Long-Forgotten Memories
“Emmie-Chaaan” Yuto jumped up as he saw his best friend appear in the doorway.
“Yuutooo” The 14 year old ran up the small flight of stairs and hugged the boy that awaited at the top. Quickly they hurried into Yuto’s room and began to play with the games they had practically begged heir parents for, a few minutes later they switched to the drum set that Yuto had just bought, then they sat together as Emmie played the guitar she had been learning for just the last month. The day eneded as every other day at Yuto’s ended, with the two children tired and falling asleep on each other before the television. Late at night, Emma’s mother would have to walk over and pick up her sleeping daughter.
“I'm sorry Emmie’s just always falling asleep at your place all the time.” Ms. Chase said as she gently woke her daughter.
“It’s okay really! Whenever Yuto falls asleep over there I hope its not a bother.” Mrs. Nakajima replied as she took woke her son.
It always went this way, the games, the instruments, right down to the polite complements. It was a peaceful life, one that both children hoped would never change. From the time they met in elementary school, it seemed the thread of fate had drawn them together and they spent every recess together. Throughout middle school, the pair were inseparable, always spending everyday together, even so far as to wait outside the school to walk home if one of them got detention.
Everything remained the same, until that one day. Towards the end of the year, Christmas time came around, and the two kids were happily window shopping for presents for both their parents, and each other. Excitedly they jumped as they saw instruments, clothes, games and shows in the windows of the stores.
“Emmie-Chaan.” Yuto said as the two sat outside, bundled in their coats and scarfs.
“mmm? You know… you could never pronounce the “chan” right… it always comes out with a few extra a’s doesn't it?” The girl chuckled as she replied, sipping her small hot chocolate, holding it with both hands and shivering as a cold gust blew past her.
“I think I like you…” The boy said abruptly, his eyes quickly shut in preparation for a reaction.
“E…Eh!?” Emma shook her head in confusion and pointed a single finger to herself.
“M-Me?” She repeated.
“Hai, I just… I don’t know.. I felt… that I had to tell you.” The boy said as he swung his feet absent-mindedly.
“W-Why now?”
“Because.. I uh… I’m moving…”
“What!?”
“Gomenasai!” Yuto immediately bowed and after a few moments, when he worked up the courage, he looked up.
“W-Where are you moving to?” Emma asked. Although she appeared calm, her insides were twisted into knots.
“J….Japan..”
The cup that she held in her hands fell and the contents spilled onto the grounds below.
“J..Japan?”
“Yes… my dad’s gotten a good job there…. And so we have to move…”
“B-But… Yuto….”
“I don't want to go! I want to stay here… I want to stay with you!” The boy jumped up as he stomped his foot.
“I… uh…. I have to go home..” Emmie quickly stood up and walked off, she made sure not to turn around, as she didn’t want Yuto to see the tears that were streaming down her face.
Yuto tried to run after her, but she was too fast and he could only watch as the girl he had just confessed to ran away from him.
“Emmie….” He whined as he trudged his way back to where the two sat. He slumped into the chair and pulled the scarf around him even closer. He sighed as he looked at the wrapping. Emmie had made this scarf for him, he smiled as he remembered the day that his best friend presented it to him. She was terribly proud, but terribly embarrassed at the same time. She had been worrying about a minor flaw in the knitting, and almost didn't give it to him at all. As he reminisced, Yuto held the scarf against his cheek and sighed. He spent the next hour sitting there, remembering the times he had shared… and he wondered what would become of them when he left. It terrified him, but he knew he had no power to stop it. When the realization that he was actually leaving finally reached his mind, he could feel the tears he had been trying to suppress well up.
“I don't want to leave emmie-chaan…” he whispered as he dried his tears with the scarf.
When he had finished crying, he stood up and when he turned to push in his chair, he realized that Emma had left her bag there.
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That night, Yuto snuck out of his house and walked over to Emma’s house, making sure to carry the bag that she had left. He needed to talk to her, and it was his ticket in. Gently, he knocked on the door, his courage still wavering. As the door opened, Mrs. Chase stood at there and smiled.
“Yuto! What brings you over here so late? Do your parents know?” She asked as he welcomed him in, giving him a pat on the back.
“Un! They know, I’m just here to give Emmie-Chaan back her bag.” He raised the item in his hand and proceeded to walk up the stairs. He had spent a great deal of his life so far here, he would miss it. Yuto finally reached the door and as he put his hand on the knob, he realized it wasn't the lifestyle he would miss; he would miss her. He knocked as he entered and found the girl within laying on her bed, still sniffling a little as she tried to wipe her eyes before she sat up.
“Emmie-Chaan” He whispered playfully, trying to lighten the mood.
“W-What are you doing here?” Came the reply, she was still red in the face from crying, but she forced a smile and pretended nothing was wrong.
“Kore!” Yuto jumped slightly as he presented her with her bag.
“Ahh I forgot it didn't i?” Emma nodded as she took the bag and gratefully bowed.
“Emmie-Chan….I know.. Japan is far away, but, I promise! I will keep in touch with you and come back every summer and every break!” Yuto said as he sat down on the bed.
“I.. Uh… I bought this… for you, but since… you may not be here…” Emmie said as she reached into the bag Yuto brought and took out a pair of matching rings. She grabbed Yuto’s hand and put it on and then did the same.
