𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐋², jack champion

018, 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐣𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧

018, 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐣𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧
irl + social media

THIRD PERSON +
september 24, 2024

The sun had just begun to set as Juniper and Vinnie finally settled into their suite at the Intercontinental Hotel in Osaka. The room was stunning, a modern apartment-style suite with sleek furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city skyline.

The lights of Osaka were beginning to twinkle, and Vinnie stood by the window, taking it all in.

"This is insane, Juni. Literally the coolest birthday gift ever," Vinnie said, his voice filled with awe.

Juniper smiled from where she sat on the couch, legs curled up beneath her as she looked over at him. "You deserve it. After everything you've done for me the past few months... this is nothing."

Vinnie turned to face her, shaking his head in disbelief. "You know you didn't have to do this, right? I was more than happy with our usual hangouts and late-night taco bell trips."

"I know," she said softly, leaning her head against the cushion. "But gift-giving is my thing. And this... it's for everything. For being my support system, for distracting me when I was spiraling, for just being you. Besides, it's your birthday soon. Let me spoil you."

He grinned, clearly loving the gesture, though there was still that hint of modesty about him. "Well, when you put it like that..."

They both laughed, but soon enough the effects of the long flight were setting in. They had only been in Osaka for a couple of hours, and jet lag was kicking their asses.

Instead of exploring right away, they opted to order room service—an assortment of sushi, tempura, and miso soup. The food arrived swiftly, and they sat at the small dining table in their suite, the dim light from the city outside creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

Between bites, their conversation drifted naturally, as it always did. Juniper poked at her sushi with her chopsticks, her eyes distant for a moment before Vinnie caught her attention.

"So... what's been going on with the songwriting?" he asked, casually but with a genuine curiosity.

He knew how much she had thrown herself into her music recently, especially after the breakup with Jack.

Juniper sighed, leaning back in her chair and setting down her chopsticks. "Honestly? I've written so much lately. It's kind of overwhelming. Most of it's sad though—heartbreak songs, you know?" She glanced at him with a small laugh. "But I guess that's to be expected."

Vinnie nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "You've always been good at that—turning your pain into something beautiful. But... what kind of sad are we talking here? Angry-sad? Quiet-sad?"

She tilted her head, considering the question. "It's more... reflective, I guess? Like, I'm not just mad or devastated anymore. I'm thinking about what went wrong, what I learned from it. There's a lot of regret, a lot of love still in there, but it's... I don't know. Deeper, more mature? Different from my earlier stuff."

Vinnie leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "That sounds... intense, but in a good way. I'd love to hear some of it. If you're up for it."

Juniper smiled softly. "Maybe. I'm not sure if it's ready to be heard just yet. But yeah, soon."

They both fell quiet for a moment, the sounds of the city faint in the background as they ate. Juniper watched him across the table, thankful for his presence here, in this new place. It was a spontaneous trip, sure, but she knew she needed it—needed him.