Closing The Distance

Part I

I lay tangled in my bedsheets, while staring up into my pitch-black ceiling.

Faint, cold traces of dried tears ran down my cheeks, tightening my skin even with slightest movement.

Downstairs was dead silent.

Yet the echo of my father's words lingered in my ears.

His words.

His expressions.

Burning into my mind, along with the heavy weight of my own actions from earlier.

Bzzzztt!

Suddenly, a sharp chime slice through the heavy silence.

My phone screen flares up, casting a cold blue glow across the room.

"Hana-chan!!! I found the cutest bikini set online! We are absolutely going to the department store tomorrow! You better not oversleep!"

Next month... The beach...

A sharp ache tightens my throat.

With a heavy sigh, I turned my phone face down.

I close my eyes and let the past pull me under.

It was my very first week of school after returning to Japan.

I would often stare blankly at my desk, overwhelmed, and constantly spacing out.

Even though I was back, I couldn't seem to connect with anyone.

We all spoke the same language, but it felt entirely out of reach.

It felt so distant.

I never expected, that one day, someone would violently crash into my life.

"Hey, Hana-chan! Want to eat with us?"

A loud, unfiltered voice had snapped me out of my trance.

Around us, the classroom suddenly went quiet.

Whispers broke out, trading glances at the girl who had dared to approach my desk.

I looked up to see a young Rhea.

Her hands were planted firmly on my table, staring down with a wide, curious smile.

"Hey, Rhea, what are you-"

Behind her, one of her friends tried to intervene, but Rhea completely ignored them.

The whispers in the room grew louder.

"Hey, that's the heir of the Konoe family."

"Wow, she's actually got guts..."

The gossip buzzed in every corner, all eyes fixed on the girl who had broke the silence.

But despite that she continued.

"Huh? Why do you look like the world is about to end?"

Rhea tilted her head.

"Did your cat die or something?"

The classroom was in disbelief, all sharing the same thought.

"Seriously??"

"Is she for real?"

It was the first time I encountered someone like that.

"You're completely bringing down the mood! Come on, smile a little! Let's eat together!"

Before I could even answer, her friends rushed forward, grabbing her by the arms and dragging her outside towards the cafeteria.

"Hey, wait! I wasn't finished yet! Hana-cha-!"

She was loud, pushy, and utterly relentless.

Every single day, she would find a brand-new reason to call out to me.

She completely annoys me, so we would constantly bicker, as our arguments echoes right down the hallway.

"Hey, Rhea is at it again."

"Sigh, I'm starting to feel bad for her."

Yet, no matter how much I pushed her, she kept coming back.

One afternoon, as the final bell rang, I grabbed my bag to head home.

Just as I reached the school gates, a familiar voice suddenly called out.

"Hana-chan! Let's walk together! Our houses are in the same direction anyway!"

"No thanks. I want to walk alone,"

In pure annoyance, I turned on my heel and quickened my pace.

But the rapid clack of loafers from behind proved she didn't listen.

I whipped around, thoroughly annoyed.

"Why are you following me?!"

"Because my house is this way too, dummy!"

Rhea shot back, giving me a look saying, are you stupid or something?

As I accelerated, she also hurried her pace, loudly complaining to the back of my head.

"You're so annoying! Can you just go aw-"

"Hey, this is my stop!"

Rhea interrupted, stopping at a corner, casually waving her hand as she turned down her street.

"Seriously, why are you always so downhearted? There are actually a ton of people in class who want to be friends with you, you know? Well then, see ya tomorrow, Gloomy-chan!"

Fed up with her relentless attitude, I didn't look back.

However, her words refused to leave me.

Her constant pursuit, the very thing I thought I disliked the most- kept ringing in my chest.

Looking back, I couldn't find a single real reason anymore.

Why was I working so hard to stay isolated from the class I thought?

It didn't take long before the heavy fog in my mind began to clear.

The next morning, I walked straight to Rhea's desk.

"Rhea-chan... thank you."

