The irrational part of his brain was angry. Not almost. He was angry.

Only he was supposed to leave for 4 years, come back, and expect things to be unchanged. Only he had the right to pursue his dreams while you stayed anchored to this place, cheering him on from afar.

So why were you leaving? Why were you leaving your shared hometown? Why were you leaving for college shortly after he came back from Spain? Why was it your turn to follow your dreams and not sit back and cheer for his? It was a gut punch he never anticipated.

The entire time you two were at the train station, his chest ached with a bitterness so deep that Sae felt like his heart would stop. Watching you happily bounce on your tippy toes, so ready for a new start, Sae felt his world collapsing. He couldn’t do anything but watch.

Don’t go. Don’t go.

You weren’t supposed to be the one leaving. You were supposed to be his constant, the unchanging, his home. His childhood friend. The single reminder he always needed to come back home. So why the hell were you leaving?

He bit down on the inside his cheek harder as he watched you chatter away about school as you waited for the train. Your departure.

The estimated time read two minutes until the train arrived.

Two whole minutes and you’d be off. Away from home. Away from Sae. That wasn’t what you were supposed to do.

His body betrayed him anyway as he yanked you close without warning. Fiercely pulling you into his chest.

That stone cold face tight with desperation as he clutched the back of your head; maybe if he held you tighter, it would somehow keep you here.

He wished.

“Promise me you’ll call,” his voice is strained as he tightens his hold. “Don’t get into any stupid shit and…” he swallows hard, “Come home sometimes…”