~*Chapter 13: Going Our Separate Ways*~
"So…what school are you guys going to?"
It was summer time. They just graduated and had the ceremony a few nights ago. The gang gathered together in the park late that afternoon.
"Well me," Joey held up the letter of acceptance in his hand. "I got accepted to Kyoto University."
"Hey, that's not too bad." Tristan grinned holding up his envelope. "I got accepted at Miyagi Technical Institute in Nagoya." he then glanced up at Serenity and Li. "What school did you guys get accepted to?"
"Both of us got accepted to Northland Academy in Tokyo." Serenity smiled. "Did you guys hear? Bakura got accepted to Tokyo University?"
"What?" Joey and Tristan looked shocked. "That dude hasn't been in school for a year."
"Hey," Yugi smiled. "That's the school I'm going to." He then looked up at Yami. Where'd you get accepted?"
"Me?" Yami looked up. "Well, I'm going to Hyoko University in Osaka."
"Osaka?" Serenity glanced up at Yami. "That's where me and Joey were born."
"Hey," Yami smiled. "Why don't you and Li come with me so you can show me around." The three started to laugh before Yami glanced at Tea noticing that she was silent the whole time. "Tea? You ok?"
"Huh?" Tea suddenly looked up. "I'm fine. Just fine."
"C'mon Tea." Joey looked at his friend Tea. "We've all known each other for so long, it's so easy to tell who's screwed."
Tea remained in her silence for a long moment before finally standing up. "It's nothing, really." She then walked away.
"What's wrong with her?" Tristan wondered as they watched Tea walking away.
"Hey Serenity," Joey looked at his sister. "I know Tea told you something so spill it."
"Well…" Serenity hesitated. "Tea called me last week and I was surprised she got the letter so early but she made me promise not to tell anyone, especially Yami."
Yami's eyes widened, surprised that Tea kept something from him.
"Anyway," Serenity continued. "She got accepted to University of Minnesota in America."
"Say what?" Joey was taken back.
"No way!" Tristan was shocked.
"Kinda hard to believe." said Yugi, glancing up at Yami, noticing a mixture of shock and solemn on his face.
"Unlike us," said Serenity. "She's catching the plane early. She told me she planned to move there, rent out an apartment and stuff."
"Whoa." said Tristan.
"When is she leaving?" asked Joey.
"Saturday. This Saturday." Serenity said solemnly. "She plans to work a summer job there to earn some money for the apartment and books, tuition fee and other stuff."
Joey looked up at Yami for a long time. "What's gonna happen to Tea and Yami?"
Meanwhile, Tea was still packing her clothes and other things inside her luggage. Piles of boxes were stacked against the wall. There were some bigger boxes for her TV and other things.
Sighing sadly, she sat on her bedroom floor, reading her letter from America.
To Miss Tea,
We are happy to announce that you have been accepted to the fine, prestigious schooling of University of Minnesota. Costs for each year is $18,946. However, due to the need of financial aid and the scholarship received upon graduation, you tuition per year will be $9,473. Orientation for international students will be on August 25th. Registration will be August 17. Payment due the first day of classes (September 5).
Congratulations,
Don Dong-Do
President Dean USM (America)
Tea's lips curled to a frown as she read the letter. Not only will she leave behind her past but her friends and Yami as well. Tears welled up in her eyes, as she knew what was going through his mind once he found out. Suddenly, a soft knock came about the door. Tea rushed down the stairs opening the door only to see the men she hired to help move her stuff and ship it to America.
"Most of the boxes are upstairs and please be careful with the furniture." she said softly.
"Thank you madam." One of the guys grinned. "We'll take care of it."
Yami sat on the bridge railing, gazing into his reflection in the water. Tomorrow was the day Tea will finally leave. A lot had run through his mind as he thought they would always be together. Love, as he now realized, was such a complicated thing. After only two years, they would be millions of miles apart. All of his other friends will be all over Japan while she's in another country.
"How are you holding up Yami?" Yugi's voice called out. Yami didn't look up as he continued to gaze in the water.
"It feels like your own world has shattered. I can't force her to stay or follow her."
Yugi nodded slowly. "Have you loved Tea that much?" Yami nodded silently before Yugi spoke once more. "Why not get her something to show her you care?"
Yami's head suddenly jerked up. "Yugi, ask your grandpa if you could borrow a hundred dollars. I think I know what to get her." Yugi nodded, running off to the game store where his grandpa works.
Saturday night rolled by quickly as Tea finally checked in her luggage and get through security. Looking at the flight schedule, her flight leaves at 10:30, the boarding was 10. Glancing at her watch, it was already 9:30. There was a pack of people sitting by the boarding gate. Tea managed to find a spot where it was empty and quiet for now, gazing out at the window at the night sky.
