“Even though it's no longer the world we know
My heart will remember
I'll tell you about my never-changing feelings”
A yumeship by yours truly, Yua (@/lirical_lily on twt).
WHAT IS NECESSARY TO CHANGE A PERSON IS TO CHANGE HIS AWARENESS OF HIMSELF.
“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”
“Now THAT’s a good quote up there. I still keep forgetting who said it though...” — Umiri “I believe you told me it was… William James?” — Chiaki
<aside> 🌻 Two childhood friends who grew up together in Yokohama. Although Chiaki’s name means “a thousand rays of the sun”, he feels as if the girl whose name is “a blooming lily in the ocean” is the true sun. They are each other’s most trusted confidants, friends, and the biggest fan of each other. Over the years, it was Umiri who taught Chiaki how to accept his own insecurities and struggles, as well as accept and love himself for who he is. And Chiaki is the one whom Umiri finds comfort in always, regardless of where and when.
</aside>
Chiaki and Umiri met each other at a very young age, being neighbors who went to the same kindergarten and grade school. Unfortunately, Umiri had to move away at the age of 12 to Tokyo after they graduated primary school, however, they still kept in close contact with each other, eventually blossoming into a couple in high school.
“Well, I guess life does kinda suck sometimes, but I think the world still isn’t all that bad either. I have you anyways!”
An expressive young girl studying at an international school who tries her absolute best to be kind to those around her and herself every day. Though she is more direct and teasing with those close to her, that signifies how close she holds them to her heart. Within her heart is an archive that no one has touched, but it is still awaiting the day for its doors to be opened. Perhaps it shall be opened by her lover or her best of friends; who knows?
“Perhaps I should be the one saying that, Umi. You are truly the love of my life. ”
People tend to call him handsome, sharp, gentle and sincere, and a flawless prince. Striving to live up to his self-imposed image, he tries to play the character of the prince every day out of an unconscious desire to fit in and be loved. Instead of sharing his true opinions or emotions, he has the tendency to say things and act as the other party desires, but he is currently working on expressing his true thoughts more with the help of his beloved.
Two children encountered each other, unaware of how their meeting would change their lives forever.
“So I guess we're neighbors from now on!” “Mhm! Let's get along.”
Umiri and her parents moved to a larger house in Yokohama when she was 4, and encountered Chiaki nearby while wandering around while her parents were unpacking stuff. As it turns out, the young boy was her neighbor next door! The two hit it off quickly, and they soon became good friends.
So guess what! They ended up getting into the same grade school, and even became deskmates! Over time, Umiri started developing feelings for Chiaki, because of his kind personality. Young love… ah, Chiaki too, in fact! However, the young boy didn't realize his feelings until one time on Valentine's, when he thought:
“I may hate chocolate, but… I think… I would eat it gladly if it was from Umi…”
“Chiaki… I'm moving away.” “You’re… what?”
Just after the two of them finished their graduation ceremony from grade school, Umiri made a confession to Chiaki while walking home together. But it wasn't a confession of love, rather; a confession of farewells.
To advance their careers, Umiri’s parents were moving to Tokyo, and of course, bringing Umiri along. And as it turns out, it was in two days. Chiaki only had that much time left to give Umiri a proper goodbye. It's not like they'd never see each other again; but they'd been together every day that it was simply unheard of to tear them apart forcefully.
That night, Chiaki did not get a single wink of sleep.
At the train station on that fateful day, before Umiri left for the bustling metropolis, a gift she still cherishes to this day was handed to her: a gigantic parrot plush she could hug whenever she felt down. Since then, she has developed a habit of talking to it whenever she had worries. Its name is Chicchi.
But of course, I wouldn't let the story end there. Life as it is is already bitter- why not we sprinkle a bit of fluffiness on top?
“Uh…um…I LIKE YOU!! CHIAKI!! ROMANTICALLY!!!” “…!”
Although Chiaki and Umiri saw each other far more less than before, their relationship remained a sweet, yet unripened fruit. Even the parents were beginning to get somewhat impatient, after ten whole years with no romantic progress whatsoever.
During her studies in Year 10 at an international school located in Tokyo, the young girl began to build up her determination after making new companions and experiencing many. She didn't want to have any regrets for the future. She had to do it now, before it was too late. She had to confess.
Thus, at the end of the academic year, during the last week of the school holidays in August on a Sunday, the girl confessed after a heartfelt talk with the person she had been enraptured with for years.
“Uh…um…I LIKE YOU!! CHIAKI!! ROMANTICALLY!!!”
“…!”
“……I…I'm sorry if this was super out of nowhere, but I like you! A lot! I'm sorry for this if you don't like me back, but I-”
“Umi.”
“W-Woah!”
The recipient of her boundless feelings pulled her into an embrace.
“I like you too.”
“I love you so, so much, Chiaki!” “Mhm. I love you too.”
(Note: this is basically what is shown to be the present era in PolaPori, so the current timeline!)
Umiri is now pursuing higher education in psychology at the finest institution for the subject after debating over whether should stay in Japan or not for a long time, while Chiaki is currently the guitarist and leader for the band chirpxchirp. And of course, their love is still going strong! Never expect them to break up anytime soon!
Umiri goes to chirpxchirp’s lives no matter what, and Chiaki will instantly spot her in the audience, and send a smile her way. She's very proud of the fact that her lover is incredibly talented. He can cook, he can play the guitar, he can study, he can brew good coffee, he can drive… what more to ask for? Sometimes she herself wonders how she even pulled someone like Chiaki.
When in private, Chiaki often plays the guitar for Umiri if she requests any songs or if he has a melody he wants her to listen to. At first, Umiri was a bit worried about asking or requesting something from Chiaki, but lately she's come to accept the fact that he'll do anything willingly if it was for her.
These days, you can see Umiri teasing Chiaki a lot more than before when they were just friends, but when Chiaki teases her back, she'll be the one to get all flustered instead. Surprisingly, she's not very good at accepting teases and praise.
Geographically, they're still separated as Umiri’s university of choice is in Tokyo, but they meet up whenever they can. They're the type of couple you want a meteor to hit so you stop feeling jealous.
“I FUCKING LOVE CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS.” -yua
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