It's been a few days since he visited, and even though he said he would visit, I knew we each had our own lives. Whatever his life may be now, is important to him. I haven't been a part of it for years in this timeline.
I don't want to get in the way of him living his own life. It was enough that he came to see me twice…..I miss him though…Seeing him makes me wonder if everyone else is alright, too…
Hearing a quick tap on my front door, I got up to answer as hope soared through my heart once again. However, when I opened the door, there wasn't anything but a small envelope. Confused, I picked it up, glancing around to see who may have delivered it, as it only took me a few minutes to answer. My eyes widened at the familiar colors of blue and orange, bringing memories of what I had left behind to the front of my mind. I turned it over with shaky hands, near tears when I saw the envelope had been closed with two emoji stickers.
One smiling and the other angry.
Upon opening it, it was a very short letter that still managed to warm my soul:
Your emoji boys miss you.
I booked it out of my home, not bothering to put shoes or a jacket on as ran toward the road as fast as possible while screaming their names. "Hoya! Souya!" Living on so much private land, I began to realize they could very well be gone already. I gasped for air, wheezing their names even now, I collapsed to my knees, holding my head in my hands.
I can't do this…I can't do it anymore…I'm always alone…I'm trying to be understanding of why Mikey told me to stay away…it had to be for a reason…I know it, but….
"I miss you too."
Two shadows suddenly swept over me.
"You should be careful. You could get hurt."
"Who we gonna beat if you hurt yourself, huh, babe?"
I looked up at the faces I missed, my heart wrenched with hesitation just as much as my desire to be around them again.
They're still in his gang….they shouldn't be here…but…
Sensing my hesitation, Souya approached me carefully, bending to pick me up bridal style and walk me back to my home with a gentleness I'd missed. I tried to catch my breath, leaning against his chest as I felt fatigue work its way through my body.
Souya placed me gently on the couch before quickly pulling out a first aid kit to patch up my skinned knees, while Nahoya hung back, smile ever present. Souya was still very careful and Nahoya was still very intense. I couldn't help but watch them closely as I contemplated what I should do in this situation.
I've been hiding away for years. I didn't want to, I had to. I'm sure they have to be bitter about it…I don't blame them...
What do I even say when they ask why I left and why I didn't come back? I can't tell them I stayed away because Mikey…..
"Mikey disbanded the Tokyo Manji Gang 12 years ago." Nahoya's words hung in the air as I tried to process what he said.
As the silence did nothing but allow his words to echo in my mind, I couldn't think of what he meant.
That can't be true…
"He….What?"