“It’s cool!” Yuto said as he looked at the band on his hand. It was simple, a green and silver band that intertwined around each other.
“This way…we’ll always have a connection to each other…” Emma continued.
“I know!” Yuto said as he stood up and pulled out his phone, he positioned himself next to Emma and took a picture.
“mm?” Emma watched as the boy set it as his background.
“So I can always remember what you look like.” Yuto smiled as he put the phone back in his pocket.
“Ne ne, Yuto, remember what you said...? I think… I like you too.” The words came flying out of the Emma’s mouth and as they reached Yuto’s ears, he blushed as his eyes widened. Together they talked for the next few minutes, just about anything that popped into their minds.
“Emmie… I…. We…”Yuto started but stopped as his best friend put her hands on his and shook her head.
“Tonight… may be one of the few nights that I have with you left Yuu-kun” She smiled and laid back on the bed, looking at the ceiling.
“Emmie…” Yuto felt terrible as he laid down next to her and they stared at the small stars that Emma had hung on her ceiling.
“Let’s not talk about it… for the time we have left.” She whispered as she turned to face the boy beside her. Looking into his eyes, she smiled and together they burst into laughter, happy that they had even this moment together.
Unfortunately, time was merciless in its approach and Christmas day came, the day Yuto would leave for his new home.
“Yuto Nakajima! You promised me that you’d keep in touch! You better honor it, or I’ll never forgive you!”
“I will!” The boy yelled as he walked towards the plane. As Emma waved from the terminal, she felt the tears well up in her eyes again as she was slowly ushered away and back to the car.
That night, the little girl sat alone in her room, it seemed on this day, when everyone was getting just what they wished for, she had lost all that she ever needed.
Painfully, days passed and she received her first e-mail. She skipped happily around her room as she read the small letters.
Emmie-Chan!
I finally got settled in and I met a few friends! I think you’d like them, maybe they’ll come visit you with me! I put in a picture of us so you can see! On the far right, is Arioka-Kun, we just call him Dai-Chan. He’s a pretty cool guy, very easy-going. Next to him, is Okamoto-Kun. Keito (that’s him) is going to teach me to play some guitar! We can play together when we get back! And finally, next to him, is Morimoto-Kun, I just call him Ryutaro… but I think the others just call him Ryuu-Chan… They told me about this thing called JE, and they said I should join so I’m going to go check it out! Ack! I gotta go, but I promise you I’ll write again!”
Nakajima Yuto
She smiled as she saw the pictures and laughed as she read.
“Oh so when you write it out, you spell the “chan” right.. but when you say it it still sounds like there’s too many a’s” She laughed to herself. With a few thumbtacks, she stuck the picture of the four boys to the wall behind her desk. As she gazed at the boys waving at her, flashing the peace sign she felt better and suddenly not so lonely.
Eventually, a year passed, and Yuto’s e-mails grew less and less. He had finally gotten into JE, and it seemed his schedule was rather busy. Still, Emma waited for him, eventually… his mails stopped altogether. Despite the long wait, the girl waited, hoping one day he would find the time to at least let her know that he was alive.
Late in the nights, she would wake up to the sound of her e-mail alert, dashing over to her computer, she would sigh as it would usually be spam. Countless nights of sleep were lost, but she waited still.
Eventually, as she turned 16, she matured into a beautiful teenager, and the memories of her childhood had left her. As did her memories of Yuto, she forced herself to forget everything. The ring that so devotedly clung onto her finger, suddenly lost its meaning, as she forgot what it had once meant.
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Yuto had also grown, into an idol no less. He had joined JE and within just a few years, debuted and eventually joined Hey!Say!JUMP. The boy of 16 was always busy, dodging crowds of love-crazed fans and attending photoshoots. Late at night, there were days where he thought about pulling out his laptop and writing his best friend an email, but his body would not permit it. Every night as he went home, he would collapse onto his bed, barely mustering up the strength to set his alarm.
“Emmie-Chan, gomenasai…” He would sometimes apologize, as he would turn the ring around his finger before drifting off to sleep. Eventually, the ritual itself lost its way to time, and before long, Yuto too had forgotten what the band around his finger meant.
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“Emma! Sooo are we goin on that Christmas trip to Japan or what?” Emma looked up from her book to see her best friend Haley standing over her.
“I uh… guess so, if you and Sara are going to come, it’ll be fun, just the three of us.”
“COOOL! Finally, a trip SOMEWHERE.” Haley smiled as she walked out into the hall, running to find the third in their travel plans.
“Japan huh… Something.. nah…” Emma sighed as she opened her book again and began reading, her flowing blond hair streaking down and partially covering her eye.
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“Yuuuto-Kun! Whatcha doin for Christmas break?” Yamada asked as he sat down next to his bandmate.
“I think… I’m going to go with Keito and Dai-Chan to my birthplace, Tokyo, just to stay in the hotel and probably explore it a bit. I’ve never really gone around the city since I moved back here.
“Ah… I wish I could… getting a break from JUMP, doesn't mean I have a break from the dramas….” Yamada sighed as he stood up again.
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“YAYYYYY JAPAN!” Haley and Sara skipped together as they got off the airplane and into the airport. As they laughed Emma stood behind them, smiling as she watched her two friends make fools of themselves. They got into the bus to go to the hotel they had booked in the heart of Tokyo.
