Chapter Text
This had never happened to him before. He'd had many flings and one night stands but fuck… Sarah was different. He found himself doing that stupid cheesy cliché shit like calling her gorgeous whether she looked like a homeless person in her sweats and a messy bun or dressed up looking like damn Aphrodite.
Satoru had no idea what to do with these feelings. His heart had never raced just when someone was around, or stopped to look at her smile when she wasn't looking or how it made his heart skip when she laughed. He wanted to be the best she'd ever had, doing things for her that he never would have ever bothered with for his other partners.
Satoru hadn't called anyone else in at least a month. It just made him feel guilty. Guilty! He didn't want anyone else at this point, he wanted Sarah and only Sarah. But he couldn't tell her that. Not after the whole big speech he made when they first met. Not after all the jokes he made about not being in a relationship. It would be way too embarrassing to go back on all that talk.
“What the hell is going on…”, he mumbled under his breath. She lay next to him, sleeping soundly in his bed wearing his t-shirt. He gently reached over her and brushed her silky brown hair behind her ear. He absolutely loves it when she would actually stay the night. It made him feel sick when she hurried out after they fucked.
She stirred a little in her sleep and he froze. Her hand weakly searched for him for a moment before finding his chest. Pulling the rest of her body closer, she cuddled up closer with a satisfied sigh.
“Jesus Christ.” His heart thundered in his chest, both relieved and somehow disappointed she wasn't waking up.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her into his chest as she snuggled closer to him. His body always reacted strangely to her, like he was in love with her or something? But that couldn't be… right? No way. Not him. He was goddamn Satoru Gojo!
“Don't worry sweetheart, I'm right here.” He murmured into her ear, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before continuing, “I'll always be here for you.” His words sounded more sincere then they ever had before, almost like he meant them–which scared the fucking hell outta him.
Satoru knew he shouldn't be feeling this way about someone he classified as just another fuck buddy. However, every time they met up, whether physically or emotionally, something inside him changed. The lines blurred between friendship and something else entirely. But what was he supposed to do about it? Would she even want it? Would she even want a player like him?
Holding her close, he rested his chin on the top of her head. He forced his thoughts to quiet, none of that mattered tonight. She'd come to see him, he got some takeout, they played some Mortal Kombat, they fucked like animals until they were exhausted, and she stayed. That's enough. The best he could hope for.
Her phone's alarm woke him with a start hours later. She sat up with a big yawn, reaching over and swiping it off on the screen with her index finger. Tilting her head back, she stretched her back and neck as she brushed her hair back with her fingers. Satoru spotted her hair tie and handed it to her.
He smiled softly, his arm still draped over her hips. God, he loved waking up next to her. Her warmth, her yawns, the way she trembled when she stretched her legs. He rolled over onto his side and lazily stretched an arm behind his head.
“Mornin', Cupcake.” He said, his voice a little rough from sleep. “I'm gonna make some coffee,” he said, reaching over to grab his phone from the nightstand, “Wanna stay for breakfast?”
As he asked, he couldn't help but admire how cute she looked in the morning light filtering through the curtains–her green eyes still half-closed, lips slightly parted, and untamed hair falling from her loose ponytail and framing her face. She really was something else.
She snickered a little, “Cupcake, huh?”. Sliding out of bed, she pulled off his t-shirt and tossed it to him before bending down to pick up her own tank-top from the night before. “Can't stay for breakfast, but I can stick around for coffee. I really gotta head out soon.”
Satoru chuckled softly, rolling onto his back and stretching his arms overhead before sitting up against the headboard. "No rush, take all the time you need," he said casually, leaning forward to grab his shirt from the bed where it had landed. He waited patiently for her to finish getting dressed, admiring every curve and contour of her body as she moved gracefully around the room.
While waiting, he took a moment to think about how strange this situation had become. Those thoughts from the night came creeping back. One moment they were just hooking up, no strings attached—and now... well, something definitely felt different between them. This wasn't supposed to happen with someone like him, someone who prided himself on being a player and never getting attached. But there was something about Sarah that made him want things to change—something deeper than mere lust or physical attraction.
