A/N: Thanks to Jenn-LC for the grammatical help and Sushi for the seasonal help! As for the delay, I doubt sorry covers it, but I truly am. Writers block is a huge pain.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Chapter 10 – Tomorrow

Winter was coming to Tokyo, bringing a cold snap to the air, but for the couple under the large oak in the park nearest to the infamous café where it all started, the bite of cold soothed the heat from the kisses they were sharing. The girl, with her bright hair tied back into her trademark twin ponytails, snuggled into the embrace of the taller blond boy who trailed his hand slowly down her back as he pulled her closer for another snippet of warmth. Their kiss ending, the boy smiled gently at her -

"ICHIGO!"

The redhead jumped a foot in the air, ears and tail immediately popping out against her will. Breathing heavily, she attempted to calm her racing heart while turning to face the tirade coming from the now-irritated blond.

"I knew you were daydreaming again!" he quipped, his triumphant tone at odds with the scowl on his face. "This is getting out of hand! The customers will stop ordering double-strength cappuccinos if this is how long they are going to have to…" Ryou trailed off at the expression on Ichigo's face and suppressed a groan. Not again.

Looking down at his feet, the blond held up a hand as Ichigo opened her mouth, no doubt to say something that would further his demise. Thankfully, she took heed and kept silent as he drew a couple of breaths and tried to build up immunity against the pathetically wounded look she was currently giving the top of his head. He only had to look up and realise that his preparation was futile – in the time he had been strengthening his resolution, she had been strengthening her expression and it was now akin to the look a puppy would give after being caught ripping into a shoe.

"I'm sorry," she responded softly, finally looking down so he could wince in relative peace. "I just looked out of the window and couldn't help think of winter."

Ryou suppressed a snort. He was quite sure thoughts of winter weren't so riveting they caused someone to lose concentration for ten whole minutes. He was also quite aware that the other Mews were pressed against the door, listening to every word and that recent experience of how embarrassing it was to be on the opposite side of the door had likely made her keep her thoughts for later.

"Just try to keep your mind inside the café for now," he replied with a small sigh, while trying to convey his forgiveness through the gentle caress of his hand on hers. When that failed to evoke the desired response, he tilted her head with a finger and pressed a small kiss onto her lips. Immediately, the injured expression was chased away by the bright smile he preferred.

With a hint of a smile on his own lips, Ryou released her hand before sweeping through the swinging door, causing four squeals of surprise as the girls were scattered. Ichigo giggled as she heard Ryou chastising them over Keiichiro's low chuckles before returning to the coffee-maker.

In the evening, when the doors had closed and the girls had gone home, Ryou and Ichigo took their usual walk through the park from her daydream. It was almost the same as she had imagined it, with the frostiness of the air and the tree they had stopped under, but the setting sun changed the picture of her imagination, making it a reality. This was real. Three months on and sometimes it was still hard to believe how drastically things had changed. She glanced at Ryou, only to notice that he was frowning slightly.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Ryou jumped a little, before shaking his head. "We should get you home before dark. No need to worry your father," he replied, evading the question.

Ichigo nodded, but didn't fail to notice that they spent the remainder of the walk home in silence. She was worried. Ryou had been more quiet than usual lately. They still bickered in the café and stole kisses in the evening, but she sensed his distance in his speech mannerisms. She feared he was growing tired of her and her clumsy antics.

She sighed quietly. Brooding about this wouldn't do her any good and waiting hadn't solved the problem. She would have to do this the direct way, by coming in early one day and gaining the truth with a cup of tea. She decided that tomorrow would be that day.

After dropping Ichigo to her home and greeting her mother at the door, Ryou walked back to the café, lost in thought. He knew he was worrying Ichigo with his behaviour. It was practically written on her face when she enquired about him almost everyday on their walk to her home. He just didn't know how to break it to her and every time he tried, his stomach twisted and he couldn't say a word. How could he tell her that he had received a scholarship to study in America and would have to leave her behind?

He sighed to himself. He couldn't dance around the issue forever. He had three months left in Tokyo and he wanted to remember them as happy days with Ichigo. The only way he could be happy was by telling her the truth. He decided that he would do it tomorrow, before she came to work.

Tomorrow, he would tell her the truth.