"I'm going away."

For years a champion, Misaki was now 15.

Sitting at the glass table of the café, across from Ohjiro, her eyes were wide open. Did he just say.? He couldn't have.

"You still are cute when you're surprised," he teased.

Her face flushed pink, "B..bu.but where?!"

"America." He paused, waiting for her to squeal again (obviously enjoying her surprise).

But she didn't. Instead, she was busy concentrating on the bubbles in her soda.

"My brother found a school for me that would really help me in my medical studies." He didn't even have to look at her to tell she was on the verge of tears. Over the three years they had known each other, she had become so dependent on him.

Noticing that his eyes were on her, she quickly changed her face to a smile. "How long will you be gone?"

"A year. So are you going to come to the airport to send me off?" Happy that he had asked her, she smiled (this time sincerely) and said yes.

(Airport)

Standing by the gate, Misaki and Ohjiro were accompanied by many people on either side:

Ringo, still ever famous and clad in heavy sunglasses and a pink hat.

Tamayo, putting Kotarou in a headlock.

Hatoko, smiling at them.

Icchan, crying.despite being the one who recommended the medical school.

Hatoko walked over to Misaki and Ohjiro and picked up both their right hands from their sides and told Ohjiro to promise Misaki that he would be back soon (Misaki turned pink).

Ohjiro smiled and linked his pinky around Misaki's and said he promised. Then he pulled her pinky in towards himself, bringing her along, and kissed her on the forehead and walked away saying, "See you soon," while she fell to her knees.

She missed Tamayo choke (hug) Kotarou around the neck saying, "You know you wish that was yooouuuuu!" as he turned red.maybe more so than Misaki.

She missed Ringo's mouth hang open like a monkey's.

She missed Hatoko's cool face turn into something of mild surprise.

She missed Icchan clamp his hands to his cheeks as he twirled around.

But a minute later, she closed her mouth and smiled. She watched his back till she couldn't see it anymore. Then, she turned around to the surprised group and smiled brightly as she slipped her arm through Ringo and Tamayo's.

At that same moment, someone wasn't smiling. Someone who hated Misaki.