“D’ya need a ride?” He asked, surprising himself.
“Nah, thanks though.” She waved her hand a little, picking up the hairbrush she'd brought and running it through her hair, “Got a friend picking me up. I got a thing to do today.”
Satoru raised an eyebrow in curiosity, tilting his head slightly. "Thing?" he asked, reaching for his shorts from the floor and putting them on quickly. "Something important? Or just another day at the office?" He walked over to the closet and grabbed a clean over shirt, still trying to mask his concerns about her mysterious plans.
She never would tell him her plans. Ever. He knew her so well, so much about her hobbies and the places she'd been, her favorite foods and music and drinks, her fears. So many things she'd shared in those late nights together, but nothing about what she did for work. Ever.
"Well, whatever it is, I hope it goes well," he added, turning his attention to making coffee in the kitchen. The sound of running water filled the room as he prepared two cups of freshly brewed coffee, placing them on the countertop before returning to where she stood.
"Here you go, sleepyhead." He handed her a steaming cup, admiring her hands as they wrapped around the mug. Her fingernails were still freshly painted, always a different bright color every time he saw her.
"Thanks." She smiled at him, taking a sip. As she sipped, she shuffled around picking up her things from their evening together. She chatted about the weather, mentioning how nice it was for November. She hated the cold so much. He'd bought her a coat for Christmas but already felt weird about it and wasn't sure if he'd actually go through with giving it to her.
She finished up with her stuff and placed the empty coffee cup in his sink before she kissed his cheek. She slung her backpack over her shoulder, then headed to the door and slipped her sneakers onto her bare feet.
"So, um... I'll see you later, then?" He cleared his throat nervously, trying to mask his growing unease about seeing her leave.
"Have fun at your thing," he managed to croak out, reaching for his own cup of coffee and taking a sip. The warmth spread through him, calming his racing thoughts temporarily.
"Yeah, might see ya later. Dunno." She shrugged with a little smile. And with that she left, her phone to her ear as she called her ride. She had a bright smile on as she talked to whoever on the phone. Walking out of his door into her side of the world that he knew nothing about.
Satoru watched her walk out of the door, feeling a mix of sadness and relief wash over him. He took a deep breath, trying to clear his head before heading back in to finish getting ready for his day ahead. As he showered, he couldn't help but think about what could happen between them in the future. Would things escalate further? Or would they remain friends with benefits, avoiding the messy complications that come with real relationships?
Taking the time to tidy up, he still couldn't clear his head. It was frustrating! He just needed to forget her when she wasn't around. It should be easy! When she's not here in his home, she's not his. Easy.
As if fate were taunting him, he noticed something as he was picking up the pillows from the couch off of the floor. It clearly had fallen out of her bag before she left, it was right next to where she'd set her backpack down.
Satoru froze mid-step, his eyes locked onto the bag lying on the floor. His heart raced as he realized what it could mean—possibly a chance to learn more about Sarah beyond their intimate encounters. Would it count as snooping? Probably.
He carefully picked up the bag, examining it closely before opening it cautiously. Inside was a compact disc case containing an unmarked CD. His curiosity piqued, he slid the disc out and popped it into his player, leaning in closer to listen intently.
The lyrics hit him right away, the music upbeat and powerful. It was a love song, but it felt so lonely despite how much it begged the listener to dance. A woman hoping her lover would want to be more than friends. Words he recognized that he'd said to Sarah. There's no way it was a coincidence.
As the first notes of the song filled the room, Satoru couldn't help but feel a strange mix of emotions wash over him. He recognized her voice instantly, but it wasn't just that—the melody and lyrics resonated with him deeply. Suddenly, his chest tightened, and tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. What had he been doing? How could he have ever thought this was just a casual fling?
"Fuck..." he muttered under his breath. This was getting out of hand fast.
Satoru continued to listen to the song, his heart racing faster than before. He couldn't believe she had written a whole song about them—about their time together. His mind raced with conflicting emotions: shock, happiness, and an overwhelming sense of guilt for treating her so poorly.
