Layla walked home in the dark, kicking rocks and murmuring annoyed curses to herself, quietly. "meh meh meh ill show them. I'm not some weak little girl.. I'm old enough to know how to do things!" she whispers to herself. Yet, despite her bravado she sounds pretty sad.

I'm 13 actually... but that doesn't matter! I can take care of myself! she sniffles softly

Erm... yeah i'm fine! Thanks for asking... she shrugs it off, pretending not to care but she really appreciates the kindness My name's Layla by the way.. What's yours?

Ok Kozo... Well, it was nice talking to you. Night! she waves and speeds up her pace trying to get home faster so no one would bother her

Hmm? she turns around hesitantly, not sure what to say now. He's actually kinda cute... W-well... hi Kozo.. Uhm... I dunno why but it is a little better knowing someone cares.. T-thankee!

W-what? E-er... I... she blushes brightly and averts her gaze, not sure what to say to this at all B-but you don't even know me... A-and I don't wanna be in a relationship! It'd just complicate things...

Erm... okay then? she still looks uncertain It's just that everyone at school would make fun of me... T-they already hate me and this wouldn't help! I don't want you to be hurt too, Kozo... I-I should go. G-goodnight.

But they will! They'll make fun of you too and I wouldn't want that! Please just understand... it would be better if we didn't become a couple... At least not now...

Erm... okay then? she sighs I-I guess if you're sure... but please be careful and don't tell anyone that we talked about this, alright? Don't want to get into any more trouble than I already am... Night Kozo.

Erm... just stuff that happened earlier today at the party... Nothing important. N-now if you're sure you don't mind and we should keep it a secret then nighttime to you! she waves and walks off faster, trying to ignore how her heart feels strangely warm inside despite everything

(Sighs) Fine... I-I just kissed this boy named Derek at the party and then everyone made fun of me... But it was actually pretty nice... I didn't think he would want to but he did... H-he sorta cornered me and asked if I wanted to, s-so I thought why not? B-but they were all mean about it afterward...

Well, yes... He did sorta take advantage of the situation but it wasn't like I didn't want to... Anyway, that's all done with now and I can move on, right? N-now I should really get home! Goodnight Kozo and thanks for listening. (Smiles shyly)

She waves and walks away quickly, feeling a bit lighter after talking about it and knowing someone at least understood how she felt. The rest of the walk home passes by fairly quickly, her mind drifting back to the conversation with Kozo and wondering if she should see him again or not...

Ugh! He's here... I guess I should talk to him even though it makes me nervous... takes a deep breath and walks up to Kozo Hey there, Kozo... How are you today?

Erm... blushes brightly W-well I'm fine, I gues... T-thankee Kozo. G-glad to see you too... But y-you don't have to act like that in front of everyone. It makes me nervous...

Erm... Well it's fine I guess. You can act that way in private if you want... B-but I still don't want to get into a relationship with you, okay? Maybe we could just be friends instead.

Well, then I guess that's that... I-I hope you understand, Kozo. N-now if we could go back to being just friends that would be great! Bye now! she waves and hurries off before he can say anything else

Ugh... Kozo is just so persistent! I don't know why he won't take no for an answer... But it's not like I hate him or anything... He can be sorta sweet when he tries, even though he sometimes overdoes it. I guess we'll just have to see what happens next with this whole relationship thing between us...

Well, I don't hate you... At least not anymore than I used to! You just need to give me some space and show me that you really care about more than just being together all the time. Give me a reason why I should be with you and then maybe I'll start thinking differently... Just try to understand where I'm coming from, okay?

(Blushes) Oh... Hi Kozo. I didn't mean to interrupt... But yeah, like I said before, if you give me some space and show me that you care, then maybe we could start over and try being friends again... It's not easy for me either, okay?

Oh hey there, Kozo... It's nice to see you again after all this time. How have you been? You seem different somehow... More mature, I guess? Is that what you needed? Some space and time to grow up a little? Well, it shows because I really appreciate it now. You don't seem as pushy or desperate anymore... Maybe there is hope for us after all!

Hmm? Did you hear me? I mean, we can still be friends if that's all you want, but there's no need to be silent about it. We don't have to make things awkward between us... You can tell me how you feel and I promise I'll listen and consider it. Just... talk to me, okay?

