LIII

We're back!

After over four years of hard work and many tears, Isuma was finally in California.

She leaned back in the passenger seat, contemplating everything she'd done to get here.

College had almost been too much for her. Isuma had chosen her career path months before graduating high school; at the time, sports science had seemed like an easy option. But two months into her courses, she started rethinking her choice.

She'd barely had time to see her brothers and closest friends because she'd studied every spare moment she had. And then it DID become overwhelming for her- so much so that her professor actually ordered Isuma to take a semester off and intern somewhere, thinking that it was a good way to give her time off.

Her professor probably hadn't thought that she'd go all the way to California.

Even after her professor's input, Isuma had faced the difficult obstacle of convincing several different people. Her brothers, Suna, Hishari... the list went on. It was only until after she'd graduated that she was able to find a good internship- and that too had taken a dozen steps. It was only through connections and friends of friends' that Isuma had been invited to join Iwaizumi at his internship in California.

She never ended up taking a semester off, but it was finally decided that she'd go- after arguments that shook Atsumu's apartment's floor and caused both Hishari and Isuma to break down crying- but only if Takahiro went with her.

Why Takahiro? Isuma wasn't quite sure; yes, he too studied sports science, but he was still two years younger than her. Takahiro He flew to California a few weeks before Isuma at Atsumu's request; finally, after many promises from both Takahiro and Iwaizumi, Isuma joined them herself. It still hadn't sunk in yet- the idea that she was in California was a seemingly impossible dream merely three months ago.

But she was here. Finally.

Meeting Takahiro, whom she hadn't seen in months, registered it. He and Iwaizumi were doing their best to fill the silence, but she wasn't hearing anything.  After a few more minutes, her mind automatically tuned out his voice, and she turned her attention to Iwaizumi.

She'd only spoken with him once before, and it was a mere 'hello' at that. Iwaizumi had always struck her as the serious type, the one to reprimand anyone no matter their age. His gaze was careful as if he were memorizing every small detail he was seeing.

Isuma wasn't intimidated by him- not exactly, anyway- but he was still a mystery to her. But several people had vouched for him, claiming he was a wonderful and intelligent person. He hadn't done anything to suggest otherwise, but she still felt wary.

Her eyes went down to her hands. Isuma forced herself to first look at the ring on her smallest finger, a gift from Suna and Ginjima for when she'd been accepted into a program. Then the bracelet: yet another gift, this time from her brothers. The ring on her right hand's index finger was from Hinosa and Karu, who'd become good friends at college.

Hinosa... remembering him reminded her of Tamiko, and just thinking of him opened a box full of pain and guilt and worry. His last words to her had been like a knife in her heart. She'd hurt him- him, one of her best friends, the one who'd gotten her through college.

Isuma pushed away the thoughts and turned her attention to the last one: a delicate band on her ring finger. A wave of emotions crashed on her, overwhelming her mind. Hurt, pain, heartache, longing, desperation... all of it returned to her.

She covered the ring with her hand, trying to control herself. Her eyes were closed. For the first time in years, she had the luxury of recalling the past- and it tore at her heart. She'd thought she left it behind, that she'd gotten over him. A voice in her said reproachfully, 'If you had gotten over him, you wouldn't have kept his ring.'

"Miya-san, are you alright?"

Isuma looked up to see Iwaizumi glancing back at her in concern. Isuma managed a nod. "I'm okay. Just... tired."

"Get some rest then." Takahiro looked at her, smiling. We'll wake you up when we get there!"

Isuma nodded again and leaned back, letting out her breath. 'It's okay... it's okay.'

She recalled her last conversation with Tamiko, how much she'd been crying. Her argument with her brothers a month before she'd left. She could almost hear her mind whirring before it decided to settle on the topic that hurt the most.

Thinking about him wasn't as painful as it had been in high school- but it still hurt more than salt rubbed in a wound. Isuma rubbed her ring and swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing the emotions out of her mind.

'Shinsuke... where are you right now?'

<<Kita Shinsuke's Rice Farm in Japan>>

Shinsuke's eyes were closed as he breathed in and out, letting the wind ruffle his hair and skim his face. The only sounds were the rustling of the rice plants, the occasional flap of wings, and the powerful wind. He could see for hundreds of meters around him, and there wasn't a soul in sight. The scene was so peaceful, it was difficult to imagine a crisis in the world.

Inside, though, Shinsuke's mind was constantly considering his many problems. His peaceful everyday life was only a cover for his complicated past. His sister and brother had arrived the previous night, bringing him news that only made him feel worse.

Upon his request, Hishari hadn't told Shinsuke anything about Isuma for the last four years. He'd had no idea what she'd done with her life... until last night, when Hishari had told him everything.

The selfish part of him wanted to forget. He didn't need to hear about how much Isuma had struggled after high school. That half yearned to see her again; he wanted to find Isuma and never let her go.

The rational side of his mind knew that however much he missed her, she felt worse. He knew that he needed to wait, to suffer a little longer.

It hurt. Even thinking about Isuma tore Shinsuke's heart into two. Sometimes he wanted to stop and find Isuma, but he never did. And now, because of his sister, he was close to giving up.

"Shinsuke."

He didn't turn around at his sister's voice. Hishari stopped several feet behind him, clasping her hands. "Please don't be mad, Shin-chan. I just... I can't. Isuma's pain hurts ME. I can't watch her like that anymore. I haven't argued or protested against your decision for years. At least tell me WHY."

He didn't respond for several long moments. "I'm not mad at you."

Shinsuke finally turned around and approached her. "It hurts me too. SO much. But right now, I'll only hold Isuma back. Look at her, Ari-ni, and look at me. She's in California, pouring all her time and energy into her soul. And me? I just want to have a peaceful life, away from the world."

"What about in the future?" Hishari asked. "Will she choose her career over you? What if-"

"That's Isuma's choice. Once she's finally achieved her goal, she can decide what to pick. I'll accept her choice. But right now, I won't hold her back." Shinsuke watched as Hishari wiped her eyes fiercely. "I understand."

Hishari lifted his hand and kissed it, her small and slender fingertips grazing his ring. Shinsuke felt a pang in his heart as his eyes landed on it. "...does Isuma still have her ring?"

"Of course. She never takes it off." Hishari rubbed his ring, a sad smile on her face. "You know, Isuma never mentions you. She told me that it hurts too much. Once, she accidentally overheard a conversation between Takahiro and me about you. I heard her cry later that night. She loves and misses you so much, Shin-chan."

Hishari reached up and wiped away the single tear on Shinsuke's face. "Let's go back. Karu is waiting."

"...alright."

<<Flashback: 4 1/2 Years Ago>>

Isuma couldn't bring herself to open the envelope.

She desperately wanted to know what Shinsuke had wanted to tell her, but she was hesitant. The lump in the otherwise flat envelope made her anxious. Isuma stared at it for another three minutes before steeling herself and tearing it open.

A single notecard fell out into her palm, along with a small black box. Isuma turned over the notecard first, immediately recognizing Shinsuke's neat handwriting.

'Please don't try to find me.

It will only make it harder for us.

You know as well as me what needs to happen.'

That was all. Isuma reread his words several times, trying to understand the message. Her eyes filled with frustrated tears as she turned to the black box and flipped it open. A thin, delicate ring was nestled inside. Isuma held it in her fist tightly. "...what are you thinking, Kita-san?"

HI!!

Ahh thank you all for waiting! 

We're going to be seeing many flashbacks explaining what's happened in the past 6 years. 

Ciao!