A preview for an upcoming commission. This was a long one, but an exciting one to write since it is a bit different from what I usually write. Enjoy!
Kevin Lungstrum let out a long yawn, stretching and rolling his arms. What came today? Something good, something exciting? Something not a bill?The young man unlocked his mailbox in the apartment complex. Inside, he was greeted not by the sight of a letter or envelope. Instead, he found just a key, one that went to one of the cubby package holders next to the mailboxes.Weird… He took the key out, reading “#1” on the tag. Didn't think I had anything being delivered right now…He plugged the key into the #1 slot and unlocked it. Inside, he found a large envelope. Okay… getting stranger.He took it out and looked it over. He nearly did a double take reading who it was addressed to. Megumi?! N-no way.Megumi Haruba was his ex-girlfriend. It had been over a week since they had broken up. He had been trying his best not to let it get to him too much, but this sudden appearance brought back a lot of uncomfortableness to him.He had thought their relationship had been going fairly well. He could remember clearly when they first met. It was at a bar during an open mic night. Kevin had finished doing a set on the guitar he brought, sitting down at the counter when Megumi approached with a drink.She was a beautiful young woman with lovely dark hair and enchanting aura about her. She was incredibly nice and full of life when she talked. So, when he didn't end up liking the drink, it didn't really matter. The two had hit it off.That night was a lot of fun. They talked a lot, venting mostly. Megumi vented about her overbearing mother, having quite a bit to say about her. They tried performing on stage together at one point. She borrowed a keyboard to play alongside his guitar. It didn't go particularly well, but they had a blast.Later nights were just as good. They didn't do anything physical, just hanging out at various places. They saw a few movies, had a few dinners, and talked a lot. Again, Megumi vented and dished about her mom over and over. She could go on for hours about her if Kevin didn't step in at some points to interrupt her.It was a bit annoying, but from everything she said, he could totally understand. She sounded like an absolute nightmare.And then, that nightmare struck. Ageha Haruba, Megumi's mother, had found out about them. He didn't know how she did, but she did and forbade them from being together. Megumi was twenty-one, a consenting, mature adult, but her mother had a hold on her. Between holding the purse strings and having some psychological control from being together for years, Megumi ended up being pushed into dumping him.The worst of it was that he partially couldn't even blame the mom for wanting them to split. At twenty-six, he wasn't as mature as he should've probably been. He didn't have a stable, fulfilling job, spent most of his time practicing guitar and music and never getting far with them, and slacked off on everything else.He wanted Megumi to stay and even tried, but he couldn't do anything. And, he felt he shouldn't even bother trying again.Kevin smacked his forehead, giving his noggin a good shake. Stop that. Let's not go down this road.What was done was done. He shouldn't dwell on it. What he should do is probably get this package to its proper owner.Despite everything, he still had Megumi's number. He wasn't willing to let that go just yet. He quickly texted her, Hey! Package 4 u came What should I do?He closed the cubby and was about to pocket his phone when it buzzed. That was quick.Sure enough, a text came in. Sorry! Had to send 2 u Didn't want mom to 2 find outAnother text came. It'll help me settle things for good! Bring it to me ASAP!!!!Settle things? Kevin gave the package a look and a quick shake. He could hear something rattle around in it. It wasn't particularly heavy or big, that much he could tell.One last text came in. Open it up and come bring it to me!Suddenly, this felt like a lot all at once. Kevin hadn't talked or seen Megumi since the break up. If she was desperate enough to order something and send it to him just to get it to her safely, this must've been important.What the heck is this? Kevin opened up the envelope and dumped its small item into his free hand.Of all things, it was a gold ring. It was faded, suggesting it was fairly old, and curiously warm to the touch. The outside was still smoothish, but on the inside, there was texture. Looking closely, he could just make out an inscription of all things.
Change the World. Change the Others. Make It Better.
Weird. That was all Kevin could really think in regards to this. This wasn't what he was expecting to find, but to be fair, he wasn't sure what the solution to Megumi's mom problems would've been. Such a curious warm ring with quite the odd phrasing.However, despite it, he wasn't going to question it. If this is what Megumi wanted, it's what she wanted. He still wanted her to be happy and if bringing this to her made her happy, then he'll do it, even if it's the last thing he can do for her.He texted her back, telling her what he found and what to do next…