A young Izzy Izumi mindlessly tapped on a keyboard as he stared at the computer screen in front of him. He wasn't necessarily typing any useful words down, but he was hitting a writer's block. He could spend hours on the computer doing leisurely things, but when it came to actual school assignments, he actually dreaded being on his laptop. He scanned the computer lab, and yep- he was the only one around. This paper was due tomorrow, and the only thing he had written on his Word document was "Koushirou Izumi". Nice.
"Hello, is anyone here?" a sing-songy voice hummed in the air.
"Who's there?" Izzy leaned back in his seat, confused.
"Mimi here and ready to take charge!" Mimi twirled into the computer lab.
"Oh, it's you…," Izzy sat back up straight and went to his computer.
"Oh, it's you…," Mimi mocked him. "No 'I missed you, Mimi!' or 'Oh, it's so nice to see you, Mimi!'"
"Sorry. I didn't mean to come across as rude. Of course it's nice to see you," Izzy pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry, I'm just stressed out about this paper that I have due tomorrow."
"Oh, let's see what you have done so far! I bet it can't be that bad!" Mimi ran up to the computer and frowned in disapproval. "Seriously? That's all you've got?"
"Yeah, it's bad," Izzy sighed.
"Then just skip it! It's not like it will affect your grade that much, right?" Mimi scoffed.
"You're crazy, but I'm actually considering that idea. But this is the only time, I swear," Izzy said.
"Perfect! Because I'm only here for a week and I plan to make all of you guys use your time wisely! Look, I brought dinner, since I figured you'd be up in the computer room!" Mimi emptied a grocery bag of junk food down on the table in front of Izzy.
"Flaming hot Cheetos? Bubble gum? That's not really something you should consider dinner. But thank you for bringing something over, it's thoughtful of you," Izzy opened up a packet of grape bubble gum and popped a piece of it in his mouth.
"You're welcome! I'm happy to do it," Mimi grinned. "Oh, look! You've been here so long, the sun's about to come down," Mimi pointed at the orange sky.
"You're right. I think it's time to call it a day," Izzy flicked the light switch off.
"Come, let's watch the sunset together while we still have a nice view! Then we'll grab a real dinner," Mimi pulled Izzy closer to the windowsill.
"If you insist," Izzy sighed.
"Oh, isn't it so pretty?" Mimi leaned her head on Izzy's shoulder. She wasn't paying as much attention to the sunset as she was to how the sunlight seemed to reflect off of his pensive face at the right angle.
"Yeah, it's nice," Izzy looked unfazed.
"Well, why don't we head out before it gets too dark?" Mimi patted him on the shoulder and walked towards the door.
"Sure," Izzy said with a hint of awkwardness. He wasn't sure, but he felt a slight change in Mimi's demeanor, as if he did something that upset her. He felt as if he should be able to tell how Mimi was truly feeling, even without her having to say it out loud. Regardless, he would have liked to ask her just to be sure, but he was too nervous to do so. He closed the door to the computer lab and the duo made their way out of the school.
Three years later…
"So you're here to stay for good?" Sora asked.
"Yep! My dad's company switched him back to Tokyo and I couldn't have been happier!" Mimi gushed.
"Well, we're glad to have you back!" Tai rested his arm on Mimi's shoulders.
"We definitely should throw some sort of celebration in place, before the first day of school!" Yolei exclaimed.
"I like that idea a lot!" Mimi clapped her hands. "I'm just going to check up on Izzy real quick."
"Yeah, please do. He's been such a loner lately," TK shook his head.
"Hey Izzy, whatcha up to?" Mimi sat on the hill next to Izzy.
"Eh, just wanted to sit with my own thoughts and watch the sunset," Izzy shrugged.
"You're watching the sunset?" Mimi raised her eyebrows.
"Yeah. You kind of got me into it actually. I never actually remembered to thank you until now, so here I go. Thank you," Izzy said.
"You're welcome," Mimi smiled. "So what made you actually continue to do so? Aren't you bored yet?"
