I always found it dumb to grab a box and one by one, pick up the gifts you were given by your other half when you broke up. When I was a teen, I just thought it was rude to throw away gifts. That's how I was raised, at least. To accept any and all gifts from your loved ones because it had been picked with you in mind.

But now, I understand.

Now, it's my turn to open that cardboard box and one by one, fill it with our memories. Like the clothes you bought for me, the ones you would say made me look handsome. The same clothes that your skillful fingers would undress me, claim my skin and feel your warmth.

Do you know what my favorite piece was? The suit you chose for me. The one I wore to meet your mother. Do you remember?

It was a light brown three-piece suit. My usually wild hair was slicked back and I remember feeling so nervous, pacing back and forth in your room. "I look ridiculous, don't I? No, I do! I know I do!" I exclaimed, a million different scenarios passed through my head as I pictured your mother's face scowling at my face. But you laughed and cradled my face in your hands, looking down at me like only I mattered in the world.

"You look beautiful, Reki." You said, caressing my cheek before leaning down to kiss my lips. I let out a shameful whine when you pulled away, but you just chuckled and leaned our foreheads together.

I slightly furrowed my brow, looking into your eyes. "Do you think your mom will like me?" I asked, softly against your lips.

You smiled. "She'll love you." You said, before bumping our noses together. "Now, come on, let's go." You leaned away, grabbing my hand and pulling me along with a wide smile. "I want to show you off."

I chuckled.

But the place that you had taken me was not one I expected: the cemetery. You had to console me instead of the other way around because it was your mother's death anniversary and I didn't know.

"See, mom? He cries for me when I can no longer do it." You said. "That's why I love him."

The next to go were the birthday gifts. The perfumes, the wood making materials, even that signed Tony Hawk skateboard. Everything that you gave me as a thank you for my existence, I put it away in that box.

But nothing will compare to your first gift for me. It was very simple and according to Koyomi it was not romantic at all. But I loved it. That next volume of my favorite manga... it made me feel like you paid attention to me. To the things I liked aside from our common interest.

We were celebrating my twentieth birthday and we had been "officially" dating for two months. It was at my home with my family and after the shock of revealing you were my lover, you were already being treated like family. Except for my dad, of course, but that was a different story. The point was that I showed you my room, away from the noise and the teasing from our friends.

Of course, you were mostly stealing kisses and as always you couldn't keep your hands to yourself. But that was the most you would do at my parent's house and I had teased you about being scared of my parents. You chuckled, nibbling my jaw as I laughed. "I have something else for you." You said, pulling out the small book from your coat and giving it to me. "This is such a safe gift idea, huh?" You said, glancing away with raised eyebrows. "I'm sorry I can't give you more, I'm... not sure what would someone your age like as a birthday gift."

I had just turned twenty and to me, that was more than enough. I found it cute, even. How you had been so nervous, your "rich taste" could not function and ended up going with something more simple. You went down to my level, nervous that I would mock you for it. Call you a hypocrite.

But my excitement and my kisses had been genuine and you know it.

"I promise to buy you something better next year." You murmured against my neck before you continued to leave your mark. I can no longer remember what I answered or if I had answered at all.

The next one to go were the few Valentine gifts as you would often take me out instead. Carving yourself so deep into my body and soul right before the day ends in your bed. But the corny teddy bears holding a heart had to go.

And finally, the Christmas gifts.

Scarves, watches, art supplies, and...

"Your broken promise." I whispered, tears rolling down my eyes as I held the engagement ring you had given me. I held it tightly against my chest, closing my eyes as I remember the night you gave it to me.

We were slow dancing in front of the chimney, whispering sweet nothings into my ear. Listening to vintage love songs you dedicated to me. "I think of you every morning," you sang, in English since the singer was american. "Dream of you every night," I gazed up at you, your red eyes reflecting only on me as you smiled softly at me. "Darling I'm never lonely, whenever you are in sight." You sang and I felt my face heat up as I smiled back. "I love you for sentimental reasons~"

And right after a spin, you got on one knee. I was already crying by the time you were slipping the ring in my finger. Feeling so cliché, something I never thought I would go through because I found it embarrassing.

But you made me understand the excitement of it all.

I was already seeing myself walking down the aisle. With you waiting at the altar, smiling at me as I draw near. I was already seeing myself making your ties in the mornings and seeing you off with a kiss. Make you lunch and be your shoulder to lean on when you had a rough day.

I was ready to be the home you returned to. Maybe even one day, our family could grow in number.

But here I am. Stuffing a box with our memories. A box full of broken promises. Full of 'what if's and 'what could've been's.

When I closed that box, my tears wouldn't stop flowing. But I needed to say goodbye. But goodbye's are always the hardest, aren't they? One day, I will forget your smell. I will forget the sensation of your touch, the shape of you as we become one, your voice calling my name.

One day, I will forget this pain. Just like your marks on my skin will fade away soon. For now, I cry your name in my sleep. I weep the loss of my other half, of the best friend that I didn't know I could find in you. Will it be selfish of me to ask that you don't forget me?

Goodbye, Ainosuke. Maybe, in another life... right?

"In the end, was everything worth it?" Ainosuke asked himself, staring outside the window of what used to be his personal office. Tadashi gave Ainosuke a sympathetic gaze, tears of his own threatening because Ainosuke had exhausted him. "I get to run the country... and the idea was exciting at first." Ainosuke took a drag of his cigarette. "But now, it's just another empty throne."

Tadashi gulped down a knot. "Sir." He softly called out.

Ainosuke chuckled, bitterly. "Why can't I never keep the one I love by my side?" Ainosuke wondered with a strained smile and brow slightly furrowed. "Maybe it was for the best, Reki would've been eaten alive in this world."

"But, sir-"

"Ainosuke~" a shrilling feminine voice called out. Tadashi weakly glared at the door.

Ainosuke put his cigarette out. "Goodbye, Reki. Maybe in another life..."