Closer To The Stars With You [shuji x reader]

Bonus Chapter 2

A Glimpse into the Future

The coffee shop buzzed with life on a cool autumn afternoon. The air smelled faintly of roasted beans and cinnamon, and the golden sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. I sat at a small corner table, surrounded by notebooks, my laptop, and a half-empty cup of chai tea that had long gone cold. College applications were spread out before me, but my focus was elsewhere-on the tinkling of the bell above the door.

"Sorry I'm late," Shuji's familiar voice called out, and I looked up to see him weaving through the tables. His dark hair, still a little damp from the drizzle outside, fell over his forehead in that effortlessly messy way I loved. His guitar case was slung casually over one shoulder, and he carried an easy confidence that hadn't been there when we were younger.

"You're always late," I teased, closing my laptop with a click. "One day you'll actually be on time, and I'll probably faint from the shock."

"Can't have that," he said, sliding into the chair across from me with a grin. "Keeping you waiting is my way of keeping things interesting."

"Mm-hmm," I said, raising an eyebrow. "How was practice?"

"Good," he replied, leaning back in his chair. "The band's finally nailing that new song. You know, the one I've been working on forever."

"You mean the one you wrote and refuse to let anyone hear?" I teased. "Yeah, I've been waiting for that masterpiece."

He chuckled, running a hand through his damp hair. "It's not ready for the world yet. I still need to fix a few things."

"You're too hard on yourself," I said, leaning forward. "Your songs are amazing, Shuji. I don't know why you doubt yourself so much."

He shrugged, but there was a flicker of gratitude in his expression. "Thanks, Y/N. That means a lot."

For a moment, we sat there, the noise of the coffee shop fading into the background. Outside, the rain had stopped, leaving the streets slick and shiny under the late afternoon sun. Shuji reached across the table, his fingers brushing against mine before curling around my hand.

"You know," he said, his voice softer now, "I don't think I say this enough, but... thank you. For everything. For always being here for me."

I tilted my head, surprised by the sudden seriousness in his tone. "What brought this on?"

He looked down at our intertwined hands, then back at me. "I've just been thinking about how far we've come. Middle school, high school-it's been a lot. And through all of it, you've been my constant. I wouldn't be the person I am today without you."

His words struck a chord deep inside me, and I felt my cheeks warm. "Shuji... that's really sweet, but you're giving me too much credit. You've worked hard to get where you are."

"Maybe," he said, his eyes locking with mine. "But having you by my side has made all the difference."

I smiled, my heart swelling. "Well, in that case, you're welcome."

Later That Evening

After finishing our coffee, we wandered through the streets of the small town we both called home. The autumn air was crisp, the faint scent of woodsmoke lingering as leaves crunched beneath our feet. Shuji carried his guitar case slung over his shoulder, and I hugged my coat tighter against the chill.

"Do you ever think about where we'll be in a few years?" I asked, glancing up at him.

"All the time," he admitted. "It's hard to imagine, though. College, work, life-it feels so... big."

"Yeah," I said, nodding. "But I think we'll figure it out. We always do."

He stopped walking, turning to face me. The golden light of a nearby lamppost highlighted the thoughtful expression on his face. "You're not scared?"

"Of course I am," I said, my breath visible in the cool air. "But I'm also excited. And as long as I have you, I know I'll be okay."

His expression softened, and he reached up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "You always say the right thing, you know that?"

"It's a gift," I said with a teasing smile.

"And I'm lucky to have you," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before leaving a soft kiss on my lips.

A Few More Years Down the Road

Five years later, the airport terminal was alive with the sound of announcements and rolling suitcases. The smell of fresh coffee from a nearby stand mingled with the faint tang of jet fuel that always seemed to linger in the air. Shuji and I stood at the security checkpoint, his guitar case leaning against his leg, my duffel bag slung over my shoulder.

"You really need to leave now," I said, my voice shaky despite my best efforts to sound calm.

"I know," Shuji said, his gaze fixed on mine. "But I don't want to."

"You'll miss your flight," I reminded him, trying to force a smile.

"And you'll miss your train," he countered, his hand brushing against mine.

For the first time in years, we were going our separate ways-he was heading off to tour with his band, their first big break, while I was off to an internship in a city I'd never been to. It was exciting, but it also hurt in ways I hadn't anticipated.

"You'll call me every day, right?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant.

"Every day," I promised, reaching for his hand. "And you'll text me pictures. Of everything."

"Even the boring stuff?" he asked, his familiar grin returning.

"Especially the boring stuff," I said with a laugh, even as my eyes blurred with tears.

He leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine. "This isn't the end, Y/N. It's just... a new chapter."

"Next chapter," I echoed, my voice breaking.

With a final hug and kiss that felt both too short and impossibly long, we parted ways, walking in opposite directions. As I glanced back, I saw Shuji standing there, his guitar case slung over his shoulder, watching me with the same bittersweet expression I knew was mirrored on my own face.

Even as the distance between us grew, I felt certain of one thing: no matter where life took us, we would always find our way back to each other. Because Shuji wasn't just part of my story-he was my home.