— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
"Luckily, I did not go on the zipline…"
"Now proven that you were a coward, Carlos."
"I'd rather be a coward and be safe at the same time, Allison!"
"What a coward~ You'll never find a girlfriend at this rate~"
"Would you two please settle down?!"
Allison and Carlos are at it again with their rivalry, their eyes clashing with one another. It really hasn't come to an end ever since the museum. Vance stood up and slammed his hands on the table, trying to stop the rivalry, but his words aren't getting through.
"Let's just eat breakfast…" Serra stopped watching them, feeling slightly tired seeing them quarrel and just ate her food. Currently, we are at the dining hall of the hotel. They offer all sorts of meals here, so that's great.
"Cherry, any way to settle things over here?" Vance looked at Cherry, feeling defeated.
"Hey, don't look at me! I had no idea it would go on for this long!" In short, she's just going to sit there and let this happen, so she was drawing a blank and couldn't think of how to break the two. Meanwhile, Lisa just can't stop laughing at the two.
"Seeing them… rival against each other like this never fails to make me laugh!" She really can't stop laughing. She's an odd one for sure.
I finished eating.
"I'll just be outside for a bit, is that okay?" I asked.
"Sure!/Sure." Everyone including Serra answered and I walked outside near the front entrance and took a breath of fresh air. Remembering the lightning from yesterday, this was quite a storm. Thankfully, the weather is calming down now and it's only just a light rainfall.
My body still hurts but not as much compared to yesterday. I just need to take it easy.
*("I'm really grateful you're here for me… And I really promise to repay your kindness one day…")*
*("And I expect even greater things from you, Mr. Alrose…")*
Remembering the words of Syrra and Lisa. I can't help but smile. I can also feel the summer breeze in the rain. It's surprisingly comforting.
During this time, I heard my phone ring. I quickly checked who it was.
A Japanese caller. I know who this is.
"Fey?" I answered her call.
"Fey-chan desu. (This is Fey.) Renn-san, how's the trip?" It's nice to hear her voice again.
"It went well, although I had a little accident with the zipline…" The accident didn't affect the trip, I still had a great time. I felt happy overall.
"Oh my… At least you are alright… Tokorode… (By the way…) I have something to tell you…" Hm? Something she has to say?
"Go on." I let her speak.
"I am going back to Japan today. It's the end of my 6-year temporary transfer." Oh… It's the end of her time here?
"I see… It was fun while it lasted, huh?" I looked down.
"Nē… (Hey…) Renn-san… I'd like to see you one last time before I go… Can you go by the Inter-State Airport at 11 am? Onegaishimasu? (Please?)" She wanted to see me?
I quickly looked at the time. It was 9:45 am.
I got time. The airport is not that far from here.
"Sure. I'll see you then." I quickly hung up and rushed to our room. I took a quick shower and got dressed in formal clothes quickly, and went to my step parents. They were surprised to see me dressed like this.
"What's the occasion, sweetie?" My stepmom asked.
"Can you drive me to the airport? I'm going to see a friend of mine there." I asked them straight.
"What time is their flight?" Stepdad asked.
"11 am- Wait, how did you know they have a flight?" I was surprised he knew.
"You don't go to the airport unless you leave or fetch someone that will arrive." He chuckled confidently with both of his hands on his waist. He has a point.
"Well, we better not waste any time then! I'll tell everyone to get ready!" Stepmom quickly went to tell everyone to prepare, while stepdad went to the van with all the bags at the back. I followed my stepdad and sat in the front seat.
"10:10 am. Hopefully we're not going to be too late." I hope so too, dad…
Everyone else quickly hopped in, with their clothes changed for the day.
"It's odd how we are already leaving so soon..." Carlos looked out the window, feeling down. It was fun while it lasted, Carlos.
We rode on our way to the airplane. But after a while, traffic began building up.
"I forgot that summer is the day where most people want to spend summer vacation abroad." Dad was in slight stress and he bumped his forehead on the steering wheel.
"That's not good..." I was also getting stressed and getting slightly impatient. If only we left earlier…
But that can't be helped, I only JUST knew about the flight today…
Things were slow until 10:35 am. Traffic was getting wide again.
