A/N: Hi. It's been a while hasn't it? A couple of years since I started this story in fact. Time flies. Well, things change. You don't get to start other stories that you've been meaning to do because of hard drive failures, and of course real life comes first; having a full-time job and going to college isn't easy. And what little free time I have has usually been playing GTA V or CS:GO, yet somehow here I am. I'm the type of person that usually finishes what he starts, and I've been wanting to continue writing, so instead of starting a new story that I have plans for, I'm going to first finish the first story that so many people have enjoyed, and I know you guys have because even during these years I still got the occasional email about someone favoriting the story. Honestly, it's touching to know that people still liked my story.

So without any further explanation, here we go, the real tenth chapter. The chosen one has returned folks, and you better be ready for it!

The last bell of the day rings. Classes are over. It's been a week since the summer has ended, and I'm finding myself really busy lately, not to mention packing up my own dorm room. It's also the start of our final semester, and with that comes the thoughts of college. I don't know what to think about that; I mean sure, Mutou says I should go to college, but I have one road block stopping that idea, and that's Emi.

It's not that Emi's not smart, she is in her own right, but something just doesn't click about her in college. Maybe as an athlete... but still that's stretching it pretty thin. I'm not just going to run off somewhere without her.

Not to mention Emi's sudden interest in Hanako... which also leads me to my next problem. Lately Emi's been pretty distant. She's still running with me but I can tell that the emotional spark that makes her feel so damn alive isn't in it. I have my own theories, but as usual I like to keep them to myself and not make any rash assumptions. I can only assume it's because of Rin; however they didn't strike me as being that close. Hanako and Lilly seemed pretty close and she's probably handling Lilly's departure better than Emi is handling Rin's. At least on the outside.

However the fact that these two people left is almost a good thing. Let me explain myself however. I mean yes, two people lost their two dearest friends and emotional support that came along with that; but it goes to show that we're not powerless. If I remember correctly Lilly might just be moving to be closer with her family, but Rin's actually going to a school for her artistic abilities. That's fantastic! Now if only Emi saw it that way...

And finally this brings me to my last problem. The dorm room that Emi and I are supposed to be moving into... Money's going to be even tighter, even if we're going to share funds, so I've come to the conclusion that I'm just going to have to get a job. I have an idea that might be beneficial to everyone though... Well, kind of. It'd definately help with Hanako however, and I'd have to talk to Yuuko about it. I'm sure they could always use some help with hard labor at the Shanghai. That'll at least help me buy a ring for the wedding after we graduate... Whenever that's going to happen at least.

Lately I haven't felt like running. I don't feel like doing anything to be quite honest. I feel like I'm a little kid again, failing to keep up with my father. It's been a while since I thought about him, and I shouldn't be too surprised, the summer was pretty hectic. Hisao got in the hospital due to some silly mistake I made, I found out that his mom in particular doesn't really like me, and I got proposed to. That's definitely one hell of a summer. I know what's bothering me right now. Hisao probably knows too. He might be dense, but in this case it doesn't take a genius to realize I lost something the day Rin left. Sure, I can still visit her at that fancy art school. But I don't want to. That's not where I belong. It's where she belongs. It's funny how the only reason we got to know each other was the lack of respective body parts. Do I think I really understood her? No. No one did. I mean, how can you really understand someone if you can't communicate with them? Rin was one hell of a person to talk to... about random junk when she was spaced out. But if you wanted a normal conversation with her you might as well forget it. It was never going to happen.

And you know what? I was okay with that. It was a mutual silent agreement. We just... understood each other I guess. Not nearly on the same level that me and Hisao do, but that's almost to be expected... After all, I'm engaged to the guy... Man, that's scary to think about. For once I think I'm actually moving to fast.

But I feel like I betrayed her. I knew her long before Hisao even had his first heart trigger, and yet I don't even know what she's really like. How could I call her my friend? Hell, how could I say that I'm her friend? That doesn't even make any sense! And here I am wanting to be friends with Hanako just because she's experiencing a similar issue that I am... except she probably knew Lilly really well!

