They're gone. They're gone. They're gone.

They're gone. Why are they gone!? I was supposed to confess a day before they disappear! Why did Takehiko confess now? This is wrong! This is all so wrong!

I held onto my painfully throbbing chest as I tried to blink my tears away.

"... Hey, are you alright?"

Maybe they're still not gone! I need to go. I need to go back to them.

I turned around and started to sprint back home. But a hand suddenly held me back, dragging my body towards their arms. In a blink of an eye, I was engulfed in a warm embrace.

"Takehiko?"

"I'm s-sorry. Is it too sudden?" he asked in a quiet voice. "I didn't plan to confess this fast. But someone told me that I have to hurry or else, I might not be able to have you. And that when I realized that I have to confess to you."

Someone?

"I've been trying to get your attention for months now. You've always watched me from afar so I can't help but assume that you feel the same towards me. Isn't that the case?"

Did they talk to Takehiko and convinced him to confess to me now?

"Who's this someone?" I asked, his question falling to deaf ears. Maybe it was Takehiko's friend. There's no way the two would want our time together to end this early! We still have three weeks. Three long weeks!

"Does it matter?"

I broke away from the hug, obviously frustrated. "Of course it does!" I snapped, angry tears falling from my eyes.

I was about to voice out my anger when I saw Takehiko's face crumbling into a dejected one.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to shout." I stuttered out, clutching on my head. "I-I just need to know. Please, tell me."

Takehiko released a sigh. "...To be honest, I don't really know him. I just trusted his words since your friend, Hana, told me that he was the one who saved you when you were drowning."

...Rei.

He didn't just check on Takehiko when I was sick. He talked to him. He planned this. No. They planned this. They wanted this. They wanted to leave me this early because they don't want to hurt me more than I already am.

Or maybe that's just my wishful thinking. Maybe they don't really care about me. They wanted to go back to their world so much that they plotted this behind my back. Holy shit. What a fucking enlightenment.

Whatever their reason was, they left me. And they're not coming back. And I'm so mad. And I'm so sad. I want to hate them for leaving me. For making me think that they actually care about me. 

But despite these feelings of despise, I still love them. And I will cherish what they left me. This person standing in front of me.

Takehiko looked so confused but he just stood still and let me cry.

I walked closer to him, still crying my eyes out. Maybe there's even snot dribbling down my nose. With a thud, I slammed my head on his chest and embraced him tight.

Goodbye, Shintaro.

Goodbye, Rei.

--------------------

Ten seconds before the game ends. The opponent was in lead by two points. Everyone was tense.

"Ta-ke-hi-ko! Go beat their ass up!" I screamed, holding the banner I made up high while dancing randomly.

Except me, of course.

As I shouted these words, Takehiko jumped up high and scored a three pointer. Which made me squeal. Outloud. People beside me were glaring daggers so I simply stuck a tongue out and waved my banner to their faces.

Takehiko turned to me and winked, mouthing the words 'I love you'.

Of course, I responded accordingly.

'I don't love you.'

He pouted, jutting his lower lip out which made me roll my eyes with a grin. We weren't able to do more flirting as his team members flocked towards him, giving their friend sweaty hugs as the host shouted out their victory.

Another basketball win for my boyfriend. I'm grinning like an idiot.

Look at those blonde locks. Emerald green eyes. Thin yet kissable lips. If you look further down, you'll see a hunka lunka yummy toned body.

Takehiko Akiyama. First year student in a university. 19 years old. Athlete. My boyfriend for almost a year now.

I have been infatuated to him ever since I entered high school. He's famous with the girls and all that crap so I wasn't able to approach him for so long. I used to watch him from afar, sitting three tables away from him. For short, I used to stalk him.

Due to my carelessness and fate's desire, I fell into his arms in the most majestic way possible. I wish. What really happened was that I trip over nothing and he came catching me in his arms.

Wait. Did I trip over nothing or... did someone trip me? Well, that detail doesn't really matter much.

Shrugging my shoulders upon the thought, I jumped off the viewing platform and made my way to Takehiko.

After that meeting, I made another stupid mistake by sitting in the front most bench while Takehiko was practicing basketball so a ball accidentally hit me. He took me to the infirmary then. That's where he promised to go on a date with yours truly.

And that's where we had our first date; in the amusement park.

...

Was it the amusement park? I think there's somewhere else... I mean... I remember being in a café waiting for him. And then I also remember him chasing me to a shed while it was raining. Then... he changed my stilettos to rubber shoes...

Did that happen? Why does it seem so vague?

"Klutz!" a voice called out from behind, making me jump in surprise as the assailant snaked his arms around my waist.

"Takehiko, you're sweaty!" I complained, struggling against his grip.

"My sweat smells awesome and I know you love it." He confidently answered.

Back then, I didn't know that Takehiko is so full of himself. He's also surprisingly neat and loves everything to be in order.

I grabbed both his hands, unloosened his grip, and faced him.

"Congratulations, Jerk."

He grinned, giving me a soft peck on the lips.

"You won your first ever basketball cup as a university student. How does it feel like, Mr. Akiyama?" I asked in a TV broadcaster voice.

"Why, of course, I feel happy! And what makes me happier is that my girlfriend was there to cheer for me together with her badly drawn banner."

"Jerk."

"Klutz."

We stared longingly at each other in pure affection. I wanted this scene to last for a longer while if not forever but something in the back of my head is itching to be asked. Thus, I have to break this shoujo manga moment.

"Hey, Takehiko. Where was our first date?" I asked.

His forehead creased in confusion. "Why do you suddenly ask?"

"I bet a tight hug with your sweaty body that you forgot it." I innocently rebutted.

"Deal." He answered with his handsomely mischievous grin. "Our first date was in an amusement park."

...

So that café memory was only a glitch in my memory? Must be one of my dreams when I still wasn't with Takehiko.

I should just really forget it then. It seems like a waste in memory space.

"Hmm... You're right." I answered in a defeated manner.

With that, I buried my face on his chest, hugging him tightly as I can. I don't really mind this sweat. I mean, I always put snot and tears on his shirt whenever I cry. He hugged me back, head settling on the top of my head.

"____?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Right now, I'm blissfully happy to be with my perfect boyfriend. I hope that this happiness lasts forever.

--THE END--