It's funny how much can change in just a few months, and yet, how little. It feels contradictory, doesn't it? But in the end, it all makes perfect sense.
Some things run so deep that they remain untouched. A strong bond with your loved ones. Or the absence of one with those who were never truly cared.
Sota wondered, deep in his thoughts. No matter what, their friendships wouldn't waver; not even through mistakes, the stress of preparation, or the fact that their relationships left them with less time to unwind together.
As for his mother… No matter how big the spectacle, no matter the manipulation or emotional blackmail, they would never be any closer.
Yet, some things do change. Like how quickly you can build a connection with a father you never had. Or how naturally you adapt to living together with the person you love.
And how easily people forget. A few months as public enemy number one, and now? No one even remembers they once hated me.
And so, here they were. A few months and a lot of hard work later, Jigsaw was on an incredible European tour.
They had already played five sold-out concerts, and the European audience seemed to love them.
Much to Kaito's credit, their latest show in Italy turned out to be the most memorable one. They had never experienced such warmth and enthusiasm before. Kaito himself thoroughly enjoyed their success, effortlessly chatting with fans and impressing them with his Italian skills at the after-party.
Aya stayed close to Kaito, her arm wrapped around him, seemingly jealous of all the fan girls swarming around him.
She had insisted on coming to the tour even while pregnant, working as a lighting technician. Officially, her reason for joining was purely professional, yet she always kept Kaito within reach. She constantly claimed she didn't need anyone, but at the same time, she never let go of him. Despite what she said, she seemed unable to be without him.
She wasn't the only one joining the band on their European tour. Yumeko was also part of the team, working as their professional photographer, and, of course, using every opportunity to spend romantic moments with Yasushi.
For Saori, it was an opportunity to travel and see the world. Despite her parents insisting she stay strictly focused on her studies, she was allowed to join the tour thanks to her good progress. In their eyes, it also served as a test for Tatsuya, to see how well he could take care of her.
That night, at the after-party, Saori appeared in a daring dress, clearly meant for his eyes. Every movement of hers was a slow-burning invitation Tatsuya felt down to his bones.
Still living under her parents' roof, their intimacy had been limited to longing glances and fleeting touches. But tonight, there was nothing holding them back.
And Saori didn't seem to be able to wait any longer. She pulled Tatsuya away from the crowd, her smile promising a far more enticing plan for the evening.
A night they had both been waiting for.
Only Sota stood alone, drifting away from the crowd, lost in thought as if he were somewhere else entirely.
Saeko was not in a situation to join them, as she had just started working at the private hospital.
Sota sent her tons of videos and pictures, and they FaceTimed whenever they could. Still, none of it was enough to fill the hole he felt without her.
They still had some gigs ahead. The next one was in four days, giving them some time to recharge, travel to England comfortably, and even do some sightseeing along the way.
Well, who cares about recharging? He sighed.
"How about a drink?" someone asked.
"How about a drink?" The question hung in the air.
Without hesitation, Saeko reached for the glass and downed it in one go. It wasn't her first shot that night.
It was a team-building party with her new workplace.
"Hey, hey, isn't that enough already?" Mr. Fujimoto took the next drink from her hand.
„I'll be back soon," she sighed and left the others with unsteady steps.
"What's wrong with her? She seems exhausted, drained, and unfocused at work. And now she's drinking like she can't bear to stay sober," Satoshi shook his head.
"Isn't it obvious?" Mr. Fujimoto snickered, "She hasn't seen her man for two weeks. She's missing him."
"I don't understand…" he scoffed. "She's not the clingy type. She's always been in control, level-headed, sensible. Back then when we were dating, there were times we didn't see each other for more than a week because she needed to study for university. She's a strong woman, not someone who falls apart just because she has to handle things alone."
"Well, I guess she finally met the right man for herself," he smiled.
"Whose friend are you?" Satoshi snorted.
"All of yours."
Satoshi left the table frustrated, and stepped outside for some fresh air. Only to find Saeko pacing back and forth on the terrace, ranting ont he phone.
"Hey, I don't know why your phone is off, but this isn't fair. I miss you, you know. It's fucking frustrating to talk to your damn voicemail."
Gosh. She is wasted. He sighed.
Sota was listening to the voicemails, frantically running down the road. There were 14 messages from Saeko.
Is she drunk?
Only the last one remained.
To his surprise, it wasn't her voice.
"Hey, it's Satoshi. Saeko got totally wasted at the company party. I don't dare leave her alone for the night, so I'll take her home and stay to make sure she's okay. Just so you know. And you better start answering her calls, you're driving her crazy."
