Chapter 9 Letting go
By the time Mitsuki went to bed, the sunlight was already breaking through the horizon. And when she got up, it was already evening. She opened her eyes slowly. The first name that appeared in her mind was Takuto. Again. She saw Meroko sitting at her bed.
"Meroko?" She looked over.
"Mitsuki, you're awake." Mitsuki smiled at her.
"Meroko…can I talk to you about something?" Meroko looked over. "You know I've been waiting for Eichi…but…" Meroko stared at her, her brows furrowed.
"Mitsuki." Meroko panicked, she didn't want to hear it.
"…But I think its Takuto."
"What?" she managed to say in a whisper. Mitsuki's eyes didn't show a bit of hesitation.
"Its Takuto." Meroko breath got heavier. All the pain, it was coming back to her, just hearing Mitsuki say it. It fumbled together in her head, everything. Its not you…I'm sorry Meroko…it's hurting her a lot. So stop…her tears…his cold indifference… Mitsuki felt a cold hand whip across her face. She faced the side, stunned. Meroko slapped her. Don't cry Mitsuki…don't cry… Mitsuki thought to herself, struggling.
"Mitsuki. You know what?" Meroko's voice cracked, about to cry, heavy with pain. "I love Takuto. I…" She took a deep breath, controlling herself. "And he…he likes you so much and he hates me." She stormed out, but before she left, she added, her voice changing into hushed sadness, "Mitsuki…why do you get everything so easily. Everything is just so perfect isn't it." So that was it…Mitsuki thought, scoffing at herself. All this time, she never noticed. Meroko in love with Takuto. Mitsuki you idiot. Mitsuki looked up, her face ready to cry. Perfect. Her life perfect. She closed her eyes tightly. Maybe that is what it seemed like on the outside, happy, smiling, angelic. She held on to the threads of hope so had. After losing her parents, losing the people she loved the most, now everything was gone. Meroko. Takuto. She had never told anyone about her past. So here…this is it…my perfect life. Tears brimmed her eyes; she refused to let them fall. So she was left with a decision. She thought she made the big decision already, Eichi and Takuto. Now it was keeping the broken friendship with Meroko, or being with Takuto. She loved them both with all her heart. Even Meroko, who's hated her for the past months; she would do anything to get their friendship back…but can she give up this much?
The next few days passed slowly, painfully, drudgingly. Meroko stepped through the grey slush. The sky was a dull off-white. And she had no more tears to cry. She scoffed at herself; she was weak. But hah, love. Nothing to what people say it to be, nothing to what she thought it was and more painful then anything. Meroko walked through the wooded forest. Takuto quietly stepped out. He was in no mood to meet up with her. He looked at her, walking away and thought of Mitsuki. It reminded him of a few nights ago. He sighed, I'm sorry Meroko. The wind blew through his hair, and he sighed again. It's already been a few days since Mitsuki met Eichi, he true love, the one she's been waiting for. He searched for Meroko in the woods, he saw her in the distance. She looked sad, even though he couldn't see her face. It felt like he was seeing Mitsuki.
"Mitsuki…" He wouldn't say that name again for a while. He turned his back and walked away, his hands in his pockets. He would let her go, let her be with Eichi peacefully, just because it was Mitsuki. He smiled, it felt lighter letting go. But the loneliness was almost unbearable with the empty space in his heart.