no matter how much we regret,
we cannot rewind yesterday

and in that same way the world,
is waiting for tomorrow

from the calendar that seems to
repeat itself over and over,
we can still find hope

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half down - nishikido ryo (loosely translated)

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[LIFELINES]

chapter thirty-four: the answer

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I almost choke when Mimi appears on my screen. Already, I had found it weird that Taichi had requested to Facetime when I had called him. And now, that I've accepted the video, I'm finding out the hard way that the receiving end actually happens to be his wife.

"Hey Mimi," I greet her, scratching the back of my head. "Is Tai free?"

She's frowning at me with an eyebrow raised. I haven't seen her since before rehab. With a blanket covering her body, she rests her back against the bed frame, sitting squarely and openly leering at me in a critising manner. Mimi's never been one to hide how she's feeling. Her bluntness is something I've always liked about her. Though, right now, I can't say that I like this attribute of hers when she's glaring me down like I'm Satan.

Since she's not talking, I mutter, "I can call another time-"

"He's in the shower."

I don't need to look in the mirror to know that my cheeks are darker. Is she mad that I'm interrupting their 'couple' time? Or maybe she thinks I'm hogging Taichi? I have been almost seeing him every day for our work out sessions. If this is the case, she didn't have to pick my call. Also, I know Mimi has never been super possessive of Taichi from all of the years they had been dating. And..well, she's never been this standoffish with me. Why had she bothered to request Facetime me when she clearly isn't in the mood to talk?

"If I'm interrupting anything-"

"He'll be out soon," she cuts me off again.

This is going to be tough. I'm tempted to hang up because, out of all people, Mimi is Sora's best friend. Had I forgotten this little detail? Possibly. What makes this whole situation difficult is that Sora is the person I want to talk to Taichi about. I can't give up on this now. Yes, she's the reason why I'm calling him. It took every ounce of courage for me to finally pick up the phone to call him. I had paced up and down the hallway for an hour (or so) to try to rid the thought from my mind. After a whole lot of contemplating, I then knew that I wouldn't peacefully fall asleep until it was resolved. And for it to be resolved, I would have to find out the answer.

Isn't it funny how from just seeing Sora, I haven't been able to stop thinking about her? It's one of those things - when you want to stop thinking about something, you end up doing the polar opposite...you end up thinking about it more. And, ever since I had seen Sora at Jun's bar, my mind has been doing continuous somersaults. I have to know the answer before it kills me.

And, because I'm stupid and impatient, I suddenly blurt out, "How's Sora?"

The irritation on Mimi's face doubles. I swear I can almost see a vein sticking out of her forehead. She slants her head to the side, studying me before finally saying, "Are you serious?"

"What?"

"That you're asking how Sora is?"

I try to smoothen out the tension. "Well, you're her friend and-"

Mimi snaps, "That's not the point, Yamato. Actually, it is...but you're not exactly in my good books right now."

"Huh?" I don't know how to respond to her.

Maybe because I've never seen this side to her before. She's usually happy-go-lucky, poking jokes, laughing, free spirited, and somewhat accommodating to anyone and everyone. Tonight, I can't figure out what's going on with her. She firstly accepts the call on Taichi's behalf, when she could have let it ring out. Secondly, she sends for a video invite instead. Thirdly...she's...uh, giving me attitude?

"I get it, I know you've gone through a rough patch...and I get that, Yamato," Mimi tells me. "But did you ever think about what I've been dealing with Taichi? While you were in rehab, he'd hardly sleep. He's been worried about you, and acted really cold towards me. Whenever I'd asked him what was wrong, he never told me anything."

Again, I don't know how to respond to this. Then again, I had been going through my own shit that I hadn't realised how much it impacted Taichi. And although Mimi's talking about this all in a negative context, I can't help but feel a bit relieved that Taichi hasn't divulged much about what was going on with me to her. He kept my secrets quiet.

"And then Sora. Enough that I have to cope with you affecting Taichi, but witnessing Sora...hell, I don't even know exactly what happened, but you were involved with her too," Mimi cries out. "Two very important people to me, and you getting yourself put in rehab really hurt them."

Shit.

Mimi does have every right to be angry at me. What a mess I've caused! How much drama she had to endure because of me. And, well, she's right. I had gotten to two of her closest people. No wonder I'm no longer in her good books.

"Why are you asking about Sora?"

