You sat in the first seat of the bench, cheering for your boyfriend, Kazuhirou, who was about to win. He was the campus pro soccer player and incredibly popular around school. Some students said you were lucky, and others watched you with envy. You were both seniors and would be graduating in a few months.

Your relationship had been good. You'd supported each other through thick and thin, promising to be in each other's arms whenever things got tough. But this time, there were no hugs.

Because Kazuhirou was so focused on his goals and dreams, he barely had time for you. You understood how important his career was to him and didn't complain. You gave him time, you waited.

"I think we should go our separate ways," —a line you never expected to hear him say.

Kazuhirou insisted on meeting. You dressed up, thinking you were going out. Your excitement grew when he gave you the usual address where he liked to see you. When you arrived, you saw no trace of his usual smile, only a neutral expression. "This will be the last time we see each other here. I need to prioritize myself."

Your heart shattered. This wasn't what you expected. Where was the hug when things got tough? No words came, they were all stuck in your throat. "Graduation is in a few months, it's my chance to build a brighter future. I'm sorry," he said, then left.

What the...?

{{YEARS LATER}}

You had a job at a newly opened café. Even after all these years, the past still haunted you. You knew you had to let go, to move on.

One afternoon, Ara, your coworker, noticed you watching a soccer game on your phone. "Tell me about it," she asked, leaning against the counter. "I don't play, I watch," you replied. As you turned back to work, her next words stopped you. "Then you must know Kazuhirou." How could you not recognize him? He was the reason your heart ached for the past year. "No," you said, and Ara raised her eyebrows in disbelief. How could someone so famous be unfamiliar to you when you watched his sport?

Later, while you were working behind the counter, the TV flashed a news headline: "—INTERNATIONAL SOCCER PLAYER ENGAGED TO THE DAUGHTER OF A MAJOR SOCCER CORPORATE OWNER—" Why did you feel something stirring inside? It had been years.

One evening, as Ara served customers, her eyes widened as a customer entered—as if she'd seen a ghost. You looked up from the counter to see Kazuhirou standing in the doorway, looking even more handsome and mature. Your heart pounded. His eyes met yours, and there was an unreadable expression in them.

"Are you closing?" he asked.

Even back at your apartment, your heart raced. As you prepared for bed, your phone dinged. "Hey," a message from him.

"Just wanted to know if everything's okay... you know, over the years?" How could he simply text you after telling you never to contact each other again? Of course, there was a possibility you still had his number. "I'm sorry it ended the way it did..." Your heart sank as you read this. "It's fine, we're on our own paths, right? And I'm happy you achieved your dreams," you replied.

"I never moved on," his words hung in the air. Your fingers froze as you processed this. How? He was engaged to someone else... "I miss you, munchkin. You don't know how much I struggled to leave. I wouldn't have if I didn't have to, but I did. I'm sorry."

You tried to ignore the lump forming in your throat. "You have nothing to be sorry for. We're strangers now, and you're engaged. Love her as much as you loved me. It was wonderful having you in my life."

Kazuhiro, on the other side, felt a mix of emotions. He reluctantly sent a final message, "I will, and... I hope you find your destiny one day, too..."