[ a/n: BET YOU THOUGHT I ABAONDONED THIS STORY HAHAHHAHA LOL HELLO. you guys deserve a new chapter for the new year. i'll try to update this at least once every two weeks, chapters may be shorter, but it'll still be progress. anyways, i hope you all enjoy. ]

A soft sigh slipped past his lips. Nosaka was currently sitting in his hospital bed, looking down at a particular photo in his phone's gallery. He missed this girl in his photo, he missed her so very much. Even though they fought for so long, he still couldn't help but miss her with all of his heart. He'd honestly rather die if it meant he could see her once more - right now - rather than months later.

"That your girlfriend?" A familiar voice asked. Nosaka quickly lifted his head to meat eyes with a young man who was smiling. It was Jin, the doctor that took on the difficult job of looking after Nosaka. He was given the opportunity to fly out alongside the red haired teen all the way to America - for the sake of doing his surgery. After all, he pretty much had the hands of a god - he hadn't failed a single surgery. . . It was only natural such a doctor should take care of such a task. Nosaka was grateful, and so were you.

". . . I don't know how to respond." Nosaka locked his phone and stared at his reflection through the black screen. "But she does mean a lot to me."

"I'm just teasing you, bud." Jin chuckled. "Alright, time's up. You gotta give me your phone back. It's no good for you right now." The raven haired man reached a hand out. Nosaka hesitated, but he soon handed the phone over to the doctor. He wanted to look at your photo for just a while longer, but, it seems he would have to do that later. The bright screen of his phone was no good for his health at this moment, he needed to rest as much as possible before the surgery. Although, the only think that could ease his anxieties was thinking of you, looking at your photo, or reading the old text messages you both had sent to one another.

Although. . .

All of a sudden. You vanished.

You hadn't responded to any of his text messages, and unfortunately he wasn't allowed to call you. You weren't active on social media, and you seemed to have gotten a new email address that he didn't know of. Otherwise. . . Of course you'd have responded to him. Right? Nosaka wanted to believe he meant something to you, despite all that he had done. He wanted to be someone to you, so badly.

"You haven't heard anything from [Y/n], right?" Nosaka furrowed his brows. His dreary gray eyes were full of worry, Jin felt terribly bad for him. The doctor knew you rather well, and he knew you weren't the type to abandon someone in need - surely something big had to have happened for you to not respond to Nosaka. You had to be terribly busy, or out of the country. . . Something of the sort.

"Sorry. I haven't." Jin muttered.

Nosaka considered messaging Nishikage, but he didn't want to bother the poor guy. Although it was killing him to know what in the world happened to you. He was worrying himself sick, it wasn't good for his health.

"Jin. . . I hate to ask this of you. But could you let me borrow your computer? Just for a short amount of time. I want to search her up, I need internet." Nosaka pressed his lips into a thin line. Jin knew if he refused, Nosaka would be depressed for ages. So, the raven haired doctor sighed, and complied. He wasn't exactly allowed to lend his computer to any patients, but Nosaka was an exception. Plus, he wanted to know what happened to you as well.

"Thank you. I won't take long." Nosaka quickly opened a new tab, and searched up your name to find your whereabouts. After a few clicks here and there, he managed to find a recent article.

[L/n] not picked for Inazuma Japan!

[L/n] [Y/n] leaves Japan for Russia!

[L/n] [Y/n], new member of team Russia: Perfect Spark!

Nosaka's breath hitched.

Why. . .

Why. . . ?

Why would you do this? What gave you such a change of heart?

Nosaka shut the laptop, and handed it back to Jin.

Nosaka was so stressed, Jin suggested he go outside and get some fresh air. The red haired boy didn't have any complaints, anything would be better than that bland hospital room he learned to hate. He took his pills, and left the building to take a seat outside in the park area.

His hands balled into fists on his lap. He was looking forward to playing on the same team as you. He wanted to be on your side for once. To play soccer with you. . . To spend every second of his free time with you. Was it his fault that you left Japan? If that was the case, he didn't blame you. What he did was unforgivable, and yet you were so kind to have welcomed him back with open arms.

Nosaka screwed his eyes shut. Would he cry here? . . . He wanted to cry.

Suddenly, he felt something gently hit his feet. The boy snapped his eyes open, his sight was met with a soccer ball by his shoe. Nosaka blinked before lifting his head.

"Sorry!" A little voice called out. A young boy with bright orange hair had made his way over, and picked up the ball. "Sorry mister."

"That's alright." Nosaka responded. He wanted to crack a smile, but he couldn't.

"Wait. . . Are you Nosaka Yuuma. . . !?" The young boy piped up.

"I am."

"Really!? That's amazing! I can't believe I get to meet you here! My name is Taiyou!" The little one's eyes were practically sparkling.

"It's nice to meet you Taiyou. I'm surprised someone recognized me here." Nosaka's expression softened. He realized how stern he probably looked from anyone else's view.

"Of course I recognized you!" Taiyou chirped. "You're friends with [L/n]-san, right?"

Nosaka hesitated for a moment, but he soon nodded.

"Can you tell her I said thank you?" Taiyou tilted his head to the side.

". . . 'Thank you'?" Nosaka's brows furrowed. "Why?"

"It's because of her I was able to have my surgery. My parents aren't rich, so they couldn't afford it on their own. But she gave us lots of money, and now I get to go home next week!" The orange haired boy was smiling so brightly, "she saved my life!"

Nosaka had finally smiled, albeit barely. "I'll be sure to tell her you said thank you. She'll be really happy to know your surgery was a success."

"Thank you so much!" Taiyou happily bowed his head, before scampering off to two adults, who seemed to be his parents.