A 5-year old Ryoma and Sakuno were always the best of friends. So close that no one could separate them. Their parents loved seeing them play together. But one day, Ryoma had to move to America for a very, very long time. Their parents hated to separate them, but they had to say good-bye to each other.
"I-I don't want Ryoma to leave!" said Sakuno, crying her eyes out.
"I don't want to leave Sakuno to!" said Ryoma, with tears in his eyes.
The two of them looked up at Ryoma's parents while holding each other's hands, showing that they won't be separated no matter what.
"Ryoma, I'm sorry, but we have to go to America." said Nanjiroh, Ryoma's father.
"Sakuno, why don't you two make a promise? That way when Ryoma comes back to Japan one day, you wouldn't forget each other and you'll know each other when you look at them?" said Sakuno's grandmother.
"That's a good idea!" the both of them said at the same time.
"Then, I'll give Sakuno this locket! It has the most precious memories that we share! When we meet again, I'll open it with this key!"
Ryoma held a chain holding the most beautiful golden key in his hand, then put it around his neck. The locket that he was going to give to Sakuno was also golden, and in the shape of a heart.
"Yay! Thank you Ryoma! Now, what will be our promise?" asked Sakuno.
"Well I love Sakuno and Sakuno loves me! Why don't we get married when we are old enough?" exclaimed the small Echizen with his eyes twinkling with a big smile on his face.
"Yeah! Let's get married when we are old enough!"
After the promise, the locket, and the key were given to each other, Ryoma and Sakuno said goodbye to each other, each waiting for the day they would be reunited.