10 years ago


    It was another day at the big playground that my personal maid would bring me to.


    It was boring because no one wanted to play with me. I didn’t do anything bad to them. Why is she still bringing me here?


    Suddenly, I saw a girl with blonde hair and pigtails. She was also with an old woman who’s probably her personal maid and a tall man in a suit. She looked happy and went up to the other kids, but they were all scared of her, like how they act around me. My personal maid looked smiling at me and said, “Why not play with Prime Minister Furukawa’s daughter, Chi-sama?” She then brought me towards them.


    “Chi-sama, over hear wants to play with the young lady.”


    The girl jumped in happiness. “Let’s play! My name is Fuyuki, Chi-chan!”


    I looked at her and responded. “Uhh, okay”


    She then pulled me, and we ran to the slide. My mind was still processing what’s going on, and my heart beat quickly. I looked behind me, and the grownups were looking at us while smiling and talking to each other.


    The girl started coming every day, and I would always be excited when we’re going to the playground, unlike before, and we would play and stick together until one day.


    It was dark outside when my mom and dad arrived at our big house. They both went up to me and gave me a tight hug.


    “We missed you, Chi-chan," my mom said.


    “We brought you your favorite, ramen!”


    I was so happy that I hugged them even tighter. “Thank you, mom, thank you, dad!”


    My mom smiled at me and said, “It’s my pleasure, sweetheart. Seeing you this happy is what makes us happy.”


    The bodyguards placed the food on the table, and we all ate ramen. After a while, my parents looked nervous, so I asked them. “Mom, dad, why do you look nervous?”


    My dad replied. “We’re really sorry but have to move to Nagano because of some problems at the rice production in Nagano.”


    I felt sad. But I promised Fuyuki that I wouldn’t leave her… She’s also my best friend and only friend…


    I argued. “But Fuyuki lives here!”


    My mom responded this time. “We have to, or else our company will suffer the consequences.”


    I sighed. “Fine…”


    My dad said, “We’ll be leaving tomorrow. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to bring you to your favorite ramen shop right before we go to Nagano.”


    The thought of eating ramen tomorrow didn’t really make me happy because I wanted to stay here with Fuyuki…


    ???


    6 years later


    It’s been years since I left Tokyo. Fuyuki never really left my mind. She would always be there, lingering on my mind every single day.


    It was late at night, about to go to sleep, as I should, but she was there again, at the center of my thoughts.


    I wonder how she’s doing… Was she able to find a new friend? Does she have a good support system? Is she happy? Does she have a boyfriend?If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The thought of her having a boyfriend made my heart drop.


    Why am I feeling like this? She’s just the first ever friend, let alone the first and only best friend I ever had. I shouldn’t be feeling this way… Well, whatever that was, does she still remember me? I mean, we were still children at the time, but I just can’t forget about that day, the day where I left her, knowing that she’s all alone… I’m sorry, Fuyuki! I should’ve convinced my parents more! I’m sorry for hurting you! I… I… I could’ve done better! I knew about your situation and still left you… I’m such a terrible friend!


    Tears started streaming down my face.


    I’m sorry, Fuyuki… I’m so sorry… for everything that I’ve done. I hope you’re doing okay, even if I’m not there by your side. I hope that you have someone who’ll be there to cherish you and treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Before I met you, I felt pretty empty. I mean, sure, my parents loved me, but they weren’t always home early; they’d only tuck me into bed, and when I wake up, they’re already gone. I understand that they’re busy, but aside from that, the other children at the playground were intimidated at us. I would always be alone there at the corner, and that is, until you came into my life. You lighten up my dark world. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy. Those were the best moments of my life, but things don’t last forever. I just wish you the best, Fuyuki.


    That night, I didn’t get an ounce of sleep. I just stared at the ceiling all night. After several hours of crying and staring, I heard a knock on my door. I quickly pretended to be asleep. I heard the door creak and footsteps approaching. I then felt a soothing voice attempting to wake me up. It provided me with so much comfort, easing up the pain that I felt over the last several hours. That voice belonged to my mother.


    “Sweetheart, it’s time for you to wake up and get ready for school!”


    I was so tempted to give an eyeroll, but it would blow my cover. I never really had a friend here at Nagano, so school was something that I never looked forward to. I still tried to regain my composure and pretended to wake up.