"No, not really. It's like my brief moment of mediation. I spend most of my day thinking about other things, I look forward to the sunset. It's like my reminder to wind down for the day. I get uneasy on the days I miss it, so it's hard in the winter time when we're still in school," Izzy took in a deep breath and exhaled.
"I see," Mimi stared straight ahead.
"So you're here to stay?" Izzy asked.
"Yep. I feel like I'm back here I belong," Mimi tapped the top of her feet together. "What about you? Anything interesting going on with you?"
"Nothing in particular," Izzy turned red.
"Ooh, you're blushing. What's up?" Mimi poked him in the arm.
"It's nothing," Izzy squirmed.
"Come on, tell me the truth!" Mimi demanded.
"Okay fine, I don't want to lie. I think I have feelings for Kari," Izzy winced.
"Oh," Mimi paused.
"Yeah, I know. It's stupid," Izzy bent his legs and hugged his knees to his chest.
"It's not stupid. Just interesting," Mimi struggled to muster the words out. "She's a sweet girl, and she's pretty too. I don't blame you."
"Even so, I don't see her reciprocating those feelings. She probably only sees me as her brother's nerdy friend," Izzy bit his lip.
"You don't know that. You're more of a catch than you think," Mimi looked down at the grass.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Izzy asked.
"Nothing, I don't have anything on my mind," Mimi pressed her lips together.
"Mimi, I know there's something you're not telling me. How come you're not saying anything?" Izzy asked.
"I don't know what to tell you, I don't really have an answer," Mimi shrugged. She knew what was wrong with her, but she didn't want to say anything. For now, they were just going to share the sunset.
Six years later…
"Who's ready to party?!" Davis flailed his arms in the air.
"This is an even more special night for you! You're celebrating your 21st birthday and you're finally popping the question!" TK cheered.
"Actually, we've been engaged for a couple of months now. We only surprised you guys today," Kari smirked.
"You little bitch! You kept it a secret from me too?" Yolei playfully slapped Kari's arm.
"Sorry, but we wanted to keep it a secret," Kari giggled.
"Is everyone here?" Matt checked his watch.
"We're still waiting on Mimi and her mysterious plus one," Sora said.
"Hi! Sorry we're late!" Mimi ran up to the group, tugging a tall, blond man with her.
"Hey, we were worried you weren't going to show up," Tai said.
"I couldn't miss this! It's such a shame that we don't hang out as much as we used to, so I like to show up when we do have a group meeting!" Mimi smiled.
"So who is this handsome gentleman?" Yolei asked.
"Of course, how rude of me! Everyone, this is Thomas. Thomas, this is everyone," Mimi smiled.
"Great introduction," the blond man smirked.
"It's okay. By the end of the night, you might remember our names! I'm Tai," Tai introduced himself.
"I'm Sora," Sora said.
"Hey love, do you want me to grab you a drink while you get to know everyone?" Mimi asked.
"Yes. Can you bring me a martini, extra dirty? Thank you," Thomas said.
"Coming right up," Mimi beamed and walked her way to the bar.
"Hey," Izzy gave her a slight nod.
"Hey, I see you're already having a head start," Mimi stared at the empty glass in front of him.
"Eh, it doesn't really mean much if everyone's stalling," Izzy fiddled with his glass.
"So, I heard about Kari and Davis. Are you okay?" Mimi awkwardly whispered.
"I'm fine. It was just a silly little high school fling. We're all adults now, and we're on good terms. I'm happy for them. They're a much better match," Izzy let out a small smile.
"That's good. You guys handle it so maturely," Mimi said.
"To be honest, I think we both knew we weren't meant to be when we watched the sunset together, and it was just boring. We ended up asking each other if this was something that we could live with for the rest of our lives, or would we regret all the time we spent pretending as if we were satisfied. It was the last time I actively went out of my way to see a sunset, and it was the last day we decided to be a couple. And that was fine for the both of us. We experienced a nice chapter together, but it had to end eventually. Besides, I was an idiot," Izzy said.
"What makes you say that?" Mimi asked.
"Kari was just one chapter of my life, but I was too stupid to realize that my book was about someone else. Unfortunately, not every story has a happy ending," Izzy forced a smile.
