Our Unforgiven Goodbye

Sunlight streamed softly through the curtains, painting gold streaks across the bed and grazing the faces of the sleeping couple. Luca stirred, blinking lazily as the warmth touched his skin. He was about to stretch when he noticed a gentle weight against his hand, Rin’s fingers, tangled tightly around his.

He smiled at the sight of her peaceful, sleepy face. As if sensing his gaze, Rin’s eyes fluttered open, and the instant she saw him smiling, she turned red and buried her face under the blanket.

- The heck are you smiling about? Oh no, my makeup go, go! Fly away, shoo shoo!

- Good morning to you too, Rin.

She peeked out from under the covers, her cheeks still flushed.

- We’ve really done it now, haven’t we?

Luca stared at the ceiling for a moment, deep in thought.

- Yeah…there’s no going back from this.

Rin smirked, brushing her hair aside with mock pride.

- It was cute though. You were all like, “Rin, you’re the most beautiful woman I know.”

Luca’s face turned bright red.

- Sh-shush! I’m gonna go shower. You just… I don’t know, do whatever. I’m going now. I’m gone!

- Have a nice shower, darling.

She mouthed the last word, grinning as he froze in embarrassment before bolting to the bathroom. Once he was gone, Rin sat up and wrapped her arms around her legs, her heart still fluttering as she smiled to herself.

The two took their time getting ready before heading out to explore and enjoy the rest of their vacation in Hakone. They strolled through the lively streets lined with quaint shops and beach stalls, hand in hand. They bought souvenirs, shared snacks, and let the winter breeze carry their laughter.

By nightfall, they found themselves barefoot on the beach, chasing each other under a starry sky, the sound of waves and distant fireworks blending into their joy.

A vacation that felt like it could last forever finally came to a close in the first week of January. They had arrived close but left closer, bound by something unshakable.

Back in their daily lives, Rin returned to her café while Luca resumed his university routine alongside Makoto, already deep into their second year. Everything seemed calm again, their past troubles fading into something almost unreal.

Then February arrived and with it, uncertainty.

During a lecture, Luca found himself staring blankly at his notes, debating whether to move on to his final year or take a break to work as an intern. Makoto, who’d already decided to start working, leaned over to whisper ideas.

Their quiet conversation was interrupted by Luca’s phone vibrating. It was a message from Rin.

I know you’re in class, but I need to tell you something important. I’m with Miyabi right now. It’s about the test.

His heart skipped a beat. Without a second thought, Luca shot up from his seat, startling Makoto and drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

- Luca, is something the matter? We’re in the middle of something, you know, said the lecturer.

Luca’s heartbeat thundered in his chest.

- I’m sorry, sir. I’ll finish the task later, Something important just came up.

Grabbing his things, he bolted from the room before anyone could say more.

He caught the first cab he could find and raced across town to Rin’s apartment. When the door opened, it was Miyabi who greeted him.

- You got here so fast! And oh my, you’re breathing so heavily!

I’m fine. Where’s Rin? Is she okay?!

He rushed inside, only to have Rin flick his forehead lightly.

- You worry too much, silly. See? I’m fine.

Luca exhaled deeply, finally relaxing.

- Okay… I’m calm now. So what happened? What did the test say?

Rin and Miyabi exchanged knowing smiles. Then Rin took his hand, her eyes gentle and nervous.

- Well, it seems, mister… you’re gonna be a dad.

The words hung in the air for a heartbeat and then Luca’s knees gave out. He sank to the floor, wrapping his arms around her waist, tears welling in his eyes.

- I don’t even know what to say right now. I’m happy, so freaking happy.

Rin giggled softly, patting his head.

- Me too. I’m happy too, Luca.

They soon shared the news with their friends. Makoto ditched his class just to run over and congratulate them in person.

- Luca! You’re gonna be a dad before me? What the heck, man?! Congrats but what the heck?! Ahh, my little depressed boy has grown up! I’m so proud, I’m crying!

Miyabi and Rin burst into laughter as Luca tried to hide his face. Later, his online friends called one after another, cheering, teasing, and crying. Astra and Elena especially were in tears as they congratulated them both.

That night, when everyone left, Luca stayed with Rin to make sure she was okay. They sat together on the couch, her head resting on his shoulder.

- Say, Luca, what do we do now? We’ll have to tell Grandpa Aoki eventually. Preferably not while he’s in the café he might drop a cup or something. But…what about your parents?

Luca went quiet. The thought of home brought a strange heaviness to his chest. He pictured his father’s stern gaze, his mother’s sharp but quiet disapproval.

Rin noticed his hesitation and held his hand.

- If you don’t want to, we don’t have to. It’s just… things might get complicated later.

Luca squeezed her hand gently.

