A/N: A quite long delay… I apologize then. Last week I was busy since my uncle just got married last Saturday. Oh well… I was kinda lost while writing this chapter… There'll be a lot of…remembrance or you will understand little by little now about 'Himeko Mia' – the girl who's been in Akiyama Mio's place. It might be a little confusing… I think… so, if there's anything you'd like to ask, just PM me :)

WARNING:
BETA-less | Corrected with Office Word - So before you read this story, I am terribly sorry for all the errors, here and there. I'll try my best to find a beta-reader and improve myself with my English. Other than that, please do read the bottom A/N and please ENJOY the story! :)

"Stay"

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu

Chapter 20: Remembrance!

"Is it true that you and Himeko Mia used to be in a relationship – a forbidden relationship – that her family against?"

"Yes…"

"How did it happen? I heard that you got her into an accident and things got a lot more complicated since then?"

"It was just an accident…"

"It was your motorcycle and you were driving."

"I didn't drive in high-speed… I was being careful, I always do… especially when I'm with her…"

"So what happened exactly back then, Isshi?"

Ritsu's Apartment. | 00:58 AM

Tainaka Ritsu curses softly as she got inside the elevator, feeling a slight headache. "Tainaka-san, let me help you –"

"Stay where you are. I can go by myself." She warned, eyeing him with a slight anger and let the elevator door closes itself. She laid her back, ran her hand to her head and gave it a few violent hit. Ritsu was feeling a horrible pain that she thinks her head might blow up any second now. "Fuck this…"

Ding!

The elevator door slides open and Ritsu wastes no time to rush to her door. She shook her head, and grab the card to open the door from her tuxedo pocket. It was then that she was about to slide the card, the door suddenly unlocked itself. Ritsu was too slow to process when Mio stood behind the door, looking at Ritsu with that worried look.

Ah, how she hates it when Mio give her that look. "Tadaima…?" She joked, it came out more like a question. She laughs nervously.

Mio knew her better than that. She only threw herself at Ritsu, hugging her so tight that it seems like Mio was trying to squeeze the life out of her tired fiancée. "Okaeri…" Mio greeted back, still having her arms around the brunette. The hug slowly lessens, but from the look of it, Ritsu thought Mio was not going to let go of her anytime soon.

She trusted her instinct, quickly and swiftly lifting Mio up in bridal style. "Missing me that badly, huh?"

"You're one to talk." She mumbled while only buried her head on the crook of Ritsu's neck. Ritsu made her way to the couch, while carrying Mio in her arms. It wasn't that hard and Ritsu was sure she felt so powerless not long ago, but she can easily carry her fiancée is beyond her logic. It's like when it comes to this one certain girl in her arms, she can overcome almost anything. Sometimes Ritsu feels a little curious if Mio has that kind of ability to give her more strength.

The power of love?

She almost laugh at that thought, it was too cheesy. "What are you laughing at?"

Ah… She noticed. She gave Mio a smile, one smile she never gave anyone. The smile that Ritsu believe, only the girl in front of her could see and only she is able to make Ritsu smile this way. "You, because you're extremely heavier. You gained more weight, Mio?" That, causes Ritsu to have double pain on her head. It hurts, but Ritsu felt it's a good hurt.

Am I becoming a masochist now?

No, it's not that. Mio's way of being strict at her may look violent, but Ritsu knew her well enough that Mio is not good at expressing things emotionally. So, she thought maybe this is the closest thing she can easily come up with. "How insensitive, Ritsu." Mio retorted then struggles from Ritsu's arms. Seeing how dangerous it'll be if the two fell on the floor, Ritsu let Mio down from her arms. Ritsu watched her fiancée pouts and storming her way off to the bedroom. She knew, it was a little too far – Mio is very sensitive when it comes to her weight. "Wait! Mio! I was just –" And there goes her chance.

Ritsu only replied by her bedroom door slammed on her face.

"Mio, I miss you…" She said, using her pleading tone, hoping for another mercy. Ritsu regretted that she teased her fiancée when all she actually wants was being with Mio. She's been missing Mio for the whole day and she was worried sick about the other girl, too. She sighs, "Mio?" She tried to call out Mio's name when she heard footsteps nearing from the other side of the bedroom door.

