Chapter Text
NO ONE'S POV
"Yo! L/N!" Gojo called for Y/N.
"Hey, Satoru!" Y/N happily spoke, turning around, and walking over to him.
Y/N gave Satoru a high five and they both began walking together down the sidewalk. Y/N was planning on going home to see her mom, but the moment she saw her friend. She instantly turned around and began walking the other way with Satoru.
"Here I got you a popsicle since it's getting hot," Gojo mentioned as he handed Y/N a popsicle stick.
"Thanks, did you get these from that new local ice cream shop?" Y/N asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
Satoru shook his head no and scoffed "Why would I waste my time going there? It's too far from my house."
"You're so lazy," Y/N commented, even though she was also like this as well.
"Say that about yourself again," Gojo jokingly replied.
And of course, they both laughed at the stupid inside joke. This was how it was after school, they would leave together and just talk about anything that came to mind. Everything just made sense, it was just a regular day, it felt like a small filler episode but oh well. Neither couldn't ask for more, everyone at school thought they were dating. But Satoru always mentioned that Shoko and him are the couple in question. It was mostly a joke, but Satoru likes to make it more convincing.
Satoru and Y/N continued walking together, just down by the nearest park. The same park they played at when they were in elementary school. It used to be a place where the kids would play but now it just became a hangout spot for the middle school kids. Satoru walked over to the vending machine to buy himself a drink.
"Do you want a drink in particular?" Gojo asked.
"Eh, no I don't want a drink" Y/N replied.
"So... About that whole... Divorce with your parents." Gojo started, almost regretting asking.
"What about it? That was like a year ago, why are you still concerned?" Y/N asked, crossing her arms.
Y/N leaned against the stone-cold wall, trying to cool herself as she licked on her popsicle. It was still cold but the popsicle was slowly melting away from the heat.
"Well since you and your mom are moving away to... Where was it again?" Gojo asked.
"I'm moving more North, my mother wants us to stay with our grandmother in Sapporo. In Hokkaido..." Y/N answered, her tone felt monotone when she mentioned the city she was staying in.
"So you're going away... From... Me—I mean! From our friends? Everything that has happened here? How are you going to live in such new conditions?" Satoru wondered, almost worried.
"Satoru, most of my family live up there, well... My mother's side in particular. My mother said it's for the best, she doesn't want to be near my... Dad..." Y/N mentioned.
"Plus, we have the entire summer to hang out before I go to my new school! So don't worry about me moving away from you and everyone else. It's not like I'm ditching you guys, I'll visit whenever I can." Y/N smiled softly at Satoru reassuringly.
"Is that a promise?" Gojo teased, letting out a chuckle.
"You know you can't make promises to yourself, Satoru!" Y/N nudged Gojo's shoulder laughing.
"Oh shut up—" Then Y/N's phone began ringing.
"It's my mom, hold on." Y/N walked away from Gojo to go and answer the call.
"Hello?" Y/N spoke on the phone.
"Y/N sweetie, can you please come home? We're leaving for Sapporo in like... Ten minutes, is all your stuff packed?" Y/N's mother asked.
"Oh, okay... Yeah, all of my stuff is packed. I'll be heading home now, bye mom. Love you." Y/N replied ending the call.
Gojo couldn't believe it, his own best friend was already leaving. The truth had hung itself heavy in the air, like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Y/N was leaving. Not for those overseas vacations that she always goes to, but for good. He wouldn't be able to run over to her house and knock on the door, asking her mother if Y/N could come out and play. They wouldn't pull the same pranks or schemes they did at school, or even be able to walk together since they didn't live too far.
Y/N put her phone back in her pocket and finished her popsicle stick. Turning her head to find Gojo's hands turning to fists that were shaking.
"Sapporo..." Gojo spoke, testing the word on his tongue. It felt foreign, like a distant country he could never visit. "It's so far away..."
"Yeah. New adventures, I guess." Y/N nodded, her expression unreadable.
"But... But what about everything we have been through Y/N?" Gojo blurted out. "What about all those times we had? Can't you not talk to your mom?"
Y/N's gaze softened. "Those memories will forever remain in my heart, Satoru. Don't worry, I'll come visit, I promise."
Yet this promise in Gojo's eyes felt like a complete lie, almost as if he would never be able to see Y/N again. His heart clenched, he already imagined a thousand tomorrows with Y/N. Where they can spend the rest of their days having fun and being kids without worry. However, now those tomorrows were slipping away like sand through his very own fingers.
The wind swayed by, rustling from nearby trees. Gojo closed his eyes, trying to etch this moment into the deepest part of his brain. Yet his amygdala is already experiencing all the overwhelming feelings as if all logic was shut down. The way Y/N's voice which used to sound sweet like bubblegum now wavered whenever she mentioned the divorce or leaving. Gojo wished this was all just a dream and that none of this happened. He wants her to stay here in Tokyo where it makes sense to bond and continue making great memories.
