There is a limit to meeting you.
あなたに会うのには限界があります。
Anata ni au no ni wa genkai ga ari masu.
San Pablo City, Laguna; July 3, 2023.
BECAUSE OF ELIANA'S EXTREME joy, she continues to tag and commenting Ran through social media accounts, especially on YouTube and IG. But she couldn't help but feel sad when she realized that his beloved was in the Philippines.
All she can do is cry because she has no money to buy a ticket for VNL. At that event, she will see Ryujin Nippon, especially Ran Takahashi.
Whenever she opens her phone and goes to her FB, she sees Ran meet and greet famous volleyball stars in the Philippines.
"Sana ako rin," she said to herself. Every time she tells this to herself, her chest tightens. It is her dream to see Ran even though she is at the end of the seat. She turned off her smartphone and didn't open social media first.
She knew that even if she assumed, she still could not go to an event outside their province. Not only because she didn't have money to buy a ticket but because her parents wouldn't allow her to go to Manila.
Eliana couldn't stand it and chatted with her friend from high school, Jaz. "Jaz, what's your course again? Tourism?" Eliana asked Jaz for what is her friend's course.
"Yes, why you ask?" Jaznin asked back.
"Uhm . . . my crush from Japan is currently here in the Philippines," Eliana replied through chat.
"Who?"
"He's Ran Takahashi, a volleyball player," Eliana answered. "He's currently here in the Philippines and he noticed me for how many times but sad to say, I can't see him in person."
"Tara samahan kita, may tutulugan naman tayo sa Maynila, hahaha!" Jaznin said, who is willing to help her friend to see her crush.
Eliana hearted Jaz's chat and said, "I think soon na, wala pa akong ticket eh," Eliana's voice was mixed with frustration as she typed what she conveyed. She has no chance to meet Ran since she has no budget for a ticket.
After that conversation, Eliana logged out of her Facebook and just learned to write in Japanese.
While she was writing, her tears were falling. She always sinks into her mind that,"Ilang taon na naman, magiging okay na ang lahat. Magtiis ka na. Una muna ang pamilya, bago si Ran." (Translation: A few years and everything will be alright. Bear with it. Family first, before Ran.)
MOA Pasay, Philippines
Many people came to take pictures with the famous volleyball players involved in the VNL, including a member of Ryujin Nippon. It can be seen that Team Japan is very popular in the Philippines. The fans scream non-stop and shout the name of Ryujin Nippon.
Other famous volleyball stars in the Philippines also had a chance to take pictures with Ran.
Ran is friendly and asks questions to them. "So how could you conquer those things? Surprisingly, you continue pursuing volleyball despite the challenges you had."
"It's because I love volleyball, so continue striving for your dreams and keep improving," said one of the famous volleyball players in the Philippines.
"We're happy to talk with you," Yuji Nishida said.
Ran continues to sign an autograph and have a picture with fans. He somewhat felt something was missing like a piece in his heart that could not be filled. He looked at the last row of seats which made him feel something in his stomach, a nervousness.
San Pablo City, Laguna; July 9, 2023
Eliana made a story on her IG and tagged Ran again, hoping that Ran would notice her again. Because team Japan lost against Italy and also against Poland. This is the second time that Ran has not seen her IG story. Eliana got confused which is usually he is seeing those who tagged him.
From what she sees in the videos on social media, she feels that Ran is not in a good mood. Ran is always serious when the camera always focuses on him. Maybe it's because he wants to play but because of his injury he can't.
Eliana felt sad and cried secretly. That secret cry was so painful in her chest. It's like a thorn that hurts when swallowed. "Ayos lang, wala naman akong karapatang masaktan," she said on her mind. She is hurting, crying, and hopeless. "Ayaw ko na, nakakapagod na." (Translation: It's okay, I have no right to be hurt; I can't, I'm so tired.)
Eliana's heart shattered into pieces when she also saw her favorite volleyball player being followed by Ran. "I felt jealous."
She knew to herself that one day, Ran will get married with someone he love. Eliana couldn't help but to cry and get hurt. That made her realized when she watched an interview of Ran saying, "Well, I want to get married soon as possible, I want my children to watch me play volleyball."
Also, there are a lot of pictures that were taken by famous personalities in the Philippines. "As time passes by, you're so hard to reach, it hurts me a lot."
Ran's followers are growing bigger and bigger. That made her worry that Ran already love someone.
Also . . . made her worried that Ran likes someone who doesn't know him. "How could I not know him when I already mesmerized by his talent?"
Eliana continues to look for Ran's update. As a fan of Ran, she is worried about Ran's condition. Maybe it meant she couldn't go because she would worry about Ran's condition if that happened. She couldn't help but type a message to herself through her messenger.
Dear self,
Balang araw, makikita mo rin si Ran Takahashi at masasabi mo sa kanya na mahal mo siya. Pero sa ngayon, puwede ka munang mamahinga at hintayin ang pagkakataon. Sa ngayon ay magsumikap ka muna sa hamon ng buhay dahil ang totoong laban ay makikita mo kapag nagtatrabaho ka na.
Kahit na mahirap siyang abutin. Kahit masakit sa 'yo.
One day, you and Ran's universe will collide if it is God's will.
(Translation: One day, you'll be seeing Ran Takahashi and you will say that you love him. But for now, you should rest and wait for the right time. For now, you should work hard on life's challenges because the real battles are when you are working already.
Even though it's hard to reach him. Even though it hurts you.
One day, you and Ran's universe will collide if it is God's will.)