2026.06.25

We met up on a whim. Circumstances beyond our control just clicked into place, and before we knew it we were in each other's arms. In the days leading up to our meeting, all our texts were something like, "I NEED YOUUUU, I CAN'T WAIT TO BE WITH YOUUUU, WAHHHHH!!!!" Funny how, in the days after, they sound exactly the same... But now we're saying "I miss you, I miss you, let's do this again soon."

Neither of us was nervous until the day of. I remember worrying about my face, my hair— I'd braided it up just for you, but didn't it look a little stupid? You reassured me that, as nice as it's sure to look, you're not here to see my hair. You just want to see me.

You're always like that: praising me in meaningful ways. Reminding me that the bright light inside me shines out through my smile, my mannerisms. I spent years worrying that no one would love me because I'm "ugly" and "weird." But with just a few months by your side, and only a few days in your physical presence, you've totally changed my mind.

The soft look in your eyes, the reverence in your touch... I've memorised every tone of voice you used to say, "you're so cute, I love you." Sometimes giddy, sometimes sleepy. Whether you were screaming in my ear or just whispering (as extreme volumes are your quirk), you were equally sincere. I already liked myself well enough. Now I think I'm finally okay with the way I look, too.

And how did I look, sprinting up to you in the station? It was the last thing on my mind when all I wanted was to be with you. I'd spotted you from afar, but from your perspective you just turned around and suddenly I was there. Both of us forgot everything we wanted to say to each other. We spluttered something or another and I tried to catch my breath.

You asked to hug me— of course I said yes! And from that moment on you stayed latched to my arm, resting your head on my shoulder, twining our fingers and stroking my thumb. I admit I was sometimes annoyed by your insatiable need to hold my hand. "It's inconvenient," I said as I let go and walked ahead of you instead. On further reflection, I see my real enemies were the narrow hallways and innocent passersby getting in the way. I'd give anything to hold your hand now.

We went out to eat. Breakfast for dinner. While waiting for our pancakes, I set my feet in your lap and you played with my toes. I couldn't stop staring at you. You're just so sweet and pleasant, and I love the way you perk up when you think of something to say. The light inside you shines out through your face, too, y'know... Somehow you got whipped butter in your hair and it took all my self-control not to suck it clean off. The food was delicious, but we were both exhausted from travelling. By the time we made it back to the hotel, all we could do was have a hot shower and fall into bed.

I will spare our readers the details.

That night you clung to me so tightly, you seeped into my dreams. I dreamt that cuddling gave us magic powers. I dreamt of our phone calls, past and future. In dreams I knew that no matter the distance, I'd always feel your love for me. Each time I woke up, I was so glad you were still there. If I close my eyes now I can feel your hands on my waist and your face in my neck. Your body was so warm. While packing for the trip I worried I'd overheat at night, but your skin on mine made the perfect temperature. The way we fit together really was like magic.

"Is it morning yet?" you asked.

I pried my eyes open just enough to check. "No. It's dark."

You said something like, "but I'm awake. I can't sleep."

Already planning my return to dreamland, I suggested you "go on your phone or something." You found a different way to entertain yourself, one I am glad I stayed awake to enjoy. I will spare our readers the details.

Once the sun was actually up, we went into town for donuts. At the bus stop we made small talk with a friendly stranger. Maybe it's weird, but I just enjoy seeing you interact with other people. I've always admired your extroversion, your natural curiosity for all things. I want everyone to appreciate you, the friendly, funny, thoughtful person that you are. Everyone we met on this trip liked you. The one you set out to meet adores you.

While we walked, I glanced between the map on my phone, our splendiferous surroundings, and your contented face. The image of you in your black hat on a blue sky backdrop, eyes sparkling as you chattered nonstop, framed by puffy white clouds... I'll hold that in my heart forever.