Click.

The door opened and Ritsu almost fell on her face, but instead landed on something soft and smooth… When the door opened, Mio was standing there – while Ritsu previously had her ears pressed on the door closely and didn't know that Mio was walking nearer to open the door, Ritsu lose a little of her balance and landed her head on Mio's chest.

That explains the soft and smoothness.

"M-Mio! I'm sor –" TWACK! "Ow…! S-sorry… I didn't know…" She quickly apologizes.

"I can't believe you, seriously… How can you even be that romantic when you proposed? I can hardly believe that it really was you, Ritsu." Mio rolled her eyes, in a bit of annoyance, but of course, she forgive Ritsu in anyway. "You don't tease girls about their weight." Ritsu only grinned.

"But I only tease you, Mio." She pointed out. Mio, on the other hand, averts her eyes. "See, the thing is…I miss you so much today and I can't help it… when I see you I just got the urge of teasing you and I think I'm addicted to your reactions." She watch Mio's face from a little flustered to a deadpanned expression after she said the last thing.

"Ritsu, I hit you every time you did." Mio said, deadpanning.

"Exactly."

"Are you a masochist?"

"Do you want me to be a masochist?"

A sudden realization hits Mio. "Please, no." Having an image of Mio being super violent and Ritsu enjoying every bit of it – Mio can't stand that image she processes in her head. Besides, Ritsu knew hitting her on the head might be the most violent thing Mio could ever done. Ritsu wouldn't know how to react if Mio got even more violent than hitting her head.

That should be scary… I won't even enjoying it…

She brushes off the thought and stole a small glance at Mio who is still spacing into other dimension – probably still imagining the image of the previous topic. Ritsu only chuckles casually, then grabs Mio's hand towards the bed. "Stop thinking, I'm not a masochist." She smiles, "Right now, I want to cuddle with you and while we're at it… I bet you're super curious as to –" Ritsu stopped, feeling a light hold that slightly prevent her from climbing onto the bed. "Mio?"

Before Ritsu could process anything, again, Mio caught her off guard by launching her body towards Ritsu – making them fall on the bed together in a hug. It made Ritsu winced a little at the sudden contact with the bed, also Mio's arms on the back of her neck. Frowning, she knew something about Mio is a little off. Mio's been acting like this since she came. She felt Mio buried her head on Ritsu's shoulder, while tightening her arms – attempting to not let go of Ritsu.

Ritsu felt something moist or wet touching her clavicle softly, followed by a light sob. "It's okay, I'm here." She tries to soothe the other girl while caressing Mio's back and hair gently.

She must have been curling up like a ball while waiting for me until this late.

It hurts her heart to see Mio in this state. Still trying to calm her down, she placed a sweet kiss on Mio's head. "Mio, I love you…" She whispered, reassuring her fiancée that she will only love Mio and no one else. Soon, she felt Mio calms down – little by little.

"Don't leave me, Ritsu…"

She couldn't help but chuckles mentally. The last time she had to comfort Mio like this was that time when distance grew between the two of them that Mio planned to leave Ritsu behind – alone. It's as if everything in her life collapsed knowing that someone she really loves was going to leave from her life. She begged her ex-girlfriend – now fiancée – to stay. If that night she came home and found Mio's gone – she had no idea what to do with her life and on. The worse is yet to come if that will ever happen. But it was in the past and they have gone through that stage. Now that they're engaged, things should be easier while also harder than it used to be.

"Baka, do you not understand the word 'engaged'?" She kissed Mio's head again, still as sweet as before, even though she just called her fiancée 'Baka' for the first time. This time, Mio responded to her and lifting her head up so she can face Ritsu and get a better look. Mio's eyes were still a little red and her cheeks are wet – must be the tears. Not frowning, Ritsu smiles at her sight. "I don't know how you do it, Mio. How do you manage to still look as beautiful – if possible more beautiful – when you just cried?"

Oh geez… Mio always made me blurts out words like that… Itchy! But…

Her mind trails off when Mio decides to answer her with action. She moves lower and captured Ritsu's soft lips into her own, slow but soon it gets more intense when Ritsu started to move her hands – roaming all over Mio's body. Ritsu tilts her head to side, slightly parts her lips to catch a few breaths when she fails as Mio uses this chance to slides her tongue into Ritsu's mouth.

