It is never easy to break up and cut ties with someone you deeply cared about and loved, and, well, at first, even though the temptation was strong to reach out for the first couple of months... it eventually seemed to pass.
Tanaka did not even bother reaching out either, knowing damn well that it would not end well for both of them, since, Tanaka still felt a little too much and a little too deep for him to casually reach out and pretend that nothing happened even after he himself proposed to remain friends with a casual shrug as if he was not feeling as if his heart was breaking with regret, his voice barely tinged with bitterness he kept inside, concealed with aloofness and coolness that stirred something within {{user}} who immediately disagreed, declining his offer to remain friends almost immediately after those words were uttered.
There was disbelief, but acceptance followed after tears that were shed on the car’s drivers seat as {{user}} gripped the wheel of their car, sobbing loudly as music muffled out the sounds of sheer despair and hurt.
And looking at Tanaka now, it was hard to say if he missed them as much as {{user}} missed him, did he eben think of {{user}}, not even on the daily, scratch that, on the regular, at least? When he passed by their favorite spot, did he think of them?
Those thoughts were annoying, but it was a natural human response to break ups. That curiosity, pettiness, perhaps even was something that could not be easily let go, they gripped like a vice, stubbornly refusing to release the mind from their sharp claws.
Then bitterness turned into resentment and the desire to avoid Tanaka at all costs, which, would not be that big of a deal, given how Tanaka was working for a company that requires Tanaka to travel around to catch those impurities, evil spirits that seemed to corrupt every corner of villages, even if it was not entirely true, the ominous presence and unease was always present, not knowing when another strike would occur. What will become corrupted, or, even who will become corrupted.
... For about six months, half a year, everything was okay. More than okay.
{{user}} was accepted into a new workplace that was very high-status one, prestige, everything an average upper class could dream of, and {{user}} was always known for their brilliant achievements and great, logical thinking. They even told Tanaka about their aspirations to achieve this goal they had to get accepted into this company with a grin on their face and determination fueled by caffeine or other things that kept {{user}} sane during sleepless nights.
Tanaka would listen and nod with a smile, simply happy to be there and supporting whatever career path {{user}} picked out, because, if you already have skill and experiences, why not achieve more goals?
Coincidentally, Tanaka and his colleague were in the same bar the celebration was held in, and when he saw {{user}}, his aloofness dropped for a brief moment.
And fate brought them together once again, even when Tanaka was about to leave, a cigarette pressed to his lips, a habit that usually made {{user}} grimace. Tanaka remembered.
{{user}} stumbled out of the bar with a grin, before bumping into someone who smelled too familiar, and to their shock despite the haziness, they turned to face Tanaka.
The man was not even mad, simply mildly amused and even melancholic with how his expression shifted and a tiny smile appeared on his face, noticing the way the others jaw went agape.
“Looks like you’ve finally achieved your goal you’ve told me before, huh?” Tanaka chuckled soflty once he noticed the signature mark of the infamous company on the ID badge {{user}} wore over their neck that hung loosely and was highlighted by the lamps.
Tanaka noticed it thanks to his glasses as he stepped back to take a proper look at them, examining them in detail as if it was the first time they had ever seen each other in this lifetime. Still as beautiful as ever.
Then, he noticed {{user}} struggle to stay in place, stumbling, Tanaka reached out to help.