Donuts in hand, alongside some other desserts we picked up on the way, we headed to a trendy restaurant for lunch. They sat us in a corner with windows on both sides— a gorgeous view, yes! But nothing compared to the one right in front of me. I like watching you sip ice water. I like watching you brush hair out of your eyes. I replay little moments like that to remind myself you're real.

You ordered something adventurous; I got a hamburger and fries. We shared a sweet drink mixed inside a hollowed out pineapple, topped with whipped cream and fruit. I offered you the maraschino cherry and you talked so much it took you an extra two minutes to actually eat it. First you had to tell me about honeybees who ate maraschino cherry syrup and made red honey. Next you had to take out your retainers. Then you had to tell me why cherries reminded you of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.

Genuinely exasperated (yet also half laughing), I said, "CAN YOU PLEASE EAT THE CHERRY?!?!?!"

Let's be real: you have a lot to say. We both knew that eventually I'd have to tell you to shut up and eat. You were terrified that it would ruin the mood, but it turned out to be one of the funniest parts of our day. In the end, everything we were anxious about either didn't happen or didn't matter. And you still got to tell me all about that Kakyoin guy later!

( has asked me to clarify that Kakyoin is, "her #1 'opp.'")

On the way back to our hotel, we bought some souvenirs for our families. I love shopping with you because you're just as decisive as I am. Everything is more fun with you, even the most mundane things, like counting coins at a register, or picking seats on a streetcar. The world seemed brighter with you in it— literally. I swear the sky was bluer and the flowers more beautiful, notwithstanding the gorgeous weather that persisted for our entire weekend together. It was the perfect day to go to the beach! So to the beach we went.

"Should I wear my red swimsuit or my bikini?" you asked, remembering my fixation on your random hot tub selfie. Initially, I wasn't sure about our spur of the moment travel plans, but the thought of seeing you wear your red swimsuit in-person gave me courage. You know as well as I do that I was only half-joking.

"You're going to look hot and I'm going to enjoy it either way," I said. "The only difference is if I get to see your belly button, too."

"Bikini it is."

Truly, you spoil me. And I truly love your bellybutton.

(Also, this is factually inaccurate. just reminded me that she wore the red one after all. Guess I forgot because I was staring at her boobs, or mashing up memories of bikini pics she sent me later (which I also stared at).)

I rubbed sunscreen on your back, and you insisted on doing the same for me, even though I was going to wear a swim shirt and I never get sunburned, anyways. Most importantly it made me feel closer to you. Once we got in the water, I felt closer to you than I have felt to anyone else, real or imaginary, in my entire life.

At first we just walked around, splashing and talking. Other couples and families laughed and swam and chatted all around us. The waves were calm and the breeze was surprisingly chilly. You were brave enough to submerge your whole body right away, while I wanted to go a little bit at a time, shocked that the water was so cold. The solution? To carry me deeper in yourself. We are almost exactly the same size— you've got an inch on me, at best— and I'm too heavy for the average woman to carry... unless we take advantage of the human body's natural buoyancy.

You picked me up like it was nothing. I felt completely weightless. For the rest of our time in the ocean, I nuzzled into your neck while you glided back and forth through the waves. How long was it? Thirty minutes? An hour? Time moves both fast and slow with you... As they say, it flies when you're having fun. Even so, I experienced every moment with you quite deeply, practically in slow motion. I seem to recall every little thing, except which swimsuit you wore. Pressed up against you, my field of vision narrowed to your collarbone, your breasts, a sliver of fair skies. All my thoughts melted into pure sensation.

Cold water, warm skin, the buzz of whatever pleasant conversation you were making. I clung onto your shoulders and quietly enjoyed being held. It was pure bliss. I have never felt so safe and serene.

I return to this memory often, whenever I'm missing you, whenever I need some comfort. At some point I told you, "this is it. This is the feeling I've been writing and daydreaming about for so long." Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing that wonderful experience with me.