"Fuck," he scoffed, his face serious.
A few minutes later, he stepped through the door, finding Satoshi sitting on the couch nervously.
"What the hell, man? Did you invent teleportation?" Satoshi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Where is she?" Sota cut straight to the point.
"In the bathroom. Insisted on taking care of herself alone."
Sota cocked a threatening eyebrow at him.
At that moment, Saeko staggered out of the bathroom, phone in hand, still talking.
"Sota, I swear, if you don't answer, I'll get on the next plane and…" She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she realized he was standing right there, with a smug smile on his face.
Her phone slipped from her hand.
"What are you doing here?" she muttered, stunned.
"Well, I missed you too," he smiled.
Tears welled in her eyes as she threw herself into his arms.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to surprise you, but I only made you worry," he whispered. Saeko buried her face in his neck.
"I have so much to tell you," she murmured, but before she could say more, a wave of relief washed over her. She drifted off to sleep, still clinging tightly to him.
Sota chuckled, as if expecting it. He hold her closely and carefully laid her down on the bed, breathing a kiss on her forehead.
"I guess I'm not needed anymore," Satoshi remarked.
"Don't be stupid. You are half sleeping too. I'm not letting you drive home like this. You can use the couch," Sota said.
"I don't need you to worry about me," Satoshi rolled his eyes.
"Besides, if she wakes up hungover in the morning, for the first time in her life, she might need some help. I won't be here by then."
Satoshi raised an eyebrow.
"Our next concert is in a day. I need to fly back to Europe in a few hours," Sota explained.
"You are an idiot," he scoffed.
"Why?"
"You spent a ton of money and time flying here just to give her a kiss and watch her sleep?"
"Yeah, that was the plan. Well, not you and the drunken part, but I got to see her for a bit at least. Now I can endure the next week and a half."
"I don't get it. It's not reasonable at all."
Sota chuckled. "I hope you meet a woman one day who makes you throw reason out the window."
"I'm done listening to your nonsense. I'm getting some sleep," Satoshi grumbled, heading for the couch.
Sota turned toward the kitchen, only to find it in complete chaos. His gaze landed on a stack of empty pudding cups.
"You really missed me too, didn't you?" he muttered sorrowfully.
Even though I was the one falling in love first, I shouldn't have been so sure that I was the one missing you more just because of how independent you always seem to be.
Mr. Fujimoto's words echoed in his mind from back then they met his deaf wife the first time.
"Don't you dare judge who needs the other more based on appearances. It's never that simple."
I get it now.
"I'm sorry, Saeko. I will never underestimate how much you need me too," he whispered, planting a kiss on her lips.
When Saeko woke up the next morning, she sniffed the air, her hands searching the bed beside her. It was as if she could feel Sota's presence, but he was nowhere to be found.
"Was it a dream?" she murmured.
Then she heard noises. Jolting upright, she winced as a sharp pain throbbed in her head.
"Sota?" she called out groggily, stepping out of bed only to find Satoshi in the living room, half-dressed, pulling on his shirt.
„Oh, why are you here?" she asked, her tone accusatory.
Not that dissapointed face again.
"You got drunk, so I brought you home…" he began, but she was already distracted.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the kitchen; clean and perfectly organized. She stepped toward the fridge, her breath catching when she spotted a note stuck to it.
"Please, make sure to eat and sleep well from now on."
She snatched it up, pressing it to her face as if she could still catch Sota's scent on the paper.
"It wasn't just a dream," she giggled, opening the fridge.
Inside, neatly packed meals filled every shelf, each labeled with a tag. One container stood out.
"If you have a hangover, eat this."
Her cheeks flushed. "He was really here…" she whispered, overwhelmed.
Satoshi stood there, watching her.
The Saeko who was my girlfriend would've been furious with me for doing something so irrational; flying here for just a few hours. The Saeko I knew would never have clung to me like that. Never felt so lost without me.
A bitter taste filled his mouth. Why do I feel so disappointed? What was I expecting? That I still had a chance?
His mind drifted back to a few weeks ago. The day Sota had pulled up to the hospital on his motorbike to pick up Saeko.
Satoshi had scoffed at him then. "Nice ride. Fancy and all. But I'm afraid she'll realize soon enough that a car is more comfortable in the long run," he'd said, cocky and self-assured.
The message had been obvious. But Sota had only smiled. Back then, Satoshi had thought, What a fool.
But now, standing here, watching Saeko press a simple note to her chest as if it were the most precious thing in the world, he realized the truth.
I was the fool. I never had a chance, not since she met him the first place.