As the song ended, he sat down on the couch, head in hands, trying to process what he had just heard. "Fucking hell..." he muttered under his breath, unable to tear his eyes away from the CD case lying on the table.
He knew he should throw it away, forget about it entirely, but something inside him refused to let go of this strange connection he felt to her. Despite his better judgment, he picked up the phone and dialed her number, his fingers trembling slightly as he waited for someone to pick up on the other end.
"Hey." A man's voice picked up, "She's busy at the moment, digging for some shit in her bag. She asked me to pick up. Give her just a second." He said. In the background he could hear her muffled complaining, she was definitely annoyed about something. Something was missing from her bag it sounded like?
Satoru's heart raced as he waited, his mind racing with thoughts of what he should say to her. He knew this was a bad idea, but the pull toward her grew stronger by the second. Was she looking for the CD? It would be obvious what happened if she knew it was missing.
"Uhm... Hi, uh... It's Gojo. Could you just tell her it's me?" His voice cracked slightly, betraying his nervousness.
"Some dude named Gojo?" The man's voice said, and she laughed softly in the background. Not like she was embarrassed, but something bright and cheerful like she was happy it was him. Or at least that's how it felt to him.
"Hey Gojo. What's up?" She said suddenly, picking up the phone.
"Oh, hey, Sarah," Satoru said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the fluttering in his stomach at hearing her voice. "I found this… I found some of your things." He hesitated, debating whether or not to play the song for her. Eventually, he decided against it, knowing it wouldn't be wise over the phone.
"Uhm... It's nothing important. Just let me know if you need a ride home later, okay?"
"Ah, I thought I might have left it there." She said, "Sorry, dude. I'll pick it up next time. I'll call you if I need you but I'm pretty busy tonight."
"Hey, wait is that the guy? That Gojo?" The man's voice said with a chuckle in the background. Satoru heard a sound that sounded like a swat on the man's arm, "Shut up, Akio.” Sarah hissed.
Gojo grinned, feeling a strange mixture of anxiety and excitement coursing through his veins. His heart was racing, and he could feel sweat forming on his palms. Akio. Who was he to her? Someone she clearly knew well. Was he important to her? Just a coworker? A rival?
"I'll see you later, Sarah." And with that, he hung up the phone, tossing the CD case onto the coffee table as if it held some sort of curse.
He paced around the small apartment, trying to calm down his racing thoughts. How could he have fallen for her so hard!? He wasn't supposed to feel this way about someone like her—someone he'd been sleeping with casually! But somehow, against all odds, he had. And she might have fallen for him too?! Now what?!
The song lyrics played through his head like a mantra. He couldn't stop thinking about it. Satoru paced back and forth, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he knew he shouldn't be feeling this way about someone like Sarah– they'd both agreed something causal was what they wanted. But the song she'd written... It was like a force ripping open his chest and desperately begging him to run to her and hand his heart to her willingly.
He poured himself a shot of whiskey, downing it in one go before slumping onto the couch, trying to clear his head. His phone buzzed in his pocket, a notification from an online dating app he'd signed up for earlier today. Swiping through the profiles, he groaned in frustration. None of these women compared to Sarah.
"Fucking hell," he muttered to himself, tossing his phone aside. He needed some air, needing something to distract him from these unwanted thoughts. Standing up, he grabbed his jacket and keys, heading out into the cold winter morning, hoping the fresh air would help clear his head.
Walking down the city streets, the song continued to haunt him. Her voice sounded so sweet. He didn't even know she could sing! He'd certainly never heard her do it before. And on top of that a song that no one but him could know was about himself? God damn.
He realized suddenly that he was actually hearing it. Like it was actually playing somewhere, not just in his head. Looking around, he noticed it. There was a radio station with some kind of event going on. It was the debut for some album he vaguely recognized... There was a man at a DJ booth with a woman, both of them disguised in colorful paints and costumes as they performed the song on a stage.
Satoru froze in shock, his heart pounding in his chest as he stood on the sidewalk, his mind racing with disbelief and confusion. "No way... Sarah..." He muttered under his breath, unable to tear his eyes away from the stage where she stood, her ethereal voice echoing through the speakers.