Dumbfounded, Rhea blinked, completely caught off guard by my sudden softness.

"Uhh... okay? Oh! Hana-chan! We're going to the mall this weekend, you're coming too, right?"

"Y-yeah,"

I answered with a small nod.

Behind us, a collective gasp rippled through the nearby desks.

"What? Konoe-san is actually coming with us?"

"Is this for real?"

It was the clumsy, loud, and chaotic beginning of our friendship.

Sitting up in my quiet, dark bedroom, the comforting memory faded, violently shifting back to a different, colder afternoon.

The heavy, blurred outline of the boy I had confessed to flashed across my mind.

His face remained entirely blank, hidden behind a cruel shroud of static.

"Ren-kun..."

I whispered, burying my face into my knees.

The raw fear of returning to that country made my stomach twist into a painful knot.

"What should I do..."

Part II

The next moment I came to, it was already morning.

The raw stress from yesterday had faded, but I couldn't bring myself to step out of bed.

"I can't face them..."

I muttered to the empty room.

A fresh wave of embarrassment washed over me as the memory at the dinner table flashed vividly in my mind.

Downstairs, Mayu-nee stood at the bottom of the staircase, her fingers tightly wringing her apron.

She looked up, her face painted with intense worry.

"Madam... Hana-ojousama is still..."

Mayu-nee whispered, her voice filled with deep concern.

Sitting at the kitchen island, my Mother took a slow, calm sip of her coffee.

"Don't worry so much, Mayu-chan. Hana-chan is a strong girl. She'll come down eventually."

Despite the reassurance, Mayu-nee couldn't sit still.

Hurrying into the kitchen, she carefully arranged breakfast on a tray, capping it with a polished silver lid.

Once everything was ready, she quietly ascended the stairs.

Inside my room, a heavy silence hung in the air.

My stomach let out a loud, traitorous growl.

I was starving, but the sheer awkwardness of facing my parents kept my feet glued to the floor.

Turning away from the door, I stared blankly at the bags of chips sitting on my desk.

Maybe I'll just live off snacks...

"Hana-ojousama...?"

Suddenly, Mayu-nee's voice drifts faintly through the thick wood.

"Hana-ojousama... I brought you some breakfast. I'll leave the tray right here on the table outside your door, okay? Please make sure to eat."

I hold my breath, waiting.

A moment later, her faint, descending footsteps disappears.

Shamefaced, I quietly unlock my door, dragging the heavy tray inside.

The warmth of the food slowly replenishing my strength and clearing the lingering fog from my thoughts.

-I acted like a complete child yesterday,

I realize, staring down at the empty plate.

-Mom and Dad are stressed too... I shouldn't have screamed like that.

Gathering what little courage I have left, I decide to finally step out of my room.

By the time I reach the ground floor, it is already mid-afternoon.

The savory scent of miso-grilled fish wafts through the kitchen.

"Madam, please let me handle the grill!"

Mayu-nee pleades.

Actively trying to wrestle the spatula away from my mother.

"Nonsense, Mayu-chan! Sit down and rest, I've got this handled!"

My mother laughes, completely unyielding.

Defeated, Mayu-nee let out a long sigh and slumps into the dining chair.

Their usual playful banter was back on again.

As I enter the kitchen, the soft padding of my bare feet on the hardwood makes them both freeze.

Clenching the fabric of my shirt, I look down at the floor, my voice barely a whisper.

"Mom... Mayu-nee... I'm really sorry about yesterday."

Before I can even finish, a pair of warm, gentle arms wraps tightly around me.

"Oh, Hana-chan..."

My mother murmurs softly.

Hearing her gentle tone, a single, hot tear finally spills over my lashes.

I bury my face into her shoulder, letting her hold me as the last bit of icy tension melts away.

Sitting at the table, Mayu-nee quickly wipes her own leaking eyes with a handkerchief, a massive, watery smile gracing her face.

"Now then, take a seat, sweetie!"

Mom says cheerfully, gently wiping my cheek.

