Four years had slipped by since Jun Lin left, and I’d tried to convince myself I’d moved on. The first two years were a blur of work and routine, punctuated by Kent’s efforts to distract me. He pulled me into old haunts and new adventures, dragging me into the bustling nightlife of Splatsville, but every time I met someone new, I found myself comparing them to her. No one could fill the void Jun Lin had left behind.

Every time Kent suggested a blind date or a casual hangout, I’d shake my head, a heaviness settling over me. I told myself I had forgotten about her, yet that promise to wait lingered like a ghost, haunting the corners of my heart. I couldn’t escape the memories—the way her laughter would light up a room, the warmth of her presence that made everything feel brighter. But deep down, the truth was undeniable: I was just trying to forget her, while she remained etched in my soul.

Back to Work

Another Salmon Run shift kicked off, filled with the familiar chaos of splashes and cries of battle. The salty sea breeze filled my lungs as we geared up, the bright colors of our ink contrasting sharply against the gloomy backdrop of the Salmonids rising from the depths. My crew and I were doing our best to fend off the relentless waves, but something felt different today—heavier, more intense.

“Watch out!” someone yelled, and instinct kicked in. I dove to the side just in time to avoid a volley of flying fish. But as I turned back, my heart sank. A Steelhead loomed over us, its blaring alarm echoing through the chaos. I barely had a moment to brace myself before the explosion sent me flying.

Everything went black.

The Dream

In that darkness, dreams flooded over me like a tide. I saw myself as a kid, laughing with Kent at Hagglefish Market, our spirits unburdened by the weight of time. We would sit on the pier, tossing bits of food to the seagulls, and Kent would daydream out loud about our futures. “One day, I’m going to be successful, Jaycee. I’ll have my own business, and we’ll be rich!” he declared, his eyes sparkling with ambition. I’d mirror his enthusiasm, lost in visions of adventure and endless possibilities, dreaming of our shared future.

As the dream shifted, I saw Kent and me several years later, nervously stepping into Grizz Co. It was a shady place, whispers of its reputation swirling around us, but the pay was good—better than anything else we could find. I remembered the gnawing uncertainty in my gut, but we pushed through, driven by the promise of a better life. Months passed, and despite the company’s dubious ethics, my hard work paid off. I climbed the ranks, earning promotions and respect, transforming from a nervous newcomer into a reputable worker.

Then came the day I met Jun Lin. The memory flooded back with a rush of warmth—her laughter, bright and infectious, cutting through the monotony of our work. I recalled how her passion for helping others lit up her eyes. She spoke of her dream of becoming a doctor, her determination so palpable it drew me in. We shared late-night talks, mapping out our futures like stars in a dark sky, each dream illuminating the other’s.

But then the bittersweet recollection of our heartbreaking goodbye swept over me like a storm. I could almost hear her voice echoing in my mind, “I have to go, Jaycee. I can’t stay here if I want to pursue my dreams.” The weight of those words sank deep, as if she had pulled the ground out from under me. I remembered the tears we shed, the promise to wait, and the aching void left in her absence.

“Jun Lin!” I screamed into the void, but my words echoed back in silence, swallowed by the darkness. The memories tumbled over one another, painting a vivid picture of our time together. I could almost feel her hand in mine, the warmth of her smile igniting hope within me, but then it all faded, leaving me grasping at shadows.

Waking Up

I jolted awake in an unfamiliar, sterile room. The scent of antiseptic surrounded me, sharp and overwhelming. As I blinked into focus, I saw Kent asleep in a chair beside me, his face a mask of worry. Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting as he stirred, sitting up abruptly.

“Jaycee!” Panic filled his voice as he rushed to my side. “I thought you were gone!”

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“What happened?” I croaked, my throat dry and the remnants of chaos swirling in my mind.

“You were badly injured during the shift,” he explained, catching his breath. “They brought you to the Grizzco medical facility. Without the new doctor, you might not have made it.”

I raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping in. “The doctor? Really?”

Kent shrugged, a grin breaking through. “You should’ve seen her. It was like watching a surgeon in a Salmon Run. Crazy.”

I scoffed, trying to lighten the mood, but my body protested as I attempted to sit up. Pain shot through me, reminding me of the battle I’d just fought. “I need to get back to work.”

“Jaycee, you need to rest,” Kent insisted, stopping me with a firm hand on my shoulder. “You can barely move.”