"(Please… Let me make it…)" I thought as stepdad stepped on the gas as he quickly went for the Inter-State Airport.
It takes a while to get there by car, I hope no traffic is going to stop me this time…
Eventually, we made it to the airport. With the speed dad was in, we managed to get here 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
But there was a problem. Another traffic. Not due to negligence on the road,
It was because of full parking.
AND I ONLY HAVE TEN MINUTES!!
"ARGH! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!" I quickly got out of the car, frustrated.
"Renn! What are you doing?!" I turned to Allison, who leaned to the front.
"Seeing my friend." I closed the car door and quickly ran to the airport departure area.
I quickly looked around to see where Fey was. I know my time is short so I hope that I can see her before she leaves.
And running to Airport Line 3, I saw…
"Fey!"
She was surprised and turned to me, wearing her Japanese robe-like attire (Yukata) and dragging a duffel bag. I ran to her, panting for air.
"Hah… Hah… I made it…" Damn that was tiring…
"Renn… You made it… I'm happy…" I looked at her smile… She's happy to see me one last time.
"Yes… I'm here… It's sad to see you go, we never had a chance to properly hang out." I sighed and frowned. I wish I had the time to ask her out but before, but I was in a relationship.
"Daijōbu desu. (It's okay.) Seeing you in high spirits is enough for me. We don't need to hang out so much to know how close we are… And it's also my fault due to how busy I was… My time is always occupied by something or someone… It was difficult to find time to ask you out." She looked to her side, feeling disappointed as she lightly scratched the back of her neck with her fingers. So we both didn't take the chance to find time to hang out.
"... During the years that you have stayed, how will you rate your stay?" I asked her, smiling.
"Around… 3 out of 5. Though some issues happened here and there, I got to meet such wonderful people outside of Japan. And now that I'm going back, it feels like goodbye…" She looked at the sky, feeling sad.
"I wish I didn't have to say it… Even though I just did…" Fey then turned to me with her hand enclosed on her chest. I'm getting mixed feelings, my enclosed fist moved towards my heart while still forcing a smile... Now I'm having trouble accepting her departure.
"You could… Stay or… Maybe come back for a few visits…" I suggested. To lose someone important in your life… I couldn't accept it. Fey then felt devastated after hearing my suggestion.
"As much as I'd like to… I can't… My family is running a business in Japan. I'm the next CEO when I grow up. My transfer here is only temporary so that I can learn the English language and then go back." So she doesn't have any choice…
"Such a shame… With that, I guess this is where we really say goodbye. I hope you don't forget the memories you made during your stay, Fey… It has been worthwhile after all." My smile was getting less and less... At this point, I just have to accept that she'll go back home. There's nothing that can be done to make her stay.
"You too… I wish and hope nothing but the best in your life, Renn-san…" She slowly waved at me.
And I turned around, waving as I walked away from the departure line.
*("Gomen… Watashi wa nihonjin desu. (Sorry… I'm Japanese.)")*
*("Kusuguru! (Tickle!)")*
*("Hey- AAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FEY! STOP! STOP!")*
*("A happy Fey deserves happy friends! No more sad thoughts, okay? Show a smile! Egao! (Smile!)")*
The memory of when we first met… We didn't interact much after that but… She's a very interesting person… I was surprised when she tickled me the first time...
A happy Fey deserves happy friends, huh... I guess I can smile that I gained a friend...
*("Hoi Hoi! Fey-chan desu!(This is Fey!)")*
I can even remember that distinct voice of hers on the phone when called every time
My only regret…
Is not having enough memories of her to consider it a special friendship, even though I considered her someone special to me. I kept walking away, trying not to feel overwhelmed by the regret.
"Renn-san!"
I stopped and was surprised to hear her voice. I turned to her and was about to say what was up.
But the moment I was facing her, I was immediately met…
With a kiss.
On the lips.
I wasn't expecting anything special. This caught me off-guard. I was surprised and flustered to receive a kiss from her the entire time.
And after that kiss, she was sad. Unable to hold her tears, she looked at me.
"Baka… (Idiot…) I wanted to create more memories with you too! You haven't left my mind for weeks, I've been in love with you!" Not only did she have the same regret as me...
