Love Him...Forever

Letting Go

Shine felt her heartbeat quicken under Yuzuru's stare. Thankfully, she had changed clothes before leaving the house—anything to lower the chances of him recognizing her. She knew that looking away too quickly would only make things more suspicious, so she forced herself to act normal.

After a second or two, she turned away and casually slipped her hand into Allen's. Without giving him a chance to react, she walked away with him toward the parking lot where David waited.

"Hana," Allen said, pulling her gently back. It stopped her in place.

Shine lowered her head, and without even looking at him, tears began to fall. Allen lifted her chin and wiped her cheeks carefully.

"Do you want to leave?" he asked softly.

Shine nodded, still sobbing. Allen guided her to the car.

David opened the door for them. Allen helped Shine inside first before climbing in after her. David closed the door and moved to the driver's seat.

"Home?" David asked.

"Yes, please," Allen responded.

But Shine shook her head.

"Where do you want to go?" Allen asked.

"Can... we... just stay here for a while?" Shine whispered.

David caught Allen's eyes through the rearview mirror. He didn't need an explanation. Quietly, he stepped out of the car to give them privacy.

Allen turned to her. "What now?"

Shine kept her head down, nervously playing with her hands.

"Do you think—" she began, hesitant. Allen gently squeezed her hand, encouraging her to speak.

Shine inhaled shakily, gathering her courage.

"How long... or how many times will I have to let him go before we can solve this?
Or... can we even solve this?" Tears pooled in her eyes as she finally looked at Allen.

Allen's chest tightened at the sight. He moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, her tears soaking through his shirt.

Shine cried harder as Allen held her, trying his best to calm her.

"Shhh... Shine, we're close. We're so close to getting him back," he reassured her. He pulled away slightly and held her shoulders, looking directly into her eyes. "We've come this far. It would be a waste to give up now—especially when we almost know everything we need."

Shine nodded silently. Allen wiped her tears once more.

"So just endure it a little more," he added gently.

She hugged him again.
"Thank you, Allen. And... sorry if I'm like this again."

"It's okay," he said, rubbing circles on her back.

Shine pulled away and sighed.
"It's just that... hearing Yuzu say my name... feeling him hug me so tightly... it made me want to reveal everything and stay in his arms forever."

Allen cupped her face, no judgment in his eyes—only admiration.

"You're brave, Shine. If it were someone else, they would've told him the truth already. What you did? Not everyone could do that."

Shine smiled faintly at his words. Allen rolled down the window and signaled David, who returned to the car. After getting a nod from Allen, David started the engine.

They headed home.

When they arrived, it was nearly 5 a.m.

"Thank you," Shine said, giving Allen a gentle kiss on the cheek before heading to her room.

Allen froze, a soft blush spreading across his face. Lack of sleep definitely made him more sensitive than usual.

David placed a hand on Allen's shoulder.
"I've never seen you act like that around a girl."

Allen smiled shyly, and they both headed to their rooms.

Shine entered her room and immediately got ready for bed—washing her face, brushing her teeth, changing into her pajamas. But when she lay down on her enormous bed, sleep refused to come.

She sat up and pulled out her "Shine" phone—the one Allen returned to her earlier.

"What did Allen read?" she whispered.

15-02-2015 3:30 PM
I will see you again... I'm excited... No—more than excited—
I'm ECSTATIC! I LOVE YOU SHINE, A MILLION TIMES, or until words aren't enough to express it. ♥

For the first time since she ran away from him, Shine's smile reached her eyes.

"Oh, Yuzu... my love, I feel the same way," she whispered, pulling out her Hana phone. She wanted to check if Yuzuru had texted her—and he did.

Yuzuru Hanyu:
Seeing how you didn't come to the airport earlier is a clear message to me that I'm wrong. I should just forget you, Hana. I really thought you were Shine—my Shine. Not just because of your appearance, but I see Shine in your eyes. I hear her in your voice when you laugh... when you get 'angry.' The way you texted me "I AM YUZURU HANYU, THE GREATEST" reminded me so much of Shine. So you can't blame me for thinking you were her.
But if you insist that you are HANA and not her... I can't do anything but let you go.
HANA, I can only love Shine and no one else.
I guess... this is goodbye.

Shine's vision blurred immediately.
She clutched her chest, struggling to breathe through the pain.

"This is what I wanted... so why does it hurt so much...?" she whispered, breaking down completely.