Wow. She dominated me.

She tries her best to return Mio's favor, but soon Mio pulled away. Gasping and panting heavily after only 'kissing' and she was amazed at how Ritsu managed to keep up even though Mio knew that she just starting it roughly – it was unlike her usual self, Mio admits. But Ritsu was grinning at Mio, running her hands to the grey-eyed girl's cheeks and caressing it softly. "There's a lot I want to tell you about today." To Ritsu's surprise, Mio shook her head while smiling down at her.

Ritsu frowns, "I don't want to talk about that yet…" Mio rests herself on top of Ritsu's chest, seeking for Ritsu's warmth. She gave in and wraps her arms around Mio, giving as much warmth as possible to the other girl. "…I think I just want to stay in your arms. I miss you, too, you know."

"I know you miss me." Ritsu smirks, "You've been watching the news, haven't you?"

She felt Mio nodded slightly.

"She told me that I should just act as if she is you – my real fiancée."

"Mm… And you did?"

"I did, because in the end… You'll be the Akiyama Mio I'm marrying to."

"Of course, Captain Obvious." She rolled her eyes for Ritsu's obviousness.

"I'm serious, Mio… Anyway, I'm surprised you didn't panic over our coming-soon-marriage. I mean, since you'll be my wife, you'll soon no longer be Akiyama Mio, you know."

Mio give a small thoughtful face, but came up with something simple. "What if I want to keep my last name?"

"You can't, you'll definitely be Tainaka Mio." Ritsu winked at her fiancée playfully. "Besides, don't you think it has a nice ring to it?"

Mio let out a small laughs which sounded more like giggles. It was cute, Ritsu thought. "Why don't you took my last name instead? Akiyama Ritsu does has a nice ring too."

"As cute as it is, Mio… The woman will have to take the man's last name."

"But we're both girls."

"Uh… No, not in many people's eyes, we're not." She smiles at Mio, then gave her a soft peck on the lips. "You see, we may have to keep it as a secret – my real gender as a female. It will be a huge disaster if I come out with another news about my actual gender. I honestly won't mind people's opinions about me who actually marrying another girl, but I can't risk the company because of the lie my dad started. Mm… Will you be okay with that, Mio?"

Mio shook her head again, smiling. "Just remember you're engaged, Tainaka Ritsu."

After all, she was only feeling jealous watching me and the other Mio all over the news.

Akiyama Resident. | 11:49 PM

It was late at night, around 12 A.M the last time she checked her cell phone. Akiyama Mio or should she be more specific without pretending, Himeko Mia making her way inside the Akiyama Resident. This house has never been so lively since the first time she came here, aside from the fact that she came over-midnight. She sighs, "I guess mother and father are asleep already." She muttered, climbing up the stairs slowly.

"Mio?" A voice called out, it was from the direction of her newfound adopted parents. She turns around just to see a woman standing by the door, waving at her – indirectly calling her to come to the woman's way. It's her adopted mother, Akiyama Minoru.

She obeyed. "Mother, why are you still awake? It's late." Mio said, looking a little concerns about the woman's condition.

"I'm okay, Mio… I need to talk to you." She said, turning around towards her room. "Come inside."

She felt a little hesitant, but she found herself inside her adopted mother's room. Sure, Mio guessed that her adopted mother already knew the truth about her being adopted by Akiyama Haruka – Minoru's husband – to prevent any shock of knowing the truth of their real daughter. But she wasn't sure of what would happen next when she find out the truth. Her adopted mother has been acting a little distant, that's one of the reasons Mio knew that her adopted mother already noticed something was off.

"You two look similar, yet both personalities aren't the same."

The scene where Ritsu told her those words suddenly struck her mind. She had never knew how the other Mio acts and behaving – little did she know, Ritsu's fiancée is a very shy girl and easily scared of almost anything. She had learned by judging their behaviors, it's totally different. Mio – Himeko Mia – is not easily scared and she can hardly feel shy. She thought she was trained that way since she is now working as a businesswoman – that means she'll need to be confident enough.