"Let's eat before the fish gets cold."

Sitting down right next to Mayu-nee, she gives my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

"Um, Mom? I actually asked Rhea-chan if we could hang out this afternoon... Is it okay if I go out for a bit?"

Feeling a sudden wave of hesitation, I still ask.

Given the recent chaos, I already brace myself for her to turn me down.

"Of course, Hana-chan! Go have a wonderful time with Rhea-chan!"

Huh?

I was surprise, she actually said yes?

With a smile returned to my face, I hurried and finish my food and rushed upstairs.

"Mom, Thank you!"

The moment I step into my room, I find my phone vibrating violently against my desk.

A relentless stream of notifications lits up the screen, flooded with dozens of unread messages from Rhea.

"Rhea-chan, I am so, so sorry! 😭 Are you still free? Let's meet up at our usual park right now!"

Within seconds, a barrage of angry yet relieved emojis floods my screen.

Ten minutes later, I am out the front door.

Part III

"Seriously, Hana-chan! You kept me waiting for ages!"

Rhea huffs, crossing her arms tightly the moment I approach.

"I know, I'm sorry..."

Rhea stops mid-rant, her sharp eyes narrowing.

The playful annoyance vanishes, replaced by a rare, serious expression.

"Hana-chan... Did something happen?"

I bite my lip, hesitant to break the peace.

"You have the exact same vibe right now as the day we first met."

Ahh... I know I can't hide it from her.

"Rhea-chan... I'm moving abroad."

"What?"

"By the end of this month, my family is relocating back to the Philippines,"

I murmur, my voice trembling.

"I'm so sorry, Rhea-chan... all our summer plans... the beach... I'm ruining everything."

"I see,"

Just as I feel the tears coming back, Rhea suddenly claps her hands together with a loud snap, completely shattering the depressing atmosphere.

"Alright! If that's the case, then there is absolutely no time to waste!"

She declares, a fierce fire lighting up her eyes.

"Hey, let's drop that tragic expression right now, okay? You know I absolutely hate this kind of drama!"

"Rhea-chan..."

"It's not like we're never going to see each other again just because you're boarding a plane!"

she claims, throwing an arm around my neck.

"Video calls exist, dummy! Plus, about the swimsuits- it's super unfortunate that you won't make it to the beach with me, but have a look at this!"

With a triumphant grin, she whips a glossy fashion magazine out of her bag.

"We are still going to the mall, and you are trying on every single cute outfit in here! Let's go!"

Thanks to her stubborn, unyielding energy, the rest of our afternoon flies by in a blur of laughter.

We run through the department stores, trying on bright, colorful swimsuits and ridiculous summer accessories, making complete fools of ourselves in the fitting rooms.

Eventually, the day passes.

By the time I return home, a soft, genuine smile is back on my lips.

The underlying sadness is still there, but Rhea-chan has given me the strength to stand up straight.

BZZZT.

[Rhea-chan: Alright, Hana-chan! Here is the official plan for the next days for the 'Hana-chan Relocation Countdown'! 📅✨]

[Tomorrow we are hitting the arcade, Monday is karaoke, Tuesday we are taking purikura photos... We are making every single day count!]

Staring at the long list of plans, bought a warm chuckle to my lips.

This sound just exactly like her.

"Yeah,"

I whisper softly to the quiet room, my chest feeling lighter than it has in days.

"Let's make it count."

The remaining days of the month fly by in a rapid, colorful blur.

I didn't had a single second to spare.

She keeps me constantly on move, dragging me from one corner of Tokyo to the other.

"Hana-chan! Just one more coin! I swear the claw loosened up on purpose that time!"

Rhea wails, as her forehead pressed dramatically against the glass of a giant claw machine.

"Rhea, you've already spent all your credits for the third time today,"

I sigh, crossing my arms as I watch the fluffy pink bunny plush drop out of the mechanical claw's grip yet again.

"Please! Lend me some tokens! I'll pay you back next weekend,"

She begs, while tugging violently on my sleeve until I finally give in, groaning as I hand her my remaining tokens.

