"𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆"

╴𝑩𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅╶

Best friend
noun
a person's closest friend.
▁

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁

To many, the term "best friend" was casually tossed around, often serving merely as a substitute for the word "friend." Some might've even dismiss it as a childish notion, a label that lacks depth or significance.

However, for Takahiro, the meaning of "best friend" held a deeper understanding. It wasn't just a title. It embodied a profound connection that transcended the superficial bonds of a casual friendship. In his mind, a best friend was not merely a companion but a partner in navigating life's complexities, someone who understood him in ways others could not.

Or at least he had felt that way for quite some time. The truth is, people evolve, and so do their surroundings, which is an inescapable reality, much like Takahiro's domain. Change is constant, and it often shapes us in unexpected ways.

Yet, it can be a daunting task to alter the convictions of a stubborn individual. So what could have happened to shift the balance?

The multicolored-haired young man navigated the bustling streets of Tokyo with an air of casual indifference. It wasn't unusual for him to wander aimlessly through the vibrant city. One defining trait about him was his aversion to being cooped up in a room for hours on end-perhaps that was part of the reason he struggled so much in traditional school settings.

As he stepped into a familiar store, the hustle and bustle of shoppers surrounded him. He ambled toward a specific aisle, moving at his own leisurely pace. Turning into the aisle, he took a moment to quietly examine the array of products lining the shelves.

Hair care products, to be precise.

Why was this so significant? Because he was on a mission: to find the hair products that his old best friend had once used to maintain his luscious, long locks of black hair. Takahiro's hair was exceptionally long, at least from his perspective, and he was determined to take good care of it.

In this moment, he felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him, longing for his best friend, especially during this time of year. Halloween was approaching, a time when they would usually begin preparations, transforming their rooms into elaborate displays of festive decor.

A smile crept across his face as his gaze fell on the familiar bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Just then, Plastic Tree pulsed through his earbuds, almost causing him to lose his train of thought. He reached for the conditioner and shampoo, then slowly retreated from the shelf, standing in the very spot where he'd often watched his best friend ponder which conditioners to try.

His best friend had always been meticulous about his hair. That dedication was the very reason Takahiro took hair care so seriously. He wanted to look and feel his best. And now, as he stood there, the memories flooded back, reminding him of the bond they had shared and the joy of their simple rituals.

Takahiro often found himself wrestling with the belief that everything in life occurred for a reason. Yet, despite his best efforts to hold onto that idea, he struggled to comprehend the rationale behind the world's often cruel and unpredictable events. Life, in its current state, felt anything but kind or fair.

With a heavy heart, he quietly made his way to the front of the store, moving through the aisles as if they were a maze he had traversed many times before. He patiently stood in line, his thoughts swirling around the complexities of existence. When it was finally his turn, he placed his two items on the counter, feeling a momentary distraction from his worries. After thanking the cashier with a polite nod, he stepped outside into the fresh air, hoping for a brief respite from his thoughts.

However, as he crossed the threshold of the building, a peculiar sensation overcame him. Somewhere in the world, someone had uttered his name, and the unexpected connection sparked a sneeze from him.

Oh how strange..

♡