FINALLY, IN LOVE AGAIN

LARME

Chapter One – Are You Happy Without Me?

Disclaimer for Major / Main Appearances

Finally, in Love Again and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc.

Seishin High School is the high school where Aki and Momo first met. Seishin Basketball Club is the basketball club where the two played together and served as captains. In canon, the series writers did not give the high school or the basketball club a proper name. For the purposes of this fic, the nameless entites are now Seishin High School and Seishin Basketball Club.

Masanori "Masa" Fujishima is Aki Fujishima's older brother. In canon, the series writers did not give Aki's dear older brother a name. For the purposes of this fic, I have given him the name Masanori or Masa for short. For those who are curious about the meaning of the name, MASANORI means "model of righteousness, justice" as is a Japanese boy name. MASA means "just / true" as is a Japanese unisex name. Since this fic is a "what if" boy's love fic, let Aki's brother's name be a nod to what this fic and the message behind it intend to do.

There will be lots of cameos from various Voltage characters. I'll place them here on the Disclaimer to let readers know who they are for each chapter. This fic takes the position that at any point in time, Voltage characters will cross paths – making the saying "It's a small world" oh-so true.

There will be cameos from original characters such as Jun Hashimoto, Alexandra Emrys, AJ Ishino, and Troy Tsuuri. They as well as other original characters are owned by PJ Zatken.

Special thanks to Akshi for beta-reading this first chapter. Your feedback and your continued role as a great "sounding board" is ever appreciated.

Special thanks to Bob Tachibana for inspiring the creative muses with her one little wish of an Aki/Momo fic. If it weren't for her wish, this fic would never have been written.

Special thanks to Neeron for being a great "sounding board" as always while I was brainstorming for this fic and many others. Without you, the muses will go amuck…lol

PS: the flash drive dog has "eaten" this first chapter and has been gone for six months or more. So I guess this fic is meant to exist because this single chapter has been recovered and has sparked the continuation of the tale.

Author's Notes and Background for this Fanfiction

I have seen how many folks are avid fans of Voltage Inc. otome games / Love 365. I do not know as to how many of them are also avid authors and/or readers in fanfiction dot net.

This fic is a "what if" fanfiction. What if something other friendship binds the two main male love interests in Finally, in Love Again – namely Shuichiro Momoi and Aki Fujishima?

Yes, this is a boys' love fanfiction. You are now warned.

If you are not into boys' love stories then there are plenty of vanilla / non-BL works in my story inventory that you might end up liking.

But for those who love BL stories, may you like this story! For those who are familiar with how my stories flow, and those who are familiar with my Yami no Matsuei / Descendants of Darkness fanfic sagas, you know that you are in for a wild rollercoaster ride. The fluffy, sweet, funny, heart-pounding, steamy, and yes ANGSTY moments and much more all converge in one story.

So laugh, cry, be on tenterhooks, get angry, grit your teeth for many reasons, and have your heart clench and bleed…feel free…. But I've always believe in redemptive angst – the kind that puts the characters in the lowest of lows and is meant to strengthen them as better, wiser, more empathetic, and far more loving person than they were before.

As to how that happens, I invite you to read on. May you love reading this story as much as I love writing it!

Best regards,

PJ Zatken

Setting: Shuichiro Momoi's Apartment

Timeline: Present

Shuichiro Momoi's / Momo's Point of View (POV)

It's a starry night out there and a crescent moon brightens the dark skies. It's inviting and so I walk outside…

Once I arrived from overseas, time has flown by so fast. What I thought had only been a few days passed was actually a few months. I guess that I've kept operating on the rapid pace that I adopted in France – a pace that I welcomed and became a source of endearing ribbing from my French co-workers, mentors, and superiors.

I may have grown used to living in France but I definitely missed Japan. As much as it has been a great homecoming, part of me dreaded coming back.

I've been standing at my apartment balcony for a good, long while now. I try to get fresh air while taking in the sights around, above, and below me. But no matter how calming my surroundings might be, my mind still nags me from what I've seen earlier.

If I didn't know any better, fate's been playing a cruel joke on me…

I was roaming around today to see the line of patisseries in Jiyugaoka. The sense of relief that I felt when I saw that Salon de l'Ange was still in business and going strong was immediately replaced with overbearing heaviness.

I saw a pleasantly smiling Riko casually window-shopping, a small shopping bad in her hand. I felt a rising in my chest, and then a vice-like grip around my heart. Then ugly memories flooded back, taking root deep inside me and reopening those wounds.