My throat suddenly feels parched. "Uh...I…"

I don't know what to say. I want to talk to Taichi, and I definitely know I won't be forgiven if I spontaneously hang up on Mimi. I want to though. She's been attacking me on the spot ever since she answered my call. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm myself down. I can't dodge this forever. Either way, even if I were to ask Taichi the same question...Mimi would hear about it. They were a couple; a unit; a hell of a headache together. And I can't skip stones when addressing this, I can't skip past Mimi because of how close she is to Sora.

Jaw taut, I manage to get out, "Is she single?"

"What?"

"-is she seeing anybody?"

"Yamato, I got what you meant the first time!" Mimi exclaims, mouth dropping as she stares at me in utter disbelief. She points a finger, "But you-you...you're unbelievable!"

"Huh?" Unbelievable isn't the answer I'm looking for. Her face is twisted in both incredulousness and pure exasperation.

"Boy, I gave you the benefit of the doubt from day one. You had all this opportunity to approach her, to apologise for everything...and you avoided her! You blacklisted her from what I hear-"

I flinch at the reminder.

"-and you expect to go prancing back into her life? For what? To mess it up again? Who do you think you are? She can't wait around forever and drop everything for you! I can't believe you even had the gall to even ask that question!" She tells me off. Again, something I do probably deserve.

Mimi takes advantage of my bafflement by adding, "And to answer you question - yes! She's seeing someone. No, she's seeing many people."

My stomach twists. I don't know how I feel about this. Mimi's right though. What did I expect? She's right that somebody like Sora...somebody as amazing as her...she wouldn't wait for a wreck like me. Why else had she gone out and got pissed drunk that night, dressed the way she was? She was having a good time, and there's nothing wrong about that. It's my fault for not seeing it earlier. It's my fault for not seeing how special Sora was. But...dating many people? How is that possible? I mightn't know Sora as well as Mimi, but I never saw her as the type to be with many men at once.

"Who's seeing many people?"

I exhale. Taichi's here. I'm saved.

My best friend shimmies into the bed next to his wife. He's looking at me, then he gazes back at his wife. From the brief moment he's deciphered that something's gone down between Mimi and I. Perhaps it's the redness in Mimi's cheeks, or the way I can't look him in the eye…

"Sora!" Mimi replies to Tai. "Good for her if I don't say so myself!"

"What?" Taichi gasps, playing the part. That's the thing about Taichi, no matter the situation he always tries to make the atmosphere comfortable despite how shit the mood can really be.

"Yes!" Mimi says proudly. "Through Tinder."

Great.

Absolutely fucking fantastic. How do I even beat all those guys in the apps? A lot of foreigners visit Tokyo - and seeing that her ex was Sebastian, what chance do I have? Why am I even thinking this way? All I want to do is find the right time to talk to Sora again, but I keep thinking about dating her. I blame this all on her darn dress, how she reached across me that night and looked at me the way she did. Ever since I had wanted to know her status. And now that I've finally been delivered (more like slapped) the answer, I can't help but feel disappointed. Man, I'm a loser.

Taichi sends me an apologetic look, and I reply with a shrug. What am I meant to say to that? I can't wait to hang up. When I finally do, I collapse onto my sofa.

After all that, it turns out Sora's moved on. Mimi's upset at me too. Just when I had made amends with my mother, Takeru and Jun, another person's been added to my list. And, frankly, Mimi is a formidable enemy to have. I've seen her revenge-plans in actions and she is quite scary when you get on her bad side. I've ticked that box and now I'll have to be careful with every word I say around her.

However, receiving the bad news about Sora is getting to me more. I feel dejected. I shouldn't be...but I do. And dating apps? Hell, I don't know how they work. Maybe I'm too traditional. I don't think I could ever see myself downloading Tinder to pick up girls.

Sora's dating.

I frown, staring down at my phone. If she's moving on, maybe I should. I know I shouldn't be using other people as a distraction, but what else do I have? What else can I do? I wouldn't say I'm exactly better after everything I've gone through - though, I know that I can be ready to date...or I'd like to think so. Maybe just one date will do.

And it's then that I remember…

Scrolling down my contacts, I select my mother and quickly send her a text message.

'You're finally agreeing to take my neighbour's colleague out?' My mother sends back, only to follow it with, 'Thank God. I thought you were gay.'

I shake my head to myself and laugh.

What the hell is going on with the world?

