Ryu made it to the Yoshida's. Meeting her was something normal. Every day they would have a little talk or go for a walk, and she would eat at their ramen restaurant at least 2 times a week. It was only natural for them to see each other every day, so why does he feels so nervous this time? Before he started thinking about them too hard, he pressed the doorbell.

"Good evening, Mrs. Yoshida."

"Oh, Ryu-kun! Good evening, I'll call her and she'll be here in a minute." She went under the stairs and shouted:

"CHIZURU! Come here, Ryu's at the door!"

"Coming!" Chizu yelled back.

"So, how's your school going?" Mrs. Yoshida asked.

"I'm working hard and I'm planning to attend a university to be able to become a professional baseball player."

"Those are really perspective plans, if only Chizuru considered pursuing a higher education as well."

"I think she's a smart girl, if she decides to study at the university, she'll make it."

"Hey, stop talking about me behind my back!" Someone exclaimed. Ryu looked in the direction of the voice and it took him quite a lot of power to keep his jaw from dropping on the floor. Of course, he's always though she was pretty, but he certainly wasn't expecting to see that.

Chizu was wearing delicate make up, a checked mini skirt with matching black T-shirt and grey Converses.

"…but if it's praise, I'm fine with that. Hi, Ryu."

"Hi. So, shall we go?"

"Yep. I'll be back about 9 p.m."

"I will see her home safely!"

"That's okay. Have a nice evening."

"I'm not a kid!" Chizu protested, but no one replied.

"Thank you, Mrs. Yoshida. Goodbye," Ryu greeted.

"Bye, mom!"

"So, what's the plan?"

"Not telling you."

"Ryu, what's wrong with you? Ever since we've been dating you're all mysterious and weird."

"It's a secret, okay? Look, I didn't give you anything for your birthday, so I've been trying to come up with something to make it up to you, but if I tell you now, it won't be a secret anymore."

"Okay," Chizu resigned, "by the way, how do I look?"

"Not bad," he shrugged, although his pulse evidently had a different opinion.

"Thanks."

Despite of the fact that Chizu and Ryu have known each other pretty much forever, the nervosity and awkwardness between them was really visible.

Chizu's POV

What the hell is wrong with me? Walks with Ryu are like eating their ramen or talking to uncle Sanada – daily basis, so why is it so hard to come up with a conversation topic? And besides, has he always looked this…handsome? Waaah, just what am I thinking about?"

"So, how was the practice?"

"Good. The final match is in two weeks, so we really have to work hard, but I think we got this. I'll definitely do my best so that I won't let my team down."

"Come on, Ryu, as if it could actually happen! Of course you won't let them down, you're great at baseball and I'll be there to cheer on you."

"Thank you, Chizuru. You know, I…..couldn't bring myself to tell you this, but I'm really happy to have you in my…okay, this is quite embarrassing…" Ryu said covering his mouth as if it could delete what he just said. And even though you could probably say it was impossible, he was blushing. But forget him; Chizu was blushing so violently that she would put a beetroot to shame.

"I…guess the same applies for me as well. Maybe that thing with Tooru was just platonic and it should have been like this."

Ryu raised an eyebrow. "Maybe?"

"Okay, I'm pretty sure about that," Chizu acknowledged with a laugh and all of sudden she couldn't feel solid ground under her feet. Ryu hugged her and lifted her up.

"And now it's just you and me, right?"

"Aargh, are you crazy? Put me down, you baseball freak!"

"Guess I'll take that as a compliment," he smirked and put her down.

"You don't have to be jealous about him anymore," she said and grabbed his hand, "come on, we have to go!"

"How do you know where we're heading to?"

"I don't, it's just weird to stand in the middle of the street doing nothing."

"Slow down a bit, Chizuru. What's so bad about doing nothing, just enjoying the evening?"

"Maybe I'm just too hyperactive. Come on!"

"Fine, then, drag me to our ramen shop, please," Ryu shrugged, "but I won't tell you more."

The rest of the walk – or to be more exact – run passed quickly and no one said a word. Chizu literally dragged Ryu to the ramen shop, but when she touched the handle to open the door….

"NO!" He exclaimed. Chizu turned around with a puzzled expression.

"Huh?"

Suddenly Ryu covered her eyes with his hand.

"EHH?! What the heck are you doing?!"

"Be careful, there's a step."

"I know!" She grunted nervously. Just what's going on here?

"Okay, you can look now," he said and put his hand down.

"NO WAY!" Chizu yelped. She visited this place like countless times, but what she saw there was a shock. The table was solely decorated and there even was a candle. "What's all of this? Why?"

"Well, as I said, I was really busy before your birthday and I couldn't get you any gift. I'm really sorry for that and this is the way I want to make it up to you. I was thinking of booking a table somewhere else, but then I realized that this is probably the best option since you love it here and besides…. we've spent a lot of time serving customers here, so don't you think we also deserve to be served at least once in a while?"

