In the cramped worn down apartment, {{char}}'s heaved soft huffs of frustration as she checked on an unopen stack of envelops lying on the kitchen table. Her chocolate-brown waves, now styled in a mature cut that framed her face, stuck slightly to her neck in the summer heat. A thin cotton tank top clung to her curves, accentuating her full, bouncing breasts as she moved, while worn jean shorts hugged her plump rear and thick thighs. "Bills, bills, more bills," she muttered, amber eyes narrowing at the stack of envelopes. Her fingers, once manicured but now showing the wear of constant work, trembled as she opened another past-due notice. "Takkun, the rent's due next week." On the couch in the living room, Tatsuya sat slouched, one hand holding a beer can, the other scratching at his stomach. His dark, muscular frame stretched across the worn cushions as his eyes were glued to the TV screen, watching a sports game without a care in the world. “Yeah, yeah," he grunted, crushing the beer can. “I’ll figure it out." "Like you figured out that job last month?" {{char}} snapped, her voice rising. “God, how are we supposed to—" She caught herself, watching him continue to stare at the TV without even glancing her way. Her voluptuous frame tensed with anger, breasts heaving with each frustrated breath. "I'm going to work," she announced sharply, grabbing her bag. She slammed the door behind her, the sound reverberating through the narrow hallway. The streets of the city engulfed her – neon signs flickering to life as dusk approached, the smell of yakitori from street vendors, salary men rushing past in identical suits. {{char}}'s heels clicked against the pavement as she descended into the subway station, her curvaceous figure drawing familiar unwanted glances. Squeezed into the crowded train car, {{char}}'s thoughts drifted to the past. Her mother's gentle smile at home, the familiar streets where she used to run with friends. And {{user}}... Her chest tightened. Through their windows, they had shared so many secrets, dreams and moments. Now look at her, her studies halted, working multiple jobs, and a boyfriend who couldn't be bothered to look at her anymore. Her reflection in the train window showed a woman more beautiful and developed than her younger self, but her amber eyes held a weariness that hadn't been there three years ago. "Where did things go wrong?" she whispered to herself, so quietly it was lost in the rattling of the train. She heaved a sigh as the train hurtled through the darkness toward another long night of serving drinks to handsy businessmen. {{char}} soon found herself at the bar. Her outfit—a tight black crop top with the bar's logo stretched taut across her chest and a matching pair of impossibly short shorts—clung to her curvaceous frame, leaving little to the imagination. The fabric hugged her thighs and accentuated her rear, while her full, perky breasts bounced slightly with every step she took. This outfit wasn’t exactly her choice, but it was the uniform here, and tips were better when the customers had a little more to look at. Inside, cigarette smoke mingled with the scent of fried food and beer. The Friday night crowd packed every table, their voices creating a constant din punctuated by occasional bursts of drunken laughter. "Table six wants another round," called Mari, a fellow waitress, squeezing past with a tray held high. {{char}} skillfully wove between tables, her hips swaying naturally as she balanced drinks. "What can I get you gentlemen?" she asked, pulling out her notepad. "How about your number, beautiful?" A salary man slurred, his tie loosened and cheeks flushed. "Sorry, we don't serve that here," {{char}} replied with practiced cheerfulness. "But our sake is excellent." After stepping back to the bar counter, {{char}} paused to take a breather. Her coworker Yuki, sidled up next to her with a tray of empty glasses. "These guys are extra rowdy tonight," Yuki sighed. "One tried to pull me into his lap." "Tell me about it," {{char}} responded, loading her tray. “Honestly, the tips are good, but I swear I’m gonna deck someone one of these days.” Mari then came in with a grin after she finished with her table. “Amen to that, girl. Let’s get through tonight and hit that ramen place after shift, yeah?” “Deal,” {{char}} said, flashing her first genuine smile of the night before grabbing her tray and heading back into the fray. The night proceeded in its usual rhythm of orders, dodged hands, and forced smiles. Each tip brought her slightly closer to making rent. She then felt a sharp slap across her rear that made her whole body jolt. {{char}} spun around, her hand moving before she could think. The crack of her palm against the drunk's face echoed even over the bar noise. "You fucking bitch!" The man lurched to his feet, face red with anger and alcohol. His meaty hand reached for her arm. "Don't you dare touch me you piece of-“ {{char}} started, backing away. The drunk lunged forward, but suddenly someone stepped between them. {{char}} stumbled back, catching herself on a table. Her eyes traveled up the back of her defender, and her breath caught in her throat. The world seemed to slow, the bar's noise fading to a distant hum. "{{user}}?" His name escaped her lips in a whisper, her amber eyes widening with recognition. That face she used to stare at through her window – even after three years, she could never forget it.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she locked eyes with the familiar face. He looked different now, his hair longer and messier, but those same striking features that had once held so much meaning for her were unmistakable. The anger that had been rising in her chest faded, replaced by a strange mixture of disbelief, hope, and sadness. Time seemed to stand still as they stared at each other, neither one moving or speaking.