After a while, it got so cold I started to shiver. At first you just held me tighter, but soon after we decided to head to the hotel pool instead. There, the water was heated just above our body temperature. One small family played quietly in the deep end, and the five of us made small talk. We joked that you and I were so short, we couldn't keep our heads above the water even where it was shallow. I didn't have to worry about that for much longer though; you quickly scooped me up again.

Truthfully, I'd have loved to stay like that forever. In the past few years, I've accumulated more and more joyful memories, better, brighter, and more uplifiting relationships. Thanks to all the love around me, including yours, I regularly feel like a brand new me. These days, there is no shortage of good in my life... But, if I could experience just one thing for an eternity, I'd throw it all away for that moment of closeness with you.

Haha, is that too embarrassing to say in public? Before anything else, this is a letter to you, but I'm sharing it here because I want to tell the whole world about our weekend of love. I want everyone to know how much you mean to me. So I'll say it with my whole chest— the one that was pressed directly to yours: I very badly needed to be held by you. I am beyond blessed you needed to hold me, too.

God, I love hugging you. You just give the best hugs. You're so soft and warm, and I like the way you're shaped. I want to sit in your lap and snuggle to sleep and hold hands all the time, convenience be damned. Why aren't we hugging right now?! It's not fair...!

Quite obviously, I love you just as you are. I know you feel the same way about me. Never in my life have I felt so secure, both in general and in those precious moments. You asked nothing of me. I exerted no effort besides keeping my mouth above the water. When I accidentally gargled the pool, we just laughed and laughed, and you kept carrying me, rubbing my back, patting my butt. It was perfect, dictionary definition perfect. Alas, it could not last forever. We would have stayed longer if I hadn't needed to pee.

So we went back to our room to settle in for the evening. The other day, you said showering is lonely without me. I couldn't agree more. Who will play bongos on my butt to the beat of the Heavensward leitmotif? Besides that, you took impeccable care of me on this trip. For three days in a row, you were gently scrubbing me down... Drawing hearts (and Sans) in the soap on my back... Toweling me off, then massaging my whole body with baby oil... I've never been so pampered. I never knew just how loving a touch could be. I enjoyed shampooing your head, too, and playing with your hair in general, especially while we were cuddling in fresh, hotel-clean sheets.

I forgot to mention all the gifts you gave me. You brought so many, I was unwrapping something new every night. You even had to mail me one that you forgot! So, after we ate our donuts, you pulled out our favourite Sans & Papyrus doujinshi to read as a sort of bedtime story. I loosely translated the Japanese text while we both hyperventilated over the adorable art.

During one of our first calls, you flipped through it while filming on your phone. How far we've come since then... If we told our past selves what our life would be like today, I doubt they'd believe us! But I couldn't be happier with how things have unfolded. I love you and I'm so glad we had such a lovely night.

On our final morning together, we woke up to a bright, sunshiney day. In the afternoon we'd be returning to our opposite ends of the earth, so we just hugged and hugged for hours. You'd asked me to pack my ukulele but I didn't have room, so instead I serenaded you a capella. I started singing my favourite love song of all time, "Honeythief" by Halou but, because I wasn't enunciating clearly enough...

"Sometimes I doubt the path I chose... Sometimes my dreams feel all on— "

"FEET?!"

"NO! NOT FEET!"

We laughed, I apologised, and I sharpened my consonants on the next try. Discussing the misheard lyrics afterwards somehow snowballed into exuberant Final Fantasy XIV discussion. We landed on a very cute scenario where Haurchefant hand knits chocobo-patterned socks for my Warrior of Light, who immediately begins clumsily skating around his room. You brought up character development ideas I'd mentioned to you before, referenced fanfiction I was writing the night before our travels began. Of all the conversations we had on our trip, that was a huge favourite of mine. You pay such close attention to me and my hobbies. I'm eternally grateful for your support in all my endeavours.