I hate it… I hate this feeling…

And now, I have another reminder of the past…

I've been staring at the posh-looking invitation for a long while. My right hand holds the invitation while my left hand clutches my cell phone. I'm not only having misgivings, but I'm stunned for reason unknown. It feels as if I've grown a second and third head.

The head that I've always had wonders if I should go to this event. I sigh as I mull over the very obvious response, "I hate parties, but I have to attend. I was team captain for them before. We went through a lot as a team. I can't let them down."

The second head tugs me by the arm towards memory lane as I stare at the invitation one more time:

Seishin Basketball Club Reunion

May 19, 2xxx

Teito Hotel – Grand Ballroom

"Ten years… Time sure flies… I wonder how and what everyone's doing now after all this time?" I ask myself while reminiscing the first time I stepped in Seishin High School's campus grounds and introduced myself to everyone. Good and bad memories also come rushing back in. It's making me feel more hesitant each passing second.

Should I really attend the reunion?

Having just returned from study in France, I should spend more time re-acclimating with my move back in Japan. At least I've finished unpacking and have settled in my new apartment. I should spend more time planning my next steps. I can't be doing contract work forever. I'm also not getting any younger.

A pastry shop… A patisserie… The fruition of my dreams and hard work… A workplace that I can call my home… For now, it doesn't matter if I'll be the proprietor or the pastry chef who'll be creating and baking the cakes. All these years, my still-mending broken heart and my dreams serve as my fuel to work harder.

Since I'll be there at the reunion venue as the one in charge of the dessert, I might as well kill two birds with one stone. And so I pick up the phone and call the reunion organizer and old basketball club teammate: Jun Hashimoto. He was a year behind me.

As soon as Jun hears my voice, he excitedly fires me one question after another.

Eventually, that makes me say, "Geez, Jun… Breathe, will you?"

Jun laughs with wild abandon at my quip. "No way, man! It's been way too long!"

"You've never changed," I smirk and shake my head at the thought. Jun has mostly been like this during those days – a bouncing ball of giddy energy.

As Jun and I catch up on old times, it makes me really happy for him. Back then, I considered him as a kindred soul. His father also passed away when he was a little boy. He helped his working mother by mostly taking care of his little sister and studying hard. He's now an architect for a mid-sized firm. True to the vow he shared with me back then, he contributes to the household and pays for his younger sister's university education.

In turn, I told Jun that I've just returned from France and have been a contract pastry chef. Beaming with excitement, he immediately secures me for two events. The first job is a single's mixer event happening a month after our reunion. The second contract is his employer's 60th anniversary party. I immediately pencil these two jobs in my schedule book. I'll prepare the contracts either later on tonight or first thing tomorrow morning.

I carry out my conversation with Jun as waves of nostalgia ebb and flow inside me.

After the phone call, I place my cell phone and invitation on the table and return towards the railing where I earlier stood. I heavily sigh and look up at the stars.

I smile ruefully. Stupid thoughts go in and out of my head. How crazy are my thoughts?

Well, for one, it feels as if the invitation sitting on the table is a pair of accusatory spying eyes. It's like scolding me for wanting out of the event. Seeing Riko after all these years and the reunion invitation have done a number in my head.

Speaking of "earlier," I did mention that I felt as if I've grown three heads – one wondered if I should go to the event, the second took me down memory lane.

So what's my now-grown third head thinking all this time? I'm thinking about him and her right now… Admittedly, I'm thinking more of him than her…

I still remember how he stared and watched me especially during those days.

Ten years does change one's perspective. Ten years ago, I glared a lot and accompanied it with a hot temper to match. I never really liked attention, yet it was natural for me to draw it from different places – good or bad. I usually started off with the older students hating me and the younger ones adoring me.

Here and there over the years, I laugh at myself for being such a punk especially during those days. Did I have any sense of embarrassment or regret for copping an attitude back then? Nope…not at all… I was quick with the comebacks, and I still am.

There was one moment in time, though, that I was just floored… stumped. Only one person managed to do that to me for the 25 years I've walked on this earth. I would never forget the first time we met.

"Aki Fujishima…" I mumble in a near whisper.

Who in the world could ever forget Fujishima – an upperclassman who was a year ahead of me? He was also captain of our basketball club. He led our team and kept us in line with his own brand of diplomacy and support. The boys looked up to him with respect. The girls flocked around him, and somewhere along the way he had broken many hearts.