- It’s okay. Honestly, I don’t hate them. It’s just… home feels suffocating sometimes. They always wanted the perfect first son, top grades, a safe job, the ideal life. But now, with a kid on the way already… yeah, I’m scared of telling them.

He smiled faintly.

- But this time, I’ll face them. No matter what. You and this kid I’m proud of you both. And I’d do it all again, no matter what it costs.

- Then let’s face them together, silly.

Their hands intertwined, a silent promise forming between them.

The next day, they told Grandpa Aoki. He tried to act composed, but the joy in his eyes betrayed him. The very next morning, he celebrated in the café, customers cheering, bells ringing, and laughter echoing as Luca and Rin blushed through the attention.

- Luca, this girl here can be a handful, you know, Grandpa Aoki said, chuckling. When I took her in after her parents passed, she’d get into fights all the time but always to protect someone. She’s got one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever seen. So all I ask is that you love her, support her, and cherish her with everything you have.

- Grandpa Aoki, you have my word. For her, I’d give anything a hundred times over.

Cheers erupted around them, and Rin, red-faced, could only smile through her embarrassment.

And then the big day came in the peaceful month of March.

They set off by train to Luca’s countryside home. The ride felt endless. Anxiety weighed heavy in Luca’s chest, uncertainty, second-guessing, fear. But Rin’s hand in his steadied him. When they finally arrived, he rang the doorbell.

The door burst open to reveal two small children, his younger siblings who immediately threw themselves at him.

- Haha, hey you two! It’s been a while. Hopefully, you haven’t caused too much trouble.

They grinned up at him, shouting in unison,

- Welcome home, big brother!

Their mother soon appeared, her gentle smile warming the air.

- Welcome home, dear. It seems you’ve been well.

Her eyes landed on Rin.

- Oh, and who’s this lovely young lady? Come in, both of you. Kids, give your brother and his girlfriend some space, alright?

Inside, the house smelled like home faintly nostalgic, slightly suffocating.

- Say, Mom, where’s Dad?

- Still at the office. He should be home soon. Sit tight, I’ll finish dinner. You too, dear what was your name again?

- It’s Rin. A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.

Dinner came, and with-it tension. Luca’s father arrived just as they began eating.

- Good evening, Dad. This is my girlfriend, Rin.

- Good evening, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

His father smiled politely and shook her hand.

- Thank you for looking after my son, Rin. The pleasure’s mine.

But as the meal went on, that warmth faded.

- So then, what’s this all about? You wanted to tell us something, right?

- Yes. I wanted to update you both. I changed courses I wasn’t happy with the old one, so

- I thought you liked that course, his father cut in. You and Alice were so passionate about it. Speaking of her what happened to Alice? She was your girlfriend, wasn’t she? Don’t tell me you messed up again.

- Alice and I broke up. We weren’t good for each other. That’s all.

- She was such a nice girl, though. You two were inseparable. I wasn’t a fan of dating young, but she convinced me otherwise. I thought you’d be perfect together if you just stuck it out

- YEAH, WELL WE WEREN’T! And what does Alice have to do with this?! Rin’s my girlfriend now!

- Watch your tone, his mother scolded sharply. Don’t raise your voice at your father.

- It’s fine, his father said. He’s still a child. But no offense, young lady I don’t even know you. How can I be confident in you two? He’s been slacking off lately. Switching from a solid major to graphic design the job market isn’t a joke, you know. Maybe reach out to Alice again. She was smart so she could help you.

The air turned heavy. Rin’s expression hardened.

- That’s enough, she said firmly. Forgive me for speaking out of place, but why would you say such things to your own son? You haven’t seen how hard he’s worked, how much he’s suffered because of that same Alice you’re praising. In our café, he works tirelessly studying and improving himself every day. And yet, his own parents can’t see that?

His father’s eyes narrowed.

- Who are you to lecture us? You work in a café and think you understand responsibility? Maybe you should dream a little bigger instead of wasting time in some shop.

- That’s enough!

Luca stood, trembling with anger.

- Shut up! What the hell do you even know?! Let’s go, Rin. This was a waste of time.

- Luca, wait!

His mother reached out, but he shook his head.

- Mom, Dad… I love you both, I really do. But from now on, let’s not see each other anymore. Rin and I will raise our child on our own. I wanted to celebrate this moment with you, but clearly, that’s impossible.

As he turned to leave, he saw his little siblings standing at the top of the stairs, their faces pale from fear.

- I’m sorry, you two. Your big brother failed you this time. Goodbye.

And with that, he left hand in hand with Rin tears welling in both their eyes. The train ride home was quiet. The weight of everything pressed heavy on their hearts. Luca looked down at his phone for a long moment… then deleted both his parents’ numbers.

Outside the window, the night sky blurred past vast, cold, and full of unspoken words.