I am maybe being unfair to all the fans in saying this but I feel it to be true. I was—am most devastated when Ryo and Pi left the group. When Ryo left. Left me.

Don't get me wrong, from the beginning of our relationship I knew that the inevitable would come. He was tired of being constantly pulled all over the place. Grueling hours of practice in Osaka only to be back in Tokyo for another 10 hours of it. He may be a superstar but he's also human. I know that better than anyone else. I've been with him through all these years. I've seen him laugh, cry, get mad and be oh so heartwarmingly romantic than I, or anyone for that matter, ever imagined he could.

Yet here I am, in this warp of time where there is only this extreme longing to be held by his arms again. To feel his warmth against mine. To feel his hands intertwined with mine. To feel his lips on top of mine. And when it gets too much, almost all of the time, I cry. Uncontrollably. How unsightly.

But that was 3 months ago. Love makes you do stupid things they say. I'm smart they say. And I'm in love. I guess that meant I am stupid at some point. Especially because that point is Ryo. However, I started to begin thinking clearly again one day. When the initial pain of the incident had made me numb enough to remember that life goes on. And love goes along with it.

When you don't see someone very often anymore, undeniably something changes. It's nothing very visible at first but then gradually, a gap forms and becomes so wide that in worst cases, it can no longer be bridged. I'd like to think that even though he left, the gap between us isn't wide enough for us never to meet again. I feel it. I know he does too.

I won't give up.

That's right. I love him too much to even think of letting go. He never asked me to. All he said was that he needed to look for himself amidst the chaos that the Jimusho had made of him. I don't even know why I reacted the way I did but if there is one thing that is certain now, it would be that I will wait for him to see what he finds. To be the home that welcomes him after his journey.

It's been three months now. Three long months of persevering. I know it may not seem long but I feel like it's been forever. But because of the publication of my novel, it made the waiting a little easier. It somehow showed me that God loved me after all.

I even heard a beautiful song on the radio that goes like this:

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

Shige's phone suddenly rings. His heart races wildly as he hears the ringtone saved for that special person. Before he can even say anything,

Shige, I love you. I love you. I love you. You still feel the same way don't you?

Now more than ever, Shige thinks but doesn't even get the chance to say.

God I miss you so much. Ryo sounded agonized. Can I come over tonight?

Sure.

I'll be right there. And just like that Ryo hangs up.

In a matter of minutes, a very handsome Ryo is panting at his doorstep. The door barely closes as the older Osakan pulls him in a deep, passionate and loving kiss. As they part for breath all Shige manages is to smile and say Welcome home.