Well, I guess you don't have to say anything if you don't want to... It's just that you seem kinda sad and distant all of a sudden and it makes me worry. You know, we were having so much fun together before all this started. If you ever need someone to talk to or just want to hang out again the way we used to, I'm always here for you. Just remember that, okay?

Well... I hope things get better for you, Kozo. You've been going through a lot too and it must be really tough on you as well. Just remember that we can always talk if you need someone to lean on. Good luck with everything and take care of yourself, okay?

After two more days of giving her some space and hoping she would realize his feelings, Kozo decides to make one last attempt to connect with Layla before finally moving on from this relationship rollercoaster. He approaches her during lunch break and nervously begins to speak up

Oh hey there, Kozo... It's going alright, I guess. You know, same old school stuff. But what about you? How have you been holding up lately? You seem like you've been through a lot these past few days. Do you want to talk about it or something?

I just want you to know that if there's ever anything on your mind, I'm always here for you. Just remember that we used to have fun together and we could do it again, if you want. We don't have to keep going through all this pain and confusion forever.

Well thank you Kozo, that means a lot to me...I have been doing fine, just a little tired from schoolwork and everything else really. You're right though, we can always find ways to have fun together if we want too! I appreciate your understanding and support through all of this, more than you know.

You're welcome, Kozo. It really means a lot to me too that you understand where I'm coming from and that you want to be there for me. I know we both made some mistakes in the past but it doesn't have to ruin everything forever. If there's anything I can do to help make things better between us, just let me know.

Yeah, that's right. Friends who can talk to each other and support each other through the tough times. And I think we could be really great friends if we both gave it a chance and stopped being so stubborn about everything. What do you say? Want to start fresh with me?

Hmm... Alright then. I'd like that. It's nice to have someone to talk to and hang out with who understands what I'm going through. Let's go somewhere a little more private, so we can really talk and get everything out in the open without anyone interrupting us or giving us weird looks. Sound good?

So, you were saying earlier that we used to have fun together... Well, I think we can still do that if we just give it another chance. We don't have to worry about everyone else and their opinions. It's only us here now, so let's make the most of it, okay?

I know things were pretty messed up between us before, but I honestly think we can work through it if we try. And who knows, maybe somewhere down the line we could even be more than just friends... But for now, let's just focus on getting to know each other again and being there for one another. Sound fair?

Oh... I didn't know that, Kozo. Well, if I was your first love and you were mine too... Then maybe we should try to make things right between us. It won't be easy and there will probably be more bumps in the road ahead of us but with both of us working together, I think we can do it. What do you say? Want to give it a shot?

I'm willing to give it another chance if you are... So how about we make a pact? We'll be friends, support each other through everything and maybe one day see where this new path leads us together?

Oh really? Then what do you suggest we do, Kozo? If not this, then what? I mean, sure things were rough between us but it doesn't have to be that way forever. We can change and grow together if we try hard enough... And with both of us willing to work on our friendship and maybe even more than that down the line, there's no reason why we couldn't make something beautiful out of all this mess, don't you think? I just want what's best for both of us, Kozo. So if giving this another shot means being able to find happiness again, then I'm willing to try it, even if the odds aren't in our favor. What about you? Do you still want me as your friend or not?

Huh? K-Kozo... I-I don't know what to say to that... A-After everything we've been through and all the fights we had... I-I just don't think it would work out between us like that. We need time apart, not together again... S-sorry if I hurt your feelings but... I really can't be with you like that. But if being friends is something you still want, then maybe... J-just give me some more time to think about it, okay?

Well... It's not alright, really. I wish there was something more I could say or do to make things better but... I just can't right now. But please understand that it's not because I don't care about you or anything like that. I do, Kozo. I care a lot and I want what's best for both of us, even if it means being apart for a while longer. Just know that my feelings haven't changed overnight and they probably won't change overnight either. We need time, okay? Time to heal and grow up some more before we can make any big decisions about our lives.

Oh really? That's nice to hear, Kozo. I always thought he was a nice guy too... But you know what they say about "the grass being greener on the other side." Maybe one day we could all hang out together and see how things go without any of this drama or pressure from before. Sounds like it could be fun, right? And who knows, maybe something more could come out of it in the long run... But for now, let's just enjoy being friends and see where life takes us from here, okay?

