*** Chapter 38- Time Won't Change Us (END)***

It's been two weeks since my father went back to Germany with my letter to Wakabayashi. This is one of the downfalls of letter writing. Conversations happen so slowly...

I open his latest letter to me. His envelopes are as puffy as mine, with all the pages of his life in Germany enclosed. In the darkness of my room, with only my desk lamp, I read slowly and carefully, taking in all his details, and trying to picture myself there.

"...your letters are no substitute for you, Rai. But I've known that this would be the case. What I didn't know is that even though you aren't physically here next to me, I can still hear your voice as clearly as if you were. I can hear your words, even though they're on paper. They mean so much to me.

I won't disappoint you. I know what I have to do. I need to deconstruct the way I play. Start again. I don't know how far I'll get this year in training, but I'll survive. I will come out stronger than before.

You're right. Germany can't change who I am.

Just like time won't change who you are, Rai. And I'm counting on that..."

As I read through his stack of papers, I find a sketch included as the final page. I can't help but gasp in astonishment as I recognize the girl sitting on the floor drawing in her sketchbook. It's me. I'm drawing Wakabayashi in his armchair, while sitting on the floor of his bedroom. It's me, down to my hair, the way I sat, the clothes I wore... Of all the times he's looked through my sketches, not once did he say he could draw too.

And after all this time, he is still able to draw me...from his memory! I read the caption under his drawing,

"I remember you. Always. "

THE END

Author's Note:

I hope you're ok with the ending. I know it doesn't bring Rai and Genzo together, but sometimes, that's life. I tried to make it bittersweet (as opposed to just bitter). Besides, things can change for them with time...

Anyway, the main issue I couldn't get over is the timeline in which the story happens. They are supposed to be young...13? 14? That's too young to be talking about any romantic relationships (says the mother in me). Already, the characters are too mature for their age!