She moved gracefully, almost otherworldly, her long auburn hair cascading down her back like waves of water as she sang. Her green eyes met with his briefly, and despite the distance separating them, he felt a jolt of electricity shoot through him.
"Fuck me," he muttered, rubbing his head in disbelief. "Of course, she'd be a goddamn rockstar." With renewed determination, he pushed through the crowd, making his way toward the stage. He had to see her, had to talk to her—had to figure out what the hell was going on in his head.
She sang happily, dancing while the music blared that same damn song. Standing at the base of the stage, he looked up at her and for more than a moment or two she locked eyes with him again. His heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and he fought the urge to run over to her, to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her close. Instead, he tried to appear nonchalant, leaning against the railing of the stage, watching her performance with mixed emotions.
He listened intently to the lyrics, knowing they were written specifically for him—for them. "I get so mad that we're not together" rang through his head like a warning bell. He couldn't deny the truth in those words; he was hooked on her, despite all his efforts to stay detached.
As the song ended, the crowd erupted in applause, and Sarah bowed gracefully. She noticed him still standing there, their gazes locked briefly one more time before she quickly glanced away, pretending not to notice him. Satoru's resolve wavered. She didn't know he knew! Of course she wouldn't. She'd been very careful to hide this.
The radio station host clapped, going on about the albums release date and hyping up the crowd. As Sarah sat down across from him at another microphone, the man from the DJ booth came to sit beside her. Akio. That must be Akio.
"So, Siren! That was your new hit Summertime Friends from your newest album!" The DJ said, smiling at Sarah, "Definitely inspired by someone right? There’s no way it’s not! Some real life lover? Any juicy details you want to share?”
Sarah chuckled, a coy smile on her face as she said, “He’s my little secret!” She turned to the crowd and winked, and Satoru was sure she pointedly ignored him. That made sense of course, if she looked right at him she might have revealed too much to him if he didn't know.
Satoru remained rooted in place, watching as she took the microphone once more, her voice reverberating through the speakers. "Thank you all for coming out tonight to support me and Orpheus. We've worked hard on this album, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!"
She thanked the crowd again before turning her attention back to the DJ. "We’ll be going on tour starting after our show tonight in Shibuya!" She said, tilting her head slightly, her eyes searching the audience. Her gaze briefly landed on Satoru, lingering just long enough to make his heart skip a beat.
"We have one question before you go, and I bet you know what it is!," the DJ said with a laugh, grabbing the mic from her. "Who is 'he'?" He teased, eliciting a playful gasp from the audience.
Satoru's hands shook as he clutched them together tightly, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He had to say something—to set things straight. But how could he? What would happen if he confessed his feelings? Would she laugh at him? Or worse, reject him completely?
"Like I said, he’s my little secret. He’s the inspiration for most of this album." I admitted with a little bit of a shy smile, "But that's all I'll say."
They discussed the upcoming tour dates and locations, apparently they’d be going all over Japan and then over to South Korea. A few more questions later and the show ended and the crowd started to disperse. He remained paralyzed by indecision, torn between his desire to confront her and the fear of losing everything they'd built together. He watched as she disappeared backstage, his heart aching with longing.
His mind raced with possible scenarios: confessing his feelings, risking everything; or keeping quiet, maintaining their current arrangement. But the thought of living without her, of never hearing her voice again, was unbearable. Finally, gathering up the courage, he forced himself forward, pushing through the crowd until he reached the exit door marked "staff only." Pushing it open, he stepped inside the dimly lit hallway, his heart racing wildly in his chest as he tried to calm himself before approaching her dressing room door.
"Hey." A man's voice shouted, shoving him back against the wall firmly. "Where's your badge?" He looked Satoru over, "You're not an employee are you?"
Satoru flinched at the sudden force, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest as he recovered from the surprise. "N-No, I'm not," he managed to stammer out, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "I... uh... I just wanted to talk to someone.”
"Bet ya do buddy." The man said harshly, "Think you're the first one trying to sneak back here and see her? Back off." The security guard said, shoving Satoru back, "Now get out before I call the cops."
