Ryoma turned the envelope to check its sender. His eyes widened as he recognize the name written.

-Miki Ryoutaro and Miki Hana-


He wasn't so sure if he wanted to open the letter or not. The seal is intact, so his father didn't read it yet. What if it's bad news? What should he do? He wanted to burn it, but his hands have a mind of their own. Although he doesn't want to, he needed to know.

He pulled out the letter and unfolded it.

Dear Ryoma-kun,

It's been a while. How have you been? We're so sorry that this happened to both of you, we only wanted what's best for her. If we could only bring back the past, we wouldn't have tried to separate both of you. We know that it's our fault the you lost your memory and that she's lying on a hospital bed. All we could do is ask for your forgiveness. We'll do everything to have it; to have her forgiveness as well.

About her condition, it's improving a lot. Her hands twitches from time to time but that's about it. The doctors said that it's only a matter of time before she wakes up. We hope that you'll be here when the time comes.

-Miki Ryoutaro and Miki Hana-

He didn't notice that he's been holding his breath until his lungs burn and exhaled deeply. A new found hope blossomed within him. She'll be awake any time soon. And he's determined to be there for her.

He decided at that moment. He'll go to America. To be with her.

"Oyaji. Tell Okaa-san that I'll be going to America tomorrow." he said, his tone held finality and determination, making no room for his father to argue.

Nanjirou won't stop him anyway, he owe his son that much. He just wanted him to be happy and if going to America will make him happy, so be it.

He nodded.

"I'll have your ticket ready. We also have to go to your school tomorrow to fix your papers." then he paused. "Are you going to stay there permanently?"

Ryoma thought for a moment then shook his head. "I don't know, I'll be there for as long as it takes until she wakes up."

"If that's what you want."

xxxxx

Murmurs ran through the crowd as Ryoma, Nanjirou and Ryuzaki-sensei entered the principal's office. Student's made their own speculation as to what happened. But nobody could pinpoint the truth.

"Nani? Nani? What's happening?" Osakada Tomoka demanded as she pushed through the crowd followed by her bestfriend, Sakuno.

"Echizen-san, his father and Ryuzaki-sensei entered the principal's office 30 minutes ago. Nobody knows why though," A boy from their class answered.

Tomoka almost shrieked when she heard the news. Thankfully, Sakuno covered her mouth just in time as she opened her mouth, saving billions of lives and possible the glasses in their school.

When she calmed down, Tomoka turned to Sakuno.

"What do you think happened to Ryoma-sama? she asked.

Sakuno worriedly stared at the door that led to the Principal's office. Some where trying to eavesdrop to no avail. The room was soundproofed.

"I don't know. We should just wait for them to finished." She glanced at her watch briefly. 30 more minutes before school starts.

Just then the door of the Principal's office opened revealing Ryoma wearing casual clothes while talking to Ryuzaki-sensei followed by Nanjirou, who was wearing a decent clothing other that monk's clothes.

They paid no attention to the crowd as they discuss something.

As they passed Sakuno, she vaguely heard "America" , "Month", "Not sure".

All she was certain that Ryoma will go to America and judging by his clothes, he'll probably go straight to the airport. She tugged Tomoka's arm and went into their classroom.

xxxxx

"Be careful in America, Ryoma" Ryuzaki-sensei said as they walk outside the school premises.

'Hn.'

She smiled. Some things never change.

"Oi Seishounen. Would you want me too accompany you to the airport? Wouldn't want to get lost." Nanjirou teased which was answered with a glare.

"No thanks."

Then Ryoma looked at them and nodded.

"I'll be going." he said and went inside the taxi and sped off.

Nanjirou sighed. He silently prayed that everything will go fine.

xxxxx

Ryuzaki-sensei gathered the regulars to announce Ryoma's sudden departure.

"So Ochibi-nya went to America today?" Eiji asked confused. "Why didn't he tell us?"

Momoshiro sighed and smiled bitterly. He considered himself closest to Echizen yet he didn't tell him.

"Well he is rather rash when it comes to decision making." Oishi said.

"Why did he left suddenly?" Kaido questioned.

"The same reason he hadn't accepted the proposal of the scout. There are things that only Ryoma can answer. But I think he'll be back with the answer." she hinted.

"So there's 87% probability that Echizen didn't go to America to join a competition or to accept any proposal and 100% probability that it is extremely personal."

"Correct. I doubt that he will be able to play tennis for a while."

Fuji frowned. All of them knows that Echizen doesn't have any injuries.

"So you know the reason?"

She nodded briefly, not caring to elaborate her gesture.

"Echizen also left a message. He apologized for not telling himself but the news came to him yesterday. He'll be relying on you on matches."

Tezuka scanned the room. He could see sadness from his teammates' eyes.

"Let's not put our guard down. As sensei said, he's relying on us so we better do our best."

All of them nodded albeit slowly.

"When will Echizen be back though?" Kawamura Takashi asked.

The coach paused for a minute before answering. "We don't himself doesn't know."

It shocked nearly everyone. One thing was running through everyone's mind.

What is so important that he need to leave suddenly and stop playing tennis temporarily?

They lapsed into silence as each tried to think of any reason possible. But they haven't got a clue.

Just then a knocked broke the silence.

"You may enter" Ryuzaki-sensei called and straightened herself.

Sakuno entered the room and was startled they every regular minus Ryoma was looking at her.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm here to talk to obaa-chan. I didn't know you were having a meeting. I should probably go back later. Sorry for the intrusion." she said, flustered but was stopped when Tezuka called her.

"No. We we're just leaving." he said and looked at his team before nodding at Ryuzaki-sensei's direction.

The Seigaku regulars fixed their things and left them both alone.

Ryuzaki-sensei stared at her granddaughter. She sat on one of the couches and motioned for Sakuno to sit on the other side, which she quickly complied.

"So I guess you're here to ask about Ryoma, correct?" she asked Sakuno.

She blushed and nodded.

"He's in America for a personal reason." she started but paused quickly. Her granddaughter's affection towards Ryoma didn't go unnoticed by her and the other regulars except that very person.

Although she's not against the two of them, Ryoma is not for Sakuno. She knew this ever since she first noticed the way Sakuno looked at Ryoma.

"You shouldn't wait for him Sakuno. The less you expect, the less the effect." she said mysteriously to her confused granddaughter before turning her back and looking at the sky instead.

xxxxx

Ryoma adjusted the strap of his traveling bag on his shoulder and cracked his neck. It's always uncomfortable to sleep on the plane. He fished out his phone from his pocket and checked the time. 8am. He then scanned his phone for the hospital address.

Then he exited from the terminal and hailed a cab.

"Where to boss?" the driver asked, looking at Ryoma through the rearview mirror.

"William-Hall University Hospital" he said and looked out of the window.

"Thanks." he said as he handed the cab driver the money.

He stared at the huge hospital before going inside. He approached the Information Desk since he wasn't sure of her room number.

"Excuse me. I would like to know-"

"Ryoma-kun." A voice called him. He turned to see Miki Ryoutaro standing in front of him with a smile.

He returned it with a nod and shook the older man's hand.

"Follow me, we've been waiting."

He guided Ryoma through halls and floors until they stopped in front of room 394. He followed Ryoutaro inside and was greeted by a smiling Miki Hana although her eyes held pain and sadness. He gave her a small smile. Then his gaze shifted to the girl sleeping peacefully on the bed. His whole body trembled as he stared at her.

Arisa.


Hey guys :) I made it a little bit longer than my past chapters. Tell me what you think :)

Aaand yes. He's a bit OOC.