Chapter 5: "Bittersweet Stars"

The soft glow of the star-shaped lights in the tent illuminated the quiet room, casting a dreamlike atmosphere. Taiga turned her head slightly, facing Ryuuji with his name on her lips, ready to share the moment with him. But when she looked over, she realized he had already fallen asleep, his chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. His mouth hung open slightly, which made her sigh with a mixture of fondness and frustration.

"Dummy," she muttered softly, reaching out to close his mouth gently. Her touch lingered, her eyes softening as a wave of sadness washed over her. "My big dummy..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, almost as if she didn't want to wake him. She gazed down at him, feeling an ache in her chest. How could I tell him anything? she wondered. He'd never understand... would he?

The question weighed heavily on her heart, but she wasn't sure of the answer. She didn't know if she could make Ryuuji understand, and that uncertainty made everything more difficult.

Her thoughts drifted, carrying her back to the last few days with her mother. When she had returned, her mother had been so happy to see her—almost too happy, in a way that felt... strange. Taiga remembered the tight hugs, the laughter, and the constant praise. Her mother had told her how proud she was, how much Taiga had grown, how she had turned into a young woman her mother could truly be proud of. For once, Taiga didn't feel like a burden, but that feeling came with a certain unease.

Her mother's happiness had almost been overwhelming. The two of them spent time together—shopping, eating at nice restaurants, laughing about old memories. Taiga had done everything she could to make her mother proud. She had smiled through the moments, even if deep down, something didn't feel right.

But the last conversation before Taiga was able to return here, to Ryuuji, replayed in her mind vividly.

Her mother had smiled warmly, her eyes shining with pride as she spoke. "You can stay there for a week, Taiga. Just one week, okay? Then you'll have to come back home. We'll get you enrolled in that expensive school, and you'll finish your last year of high school there. This is the last time you'll see your friends, so make sure you say your goodbyes and enjoy your time together."

The words had hit Taiga like a punch to the gut, but her mother had delivered them with such a proud, happy smile that Taiga hadn't been able to say anything. She had just nodded, her chest tightening with every second that passed. Her mother had made it sound so final, so certain. Like this was what was best for her—what she was supposed to want.

Now, lying in the tent next to Ryuuji, the weight of her mother's words pressed down on her. A week. That was all she had before she had to go back and leave everything behind. Her friends, this place, Ryuuji. The thought of saying goodbye, of walking away from this life, made her feel like she couldn't breathe.

Taiga lay quietly, the soft glow of the star-shaped lights above casting a gentle light on her pensive face. She felt the weight of her thoughts pulling her deeper, her mind flickering back to memories of the people she held dear.

In a low, quiet voice, she began talking to herself, as if whispering to the stars. "Minori..." Taiga's lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. The memory of Minori's boundless energy, her encouraging words, and her constant positivity made Taiga feel both warm and sad. Minori had always been there for her, a steady friend who seemed to understand her, even when Taiga didn't fully understand herself.

"Kitamura..." she whispered next, her mind wandering to the clumsy, earnest boy who had once been the object of her affection. His awkwardness, his kind heart, and how he had tried to make everyone around him happy, including her, filled her with nostalgia. He had been a good friend, even after the crush had faded.

"Ami..." Taiga muttered with a small sigh. Ami, with her cool, aloof attitude, had seemed like the opposite of Taiga in many ways. But they had shared more than Taiga ever cared to admit. Behind Ami's teasing and walls, Taiga had glimpsed someone vulnerable, someone who cared more than she let on. Ami had helped her, pushed her, in ways no one else could.

And then, as if her thoughts had naturally led her there, Taiga whispered the name that held the most weight. "Ryuuji..." 

Her mind drifted back to when they first met, back when she had thought of him as nothing more than a strange, nerdy boy. The first time they had truly talked, the way he had made her food, how he cared for her even when she acted cold and stubborn. The times they had spent together, from those early awkward moments to the times they had become inseparable, replayed in her mind. 

She remembered how he'd taken care of her when she needed it most, how he had been her constant companion in her darkest moments. From their friendship built on bickering and teasing to those moments when she realized her heart had shifted—when she realized she had fallen in love with him.

Now, her hand trembled in his grasp. Here they were, together again, and Taiga felt a deep sense of gratitude and love swell inside her. She didn't want to let go of this moment, of him. She had fought so hard, felt so many things, and now she was here, next to him. And yet... the thought of losing him, of having to say goodbye, made her chest tighten painfully.