Satoru's eyes widened in panic, adrenaline surging through his veins as he stumbled backward, nearly collapsing against the wall. His vision spun for a moment before clearing, and he realized how dangerous he was putting himself in.
"I-I'm sorry!" He managed to croak out, backing away slowly, hands raised in surrender. "It's nothing important. I apologize. I'll go." With trembling legs, he turned and fled the building, his heart racing wildly in his chest. As he hurried back out he saw the crowd had only grown behind the metal barricades leading to a limo parked at the end. Voices excitedly chattered about the group, people with their phones ready to take photos.
"She's gonna come through!" "Maybe we'll see them without the costumes!" "I heard she's going to that big club in Shibuya for a show tonight!"
Satoru stumbled down the sidewalk, his mind replaying the encounter with the security guard over and over again. He couldn't believe how easily he had almost gotten himself into trouble. How could he have been so stupid? Of course she’d have security! What a dumbass! He tried to focus on the fact that she wasn’t just a girl—but a talented singer who happened to share his bed occasionally. But his heart refused to listen to reason; all he could think about was her voice, her touch, her laugh. She was exactly what he liked. There was no denying it.
Before he knew it he was outside the biggest club in Shibuya. The music boomed, the crowd outside already gathering. She was going to perform there next. Those songs. The ones he knew were about him. How was he going to get through this? His heart was already thundering, but he could resist. He paused outside the club, his hand hovering over the entrance. He knew he shouldn't go in—he had promised himself multiple times he wouldn't. But the pull of her voice, the image of her on stage, was too strong to resist. A true Siren just for him.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and pushed open the door, allowing the deafening music to engulf him. The club was already packed with enthusiastic fans, most of them dressed in colorful costumes similar to hers. He weaved through the sea of bodies, making his way towards the VIP section right next to where she’d be performing. The atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation as the DJ introduced her performance. With trembling hands, he ordered a drink, trying to calm his racing mind.
Her voice rang out like a tidal wave, that first song was the very one that set this whole wild goose chase off.
♪♫ In the back of the bar
You're talking to me with the lights on
You told me love don't exist
And if it does, it doesn't last long
And in the city, it hits
I said, "Let's drink until the last call"
I know you're leaving with her
But can you wait until the last song? ♪♫
The lyrics held an exact conversation he knew he had with her. Clearly. His own words sung back almost like a taunt at his mistake. Satoru choked back a sob as he listened to her voice, his fingers digging into the cold metal railing in front of him. Each note felt like a knife twisting deeper into his chest, and he couldn't look away from the stage, mesmerized by her presence.
He sipped on his drink, the alcohol burning its way down his throat, doing little to numb the pain. His heart ached with longing, remorse, and an irrational desire to confess everything to her—to beg for another chance. But he knew that wouldn't work; she deserved better than him, someone who could give her more than fleeting moments of passion. Someone who hadn’t broken her heart the very first night he met her.
♪♫ I know what your summertime friends have to say about me
But you always want to see me again
This should be the last time you're gonna leave without me
The last time you call me a friend
And, oh
And I get so mad that we're not together
And, oh
Yeah, I want you bad ♪♫
Satoru's vision started to blur as tears threatened to spill over, and he hurriedly excused himself, making his way to the bathroom. He locked himself in a stall, leaning against the cool tile wall, trying to regain some semblance of composure. He couldn't believe how far things had escalated. One innocent CD and now she was singing songs about him—about them. The thought alone made him want to crawl into a hole and never come out.
But he hadn't come here for nothing. She was going to hear from him one way or another. Taking a deep breath, he emerged from the stall, his steps faltering slightly as he navigated through the sea of bodies to the front.
♪♫ We're in the back of your car
You're telling me it's not the right time now
But you can never decide
For tonight, can you just say I'm right, say I'm right, say I'm right
And, oh
And I get so mad that we're not together
And, oh
Yeah, I want you bad
It doesn't matter where you are
Don't leave
It doesn't matter where you are
don't leave don't leave ♪♫
It was exactly what he said to her. Exactly what happened when he took her home. The words asking for nothing more than a fling together and she’d agreed. She was always happy to come over. She slept in his bed. She held him. She stayed up all night talking with him. He never knew it was more than that for her. She respected his wants and never pressured him for more. She let him hurt her just to keep him around.
