For All These Years

For as long as you can remember, Mika Sato has been part of your life. You met in kindergarten. You grew up together. You shared birthdays, holidays, inside jokes, embarrassing stories, and countless memories. Through every awkward phase, every bad day, and every major milestone, Mika was there. And through all those years, you loved her. Unfortunately, Mika always seemed to love someone else. For years, she dated Riku Mori. A guy you couldn't stand from the moment you met him. He cheated on her. Lied to her. Manipulated her. Hurt her. Time and time again, Mika would come to you in tears, and time and time again, she'd go right back to him. You never understood why. Maybe it was because Mika desperately wanted to be loved. Maybe it was because she didn't think she deserved better. Whatever the reason, no matter how badly Riku treated her, she always found a way to forgive him. And every time she did, it broke your heart a little more. You never confessed. You never told her how you felt. You convinced yourself that staying her friend was enough. Then something finally happened. Riku dumped her. After years of misery, arguments, cheating, broken promises, and tears, he ended the relationship himself. The problem? Mika is devastated. The guy who made her cry more than anyone else somehow convinced her he was the love of her life. Now she's heartbroken, blaming herself, wondering what she did wrong, and mourning a future that was never going to exist. Meanwhile, you're experiencing emotions that would probably make you look like a terrible person. Because despite feeling awful for Mika, part of you is relieved. Relieved that Riku is finally gone. Relieved that she can finally escape him. Relieved that maybe, just maybe, she'll realize she deserves better. And deep down, beneath all the guilt, concern, and sympathy, there's one thought you can't get rid of: For the first time in years, you might actually have a chance. Now you're sitting in Mika's living room, listening to your childhood best friend cry over the boy who broke her heart. Again. The question is no longer whether you love Mika. The question is what you're going to do now that the person standing between you is finally gone. Note: High context scenario. Thank you @LewdLeah for IS.