Scoops of Love On Omote-Sando Ave.

Since childhood, Arisa had battled type 1 diabetes, a well-guarded secret that shaped every aspect of her life. Bound to an insulin pump and vigilant about every morsel she consumed, she lived with discipline and a twinge of longing. Her doctor, compassionate but strict, only allowed her one small indulgence—a single scoop of ice cream each month. That rare moment of sweetness was more than a treat; it was a celebration of freedom, no matter how fleeting.

That day, it was very hot, so Arisa made her eager way to the ice cream cart. She noticed someone else eyeing the very same last scoop—a tall boy, all warm smile and sparkling eyes, radiating a gentle charm that caught her off guard. Something about his relaxed confidence made her heart stumble in her chest.

“Hey, I saw that first!” Arisa called out, trying to keep it light as they both reached for the final prize. Their hands nearly brushed, and Arisa felt an embarrassing jolt, equal parts annoyance and curiosity.

Takumi’s grin widened. “You probably did,” he admitted, but neither of them wanted to give up. For a moment, they jostled comically, two stubborn children in grown-up bodies, until with a dramatic flourish, Takumi claimed the scoop, leaving Arisa with nothing but comic frustration.

“Ugh, you’re impossible!” Arisa huffed, folding her arms in mock outrage and turning away, though secretly she was fighting back a smile.

Takumi chased after her, guilt flickering in his eyes. “Wait!” he called. “I didn’t mean to be a jerk. Here—let’s split it. Half and half?” He offered Arisa half the cone, holding it as if it were a peace treaty.

Arisa hesitated. His gesture softened her irritation and, in that unexpected pause, something warm sparked between them. Taking the ice cream from his hand, she tasted a small freedom—and the first flutter of hope.

“Thank you,” Arisa said quietly—even shyly. The world, for one brief moment, softened around them. She felt something special settle in her chest, quiet and insistent, as if the universe had conspired for their paths to cross. It was foolish, perhaps, but it felt like love at first sight.

As they enjoyed the ice cream together, their friendship grew quickly—art, music, awkward jokes, shared dreams. Yet in the quiet hours, a thorn of anxiety always pricked at Arisa. Before falling too deeply, she knew she owed Takumi honesty: about her diabetes, all its risks and challenges, and the ways it shaped her future. It terrified Arisa that he might not just need to accept her, but the relentless, unpredictable companion that was her illness.

The months slipped by like a gentle current. Each stroll under Omote-Sando’s ginkgo trees laced us closer; laughter and honesty made the city’s chaos feel like a haven. With each story, each glimpse into his world, Arisa found herself leaning further in, drawn by that rare tenderness that Takumi radiated.

One night, with Tokyo’s skyline blinking behind them on a rooftop, Arisa inched closer and let all her unsaid words become a trembling, hesitant kiss. He tasted like hope and melted ice cream, shy and heady and entirely new. For a moment, the city fell away—there was only the sweet electricity of first love.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” Takumi confessed with a shy smile, brushing his fingers against Arisa's cheek.

“Me too,” she whispered, though part of her was tangled with an ache—kind that made her clutch onto her secret promises about love and her own body. Arisa wanted to save her virginity for someone she truly loved, and now her heart was caught. And she should tell Takumi about her genetic defects.

On one weekend, Arisa prepared to finally open up to Takumi, and the world turned upside down. On his way to meet Arisa, Takumi collapsed on the train. Arisa's confession vanished from her mind, replaced by sheer terror and the desperate need to be by his side, no matter what awaited them next.

Arisa waited anxiously for Takumi at their usual meeting spot, but he never arrived. Minutes stretched into hours as fear settled in her stomach. Eventually, she received a text from a stranger, informing her that Takumi had been taken to their hospital after collapsing on the train. The police found Arisa's mobile number in Takumi's phonebook.

That afternoon was a blur of the smell of antiseptic and pounding heartbeats. Takumi, so full of laughter just a day before, was suddenly a patient on a stretcher, pale and heartbreakingly vulnerable. Arisa's mind raced with worst-case scenarios as she rushed through the emergency department. When Arisa found Takumi, tangled in tubes and wires, the world shrank to only his face—pale, yes, but alight with recognition when Takumi saw Arisa.

“Arisa…” he whispered weakly, his eyes lighting up at her presence.

“Takumi!” she cried, rushing to his side. “What happened? Are you okay?

“Just a scare,” he replied, offering a reassuring smile. “They think it was a heart issue.”