Satoru stood at the edge of the stage, his heart pounding in his chest as she finished her last song. The crowd erupted in a deafening roar, demanding an encore. He cleared his throat, attempting to gather himself as she walked closer to the crowd with her hands meeting theirs. When she made it to the VIP area her eyes met his and he swore her gaze softened when she saw him.
"Uh, um... Siren." He managed to croak out, his voice shaking with emotion. "I-I just wanted to say... uh..." His brain went blank, and he fumbled for words. "You're amazing... I mean, your music is incredible. Really... I just... uh..."
He couldn't look away from her mesmerizing eyes, filled with confusion and perhaps a hint of curiosity. A drop of sweat trickled down his back, and he swallowed thickly, struggling to find the courage to continue.
She crouched down and gently cupped his face in her hands, "I'm glad you like it" she said softly, her eyes directly on his. Did she know he knew? There was no way right? Or did she?! It was so hard to tell! Satoru's heart nearly stopped as she touched his face, her warm palms sending shockwaves of desire coursing through his veins. It was like electricity crackling between them, and he couldn't resist the temptation any longer.
Satoru watched as she disappeared backstage, his heart aching with mixed emotions. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the spot where she had been standing, feeling like a fool for falling so hard and so fast. He knew he should leave, but something kept him rooted in place. Finally, gathering up what little pride he had left, he turned around and started to walk away, his feet heavy with disappointment and regret.
Back at his apartment he sunk into the couch. He listened to the cd over and over, just trying to think of anything he could do. Should he call her? There’s no way he could. She was going to leave on tour. A loud buzz got his attention. A text?
“Hey, did I leave anything else at your place last night? I think I left my spare makeup bag there? It’s white and kinda like a pencil case.”
He stared at the message, hesitating for a moment before typing out a response, his fingers trembling. "Yeah, I think so," he wrote back, trying to sound nonchalant.
He knew it was futile to try and deny the truth anymore; she deserved better than him—someone who could give her the stability and support she deserved. But somehow, despite all his best intentions, he couldn't bring himself to completely let go of her.
"Mind if I stop by real quick for it? I need it for a thing."
Satoru hesitated, debating whether to say yes or no. On one hand, he knew it was best to distance himself from her; on the other hand, he couldn't bring himself to say no. Finally, after agonizing for a few minutes, he typed out a response. "Sure, come over whenever you want."
He paced around his apartment, trying to calm down his racing thoughts. Why did it have to be her? Why did she have to be the one to turn everything upside down? Of course the woman he would fall for would be so unreachable. This was his own fault. He dug himself into this lonely grave.
About an hour later she knocked softly on his door.
Satoru opened the door, his heart hammering in his chest as he saw her standing there. Her hair was messy from the show at the club, and she wore a comfortable pair of sweatpants and a loose tank top. She looked absolutely adorable. "Hey," he said cooly, trying to maintain some semblance of distance. "Come in.”
"Thanks." She smiled at him, her voice was a little hoarse from the show, "Sorry to bust in on you. I just realized I'd left it here." She walked past him, smelling a little make-up remover and sweat.
Satoru followed her into the living room, trying to keep his eyes locked on the TV screen as she rummaged through his things. His heart hammered in his chest, and he fought the urge to reach out and touch her.
"Uh, so... how'd the thing go?" He asked, his voice cracking slightly.
"Oh it was great!" She said, not even turning to look at him, "A lot of fun." I bent down to look under his couch, "Did you do anything fun tonight?"
Satoru cleared his throat, trying to maintain the facade of indifference. "Nope, nothing too exciting." He lied, keeping his eyes off of her. If she looked at him he knew he’d spill it. But why not spill it? Why not? His pride was keeping him from the one thing he wanted most. He knew she’d want him too! No one writes a whole damn album about someone if they don’t want them right?!
