"So, that's how my story ends," Hikari said with a long sigh, his voice heavy with exhaustion, as if the weight of the memories he had held onto for so long was finally lifted.
It had been over an hour since Hikari started telling the tragic love story that had haunted his thoughts for years. Around them, the family restaurant buzzed with chatter and laughter, creating a warm but lively atmosphere. But at their table, the conversation had taken on a much deeper tone.
Yuu, sitting beside Hikari, glanced at him curiously. "Hikari, how do you feel now? Are you... still thinking about Akane?" he asked softly, his voice gentle but filled with genuine curiosity.
Hikari paused, his expression growing complicated as if Yuu's question had touched a wound that hadn't fully healed. He stirred his drink absentmindedly, staring blankly at the table.
"To be honest..." Hikari's voice lowered, almost as if he was afraid to admit it out loud. "Even now, there's still this feeling that doesn't sit right in my heart. I don't know if it's love anymore, but... whenever I think about her, it feels like something is stabbing me right in the chest."
Mirai, sitting across from them, chimed in. "Maybe it's not love anymore, Hikari. Sometimes we feel hurt not because we still love someone, but because we never got the closure we needed," she said, her tone wise despite her usual upbeat personality.
Hikari nodded slowly, trying to digest Mirai's words. "Maybe you're right," he admitted with a faint smile. "I never really got the chance to find out if I had a shot with her or not... and maybe that's why she's still on my mind."
Yuu leaned in a little, studying Hikari's face carefully. "But... do you still want to be with her? I mean, after everything that's happened?"
Hikari let out a bitter smile, his eyes drifting toward the window. "I don't know, Yuu. I'm not sure. It feels like it's too late now. She's with someone else, and all I can do is watch from the sidelines. But I realize... I can't keep living in the past."
Mirai, who had been listening intently, reached over and gave Hikari's shoulder a supportive pat. "You've got to move forward, man. Maybe it's time to stop waiting for something that's never going to happen. There's a whole world out there, and who knows? Someone better might be waiting for you."
Hikari nodded again, this time with a bit more certainty. "Yeah, you're probably right. I can't stay stuck like this. I have to move on. But... I'm going to take it one step at a time."
Yuu smiled, clearly relieved to see Hikari beginning to find his footing after being trapped in the shadow of his past. "We're here for you, Hikari. Whenever you need to talk, just let us know. Who knows? Maybe what's ahead for you is more exciting than you think."
The restaurant around them continued to hum with the sounds of life, but at their small table, it felt as though they were in a world of their own—a place where old wounds could begin to heal, and new hopes could start to grow.
"So, since I'm done with my story," Hikari sighed with a tired smile, "it's your turn now. Who wants to go next?"
In the cozy yet bustling atmosphere, the three friends exchanged glances, the weight of Hikari's story still lingering in the air. After a brief pause, Mirai shot her hand up confidently, a spark of excitement in her eyes.
"I'll go next! It's my turn to share!" she declared with enthusiasm, her voice brimming with confidence.
Hikari and Yuu turned their heads at the same time, slightly taken aback by Mirai's eagerness. Yuu grinned, crossing his arms in amusement. "Oh? This sounds like it's going to be interesting. What's your story, Mirai?"
"I guarantee you won't be bored," Mirai replied with a sly smile. Her eyes flicked toward Hikari for a moment, as if silently saying, 'Your story may be over, but mine is just beginning.'
Hikari, who had seemed drained after sharing his tale, now looked at Mirai with curiosity. "Hmm... if you're the one telling the story, it's bound to be something different. Let's hear it!"
"Alright then," Mirai said, taking a deep breath and adjusting her posture. "This is a story I've kept to myself for a long time. But now, I think it's time you two heard it. So, get ready!"
Yuu leaned forward, caught up in the anticipation. "I'm ready. Come on, Mirai, let's hear it already!"
And with that, the energy around the table shifted. What had been a casual conversation turned into the start of something new—an emotional journey they were all about to embark on together. Mirai held their attention, poised to open up a whole new chapter in their friendship.
"Uhumm, so..."