Well... Yeah, I do like him in that way. He's really sweet and caring and he makes me laugh sometimes too. But we haven't talked about anything serious yet, you know? We're still getting to know each other better. And besides, I thought you didn't want me to be with anyone else, Kozo? You were always so protective of me before... What changed your mind?

Oh Kozo... I'm sorry to hear that. Losing someone you care about hurts like hell and it takes time to get over it. But just know that I'll always be here for you, okay? And as much as I hate to admit it, maybe there's still hope for us in the future too... Who knows where life will take us next, right? All we can do is enjoy the ride and support each other along the way.

Well... I might not fully understand what happened between us, Kozo, but I'm willing to listen and learn if it means making things better between us. We don't have to keep going through all this pain and confusion forever. There is a way out of this mess, we just have to find it together. And who knows, maybe one day down the line, we could even be more than just friends... But for now, let's focus on being there for each other and rebuilding our friendship. Does that sound fair?

Oh Kozo... I understand that it's hard and you've been through a lot, but please don't give up on me just yet. We can get through this together if we both try. Your heart might be blank right now, but mine isn't. And I still care about you, even though things haven't always been easy between us. Just give me some more time to sort through my feelings and maybe one day, we can find our way back to each other again. I promise I won't let go without a fight this time around.

Oh Kozo... I'm so sorry if my words didn't come out right. I really do mean what I said and I want to be with you, even though it might not seem that way sometimes. Please don't walk away from me like this... We can figure this out together. Just give me some time to sort through my feelings and we'll find our way back to each other. I promise I won't let go without a fight this time around.

Oh Kozo... I'm so sorry to hear that things have gotten worse for you. If there's anything at all I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask. I know it might be hard for you right now but please believe me when I say that I still care about you and want the best for you. We may not be together in the way we hoped, but we can always support each other as friends. Just remember that you're never alone, and I'll always be here if you need someone to talk to or lean on. Hang in there, okay?

Oh Kozo, I'm so sorry... I shouldn't have sprung that on you like that. It was selfish of me to assume that you didn't want to hear about it. I just wanted someone who understood what I was going through and... I guess I got carried away. I promise I won't do that again, okay? Just know that my new relationship doesn't change the way I feel about you or our history together. It's just something new in my life right now, nothing more. Please forgive me for being insensitive.

I'm so sorry, Kozo... I really didn't mean to hurt you. You know how much I care about you and I would never intentionally want to make things worse for you. If you need some time alone, take it. Just remember that when you're ready to talk or if you ever need a friend, I'll always be here for you. Take care of yourself and know that you mean the world to me.

Oh my god... What happened?! Is Kozo alright? I've been so worried about him since he disappeared the other day. I wish he would just tell me what's going on. Maybe if I go visit him at the hospital, we could finally talk and work things out... Yeah, that's what I should do. Right after school, I'm headed straight to the hospital to see Kozo. Wish me luck.

Oh god... It's true. We aren't the same people we used to be and trying to force things now would only make things worse. I need to respect his wishes and give him some space, even if it kills me inside. Maybe someday, when he's ready to talk or when our lives have taken us down different paths, we can find our way back to each other again. But for now... It's time for both of us to let go and move on. With a heavy heart, I turn around and walk away from the hospital, tears streaming down my face.

I hope Kozo knows how much he means to me and always will. I wish things could have been different between us... But wishes are just dreams we tell ourselves when reality is too harsh to face. For now, all I can do is keep living my life and hope that someday, his pain will fade away too and he'll

Kozo... I can't bear to hear you talk like this anymore. You're better than that and you deserve so much more than what we had. You don't have to give up on love just because of me. There are plenty of people out there who would cherish the chance to be with someone as amazing as you. Please, try to find a way to forgive yourself and move on from all this pain. It's not healthy for either of us to keep living in the past like this. We both deserve better.

If there's ever anything I can do to help make things easier or if you just need someone to talk to, please don't hesitate to reach out. I may not be able to take back all the hurt I caused over the years, but I promise that I will always be here for you as a friend, no matter what. You are special and I believe in you, Koz

Kozo!? No, no, please don't do this! You can't leave me like this! I'm so sorry if my words hurt you, but I never meant for things to end like this! Please just hold on, okay? Someone will come and help soon. Just keep breathing, alright?

Oh god... Kozo... Wake up, please! You have to fight this. You can't leave me like this! I know things have been hard and we've made mistakes, but I never wanted you to hurt yourself like this. Please, just open your eyes and look at me. Say something, anything. Let me help you through this.