    ???


    It was lunchtime at school. I sat at the faraway corner of the cafeteria, eating the bento that our personal chef made me. It didn’t take too long for me to finish eating and brought out a manga by my favorite author, Kurai-sensei. It didn’t take too long for me to hear a feminine voice calling me. I looked up to the direction of the voice and saw a meek, pink-haired girl.


    “Are you perhaps also a fan of Kurai-sensei?”


    My eyes widened in surprise.


    “Yeah, I am. Takamine-san, right?”


    She averted her gaze and responded. “Y-Yeah… You’re Takahashi-san, right?”


    I nodded.


    She then started playing with her hair and asked. “I-I-Is it okay for me to sit down?”


    “Yeah”


    She went up to me and sat at the chair right next to me.


    “So, how long have you been a fan of Kurai-sensei?”


    ”I-I’ve been a fan since her debut." Her voice trembled.


    My eyes widened in fascination. “I’ve also been a fan since she debuted. Her manga just feels so familiar and how emotional her works could get and the satisfying happy ending.”


    Her eyes gleamed in excitement. “I know! And the pacing is just perfect!”


    Lunch went by quickly, which happened for the first time in a while. Me and Takamine-san became close, and we would often talk about our mutual love for Kurai-sensei. Her presence eased the guilt of leaving Fuyuki behind and breaking my promise, but Fuyuki never left my mind. I would always wonder if she’s doing well, but unlike before, I didn’t blame myself as much.


    ???


    2 years later


    It was summer break. I was reading the latest chapter of Kurai-sensei’s works until I heard a knock on my door.


    I modulated my voice and said, “Come in!”.


    It was my personal maid, with a rare serious face, contrasting her usual cheerful expression.


    “Your parents need to talk to you.”


    My eyebrows furrowed.


    Huh? I don’t think I failed on a test or something… This is odd…


    “Well then, I’ll go there," my voice laced with skepticism.


    I went to the living room and noticed my parents averting their gaze from me. I sat down on the other end of the modern-style couch.


    My mom broke the silence and said, “We need to tell you something.”.


    I listened patiently.


    “As you know, our company has grown a lot over the years, and traveling from Nagano to Tokyo fairly often isn’t exactly the most convenient, so we decided to move back to Tokyo. We already arranged your transfer to Fuyuki’s school, if you still remember her. We’re really sorry for putting you through this again, dear, but work is equally important.”


    I gave them a gentle smile. “I understand, and I really don’t mind. Besides, I can talk to Misaki through LINE so it’s not too bad, and I’ll get to see Fuyuki too.”


    My mom’s eyes started tearing up. “We didn’t want to do this at first, but we really need to be in Tokyo most of the time. I know that you’re not exactly the best at dealing with people, and it’s hard for you to leave your best friend here in Nagano, so thanks for being understanding, dear.”


    “I know that you’re doing this for my future and that you only want what’s best for me, so there’s no reason for me to get mad.”


    My mom went up to me and hugged me tightly, and I hugged her back. My dad watched us both with his eyes filled with affection.


    ???


    I was in my room, with my heart palpitating, looking for the courage to tell Misaki that I’m moving to Tokyo.


    “Misaki, I have something to tell you.”


    To my surprise, she instantly read the message and replied.


    “I’m listening”


    I took a deep breath and told her.


    “The thing is, I’m moving back to Tokyo.”


    “WHAT”


    “Well, you’ll still talk to me through LINE, right??”


    I let out a chuckle at her response. “Of course I will; you’re my best friend, you know.”


    “Well, you have to tell me how life in Tokyo is.”


    “I will”


    I was nervous at first, but when I saw her replies, I couldn’t help but laugh at her responses.


    Thanks, Misaki, for being my first and only friend here in Nagano. We may not be able to see each other as much as we used to, but I’d still find time to talk to you. You’re the first person who ever befriended me here. And Fuyuki… It’s been a really long time since we last saw each other. I really am sorry for breaking my promise and leaving you... I really am. I hope that we can still be friends right after all that’s happened and leave the past behind. I loved you, even until now, I do. It did take me a while to realize, but I eventually did. This time, I will never leave you.