Life had settled into a comforting rhythm for Aizen and Violet. Their relationship was out in the open, and they enjoyed the simplicity of being together without the need for secrecy. Everything seemed perfect, almost too perfect.

  One Friday afternoon, as they were wrapping up their badminton practice, Violet noticed a strange look on Aizen’s face. He seemed distant, lost in thought, and it worried her.

  “Aizen, is everything okay?” Violet asked, gently placing a hand on his arm as they walked toward the locker rooms.

  Aizen snapped out of his thoughts and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about some stuff.”

  Violet wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t press him. Aizen was usually open with her, but she could tell that whatever was on his mind was something he wasn’t ready to talk about yet.

  That evening, as they were getting ready to leave the school, Aizen’s phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced at it and his face immediately tensed up. He quickly put his phone away, but not before Violet caught a glimpse of the message on the screen.

  It was from an unknown number, and the only visible part of the message read, “We need to talk about...”

  Violet’s heart sank. She had no idea what it could be about, but the look on Aizen’s face told her it wasn’t something good.

  Aizen noticed her concerned expression and sighed. “It’s nothing, Violet. Just... something I need to take care of.”

  Violet nodded, though the unease in her chest didn’t go away. She trusted Aizen, but the uncertainty of the situation left her feeling uneasy.

  The next day, Aizen seemed distracted, even during their usual gaming session at his apartment. He was quieter than usual, his focus slipping every now and then. Violet tried to make conversation, but Aizen’s responses were short, almost as if he was somewhere else entirely.

  Finally, unable to bear the tension any longer, Violet decided to ask him directly. “Aizen, what’s going on? You’ve been acting strange ever since you got that message. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me.”

  Aizen hesitated, running a hand through his hair. He looked at Violet, his expression conflicted. “I didn’t want to worry you, but... something unexpected came up.”

  Violet’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

  Aizen took a deep breath. “It’s about my parents. They... they’ve asked me to come back home.”

  Violet’s eyes widened in shock. “What? But I thought they were transferred far away. Why would they want you to come back now?”

  “They’ve had a change in their situation,” Aizen explained, his voice heavy. “Their new assignment ended earlier than expected, and now they’re asking me to come live with them again. It’s not like they’re forcing me, but they really want me to consider it.”

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  Violet felt a lump forming in her throat. The thought of Aizen leaving was like a punch to the gut. They had just started building something beautiful together, and now this? “Are you... are you going to go?” Violet asked, her voice trembling slightly.

  Aizen looked down at the floor, his expression torn. “I don’t know, Violet. Part of me wants to stay here with you, with Ryuen and Kei. But another part of me feels like I owe it to my parents to at least consider it. They’ve sacrificed a lot for me, and now they’re asking me to be with them.”

  Violet’s mind was racing. She knew how much Aizen cared about his parents, and she didn’t want to be the reason he regretted not going back to them. But at the same time, the thought of him leaving was unbearable.

  “Whatever you decide, Aizen,” Violet began, her voice shaky but resolute, “I’ll support you. I want you to do what’s best for you, even if it means... we have to be apart.”

  Aizen’s heart ached at her words. He reached out, taking her hand in his. “Violet, I don’t want to leave you. This... this is the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

  They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.

  The future that had seemed so clear just days ago was now clouded with uncertainty.

  That night, after Violet had left, Aizen lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The idea of leaving everything behind, especially Violet, was something he could hardly bear. But the thought of disappointing his parents, who had done so much for him, gnawed at his conscience.

  Days passed, and Aizen still hadn’t made a decision. Violet tried to remain strong, but the tension between them was palpable. Even Ryuen and Kei noticed the change, though they didn’t press for details.

  One evening, as Aizen and Violet sat in their usual spot in the park, Aizen finally spoke up.

  “I think... I need to talk to my parents in person,” Aizen said quietly. “I need to see them, understand their situation better, and then I’ll decide.”

  Violet nodded, though her heart ached at the thought. “When will you go?”

  “Tomorrow,” Aizen replied. “It’ll only be for a few days. I just need to clear my head and figure things out.”

  Violet forced a smile, though tears welled up in her eyes. “I understand, Aizen. I’ll be here, waiting for you.”

  The next day, Aizen left to visit his parents. Violet tried to stay busy, throwing herself into her schoolwork and badminton practice, but the emptiness she felt without Aizen by her side was overwhelming.

  When Aizen returned a few days later, he looked exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Violet met him at the park, where they had always found solace together.

  “Aizen...” Violet began, her voice trembling. “Did you... make a decision?”

  Aizen nodded slowly, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of sadness and

  determination. “Yes, Violet. I talked to my parents, and... I’ve decided to stay here. With you.”

  Violet’s eyes widened in surprise and relief, tears spilling over her cheeks. “You’re... staying?”

  Aizen nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Yes. I realized that my life is here now, with you, with Ryuen and Kei. My parents understand, and they support my decision.”

  Violet couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer. She threw her arms around Aizen, hugging him tightly. “I’m so happy, Aizen. I was so scared...”

  Aizen held her close, his heart swelling with love and relief. “I know, Violet. I was scared too. But I couldn’t imagine my life without you. You’re too important to me.”

  As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the weight of the past few days began to lift. The unexpected challenge had tested their relationship, but it had also made them stronger, more certain of what they wanted.

  And now, as they faced the future together, Aizen and Violet knew that no matter what came their way, they would always have each other.

  To be continued...