A month flew by in anticipation, and the day of Ryo's visit finally arrived. Aiko spent the morning nervously preparing her apartment, making sure everything was perfect for Ryo's stay. She had planned a few activities and places to visit, eager to show him the city she was now calling home.
At the airport, Aiko stood anxiously by the arrival gate, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. When she finally spotted Ryo, her heart skipped a beat. He looked a little tired but wore a broad smile, his eyes lighting up when he saw her.
"Aiko!" Ryo called out, waving enthusiastically.
Aiko ran to him, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "Ryo, I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too, Aiko," Ryo said, holding her close. "It feels like forever."
They stood there for a moment, just enjoying each other's presence, before heading to her apartment. As they walked through the bustling streets, Aiko pointed out some of her favorite spots, sharing stories and anecdotes from her time in the city.
Once they arrived at her apartment, Aiko gave Ryo a quick tour. "It's small, but cozy," she said, showing him the living room, kitchen, and her bedroom.
"It's perfect," Ryo said, looking around appreciatively. "And it's even better now that you're here."
Over the next few days, they fell into a comfortable routine. Aiko took Ryo to her favorite cafes, parks, and local landmarks. They laughed and teased each other, just like old times. The city, which had felt so foreign and intimidating to Aiko, started to feel more like home with Ryo by her side.
One evening, after a day of exploring, they returned to the apartment and decided to cook dinner together. They settled on making a traditional Japanese meal, reminiscing about their favorite dishes and memories from home.
As they chopped vegetables and prepared the ingredients, their playful banter filled the kitchen. Ryo, ever the prankster, flicked a bit of flour at Aiko, who retaliated with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, watch it!" Aiko laughed, tossing a pinch of flour back at him.
Ryo raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "Oh, it's on now!"
They ended up in a full-fledged flour fight, both of them laughing so hard they could barely stand. By the time they called a truce, the kitchen was a mess, and they were both covered in flour.
"Okay, okay, truce!" Aiko said, still giggling. "We need to clean up and actually cook dinner."
Ryo agreed, and they quickly tidied up before finishing the meal. As they sat down to eat, Aiko looked at Ryo, her heart full.
"This is perfect," she said softly. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too," Ryo replied, reaching across the table to take her hand. "I wish I could stay longer."
They spent the rest of the evening talking about their plans and dreams for the future. The reality of their situation was bittersweet—knowing Ryo's visit was temporary, but feeling grateful for the time they had together.
On the last day of his visit, they decided to spend a quiet day at the park, enjoying the tranquility and each other's company. As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the city, Aiko leaned her head on Ryo's shoulder.
"I'll come back soon," Ryo promised. "And we'll keep making this work, no matter what."
Aiko nodded, feeling a mixture of sadness and hope. "We will. I love you, Ryo."
"I love you too, Aiko," Ryo said, wrapping his arm around her. "This is just the beginning of our journey."
As they sat together, watching the sunset, Aiko felt a sense of peace. Despite the challenges ahead, she knew their love was strong enough to overcome any obstacle.