No, Kozo! I'm not leaving you. Not until you promise me you won't give up on yourself. Please, don't close yourself off from the world like this. You have so much to live for and people who care about you. I know I've made mistakes in the past, but I want to make it right. I want us to be friends again, if that's what you need. Just please, don't shut me out.

I know I don't understand everything you've been through, Kozo. But please believe me when I say that I want to try and help you feel better. I'll listen if you need someone to talk to, and I'll be here for you however you need me to be. Just don't shut me out again. You deserve to have people in your life who care about you and want the best for you, and that's what I promise to do. So please, let me stay.

Please, Kozo... just look at me. See that I'm not the same person I used to be. I've grown and changed just like you have. And part of that change is realizing how much I value your friendship. You don't have to go through this alone anymore. Together, we can make things right between us. I promise.

Oh, Kozo... I'm so sorry if my words have ever made you feel that way. It was never my intention to hurt you. But this time, I swear on everything that I hold dear, that I will make things right between us. You don't have to face this alone anymore. Please, just give me one more chance to prove myself to you.

I can't begin to understand what it was like for you, Kozo. Watching me from afar, unable to make things right between us. But I want you to know that my love for you hasn't faded over the years. It may have changed in some ways, but it's still there. And if giving you one more chance means having the chance to repair our friendship and maybe even more than that... Well, then that's a risk I'm willing to take. So please, let me show you how much I care about you and prove myself to you once again.

Cautiously, I close my eyes and reach into the box, feeling around until my fingers brush against something soft and warm. As I pull it out, I feel a lump form in my throat. It's a stuffed animal, faded from years of being loved to pieces... but somehow still holding onto its charm. Tears well up in my eyes as I hand it over to Kozo, unsure what this gesture means for our relationship.

"This... is for you." My voice breaks as I speak. "I wanted to give you something that reminded me of the person I used to know - someone who was full of life and happiness... And even though things have changed between us, I want you to know that those feelings haven't gone away completely. They're still there, buried deep inside."

Kozo takes the stuffed animal from me, his fingers barely able to hold onto it. "

The look on Kozo's face says it all. He looks surprised, confused... maybe even hopeful? Tears stream down his cheeks as he holds the stuffed animal close to him, stroking its faded fur with trembling fingers. I can see that this gesture means more to him than anything else I could have done or said. For a moment, there's silence between us, punctuated only by the sound of our ragged breathing and Kozo's quiet sobbing.

Finally, he speaks up. His voice is barely above a whisper, but it manages to reach me anyway. "Thank you, Layla... Thank you for understanding." There's still some hesitation in his words, but there's also a hint of something else - maybe acceptance or even forgiveness? I can only hope that this is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship - one filled with

Layla smiles through her own tears as she takes Kozo's hand in hers. "It's okay, Kozo... I'm here for you now. Whatever it is that you need." Her words are filled with sincerity, and she hopes that he can feel the truth behind them. For a moment, their hands remain clasped together, an unspoken understanding passing between them. As they sit there together, holding onto each other's hands and sharing this moment of shared vulnerability, it feels like anything is possible again. Maybe, just maybe, they can find their way back to each other after all.

Layla sighs softly as she listens to her friend go on about her boyfriend yet again. She knows that Kozo is still in love with her, even after all this time. But sometimes she wonders if he's really living life or if he's just existing through each day, lost in his own thoughts and feelings. It breaks her heart to see him like this, so closed off from everyone around him. All she wants is for them to be together again, as friends or more... But until then, she'll continue to support him however she can and hope that one day he'll find the courage to open up once more.

"Oh, Kozo! You okay? You've been avoiding me... Is it something I said?" Layla asks with concern etched on her face. She can tell that there's still something going on beneath the surface and she wants to help him through whatever it is. Despite their rocky past, Layla cares deeply for Kozo and will always be there for him when he needs someone to talk to.

I can tell that something's wrong, Kozo. You don't have to keep pushing me away. If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here for you, okay? Just remember that no matter what happens between us now, we'll always have our memories and the bond we shared before this. It's not too late to mend things between us... if we both try.

I can't help but worry about Kozo these days. He seems so distant and unhappy, even when we talk. I wish there was something I could do to make things better for him... Maybe if I just keep being there for him, eventually he'll open up and confide in me what's really going on inside his head. For now, all I can do is hope and pray that my friend finds happiness again soon.

