gone. She had left him. And though she had done it out of love, it felt like his heart had been ripped from his chest.
Yuki pressed the note to his forehead, his tears soaking into the paper. She had sacrificed everything for him—for his dream, for his future. And now, the future he had imagined with her was gone.
He sat there for what felt like hours, his body shaking with sobs. The dream he had worked so hard for was within reach, but at what cost?
And for the first time in his life, Yuki didn't know if the dream was worth it anymore.