"Well, I should get going now. I'll miss you... And everyone else, Satoru." Y/N whispered.
"Miss you to L/N, miss you too..." Gojo replied, he wanted to say that he'll miss her more but didn't want to sound clingy.
Y/N nodded, there were no more words left to be said. The silence became the loudest, Gojo watched as Y/N began walking away from him. He could already feel his entire soul breaking, almost as if the light blue in his eyes had darkened. The moment Y/N took a left on the sidewalk, the world became more cadet gray. Almost as if all the bright beautiful colors were swallowed away. Which made Gojo's view of the world feel a lot emptier.
Meanwhile, Y/N was trying her best to hold back tears but she really couldn't. She knew that there was no choice by now, the court already made its decisions. So she has to go regardless of how the situation looks right now. Y/N knew that even though she was leaving Gojo, their friendship would linger on to a new reality. A bittersweet ache that remains in both of their hearts. Their chapter is coming close, but the stories will never be forgotten.
***
Y/N POV
Now playing: Cheri Cheri Lady by Modern Talking...
Cheri, Cheri lady
Goin' through a motion
Love is where you find it
Listen to your heart...
My body was leaning against the window as I looked outside with my headphones on. Seeing the city lights pass by while my mother drove on the highway, they were like fireflies flying around flower after another. It felt like I was seeing the same buildings over and over again. My eyes narrowed, I felt tired but my mind was still awake due to the past events between my parents. I can't believe it myself, this whole divorce was still fresh in my mind.
I understood why, but I just wished they could fix their issues. Guess, that wasn't registered in their heads when they were filing for divorce.
"Y/N." My mother spoke.
"Yeah?" I asked as I removed my headphones.
"You plan to respect your grandparents and everyone else at the residence, yes?" My mother asked me.
"Of course, it's not like I haven't seen them for years." I sarcastically replied, letting out a small chuckle.
"Y/N I'm being serious. Please have some respect." My mother mentioned, her tone is more serious.
I sighed knowing that I couldn't argue about that. I never had much of a good past with my mother's side of the family. I usually get snarky or rude comments because of my relation to my father. However, for the most part, it's generally just my grandparents and some of my aunts and uncles.
"I'll behave. Don't worry." I replied, crossing my arms.
"Please don't make this look difficult, I know the current situation isn't the brightest. However, we have to do what we can to move on, even if we hate to." My mother mentioned.
I nodded, agreeing with her as she turned to an exit on the highway. We finally arrived in Sapporo, it was pretty late in the evening, and the only form of lighting that bloomed within the shadows was the city lights or just some nearby lampposts.
I looked out the window and noticed a couple of raindrops. The rain fell in a relentless curtain, it blurred out the edges of the highway that my mother drove towards the city. The windshield wipers worked overtime, their rhythmic swish that punctured the silence inside the car. Streetlights that were ahead were begging like distant stars, promising refuge from the dark expanse.
I could sleep to the sound of rain, hopefully, it wasn't loud enough that I would hit my head on the glass. That wouldn't be a real sight to see... I looked over and saw a couple of bars open with drunk men walking around. A homeless couple sleeping on a bench, and finally, a couple of girls around my age walking home together. This city feels a lot more different compared to Tokyo. I can sense the eerily vibe this city shows, maybe it's just like this late at night.
I found myself tracing my fingers on the delicate chain of my emerald pendant. The one that my father gave to me on my sixth birthday. The gemstone nestled in a silver setting, verdant depths had captured the essence of my father's love. As the music in my headphones continued playing, I closed my eyes. Then suddenly, I was six years old once again. The memory floods back like a secret I never once revealed.
It was my birthday, the air smelled like freshly baked cookies and the chocolate cake I once enjoyed eating. I was sitting on a chair waiting impatiently as my mother and father walked over to me with the cookies and the cake. They all had bright smiles on their faces, just as I remembered it.
"Hey birthday girl!" My father happily spoke, smiling.
"Who's ready for some cake?" My mother asked.
"Me! Me! Me!"
I still laugh at how the moment I was given a slice of my birthday cake I was eating it right away with my bare hands. Then the moment I was done eating my slice of cake. My father came back and knelt before me, he was holding a wooden jewelry case. The case had a weird golden scroll shape lock that kept what I assumed my actual present was inside.
"Close your eyes, sweetie." My father whispered
I nodded and closed my eyes, my small hands trembling with excitement. I heard a small click and the case opening, and then I felt my neck feel a little heavy. When I opened my eyes, there it was—the emerald pendant, radiant against my (skin tone).
"Your great-grandmother wore this back when she was your age. Treat it with care, it's fragile just like your little head." My father's voice echoed.
I didn't think much about the necklace then but every time I wore it. It always made me feel protected in some way shape or form. However, the necklace always remained cool against my hand. The only tangible link to my past is with my father.
"Y/N!" My mother yelled.
I immediately jumped and dropped the necklace to the floor of the car. Quickly removing my headphones.
