I decided to try something a little different- this is a little more connected than the others.
300
Keiko sighed. "I think we need to go our separate ways."
"So... that's it?"
"Yusuke... please don't think-"
"I get it," he said, cutting Keiko off.
She grimaced. "It's not that I don't love you. I didn't wait for you for so long because I didn't love you, you know."
"But you don't now."
"I'm not what you need."
"Say what you mean, Keiko. I'm not what you need.."
"Fine, Yusuke, you're not what I need. You're right. I don't need a big powerful demon lord. I don't need someone who can't sit still long enough to read a book. I don't need someone who can't stop thinking about the next fight. But let's be honest. Do you need me holding you down? Do you need me to keep coming back to? Do you need someone who can't keep up, Yusuke?"
Yusuke huffed, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his back pocket and lighting one, and taking a very long drag. "So you're saying you want someone you can compare literature notes with."
"I'm saying that- well, come on, Yusuke. We're not even from the same world anymore."
"Do you think I asked for any of this?" he demanded. "Do you think I wanted to get killed and all the sudden the whole world's in my fucking hands?"
"I can't help it either!"
Yusuke didn't say anything. He leaned against a wall, taking another long drag, and then a deep, calming breath. He dropped the cigarette to the ground, and began to walk away.
"Yusuke- come on. We can still be friends. You know I love you."
"Don't say that," he said darkly.
"What? That I love you?"
"Don't fucking say that."
200
"You look awful, Keiko," her mother said, looking over her daughter as she cut up some cabbage. "Maybe you should turn in early."
Keiko chopped a piece rather viciously. "I'm not sick."
"What's wrong? Is it Yusuke again? Has he gone missing?"
"No," Keiko said, with another chop.
"Then what happened?"
Keiko sighed, and tilted her head back. "We broke up."
"Oh," her mother said. "Who?"
"Me," she said.
"Why, Keiko? After all this time, why now?"
Keiko sighed. "Our lives... they never would've fit together, Mom, this is a long time coming. He's... he's really something different."
"And you don't think you could've made it work?"
Keiko couldn't help but sob. "Mom... I can't do this to him."
"Do what, honey? Come here!" She said, wrapping her arms around her daughter.
"I can't, I can't!"
"Then go apologize," her mom said to her, "if you're that upset. He loves you."
"That's the problem!" she cried, straightening herself. "I've gotta go."
"Keiko- we only have one short life," her mother said as Keiko rushed towards the door.
"I know."
100
"This is the life, huh?" Yusuke said. "Two kids, a dog. Nice."
"Yeah," Keiko said, smiling. "It is. I'm happy."
"Good," Yusuke replied.
"They're both exceptional students," Keiko beamed. "Top of their class."
"You don't say?"
"And you?"
"I'm getting by. Won the last one."
"Really? I bet you had the time of your life!"
"It was pretty fun, yeah," he said, grinning. His face fell after a moment. "I miss you, Keiko."
She bit her lip. "I love you."
"I love you too."