With tears welling up in her eyes, Taiga whispered softly to herself, "Ryuuji… I don't want to leave. I missed you so much, and I love you."

Her voice cracked, the rawness of her emotions spilling out as she clutched his hand tighter, her fingers shaking. The tears came then, unbidden, streaming down her face. She buried her face in his shirt, her sobs soft but heavy with the weight of everything she felt. The fear of losing him again, the love she couldn't fully express, the overwhelming need to stay by his side.

In his sleep, Ryuuji shifted. As if sensing her pain, his arm instinctively wrapping around Taiga, pulling her closer to him. As he held her, he muttered softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's okay, Mom… everything's going to be alright."

His words were quiet, but clear enough for Taiga to hear. Her tear-filled eyes widened slightly, her breath catching in her throat. "Did he do this with his mother too?" she wondered silently, her thoughts swirling.

She didn't say a word, just let her gaze linger on Ryuuji's peaceful face. The thought of him comforting his mother like this tugged at her heart. Even in his sleep, he was so caring, so protective. The realization made her chest ache with both warmth and sadness.

Taiga's sobs began to quiet, the tears still flowing but less frantic. She stayed there, held tightly by Ryuuji as she silently cried, letting out everything she had kept inside. All the memories, all the emotions—she let them flow as the night passed in its quiet serenity.

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Meanwhile, As Minori walked home, her gaze was fixed on the sky, where stars began to appear one by one as the twilight deepened. The stars reminded her of the night she had seen Taiga and Ryuuji together again, under those same twinkling lights. A soft smile spread across her face as she thought about how they were finally on the verge of tying the knot. The anticipation of their wedding brought a bittersweet mix of emotions.

Taiga and Ryuuji, about to get married, Minori mused, her heart swelling with pride and a tinge of wistfulness. She recalled the early days of their friendship, the countless moments of laughter and tears they had shared. It felt like a lifetime ago when she and Ryuuji had shared their own special connection, one that had changed and evolved as they grew older.

It's amazing how things turn out, Minori thought, her heart warmed by the happiness of her friends. They're finally taking this big step, and they deserve it. Taiga, always so strong and determined, is about to embark on this new chapter. And Ryuuji... Her thoughts drifted to the times she had spent with him, their bond that had once been so significant in her life.

Despite the pang of nostalgia, she felt a deep sense of joy for them both. They had finally found what they had been searching for, and that happiness filled her heart. She could still remember the first season, the beginnings of their friendships, and the gradual changes that had brought them to this point. The happiness she felt for Taiga and Ryuuji was genuine and heartfelt, even if it came with a tinge of sadness for the things that had changed.

Entering her house, Minori's mood shifted slightly. The comfort of her home offered little solace from the swirling thoughts in her mind. She moved through her quiet apartment, the familiar surroundings a stark contrast to the thoughts that preoccupied her.

She noticed a letter on the coffee table, its presence seeming almost too significant. With a sigh, Minori picked it up, her heart racing slightly. The letter was from the university, and as she unfolded it, her eyes fell on the contents.

It was an acceptance letter for a sports scholarship—something she had worked so hard for, something she had dreamed of. But alongside it was a medical report detailing the severity of her injuries. The doctors were advising her to take it easy, to consider the possibility of a career change due to the cumulative damage from years of intense training. The realization hit her hard, a heavy weight settling in her chest.

Minori sank onto the couch, staring at the letter with a mixture of fear and frustration. Her dreams of a successful sports career were now shadowed by uncertainty. How could she reconcile this new reality with the expectations she had for herself?

I'm supposed to be strong, she thought, her fingers clutching the letter tightly. But this... this is more than I can handle alone.

She placed the letter back on the table, her fingers lingering over it for a moment longer. Minori leaned back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn't control. She tried to be optimistic, like always, but the reality of her situation was hard to ignore. What would she do if she couldn't continue playing sports? What would her future look like?

In the silence of her apartment, Minori closed her eyes, her mind drifting back to her friends. Despite everything, she couldn't help but feel happy for Taiga and Ryuuji. They had found something she still couldn't quite grasp—something solid, something she had let slip through her fingers.

She sat up, shaking her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips despite the turmoil inside. I'll figure it out, she thought to herself, though the uncertainty lingered in the back of her mind. I have to.