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The small cloud-like shape of gold and white tumbles in the air, spinning and gradually falling gracefully down. I predict its movement, tilting my head towards it, jaw dropping to make space for it to enter my mouth. It doesn't. It hits my bottom lip, rebounding onto my clavicle. Snatching it up, I throw the piece into my mouth. The satisfying crunch, the perfect amount of saltiness, the-

"If you wanted to eat popcorn, you could have done it at home," Yutaka interrupts my moment. He reaches down, bending my knees to allow space for himself. "You're way too comfortable here."

By here, he means his apartment. He's right. Technically, I could be doing this at home - but there's always something fun about doing something in a different living space - even if it's something miniscule like consuming popcorn.

Out of all my friends, Yutaka's place is the warmest. It has a good vibe to it. Perhaps it's the lighting, the cleanliness of it, the convenience. He was the first out of us to actually get his own place in the centre of the city. He had been responsible to save money, whereas the boys and I would go out almost every night. It might have helped because he was grounded, because he always thought about his future and considered a life with Eri nee-chan even from the early band days. He was always thinking a step ahead.

Because he had his own place, the boys and I would end up overstaying or end up our (many) drunken nights at his - both invited and uninvited (much to his displeasure). I've crashed on this very couch one too many times. I've also witnessed Akira vomit to his heart's content over Yutaka's toilet bowl an equal amount of times too.

Anyway, once Eri moved in, we stopped abusing and trashing Yutaka's apartment. That's probably the only reason why their household is well maintained - it's all because it's thanks to his Missus. Yutaka is generally a neat guy, but Eri brought colour into the apartment. A woman's touch, I guess? All band members adored Eri. Hell, I still adore her. She was the original female, the first fangirl (prior to Jun), who has been with us since the beginning. She brought over snacks when we rehearsed, and I partly blame her for my obsessions with popcorn. She's the only one who truly understands how wondrous popcorn truly is.

"Now, I know you love me and all...but this is not normal for you," Yutaka says. "Maybe in your mid or early twenties, sure. But you've got your own place now. You haven't needed to use mine in a while."

"It's near the theatre though," I tell him.

"Oh?" Yutaka blinks. "You're watching Anastasia? According to the ads, it's the opening show tonight."

"Yes, Miho-chan will be acting in it. I'll be there to support her. I'm an hour early."

I'm not tardy, nor am I punctual - but even Yutaka knows that me arriving an hour or more prior to the anticipated time is unusual. I had been anxious about being late, so I had left earlier than intended. When I got there, I realised it was a busy area. I couldn't linger around, but I knew that if I were to leave, I'd get cold feet and not come back. Possibly.

"Who are you planning to see the play with?"

His lips are quirking upwards. He knows. It's just like him to easily connect the dots. He's been with me since I was a teen. He's seen me at my best and at my worst. Yutaka knows the extent of how my jitters can be - and, even so, he has never seen me this anxious. I pride myself at disguising my emotions (look where that got me), so him seeing me unsettled over a 'possible' date facilitates a deeper smirk to appear on his face.

"Nobody."

"Go on. Tell me," Yutaka prods me. "Is it somebody I know? There's no need to be shy."

He won't budge, so I reply, "I don't know."

"You don't know what?"

"If I'll go," I say. "I might bail…"

"Don't be cruel. I didn't raise you to break a lady's heart," Eri frowns, materialising in front of us. She peers down at me through her over-sized frames. "You shouldn't stand up your date, Yamato-kun."

"Eri nee-chan," I groan, trying to fight a smile at the same time.

I sit up from my lying down position, as I let Eri take a seat on the other side of me. It's now that I realise what a big mistake I've made - I'm sandwiched in between the couple!

And by this, I don't mean as if I'm cockblocking or anything (they are married). What I mean to say is that, I'm trapped - and I've fucking walked into it. This couple is unstoppable. When pressed, they're worse than my brother and Hikari combined.

They aren't perfect, but they are familiar and comfortable with each other. They didn't try… they just 'were'. Their relationship had started way before my brother and Hikari's. They hadn't rushed to get married. They genuinely enjoy each others' company. They never got sick of each other either. They don't play games. They don't act for show. Some people change personality wise over the year, but to me, Yutaka and Eri have always been constant. A rare find. That's what they are and always they've been.

"But it's a blind date," I explain to them. "I'm replaceable. It's not like she'll get too hurt because it's not like she's met me before."
Yutaka shakes his head at my reasoning, not having any of it. "Don't be an ass."

