After Our Universe Collided

UNIVERSE 19

Is there still anything that love can do? 
愛にできることはまだあるかい 
Ai ni dekiru koto wa mada aru kai?

Tokyo, Japan; May 19, 2027

WHEN RAN arrived at the apartment where he and Eliana were living, he noticed that some of the girl's clothes were gone. But Eliana's books and drawings are still there. Ran couldn't help but be emotional but he had to be strong.

He will not leave the apartment instead he will stay there. He also told his manager that he let Eliana take a vacation in the Philippines. And the manager agreed because it was Ran's personal decision. Even though the girl resigned, Ran doesn't acknowledge that.

Later their group chat released a memo regarding VNL. He checked the location of the VNL and the quarterfinals will be held in the Philippines in July.

This gave him the motivation to do better in practice and in the upcoming tournament. He took his things and went to the arena.

But when he arrived at the arena, he saw Hana who was waiting for him. He sighed and faced Hana. Ran asks Hana to go to the nearest coffee shop to do the right thing he needs to do.

"Hana," Ran called and Hana is still drinking her coffee. "I will be cutting our ties for the sake of a truce."

Hana was surprised by the reason why her tears started to fall. "Wh-What happened Ran? You say that you love me!"

"That is before Hana when we are in a relationship," Ran said and tried to be calm. "And it's different now because I am in a relationship with someone who appreciates me for who I am."

"So what are you pointing out? That I just used you?" Hana asked and grinned. "I know that I still have a part in your heart, Ran. That's why you're still helping me."

"Yes, I know that you are just using me because your mother has an illness and using me to get money from me," Ran revealed. "So I helped you by paying the hospital bills of your mother."

"Wh-What?"

"I am helping you because Eliana changed my viewpoint in life," Ran said, which made Hana stop. "She's the reason why I was not afraid to face you even though you make me anxious after you leave me. And the time when Eliana came into my life, that anxiety that I felt, the fear of love again, she changed it. She always understands me and does not fear to correct my mistakes. Those mistakes that you've made to me," Ran said and he couldn't help but frown his eyebrows. "I was immature and insecure but I learned to trust a girl, to trust those people who truly appreciate me."

Ran remembered the day he and Eliana were not in a relationship, Eliana said that she would not use the opportunity of being a teacher to make her fall in love with him. Above all, the girl appreciates him no matter what happens. Even if he gets old or vulnerable. 

Then his feelings go deeper like an ocean, especially since Eliana is more direct to the point if he speaks without meandering. That is the girl he truly likes.

Ran showed the pictures taken with him and Hana together at the hospital and cafe. "You didn't tell the truth to Eliana. I helped you out at the hospital because you asked for my help. And at the cafe, you asked me to join you because you felt ill and you needed company since you felt depressed. But the truth is you want to ruin my relationship with Eliana," Ran said and stood up. "Drop the masks you had Hana, we're already done before. So please . . . stop ruining my peaceful life."

He learned all of these from his cousin, Anrie since his cousin wants to know everything and help him out, especially with his brother. Anrie told that someone is messaging Eliana, an unknown person who is taking pictures of him and Hana.