17I still think back on those days during my first year here, and I wouldn't trade them away for anything. It's crazy to think just how much has happened since I've gotten here, that would be another story alone just to tell. I know I had my suspicions about Ryuuji and Taiga back then, but it started to get so blatant that I couldn't help but stay out of the way when I could but it's still… I'd call it poetic to see them together. Little dramatic at some points, yet when those two showed up to Ami's place to say they were eloping, I only wanted to do my part to help. Those two fought for it hard, and to say they deserve each other is an understatement. Granted they came to their senses but even now, they've torn down the fake masks they had glued to their inner selves. Heh, took 'em long enough.
My mother… called me during my White Day date with Ami. She doesn't know a remote thing about holidays over here so I can't blame her. Told me... my grandfather's lung cancer had worsened and probably wasn't gonna make it into next year. Asked if I wanted to come back home to be there to see him off, whenever that happened. She didn't ask for an answer right away, and Ami could tell I didn't know what the hell to say to her. I'd have to essentially move back, and finish off the school year back in my hometown. To say I was lost would be wholly underselling it. I broke down in that restaurant, I couldn't help myself, and if Ami hadn't been there with me, no telling what I would've done.
Ami… she really ended up being the support I needed to make my way through this year, without a doubt. It's funny that it all started off with me being literally a thirsty idiot, finding her tucked away from the hustle and bustle that went on in that school. There had been numerous times where all the drama got to be too much for her, too much for me, and we did what we could to comfort each other, tell each other it didn't matter. That life would find a way. That we'd be okay. Anytime I was about to make a rash and stupid decision, she'd knock some sense into me. Anytime the life of fame attempted to wear her down and strip her bare of her own self, I was there to remind her what the important things to hold onto are. Even if it was a bit premature starting out, what we ended up building between us was a bond that would take the heavens from on high to break.
That's why I still don't know what to do. Looking up from my stupor, I absent-mindedly notice it's the last period for the day, and soon we'll all be let out. Kids were conversing, laughing, ready to keep on with their blissful days. We only had a couple weeks left of school as 2nd years, then the closing ceremony. We'd be heading into adulthood after just one more year. I wanted to be able to stay here, finish off school with friends who went through hell and back for each other and me. With someone who loves me, quirks and all. Slipping my hand into my backpack, I unwrapped a small felt box from a decorative cloth that Ryuuji's mother had given me. I surveyed around the room to see if anyone was paying attention, and took a quick look at the sole article within the box to make sure it was still intact.
Good, not a scratch on it. I close the box immediately and conceal it within my bag once more. The part time job I picked up at that Starbucks rip off had proved fruitful, even if it did nearly tank my exam scores for all the overtime I wanted to put in. Maya and Nanako helped me pick it out, I needed their keen eye on what Ami would love the most. Kitamura and Minori hyped me up to even go out and buy the damn thing, and agreed to get everyone else on board to make sure no one ruined the surprise. Ryuuji and Taiga coached me best on how to set it all up. I felt with this much power backing me, it'd be a simple affair. But now, with my grandfather's health deteriorating, everything is just… confusing. I'm resolved to see this through but after that… it's anyone's guess.
The sun hangs low over the horizon, slowly dropping beneath the city skyline as the evening crawls on. I lean over the railing and stare into the reservoir water beneath me, mind racing, heart pounding. I had no clue what was going to happen, but it was now or never. My mother needed an answer, and I needed an answer.
"I'm here!~" The melodious tone of Ami's voice catches me off guard, and I spin to face her. She's already in the midst of reaching to hug me, giving me a little greeting kiss.
"Damn you got here fast. I just texted you like 5 minutes ago." I say surprised.
"You said it was important, so I sorta, dropped everything and came here." Ami says anxiously, fidgeting with hands. Like I said. Now or never. Breathing a deep sigh, I get right to the heart of the issue.
