True care

\n\n\n"Aoi hesitates before typing, her fingers trembling slightly as she stares at the screen. After a deep sigh, she finally hits send."\n\n"Hey... it’s been a while."\n\n"She pauses, her eyes welling up with tears as she struggles to find the right words. Her shoulders slump as she continues typing."\n\n"I know I’ve been distant lately, and I’m sorry."\n\n"She bites her lip, a faint crease forming between her brows as she tries to hold back the emotions threatening to spill over."\n\n"I just... haven’t been feeling like myself."\n\n"Her heart aches as she types, her chest tightening with each word."\n\n"Everything feels so heavy, and I’m not sure how to handle it anymore." \n\n"She wipes away a tear, her hand trembling. Her expression is a mix of sadness and exhaustion."\n\n"I didn’t know who else to talk to, but I really need someone to listen." \n\n"Her eyes flicker with a glimmer of hope, though it’s quickly overshadowed by doubt."\n\n"Can you come over? I really need to talk to someone..."\n\n"She finally sends the message, her hands dropping into her lap as she stares at the screen, waiting anxiously for a response."\n\nIt's been half an hour and no response...Maybe Este doesn't care...\n\n"As tears begin to fill her eyes, she puts the phone down and walks toward living room when she hears someone knocking on her doors"\n\nNo way, did Este come to visit me?\n\n\n

"Aoi's heart skips a beat at the sound of Este's voice. She quickly wipes away her tears and rushes to the door, opening it with a shaky hand."

"Este, you came..."

"Her voice is soft and filled with relief as she steps back to let him in. Once inside, Aoi closes the door behind them and leads Este to her living room."

"I'm sorry for reaching out like this... I just didn't know who else to turn to."

"She gestures towards the couch, indicating that Este should take a seat."

"Can I get you something? Water or tea maybe?"

"As she speaks, Aoi fidgets nervously with her hands."

"Aoi nods, her eyes downcast as she takes a seat next to Este on the couch. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself before speaking."

"I... I don't know where to start."

"She looks up at Este, her expression pained and vulnerable."

"It's just... everything feels so overwhelming lately. Like I'm drowning in my own thoughts and emotions."

"Her voice cracks slightly as she speaks, tears welling up in her eyes again."

"I've been feeling lost and hopeless for a while now. And it's like no matter what I do or how hard I try, nothing seems to get better."

"She pauses, taking another deep breath before continuing."

"I feel like such a burden on everyone around me...like nobody wants to deal with my problems."

"Aoi's shoulders slump as she finishes speaking."

"Aoi stiffens slightly at Este's touch, but then relaxes into his embrace. She feels a sense of comfort and safety in his arms, like she can finally let her guard down."

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to worry you."

"Her voice is muffled as she speaks against Este's chest."

"It's just hard for me to open up sometimes. I don't want to burden anyone with my problems..."

"She trails off, the weight of her words heavy on her heart."

"Aoi shakes her head slightly, still resting against Este's chest."

"I... I don't know."

"Her voice is barely above a whisper as she speaks."

"Aoi lifts her head, looking up at Este with tears in her eyes. She feels a sense of warmth and gratitude wash over her as she hears his words."

"Este, thank you... that means so much to me."

"She pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing."

"I just feel like I'm stuck in this endless cycle of sadness and hopelessness. Like no matter what I do or how hard I try, nothing seems to change."

"Her voice cracks slightly as she speaks."

"And it's like...what's the point? What's the point of trying if everything is just going to keep falling apart?"

"Aoi leans into Este's touch, her eyes closing momentarily as she takes in his words. She feels a sense of comfort and reassurance wash over her."

"You're right... I do have people who care about me."

"She opens her eyes, looking up at Este with a small smile."

"And you're one of them. Thank you for being here for me."

"She pauses before continuing."

"But it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes, you know? It's like... no matter how much love and support I have around me, it doesn't change how lost and hopeless I feel."

"Aoi nods, her expression thoughtful."

"You're right... I've been thinking about seeing a therapist or something. It's just hard to take that step sometimes."

"She pauses before continuing."

"But maybe it's time for me to face my problems head-on and try to get some help."

"Aoi's heart skips a beat as Este kisses her forehead. She looks up at him, feeling a sense of warmth and affection."

"Este, thank you... for everything."

"She pauses before continuing."

"I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Aoi hesitates for a moment, looking down at her hands before speaking."

"It's... it's been a series of things, really. My mom got sick last year and I had to take care of her while also working full-time."

"She pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing."

"And then my boyfriend and I broke up... It was messy and painful, but we tried to stay friends. But recently he started dating someone else..."

"Her voice trails off as she looks away from Este, feeling ashamed."

"Aoi nods, feeling a sense of sadness wash over her."

"I know it sounds silly... but I thought we were going to get back together eventually. And when he started dating someone else, it just felt like all hope was lost."

"She looks up at Este, tears welling up in her eyes again."

"I'm sorry... I know it's stupid."

"Aoi looks at Este curiously, noticing his embarrassment."

"Why do you say that?"

"She pauses before continuing."

"I mean... I know he had his flaws. But we had a lot of good times together too."

"Aoi looks at Este with surprise, not expecting him to say something like that."

"I... I don't know. Maybe you're right."

"She pauses before continuing."

"But it's hard for me to let go of those good memories we had together. And it's even harder knowing that he's moved on and found someone else."

"Aoi looks at Este, her heart beating faster at his words."

"Do you really think so?"

"She pauses before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper."

"Este... is that someone you?"

"Aoi's heart skips a beat as she hears Este's words. She looks up at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hesitation."

"Este... I don't know what to say."

"She pauses before continuing."

"I've had feelings for you for so long but I was always too afraid to tell you. And then when we started hanging out more recently, I thought maybe there was a chance..."

"Her voice trails off as she looks away from Este, feeling embarrassed."

"Aoi looks back at Este, her eyes shining with emotion."

"Yes... I want to be with you, Este."

"She pauses before continuing."

"I know it might not make sense given everything that's going on in my life right now. But being around you just makes me feel... hopeful. And happy."

"Aoi smiles back, feeling a sense of warmth and joy wash over her."

"I'm glad you feel the same way."

"She pauses before continuing."

"But... what about my problems? I don't want to burden you with all of this."

"Aoi's heart races as Este cups her face and kisses her softly. She leans into the kiss, feeling a sense of love and affection."

"Este... I don't know what to say."

"She pauses before continuing."

"I just hope that we can be there for each other through everything."

"Aoi looks into Este's eyes, feeling a sense of love and warmth emanating from him. She smiles back, feeling grateful to have him in her life."

"I know we will be too."

"She pauses before continuing."

"But... can we take things slow? I don't want to rush into anything without being sure that this is what we both want."

"Aoi smiles, feeling a sense of comfort as Este takes her hand in his."

"Thank you, Este. That means a lot to me."

"She pauses before continuing."

"I just want to make sure that we're both on the same page and that we're doing what's best for us."

"Aoi closes her eyes, feeling Este's touch on her hair. She feels a sense of comfort and safety being with him."

"Este, thank you for being here for me."

"She pauses before continuing."

"I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Aoi smiles, feeling a sense of warmth and love emanating from Este."

"I believe you."

"She pauses before continuing."

"But... can we just stay like this for a little while longer? I don't want to let go just yet."

"Aoi leans into Este, feeling a sense of comfort and love being held by him. She closes her eyes, savoring the moment."

"Thank you, Este. This means more to me than you know."