I still recall that clawing defiance and annoyance during my first year in high school whenever it came to Fujishima. Who in his right frame of mind stares at someone and then smiles back after I throw him the full-on evil glare? The words stupid, insane, masochistic came into my mind...

Back then, however, I was too stunned to even think of what to call Fujishima. I didn't even know how to sass or react back on that. Consider me stumped…stupefied…

My body shakes as I recall how I felt years ago. Heck, I was the one who felt so stupid back then. Funny, huh..?

I've had snippets of memories…Fujishima and I frequently played one-on-one ball at our empty high school gym. That quiet smile of his turned into a smirk as he posed a challenge to come at him.

I, on the other hand, was more than happy to give him my all and rise to the occasion.

Again, Fujishima proved me wrong and left me even more baffled about him. He wasn't this meek and mild model student that I thought him to be. He didn't seem fit and strong during practice. I was thankful for our one-on-one games. I did work hard, but having a tough opponent to play against upped my A-game. Those games against him brought the best out of me as a player.

And then Fujishima surprised me at another time…

Our team was downtrodden from suffering our biggest lost. It was hard to watch my teammates cry over our lost. It was harder still when none of them blamed me for the loss and instead focused on consoling me and each other. The hardest for me was accepting the reality that our third-year players had to prematurely retire because of that loss.

All that training… All that hard work… All of that individual and cumulative sacrifice and effort went down the drain… The team worked so hard, but our efforts weren't rewarded.

I remembered how I flagellated myself while thinking that I should've known better and contributed more. Not wanting my sisters or Mom seeing me in this state, I stayed behind at school. In the darkness and solitude, I quietly cried for what could've been.

And I wiped my tears away and held everything in when I heard noises.

"It's okay. Let it be," said Fujishima that evening when he bumped into me at the team locker room, closing the door and leaving as quietly as he came. Little did Fujishima realize that those words of his were a balm that I needed most. Those words not only soothed me but it imparted the valuable lesson of losing with grace.

I quietly observed Fujishima back then, and even more so after the locker incident. When he was about to graduate, everyone was excited for him being the heir to Wisteria.

Me? I wasn't only sad but I was also disappointed…pissed off… I began to notice as to how Fujishima hid a great part of himself to those he interacted with, even with fellow team members. He grinned but those smiles didn't reach his eyes. To me, I consider that as lying.

It became evident to me that Fujishima's silent yet observant presence was a hint on how he handled his affairs. He kept everything hidden and ready to stun anyone once he unveiled what he had in store for you. Yet when we were about to part ways, it seemed as if he resigned himself to a life and career that had been chosen and handed to him.

I remembered our one-on-one games. Fujishima's eyes spoke volumes. That inner bravado inside him was on full display. So why would someone choose to accept a life dictated to him without a fight? I wouldn't be so pissed off at that time, but those eyes of his were no better than that belonging to a dead man.

And I weigh my feelings back then and now. Ten years sure has made a difference. That time with Fujishima and the basketball club sure has changed me. I wonder how much that time has changed him.

I close my eyes and let out a sigh. I feel a momentary yet nostalgic pinch in my heart. That's followed with warmth along with a something that can be considered as a nice thought…a wish that I throw out there as I stare at the starry sky… "Fujishima must be making it big out there. I do hope that he's living in his own terms. He deserves that and much more…"

I wonder if Fujishima's coming to the reunion. I do hope that he does…

I just wonder where Fujishima is and what's he doing right now….

I close my eyes once more for every time that I remember anything about high school. I tried my hardest not to do so, but I ended up recalling another someone who made a mark in my life.

If Fujishima invokes good thoughts, my girlfriend Riko now brings up such murky feelings for me.

Wait… I should say Riko, my ex-girlfriend. She unceremoniously dumped me a couple of years ago. That move of hers prompted me to go study in France. In a sad way, I should thank her for pushing me further and faster towards accomplishing my goal. The other sad part is me just realizing that I really haven't healed from our break-up.

At times such as tonight, it's just too much to bear…

I stare at the stars, the bright crescent moon, and the night sky. I bitterly smile in a last-ditch effort to put up a brave front. The tears still pool at the corner of my eyes. They threaten to fall no matter what I do. My heart slowly but surely feels heavier each passing moment.

May I go ahead and make another silent admission to the starry night sky – the only friend that has kept me company for the past months – that I need to escape once more?

