One Shots

1. Under the Cherry Blossoms

Sitting under the cherry blossoms, they test their love once more.

Why don't you love me anymore?

What are you talking about, Tooru? I still do.

Don't lie please. It's too painful for you to lie to me.

I'm not lying. What's gotten into you?

We have known each other since elementary school. I know you better than I know me.

And vice versa. Are you okay? You're never like this.

You call me names. Beat me. And yet again you prove that you love me. So what's the truth, Hajime.

I do love you. Do we need to question that? And hopefully you love me too.

Sometimes too much. Sometimes it hurts.

Well then let's talk about it. We barely talk about our relationship anymore.

Sometimes I love you too much it hurts. It hurts so bad when someone you love doesn't love you as much. Anxiety doesn't help. Paranoia doesn't help. Depression doesn't help. Sometimes, you don't help.

But I try. I try everyday. I'm trying. Please believe me.

I would love to. But true love doesn't stop my suffering. It makes it worse. But I love you too much to stop. Can't you see, my love for you is hurting me. I love you too much.

Please don't say...

I'm sorry. But it's for you. I know you don't love me. I know you love someone else, I can see it in your eyes. You need a good future. And now, I guess, you don't need me in it. You're going to do great things Iwazumi Hajime, so do it with the one you truly love.

What are you saying? We've been through so much together and now you're going to leave? Please don't walk away. Please. I love you.

I love you too. You just love someone more than me. Go to them. Love them. Cherish them. For the sake of love, do it.

Hajime's prince walked away, under the moonlight and blossoms. Hajime's first love was gone. Tooru decided to send one more thing to his best friend. A letter.

Sometimes love hurts. And it doesn't always heal everything. I'm sorry, but this is good bye. Our love wasn't meant to be.

After a year, Hajime did find is last love. A beautiful, vibrant transfer student from Taiwan that he met during college, a year before his and Tooru's last conversation. Wedding day happened the next year. And their first child was there with them the year after next. Hajime found closure, love, and happiness. But he could never break away from Tooru. From his smile, laugh, his friendship. It was always with him, and it didn't seem he wanted to let him go. Tooru seemed to have disappeared. He stopped playing volleyball, though everyone thought he wouldn't. He moved, though everyone thought he wouldn't. But after that, Tooru was just a name.

Hanamaki thinks he's in America training secretly. Matsukawa thought he decided for a different career in Europe. Kindaichi thinks he moved to Tokyo for the city life. Kunimi doesn't care. But Hajime wants to think he's safe and happy, because that is what Tooru gave him. But what happened to him was much worse.

Tooru was suffering, but nobody acknowledged it. Self harm scars he said were mistakes and childhood memories. Tears he said was from reading. His sudden weight loss he played as him wanting to lose weight. He wasn't safe and happy. So he decided that he didn't want that anymore. He left to not make a mark. He changed his number to leave no trace. He left his love for him to find happiness. He was gone to hurt no one. Tooru decided to go and never return for the world he hated, and for the people he loved.

I'm so sorry, Hajime. But you are happy without me, so hopeful doing this makes it stay that way. Good bye, my love