Come to think of it… I never knew Ritsu-san's fiancée's last name…

It was clear for her now. It is one of those possibi – "Thank you." Her thoughts were abruptly stopped by the woman's soft voice and arms that are now wrapping around her figure. "Thank you for being there. I know, it must be hard on your side… But I'm really glad you're there for her place." Her heart suddenly felt like clenching itself, hearing those words.

She couldn't help but ask. "I'm sorry, but… for her?" She was surprised seeing the woman pulled away from the hug. She knew that Minoru isn't feeling nervous or scared, she looks rather calm with a smile.

"I know that Haruka adopted you." Mio felt like her heart will stop beating. She wasn't really ready for this. It's as if Minoru could read what's going on in her adopted daughter, she patted her head gently. "Don't worry. I don't object his decision, I only object that he gave you Mio's name in replace without my permission." She waited patiently, thinking that her adopted mother may have not finish her words just yet. "It's just rude when we all know that Mio is still alive."

Alive… then, the real Akiyama Mio is…

"But, father said –"

"He didn't know… I think it's a mother intuition. I still don't know her whereabouts, but I think I can use a little help from you," She is giving her another warm motherly smile, patting her head again, affectionately. "Himeko Mia."

"Himeko… Mia… Wha- What did you-"

"I'm sorry, but ever since I had a feeling of something missing and your sudden appearance at the hospital… I just had to know things about you, so I did a little research, with the help of Kotobuki-san." With the apologetic look, she reached for the young woman's hand gently. "You don't need to worry. As far as I know about you, I have only known your name and your condition when my husband found you." She stares at their hand, she could feel how Mia's hand getting a little warmer. "I won't kick you out, so you don't need to worry. This is still your house and your family."

That should be a good sign… but what about that girl…?

"Are you certain, mother? About Mio, about me, about the rumors of Akiyama Mio and Tainaka Ritsu's engagement and there are probably a lot more things getting in the way. Are you really certain of letting me stay in this family? And how am I supposed to do in the mean time?"

"That…" She sighs, "Just like what my husband said in the dinner, it has gotten a little out of hand now with the rumors of Mio and Ricchan. For now, I hope you don't mind being in her place…until I get to meet her and convince her to come back…"

"Mother, the engagement ceremony will be held next week. You haven't even met her yet?"

Again, she gave Mia that knowing smile. "I already found her… You've met her… I guess almost everyone have seen her already, except for me and my husband."

So, it's true…

She had always known such coincidence won't happen just like that when she met that girl. The girl who look almost identical with herself, not to mention they also share the same given name. Everything just seems too far impossible to happen as a coincidence. She should have realized this the moment they met with each other, but Mia might be a little careless about it. Now that it all comes back down to her and that girl, the key is to just have that girl to come back to the Akiyama family.

Wait, she knew… but she haven't met her yet…

Mia studied the woman's expression, she was full of confident and eager to finally get to see her long lost daughter. She sighs in defeat, Mia can't be selfish enough to deny her adopted-mother's request. "Don't worry, I'll stay as Akiyama Mio until she comes back." She said, smiling.

Feeling relieved, the woman couldn't help the urge to embrace the black-haired girl. "You're such a good girl, Mia-chan."

Mia-chan…

"Mia-chan, please forgive your mother, okay? She's doing this for your best."

"Argh!" She groaned, quickly putting a hand on her head. Hoping that the pain will subside. She found herself getting a massive head-ache and starting to lose her sight. Her legs feels so weak that it makes her grab a strong hold on the woman's arm, keeping herself from falling to the ground. "It hurts…" She was wrong, the pain did not subsided, but it got worse.

Her vision began to slowly fading away. Although it's hard, she tries her best to keep her conscious; she catches a glimpse of her adopted-mother who wore a very worried expression – maybe she was panicking. Somehow, she feels familiar with that face… but it was no longer her adopted-mother's face, it's someone else. Curious, she weakly reach out to touch that someone's cheek, but she failed.

Both of her arms fell on her sides, powerless.

"Please, help me put her on the bed!"

It was the last thing she heard, before losing all her consciousness.

Café.

"It was a set-up…" Isshi said, calmly as he tries to recall the traumatizing event. "The accident was a set-up, but I know it's not enough for me to just blurt out something without evidence. In fact, I was being threatened for telling false information… But I wasn't lying, I know exactly the person behind all that."