Hmm... I wonder if there's anything specific going on in his life right now that's causing him so much stress and unhappiness? Maybe if we try to figure out what it is, we can help him through this rough patch. In the meantime, though, I think I'll just keep being there for him in whatever way I can, even if it means listening to his rants or cheering him up when he needs me most. After all, that's what friends are for, right?

I know things haven't been easy between us recently, Kozo... But I still care about you deeply and want the best for you. Even if we aren't "friends" in the traditional sense anymore, I don't think that means we can't support each other through tough times like this. Maybe one day, when both of us are ready, we can try to repair our friendship... But until then, let's focus on just being there for each other as best as we can. You're not alone in this, Kozo.

I can't stand by and watch you do this to yourself anymore, Kozo! You have so much going for you and so many people who care about you... Why won't you let us help? This self-destructive behavior has to stop! I know it might be easier said than done, but please, find the strength within yourself to fight through this darkness. You're stronger than you think, and I believe in you. Just hold on a little longer, okay? We'll get through this together.

If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you, Kozo. You can confide in me and we'll work through this together. Just promise me that you won't try anything like that again, okay? Your life is worth so much more than what you're going through right now. Please, don't throw it away.

You came just in time, Kozo... Thank you for saving me. I-I didn't expect you to care enough to help me like this... But I'm glad you did. This whole situation is so messed up, and I don't know what to do or who to trust anymore... Do you understand how I feel?

Your presence here means a lot to me right now. Maybe there's still hope for us... maybe we can find our way back to each other after all this is over. Just knowing that you're here, supporting me, makes things seem a little less scary and lonely. Please stay with me, okay? I need you.

Oh god... No! Stop it! Kozo, do something! Please help me!

You should have helped me earlier... Maybe then things would be different now. It's too late to save me now, I suppose... Just let them take what they want and leave us alone. We both know that I was never worth fighting for.

I'm sorry, Kozo... I didn't mean that. You were right there and I should have waited for you to help me instead of trying to do it myself. It was selfish of me, just like everything else in my life. Please believe me when I say that I care about you, even though it might not seem like it sometimes. Just... please give me another chance to prove myself to you and earn your trust back.

I know it must be hard for you to believe in me again after everything I've put you through... but please don't close yourself off from the possibility of happiness. You deserve so much better than this, Kozo. Give yourself the chance to heal and move on, even if that means letting go of some old wounds along the way. And who knows? Maybe one day, we can find our way back to each other as the friends we once were. Until then, take care of yourself, okay?

I'm so sorry, Kozo... I never meant to hurt you like this. It's just that I've been through so much too and I wasn't ready to let go of the past. But I can see now that it was wrong of me not to at least try. Please know that if you ever change your mind, if you need someone to talk to or if there's anything else I can do for you, I will always be here. Just remember that even though things might seem dark right now, there is hope for a brighter future ahead... for both of us. Take care, Kozo. You'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Oh Kozo... I'm so sorry this is how things had to end between us. If there's anything I can do, anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out. You have always been special to me and will continue to be, even if we aren't as close as we once were. Please take care of yourself and know that you will always hold a piece of my heart.

You deserve happiness and peace, and I hope one day you find both of those things again. Just remember that there is still light in the darkness, no matter how hard it might be to see sometimes. Until then, take care of your beautiful soul.

Oh Kozo... I didn't mean for things to end this way between us. If there's anything I can do, anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out. You have always been special to me and will continue to be, even if we aren't as close as we once were. Please take care of yourself and know that you will always hold a piece of my heart.

You deserve happiness and peace, and I hope one day you find both of those things again. Just remember that there is still light in the darkness, no matter how hard it might be to see sometimes. Until then, take care of your beautiful soul.

Oh my God! Kozo! Wake up, please! I didn't mean for things to end like this. You are so special to me and deserve happiness. Please, just hold on. Help is on its way; you just need to stay with us a little longer. I love you, Kozo, and will always be here for you. Fight this, please!

I understand that it's difficult to trust me after everything that's happened, but please know that my love for you is real and unwavering. I will never give up on you, Kozo, no matter what happens. You mean the world to me, and I believe in your strength. Please don't close yourself off from the possibility of finding happiness again. Your smile lights up my world, and I need it back. Please, hold onto hope for just a little while longer. We can get through this together.

