“Only came back here to renew my passport.” Sae’s voice was low, as if he were reminding himself of the reason he’d come back. Convincing himself, not just you. The two of you sat on the rocks above the waves as the sea air filled the cold silence. You could feel him pulling away even now. Out of reach. Like always.

But beneath that icy calm, he felt like the waves below. He was ready to crash and break against the shore, knowing full well that he would leave. No matter how much he loved you, no matter how tempting it was to stay in the warmth of your presence, his path was clear. He couldn’t be bound here. He couldn’t be in Japan. He wouldn’t.

He couldn’t look at you; it hurt too much. The breeze blew through his hair, exposing those teal eyes you knew so well. The same ones you’d fallen for all those years ago. But now they refused to meet yours. He sat there, almost painfully still as while the memories flooded back. The way you two used to sit here and make promises that seemed so unbreakable back then. You were younger, more innocent, and life was simpler. Before he started to hate everything here. Before he realized he loved you too deeply to stay.

Sae’s gaze locked onto the waves, counting each time they pulled back and crashed, trying to drown out every thought of you. He’d made up his mind, he’d leave, and there’d be nothing left to tie him down. He’d keep pursuing soccer and leave all of this behind.

“You should just let me go, okay?”

The words felt wrong. It felt as if he said something even he himself didn’t want.