The Unfamiliar Player | Kei Tsukishima

17 (十七): Early

5/7/2020 (37 Days)

[Name] was woken up by her dad, a mournful look on his face. She immediately sat up and looked at him. His eyes drooped as he was always lacking sleep.

"We have to go back now, pack your bag, [Name]."

It was all coming too fast to process the words that came out of his mouth. Just yesterday, everything seemed fine and she looked at him before sliding out of her air mattress. Rubbing her eyes as her dad turned on the lamp.

"Your grandmother went into a seizure and there's a possibility that she may slip into a coma."

Those words hit her like a freight train. She didn't know whether to feel disappointed or worried. She didn't want to leave so soon, she didn't want to let go of Kei. She didn't want- she didn't want to leave his side. But her grandmother is battling life- that should be her priority. Pulling herself up, she nodded as her dad left to go and pack his things. She checked her phone. 1:04 AM.

Going into her messages, she looked at Kei's contact. Beanstalk. She didn't know if she should text him or not. She wanted to tell him and spill her feelings to him but she bit her lip and set her phone aside, as she started to pack. Tobio came into her room, his eyes bloodshot as he yawned.

"I hope she's okay.. want me to tell everyone you're gone?"

She shook her head and smiled, "Not until they ask you first."

Tobio nodded before helping her pack her things, they pushed everything inside the suitcase as she bought new clothes and accessories. She had already packed her feminine wear and just asked Tobio to pack her volleyball shoes and shirts. She made her mind, she needed to see him.

After dressing in her bathroom, she wore leggings and a simple shirt, she went to see Tobio, "I'm going somewhere, cover for me."

As soon as he nodded, she ran out of the house, she sprinted- her legs focused on getting herself to her destination. She needed to let out her feelings, she needed to say it to him. 

The cool wind bit her skin as her shirt did no good on keeping her warm, she didn't think or seem to feel the harsh weather. She was breathless as she finally reached his front door, she inhaled the cool air, filling her lungs- which seemingly burned her. 

Trying to even out her breathing, she knocked the wooden door- she felt bad for waking up the family and disturbing their sleep but she needed to say what was in her heart before she'd regret it for the next few years or her lifetime. 

After a couple minutes of knocking, there was shuffling behind the door as it clicked and swung open.

"What the hell-"

Kei stopped as he rubbed his eyes and put on his glasses, realizing that [Name] was infront of him, she was looking at him like she hadn't seen him in years. Looking at her arms and posture as she held herself, he quickly took off his dinosaur sweater and gave it to her.

"Chisai? What's wrong? It's like 2AM."

She thanked him as she put on the sweater, sheepishly. [Name] tried to hold her sobs as she looked at him with teary eyes.

"I'm leaving. Today."

His golden eyes wavered as his expression saddened. "When?"

"In a few minutes.."

He nodded, looking at the girl infront of him, he focused on her and began to memorize every detail of her, he wanted to memorize everything about her, he didn't want to forget her. The two of them stood, looking at each other as their eyes said a million words.

"Kei, I like you. I like you so much and I never want to leave your side."

Her voice hinged, as she tried to control the sob that stuck in her throat, she let out a small laugh before letting her tears slip. Rolling down her cheeks, the cool wind freezing the tears. She constantly wiped her tears away as she tried to see him clearly, for the last time.

Walking up to her, he engulfed her into a hug, for the last time. She clung onto him, her tears going on his shirt but he didn't care, he couldn't even look down at her because he was so scared, that if he let her go, she'll really disappear.

He opened his mouth to answer her, "[Name], I-"

"[Name]! Let's go!" 

Kei looked up and saw her parents a few feet from them, waiting in the taxi. He bit his lip, not wanting her to slip out of his grasp. Shaking his head, he softly smiled at the [hair color]- haired girl.

"Remember me, [Name]."

"Only if you remember me." She replied, choking on her sob.

"Promise?"

He held up his pinkie and she laughed softly, before she lifted hers, locking the promise. [Name] started to take off his sweater but the blonde stopped her, shaking his head and wiping her tears. Slowly turning her and softly pushing her towards the car. He watched as she hesitated and walked up to the car. [Name] opened the back door and turned to him.

"You better not forget about my matches! Airhead!"

[Name] chuckled before grinning, "When have I ever broken a promise, Beanstalk?"

"Then I trust you."

She nodded and went inside the car, shutting it behind her as it began to drive. Kei ran as fast as he could, following the car up the hill, the wind harshly whipping at his face. At the top of the hill, he raised his hand and waved, watching as the taxi drove further and further away from him. Until it was out of his sight.

"Goodbye, I will never forget you, Chisai." He whispered, his words coming out, like a leaf, drifting away in the wind. 

He stood there for a couple more minutes before he turned and walked down the hill and into his quiet house. The door creaked as he shut it, closing the chapter of his life that he will never forget. Slowly lifting his feet up the stairs and going into his room, he felt numb. His back hit the door as he slid down, tears began to fall as he silently cried for the first time in years. He couldn't even answer her confession.

****

Author: "..Dry your tears."