I've been trying to move on from him. My delusions have gone on for so long, I can't even remember a time I wasn't thinking about him.

I remember the way he held me, the sweet words he'd say to me, that brought me comfort and made me feel loved. I miss it all so much.

I remember the way he would hold my hand when we walked down the street, the way he held me just a little tighter when he felt jealous.

It's all so surreal that all of it is gone, well, it isn't gone. It's merely for someone else now.

...

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a car suddenly honk at me, my eyes glazed.

I saw the bright headlights of a car illuminating me and filling my vision. I put a hand to cover my eyes and I squinted, I looked around and saw that I was standing in the middle of the street.

I blushed and quickly walked off of the street, and the busy street continued.

I walked down the sidewalk now, past people, past couples.

My empty gaze stared ahead, not focused on anything in particular, as my thoughts consumed my attention.

I miss him, even though it's been some time. It's been a year, and yet I still can't find it in me to move on. Don't get me wrong, I've tried.

As I looked up at the towering skyscrapers, that made up the city's skyline, I just sighed.

Bright lights filled my vision, as my mind wandered elsewhere, somewhere deep within me.

I had been going on dates recently, trying to see if I could get back out there, but every time I got too comfortable, I pushed them away. No matter how sweet or kind they were to me, no matter how attentive or thoughtful they were.

I always found myself leaving, it's like I'm still with him.

But I am not, I simply find myself devoted to someone who has moved on, long ago.

I haven't talked to him ever since the breakup, not like I chose to, he simply cut me off. Stopped talking to me, and didn't reply to a single text or answer any calls. I gave up trying a while ago. I blocked his number to prevent any further attempts, I would just be feeding my delusions if I didn't.

I sniffled, reminiscing about our relationship together. I miss it, not just the feeling of being loved, cared for and cherished, but I miss him.

I looked at my shoes as I walked, people walking past me as if I was a rock in a river.

I felt myself accidentally bump into someone, and as I collided with them, I felt myself stop in my tracks as I stumbled backward, but a hand came reaching out for mine, taking my own as the person's grip prevented me from falling.

My wide eyes looked at our connected hands, shock, and surprise in my expression as I didn't mean to run into this person or be an inconvenience.

But I'd be more surprised when I looked up and met their eyes, the familiar yellow eyes.

My wide eyes grew even wider, and I felt my heart knot itself, as I observed their features, the familiar messy brown hair I had once run my hands through, the soft lips I used to kiss.

It was him, and he was holding my hand.

"Are you okay?"

He'd ask, pulling me up, bringing me to my feet, as I stood within close proximity to him, my chest brushing over his, as he still held my hand in his, his expression curious as I couldn't look away from his eyes, refusing to break eye contact.

I felt my breathing spike as I felt a rush of emotions meet me, the feeling of his hand holding mine, the feeling of our bodies being so close to each other, his warmth.

"Uh..."

I opened my mouth to speak, maybe to reassure him that I was okay, or maybe to tell him that I missed him, that I loved him, that I knew who he was, and hoped he recognized me too.

But all that came out was a weird sound.

He just chuckled, letting my hand go, but he still stood close to me.

"Well, be more careful, okay?"

He'd say, giving me a smile, a smile that I had dreamed of, and had spent some much time reminiscing about.

He began to walk away and past me.

I was frozen, but despite my state, I knew I couldn't let him go so easily this time, no, not again.

I suddenly turned around and outstretched my hand and grabbed his retreating one.

He stopped, and turned around, raising a brow as he looked at me.

"Huh?"

He seemed surprised, and his confused eyes met my desperate ones.

"Makato."

I said, my breathing stagnant as I forced the word out of me, my voice shaky.

"..."

He looked at me, still confused, but a little more closely, and as we simply stood there, our eyes interlocked, he finally recognized me.

"Hanako?"

He said, looking between my desperate expression and my outstretched hand that clutched one of his own.

He looked surprised, his eyes going over me, I didn't blame him for not recognizing me.

I had lost a lot of weight, and the stress of the breakup and my new job crashing down on me had changed me. I also cut my hair, the once long, brown locks that reached my rear, and flowed down my back like a waterfall now shorter.

He looked over my figure, then back into my brown eyes.

"I'm surprised."

He continued, and walked up to me, still holding my hand, which came as a surprise to me because despite him knowing who I am now, and being reminded of what happened between us, he still willingly held my hand in his own.

My desperate expression transitioned to a more confused and surprised one, one that matched his own.

"You've changed."

Makato continued, again, my mouth hung open as to reply, but nothing came out.

"..."

I remained silent throughout the interaction, my thoughts running wild.

"Please."

I said, finally, not wanting him to go, not wanting him to simply walk out of my life again.

He recognized the desperation in my voice and his expression softened, despite the cold way he walked out of my life, here he was, coming back into my life, his charm no different than before.

I opened my mouth again to say the words I had been wanting to say for so long, but he beat me to them.

"I missed you."

I froze, my wide eyes staring into his as my mouth hung agape, my shock all over my expression.

I was supposed to say that, why was he saying them when he was the one who walked out of my life? Why was he saying them if he was the one who didn't reply to me, answer any of my calls, or even bother reaching out, to give me proper closure.

He squeezed my hand and smiled at me softly, his warmth causing my mind to go blank for a moment, as the gesture reminded me of our relationship, and how sweet he was.

"Did you miss me?"

He said, a hopeful expression on his face.

I sniffled, as I squeezed his hand back, and intertwined his other hand with mine, holding him close.

"How could I not?"

I said, looking up at him, as our bodies held each other close, I had completely forgotten we were in the middle of a busy sidewalk, but it's not like I cared either.

As I savored the moment, a tear escaped my eyes and began to run down my cheek.

Makato just smiled and let go of one of my hands to wipe my face.

"You're as beautiful as ever."

"You think so?"

"I don't just think so, I know I so."