Sayuri ended up dropping the bags on the floor from the shock of that revelation.
"I'll be going now, see you soon" — she said, still smiling, and got into a car.
Sayuri looked lost, glancing around everywhere. She couldn't believe it. It must be another poisonous provocation from Usagui.
She picked Mike up and ran to the apartment.
"Jun? Jun?"
She called out several times, but he still hadn't arrived, making her even more anxious.
"I'm home, love" — he walked in holding his helmet and placed it on the counter.
"Jun?"
"What is it? Did something happen?"
"You're going to Tokyo?"
He widened his eyes, surprised.
"Sayuri..." — he stepped closer.
"You're going to Tokyo with her?"
"I was going to talk to you about it..."
When she heard that, the confirmation… the world around her disappeared, the ground beneath her feet vanished.
"I can't believe it..."
"Let's talk" — he said, grabbing her arm.
"Don't touch me."
It came out cold like a spear to his chest. She had never spoken to him like that before.
"Love, let's talk, please, listen to me..."
"I'm listening..."
Jun explained everything to her, but the only thing Sayuri could think was: he's going with her. And that was exactly what that girl wanted.
"It'll go by fast and I'll come right back to you..."
"It's not weeks or days, it's months, Jun... months..."
"I know... but I'll come back, Say..." — he looked at her — "I already told you, you're the air I breathe, I live and die for you, I can't live without you..."
Sayuri felt torn. On one hand, she didn't want him to go, but that would be selfish, denying him the chance to fulfill what he had always dreamed of.
With a weak, trembling voice, she said:
"I'll wait for you, right here..." — a tear fell — "but please, come back to me."
"I promise... I'll come back, I will..."
Even after agreeing to Jun going to Tokyo, she cried every day in secret. She didn't want him to see her like that and give up on his dream.
Their last night before he left for Tokyo was the worst.
She watched him while he packed clothes into a suitcase borrowed from Kenji. Sayuri held herself together, but the scene suffocated her. She walked up to him and hugged him without saying anything, and they stayed like that for a while.
Kenji was also packing and Yume was helping him.
"Kenji... keep an eye on Jun... don't let him be alone..."
"What is this, Yume, he'll be fine. We'll be back in a few months with our album... get ready, we'll be famous..."
She didn't laugh. Yume was serious, and Kenji noticed.
"What is it?"
"I won't be here when you come back."
Kenji stopped packing and looked at her, shocked.
"What do you mean? Why not?"
She took a deep breath.
"I'm taking over the New York office... earlier than I thought."
"Wow, Yume... I thought it would only be in a year..."
"So did I..."
A pause.
"But what worries me is Sayuri... she'll be alone, in that apartment with no one..."
Kenji ran his hand through his hair.
"Jun is going to be really worried."
"No, Kenji... don't tell him. He might give up Tokyo and throw everything away..."
"You're right... but soon he'll be back with her and everything will be fine... but I'll miss you, little apprentice..."
The last night before Tokyo was quiet. The starry sky lit up the apartment.
Jun and Sayuri stayed embraced, looking out the window.
"Never forget, this is our sky, and when you miss me look at it, I'll be doing the same" Jun said.
He lowered his head, resting it on her shoulder and began humming "Cherry Blossom", very softly.
And it was impossible to hold back the tears. He picked her up and carried her to the bed, and looking into her eyes he kissed her.
"Thank you for all the happiness you've brought into my life, love..."
"I love you, Jun."
Sayuri woke up first. It was still very early. She stayed there watching Jun, cherishing every second left with him in that apartment.
"Good morning..."
"Good morning, love."
It was almost time for Jun to catch the train and her heart tightened more and more. Jun was suffering too. He had wondered many times during the night if he was doing the right thing. Something inside him felt unsettled, an anxiety, a strange feeling... a fear.
Ding Dong!
Kenji arrived to pick Jun up, and at that moment they looked at each other, letting tears run down their faces.
A devastating pain overwhelmed her, and Jun couldn't move. He didn't want to let her go, and she held him tightly.
Kenji, noticing their sadness, took the bags and said he'd wait downstairs.
Jun got into the car trying to compose himself, and Kenji said nothing, letting his friend feel everything without interference.
From the apartment window, Sayuri watched the car drive away until it disappeared. She collapsed to the floor and hugged her knees like a frightened child.