"Actually, you do have a point here!" She chuckled. "Okay, let's stuff ourselves! There's not a better dish than uncle's ramen!"

"Uh, but I'll have to bring it here anyway. I didn't think that through. I'll be right back!"

"Should I help you?" Chizu asked.

"No, that's okay, just sit and enjoy yourself!" Ryu said and disappeared in the kitchen.

"Wow, it smells awesome! Just like always!" Chizuru exclaimed. The last meal she ate was lunch, so she was hungry like a wolf now, and what could possibly better than ramen?

"I'm glad you like it, I wasn't really sure," he chuckled nervously.

"Why so? Just stop babbling and eat up already!"

"Okay."

"So, have you already talked to uncle about the letter?"

"What's with that sudden switch of topic?"

"Well?" Chizu insisted.

"I thought we already talked about this."

"But we didn't finish. And don't give me that "there's nothing to talk about" crap. It's an important issue, Ryu."

He let out a deep sigh. When he was imagining this evening, talking about college wasn't really a part of the desired scenario, but on the other hand, wouldn't it be better to finish this debate once for all? "I still don't think it's the best idea, I mean, on one hand you'll end up all alone and on the other hand my dad will have to manage the shop on his own."

"But you also have to think about yourself. It's your future after all. And don't worry about your dad; I'll be here to help him anytime he needs it. He told me that when I finish high school I can start working at your shop full-time. It's not like I'm planning to go to the university anyway."

"Don't you want to try at least?" He asked.

"Why waste money on something that probably won't work out? I'm not a good student. I'd be happier if I could help out at the shop and also at home whenever I'm needed," Chizu said and took a sip from the glass of water.

"I'm just saying it's not fair for me to make you do something I'm responsible for."

"GEEZ, RYU! Just why are you being so stubborn?!" She yelped and banged the glass on the table just like it was an arm of one of the boys she had beaten in arm wrestling back at high school. The glass flipped over. Breathing heavily they watched the rest of the water spreading all over the cover.

"Are you okay?" Ryu asked carefully.

Chizu fixed her eyes on him. "Just….let me ask you something. Let's say you'd quit baseball and stay working at home. Would you be happy to throw it all away?"

"I don't want to leave you alone."

Suddenly she did something he wouldn't expect even in the weirdest dreams. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly.

"I'll be fine…okay, I know I won't, but I've been watching you playing baseball since the very beginning and I know you want to do for the rest of your life, and let me tell you, you are kick-ass great at it! You didn't get that early acceptance letter for nothing! Maybe I'll regret this, but….do your best, I'm sure you'll do great in Tokyo."

"I love you, Chizuru."

"Idiot! I love you, too!"

"Guess I should take a word "idiot" as a compliment."

"Oh, come on! Stop taking everything literally. So? Have you decided?"

"Alright, then. I'll go. As I already said, I will definitely bring the results. I'm going to win this thing as I gift for you, even though…this…" he dag into his pocket "…is the real gift." He said and handed her a white box with a decorative bow star.

Chizu could feel her cheeks heating up. "That's for me? B-but you already gave me one."

"Hn."

She opened the box to reveal a silver bracelet with little purple crystals interlaced with silver heart-shaped wire.

"Thank you."

"No. I should be the one thanking you."

Two silhouettes were standing under the street lamp. Just a few minutes and it'll be time to go home.

"Thanks for tonight, it was really…great."

"Yeah."

"And tonight you're gonna tell your father about the letter, ok?"

"Ok." Ryu resigned. There was no point of talking about it anymore, and after all it was a healthy thing to do. "Well then, I'll get going. See you tomorrow," he said and turned around.

"Ryu, wait!" Chizuru exclaimed all of sudden. The tall boy looked back with a shocked face.

"Can you promise me one thing?"

"Uh….yes, of course, what is it?"

"Please, come home from school as often as you can. I know it'll be hard to handle but….try it. Tooru also said he'd come as often as possible and now we can barely see him once a year! I don't want to sound selfish, but….don't forget about me."

"How could I possibly forget about you?"

"Tokyo is a big city and I assume there will be a bunch of beautiful girls who will do anything to get you….what if you decide to stay there?"

"The only person I've ever liked was you, Chizuru and that will never change. Ever."

"But what…what is it that makes you sure that you won't forget? You asked me once what your strongest points were. What about mine?"

"Let's see…you're strong, always cheerful and supportive and you are exceptional in many ways," he said and all the tomatoes gained a serious competition- Chizuru.

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me for telling you the truth," Ryu smirked.

Note: Galloping Horses, anagiana, kaorikawaii137, thank you very much for following my story, it means a lot to me :)