“Isn’t it beautiful?!” Haley nodded as she gazed at the passing trees and the now lighted city. They arrived at the hotel in just a few minutes and quickly ran in to escape the cold night air.
“yeesh I’m surprised it isn’t snowing out there…” Emma shivered as she pulled her bags to the desk and checked in.
“Tomorrow… it’s time! Japan is ours to explore!” Sara cheered her friends as she plopped on to her bed.
“Haha, just don’t hurt yourself before then okay?” Emma nodded as she set her things down and took off her jacket.
The next morning, Emma stood up in front of her bed, feeling a bit stiff, she decided maybe a walk around the hotel would be good. She would take the time to familiarize herself with the surrounding area. Carefully, so as to not wake her friends up, she checked the temperature outside and changed. Apparently she would have to be back by noon, the temperatures now in the morning were cool, but that night they were expecting snow.
Japan was a world of sights, she smiled as she found a small street market near the hotel and wandered down it. She played with the little kids that ran back and forth through the small market and bought herself a few fruits that she liked. As she walked back, she happened to pick up a CD for sale at the electronic shop next to the hotel. HeySayJump, it said on it. For some reason, the name struck a chord with her, and she felt the need to buy it. Before she could study it further, a gust of cold wind blew against her, and she shivered, realizing it was time to go back. Her watch already said it was 2 in the afternoon. As she walked back to the front of the hotel, she stopped and gasped. Standing on the corner, dressed in simple jeans and a t-shirt, and waiting for his chance to cross, was Yuto! Emma stopped dead in her tracks as she dropped her CD player and it broke on the ground below. At that moment, Yuto turned around and their eyes met. His eyes widened in disbelief as he smiled and happily ran towards her.
“Yuto…” Emma whispered as she quickly turned away and ran into the hotel, disappearing into the elevator before Yuto could follow. She felt tears come to her eyes as everything suddenly flew back into focus. The countless nights she had waited, so desperately for something, anything, the days where she would send an e-mail only to have it go unresponded to. Emma ran into her room and quickly hopped onto the bed, burying her face into the pillows before she let out a long whimper. He had just now seen Yuto, for the first time in two years, and she resented him, and she hated that she did. A war raged within her, as she cried into the cushions, a part of her wanted to go down and hug him, to tell him she was sorry; and another wanted very much to be angry with him for not keeping his promise.
“Emmie… whats wrong?” Sara asked
“I’ll uh… go get some tissues from the store downstairs…” Haley said as she grabbed her purse and left.
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Yuto stood on the sidewalk, still stunned as he had just seen his best friend run away from him. He looked down and saw that the CD player, broken in two on the ground and carefully picked up the pieces. Right under the broken remnants was JUMP’s CD as he turned the CD over in his hand, his eyes gazed upon the ring around his finger, and the events of the years past reasserted themselves. He remembered what he had promised, and the times that he had forsaken it. He cried as he realized what he had done and dashed into the hotel.
“E-Excuse me, there was a girl, with blond hair, she came running in here, can you tell me her suit number so I can give it back?” He hurriedly asked the receptionist.
“Uh… Was she by any chance….green eyed?” Haley asked as she happened to hear the question on the way to the hotel’s store.
“Y-Yeah…! Her name is..”
“Emma” They said together.
“H-Here, can you please give this back to her? A-And can you p-please, just tell her that I’ll be waiting for her at that spot she was standing?” Yuto begged.
“U..Uh O-okay.” Haley felt a bit flustered as the boy desperately put the CD player into her hands and bowed appreciatively.
“H-hey Emmie, there was a guy downstairs, who gave me this… you dropped it again… I didn't quite catch his name…”
“Yuto.” Emma finished, drawing looks from both girls.
“His name…. is Nakajima Yuto.” She said as she took the tissues from the box and dried her eyes.
“Wait, the same Yuto that you…”
“The same one that…..”
Both girls started, and received only nods from the crying girl.
“Honey… he said that he’d be waiting for you outside, at “that spot” whatever that is.” Haley said as she patted her friend’s back.
“Maybe… you should go see him, wasn't he your best childhood friend?” Sara asked as she sat down on the bed and offered another tissue.
“I… I don't want to.” Emma said with a firm resolve.
“I’ll… go tell him then…” Haley said as she stood up to leave again, letting Sara take care of their friend.
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“S-She wont come down?” Yuto asked, his voice shaky
“No, she… says that she doesn't want to see you.”
“Oh.. god… please… I really want… I really need to see her.” The boy begged
“I cant… make her come… Why… didn't you talk to her these last two years?” Haley asked.
“I …just… it’s my fault… please… can you help me? Just.. .anything you can do…” Yuto practically got on his hands and knees.
“Can you …. Just tell her then…. That I wont leave here… until she comes down.” He said.
“I… okay.” Haley saw the look of determination in the boy’s eyes and thought it better than to dissuade him.
“Emmie, he says…. He’s going to wait for you… he’s not going to leave that spot until you go down there.”
“Then let him be…”
The two girls in the room exchanged looks of worry as they watched their friend sob into the pillow.
Hours passed, and before long, it was night time.
“Emmie… he’s been standing out there since like 2… it’s been 4 hours…. Don't you think you should at least go talk to him?”