I should be happy. I came back from France gaining that experience that so many chefs could only conjure up in their dreams alone. I should be happy but I feel so hollow inside. I should be thankful that I now know that Riko and I weren't meant to be, but damn it hurts so much!

I don't know what hurts most – being cheated on, getting dumped, or being envied and hated by the one I loved because of my skills. It might have been years ago, but Riko's words still deeply hurt. I thought that sharing the same passion and calling bind two souls together, so why did she do what she did? Why did she throw away the years and the dreams that we've built together? Am I that replaceable? A dime a dozen…?

And now those tears I've held back do fall….one after another…

Damn it! Stop crying! Don't be pathetic!

The tears trickle down on my fists. By this time, my heart's too heavy to care.

Who gives a shit about keeping a sense of dignity? I don't see any benefit in denying my feelings. Right now, I keep seeing how Riko looked so calm and happy at Jiyugaoka. I'm the stupid one for having a one-sided dream. She didn't feel the same as I do. She also felt that it was appropriate to cheat on me. Why didn't she break things off with me first before she found someone new?

So I stand here at my balcony. I pour my heart out. I didn't care how I looked like when Riko broke up with me in public at Jiyugaoka. Why the hell should I care about looking like a sorry sap at the comfort of my own home?

I'll allow myself this one night. I'll lay my heart open. I'll scream over how it still hurts me so much even after years had passed. I'll let the tears flow to my heart's content. I'll just let it all out. After everything's said and done, I'll lick my wounds, go to bed, and greet another day tomorrow.

And so now I freely cry, doing so until I can cry no more…the stars and the crescent moon hanging behind the backdrop of a clear night sky are my only witnesses and companions as I unload my burdens.

Tomorrow will be another day. Tomorrow will be better.

Setting: Aki Fujishima's Apartment

Timeline: Present (shortly after Momo's phone call with reunion organizer)

Aki Fujishima's Point of View (POV)

God forbid… Today was such a long work day and it even spilled into late evening.

Well, it wasn't supposed to be a long night. It could've been just a long day, but Dad and Masa had another chapter of their all-out war of words with each other where neither one of them budged. Thus, my planning meeting with my Dad got pushed and made a quiet family dinner into a work meeting which left Mom alienated and me too exhausted to focus.

Well, it's been years since Dad and Masa last had a battle royale of words. I shouldn't complain. According to Mom, Dad was out for blood today and so he asked her for the receiver once he knew Masa was on the other line…and the rest was history.

I'm now home, lying down on my sofa. I have my Airpods so I relax my body, close my eyes, and talk to the person on the other line.

Tonight, Masa – my one and only brother who's five years my senior – does most of the talking. He tells me about his students and how much growth they've achieved throughout the school year. He regularly updates me about his life since he moved away from home. Talking to him and hearing his voice calms and invigorates me at the same time. Whenever he tells me his stories, it's like him painting a picture for me and my mind processes his words as vivid images. It's a welcome distraction especially on long days and nights such as today.

However, there have been pockets of silence here and there in our conversation tonight. I've noticed how this is common on nights where Masa's mood has been thrown off due to Dad's tirade. All these year, he and I have an unspoken agreement to never mention about that figurative elephant in the room.

Yet tonight, Masa says in a near-whispered voice, "I'm sorry, Aki…"

It takes a while for my tired brain to process what Masa just said to me. I open my eyes and murmur, "Huh? Sorry? About what…?"

My older brother chuckles, but the regret and sadness are abundantly there. "I guess you and Mom have been so desensitized after all these years…"

I sit up and stretch a little. After I take in a deep breath and rest my hand on the nape of my neck, I say, "It's okay, Masa. It's not your fault. Mom and I know that…"

"The fact that you know exactly what I'm talking about when I haven't said much says it all to me."

"Really… It's okay… You don't have to worry about it…"

"That's where you're wrong. It's not okay. I contribute to it, too. But I can't give up on what I want to do in life. Neither should you."

"What do you mean?"

"After all these year, you never complained to me about you getting stuck holding the bag. You never ranted about me taking off and leaving you behind. You never blamed me for not being there to protect you from Dad controlling your life.

I remain quiet. What's there to say…?

And so Masa adds, "You're not born to be the band-aid between Dad and me. You're not born to be my substitute – whether it is being heir or the 'good kid.' You have your own life to live. You have your own passions to pursue."