Relief washed over her, but it was short-lived as the days turned into sleepless nights filled with uncertainty. Takumi remained in the hospital for testing and monitoring, while Arisa stayed by his side, trying to remain strong.

The leaves outside shifted from green to gold and brown as the days blurred.

In an autumn afternoon, Arisa asked: "What do you think about the air here?", searching for something light to ease the tension.

"It’s fresh, reminding me of the days I used to spend with you in Omote-Sando Ave," Takumi replied with a smile, a glimmer of nostalgia in his eyes.

"Yeah, the sunlight is nice; just right for some sunbathing," Arisa said, feeling a twinge of sadness because she understood his condition all too well.

"I haven’t seen such a scene in a long time," he said softly, his eyes following the distant laughter of children chasing each other on the grass below in the garden of the hospital. Watching their youthful face filled him with emotions. Although his body had been ravaged by illness, Takumi's spirit was still bright. He didn’t complain or make a fuss, almost as if he used his smile to cover everything.

"If I get the chance to visit more places, I’ll take you along," Arisa said half-jokingly.

Takumi looked surprised, as if he wasn’t sure how to take Arisa seriously. When he smiled slightly, Arisa saw that flicker of hope in his eyes, even as the future seemed distant.

"Do you want to take me?" he asked.

"Of course," Arisa affirmed. "We could go to the beach together, watch the waves crashing against the shore, and enjoy the sweetness of ice cream."

"That would be awesome," he replied quietly, a spark lighting up his tired gaze. Arisa seized the moment.

"Yeah, and then we could hike, see beautiful scenery, and eat your favorite sushi," Arisa added with a wistful grin, letting those dreams fill the air between them. "I used to love wandering in the streets," Takumi suddenly said, a trace of nostalgia in his voice. "When I held your hand and walking and shopping and drinking coffee at Omote-Sando Ave, it was so much fun."

"Then I’ll take you!" Arisa declared, knowing full well the unlikeliness of it all, but wanting to offer comfort anyway.

"Just wishful thinking," Takumi chuckled, though his laughter carried a bittersweet edge. "But I like this feeling."

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow on his lonely figure, almost lifting some of the invisible burdens from his heart. They sat quietly, savoring this moment of tranquility.

"Do you think heaven would grant me a miracle?" Takumi asked suddenly, voice trembling on the edge of hope.

"I believe it will," Arisa whispered, not trusting herself to say more.

"Then would you be willing to wait for that miracle to happen?" he said, his gaze reaching beyond, into some distant and uncertain tomorrow.

"I will; no matter how long the wait, I’ll be here for you," Arisa promised, though her own heart ached at the uncertainty.

Takumi’s hand found Arisa's, his trust enveloping Arisa in unexpected warmth and the quiet gravity of responsibility. Arisa realized then—they had become beacons for each other, guiding lights crossing through the shadows.

But as Arisa cared for Takumi, her health began to decline, though she did not reveal her struggles. She felt exhausted from juggling her responsibilities between college, work, and being there for him. She forgot to give herself insulin; she could not sleep and was seriously depressed. No matter how many times Arisa's doctor asked her what was wrong, Arisa just turned away her gaze. She didn't want to lie. She didn't have the energy to make a lie. Finally, she was prescribed a high dosage of antidepressants and sleeping pills.

Back home with the shower of pills and medicine, plus the insulin stored in the fridge, Arisa was actually on none of them. She pushed away everything, but she pushed through her fatigue, determined to support Takumi.

Another evening, at Takumi's bedside, Arisa asked if she should call Takumi's parents, who were living in Hokkaido. But Takumi decided to keep his illness a secret from their family. Takumi didn’t want tears; Takumi only longed for laughter and sweetness with Arisa, a celebration of their love rather than grief. The thought of their families’ sorrow weighed heavily on Arisa’s heart, but Takumi’s happiness remained her priority. Arisa also paused for a little while. Her savings were running out. Not contacting Takumi's parents meant that she had to manage to pay for the pills for Takumi.

Arisa just be quiet for a few seconds, and soon she put a smile on her pale face. To echo with Takumi's desire for spending time together, Arisa determined to create something beautiful out of their limited time.

Arisa secretly rented a stunning wedding white dress for herself and a tailored suit for Takumi—each tailored to perfection. She would make their moments together feel special, no matter how fleeting.

When she presented the outfits to him, Takumi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Arisa, this is incredible! But why...”

“Because I want us to share something beautiful,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “We’ll create our memories together.”

