Chapter 43: The Reality of Distance

The days flew by too quickly. Before I knew it, it was my last night with Mahiru before I had to return home. She sat beside me on the bed, her fingers playing with the hem of her sweater.

"I hate this part," she admitted softly.

I sighed, tilting her chin up so she would meet my gaze. "Me too. But we're making it work, aren't we?"

She nodded, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. "It just feels lonely sometimes."

I pulled her into my arms. "Then let's do everything we can to make the distance feel smaller."

She clutched my shirt tightly. "Okay."

That night, we made another promise—to never let the distance dull what we had. No matter what, we would always find ways to stay close.