Goodbye, My MVP
- Nick Ho
- Dec 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 2
[🎧 The audio version is available at the bottom of the page.] ⬇
(Scene: Departure Hall, Hong Kong International Airport. YOU, a 14-year-old girl, stand facing KIN, a short boy in a blue cap with a large backpack slung over his shoulder.)
You: Kin… when’s your flight?
Kin: Pretty soon. Sis’s already bugging me to head to the gate.
You: Just like always.
(Your eyes drift to Kin’s backpack, noticing a deflated basketball tucked into the side pocket.)
You: Oh… you’re bringing that to the U.K.?
Kin: Of course. You think I’d leave it behind?
You: No, I just—
Kin: I’ve got all your signatures on it—plus the 12 seniors from the school team. This basketball’s going to travel the world with me.
You: Yeah, maybe you’ll come back as a pro or something.
Kin: That’s the plan. You’ll see me on TV one day. Just don’t forget to tell people you knew me back in Kindergarten.
You: Of course I will… but I doubt anyone would believe me.
(Your smile falters.)
You: I’m gonna miss seeing you at the court.
Kin: You mean the school court?
You: Yeah… like in the mornings.
Kin: I’ll be way better next time. I’m small now, but just wait. Two or three years, I’ll grow taller—my dad is 6’2, you know. I’ll catch up to Jay soon. When I do, no one’s blocking my shots or layups anymore.
You: I know you will. I’ve always known.
(Your eyes become distant and unfocused.)
Kin: Mimi, you okay?
(You glance up at him, and tears spill down your cheeks.)
You: I just… I don’t want you to go.
Kin: Mimi…
You: It’s like the whole world’s turning upside down. Everyone’s leaving—Cindy and Ting are gone, Fai’s leaving next summer, and Jay… he’s in jail. Now you’re leaving too.
Kin: Hey, Mimi… don’t cry. You’re gonna make me feel bad—wait a sec!
(Kin sets down his bag and rummages through it, pulling out a jumble of items: a plastic Gundam model, manga books, a basketball magazine, socks…)
(Finally, he pulls out a pink snack bag and holds it out, shaking it in front of you.)
Kin: Ta-da!
You: What’s this?
Kin: Your favorite—Tohato, strawberry flavor. You’re always talking about it.
You: (taking the bag) You… remembered?
Kin: Of course. I’m nosy when it comes to what my friends like. I couldn’t leave without giving you something.
(You clutch the bag, tears falling harder now.)
You: You’re the only person who’d ever think of this. It should’ve been us giving you a farewell gift.
Kin: I have the ball with all your signatures.
(You smile, but with sadness.)
You: Idiot.
Kin: That’s better. See? No more crying.
(You wipe your tears, but the sadness lingers in your eyes.)
You: Just… promise me one thing, Kin.
Kin: What?
You: Don’t forget me.
Kin: Of course I won’t. You know that.
You: Really?
Kin: And it’s not like we’ll never see each other again, Mimi. I’ll come back and visit you. And Tan and Fat Bo too.
(He kneels down to shove his things back into his backpack.)
Kin: Maybe by then, I’ll be a basketball star.
(You stare at him, your heart heavy yet full of admiration, aware of how much this moment means to you.)
Kin’s Dad: Kin, time to go!
Kin: (turning to you) Dad’s calling me.
You: Yeah…
(Kin waves at everyone as he heads toward the gate.)
You: (softly) See you, Kin.
(Kin glances back one last time, giving you a thumbs-up. His eyes meet yours before he disappears into the gate with his father and sister.)
(Posted on Threads on 27.12.2024)
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