Another chance Book I - Y/N

Chapter 60: Why would I lie?

You've been riding with Mikey for a while when he suddenly stops by the sea. Confused, you speak up, "Aren't we going home?"

Mikey glances back at you before getting off the bike, gesturing for you to do the same. "Later. Let's stop here for a bit."

Now standing beside his bike, you glance around. This place... . I recognize it from the manga. It's the same spot where Mikey and Izana had their first conversation — one of Mikey's safe places. Around you, a harbour stretches out. Are we still in Yokohama or Tokyo?

Without warning, Mikey takes your hand. "Come, let's sit for a moment.", he says softly, guiding you up onto the small wall that separates the road from the crashing waves below. You sit down, letting your legs dangle over the edge, looking down at the drop. Ugh. That's high. I really hope I don't fall.

Breaking the silence, Mikey speaks, sitting cross-legged beside you. "Can you tell me what happened yesterday? Why didn't you come home?"

You glance down, reminded of the mess from the day before. With a sigh, you finally respond, "I'm sorry for not coming back... but after the fight, it just didn't feel right being there. I... I was running away again."

Mikey hums in acknowledgment, staring out at the sea. A comfortable silence settles between you as he thinks. After a while, he mumbles, almost to himself, "I was really worried." He glances at you, his voice unsure. "But that slap... that was something." A small grin tugs at his lips, and he chuckles, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

You blink, taken aback by his attempt to joke, but guilt weighs on you instead. His light-heartedness doesn't reach you as you look down, sadness creeping in. You mutter quietly, with a hint of anger, "It's all just too much. Why did he have to come back? Just to tell me he's leaving me? Isn't that cruel?"

Mikey remains silent, unsure how to respond as you continue venting. "I was finally getting better. I was adjusting to everyone being gone. I was starting to feel at home here, but then... he shows up, I  then suddenly remember everything from my past and it's like... ." You pause, voice trembling. "It's like nothing has changed."

"But things have changed.", Mikey interrupts, his eyes meeting yours calmly. You frown at his response.

"That's not what I want to hear.", you mumble, irritated, swinging your legs a bit in frustration.

Mikey doesn't react to your irritation, his expression thoughtful. "You said he's going to leave. Can you explain more about what he said?"

His calmness both soothes and frustrates you. With a deep breath, you recount everything bf/n told you the day before.

"So.", Mikey sums up, "He had the choice to stay here but decided to live somewhere else where he could choose freely?" His voice remains steady.

You nod, frowning. "Yeah, that's right."

"And what's wrong with that?", he asks, glancing at you again.

You stare at him, confused and frustrated. "What's wrong with it? There's so much wrong with it!", you exclaim, your anger bubbling up.

Mikey shakes his head, his gaze still fixed on you. "I don't think so. He must've thought long and hard about this. If he made that decision, it probably means a lot to him."

You fall silent, staring down at your hands as the painful truth settles in. He's right. Your voice softens. "But still... he's leaving me just after seeing me again."

Mikey continues, "He didn't know this would happen when he first saw you, right? He only found out after."

You look at him, bewildered. "Why are you even taking his side?", you ask, your confusion growing.