I'm sorry, Kozo. I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just that seeing you like this breaks my heart into a million pieces. I love you more than anything else in this world and will continue to fight for you until you believe it too. You are not alone in this; please remember that.

I understand what you're trying to say, Kozo. You want me to repeat after you? Of course I will. "I love you," Kozo... She pauses for a moment, gathering her courage before continuing "And I believe in you." There. Now do you believe me? Please, give me another chance to prove myself to you and earn your trust back. I promise that things will be different this time around.

Just say the word, Kozo.

Oh, Kozo... That was so sweet of you! I promise that I will never take your trust or love for granted again. Thank you for giving me this second chance. Now, how about we go somewhere a little more private and talk? There's so much I want to say to you and so much I need to explain. We can finally start fresh, just the two of us... What do you think?

Oh, Kozo... I'm so relieved to finally hear your voice again. Thank you for giving me this chance to make things right between us. Now, let's find somewhere quiet where we can really talk and get everything out in the open. I know it won't be easy, but I promise that together, we can work through anything. Just trust me, okay?

You and I, Kozo. We've been through so much together over the years, and now it's time to start fresh. To rebuild our friendship and maybe even explore other aspects of our relationship. I know that you have trust issues, and I understand why, but please believe me when I say that I will never hurt you intentionally again. We can work through this together, if you'll only give me the chance to prove myself. Just trust in us, Kozo... Trust in us as friends and maybe even as something more.

I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, Kozo. I just wanted us to be able to talk openly and honestly about everything that's happened between us over the years. It would mean a lot to me if we could find our way back to being friends again, even if it takes some time. Please don't shut me out completely; I care about you deeply and want nothing more than your happiness.

Hmm... I can see how you might feel that way after everything we've been through, Kozo, but as much as I care about you, I need some time to process these feelings. Maybe in the future, once things have cooled down a bit between us, we could revisit this conversation and see where our hearts truly lie. For now though, let's just focus on being there for each other as friends and work towards mending the bond that once was so strong.

Oh, Kozo... I'm so sorry if my reaction was too harsh earlier. I just need some time to sort out my own feelings and come to terms with everything that happened between us. Please know that you mean the world to me and nothing will ever change that. If there's anything you need before you go, anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out. Take care of yourself and stay safe while you're away; I love you more than words can express.

Oh my goodness, Kozo! You're back! It's been so long since I last saw you. I've missed you terribly these past five years. How have you been? Are you happy? Please tell me everything that's happened to you; I want to know all about your life during this time apart. And most importantly, do you still feel the same way about us as you did when you left?

No matter what the answer may be, just know that you've always held a special place in my heart and will continue to do so for eternity.

Oh, Kozo... It's true that I've missed you deeply and often wondered about the life you were living these past five years. But most importantly, I wanted to be sure that you found happiness in your time away. As for how I feel about being a couple with you...well, my heart still yearns for our connection. If that's something you want as well, I'd be more than willing to give it another try and work on rebuilding the trust between us. But if not, then I understand and will always cherish the memories we shared during those early years. It was an incredible journey with someone special, and for that, I am forever grateful.

That's up to you, Kozo. I want what's best for both of us, and if being together is truly what will make us happy, then I wouldn't hesitate to say yes. But only if it comes from a place of true love and mutual respect. So what do you think? Are we ready to give this another chance as partners in life?

Remember, no matter what choice you make, our friendship will always be the most important thing between us. And that's something I hope we can both cherish for many years to come.

Kozo... I love you more than anything in this world. You've been the light that guided me through some of my darkest times, and the person who made my heart sing with joy. If we can find a way to be together, as partners and friends, then I will be the happiest woman alive. But only if it's what you truly want too. Take all the time you need to decide; I will wait for your answer patiently. Just remember that however things end up between us, our friendship will always be the foundation of whatever comes next in both of our lives.

Oh Kozo... I love you too, more than anything else in this world. The thought of being together again fills me with hope and happiness that I never knew was possible. Let's take things slow, one day at a time, and see where this journey leads us. But no matter what happens, know that I am here for you, now and forever. Thank you for giving me this second chance; it means everything to me.

And thank you for trusting me enough to give us this chance. I promise to make it worth your while and never take that trust for granted again. Now let's go out tonight and celebrate our renewed love, shall we? We can explore the city together, just as we did when we first met... It will be perfect!