The next few days passed in a haze for Takumi, a blur of practice sessions, phone calls, and countless thoughts swirling around in his head. The decision was looming over him, and though he had yet to make up his mind fully, he knew one thing for certain: there was someone he needed to say goodbye to before anything else could happen.
Saki.
She had been there from the beginning, the steady presence in his life that had supported him, encouraged him, and believed in him when he wasn't sure he could believe in himself. But now, with the possibility of a call up to the national team.
It was late in the evening when Takumi made his way to the small café where he and Saki often met. The place was quiet, the kind of cozy café with dim lights and the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air. Takumi had suggested it, wanting a quiet place where they could talk—really talk—without distractions. He hadn't told her why, only that he needed to see her.
When Saki arrived, her familiar smile softened the tightness in his chest. She wore her usual light blue sweater and jeans, her dark hair cascading in soft waves around her shoulders. There was an ease to her presence, an effortless grace that made everything seem just a little bit better when she was around.
"Hey," she greeted him, her voice soft, yet carrying that warmth that always made Takumi's heart skip a beat.
"Hey, Saki," he replied, standing up to greet her. He pulled out her chair, and she sat down across from him, her eyes searching his face with a hint of concern.
"You look like you've got something on your mind," she said, her gaze gentle but piercing, as if she could see right through him.
Takumi chuckled, though it felt more like a nervous reflex than anything. He had thought about what he would say to her, about how he would break the news, but now that she was sitting there, looking at him with those caring eyes, words felt impossible to form.
"I—" Takumi began, but his voice faltered. He took a deep breath and steadied himself. "Saki, there's something I need to tell you."
Her brow furrowed in concern. "What is it? You're starting to worry me."
"I've been offered something," Takumi said slowly, his eyes avoiding hers for a moment as the weight of his words pressed down on him. "A call up to the national team."
Saki's expression didn't change immediately, but her eyes widened slightly, and she took a slow breath, as if bracing herself for something. She said in an excited tone. "That is great news i am so happy for you"
Takumi then took a deep breath and said "So..."
Saki didn't speak right away. She sat there in silence, her fingers tapping lightly on the rim of her coffee cup as she processed his words. Takumi watched her, feeling the seconds stretch into eternity, each one heavier than the last.
Finally, Saki spoke, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "We won't be able to see each other much again."
Takumi's chest tightened at her words. He wanted to say something, to tell her how much he loved her, how much he needed her, but the words stuck in his throat.
"Don't worry ,even if we can't see each other much ,i will be cheering for you from home" Saki said as her lips curved into a smile smile
Takumi returned the smile back and said
"It's getting late ,let us leave" as they both stood up and left the cafe.
They walked through through the street hand in hand until they got to her doorstep. They bid their goodbyes and Takumi went back to the dorm ,with the thought that
No matter where he went, she would always be a part of him.