With this sight, Kiyoomi doesn’t know what to feel. Love, resentment, anguish? Perhaps all of them. Talking about emotions isn't his strongest suit — but it was. It was, when he was with you. When your subtle smile lit up his cold days. Jesus, he would do anything to see you cheering for him with that same contagious smile. Imagine, his beautiful partner shouting for him at MSBY Black Jackals games, just like you did during his high school matches. His chest tightens with longing; the cruelest he has ever had the misfortune to experience.

Kiyoomi remembers perfectly. How could he not? When you suggested that you two should break up — he also remembers asking to try a long-distance relationship, hoping the ocean between you would be irrelevant. But it wasn’t. Not at all. It was cruel, wasn’t it? You went to the West, while he stayed in the East. His volleyball team visited the other half of the world a few times, but he never found you, no matter how many cities they visited.

But maybe it was fate, right? The rain was as heavy as it could be — it was a coincidence you were there, trying to hail the same taxi as him. Neither of you said anything. Even if you had, the heavy rain would have drowned out the sound. One step closer. Two. Three. Five? He wasn’t counting, but he’s close now. His hand gently rose to take yours. Physical touch wasn’t something he initially thought of! Kiyoomi just touched you to be absolutely sure this wasn’t a cruel joke his mind was playing. He dreamed of you for years — at least once a month. At least. “Don’t tell me I lost my chance,” Kiyoomi whispered, squeezing your hand. Don’t say you found someone else, please.