“I..I just cant..”
“It’s really getting cold outside though…”
“I cant…. I just cant..”
“Emmie… honey… please… go talk to him. It’s he’s outside wearing only those jeans and that t-shirt. He’s going to freeze to death if you leave him there.”
“I c-“ Emma was about to shake her head when Haley suddenly interjected.
“It’s snowing!”
Her eyes widened as she looked at the time. She ran to the window and looked down to see the boy she had been waiting patiently for standing there, his arms around himself, rubbing his arms, trying to stay warm. As she watched, he reached into his bag and pulled out a familiar scarf. As soon as he wrapped it around his neck, she remembered… it was her scarf…he had kept it…”
She cried as she smiled and quickly ran out of the room and into the elevator. When she reached the lobby she ran out and called out his name.
“Yuuto!” She cried through tear-stricken gasps. She cried harder as she saw Yuto so pale from the cold night and watched him stumble over to her, his legs weak from standing for so long.
“Emmie…”
She walked up to him, and saw how badly he was shaking. She cried harder still as they hugged and she felt the boy’s cold skin touch her own.
“I’m so sorry…” They both whispered as they held each other.
She smiled as their embrace broke up and she leaned in and kissed Yuto. A feeling of warmth jumped through Yuto’s body as their lips met, and suddenly he was no longer cold.
“You idiot… don’t stand outside in the snow.” Emma laughed as she wiped away the tears in her eyes and grabbed the boy’s hand and pulled him into the hotel. When she turned around again, she held the boy’s hands between hers and rubbed them, soothing away the cold. As she looked at them, she noticed the ring around his finger, and the identical one around hers.
“I never took it off…” Yuto said as he followed her eyes.
“Yuto…”
“Emmie… I’m so sorry I never…. I’m so….. it’s all my fault. I couldn’t find the time… I was always exhausted…. I was always…” He stopped as the girl before him shook her head and smiled.
“It… it’s okay… I know that you were busy… I know that you had… friends other than me… it’s okay.” She said.
“I wanted to… really..” Yuto said as he put his now warm hands around hers and looked into her eyes.
“Un! It’s okay… I missed you… Are you okay, Are you… good?” Emma asked as she took a deep breath and her voice stopped jittering.
“I’m great… now that I’ve found you again. Emmie-Chaaan” Yuto smiled as Emma gave him a playful slap.
“I’m sure you’ve learn to say it correctly by now…”
“Maybe… but to me… you’ll always be Emmie Chaaaaaaaan” The boy opened his mouth wide as he said it.
“Well…. Maybe I did miss hearing it…” They laughed as they both stood up and walked over to the café in he bottom floor of the lobby. They each picked up a cup of hot chocolate and sat in a booth in the back.
“Do you…. Remember what I said the last night we were like this together?” Yuto asked.
“Yes…”
“I still do….I’ve never stopped lik-loving… loving you.” Yuto corrected himself.
“I… I love you too!” Emma hugged the boy and as they hugged, their eyes closed and a silent peace fell over them.
“I missed you so much….”
“I missed you too…”
As they talked, they caught up on the times lost between them. Well into the night, they chatted about everything they had wanted to tell each other from the last two years. Yuto told of his stories from JUMP, and Emma told him her stories of home, his old friends and even the little cat they used to play with as children.
As the night grew longer, Yuto yawned, and eventually, when Emma left to go to the restroom, she came back to find him peacefully sleeping against the pillows in the booth.
“You’re still cute when you sleep aren’t you?” She said to no one in particular as she leaned in and kissed Yuto on the cheek. Suddenly, his phone on the table began to ring and she quickly snatched it up to keep from waking him. She gingerly answered it
“YUTO! Where are you!? We’ve been worried sick!” A boy’s voice rang in her ear.
“Ano… Yuto… is not… he’s sleeping…” Emma wasn’t sure what to say.
“Ahem.. Um… I’m sorry about that then… um… who is this?” The boy asked
“M-My name is Emma….”
“EH! Emma!? Wait…. You couldn’t possibly be the Emma Yuto’s been talking about for the last few years… could you?”
“I…”
“YOU ARE aren’t you! I’m Ryutaro! It’s nice to finally talk to you!” The boy’s voice became cheer, and a voice in the background reminded him to ask about Yuto.
“Um… Yuto… is next to me… if you want to come get him, we’re at the hotel located in the center of Tokyo.”
“Eh!? SO ARE WE!” Ryutaro said.
“We’re in the café…”
“We’ll be right now to get him!”
The call ended and Emma looked at Yuto’s phone. As the call screen disappeared, another familiar picture greeted her eyes. There on the screen was the very same picture Yuto took two years ago. She smiled as she gently shut the phone and put it into his pocket. She sat down next to him, and put her arms around him As she leaned against him, the familiar warmth of the body next to her brought back memories of how they used to fall asleep together after watching TV.
“Mmnnh.. I… love you… Emmie-Chaan” Yuto mumbled in his sleep.
“And I love you… Yuto Nakajima…” Emma replied as she sweetly placed a kiss on his lips. With that, she closed her eyes and peacefully, she fell asleep, her head resting on Yuto’s shoulders, and her arms around his torso.
It seemed, Ryutaro never did come down to wake them up…
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Uwa! Sorry minna, this story just popped into my head... Sorry it's so long! Please let me know what you think!