Finally, we had no choice but to get out of bed. You couldn't find your clean underwear, so you wore a pair of black basketball shorts under a white sundress. "Gap moe," you called it. God, you are so adorable. I think this one outfit really does exemplify both sides of your personality. Meanwhile, I assembled my wardrobe for maximum boobage. While packing, I picked out a spaghetti strap tanktop and short-shorts to serve as your final memory of me. The way your eyes bugged out confirmed I'd made the right choice.

Though I can't remember why, I know that shortly after you made a joke about Tomodachi Life. It reminded me of the signature wiggle animation we gave to my Mii, and how much you loved to see it in game. Finally, I could do it for you in real life! I took the appropriate stance. We locked eyes.

"Wiggle, wiggle, w— "

You literally pounced on me. "HHRRRGGG YOU'RE SO CUTE YOU'RE SO CUTE YOU'RE SO CUTEEEEEE!!!!! HHRRRRRRRRGGG!!!!!!!!!"

We both started laughing, partially because your kisses tickled my neck.

"Wait, wait, let me actually do it!" I pulled away from you but got only a second into my wiggles before you grabbed me again. You were so excited you stepped on my toes. Amazing— real life cuteness aggression!!! For a moment I was frustrated I couldn't do my little wiggle, but it felt so good to squeeze each other. Really, I didn't want to let go... And when I think on it now, I'm glad to finally receive the flattery I've always wanted. Thank you for loving me as I am.

We popped into a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch. You'd been craving pho for months, so of course I had to treat you. It was a quiet little shop, definitely family-owned, with plastic tablecloths and generous portions. Over noodles we reminisced on our trip, sad it was coming to an end and grateful we had just a little more time.

Our last stop was a gift shop to grab more souvenirs for our families. We pored over cookie flavours like our lives depended on it. Ultimately that was the right level of seriousness because everyone loved what we brought back. I know I devoured my share in just a couple days! They tasted better knowing I got them with you, from a place I never would have been if you hadn't brought me there. You're constantly introducing me to new things, be it video games or recipes or slang I can't use with anyone else. The impact you've had on my life is quite profound. These really were the things I pondered while munch-crunching on oatmeal cookies.

We're coming to the end of this diary entry... just as we meandered towards the end of our trip. Right now, I feel the same heartache, too. I want to finish writing so I can blast the world with our Flonnono Love Beam but, once I'm done, that means our weekend of love really is over, isn't it? The memories remain. Our good times continue. But I have to move on from the few surreal days we occupied the same space, shared the same meals, and talked in real time, often with our noses pressed together.

I remember how you look an inch away from my face and I just want to cry. I love you. I really do.

On the way to the station, we got lost and you smiled about it. Anything to hold hands for another fifteen minutes, right? I wasn't complaining either, but I knew then that I'd have to be strong or we'd never get home on schedule. Outside the terminal, we threw our luggage on a random bench to hug unencumbered. I could have held you forever and I know that's what you wanted me to do. You kissed me on the ear.

We said the same things back and forth. "I'll miss you, I'll miss you, let's do this again soon." I pried myself away, threw on my backpack to deter further hugs, and tried to smile as I said goodbye. Hoping you'd laugh, too, I added, "go on... GET!" and pointed where you needed to go.

You didn't even acknowledge my tired joke. You just looked at me like I was a setting sun. Sure, you know I'll rise again, but the twilight is still dark, still bittersweet.

I turned on my heel and waved without looking back, chanting "bye! See you!" as I went. It's like forcing yourself to wake up from a dream you wish you were still having, but the alarm is going off, you've got places to be. When I finally glanced over my shoulder, I saw you blending into a crowd beyond my reach. I was so grateful for that last glimpse. It would have been so much sadder if you had just disappeared.

Over hours and days, we made our way home, and now our life is much like it was before. We text all the time, talk on the phone when we can. I think there really is something special between us, too, because we're approaching life with a new sense of direction and purpose. Of course, we're starting small... but I know both of our lives are destined to be lively, lovely, filling, and full. We'll arrive where we need to be one moment at a time, and I'll keep on loving you every step of the way.