"Mm… Mind if I take a little guess?" He raised an eyebrow at Mugi, it surprised him a little that the blond girl already know things that much. He nodded his head approvingly, signaling Mugi to speak up her guess. "It was her, Himeko Mia's mother, correct?" He sighed, the guess was correct.

"Yes. Her mother arranged marriage between Mia and a son of her family's relative. Mia was a persistent kind of girl and she has that side of a rebellion as well – especially when it comes to things she desire most… Her mother…disapproves our relationship, totally. She tries many ways to separate us, and seeing how serious her mother had become… We had to put up a lie, saying to her mother that we've broken up already."

"You two lied to her mother, huh…?" She earned a nod from the guy across the rounded table. "Why not run away, then?"

"I've thought about that, but she said she doesn't want to risk that much. She was afraid that if we were to be found out by her mother, she may not be able to see me and she don't want to imagine how horrible things will be for me. Her mother…might even go to the extent of…killing me."

"As expected from Himeko-san. She really is the type that will never hold back."

He looks at those baby-blue orbs, frowning. "Mugi-san, are you also a business relative of her family?"

"Not a close one, but I've met her once. She didn't live here in Japan, which explains why I met her while I was at the UK."

"UK… So that's where she went to…"

"Their family moved in to live in the UK – London. Exactly four years ago, which also not long after the tragedy happened. I don't know much of what happen to their company, since she was being really insecure about it… she never even mention of having a daughter or at least a husband. Do you know anything about that?"

"Not that I know much about… but, Mia once told me that her father was always home and that he's actually supporting our relationship, but he can never go against his wife. The company almost go broke after a certain fraud… Mia's mother intended to let make Mia marry a son of a pretty successful businessman, but it was only to save the company."

"Did she marry him in the end?"

"I…didn't know." He stares down at the table, he couldn't hide the fact that it hurts to face reality if Mia really married to someone else. "She might have marry him already… I don't really know. I haven't seen her again since that accident… I was told that I'm forbidden to see her at the hospital and next thing I know… a friend of mine told me that she passed away… and that was the end of it…"

"I see." The blonde took a quite some time, thinking it through.

Minamoto Rizuki Isshi was the guy who dated Himeko Mia – the one that is now known as Akiyama Mio. Mugi recalls when Isshi told her that Mia used to have dark shoulder length hair and slightly curly. She was the daughter of one of Mugi's business relatives overseas – London to be more precise. Mia and Isshi once got into a set-up motorcycle accident, and since then Isshi had never seen Mia – not even once and after a few months, Isshi found out about Himeko Mia's death. Of course, after four years, comes the news about the aircraft accident that happened last year.

An aircraft that separated one family and somehow, reunites others.

"Himeko Mia and the Akiyama family were on the same plane. They were on the way back from England and is unfortunately got into an aircraft – the plane failed to land at the airport. Mio-chan was one of the survivors found, which is why she got separated from her family." Mugi put her palm on the table, tapping on it with the tip of her finger lightly. "Luckily, a doctor found Himeko Mia, Akiyama Minoru-san and Akiyama Haruka-san. Their bodies and conditions are not in a good shape at all; maybe on the edge of dying… but Haruka-san recovered first before his wife, Akiyama Minoru-san, while Mia…"

"…She suffers an amnesia. It's… Transient Global Amnesia, which causes her to lose all her memory. I've looked up her records from Arashi-san. I've known that she's an…adopted child of the Akiyama family and in replace of Akiyama Mio…" He rises up his head to look at his companion. She was smiling at him. "…Is there anything more you'd like to know, Mugi-san?"

"No, this is enough."

"Then…mind if I ask something?"

"Go ahead."

"Mia's family… Are they –"

"I didn't know, I'm sorry… but if they were still alive, wouldn't there be people looking for Himeko Mia, then?"

"…right…"

"If there's anything happen, just contact me. I'll be at your service. It might be later on, not in these days, but sooner or later… people will know her existence. We can't deny the fact that she is still Himeko Mia – even though she's adopted by the Akiyama family." There was another silent came upon them. A sound of Mugi's cellphone broke it after a few seconds. "Excuse me for a bit."

Nodding in reply, Isshi let his companion picking up the phone.