"Sorry..." I muttered my head still shaking a little.
My mother looked down at the necklace and just scoffed.
"Still wearing that ugly necklace that your father gave you?" My mother asked not amused.
"Got to keep some form of connection with my father," I mentioned.
"Don't tell me you've been seeing those monsters your father used to mention." My mother commented annoyed.
Not this again.
"I mean I swear he never stopped talking about how he's going to save some people from these "curses" he spoke of. His family is filled with people who suffer from schizophrenia."
Mother...
"Like who are you saving even? Delusions? Like, go to therapy! This is why I divorced your father because he was going nuts even though he kept claiming that he was okay."
Mother...
"Good thing you're nothing like your father. Seeing monsters and all that weird schizophrenia stuff..."
"MOM!" I shouted.
Out of the pure darkness of the night, the headlights revealed a car coming towards us fast. My mother slammed on the brakes, but it was too late to make safe turns. The car slammed right in front of us which led our car skidded, hydroplaning across the concrete pavement. Time slowed as I watched my mother's face get ruined by the shattered glass from the windshield.
The impact was so terrible that my mother's car flipped, rolling over and over until it came to rest on its roof. I hit my head so hard that the glass of the window broke and my head landed on a cold pole. Leaving me about to black out, I just hung there suspended in my seatbelt with blood dripping from the glass pieces that went onto my head. My vision was slightly blurry but I heard sirens wailing and the scent of gasoline and metal.
The last thing I saw before I went unconscious was my mother's face, covered in glass pieces
***
My eyes fluttered open, blinking a couple of times to adjust to the harsh fluorescent light, my body felt numb. Like a thousand tiny hammers pounded inside me. The sterile scent of disinfectant hung heavy in the air, my eyes squinted when I looked around. The room was small, the walls were a pale shade of pink. I turned my head a little and saw a heart monitor beeped rhythmically.
Small tubes snaked from my arm, leading to a bag of clear liquid that hung on a metal stand. I looked down at the IV line, wondering what they were pumping into me. I couldn't move my body since it felt like something was keeping me down. The memories began flooding back—the rain, the car crash, my mother...
A nurse appeared, her smile kind yet it looked weary.
"You're awake," the nurse spoke, adjusting the IV.
My eyes widen, feeling my throat dry. "My mom, is she okay?!" I asked completely worried.
"She's fully recovered, you've been unconscious for three days."
What?! Three days?! And how did my mother recover more quickly than I did? Guess I'll never understand it...
"Your mother and grandmother will be arriving soon." The nurse continued.
"You're lucky you're still here. It could've been much worse for yourself."
Lucky? Really? Lucky? This word echoed in my mind, it felt bitter and hollow. I tried closing my eyes to block out the pain that had changed everything. As I lay there, waiting for my mother and grandmother to show up. I began to wonder how... Wait... I... I can't... Huh? What the hell? I can't think of who I'm trying to... What?
Great, I can't think who this person is, can't even recognize their face. Oh well, I just woke up, my brain is probably still foggy so I'll just rest while I can for now. Maybe by then, I'll be able to try to think who this person is. Why am I trying to think of anyone? This worrying feeling in my chest, I'm glad my mother is okay but who is this person? Why am I so worried about someone that I don't even know?
"Y/N?" I heard my mother's voice call for me.
"Is she alright?" That's my grandmother's voice... Great...
"Not exactly." My mother replied to my grandmother. "She hit her head a bit too hard so now the doctor believes some form of brain damage happened."
"Oh? Is that so? No wonder there are bandages all over Y/N's head. Let's hope she doesn't develop some form of amnesia, and she better not forget about me." My grandmother mentioned.
To be quite honest. I wish I didn't either grandma...
"I'm sure it isn't that bad mom." My mother replied.
My mother and grandmother walked into the room that I was in. My mother had a worried look on her face as she sat down next to the bed and held my hand gently.
"Hey honey, I know things aren't looking as great as they... Seem..." My mother paused, and she sighed.
"I should've focused on the road to be quite honest. My ranting gets the best of me." My mother added letting out an awkward chuckle.
She's never a good option to talk about these certain situations. At least she's trying at most.
"But let's not talk about me. You're the one injured, not me... Well, I was but now I'm fully recovered." My mother continued.
My mother continued on her small ramble, or I thought it was just just her rambling. It just became a giant venting session about how life isn't going well for her. She also mentioned that I start at my new middle school pretty soon enough. Then she went back to complaining about her life. Thanks, Mom for talking about yourself for twenty-plus minutes. I definitely needed someone to vent to me about their issues, as if everyone didn't come to me to do that.
"I think Y/N has heard enough about your rambling. She's going to pass out because of your talking." My grandmother mentioned sarcastically.
"Oh! I didn't even realize. I'm so sorry Y/N I didn't mean to really, it just happens honestly. You know when... Life doesn't work well..."
Oh dear heavens here she goes again... I'm in for it for real. Time to block out and daydream...