"Maybe I'm wrong. Blind-dating is just as worse as Dating Apps," I conclude, ignoring the glares targeting me from both sides of my vision.

I shudder when I remember Miho giving me the 4-11 on how youngsters date these days. I had tried to be subtle when I asked her if she used one of the apps. She said she had. She said it was the norm. It's a concept that I still can't quite grasp. When I told her that it was weird, she retaliated by calling me an 'old school ojisan' - which is one of the worst insults that my kouhai has ever thrown at me...or anybody has thrown at me. Maybe the older I get, the more offended I become by people commenting on my age?

Eri mutters, "Think about it this way, you might end up having a really good time."

"Or not."

Yutaka laughs at that, ignoring the glare that Eri shoots at him.

"You don't want to go because you're nervous. This is how it is, Yamato. First dates are like this, and it's understandable why you're more intimidated...it's because you haven't met her. This is a natural emotion. There's no need to worry. You'll be fine."

"Natural," I scoff. "Easy for you to say because Yutaka and you have been together since forever."

Eri smiles, "Yes. We've known each other since forever...but I do remember when we went on our first date. The butterflies the-"

"I thought we went to see fireflies?"

"No. Silly!" Eri swats him on the arm. "I felt butterflies in my stomach. I was a nervous wreck. And that wasn't our first date?"

"...I thought it was?" Yutaka chuckles. "When was it then?"

"When we went to see that local band together."

"Oh? Wasn't that about the same time? I thought were just hanging out at that gig-"

Yes, I'm stuck in between these two while they reminisce. I find myself quietly smiling along. Even when Eri and Yutaka started dating, I had always thought they were the ideal couple. I mightn't have had peachy memories of my parents when they were together, but this is something I've always pictured the definition of 'parents' to be. In a sense, Yutaka and Eri possess parent-like qualities. Maybe because they were prominent to me in my twenties. They were both older brother and older sister figures that I respected. They scolded me, gave me sound advice and..I don't know. They're just one of those couples that you get envious of. Funny that out of all the couples I've known, I always had been somewhat jealous of Yutaka and Eri's relationship.

Maybe that's why I had decided to follow along with my mother's set up. The chance is minimal, for somebody like me, but the thought of obtaining a similar relationship to what Yutaka and Eri have is worth giving it a shot. I don't think I'll ever be completely cured. Aiming to be my optimal self is setting me up for failure. That's probably where I went wrong. Because what is my optimal self? Being rid of all this darkness? Being happy?

Happiness is unrealistic. Happiness isn't designed to be permanent, which is why that whenever it does vanish, we appreciate it more when it reappears again. It's reachable, but it isn't programmed to be a default mode. Happiness doesn't completely diminish the darkness. That's what I hoped it did. It was a false hope that I had wanted to be true and from divulging in this false euphoria through music, drugs, alcohol, sex...I had fucked up things for myself even more.

But that doesn't mean that I can't try to be happy.

So maybe that's why I'm trying this date. Not for somebody to cure me, but for another person to remind me that not everything is dark. It doesn't even have to be romantically - just a new perspective that I'm craving, or even just to share a laugh with a stranger and, maybe, not even meet them again. Sometimes your mind clouds up and your thoughts are limited when you're with the same group of people. Maybe that's what I also wanted. A small change, to meet somebody who doesn't know me, who doesn't judge me. And going on this date is risky - because if this stranger is fangirl, if this person spread my identity to anybody, if-

"Yamato, you should try loosening up," Yutaka speaks up. To prove a point, he loosens up the tie around my neck. He pats my back. He slips the familiar feel of plastic squares into my hand. Lowering his voice, he says, "Even if it turns out shit, you could...you know."

"CONDOMS?!" Eri gasps out, "On the first date? Yamato's not like that. Yutaka, what the hell are you thinking-"

Our subtle exchange doesn't work all that well when Eri's leers at us like a hawk.

"In case," Yutaka replies. "I'm doing this for Yamato's sake. You know, he could be the one getting attacked. Some women are equally as horny-"

"I think I'll head out now. It's nearly time. Bye!"

I take this moment to sneak out, leaving Yutaka to hold the fort. I don't want to witness their dispute. Like how I've considered Eri as an older sister, she'd doted on me like I'm her younger brother. And, even to this day, she still sees me like a kid and has this image of me of being 'angelic' and the 'cutest'. Frankly, I'd rather keep it that way because talking about my sex life with Eri will never be in my books.