I feel like a hypocrite.

"Well, you're all good to go, Hisao. Although I must say, it's a bit strange to see you without our little legless champion."

I went into the nurse's office alone today. Strangely, I also did the day we went back into town. Apparently Emi didn't want to see his face, probably because she didn't want to tell him about the engagement yet; I never asked why.

"Yeah, I haven't seen her since this morning."

"Why didn't you come in this morning then?"

"I... You know I'm not sure. I thought I did, but realized I didn't..." It's not like I'm telling a lie either. This morning Emi briskly ran off after our run and I haven't seen her since. Since I usually come in with her, it wasn't until during my second class during one of my typical daydreaming segments of the day that I realized that I forgot to.

"She's not hiding anything with her blades is she? You know I still worry about that with her."

"No... I don't think so. I just think she's taking Rin's departure really hard. Hey Nurse, you mind if I ask you a question? About Emi?"

"I mean, she's your girlfriend, shouldn't you know more about her?"

"I guess you're right, but something doesn't make sense... How close was she to Rin? They didn't seem that close in the first place, and all of a sudden now that she's gone, Emi's going into an emotional relapse."

"I try to stay out of my patient's private life, but in the case of Emi... Well, she's certainly special to say the least, and I guess I can tell you this since you're pretty much married by now. I'm sure you know how they got paired together, but you're right in the fact that she basically helped Rin out in her daily life by doing tasks that would be otherwise impossible or really difficult for her. That's almost all I know about their relationship however."

Something doesn't click. Something doesn't make sense. Nothing in this situation makes any sense, yet at the same time it makes perfect sense. It has to, since it's happening right? There's just one piece of the puzzle missing, and I don't have the box to reference what that one piece looks like. Man, maybe I should talk to Mutou about going into Science, I'm really thinking about this logically...

I know everything there is to know about her situation with her father. Tragic, yes; however she is still alive. And damn it, she's a better and stronger person for it! Rin's never had her arms though, so it's not like they had that going out for them... She keeps on talking about how the more time that passes, the more Emi forgets about her father though... And she has definitely made it aware about how much she hates that... Could it be that she's going to think that she'll forget Rin? Maybe... But I guess that will go into one of my patented theories that I will never speak about.

I'd rather have her tell me, communication is everything in a relationship. The only problem is I can't find Emi to ask her. She's avoiding not just me, but everyone. Like I said, it feel like an emotional relapse... And that's not a good thing.

When I went to the art store the other day last week, I actually bought a couple things, mainly some really basic paint and a canvas. I'm not an artistic person at all, I'm a born athlete after all, and losing my legs isn't going to change that in the world. However lately, I've took the time to actually attempt to paint. I'm not good at it at all though. I just want to experience what Rin did. She found enjoyment in this, right? At least I think she did. It was always hard to tell with her, but she was definitely good at it, or at least everyone said she was. I wouldn't really know, I'm not a critic by any means, but even I can tell my own attempts at this kind of thing are really elementary.

I bought like four shades of blue though, and I've tried countless times to get that same shade of blue that Rin wanted for the mural the first week Hisao was here. After finding out the store doesn't carry it anymore, I even tried mixing the paint together, but I can't really tell. She was really particular about that blue though. Also I can't deny that I was definitely having fun trying to get this stupid blue paint to mix. Doesn't hurt that it's also my favorite color, but still.

I know Hisao's worried about me. I know he wants to talk. I know I want to talk. But damn it, I don't want to admit anything. I'm stubborn and I know it, and a person like that can change the world if she wants to; one blade swing at a time.

A/N: So here we have it, Chapter 10. Double-digits, baby! Only took me a year and a half, but hey, I did it. Let's lock and roll and see where the world takes our two protagonists on their journey through life.