"Oh," Mimi's face fell.
"I just wanted to check up on you since you've been gone for a while," Thomas walked up to Mimi.
"Hey Thomas, I'm fine. I was just catching up with Izzy. Izzy, this is Thomas, my beau. Thomas, Izzy," Mimi introduced the boys to each other.
"Nice to meet you," Thomas sternly said.
"Likewise," Izzy chewed the ice from his drink.
"Here's our drinks. We should probably head back to the rest of the gang now. I'll see you around, Izzy," Mimi smiled.
"Bye," Izzy droned as he forlornly watched Mimi and Thomas walk away together.
Five years later…
"Thanks for this mini powwow. I feel like I can't express this with the entire crew because that would only make me more overwhelmed," Joe sank down on the leather recliner.
"I'm honored that you included me of all people in your discourse," Izzy sat backwards on his office chair.
"It's just something I can't get out of my mind, and your office is like a safe space- not that I'm just using you for your office! I genuinely do like having you listen to my ranting, honestly," Joe panicked.
"I know," Izzy nodded.
"So what's up?" Sora asked.
"Today was the first day I had someone die on the operating table, and I'm still having a hard time coping with it. I know, it's going to be something I'll have to face on a regular basis, but what really bothers me is that the patient was only 10 years old," Joe sighed.
"I'm so sorry," Mimi gently said.
"I tried my best, but he was already in critical condition when he was on the table. There was a slim to none chance in the first place, but it's horrible when you give it your best and it's not good enough," Joe shook his head.
"I can't even imagine what you're going through," Sora placed her hand on Joe's shoulder.
"Life is really unfair. Like why did this child have to die so young too? Compared to me, a grown adult for example?" Joe rubbed his temples.
"Maybe it was meant to be. Being an adult isn't easy or fun most of the time. Think of this as him not having to suffer though obstacles that would be harder for him," Izzy said.
"As morbid as that is, it's also true. He's at peace now," Sora nodded.
"I guess, but it's still hard to see it happen in front of your eyes. It was my first death," Joe ran his fingers through his hair.
"It's okay. It's hard now, but I know you'll pull through. You'll overcome it within time," Mimi said.
"Thanks everyone. It was nice to get this off my chest. I didn't realize how late we stayed here. I'm going to head home now," Joe said.
"Me too. I should go before daybreak," Sora looked out the window.
"I'll see you around," Joe said.
"Yeah, we'll have to meet up again another time. Goodnight guys," Sora got up from the couch and followed Joe out of the office.
"Are you heading home too?" Izzy asked Mimi, his back facing towards her.
"Izzy, what's wrong?" Mimi got up from her chair and walked up to him.
"Nothing," Izzy sighed.
"Hey, I've known you for my whole life so I can see right through your lies," Mimi spun Izzy's chair around so that they were face to face.
"Like I said, nothing."
"If you could tell me how you're feeling, maybe we can get through this together. I'm here by your side," Mimi said.
"Mimi, what are we doing here? Don't you just get bored of it after a while?" Izzy sighed.
"What are you talking about?" Mimi asked.
"I've just been feeling a bit lonely, that's all. The thing is, I don't know how to stop it. These feelings just become permanent memories at this point, it's like it's the only thing I know," Izzy got up from his chair and moved to the couch and lied down.
"I think I can relate," Mimi sucked her teeth.
"Really? Don't you get a new boyfriend every year?" Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"That doesn't mean I'm not lonely. And by the way, I don't have a new boyfriend every year. I've been taking a break to work on myself," Mimi crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come across as rude," Izzy put his face over his hand.
"At this point, I think I'm just stalling. I think I know what I want. I've always known what I wanted, but I just gave up on it because I didn't think it was meant to be. Schooch over, I want to lie down too," Mimi swatted Izzy on the arm.
"Whatever happened to the word 'please'?" Izzy made room so Mimi could fit next to him.
"Please and thank you," Mimi said, pressing herself against Izzy's body. "You get a nice view of the city from here."
"Yeah, you do…," Izzy put his arm around her as the two of them pretended to fall asleep to the sunrise.