~Emmie
“Yuutooo” The 14 year old ran up the small flight of stairs and hugged the boy that awaited at the top. Quickly they hurried into Yuto’s room and began to play with the games they had practically begged heir parents for, a few minutes later they switched to the drum set that Yuto had just bought, then they sat together as Emmie played the guitar she had been learning for just the last month. The day eneded as every other day at Yuto’s ended, with the two children tired and falling asleep on each other before the television. Late at night, Emma’s mother would have to walk over and pick up her sleeping daughter.
“I'm sorry Emmie’s just always falling asleep at your place all the time.” Ms. Chase said as she gently woke her daughter.
“It’s okay really! Whenever Yuto falls asleep over there I hope its not a bother.” Mrs. Nakajima replied as she took woke her son.
It always went this way, the games, the instruments, right down to the polite complements. It was a peaceful life, one that both children hoped would never change. From the time they met in elementary school, it seemed the thread of fate had drawn them together and they spent every recess together. Throughout middle school, the pair were inseparable, always spending everyday together, even so far as to wait outside the school to walk home if one of them got detention.
Everything remained the same, until that one day. Towards the end of the year, Christmas time came around, and the two kids were happily window shopping for presents for both their parents, and each other. Excitedly they jumped as they saw instruments, clothes, games and shows in the windows of the stores.
“Emmie-Chaan.” Yuto said as the two sat outside, bundled in their coats and scarfs.
“mmm? You know… you could never pronounce the “chan” right… it always comes out with a few extra a’s doesn't it?” The girl chuckled as she replied, sipping her small hot chocolate, holding it with both hands and shivering as a cold gust blew past her.
“I think I like you…” The boy said abruptly, his eyes quickly shut in preparation for a reaction.
“E…Eh!?” Emma shook her head in confusion and pointed a single finger to herself.
“M-Me?” She repeated.
“Hai, I just… I don’t know.. I felt… that I had to tell you.” The boy said as he swung his feet absent-mindedly.
“W-Why now?”
“Because.. I uh… I’m moving…”
“What!?”
“Gomenasai!” Yuto immediately bowed and after a few moments, when he worked up the courage, he looked up.
“W-Where are you moving to?” Emma asked. Although she appeared calm, her insides were twisted into knots.
“J….Japan..”
The cup that she held in her hands fell and the contents spilled onto the grounds below.
“J..Japan?”
“Yes… my dad’s gotten a good job there…. And so we have to move…”
“B-But… Yuto….”
“I don't want to go! I want to stay here… I want to stay with you!” The boy jumped up as he stomped his foot.
“I… uh…. I have to go home..” Emmie quickly stood up and walked off, she made sure not to turn around, as she didn’t want Yuto to see the tears that were streaming down her face.
Yuto tried to run after her, but she was too fast and he could only watch as the girl he had just confessed to ran away from him.
“Emmie….” He whined as he trudged his way back to where the two sat. He slumped into the chair and pulled the scarf around him even closer. He sighed as he looked at the wrapping. Emmie had made this scarf for him, he smiled as he remembered the day that his best friend presented it to him. She was terribly proud, but terribly embarrassed at the same time. She had been worrying about a minor flaw in the knitting, and almost didn't give it to him at all. As he reminisced, Yuto held the scarf against his cheek and sighed. He spent the next hour sitting there, remembering the times he had shared… and he wondered what would become of them when he left. It terrified him, but he knew he had no power to stop it. When the realization that he was actually leaving finally reached his mind, he could feel the tears he had been trying to suppress well up.
“I don't want to leave emmie-chaan…” he whispered as he dried his tears with the scarf.
When he had finished crying, he stood up and when he turned to push in his chair, he realized that Emma had left her bag there.
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That night, Yuto snuck out of his house and walked over to Emma’s house, making sure to carry the bag that she had left. He needed to talk to her, and it was his ticket in. Gently, he knocked on the door, his courage still wavering. As the door opened, Mrs. Chase stood at there and smiled.
“Yuto! What brings you over here so late? Do your parents know?” She asked as he welcomed him in, giving him a pat on the back.
“Un! They know, I’m just here to give Emmie-Chaan back her bag.” He raised the item in his hand and proceeded to walk up the stairs. He had spent a great deal of his life so far here, he would miss it. Yuto finally reached the door and as he put his hand on the knob, he realized it wasn't the lifestyle he would miss; he would miss her. He knocked as he entered and found the girl within laying on her bed, still sniffling a little as she tried to wipe her eyes before she sat up.
“Emmie-Chaan” He whispered playfully, trying to lighten the mood.
“W-What are you doing here?” Came the reply, she was still red in the face from crying, but she forced a smile and pretended nothing was wrong.
“Kore!” Yuto jumped slightly as he presented her with her bag.
“Ahh I forgot it didn't i?” Emma nodded as she took the bag and gratefully bowed.
“Emmie-Chan….I know.. Japan is far away, but, I promise! I will keep in touch with you and come back every summer and every break!” Yuto said as he sat down on the bed.
“I.. Uh… I bought this… for you, but since… you may not be here…” Emmie said as she reached into the bag Yuto brought and took out a pair of matching rings. She grabbed Yuto’s hand and put it on and then did the same.