"Yo Tea!" Joey's voice startled her. Turning around, she saw Joey, Tristan, Yugi, Serenity, and Li. "Don't wanna leave without saying goodbye do you?"
Tea smiled. "I'm so glad you guys came. I was getting kinda lonely."
"You got our addresses?" Serenity looked up at Tea.
"Yeah," she replied. "Send me letters from time to time." She then looked around. "Hey, where's Yami?"
"I don't know," said Yugi. "None of us had seen him these past few days."
"Oh?" Tea frowned, gazing at the ground.
"Jeez that bimbo Yami," Tristan muttered. "Didn't bother showing up to watch his girlfriend leave."
"Well," Yugi hugged Tea. "We've got to get going." Tea hugged him back.
"Thanks Yugi. I'll miss you." She then looked up at all the others. "I'll miss you all. And Yugi, give Bakura my address when you get back to school."
"Will do." Yugi saluted.
One by one, all of Tea's friends started hugging her. Joey was the first one. "Hey bring me back some souvenirs." He grinned.
Next was Tristan, who didn't really say anything. Then it was Li who did nothing except take Tea's hand kissing it gently.
Last was Serenity who practically leaped on her friend. "Oh Tea, I can't believe this is happening."
"Neither can I." said Tea, holding her best friend tightly before they finally broke away.
"Bye Tea." They all said, slowly leaving the terminal. For a moment, she felt happy but sadness came over. Yami didn't show up. Glancing at her watch, it was already 9:45. Fifteen minutes left. Sadly, she had doubt he would show up. Settling her bag and luggage in front of her, she took a look at the plane parked right next to the gate.
Suddenly, she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. A deep, soft voice whispered in her ear. "Is it too late?"
Turning around, Tea's heard started to beat rapidly as she came face to face with Yami who stood a few inches taller than her. "I thought you wouldn't show up."
"It's all right." he smiled, holding Tea's left hand in his. "There's something I want to ask. I know it's a little too early and perhaps a bit too late but…" he then knelt before Tea, taking her right hand in his while his other hand reached into his pocket, taking out a small blue box. Opening it, he revealed a silver ring with a blue heart that served as a jewel. "Will you marry me?"
Tea's eyes widened in shock and surprise only able to utter. "Oh my God." She stood in silence gazing at Yami for a moment, a small smile played her lips. "Yami…of course I'll marry you."
Smiling, Yami took her ring finger, slipping the ring on. Tea gazed at the ring before gazing down at Yami.
"This way, you'll remember me," he looked down at her, running his fingers through her hair. "And know that I'll always love you." he then felt Tea's arms wrapped around him. Yami pulled her close, placing his hand behind her head, rubbing it gently to comfort her.
"I love you." was all she could whisper, her head buried in his chest.
"I love you too Tea." Yami whispered. Lifting her chin up, he frowned as he noticed her tears. Cupping her face with his hand, he used his thumb to wipe away her tears. "Goodbyes aren't forever. One day, when you don't expect it, we'll meet again somewhere. You'll never know." Closing his eyes, he leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers, wrapped in each other's embrace. As Tea kissed back, they both seemed to be trapped in another world of their own, not caring if anyone else saw them.
"Ladies and gentlemen," a voice from the loudspeaker called out. "Northwest Airlines, flight 2721, to St. Paul, Minnesota, America, is now boarding. Once again, Northwest Airlines, flight 2721, to St. Paul, Minnesota, America, is now boarding in gate seven."
Yami held Tea for a minute or so before finally letting her go, gazing into her own eyes. "Ready to go?"
Tea nodded slowly as she got her bag and luggage. The two walked to the line hand in hand but Yami stood by the terminal doorway, watching Tea making her way to the ticket manager, giving him her ticket. As she entered the boarding gate, she stopped, looking back at Yami, who looked back at her. She then smiled, waving a final goodbye.
Yami smiled, glad to see Tea smile once more as he too waved back.
Tea took a last look of the one she loved before turning around heading for her plane, disappearing out of Yami's sight.
Slowly, Yami left the terminal, making his way out of the airport with a heavy heart. He walked and walked until he finally reached the bridge that he always hung out at. His head tilted up to the night sky, gazing at the full moon and stars. Suddenly, a plane slowly passes by as he notices that that's the plane Tea's on.
"Till we meet again, my love Tea." He whispered, tossing a red rose into the water.
~*The End? Read the note in the next chapter to continue on ^_^*~