Author's notes: Instead of an 16th birthday, Mami celebrated an 17th birthday, hence they are 18 right now. I had to change it coz it has to fit the next chapters…Sorry! And instead of 4 years, it would be 3 and a half to 4 years. Sorry for the changes, but it's for the betterment of the future chapters.

btw thanks to those who reviewed, I highly appreciated them, continue reviewing and for the others, plese review:D Hope you enjoy this chapter, the next one will come up soon, already done just checking it out for changes.

Chapter 2

The next day she told her friends that she broke up with Rei. She made it clear that she was the one who broke up with Rei so they didn't have to get mad at Rei. She told them it was her decision but she wouldn't tell them the reason.

"Okay then, if you really don't want to tell us then we won't ask the reason." said Ran.

"Are you okay?" asked Miyu in concern for her friend.

"Yeah I'm okay, don't worry guys." she smiled.

"Anyway, it's time to go, we have to go to the café it's past break time." said Miyu.

"Yeah." said Aya as she and Miyu left Mami and Ran.

Later in the afternoon she and Miyu went to the mansion of the Hoshino because Aya's grandfather had invited them for dinner. Some of Aya's cousins were there too, as well as Aya's brother and Lorraine. Later, after dinner, Aya went to the big library in the mansion to read some books while Miyu was playing monopoly with Aya's cousins.

The library was big, it had hundreds or maybe thousands of books, and tables for reading. There was also a huge portrait of her grandfather, grandmother and their children and another portrait of her, her brother and her close cousins. Then her grandfather entered the room. "So my dear, how have you been lately? Are you okay?"

She smiled "Yes grandpa, I'm okay."

"So like I've told you before about France, you can study their your med--"

"Grandpa, like I said I'm not going to France, I don't think it will do any better anyway like it did here in Japan." said Aya as she got a book.

"You wouldn't know that, and I think it's worth a try anyway. And plus, what reason do you have to stay here anyway? Didn't you and Rei just break up?" asked her grandfather as he sat in one of the chairs.

Aya sat as well "Maybe so, but I don't think that's enough to fly me away off Japan."

He grandfather sighed in defeat. After a while they left the library and went to the living room, Aya jumped to where her younger cousins and Miyu were. "Hey guys, what are you playing." said Aya as she hugged one of her young cousins.

"We're playing monopoly and Miyu's losing." one boy laughed.

"Is that so?" said Miyu as she tickled the boy.

"Miyu." called the grandfather.

"Yes?" she asked as she got up.

"So have you given some thought about my offer in studying in France for your college?" he began "It would be really good if you wanted to pursue a career in fashion designing."

Miyu smiled "I really appreciate the offer, I'm really grateful. But the truth is I don't want to leave Japan, I want to stay here with Yamato."

"Okay, if that's what you really like, but don't forget, my offer will always be open in case you ever change your mind." smiled the grandfather.

"Thanks." nodded Miyu.

The following day Miyu, Aya and Ran were in the café though Tofu was not around. "Ugh… I'm bored, let's go out to the mall!" Ran suggested.

"I'm working Ran." laughed Miyu. Aya on the other hand was on one of the tables with her notebooks and laptop.

"What are you studying Aya isn't it summer?" Ran said as she yawned in boredom.

"I'm entering med school remember?" replied Aya.

"Oh yeah…" just then Mami entered accompanied by Yuuya and Rei right behind them.

"Hey guys!" greeted Yuuya.

Mami looked around "Hey where's Tofu?"

"She's in the bank, dunno why, but they called her." answered Miyu.

"Ahh… I see, anyway gotta go, still have to go to a dinner party with my family." said Mami.

"But it's still the afternoon." said Ran in wonder.

"Well duh! I still have to prepare and all. Well, you wouldn't know that because obviously you don't know anything about preparing yourself!" laughed Mami as she quickly left before Ran could get out of her seat and begin fighting.

Ran clenched her fists "Why that girl, when I get my hands on her…"

"Hey Ran, where's Yamato anyway, didn't he say he was going to go here?" asked Miyu.

"Oh right, about that, he told me to tell you that he won't be making it here today, he has to meet up with his other friends, he forgot they had something planned today a long time ago." Ran replied as she took a sip from her juice.

Miyu looked down, saddened "Oh, I see." Through the whole conversation Aya never met with Rei's eyes, not that she really wanted to for that matter.

After 15 minutes Tofu had arrived with a long face. "What's with the long face Tofu?" asked Ran "Maybe you met a really hot guy in the bank but he already has a girlfriend. Haha…" laughed Ran.

She just made a long sigh "What's the matter?" asked Miyu.

"You see, the reason why they called me to the bank was because the old owner of this café (who, in my story, died) has a debt with the bank." said Tofu with a worried look in her face.

"How much is the debt exactly?" asked Ran.

"350,000 Yen." she said simply "I don't know what I'm gonna do! I have no idea where to get that big a money." she began to cry.

"Oh Tofu." Aya stood up and went to comfort their friend.

"We have to get the money somehow." Ran rubbed her chin to think "I know, what about Mami to donate the money!"

"I don't think that is possible Ran." said Yuuyav "You see, Mami was cut of her spending money and her dad does not want to give her that much money for this month because of all her shopping sprees that went way over what she usually spends."

Everybody's faces went down "Aya what about you? Can't you ask your grandfather to donate?" asked Yuuya.

Aya somewhat hesitated "Uhm… I will try and ask him."

"That's good then, we have at least one option." said Miyu "When do we need to pay anyway?"

"By the end of this week. If we don't pay up their going to close this and sell it." replied Tofu.

"But that's only 3 days away." said Ran "This is so unrighteous; they should have given us more time."

"There's no point in badmouthing them Ran, the best we should do is come up with the money somehow." said Rei.