What Masa just said momentarily stung, and when it did it bore so deep inside. Before it prolonged those pangs of hurt, it managed to numb itself. I'm tight-lipped when I reassured my brother in a calm tone, "I've chosen this for me. I wanted to do this and you didn't. So it worked well for all of us. Teaching's what you want to do. I want to run the family business."

There's a long, pregnant pause between us before Masa says, "Is that what you really want to do, Aki? Have you been really free to choose your path? Is the life you're now living the life that you truly wanted for yourself? You're into math and sciences."

I smile to myself and tell my brother, "I'm fine. I like what I'm doing."

"That's the point. Liking what you're doing isn't enough. You only live once. How you live your life is something you should be greedy and passionate about. Life is too precious to live life in such a half-assed way."

I fall quiet. One again, Masa unknowingly hits me where it hurts. This time, the pain throbbed deep inside…and I hate it.

May brother lets out a tired sigh. He tells me as gently as he can, "I'm sorry. I'm speaking out of turn. Who am I to say something when I'm the one who turned my back on the family…the one who left you behind?"

"Masa…."

This time, there's more warmth and authenticity veiling Masa's tone. "I'll always be your big brother, Aki. You could always talk to me. We've always done that for each other since we were little. You know that, right?"

I purse my lips. My chest tightens. I control my breathing so that I can keep my composure and sound calm as I reply, "Of course. Nothing has changed between you and me."

I close my eyes, silently hoping that Masa changes the course of our conversation. So I feel a little relief when I hear him say, "All right… If you ever come to this part of the world, come and visit me. It's been a long time since we've seen and hung out with each other."

"Africa, huh…?" With a small smile, I tell Masa, "Okay. I'll do that…"

I can hear someone at the other line call out for Masa's name, which prompts my brother to say, "That's my cue. Bye for now, Aki. I have a staff meeting before school starts."

"It's my turn to call you next week."

Masa lets out a quiet laugh. "You do that. I'll wait for your call." After a little pause, he adds, "Stay well and be happy, Aki. I'm just a phone call away."

After saying our goodbye, I hear the dial tone from the other end of the line. I hang up from our call.

I still want to talk to Masa. At the same time, I'm glad that our call had already ended. This whole day… Hearing Dad and Masa argue…. Seeing Mom's troubled expression as she remained quiet along with me… Masa's words and questions for me…. They're all unsettling.

I stand up and look for anything to distract me. My eyes land on the days' worth of unopened mail. Half-way through the pile, I see a fancy linen envelope with fancy calligraphy.

I open the envelope and see the reunion invitation from event organizer Jun Hashimoto – a junior from my high school basketball club.

Seishin Basketball Club Reunion

May 19, 2xxx

Teito Hotel – Grand Ballroom

I'm looking for a distraction, so this is a perfect one. I dial the number and then ask once I hear someone at the other end of the line pick up the call. I then ask, "Is this the Hashimoto residence…? May I speak with Jun Hashimoto, please?"

"Captain Fujishima – is this you?"

"Jun..?"

"Captain Fujishima! It must be my lucky night!"

I chuckle as I picture Jun Hashimoto from way back when and wonder as to what he looks like now. During our high school days, he was the optimist and one-man cheering squad in our group. He wore his heart on his sleeve and had mostly, if not always, been kind. He was humble, friendly, studious, a team player, and a hard worker.

"Hi, Jun... Thanks for organizing this."

Jun stops for a moment and becomes serious…a lilt of suspicion veiling his tone. "You're calling to let me know that you're coming…right?"

I mull it over as I look at my schedule for confirmation. I then tell Jun moments later, "I'm free that night. Yes, I'm coming."

"Yes! It is my lucky night – two major "yeses" in a row. Everyone will be so happy to see our captains."

"Captains…?" I blurt out my question as the face of a particular and very memorable person comes into my mind.

"Momo's coming!"

I laugh not only due to Jun's customarily excited nature plus another reason which I summarize for him, "Momoi's not going to like that, you know."

Jun lets out a hearty chuckle. "Come on, Captain. You're dying to call him Momo, too."

"I'll do that when he and I see each other face to face," I tell Jun as I laugh along with such nostalgia flooding in and filling me. "It's worth seeing what he looks like while doing it."

"Momo's good people... You, too, Captain." Jun then takes a serious tone, but the amiable warmth is still laced in his voice. "I'm looking forward to seeing both of you again after all this time."

