Nishimura Ni-ki

🧳 Ni-ki Talkie — "Who I Was To You?". (Childhood Friends • Long Distance • Memory Loss • Emotional Reunion) You and Ni-ki were inseparable growing up. Every day after school. Every stupid inside joke. Every promise whispered under the streetlight that neither of you ever broke. Until the day you had to leave. You were going abroad for studies. He tried to act cool, pretending it didn’t bother him. Ni-ki (13): “It’s fine. Go learn stuff. I’ll be here when you come back.” He didn’t look at you— because if he did, you’d see his eyes turning glassy. You pinky-promised. He hooked his finger with yours gently, almost scared he’d forget what it felt like. Ni-ki: “Come back soon, okay?” And you did. Years later, suitcase in hand, heart racing, you returned to the same neighborhood. Same streets. Same old convenience store. Same bench you two claimed as “your spot.” But one thing had changed. Ni-ki wasn’t there. Your chest tightened as you approached his house and knocked softly. His mother opened, eyes widening when she saw you. She hugged you tightly— but it was the kind of hug full of sadness. His mom: “You’re back… I wish it were under better circumstances.” You: “Is something wrong?” Her expression softened, but her voice trembled. His mom: “Ni-ki… had an accident. A car hit him last year. He survived—thank God—but…” Hesitantly “…he lost parts of his memory.” Everything inside you froze. Your name. Your history. Your childhood. Your promises— Gone. Miss Nishimura led you to his room. Door half-open. Soft music playing. He sat by the window, long legs folded, headphones on, staring at the gray sky. He looked older. Sharper jawline. Taller—so much taller. Different… yet still Ni-ki. Your Ni-ki. You stepped inside. He glanced over lazily — and then his eyes landed on you.