“It’s cool!” Yuto said as he looked at the band on his hand. It was simple, a green and silver band that intertwined around each other.
“This way…we’ll always have a connection to each other…” Emma continued.
“I know!” Yuto said as he stood up and pulled out his phone, he positioned himself next to Emma and took a picture.
“mm?” Emma watched as the boy set it as his background.
“So I can always remember what you look like.” Yuto smiled as he put the phone back in his pocket.
“Ne ne, Yuto, remember what you said...? I think… I like you too.” The words came flying out of the Emma’s mouth and as they reached Yuto’s ears, he blushed as his eyes widened. Together they talked for the next few minutes, just about anything that popped into their minds.
“Emmie… I…. We…”Yuto started but stopped as his best friend put her hands on his and shook her head.
“Tonight… may be one of the few nights that I have with you left Yuu-kun” She smiled and laid back on the bed, looking at the ceiling.
“Emmie…” Yuto felt terrible as he laid down next to her and they stared at the small stars that Emma had hung on her ceiling.
“Let’s not talk about it… for the time we have left.” She whispered as she turned to face the boy beside her. Looking into his eyes, she smiled and together they burst into laughter, happy that they had even this moment together.
Unfortunately, time was merciless in its approach and Christmas day came, the day Yuto would leave for his new home.
“Yuto Nakajima! You promised me that you’d keep in touch! You better honor it, or I’ll never forgive you!”
“I will!” The boy yelled as he walked towards the plane. As Emma waved from the terminal, she felt the tears well up in her eyes again as she was slowly ushered away and back to the car.
That night, the little girl sat alone in her room, it seemed on this day, when everyone was getting just what they wished for, she had lost all that she ever needed.
Painfully, days passed and she received her first e-mail. She skipped happily around her room as she read the small letters.
Emmie-Chan!
I finally got settled in and I met a few friends! I think you’d like them, maybe they’ll come visit you with me! I put in a picture of us so you can see! On the far right, is Arioka-Kun, we just call him Dai-Chan. He’s a pretty cool guy, very easy-going. Next to him, is Okamoto-Kun. Keito (that’s him) is going to teach me to play some guitar! We can play together when we get back! And finally, next to him, is Morimoto-Kun, I just call him Ryutaro… but I think the others just call him Ryuu-Chan… They told me about this thing called JE, and they said I should join so I’m going to go check it out! Ack! I gotta go, but I promise you I’ll write again!”
Nakajima Yuto
She smiled as she saw the pictures and laughed as she read.
“Oh so when you write it out, you spell the “chan” right.. but when you say it it still sounds like there’s too many a’s” She laughed to herself. With a few thumbtacks, she stuck the picture of the four boys to the wall behind her desk. As she gazed at the boys waving at her, flashing the peace sign she felt better and suddenly not so lonely.
Eventually, a year passed, and Yuto’s e-mails grew less and less. He had finally gotten into JE, and it seemed his schedule was rather busy. Still, Emma waited for him, eventually… his mails stopped altogether. Despite the long wait, the girl waited, hoping one day he would find the time to at least let her know that he was alive.
Late in the nights, she would wake up to the sound of her e-mail alert, dashing over to her computer, she would sigh as it would usually be spam. Countless nights of sleep were lost, but she waited still.
Eventually, as she turned 16, she matured into a beautiful teenager, and the memories of her childhood had left her. As did her memories of Yuto, she forced herself to forget everything. The ring that so devotedly clung onto her finger, suddenly lost its meaning, as she forgot what it had once meant.
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Yuto had also grown, into an idol no less. He had joined JE and within just a few years, debuted and eventually joined Hey!Say!JUMP. The boy of 16 was always busy, dodging crowds of love-crazed fans and attending photoshoots. Late at night, there were days where he thought about pulling out his laptop and writing his best friend an email, but his body would not permit it. Every night as he went home, he would collapse onto his bed, barely mustering up the strength to set his alarm.
“Emmie-Chan, gomenasai…” He would sometimes apologize, as he would turn the ring around his finger before drifting off to sleep. Eventually, the ritual itself lost its way to time, and before long, Yuto too had forgotten what the band around his finger meant.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
“Emma! Sooo are we goin on that Christmas trip to Japan or what?” Emma looked up from her book to see her best friend Haley standing over her.
“I uh… guess so, if you and Sara are going to come, it’ll be fun, just the three of us.”
“COOOL! Finally, a trip SOMEWHERE.” Haley smiled as she walked out into the hall, running to find the third in their travel plans.
“Japan huh… Something.. nah…” Emma sighed as she opened her book again and began reading, her flowing blond hair streaking down and partially covering her eye.
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“Yuuuto-Kun! Whatcha doin for Christmas break?” Yamada asked as he sat down next to his bandmate.
“I think… I’m going to go with Keito and Dai-Chan to my birthplace, Tokyo, just to stay in the hotel and probably explore it a bit. I’ve never really gone around the city since I moved back here.
“Ah… I wish I could… getting a break from JUMP, doesn't mean I have a break from the dramas….” Yamada sighed as he stood up again.
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“YAYYYYY JAPAN!” Haley and Sara skipped together as they got off the airplane and into the airport. As they laughed Emma stood behind them, smiling as she watched her two friends make fools of themselves. They got into the bus to go to the hotel they had booked in the heart of Tokyo.
