Summary: Nothing is impossible when it came to a person you love.
She knew she was in the right place. She had studied the map for this. If the imposing building in front of her wasn't enough of an indication, she didn't know what else is.
People of all nationalities walked past her, with bags slung over their shoulders in different sizes which she guessed actually contained their music instruments. Tohru had to crane her neck to observe them pass her by, amazed. Man or woman they all towered over her, serving as a reminder to her that she was more than a thousand miles away from home.
She actually did it. She had managed to travel all the way to Paris. Alone.
Uo and Hana did a double take when, out of the blue one day, she voiced out that she "wanted to go to Paris."
It was one of those days that they had agreed to meet up. Being university students they were busier than ever making these meet ups fewer in between, but they always made sure to make some time for each other, no matter how crazily busy they all get.
"Uh Tohru. Would you mind repeating that?"
"I want to go to Paris." She said, swirling the surface of her mocha latte with the straw. She had grown rather fond of this coffee taste after a certain someone told her it was a personal favorite, and she had decided to try it out. At the time she wasn't really a coffee lover, but she had wanted to try it for some time and she actually fell in love with it.
It made her feel closer to him, and the reason why she kept drinking it.
But she digresses. "This may probably sound like a bad idea, but I've been thinking about it for a while… I do want to travel outside Japan, and I do think Paris sounds like a great idea…"
Uo and Hana shared a look, before Uo cleared her throat as she looked back at her. "It does. This didn't come out of nowhere, Tohru. We could tell that you've been really thinking about it. You'll be all alone there though. Not to mention, you'll need to study French or the basics of it at least so you could get by there."
Tohru was surprised that they both looked worried but actually agreeable. "I have an idea about that. I could get a crash course on French." She then paused uncertainly, looking back and forth between her two best friends. "You're not stopping me?"
Hana smiled at her, a little more indulgent. "It seemed you've set your mind to go there and visit him. Of course we're worried, but I think this is also something which will help you grow more. Experiencing the world while you're still young is a must, after all."
"I think we should go with her though. The world is a dangerous place." Uo still said worriedly.
Hana fixed the blonde a stern look. "I certainly feel the same, but it's not like she'll be alone in there."
She was blushing all the same. Yes she wanted to go to Paris, and yes, she wanted to travel outside Japan one day… but it was also true that she wanted to visit someone. "I really cannot hide anything from you two."
Uo laughed. "And you know you can't. It was quite obvious at this point. Just the way you smile whenever a message pops up in your phone is a dead giveaway already." She sipped her drink. "We just want you to be happy."
She could feel the tears start to burn in her eyes but she shook them away, smiling. "I am. I didn't think I would be after Kyo… but I… I actually am." She looked down, fidgeting with her napkin. "But I'm also worried. He sounded so exhausted the last time we talked… and I wanted to do anything I can to encourage him."
"Well, he would certainly be encouraged with you visiting. Is it a surprise?"
The two friends, ever loyal and loving to her, helped her plan out her travel. They enrolled in the crash course with her so they could practice along with her and to help her immerse, which was very important when learning a new language.
She was sure that there weren't any adequate words which could express her eternal gratitude to them but she had tried anyway, telling them how grateful she was for the two of them.
At their winter break, it was then she flew to Paris and now… she was here.
She was now closer to him. At least, for now, she was in the same place as him.
Tohru had his schedule down pat, having him share it once to her when he was in one of his rants and when he was complaining that his professor was a strict man who never seemed to give him a break. She had comforted him then, telling him that as a talented student, he has high hopes for him and probably why he was a lot stricter when it came to him.
"This is… really an amazing school after all." She mumbled to herself, just now starting to really understand that the place she was standing on is considered a holy ground for music. At least, from what she had researched, she understood that most of the well-known classical music composers and virtuosos alike had learnt and set foot in here.
And he was going to be a part of them soon. She had faith in him.
Tohru fished for her phone in her coat pocket, dialing his number immediately when she found it. From what she knew, he is in one of his breaks now.
"Bonjour. I mean… moshi-moshi… Tohru?" She could tell that she had caught him unawares. "This is a surprise. You usually don't call at this hour. Are you done prepping for dinner already?"
She responded, telling him where she was. The stunned silence from the other end made her laugh and reassure him that she wasn't joking or pulling his leg, and she described the huge, welcoming ornate archway in front of her.
Tohru was startled when she heard what sounded like wind wooshing from the other end. She realized a second too late that he had taken off running, still clutching the phone to his ear.
"Be careful, Momiji!"
But he merely told her to stay where she was and not to move a single inch. She did, almost frozen where she stood, unable to believe herself that she will be seeing him a few moments from now and not just hear his voice via a phone. Phones were great yes… but nothing beats seeing each other again in person after two years.
After what felt like an eternity, she spotted the glorious shade of blond hair she would recognize anywhere, before her eyes laid on Soma Momiji himself, as he skidded to a stop at the top of a small stairwell leading to the pavement and to the archway where she stood. He had managed to avoid colliding with other students, his phone still raised to his ear.
She felt tears prick at her eyelids as she stared at him and drank in the sight of him greedily from afar. Not much had changed in him, from what she can see. He had grown taller, hair a glorious mess of blond waves, a wide smile not withholding his pleasure at seeing her.
"Tohru!"
She turned off her phone, seeing him take off to another sprint towards her. And as he swept her into his arms, she thought…
Ah, at last.
