Seeking advice from the right people may be helpful.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-Hime or any of its characters.
"Midori!" yelled Natsuki, running towards the redhead across the street.
"Hello there, Natsuki," said Midori. "I haven't seen you for some time! What are you doing here?"
"Well, I wanted to ask you a few questions." Natsuki slightly huffed from the small exertion. "If you aren't busy, that is."
"Sure, though I need to get back to work before four," she checked her watch, "So there's twenty minutes for us to chat. I was just going to get a cup of coffee. Do you want to walk with me?"
"Yeah Ok." She trudged beside Midori. "I only have a few questions. It won't take much time." Natsuki glanced at the setting sun. It would get cold soon, after the skies turned dark. "Maybe just ten minutes."
"Questions regarding relationships," Natsuki added.
Midori casted a questioning glance at her companion.
"I mean, you're over 30, so I thought you might have some experience with breakups and such, like your recent divorce…"
Midori laughed. "Of course I do! I've had many more years of experience than you've had."
"I mean, you're young in heart of course, just with 30 years of experience or so," Natsuki lamely corrected.
She laughed again. "Yes, yes, I'm only 17."
Natsuki smiled. "Yes you are." Her eyebrows furrowed and the upturned corners of her lips went down. "I have this friend," she explained, "Who has uh… recently had a break up."
Midori hummed.
"It's a very good friend. So I thought that I might be able to help- help her get past it as soon as possible, but I don't know how. I thought -um- you might have an idea."
"Oh. A friend?"
"I- yes, a friend."
They walked into a café. The doors slid apart and a chime was heard.
"Do you want some coffee?" asked Midori, looking at the menu.
Natsuki shook her head. "Nah, I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"I'm not really hungry."
"It's not food you know," Midori pointed out. "You don't necessarily have to order coffee, there are other choices."
"Uh-ok, I'll have some hot chocolate then, thanks."
"No problem," she replied, and ordered a latte for herself.
"So what happened?" Midori asked as they walked out of the door.
"They broke up?" answered Natsuki.
"Who broke up?"
"They did."
"No, I meant who decided to end the relationship."
"Oh that, well, the other person did. The person with my friend, who's a girl."
"So the guy broke up with your friend? Is that how you want to say it?" questioned Midori.
"Well, of course. It's my friend that got a break up."
"Are you sure?" Midori persisted on. "A friend?"
"Yes- I mean- of course, a friend," stammered Natsuki.
"Uh huh?" she grinned at Natsuki.
Natsuki looked away a little guiltily. "Well, that depends on whether you're going to tell my mum or not."
"I wouldn't," Midori stated, "Everyone is independent of each other. If a person tells you something and asks you to keep it confidential, you keep it confidential. You don't speak of it to your other friends, so I wouldn't tell your mum about it."
Natsuki laughed and raised her hands. "I give up. The friend is me. How did you know that?"
Midori smiled. "They always start it that way. Just like you said, I do have more experience." Natsuki returned the smile.
"Let's sit in the park." Midori waved towards the trees. Natsuki followed her actions and sat down on the bench beside her.
"So tell me about the relationship." Midori said, sipping her coffee.
"We've been together for almost three years," Natsuki said. "It was pretty nice at first, but we met a few problems right after we got together and it went downhill. Since then it has always been arguments and pain."
"Those are one of the worst. What was it like through the arguments?" Midori asked thoughtfully.
"The relationship was like a light switch," explained Natsuki, "It just kept going on and off, on and off. For over two years."
"Ah," said Midori sadly. "Those are the ones that are almost always destined to end."
Natsuki looked forward blankly and stayed silent.
"Do you want to end it?" Midori asked gently.
"I dunno. I guess I should, but I don't want to. I think I should." Her shoulders slumped. "I don't know what to do. That's why I've decided to ask for help before I fall into this dark abyss like before."
"About your relationship, there's a high chance that the both of you are not happy with each other. It's very likely that you're staying together because you're so used to be having someone besides you."
"I guess." And the fact that I love that person, she thought. "I also have problems communicating with them when they're angry."
"Like my divorce. It's hard to talk to someone who doesn't listen. In the end, the professor just quit all communications with me and wouldn't say anything."
"So what did you do? What should I do?"
"Cut off all possible communication with him," said Midori.
"All?" repeated Natsuki, face stricken.
"Yes. I know it'll be hard, but you have to do it."
"Everything? You know how hard it is to do that these days? With all those things, facebook, twitter, skype, whatsapp, viber, wechat, line…" She waved her arms. "All?"
"I'm sorry."
"But… how?"
"Block him off anything you can't delete, like if you use whatsapp with all your friends, then just block him there. You won't need to delete your account."
"Thanks for your advice." Natsuki muttered sarcastically.
"You can contact them if you want in the future," Midori offered, "but for now, don't. You look as if you haven't slept in days. Take a break before you really break down. But let it out. Cry. Don't bottle it in. Scream and yell if you have to. Tears release toxic and it makes your eyes glittery and beautiful. If you bottle it up, you'll never get over it."
Natsuki shifted on the bench, holding the hot cup of chocolate in her hands. The weather was cold, but the liquid was warm. I'd still love her even if I didn't bottle my feelings up.
"Do things you find interesting, " Midori said, after a moment of consideration. "Like ice skating. Have you ever done that before?"
"Yes, I just did that last week. It was pretty fun."
"Then do it again. Or do something else, something that you won't associate with him. What do you usually do together?"
"We read. And talk."
"Well that's funny," Midori laughed. "So you guys just read together in silence? What a great way to spend your time."
"No, I mean- she- we don't live close to each other."
"Long distance relationship?"
"Yeah, something like that…" Natsuki sighed.
Not much drama then, Midori thought. "Then there are many interesting things you can do without triggering your memories about him. Go out. Meet new people. Party!" Midori exclaimed excitedly. "I know what you can do! Drink yourself into oblivion! Not too much, of course. But dance! It'll make you feel better after you've sweated a bit."
"I guess. There are lots of interesting things I can find to do." Natsuki checked her phone.
"What's the time?" asked Midori.
"It's almost four. I think you should go back to work now. Thanks for the advice," said Natsuki.
"You're welcome," she replied, "and I'm free at night for next week. You can come over whenever you want, though I'll be having friends staying over too. She's 35 and her boyfriend is staying too. I even got a call from her dad telling me to make sure the guy goes back to his hotel at night." Midori laughed. "Her father is 82. I was like, 'Yes, alright. I'll make sure he goes back!'"
Natsuki laughed. "That's funny. I'll ask you if I have any other problems. Thank you for helping me."
"No problem. I'll go to work now. Good luck with everything. I'll see you again."
"See you then," said Natsuki.
They parted outside Midori's office, and Natsuki walked away, passing through the park. She looked at the cup between her hands, and took a sip. The chocolate was still warm. She downed half of the contents, and felt the warmth seep through her body.
It may cold, she thought, but at least I feel a lot warmer than before.
Drink, for you live as through a fog of days
Bound each to each and weighed with mirth and praise;
Drink, for you die — this cup obliterates
The biting shame to think that life decays.
"Omar Dead" by E J Rupert Atkinson