“Isn’t it beautiful?!” Haley nodded as she gazed at the passing trees and the now lighted city. They arrived at the hotel in just a few minutes and quickly ran in to escape the cold night air.
“yeesh I’m surprised it isn’t snowing out there…” Emma shivered as she pulled her bags to the desk and checked in.
“Tomorrow… it’s time! Japan is ours to explore!” Sara cheered her friends as she plopped on to her bed.
“Haha, just don’t hurt yourself before then okay?” Emma nodded as she set her things down and took off her jacket.
The next morning, Emma stood up in front of her bed, feeling a bit stiff, she decided maybe a walk around the hotel would be good. She would take the time to familiarize herself with the surrounding area. Carefully, so as to not wake her friends up, she checked the temperature outside and changed. Apparently she would have to be back by noon, the temperatures now in the morning were cool, but that night they were expecting snow.
Japan was a world of sights, she smiled as she found a small street market near the hotel and wandered down it. She played with the little kids that ran back and forth through the small market and bought herself a few fruits that she liked. As she walked back, she happened to pick up a CD for sale at the electronic shop next to the hotel. HeySayJump, it said on it. For some reason, the name struck a chord with her, and she felt the need to buy it. Before she could study it further, a gust of cold wind blew against her, and she shivered, realizing it was time to go back. Her watch already said it was 2 in the afternoon. As she walked back to the front of the hotel, she stopped and gasped. Standing on the corner, dressed in simple jeans and a t-shirt, and waiting for his chance to cross, was Yuto! Emma stopped dead in her tracks as she dropped her CD player and it broke on the ground below. At that moment, Yuto turned around and their eyes met. His eyes widened in disbelief as he smiled and happily ran towards her.
“Yuto…” Emma whispered as she quickly turned away and ran into the hotel, disappearing into the elevator before Yuto could follow. She felt tears come to her eyes as everything suddenly flew back into focus. The countless nights she had waited, so desperately for something, anything, the days where she would send an e-mail only to have it go unresponded to. Emma ran into her room and quickly hopped onto the bed, burying her face into the pillows before she let out a long whimper. He had just now seen Yuto, for the first time in two years, and she resented him, and she hated that she did. A war raged within her, as she cried into the cushions, a part of her wanted to go down and hug him, to tell him she was sorry; and another wanted very much to be angry with him for not keeping his promise.
“Emmie… whats wrong?” Sara asked
“I’ll uh… go get some tissues from the store downstairs…” Haley said as she grabbed her purse and left.
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Yuto stood on the sidewalk, still stunned as he had just seen his best friend run away from him. He looked down and saw that the CD player, broken in two on the ground and carefully picked up the pieces. Right under the broken remnants was JUMP’s CD as he turned the CD over in his hand, his eyes gazed upon the ring around his finger, and the events of the years past reasserted themselves. He remembered what he had promised, and the times that he had forsaken it. He cried as he realized what he had done and dashed into the hotel.
“E-Excuse me, there was a girl, with blond hair, she came running in here, can you tell me her suit number so I can give it back?” He hurriedly asked the receptionist.
“Uh… Was she by any chance….green eyed?” Haley asked as she happened to hear the question on the way to the hotel’s store.
“Y-Yeah…! Her name is..”
“Emma” They said together.
“H-Here, can you please give this back to her? A-And can you p-please, just tell her that I’ll be waiting for her at that spot she was standing?” Yuto begged.
“U..Uh O-okay.” Haley felt a bit flustered as the boy desperately put the CD player into her hands and bowed appreciatively.
“H-hey Emmie, there was a guy downstairs, who gave me this… you dropped it again… I didn't quite catch his name…”
“Yuto.” Emma finished, drawing looks from both girls.
“His name…. is Nakajima Yuto.” She said as she took the tissues from the box and dried her eyes.
“Wait, the same Yuto that you…”
“The same one that…..”
Both girls started, and received only nods from the crying girl.
“Honey… he said that he’d be waiting for you outside, at “that spot” whatever that is.” Haley said as she patted her friend’s back.
“Maybe… you should go see him, wasn't he your best childhood friend?” Sara asked as she sat down on the bed and offered another tissue.
“I… I don't want to.” Emma said with a firm resolve.
“I’ll… go tell him then…” Haley said as she stood up to leave again, letting Sara take care of their friend.
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“S-She wont come down?” Yuto asked, his voice shaky
“No, she… says that she doesn't want to see you.”
“Oh.. god… please… I really want… I really need to see her.” The boy begged
“I cant… make her come… Why… didn't you talk to her these last two years?” Haley asked.
“I …just… it’s my fault… please… can you help me? Just.. .anything you can do…” Yuto practically got on his hands and knees.
“Can you …. Just tell her then…. That I wont leave here… until she comes down.” He said.
“I… okay.” Haley saw the look of determination in the boy’s eyes and thought it better than to dissuade him.
“Emmie, he says…. He’s going to wait for you… he’s not going to leave that spot until you go down there.”
“Then let him be…”
The two girls in the room exchanged looks of worry as they watched their friend sob into the pillow.
Hours passed, and before long, it was night time.
“Emmie… he’s been standing out there since like 2… it’s been 4 hours…. Don't you think you should at least go talk to him?”
“I..I just cant..”