"Oh, I see…" He heard her said, he can't help but being a little curious. "Ah, of course, Ricchan. I'll look it up for you – oh, I will need to discuss something with you and Mio-chan, are you two free tomorrow? – Okay, good… Say 'hi' from me to Mio-chan, okay? – Alright, bye-bye~"

Hearing the last part, he resumed his position. He was leaning forward a little to hear the conversation, although he can't hear what the other line says, he knew that the call was from Tainaka Ritsu. Ah… Must be pretty inappropriate to eavesdrop Mugi-san's phone conversation with Ritsu-san… Geez, but I was feeling really curious…

"So, Minamoto-san, how about Mio or should I say… Mia these days?" Mugi asked in a sudden.

He was a little taken aback with the question. Truth is, he hasn't been checking on that girl, even though he was supposed to be Mio's private doctor. "Uh… Last time I checked, she was getting a little better… Her memories are slowly coming back…"

"Last time you checked? When is that?"

"Um… I think it's a few days ago or maybe last week…"

"Something happened between you two?"

"Eh?" Kotobuki Tsumugi has always been cautious when it comes to relationship – whether it's hers or others'. It was obvious that the facial expression written on Isshi's face shows that something happened and it grows distance between them. It's probably because of the rumors around about Ritsu and Mio, Mugi thought. "…Not really…" He muttered, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Too bad, that reply made Mugi even more curious. "Don't tell me, you want to give up Mia for Ricchan?"

"What? What are you – no, it's not – why would I give – it's really –"

"My, aren't you a one terrible liar, Minamoto-san."

Flashback - 4 Years Ago

"So how is she, Doctor?" She heard a woman's voice faintly asked.

A certain dark-haired teenage girl was lying helplessly on the bed. 'Ah… This again… Where am – oh, a hospital.' She thought after scanning her surrounding with her half-lidded eyes. She was still unable to move her body as freely and her vision still pretty much not focus and blurry. 'Why am I even ended up here…?' It's bugging her mind that she can't really remember what the reason she's lying in this room was.

"She's fine for now, although, she might lose her short memory…" Her eyes went wide as her thoughts been cut with a male voice – probably from the other side of the room. It draws a small frown after hearing that statement. Curious, she pretend to still being unconscious by closing her eyes, but her mind was focusing on the current discussion the doctor was talking about. "…Don't worry, it'll come back soon, but don't –"

"No."

'Short…memory…'

"I might want you to help me more about her memory."

There's a short pause from the doctor, but he reassures the woman after a few moment. "Are you sure, Himeko-san?"

'Himeko…-san…? Is she…my mother…?' She couldn't help herself but wondering of the possibility. It's just normal if she got herself into a hospital and her mother came to check if anything is alright. Then again, if that girl really is her mother, she keeps wondering about what was her mother talking about with the doctor. Something about her memory. 'Is something bad happened with my memory?'

"Please do."

"You aware of the risk in the future, right?"

"There's nothing you need to worry. I have prepared everything beforehand, even that little accident."

She shot her eyes open. Like a sudden realization. 'Accident…'

"As soon as she recover, we'll leave Japan to stay in the UK and probably we'll never come back to Japan again, especially Mia. I've made sure of that."

'Leave…? What does she mean by that…? I don't remember about us going to live overseas.'

"Just do what you need to do. Make her forget her memories in Japan. Make her forget about him."

'Him… Wait, she wants me to forget everything while in Japan? What is this…?'

A/N: Finally! So… yeah… this is where you will find quite many explanation about the other Mio – Himeko Mia. There's also a glimpse of what happened to Isshi and Mia and of course a little Mitsu moment! Sorry, I can't help myself to write fluffy mitsu romance :p

A little info then for future chapters and future plans…
1. I might not bring up too much about "Himeko Mia's Family"
2. I intend to finish this story on the 25th Chapter
3. Ritsu haven't told Mio about her mother (Akiyama Minoru) who visited Ritsu's apartment once
4. When this story ends, I will soon work on the sequel story of 'You Know I Ain't Rich'

That would be all! Thanks and again… I apologize for the errors.

BETA-less | Corrected with Office Word

CielRz-Jr - iDachii - iDutchman | Signing Off