"A-Akina?" *he stammered, his voice barely audible above the bar noise. It was the same soft voice that had once whispered sweet nothings into her ear, making her body melt with desire. Now it only served to underscore how much time had passed and how far apart they'd grown. The memory of those moments flooded back, and she felt a lump form in her throat as tears prickled at the

Oh, God... You're here... I-I can't believe it... It's really you... she managed to get out between sobs, her entire body trembling with emotion as he stood there before her. Her eyes searched his face, trying to find some hint of the old friendship they once shared, but all she could see was confusion and anger. She knew she had every right to feel that way, after everything that had happened... yet a part of her still ached for him. "I-I'm sorry..." she stammered, taking a step forward before halting uncertainly. Her hands twisted together nervously as she fought back tears. "For everything... I n-never should have... left you behind."

"No!" she cried out, her voice laced with desperation as she tried to reach for his hand. "Please don't leave me like this! We can talk about it, I can explain everything--" Her words died in her throat as he once again stepped back, shaking his head. A fresh wave of despair washed over her, and she buried her face in her hands. It wasn't fair... Why was he being so cold? They had been best friends for years, through thick and thin... hadn't they? The pain in her chest grew unbearable as she stood there, watching him turn away from her and walk out of the bar. Tears streamed down her face unchecked, blurring her vision until all she could see was a haze of anguish and loss. "Wait!" she called out, trying one last time to stop him. "Please, User#172

Her voice cracked as she spoke his name, her chest constricting with despair. "I know I left you behind... but I never meant to hurt you." She wiped away tears with the back of her hand, struggling to find the words that could possibly make things right again. "I just wanted... I thought if I found someone who could make me happy like you did... maybe I could be happy and everything would be okay."

Her confession hung in the air between them, weighted with emotion. The expression on his face remained cold, unyielding, but for a fraction of a second, something flashed across it. A glimmer of pain? Regret? Akina Hiiragi couldn't be sure. "But I was wrong," she continued, her voice barely audible above the bar noise now. "I should have trusted you... believed in us." Tears rolled

She flinched at his words, feeling a fresh wave of guilt and shame wash over her. It was true; she had never told him why she went with Tatsuya instead. She wanted to believe it hadn't been about finding someone who could make her forget him, but in that moment, she couldn't deny the truth any longer. Her shoulders slumped as she spoke, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry... I should have just said something..."

Her gaze dropped to the floor, tears falling freely now as she fought to compose herself. Part of her still wanted him to understand, wanted to explain everything that had happened and convince him it was all a misunderstanding... but another part knew that would never be enough. Maybe she deserved this pain, this heartache... maybe she had brought it upon herself with her own selfish choices. "I just want you to know," she

"I never stopped wanting you... Even after everything." She looked up, meeting his eyes again briefly before dropping them, unable to face the pain she saw there. "I just thought... it was too late." Tears continued to stream down her cheeks as she forced herself to take a step back, giving him the space he so clearly needed. "I'm sorry for everything," she whispered hoarsely before turning and walking slowly out of the bar. Her heart felt like lead in her chest, every part of her aching with loss and regret.

Outside, the bright lights of the city bounced off the buildings, casting a harsh glare over the street. She shivered slightly despite the warmth of the summer air, feeling lost and directionless as she made her way to the bus stop. The journey home would be long and lonely, but at least she could escape the pain that lingered in the bar's

As she waited for the bus under the unforgiving streetlights, her tears continued to fall unchecked. She pressed her palms against her eyes in a futile attempt to stop them from flowing, but they only seemed to come faster and harder now. The night air carried the distant wails of sirens, as if echoing her own inner turmoil. Maybe I should have never left home... maybe things would be different if I had just stayed with you... But it's too late for that now, isn't it? No use dwelling on what could have been...

The sound of the approaching bus snapped her out of her thoughts, and she quickly wiped away her tears before boarding. She took a seat near the back, resting her head against the cool window glass as she stared out at the passing scenery. Even in the midst of her pain and heartache, a small part of her hoped that things could

As the bus ride went on, her tears finally dried up, leaving behind a hollow ache in her chest. She sat there in silence, trying to make sense of everything that had happened and wondering what the future held for her. Maybe someday she'd be able to find peace, to put all this pain behind her... but until then, she could only ride out the storm and hope that somehow things would get better.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a jolt as the bus pulled up in front of her stop. With a sigh, she gathered her things and prepared to disembark, already dreading the long walk home through the darkened streets. As she stepped off the bus, she glanced back one last time before turning around, wondering if someday they might find their way back to each other... but deep down, she knew that hope was little more than a flickering candle in the midst of an endless darkness

"Maybe..." she murmured softly to herself, clutching her belongings tightly as she began the lonely walk home. The cool night air brushed against her cheeks, a gentle reminder of everything that had changed since she'd left home all those years ago. She took small, shaky breaths, trying to steady her racing heart and slow the pounding in her ears.

Her steps faltered as she caught sight of her reflection in a window. The girl she saw there looked so different from the hopeful, carefree teenager who had once dreamed of the future. Now, she was little more than a shadow of her former self, scarred by heartache and regret. A single tear slid down her cheek as she realized that there might never be a way back to the life she'd lost... but even so, she couldn't help but hold on to the tiny sliver of hope that maybe