She also developed feelings for me… And in that moment, I couldn't contain my emotion. I also began crying while forcing a smile...
"You could have said so… I would have understood… I would have gone out with you… Why now when there's not much time left?" I was left in confusion and sadness… I looked away from her with my heart racing.
"It's because my time is already running out… And I don't want my parents to know that I fell in love with someone not related to the business industry… It had to be this way…" Fey now has more regrets, not being able to tell me days prior and the limitations her parents set on her… She felt heartbroken having to leave me, the friend that she had fallen in love with...
And now, I can't do anything to maintain this kind of development between us…
"Since this is how it's going to be…" I went close to her and placed my hands on her face, gently cupping her delicate cheeks.
"I wish you nothing but the best too, Fey… I hope that you'll be happy in the family business." She then hugged me, crying her heart out.
I didn't cry as much as her, but it damn hurts so much at this moment… I hugged her in return, this was going to be the last...
I didn't want to let her go, but I had no choice but to do so.
I let her go slowly.
"Goodbye, Fey."
My last words to her.
"Sayōnara... Renn-san... Iya. Renn-kun!
(Goodbye... Renn-san... No. Renn-kun!)"
And her last words to me as we wholeheartedly smile to one another, before finally…
The two of us turned and went our separate ways. She'll pursue the business environment, and I'll decide on where to go with my life from here.
This moment shall not be forgotten.
I walked outside to see that the van still hasn't been parked yet. I walked back to the front seat of the car.
"Hey, did you greet your friend?" Stepmom asked.
"Yes. She's on her plane going to Japan." I answered, taking a deep breath with a smile.
"How was it with Fey?" Syrra was curious about Fey. They all waited for my answer.
And then I started tearing up, crying once again. My smile turned into a frown as I covered my face with my hands. Unlike before, this was my breaking point from my regret.
"Renn?! Why are you-"
"Shush… Let him cry..."
"Serra… But…"
Syrra wanted to comfort me, but Serra held her back, shaking her head. I was crying my heart out, I couldn't contain my feelings about that moment.
"(She wanted to create more memories with me… So why… Why… Why didn't I…)"
This thought was all in my head during my period of crying.
"It's natural to feel that way. To see a friend go is just tragic…" I looked up from my hands and turned to Vance, who had a smile that said: "Cheer up, you made a valuable friendship."
"Yeah…" I stopped crying and wiped my tears.
"I didn't think that Fey could make this guy cry… Did something major happen?" Allison asked. I forgot everyone was curious about what happened.
"Well..." So I told them, and as they knew the full story, they all looked at each other.
"So that was the message she wanted to say to me… I didn't think it was THAT message. I'm sorry, Renn. I should have told you." Syrra looked down, fiddling her thumbs and feeling slightly regretful. So, she knew something about that. But just like me, it was too late when she knew.
"So she had feelings… I didn't think that possibility. So that's what affected you, Renn. Hey, there are plenty of fish in the sea though. Don't worry." Lisa advised, but I sighed and looked down.
"I know. It's just sad that I can't return the feeling, because of the life she has back in her country. I know I said to myself that I'll never fall in love again, but I would have given Fey a chance…" It's honestly heartbreaking…
"This may not be of help, but you're going to have to move on now. She's gone. You told us she is never coming back. Don't let your mind pursue someone who won't return to your life." Serra bluntly said.
"That's a little harsh, but she has a point. Renn, I want you to smile. Not because she is gone, but because she formed a great friendship with you." Carlos advised.
"Yeah… Thank you..." A little smile formed on my face. It's going to take a while for me to move on from the memory.
"Let's head back home." Stepdad then drove us back home.
Along the way, I saw a plane fly up to the sky. I stared at the plane for a few seconds, then smiled.
"(Safe travels, Fey. Our friendship will never be forgotten.)"
I thought as the summer trip was coming to an end. It was all worthwhile to remember, and it's a trip that I'll never forget.
My phone vibrated and I took it.
"Give yourself some time alone, you hopeless muppet... You need to recover yourself. Try to talk to me if you can't handle it. I'll try to understand and help you. :)"
Serra… I'm thankful she said those words. I smiled and I laughed a little as I read her message. Hopeless muppet... Sad to say this is the truest thing she said so far...