She stood up, holding the little make-up bag with a happy "Ah-ha!" Smiling, she walked past him and patted his cheek, "Thanks. Sorry to bug you so late." She headed back to the door and slipped her sneakers on, "I'm gonna be gone for a while, just a heads up. But I'm sure you'll be fine. You've got plenty of girls to keep you company while I’m gone, yeah?”
Satoru nodded, his heart feeling like it had been ripped out of his chest. "Yeah, sure thing." He managed to choke out, watching her walk away, unable to bring himself to say anything else.
Satoru watched her walk away, his hands clenched into fists as he struggled with his conflicting emotions. She was leaving him—leaving him alone with his thoughts and his feelings. He couldn't let her go that easily. He grabbed his jacket, hurriedly putting it on before sprinting after her. "Wait!" he called out, his voice cracking with desperation.
She stopped, half in a running car already. She stood up straight again and looked at him, "What's up?" She asked, looking concerned.
Satoru caught up to her, his heart hammering in his chest. "I... I can't let you go like this." He blurted out, his hands trembling as he reached for hers. "I-I..." He didn't know what else to say; his words failed him. Instead, he leaned forward, his lips crashing against hers in a desperate kiss.
She gasped a little as the kiss parted "Woah! What's wrong? I'm not gonna be gone forever. Don't tell me you're gonna miss me?" I said with a little smirk, playfully kissing the end of his nose.
"I... I can't stand it," he managed to choke out between heavy breaths. "I want more."
She blinked, "Slow down. What are you trying to say?" She asked softly, "More?"
Satoru pulled away, taking a deep breath. "I... I don't want you to leave. Not like this." He confessed, his eyes pleading with hers. "I... I love you, okay? I know it's messed up, but I just can't let you go without admitting it." His voice quivered with emotion.
She blushed, her lips parted in shock. Her hands hesitated before gripping onto the front of his jacket. She inhaled to speak–
"Sarah! We really gotta go. The plane leaves in an hour." Akio said from the car. The backseat was full of our luggage for the album tour. Plane tickets sitting on the dashboard. This really was his last chance for a while.
I looked at him then back at Satoru. "Satoru..." she whispered, using his first name. A rare thing. She really only did in their most intimate moments. This time it was laced with something more as her eyes sparkled with excitement and affection, "... You love me?"
Satoru nodded frantically, his heart pounding in his chest. "Yes! I love you! Please, don't go." He pleaded, reaching out to grab her hand again, “I don’t care what I said in the past. I don’t care about any of these other girls. It’s you. It has to be you.”
She laughed a single surprised huff, a wide smile on her face, "Satoru I... I have to." She looked at the car, "It's... I have something I need to do." She looked back at Satoru, "It's only six months..."
Satoru's heart broke all over again, his eyes pleading with hers. "Six months is a long time," he choked out, his voice cracking. "Don't you want to try something different? Something permanent?" He knew it was reckless, but he couldn't stand the thought of losing her forever—even if it meant risking everything else in his life.
She leaned in and kissed him, softly and sweetly. "Satoru... I love you too." She whispered against his lips before stepping back, "So much. More than you could know.”
Satoru's heart skipped a beat at her confession, his body responding to hers in ways he couldn't control. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, his lips crashing against hers in a desperate kiss again. He felt her body pressing against his, her warmth enveloping him like a blanket. The car honked impatiently in the background, but neither of them cared—all that mattered was this fleeting moment with her.
"... Satoru." She said, holding him out at arms length. She looked into his eyes, deadly serious. "I have a big secret. My life isn't something that will ever be stable but... " She laughed and held out her hand, palm up, "Do you want to come with me?"
Satoru hesitated, torn between fear and desire. On one hand, he knew this was crazy—he had a stable job, friends, and family who would never understand this choice. On the other hand, he couldn't bear the thought of losing her again. Was he really gonna uproot his life for her?
Fuck it. It’s fine.
"Okay," he said with a grin, his hands gripping her tightly. "I'll go with you."
"No taking it back okay?" She laughed, opening the back seat door for him.
The car raced down the highway, speeding them towards an uncertain future filled with music and tour dates. Their hands intertwined tightly, and despite the chaos surrounding them, they were alone together—forever changed by this moment.