-How does she even plan to pay me when we are moving out next week...

Then, there is Monday's karaoke disaster.

Rhea drags me into a cramped, neon-lit booth, immediately hijacking both microphones.

For three hours straight, she aggressively belts out high-energy anime theme songs completely out of tune, standing on the faux-leather seats as she thrashes around.

"Come on, Hana-chan! Are you mute or something?! Sing louder!"

Shouting over the deafening speakers, and thrusting a mic into my face.

Despite my burning embarrassment, I find myself laughing so hard my stomach aches, finally singing the lyrics along with her just to drown out the noise.

Then, there is our trip to the massive water park.

The moment we arrive, the lines wrap entirely around the block under the blazing summer heat.

"Excuse me! Hello!"

Rhea chirps, aggressively waving down the head of park operations.

She immediately nudges me forward with a wicked, triumphant grin.

"This is Hana Konoe. Yes, the Konoe family. The CEO's daughter! We'd like to access the priority pavilion, please."

The manager's eyes go wide, instantly bowing and ushering us into the air-conditioned VIP lounge.

My face flushes a violent crimson as the surrounding crowd stares at us.

"Rhea-chan, I absolutely hate you,"

I mutter, burying my face in my hands.

"Oh, come on! Use that high-society status for good, Hana-chan!"

She laughs, completely unapologetic as she grabs two complimentary fruit smoothies.

We also filled our phones with dozens of ridiculous, stylized photos inside cramped purikura photobooths.

Drawing digital cat ears and inside jokes over our faces until the machine times out.

And just a few nights before my departure, we attend the neighborhood summer festival.

Rhea moves through the crowded rows of wooden stalls like a typhoon, eating takoyaki, yakisoba, and shaved ice nonstop to her heart's content.

Just where all the food she eats go to?

Sitting on a grassy hill, we spend the remaining time watching the bursts of festive fireworks reflecting in our eyes, lighting up the Tokyo night sky.

And then, the time of my departure arrives.

Our final hangout concludes at a massive amusement park downtown.

As we walk along the quiet sidewalk on the way home, our contrasting energies are painfully obvious.

Rhea is in an incredibly good mood, happily skipping ahead while clutching a giant dolphin plush she miraculously won from a carnival dart stand.

I, on the other hand, am walking in a complete, hollow daze.

My knees shake, and my stomach turns in violent somersaults.

"I think... I think I'm gonna throw up,"

I groan, clutching my stomach as the pavement beneath my feet seems to tilt.

Rhea turns around, flashing a smug, unfeeling grin.

"You say that exact same sentence back there, multiple times, actually."

"Ughhh... I'm honestly surprised that I am able to hold it in despite all those vertical-drop rollercoasters,"

I whine, holding my hand over my mouth as cold sweat breaks out across my forehead.

As the playful sound fades into the quiet evening air, her footsteps slows down.

The atmosphere instantly shifts, growing heavy and thick with a lingering weight.

"Hey, Hana..."

She speaks softly, her voice dropping its usual teasing pitch.

"Tomorrow's the day, right? Of your departure."

"Yeah,"

I reply quietly, forcing my eyes to look up at her.

It didn't take long before we reach the familiar intersection.

And then, I realize- this is it.

This is the exact spot where our paths separate.

This is the last time we will meet.

Frozen, my heart drops into my shoes.

"Hey, Rhea-chan-"

"Hana-chan,"

Rhea interrupts.

Turning around to face me, she grips the edges of her giant dolphin plush tightly against her chest.

"It's a bit unfortunate that we won't be able to spend the rest of the summer together. But it's not like this is the absolute last time we will ever see each other."

"Yeah..."

"Also, we can always chat to stay in touch!"

She says with a smile, but her usual energetic self starts to fall away.

"Distance means nothing nowadays! Make sure to let me know how things are over there, okay? If you're ever in need of anything, just call me instantly."

"Rhea-chan..."

