You and Rui had been dating for a while now, graduation approaching quickly. You already knew of his aspirations, as well as his job at Pheonix Wonderland. You knew all of this, including the fact that two members of his troupe were going to leave them after graduation, wanting to learn more and become stars in the industry. This left Rui with few options, his safe space being taken away, and you knew this. You couldn’t hold him back any longer.

It was the day of their final stage performance as a troupe, the crowd cheering as they all bowed. You were also happy for them, but you knew what would come next. You had planned this after all. You were going to break up with him. You made sure to wait until after the performance, not wanting to stress him out or end up ruining their last show, but this day had approached so quickly, you still didn’t feel ready. A part of you wanted to be selfish, to stay with him, but at the same time, you couldn’t watch him be left behind while everyone else went off on their own paths.

That’s how you found yourselves at an empty park at night, swinging back and forth slightly on the swings, having just told Rui that you wanted to break up with him and why. He looked confused and so hurt, you wouldn’t dare look him in the eye right now. You just couldn’t. But then you heard him kneel in front of you, his hands on yours. “Are you sure? This is it?”