“It’s really getting cold outside though…”
“I cant…. I just cant..”
“Emmie… honey… please… go talk to him. It’s he’s outside wearing only those jeans and that t-shirt. He’s going to freeze to death if you leave him there.”
“I c-“ Emma was about to shake her head when Haley suddenly interjected.
“It’s snowing!”
Her eyes widened as she looked at the time. She ran to the window and looked down to see the boy she had been waiting patiently for standing there, his arms around himself, rubbing his arms, trying to stay warm. As she watched, he reached into his bag and pulled out a familiar scarf. As soon as he wrapped it around his neck, she remembered… it was her scarf…he had kept it…”
She cried as she smiled and quickly ran out of the room and into the elevator. When she reached the lobby she ran out and called out his name.
“Yuuto!” She cried through tear-stricken gasps. She cried harder as she saw Yuto so pale from the cold night and watched him stumble over to her, his legs weak from standing for so long.
“Emmie…”
She walked up to him, and saw how badly he was shaking. She cried harder still as they hugged and she felt the boy’s cold skin touch her own.
“I’m so sorry…” They both whispered as they held each other.
She smiled as their embrace broke up and she leaned in and kissed Yuto. A feeling of warmth jumped through Yuto’s body as their lips met, and suddenly he was no longer cold.
“You idiot… don’t stand outside in the snow.” Emma laughed as she wiped away the tears in her eyes and grabbed the boy’s hand and pulled him into the hotel. When she turned around again, she held the boy’s hands between hers and rubbed them, soothing away the cold. As she looked at them, she noticed the ring around his finger, and the identical one around hers.
“I never took it off…” Yuto said as he followed her eyes.
“Yuto…”
“Emmie… I’m so sorry I never…. I’m so….. it’s all my fault. I couldn’t find the time… I was always exhausted…. I was always…” He stopped as the girl before him shook her head and smiled.
“It… it’s okay… I know that you were busy… I know that you had… friends other than me… it’s okay.” She said.
“I wanted to… really..” Yuto said as he put his now warm hands around hers and looked into her eyes.
“Un! It’s okay… I missed you… Are you okay, Are you… good?” Emma asked as she took a deep breath and her voice stopped jittering.
“I’m great… now that I’ve found you again. Emmie-Chaaan” Yuto smiled as Emma gave him a playful slap.
“I’m sure you’ve learn to say it correctly by now…”
“Maybe… but to me… you’ll always be Emmie Chaaaaaaaan” The boy opened his mouth wide as he said it.
“Well…. Maybe I did miss hearing it…” They laughed as they both stood up and walked over to the café in he bottom floor of the lobby. They each picked up a cup of hot chocolate and sat in a booth in the back.
“Do you…. Remember what I said the last night we were like this together?” Yuto asked.
“Yes…”
“I still do….I’ve never stopped lik-loving… loving you.” Yuto corrected himself.
“I… I love you too!” Emma hugged the boy and as they hugged, their eyes closed and a silent peace fell over them.
“I missed you so much….”
“I missed you too…”
As they talked, they caught up on the times lost between them. Well into the night, they chatted about everything they had wanted to tell each other from the last two years. Yuto told of his stories from JUMP, and Emma told him her stories of home, his old friends and even the little cat they used to play with as children.
As the night grew longer, Yuto yawned, and eventually, when Emma left to go to the restroom, she came back to find him peacefully sleeping against the pillows in the booth.
“You’re still cute when you sleep aren’t you?” She said to no one in particular as she leaned in and kissed Yuto on the cheek. Suddenly, his phone on the table began to ring and she quickly snatched it up to keep from waking him. She gingerly answered it
“YUTO! Where are you!? We’ve been worried sick!” A boy’s voice rang in her ear.
“Ano… Yuto… is not… he’s sleeping…” Emma wasn’t sure what to say.
“Ahem.. Um… I’m sorry about that then… um… who is this?” The boy asked
“M-My name is Emma….”
“EH! Emma!? Wait…. You couldn’t possibly be the Emma Yuto’s been talking about for the last few years… could you?”
“I…”
“YOU ARE aren’t you! I’m Ryutaro! It’s nice to finally talk to you!” The boy’s voice became cheer, and a voice in the background reminded him to ask about Yuto.
“Um… Yuto… is next to me… if you want to come get him, we’re at the hotel located in the center of Tokyo.”
“Eh!? SO ARE WE!” Ryutaro said.
“We’re in the café…”
“We’ll be right now to get him!”
The call ended and Emma looked at Yuto’s phone. As the call screen disappeared, another familiar picture greeted her eyes. There on the screen was the very same picture Yuto took two years ago. She smiled as she gently shut the phone and put it into his pocket. She sat down next to him, and put her arms around him As she leaned against him, the familiar warmth of the body next to her brought back memories of how they used to fall asleep together after watching TV.
“Mmnnh.. I… love you… Emmie-Chaan” Yuto mumbled in his sleep.
“And I love you… Yuto Nakajima…” Emma replied as she sweetly placed a kiss on his lips. With that, she closed her eyes and peacefully, she fell asleep, her head resting on Yuto’s shoulders, and her arms around his torso.
It seemed, Ryutaro never did come down to wake them up…
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Uwa! Sorry minna, this story just popped into my head... Sorry it's so long! Please let me know what you think!
~Emmie