The air is frosty. I hadn't anticipated the temperature drop. Along the way to the theatre, I duck into the closest convenience store and buy a newspaper and a couple of body heat packs from the counter. Under the white dress shirt, I reach up to awkwardly stick the packs onto the tank top, positioning them between my shoulder packs. They always do the trick to warm me up and...I tense up.

I could have sworn I heard footsteps earlier. I glimpse above the aisles, not seeing anybody I know, or anyone I recognise. Fans maybe? I readjust my beanie, pulling up the top of my face mask so that it conceals more of my face. My phone vibrates, distracting me.

Hi. I'll be five minutes late. Sorry! See you soon.

For some reason, the text elevates my anxieties. Why do people describe this feeling like butterflies in your stomach? Really Eri? All I want to do is desperately find a toilet and throw up.

Breathe.

I close my eyes, inhaling and exhaling. Makoto-sensei always makes me start up our therapy sessions with these exercises. I've always dismissed them, but using it now is quite effective - especially when I'm determined to not make a fool out myself in public.

Had I made the right decision? I don't even think I went on a first date. I can't remember. Kaori and I...we had just gotten together after spending so much time with each other. Jun...she doesn't count. And the other women who I slept with...I never treated them out. Mainly, for my privacy and to avoid the public eye, and the other reason being was because I simply didn't care enough about them to stretch anything past a night together. Have I always been this...inexperienced? Had I even taken Kaori out to see a movie?

Would Kaori hate this...would she hate that I'm seeing somebody else?

"She'd want you to be happy." That's what Jun had said to me once.

But would she?

Exhale.

When my pulse steadies, I make my way back to the original destination. Crowds of people surround the theatre.

Makoto-sensei's words flicker in my mind. "Think of them like your audience. Your fans. Your people that you're performing to. They're faces. They're people that you don't know individually, but they went out of the way to see you. You used to say performing made you forget your nervousness...maybe use your fans in this context. Whenever you're in crowds, think you're performing to them."

Yes. Memories. A flood of memories flash before my eyes. The multiple venues the band has played at. The smiling, supporting faces. The laughter. The chanting. The singing along. The excited screaming. These memories are fond and dear to me. They don't calm me completely, but it makes it less on edge.

As much as I want to slip away into the VIB area, I realise that I can't - my date doesn't have her ticket yet. It's hard to find an empty spot in the theatre's foyer. It's packed. More respect to my fans. I don't know how they had handled waiting for KOD's gigs when there's hardly space to move. Because it's packed, and hot, there are less bodies surrounding the fireplace. I make my way to it, instantly regretting the heat packs on my back. My beanie. My facemask. My skin feels sticky from my own perspiration.

Using the back of my hand to wipe the sweat one on my forehead, I pause when I see a woman frozen, staring back at me.

Why is that every time I bump into Sora, she always looks...attractive?

Her hair is styled back in a braid - something I've never seen on her. It's slanted towards the right side of her neck, making her left neck bare. She's wearing a loose, pale pink dress. Not figure hugging, but still not too long to disguise her long legs. Her darn long legs that are propped up by these glimmering gold heels. Her make-up is thicker than usual, but it looks nice on her. I fucking swear, everything she wears looks nice on her.

Why does she have to be here? And where's her date? I click my tongue. Who is the person she's all dressed up for?

Instead of turning away to head off to where her date is, she stays there with her cherry lips slightly apart. She looks down at her phone, then back at me again. Her eyes dart to the beanie I'm wearing, all the way to the facemask and the newspaper that is now all scrunched up in my hands.

She recognises me, and she recognises my disguise as if...as if she knows that I was going to wear this tonight.

Which means…

Sora's about to say my name, but I throw the newspaper away and shake my head. She can't say my name out loud. Not here. Not now. My hand covers over her mouth as I push the doors, dragging her into the VIP area.

The hallway is dark, her body is tense in my hands. I let her go when I sense this. The friction of my touch against her skin again sends static down my spine. Since when was the last time I touched her like this? How long has it been since I hurt her? I shouldn't be here with her. She shouldn't be my date. She needs to be with somebody better-

She tries to break the ice, rambling on about how she thought I had kidnapped her or something.

"I'm sorry I put you in this situation," I say.