A sharp, burning sensation hits the back of my throat, and my vision turns hot and blurry.

Before a single sob can escape my lips, Rhea violently intervenes.

"Don't be sad, Hana-chan! Look, it might take a really long time, but we will surely meet up again... someday. I promise."

Rhea flashes a brilliant, blinding smile.

She then lunges forward, throwing her arms tightly around my neck.

The sudden, fierce warmth of her hug makes my entire body shake.

The lingering emotions I have been fighting to suppress completely shatter.

"R-Rhea-chan-"

Before I can even finish my sentence, her fingers dig into the fabric of my shirt, tightening, as her knuckles turn white.

A heavy, choked sob breaks through her words.

Little by little, her plush slips, falling onto the floor.

"That's why... please don't be sad, okay? Hana-chan...?"

I pull back in utter shock.

Hot, heavy tears stream down Rhea's face, her eyes red and her lower lip trembling violently.

It is the first time I have ever seen her cry.

At that exact instant, my own tears flood over, spilling down my cheeks in a chaotic rush.

"Who are you even telling not to be sad?!"

I force through my tears.

"When you're the one who is sulking the most?!"

"Shut up! I'm allowed to cry!"

She sobs, burying her face again into my shoulder once more.

We stand at the center of the intersection, crying and laughing through our tears like absolute idiots, until the evening sun completely vanishes.

After a final, lingering goodbye, we finally part ways.

By the time I drag my exhausted feet back to the house, the entrance hall is completely lined with heavy, pristine black luggage.

Everything is packed.

"Welcome home, Hana-ojousama,"

Mayu-nee greets me at the front door, stepping forward to take my purse.

"My goodness... what on earth happens? You look entirely exhausted."

"I was forced onto the high-altitude rides... and then we had a crying match,"

I mumble out, giving her a weak smile.

"Hana-ojousama, please wait right here for a moment,"

Mayu-nee says softly, her expression melting into a gentle, maternal warmth.

"I will prepare a hot bath for you immediately."

"Thanks, Mayu-nee..."

"Welcome home, sweetie!"

My Mother's voice calls out from the living room.

"Make sure to wash up quickly. Your father just called- he'll be home shortly after midnight, and we're leaving for the airfield the moment he arrives."

"Tonight? So soon?"

"Yes. It's better to beat the early morning traffic and clear customs before the sun comes up,"

Mom explains, patting my shoulder gently.

"Take a bath, eat a light dinner, and then get some rest in your room. We have a very long journey ahead of us."

The frantic speed of the departure doesn't leave me any time to think.

I drift through the next few hours like a ghost- soaking in the hot water, eating a quiet meal, and staring blankly at my empty bedroom walls until the clock strikes midnight.

BZZZZT.

"Rhea-chan? She's still awake at this hour?"

[Safe flight, bestie. Don't forget to call me the second you land!]

I smile, locking my phone as the heavy crunch of tires on the driveway signals my father's arrival.

It is time to go.

The pristine tarmac of the private airfield is dark, illuminated only by the sharp, flashing runway lights.

Standing on the concrete is a sleek, luxury corporate jet bearing the minimalist golden emblem of my father's brand.

I shuffle toward the boarding stairs, my eyes half-closed and my body weighed down by an intense, heavy sleepiness.

"Careful with your step, Hana-ojousama,"

Mayu-nee's steady voice murmurs from behind.

She places a gentle, supportive hand on my back, guiding my stumbling steps up the steep metal stairs as the cold midnight wind whips against our coats.

"Mghhh... thanks, Mayu-nee,"

I mumble sleepily, collapsing into the oversized luxury leather seat the moment we enter the cabin.

The low, rhythmic thrum of the jet engines begins to vibrate through the floorboards.

As the plane taxies down the runway and lifts effortlessly into the dark, cloudless sky,

Tokyo transforms into a massive, glittering sea of distant lights beneath us.

After that, I close my eyes, letting the darkness once again takes over,

Leaving my life in Japan behind.