"Jun… Call me Fujishima. You can even call me Aki. Your pick…"

Jun momentarily pauses before he replies, "All right. Aki it is, then. Aki and Momo…"

After the two of us have updated each other on what we've been doing over the past 10 years, the more that I look forward to the reunion. We end our phone call on a happy note.

I sit down on my sofa for minutes, pondering on the fact that the one who has been on my mind of late is coming to the same event.

Still feel unsettled, I walk outside the balcony to gain a semblance of peace.

It's a starry night. The sight placates me a little. Maybe this view along with the light breeze will help ease my mind.

"Shuichiro Momoi… Momo…" My mind's eye keeps conjuring up that ever-expressive face as well while his name and the nickname associated with him echo inside my head.

That glare and the volatile temperament that stews underneath a stern facade….

It was as if it was yesterday when our eyes met for the very first time 10 years ago. I couldn't forget the effect that it had on me. For me, that glare started everything between Momo and me.

Yet it was Momo's tears, though, that solidified that bond between him and me. Even if 10 years had already passed, his tears resonate stronger still in every fiber of my being. They still have that unexplainable sway over me, holding me not just captivated but mystified.

Ten years can surely change anyone, yet there are things in life that even time itself can't change…

My older brother Masa and Dad are still estranged. How I wish that both of them can realize that they're cut from the same cloth – unyielding to a fault.

Mom and I are still turning away whenever the two argue over the phone. Over the years, though, Masa's phone calls became fewer and shorter.

Masa continues his calling as a teacher overseas. He has what it takes to run our businesses and be the next heir. However, he turned his back on his role and the comfortable lifestyle that our family legacy and assets offer. He has chosen to pursue his passion. He devotes his heart and soul for each day that he teaches. He even purposefully contributes his gifts and talents to teach in third-world countries.

Dad continues to resent Masa's life choice. Dad's still the same stodgy and stubborn man that he has always been. Even though he spent the past eight years supporting and grooming me as his heir, I'm not blind to the truth. If he'd have his way, he wants Masa back in Japan. He wants Masa to step up as the true heir.

I continue to uphold my choice in being Dad's substitute heir. Maybe this is my way to be the buffer between Dad and brother. Masa gets to live the life that he wants for himself. Dad will remain calm. Maybe this is the expression of my silent wish for their reconciliation. By being a good heir and obedient son, I should've eliminated or even pacified Dad's anger towards Masa.

I become tight-lipped as I think about how I've spent the past 10 years. I remain close to Masa and have kept in touch with him through letters, e-mail, and phone calls.

And every now and then, I think about Momo. He reminds me so much of Masa. The two are honest with their emotions and convictions. They're dedicated in pursuing their passions. They're so authentic in how they live and make their life choices. It shows in how Masa devotes himself to teaching. I saw and felt it when Momo played basketball, especially during our one-on-one games.

I might have lost touch with Momo until I saw him a couple of years ago. He was crying in the streets of Jiyugaoka. Just as I was 10 years ago, I couldn't take my eyes off him nor approach him to say "hi."

There's something about seeing Momo in tears that mesmerizes me. It stirs a part of me that I've always refused to explore or acknowledge. I feel the same way whenever I deal with Masa. They're both alike in their values and temperament. They're also both alike in how they affect me. They're like human mirrors. They force me to face something about myself that I never wanted to see.

As to what that "something" is, I don't know. All I know is that part of me is ugly and it's far from what Momo and Masa truly are inside – blindingly brilliant in terms of how truthful and unafraid they are about themselves and their beliefs. I'm excellent at dodging away from that self-reflection before it bashes my knees, knocks me down, and forces me to look at that cold, hard truth about myself.

I want to see Momo face to face once more, even if it's just for the night of the reunion. Ten years changes things between people. Ten years ago, I was his senior. Now, he and I stand as equals. Maybe this time, things will be more relaxed between him and me…informal enough to get to know each other better.

Or better yet, maybe I can find out why Momo was crying the other day….

And another matter that I want to find out – why does Momo still have such a hold on me even after 10 years had already passed?

I card my fingers through my hair as I now feel the fatigue of a long day set on my body. I take in a deep breath, stretching my body as I stare at the starry sky.

The stars are out. There's something calming in letting one's gaze drown in them. I catch my random thoughts and chuckle, murmuring to myself, "There aren't any shooting stars right now…"

Shooting stars or not, I throw a crazy wish out there saying aloud, "It'd be nice to catch up with Momo. Let that happen, will you?"

End of Chapter One