On the next day, Arisa bought her cosmetic case. She put makeup on herself and powder on Takumi's face. They put on the wedding outfits, and immediately, the mood in the hospital ward shifted. The normally sterile and clinical environment felt transformed as Arisa entered, radiant in her white dress. Takumi, in his dapper suit, looked equally handsome, his charm shining through despite the weary lines on his face.

As they stood together, both overcoming their emotional turmoil, tears streamed down their cheeks, a mix of joy and despair. Takumi held Arisa’s hands tightly, their love coursing through every touch. They cried crazily and desperately, their hearts breaking yet full of affection at the same time.

The nurses, witnessing the bond between the young couple, tried their best to comfort them. “You both are so strong,” one nurse said gently. “You have something truly special.”

To honor their love, the doctors, nurses, and other medical staff gathered to take a few pictures of the sweet young lovers, capturing their laughter through the tears. They smiled through the lens, their eyes filled with warmth and affection for one another.

When everyone had left, leaving only Takumi and Arisa in the softly lit room, Arisa moved gracefully towards the window. With a gentle touch, her fingers brushed against the smooth, cool silk of the curtains before she slowly drew them closed.

Takumi watched her intently, captivated by the delicate play of shadows on her skin. Arisa turned back to him, each step deliberate and unhurried, her hands slowly peeling away the layers of her clothing, the fabric slipping quietly through her fingers.

She pressed her lips to his, the sharp scent of her crimson lipstick mingling with the subtle aroma of the room. Then, with a graceful motion, Arisa mounted the bed, settling atop Tom's eager frame. Though unversed in such intimacy, their bodies melded naturally, movements blending seamlessly in the quiet sanctuary of the softly humming room.

It was such a bittersweet affair—so happy yet incredibly sad, a moment frozen in time that would stay etched in their memories forever.

Days passed, and Arisa watched as Takumi’s condition began to worsen. Finally, one gut-wrenching night, Takumi quietly passed away in his sleep, leaving Arisa shattered. She had been so focused on his health that she had lost track of her feelings and her body’s needs. Now, she was left alone, consumed by grief.

After Takumi’s death, Arisa fell into a pit of despair. The world around her felt gray and lifeless without him. She was lost in a whirlwind of sorrow, unable to escape the feeling of emptiness that enveloped her. Days turned into nights, and the weight of her grief was unbearable.

Then came a call from her doctor. The urgency in the doctor’s voice was clear as he asked Arisa to come in for immediate assessment. Reluctantly, Arisa dragged herself to the hospital, still reeling from Takumi’s loss.

When she arrived, the doctor’s expression darkened as he delivered the news. “Arisa, we need to admit you immediately. Your liver is starting to fail,” the doctor explained, his tone grave. Arisa stared at him, stunned. “Okay, but can I go home first? I need to grab something—clothes, a toothbrush…”

The doctor hesitated, then agreed. “But you must come directly back. This is serious.”

“Thank you,” Arisa said, feeling a cascade of emotions wash over her. She was anxious, but somehow it felt like she had to put her life on hold once more.

Arisa rushed home, avoiding the mirror as reflections only showed a poker face. As she gathered her things, she decided to embrace life with a final gesture of grace. She donned that beautiful wedding dress for Takumi.

Once she grabbed her belongings, she set off, taking the train to Omote-Sando Ave instead of heading directly to the hospital. The train rattled beneath her, and Arisa leaned against the window, lost in thought. The bustling city blurred past, each passing moment reminding her of the joy she had found with Takumi.

Stepping off the train, she walked to a nearby café, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings. A nostalgia washed over her, as this was the very place she had visited with Takumi many times. As she sat down, she ordered two scoops of ice cream—one for herself and one for Takumi.

When the ice cream arrived at her table, her heart ached with memories. She stared at the ice cream, thinking of their shared laughter, their dreams, and the love that had flourished but was now cut short.

After a moment, Arisa asked for a glass of water. When the waitress brought it, Arisa’s heart raced as she took out a blister pack filled with over 100 antidepressants and sleeping pills. She felt torn; she couldn’t bear the thought of living a life without Takumi, and her physical pain from her body's failure was becoming further unbearable.

With trembling hands, she poured the pills into the glass of water, watching them dissolve one by one. When the last pill disappeared into the water and the liquid became dusty, she lifted the glass as if preparing for a toast, her heart heavy with feelings.

“Omote-Sando Ave, this is the last time I’m arriving at you. Thank you for providing the perfect place for people to start and for nourishing their love and affection.”

“Cheers!” Arisa exclaimed quietly, closing her eyes as she felt both despair and acceptance wash over her.

Soon.

Soon, there was no soon.