Moving on takes priority. It's painful, but I don't want to keep carrying this feeling in my heart.
I took several deep breaths to calm myself down. I then fell asleep in the front seat during the entire trip home.
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*4 hours later…*
"Hey, sweetie… Wake up…"
I woke up hearing my stepmom's comforting voice. The van doesn't feel in motion anymore. I was asleep, so I didn't notice.
"Are we at the mansion yet?" I got out of the car half asleep, expecting to be in the family mansion.
The moment I opened my eyes... I saw... My house?!
"Mom… This isn't the mansion…" I was shocked to be here.
"I know. Go in." I entered the house and everyone was having a good time in the living room, the dining room, and the kitchen.
"About time, sleepyhead!" I turned to Carlos, who was playing games with Allison.
"You sure were a sound sleeper, we prepared this party for you!" A party?
"Why… You all didn't need-"
"Oh, nonsense! The trip was a success and this was the best place to celebrate! I was the one who suggested your place, you'd be more comfortable in your home, right?" Syrra interrupted me. She's right. I would be more comfortable in my own home having fun.
"Thanks…" I went to the dining room.
"Hey… There's a lot of delicious food. Eat up, fragile stick." Serra tapped the seat next to hers. I got a plate, took some food and began eating. And her vocabulary of insults continues to increase to this day.
"Oh, right! Did my parents decide on what name you want to take?" I ended up forgetting that…
"They already planned to. I'm going to officially be part of your family. They are still deciding on what to name me... It will take... a very long time? I don't know." I was relieved to hear that. I'm forever thankful for my family to take her in.
"Yay! We all had fun! Right, brother?!" Cherry sounds very enthusiastic about the day as she also began eating. She asked me if we had a fun day.
"Yes, Cherry. We sure did." I patted her head, and she felt comfortable receiving them.
We eventually finished our food.
"AUGH! EVERY FUCKING TIME! HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR TEAM SO GOOD?!" Carlos seemed to have lost against Allison.
"Not your fault your swiping sensitivity is high, you can't even snipe one enemy." She chuckled at his loss. Oops, she struck a nerve once again.
"Oh, it's on! All use AK-47! No attachments! I'm the best at using it!" Carlos proposed a challenge to her. Their rivalry keeps on getting more and more intense by the minute.
"No regrets if you lose this one~ Let's begin!" They both began fighting it out in their game. Looking at them reminds me of the first time I played with Serra.
Not gonna lie, it makes me laugh.
"Remind me not to put those two close to each other next time…" Vance arrived and took mine and Cherry's plates.
"I guess I now know Allison's playful side, it's kinda cute." I side with Cherry here.
"Yes, but you don't know when the rivalry gets out of hand so… I'm heavily concerned." He began washing them.
"NOOOO!!! I LOST AGAIN?!"
Vance sighed at Carlos's loss.
"HEY, ARE YOU ALL GOING TO EAT NOW OR WHAT?!" Vance shouted.
"COMING!"
Carlos shouted back and one by one, everyone came in and ate the prepared food, continuing to have a good time.
There was even a chocolate mousse cake for dessert!
"May I have a slice?" I'm a sucker for chocolate mousse cakes.
"Sure!" Vance carried the cake to me and I wanted to take the first slice.
But the moment I was about to take the knife, someone pushed my head to the cake!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Nothing personal, Renn!"
It was Lisa. I slowly raised my head up from the cake.
"So that's how it's going to be, huh?" I grabbed some cake and approached her.
"Oh no! The cake monster! Run!" Lisa began running, and I began chasing her in the dining room.
"FOOD FIGHT!"
Everyone else, except Serra, began running around and smothering cake on one another. Today is a blast!
But then Lisa accidentally smothered Serra's face with cake. We all stopped and looked at her. Her face was shocked, her eyes are piercing with murderous intent. It was basically saying: "Did you just…"
She stood up and took the rest of the cake. We were all getting scared.
"No mercy for all of you... No hiding from me... Here I come, you insects!"
She approached every one of us and we all ran away from her to avoid her messy hands. For someone who doesn't smile, she sure can get active and make us run for the hills for our very lives!
Despite being scared right now, this is the best day of my life!
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