"Yeah you're right." said Ran as she sighed "Don't worry Tofu, I'm sure there'll be a way."

"I hope so."

Aya went to her grandfather's house that night to talk about the donation. She entered her grandfather's office and saw her grandfather reading the newspaper. "Uhm grandpa, may I speak with you?"

"Sure dear have a seat." he said as he folded the newspaper. Aya sat near him.

"Uh grandpa, do you remember the café I work for?" asked Aya, her grandfather nodded in reply "You see, the café has financial problems. It owes the bank 350,000 Yen."

"I see. So?"

Aya hesitated knowing that this will end up in her grandfather's favor "We need the money in three days time and the only possible way we can get that amount of money is… is…"

"From me perhaps?" Aya nodded.

"Hmm…" though Aya's grandfather "Okay I'll be giving the money. But," Aya knew how this will end up "only if you agree to go to France with us."

Aya did not know how to respond, she wanted to help her friend but she did not want to leave. She didn't know what to chose, this decision could change a lot.

"I'll give you time to think my dear. Don't go home tonight anymore, it's getting really late. Just sleep the night here in your room."

"Okay, goodnight grandpa." said Aya as she left the room.

Aya spent the whole night thinking of what to do. Her heart was torn, which was more important to her: The thing that brings her friends happiness or her happiness in the comfort of her friend? She had to choose real fast. What did she really want? Right now, she doesn't know.

The following day in the café Ran, Tatsukichi, Miyu, Yamato, Aya and Tofu was there.

"Two more days and I still don't have the money." Tofu said in dismay.

Aya had her thoughts distant, thinking about her grandfather's offer. Meanwhile Yamato had to leave, again "But where are you going Yamato?" asked Miyu sweetly.

"I promised to meet my old high school friends today. Some just arrived from other towns." explained Yamato.

"Okay, bye! I love you!" said Miyu as she smiled.

"Yeah bye!" said Yamato as he ran off. Miyu felt weird, as if Yamato was lying, but she did not want to doubt him, but she also wondered why he didn't say 'I love you' back.

"Anyway Tofu, me and Tatsukichi will be going now, we have somewhere to go to you see." said Ran, Tofu nodded and smiled.

"Bye Tofu!" said Tatsukichi joyously as he ran off with Ran.

"I guess I'll be saying goodbye to the café." Tofu said as she stood up and gently brushed her hand through the walls "I really, really loved this café."

"Oh Tofu." said Miyu as she went and hugged Tofu.

When Aya saw this, she made up her mind, she couldn't bear seeing her friend get hurt. She has decided. She went back to her grandfather's mansion later that night. Aya went to her grandather's office and sat down just as her grandfather placed down his newspaper.

"I suppose you have decided?" asked her grandfather, Aya responded with a nod "And what have you decided my dear?"

"I have decided that…" Aya breathed "As much as I wouldn't want to leave, I will accept your offer grandpa. But I need the money in two days time." she said sternly.

"That's not going to be a problem." Aya's grandfather said "Oh and by the way, we're leaving tomorrow the morning two days from now. I'll give you the money tomorrow and I'll leave it to you when you want to give it."

Aya nodded "Oh yeah, and I would like it if you didn't sign your name on the donation money." Aya's grandfather nodded. 'Looks like I only have little time left.'

Aya went up to her room and saw a picture with all eight of them together; Ran and Tatsukichi dancing around, Miyu hugging Yamato, Mami and Yuuya posing, Rei and her as well. How she loved the all days with all the happy memories. She had lots of pictures of their outings and events that happened. She loved taking pictures because those were the only vivid memories she has, she doesn't have any good memories of her parents, her friends are almost everything she has.

She decided that she should make tomorrow one of the most happiest days in her and her friends' lives. She called up Ran and suggested that they have a picnic, all of them together.

The following day, they were all there at a hill having a picnic. They were all goofing around playing games and even using water guns to annoy each other.

"Tatsukichi when I get you!" yelled Yuuya when Tatsukichi fired the water gun at him. They all laughed. As Aya saw her friends having fun, laughing and just enjoying life, all the more did she not want to tell them that she'll be leaving soon for a long time.

Before the day ended, Aya approached Rei who was sitting under a tree while reading a book.

"I want to ask you something Rei, I want you to answer me honestly." stated Aya.

Rei placed his book down and looked at her "What is it?"

"When all your dreams come true, when you have reached all of your goals, when you find your true happiness, who would be the one right next to you?" asked Aya.

"What?"

"Just answer." said Aya. Rei did not respond quickly, to be honest, he really felt more for Ran than for Aya.

Aya smiled "It's Ran isn't it?"

Rei looked away.

"Then go." said Aya, trying her best to give a warm smile.

Rei looked at her confused "Go and do it, go and try and maybe that will actually come true."

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Rei.

"I don't want the time to come when I will regret all the things I could have done, I don't want to feel heavy inside Rei. Maybe this is my chance to make up for all the time you wasted on me. It's your chance, take it." and with that she left him.

'She's such an idiot, I never told her I wasted my time. And why is she suddenly telling me all of this?'

The day ended when they took a group picture using Aya's camera.

They parted ways and before Aya went to her house she passed by the café. She looked at it with lonely eyes. Tomorrow she was going to leave, leave all of these behind. She went inside the empty café using a key she has and left the envelope with the money in it in the cashier's desk. Before she left she said a little 'Goodbye' and took her last glance at the café and left.

The next morning, Ran, Tofu and Miyu entered the café. They placed the chairs down and prepared for the customers the were soon to come. Miyu went to the cashier to wipe the dust off when she saw the envelope. "Hey Tofu, what's this envelope?" asked Miyu.

END OF CHAPTER