Plastic Taste { Joji a.u. }

the one where its someone else

He scrolled.

And scrolled.

Until he found a picture, on the home page.

It was her.

Her, and two other people.

One was a relatively cute girl, the other...

A tall man.

Traditionally handsome, from what George could tell.

They were standing on either side of her.

The man's arm was around her.

His hand resting upon her waist like it belonged there.

He let out a breath that he didn't know he was holding.

The other girl had her arm around Emi, too.

But he didn't care much about that.

He clicked on the photo, revealing the users tagged.

haruday appeared over the girl.

baseballsota appeared over the man.

He clicked on the name.

The profile was loaded with images, many from this guy in a baseball uniform. His name was Sota, at least that's what George read.

He began losing interest, until he came across a video.

The background was the forest.

HIS forest. HIS, AND HERS.

But here was 'Sota' , walking happily, like the trail meant something more to him than it meant to George.

As Sota recorded himself walking, he sped up, placing the camera in front of the other girl. She smiled brightly, waving as her eyes widened.

But then Sota got a look on his face.

He does up, running from the girl, and placing the camera in front of Emi.

She smiled , covering her face slightly.

Sota laughed a joyful laugh, and it made George's stomach harden.

He watched Sota wrap his arm around Emi.

They laughed, and then Emi punched him softly.

'These two are my favorite people to be with when I've got free time.'

The caption made Joji laugh bitterly.

He turned off his phone screen.

He put it down, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.

~

He shielded his eyes.

The sun was so bright.

He could hear the sound of the forest, and as the light died down, he found himself in exactly that space.

He didn't know how he got here.

But it didn't matter, when two young kids ran past him.

A little girl, holding a pastel rabbit.

A young boy, with short black hair, wearing a blue v-neck.

The boy chased her down the trail.

George's feet moved without thought, following them.

They went out of view, so he ran to catch up.

He then heard a thump.

Someone tripping, and falling.

Emi.

When he turned the corner, the young boy was gone, and the girl, who was laying in the floor, was now grown.

It was Emi, current Emi.

George stepped forward, wanting to lift her up, but before he could do so, another man stepped past him.

The man leant down, helping her up, and dusting her off.

It was this Sota dude.

Sota placed his hand on Emi's head, whispering something inaudible to her and smiling.

She nodded, and Sota smiled wider, before looking up into George's eyes.

His breath caught in his throat, as Sota lead Emi away.

George opened his eyes, only to reveal his dark dorm room.

He sat up, looking around.

And for the first time in a long time...

He let the tears slip down his cheeks.