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that's when i met her, kato shiho, in none other than art class the first day of high school. you, kato shiho, who were able to dismantle everything i once was sure about. illuminated the room with that bright smile of yours that always decorated your face, that matched perfectly with your eyes that shined as if you held the entire galaxy in them. i'll never forget the first time we locked gazes, i remember feeling hypnotized as the sun itself caressed my face whenever you gave me that welcoming smile in the morning before walking to class.
being by your side felt like walking on clouds, and i swore i had never been in the presence of someone so warm, so full of joy and laughter despite any situation, like that one time we had to go back home in the rain because we were too busy talking about god knows what to realize we had missed our bus. despite our drenched state, you still laughed and held my hand as we ran towards your house.
i knew it had to happen, eventually we'd have to part ways, but even after spending day after day preparing myself to say goodbye to you, i couldn't stop the tears from falling at the idea of not being able to see you walking into our class straight to your seat next to me, instantly talking about that tv show you love so much. i guess it's part of growing up, isn't it?
what i failed to realize is that my love for you had also been growing as time passed by. i'd be a fool if i hadn't fallen for your angel-like face, or your personality that somehow fits perfectly with mine, even tho you're what i'd describe as the opposite of me. but opposites attract, that's what they say after all.
and as i'm saying goodbye to you, wishing you the best in every path you take in life after graduation, i think about the way i can't leave you. even if physically we won't be together anymore, your presence will always stay by my side, like a ray of sunshine radiating my dark, cloudy days, as you did quite often when i was feeling down, silence filling the room, wrapped in my blanket. you stayed by my side, in silence as well, even without any words being said i knew you were there for me. those are the moments i treasure the most, where words weren't needed, where we communicated through heartbeats in a quiet room.
i treasure you, your existence, more than i treasure myself. you, who has walked the path of youth by my side, who waited for me patiently until i discovered that i, too, am bright and extraordinary myself.
you probably think this is weird coming from me, since i used to tease you all the time about your strong belief in soulmates, but lately i've been thinking about the red string of fate. isn't it pretty to think? that you're destined to meet someone, connected through the strong and patient string of fate? i wonder what you think about it, i often think about how you might be feeling, i know you're not someone who gives up easily, so i know you'll be fine. sometimes i just wish i could be by your side to see you on your journey, just like you did with me.
life surprises us in the most unexpected moments. with this week's chosen book to read in hand, sitting under the tree we always used to go to whenever we needed a break from everything and everyone but each other, after all these years, i got to see you again. in person, this time. you looked just as i remembered, yet prettier, brighter, and i wondered how could that be possible. my heart beat as fast as it always did whenever i was with you, felt electricity running through my veins at the sight of you walking to me. after all these years, i was by your side again, the place i felt i belonged to.
you sat down next to me, and as if no time had passed by, we didn't say a word. we knew what we felt, we knew what we were here for. all this time, we didn't get to talk that much, college getting in both of our ways, yet somehow, as if time had frozen just for us, it felt like nothing had ever changed, your eyes as shiny as always, your hand on top of mine as warm as i remembered. and only two words were enough to answer all the questions i had always asked myself.
"i'm back", you said, followed by the biggest smile i had seen from you since we met. i knew what it meant, i was back too. cause the answer to all my questions were positive. soulmates do exist, and the red string of fate that connects us was stronger than time and space.
i knew what it meant, i was back too. i was home, with you, as your lips touched mine, i could finally tell you
all i had been bottling up during high school to this day. turns out your lips felt the same way as i did. you were home too.
i love you, kato shiho, i always have, and i always will.