Out of all the people, my mother's neighbour happened to be Sora's old manager. And, apparently to Sora, her old manager had been trying to get her to date me for ages. How long has my mother been trying to sell me? I grimace. I really need to have a word with her once this is over...is this over? Now that Sora knows I'm her date, she probably wants to leave now. I don't blame her.

"So we both don't want to be here?" My question comes out blunter than I thought, but I'd rather brace myself and get to the point than have her say that she doesn't want to be here with me.

But, just like the last time I encountered her, she makes a move that shocks me. That night I had seen her at the bar, she had reached out to caress my cheek. This time, Sora has looped her arm around mine, firmly gripping me, as if she's wary that I'll disappear if she lets go.

"I'm not going anywhere, Sora," I try to joke, but it's not portrayed in my tone - maybe because it's partly true. I don't want to go leave her again. One touch and somehow I know...I just know that I can't let her go again.

Her voice is shaky when she asks back, "Are you sure about that?"

There's desperation in her voice too. I hadn't missed that. The strong front she usually has, is fragile...is honest. So honest, that I can't help but feel taken back. She really isn't leaving me right now? She could have taken this time to fight me, to push me away, to turn around on her darn heels and ditch me.

She hasn't.

My heart feels heavy, but also lighter. Is this even possible?

Her hand rises up. I flinch, but instead of hitting me, she caresses my cheek again. Her eyes are beautiful, calm, and overwhelmingly raw.

"Sora," I whisper, closing my eyes. When I feel her fingers sliding down to reach my collarbone, I take hold of her wrist. I make an excuse that we're lingering in the open. It's not really an excuse because it's true, but I don't want her to trigger any more feelings from me. I want to think with a cool head, and I can't do this when her touch is literally temptation knocking at my door. I can't allow it to go that way, not when I don't want to make the same mistake with her.

I take her hand instead, ushering her to our designated seating area. It's funny when she starts talking out her insecurities. She thinks that I'm only continuing with this date because I feel sorry for her.

Man, are we both idiots? Maybe I have to be more direct?

I remark, "Don't be stupid. You're more than capable of getting yourself a date, especially when you look breathtaking tonight."

Alright, maybe that's too direct?

She smirks at me, and I can feel my body temperature going up by another degree. "You think I'm breathtaking?"

I shrug. "I always do."

It's her time to get flustered. I try not to laugh at her, at this whole situation. Now that we're in our seats, I throw off my beanie and take off my mask again. I'd like to say that I can breathe again, but with Sora gazing at me...I know this will be impossible. How will I watch this whole stage play without not looking at her? Miho's going to hate me. I might have to do it by myself later this week.

She queries me how I managed to secure the VIP tickets. I let her in on the secret that they were free and from my most prized-pupil. She tells me I'm cheap. I actually laugh this time.

That's what's always been special about Sora.

I don't have to try t0 impress her. I can be myself. She's already seen me at my worst now - but yet she's still here. She stayed. And, to prove it, she suddenly holds my hand tighter. I stare at her and before I find myself hesitating, I pull her closer to my seat. Resting my chin on her forehead, I whisper. "I'm sorry."

She leans in, trembling against my chest. Her small hands reach around my torso, tucking me in an embrace.

I don't want to let go...I don't let go until the end of the play. Instead of immediately getting up and rushing to wait by Miho's dressing room, I lower my head and look at Sora. Her hands are still around me, her make-up smudged. I wipe away the eyeliner and kiss her damp cheek. From her trembling in my arms, I had known she had been crying on and off throughout the play. It felt weird to outright ask her if she was fine. She wasn't. Sora had been hurt by this whole ordeal, and I had triggered this unnecessary pain. I don't want her crying over me, but I'd be lying to say that I wasn't touched by it. It's like she's crying for me because all my tears have run out. All the pain I had experienced was numb, but she still cared about me - she still cared.

"Thank you," I say.

"For what?" she chokes out.

"Staying." I breathe out. "For understanding…"

"I don't understand anything."

"Don't worry, I don't get it either," I say, my arms circling her waist. "But I do understand that I owe you a dinner…"

"Dinner?" She blinks.

I frown. "You don't want to go for dinner?"

"No." Sora shakes her head, lips gently curving upwards. "I'd love that."

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(a/n) Ah...finally? I've been crazy busy. Thanks for (somehow) sticking around. Hope you have a great week!

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(will reply to reviews tomorrow) xox