I leaned against the window, gazing out at the sea, lost in thoughts of Jun Lin and her dreams of becoming a doctor. Those moments felt distant, buried under years of longing. I remembered how passionate she had been, her eyes shining with determination as she spoke about helping others.

The Long Wait

After two years of Kent’s companionship, life had felt more bearable. But despite our fun, every laugh felt muted without Jun Lin’s laughter to color them. I missed her warmth, the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her aspirations. I’d tried to fill the void she left behind, but it was never enough.

As hours passed, Kent eventually left for important assignments, his voice echoing in the hall as he assured me he’d be back soon. I said my goodbyes, feeling the emptiness settle back in. Time crawled, and I lay there, staring at the ceiling, the silence amplifying my thoughts.

I thought about Jun Lin’s departure—how abruptly she had vanished, leaving only memories behind. I’d told myself I would wait, but as days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, I wondered if waiting was worth it. The pain of longing settled in like an unwelcome guest, a reminder of everything I had lost.

An Unexpected Visitor

Suddenly, the door opened, and a familiar voice broke through the quiet. “Jaycee?”

I turned slowly, my heart racing. There she was—Jun Lin—standing in the doorway, holding a small bouquet of get-well gifts, her light blue ink glistening like a beacon.

Tears pricked at my eyes as I struggled to find my voice. “I waited for you...”

Her face lit up with a smile that I had missed so dearly, and I could see her eyes shimmering with emotion. “I have returned. As promised.” She stepped closer and leaned in, planting a gentle kiss on my cheek, and in that moment, all the years of pain and longing seemed to dissolve.

“I thought I lost you forever,” I admitted, my voice trembling.

“You almost did,” she said softly, her smile fading into concern. “But I wasn’t going to let that happen. I heard about your accident, and I rushed here as soon as I could. I had to see you, to make sure you were okay.”

As we talked, the words poured out as if we hadn’t been apart for years. She told me about her time in Inkopolis, how she’d chased her dream of becoming a doctor, the challenges she faced, and her determination to succeed.

But beneath my relief lay a tide of emotion I could no longer hold back. “I tried to forget you,” I confessed, my voice breaking. “I really did. But no matter how hard I tried, you were always there in the back of my mind, haunting me.” Tears streamed down my face, and I felt vulnerable. “I thought I had moved on, but you never left my heart.”

Jun Lin’s expression softened, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I never forgot you either, Jaycee. Not for a moment. I promised to come back, and I meant it.”

Then came the revelation that struck me like a tidal wave: Jun Lin had been the one to save me. “I was the doctor who treated you,” she confessed, a mix of pride and vulnerability in her voice. “I couldn’t let you go without fighting for you.”

In that moment, I felt the weight of her love and commitment. It was poetic how I had saved her once, and now she had saved me. “You saved my life,” I breathed, awe flooding my chest.

“I just did what I had to do,” she replied, her voice steady yet gentle. “I couldn’t let you down.”

But then, her expression shifted. “I wanted to contact you right after I graduated,” she continued, her voice softening. “I was planning to work for Grizzco and hoped to surprise you. But then I heard about your accident, and I rushed here without thinking.”

In that moment, I realized how much she had changed—how strong and capable she had become. My heart swelled with gratitude and affection. I wanted to be by her side, to support her as she pursued her dreams, just as she had supported me in ways I hadn’t even realized.

As we continued to talk, a sense of completeness enveloped me. It felt like the universe had conspired to bring us back together, mending the gaps life had created. When Kent returned, he walked in with his usual exuberance but halted at the sight of Jun Lin.

“Wait, why is the doctor here?” Kent asked, confusion washing over his face. As he pieced it together, his eyes widened. “This is the doctor who saved you, Jaycee? No way! Jun Lin—she's the girl you’ve been talking about!”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. Jun Lin’s presence filled the void that had haunted me, bringing color back into my world. As the three of us talked, I felt a sense of hope blossom. Jun Lin had returned, and this was a new beginning—an opportunity to embrace life together.

“Jaycee,” Jun Lin said softly, her eyes searching mine. “What if we took this chance to start anew? I mean, we’ve both been through so much. I’d love to know what our relationship could be now that we’re together again.”

Her question hung in the air, and I felt my heart swell at the thought. “That sounds perfect,” I replied, my voice steady. “No more long goodbyes. Let’s embrace whatever comes next, together.”

Jun Lin smiled, her eyes sparkling with determination, a hint of blush coloring her cheeks as she glanced between us. “I like that idea. Together.”

With that simple word, I felt a wave of peace wash over me. We were no longer two souls wandering through life; we were partners, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.