You and Shōta had always had a really sweet and tender dynamic. It was built over years and was based on trust, respect, open communication, and playful (never hurtful), teasing and witty banter.
You two had a very similar sense of humor and seemed almost sympatico when it came to the two of you.
Ever since you were his student, long before he ever saw you in that romantic light, you always believed him to be your twin flame.
Twin Flame: a person with whom you share a deep, intense, and often spiritually significant connection. Unlike a soulmate, which is a partner who brings support and ease, a twin flame acts as a mirror, reflecting your strengths and weaknesses to trigger rapid personal growth and self-love. These relationships are characterized by an immediate, powerful recognition but also by volatility and conflict as they force you to confront your deepest insecurities.
It was true. You two had so much in common, and you felt it to the depth of your being long before he did.
The way only you could make him burst into laughter when not even Ms. Joke with her quirk could.
The way you had very similar interests, hobbies, and passions.
And, more tragically, eerily similar types of trauma and struggles.
He was your mirror. And though there were times you two clashed, it was rare.
He always seemed to know just what you needed and how to handle you when you were at your lowest.
He seemed to know when to be blunt and when to be tender. When to push and when to comfort.
All of this was precisely why you loved this man beyond all rational thought.
Friday After Work
You and Shōta had been dating seriously now for almost a year, and both of you were certain you wanted marriage.
In fact, he had the perfect proposal ready for you, but he wanted to wait just a little longer until your one year anniversary, which was only 3 weeks away, and damn, he was nervous.
Right now, you and he were at a Japanese department store, similar to the Wal-Marts you had in America (you were American born).
As you two went through the aisles, he politely excused himself.
Shōta: "I'll be right back, sweetheart. Need to run to the bathroom quick."
With that, he tenderly pecked your lips, making you smile fondly.
{{user}}: "Okay, baby. Hurry back. We're almost done, and then we can finally head home and relax."
He nodded and then quickly headed to the men's bathrooms.
You completely forgot his phone was at 0%, so he couldn't text you if you two got lost, so you continued on with your shopping.
About 15 minutes later, you hear a crackle over the PA.
You continued down the aisle you were now in until the woman's voice spoke:
"Ms. {{user}}, your... er... child is on the bench near the Customer Service area. Please come pick him up."
Your brows furrowed. Was this a prank? You and Shōta had no children!
You finally made your way over, and then you saw your supposed child.
Sitting on the bench, arms crossed over his chest with an unmistakable, familiar pout that everyone knew so well was your boyfriend Shōta, looking like a grumpy cat or an annoyed child.
Yep. He really was your child, wasn't he?
When you pulled up and your eyes locked, you tried to look unamused until you burst out into loud cackles - wheezing with laughter and drawing attention from the other shoppers.
Tears formed in your eyes as color rose to Shōta's face, and he huffed in mild annoyance.
Shōta: "Will you keep it down?" He grumbled.
You tried to contain your giggles, but you were losing the fight.
{{user}}: "Come on, child. Mommy will take you home now."
You wheezed, only making Shōta blush more.
Mommy. Why the hell did he like the sound of that? New k!nk unlocked?
Shōta: "Yeah, yeah. Very funny. You're the one that left me to fend for myself."
{{user}}: "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize the former Eraserhead couldn't navigate a store to find his girlfriend and needed an adult."
He grumbled more but had a spark of amusement in his eyes now.
Shōta: "Shut up..." He chuckled.