luka :-P

────── WITH DECEMBER right around the corner, various shops and cafes began hanging up Christmas ornaments and preparing holiday discounts. A blanket of frost settled over the city, couples walking about and friends laughing amongst themselves. You were in the park under your apartment building, sat on a swing as you checked the time on your phone. The swing next to you was empty, a faded promise lingering in the air as you sighed.

He's late. Again.

Your friends have told you, countless times, "Stop waiting on him like a dog," yet you never listen. And you're fine with a little tardiness, but it's been ten whole minutes. Sure, you two have had your fair share of bad moments in this relationship, but what could he possibly be doing to make you wait so long? Getting off the swing, you adjust the scarf around your neck before shoving your hands in your pockets, ready to walk away.

Unfortunately though, lady luck decided to look down on you for just a second.

Hearing rapid footsteps, you turn around (albeit a bit too quickly), watching as Yoichi ran towards you and stopped just a few feet away; hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. You stared at him, eyes narrowed.

"S- Sorry, I had practice and.. huff.. and the others.. wanted to stay lon- longer.." He breathlessly explained, standing up straight with a long exhale. His blue eyes met yours, and he paused for a moment.

"Ten minutes."

You looked so disappointed.

"Yoichi, you're ten fucking minutes late." Your brows knitted in annoyance, "I could handle two, maybe even five minutes, but ten?" Your tongue clicks as you pull your hand out of your pocket, running it through your hair. A small frown forms on Yoichi's lips, "Look, you know how busy I am. Plus, I spend too much time with you and I don't get to spend any time with the others-" Quickly, you cut him off, "Too much time with me?" A dry laugh escapes your cold lips, staring at Yoichi in disbelief. "You don't even spend time with me anymore, Yoichi!" Your voice raised, making a few heads turn before you quieted down.

The only reason you called this date was to see if he would actually show up, since all he did was hang out with his friends and say "I just have practice." I guess he forgot you both live in the same city and roam the same streets.

You sniffed, unsure if it's because of the cold or the slight blurriness in your vision. "Why are we still doing this?" You mumbled, yet were met with silence as Yoichi looked away. A few seconds ticked by, "I don't know." He finally replied, voice low and soft.

"It's.." He begins, "It's not that I don't love you, I just.. I have bigger priorities- you know that." Yoichi tried to reason, yet his words got stuck in his throat as he watched your gaze soften.

In the past, you thought you and Yoichi were perfect. Everyone else thought so, too.

Now all you can think of is how you wish you were perfect for him.

Taking a few steps forward, you barely give Yoichi time to react as your cold fingers press against his cheeks. Gently, your lips brush against each other.

The kiss is just like your lips: cold. A second passes before he gently reciprocates and so you pull away, hesitating before letting your hands fall back down to your sides. You take a step back.

"Goodbye."

Then you turn, leaving him there, in the cold.

Children laugh and adults chat along, teenagers roam the street and pass by the park. The world moves on, and so will you.

...

Yoichi hopes you will.

'I was never gonna be the one for you.'

'So let's just kiss and, kiss and say.. goodbye.'