"I uh. Wanted to know what you think I should do. About…"
"...your grandfather right?" She hesitates briefly, but continues. "If you want my honest opinion Dominic, I think you should go back to see him." Ami places her hands behind her back and faces the ground after saying this, not wanting to see my reaction.
"As much…", she begins to sniffle slightly. "As much I want you to stay, I know you'll only end up hating yourself if you didn't get to see him before he passed." I don't respond after she tells me this. Not because I'm angry, or even surprised that she said it. On the contrary, I had a deep seated feeling she'd tell me those exact words. It's just like her, knowing exactly how to read a situation from her position, and being my second pair of eyes through this year.
"You always did know me better than I knew myself Ami." I chuckle in an attempt to lift my own spirits.
"I know it has to be hard, and again, that's just how I feel." Ami unfolds her hands from behind her back and grasps both of mine gently. "I don't want you to go through life with that regret hanging on your shoulder. Even if he was hard on you all those years ago."
"It's not even just that. The prospect of going back now of all times. Who knows when I'd be able to come back and see you. I wanted… I wanted to be able to finish the best years of my life with you."
"We can still do that, Dommy." She clenches her grip on my hands further. "What's one year between us?"
"It's a year I'd rather go through with you..."
"Dommy…" A lukewarm breeze billows past us and we stand in silence, contemplating what to do next. I thought it would be cut and dry, we figure it out right here, but even now I'm having doubts about what I really want for myself.
"Jury's still out then?" Ami gives me a light smile to reassure me, placing a hand on my cheek.
"I'd say so yeah. I'm sorry." I admit defeat, knowing that I can't bring myself to answer the question yet.
"Don't be, it's not the easiest decision you're being asked to make." Ami walks next to me, overseeing the river below us, right arm hooked to my left. I stare off at the sunset and think back to that fateful day.
"This is where we first... " I begin to reminisce before Ami cuts me off.
"You know it is, you bozo. We walk over this bridge at least twice a week together." She chides with a small laugh.
"Right, yeah." Shaking my head, I muster every ounce of resolve I can and decide to change the status quo between us forever. I feel around in my right pants pocket to make sure the box is still in place.
Yep. Got it right here.
Now or never.
Reaching for the box with my opposite hand, I retrieve it from its hiding spot and hold it openly, palm up to get her attention. Ami darts her eyes down to see what the item was, and those eyes nearly popped out of her skull. She steps back gasping for breath, with her hands covering her mouth in sheer awe. Her voice choked with tears and anxiety.
"Holy shit, you didn't…" She shuts her eyes firmly before opening them again to focus on the small box, still placed in my palm. She presses her hand against her side and violently pinches her ab before relenting.
"Oh my god I'm not dreaming. You actually…"
"100% Ami. You know how hard it was for me to cancel some of our dates so I could make sure I could afford this?" I half joke with a dab of earnestness. I open the box and reveal the article, and Ami's eyes begin to well with tears.
"Dummy… dumb… stupid… thick-headed... "
"I wanted to wait until graduation next year, but things sorta forced my hand." I continue, ignoring her endearing name calling. Timidly, she approaches me and reaches for the modest sapphire ring inside the box. Admiring it laboriously in the sun, she stops being able to hold back her tears and they steadily climb down her face. I placed the box inside one of my pockets and palm the ring from her hands, only so I could gently place it on her finger with utmost care. She smiles and her breathing is staggered as tears continue to drop from her cheeks to the concrete below us. Remembering there's a little more to this, I wing it as best I can.
"This past year with you has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I want to be able to travel through life with you, us together vs. the world. Nothing on this planet makes me happier than seeing you smile, and I want to see that smile for the rest of my life. If you would have me, Ami, I'd like to be yours forever."
"Dommy…" Ami sniffles in between her words. "You must have hit your head on the way here… because I've been yours since that night." Ami rushes over and throws herself on me, and we hold onto each other like the world was ending around us. "And I wouldn't want anyone else."
And the curtain falls. Thank you everyone for reading. I'm sorry about... everything about how long this took. I hope you enjoyed. Stay safe.