Mako stood outside Haru's home about to knock on the door when it opens, and you come out surprised to find him.

"Mako?"

He gives you a smile."Hi May. Sorry if I startled you."he apologizes.

"That's alright."you tell him not upset."I wasn't really expecting you."

"Oh, I just thought I come over and see how you're doing."he said."Since Haru been gone."

Yes. Haru wasn't home. He left with Rin a few days ago, you found out from the others having told you. The day he left you weren't home and left rather early for your own reason. To come back to an empty place. There was no note or anything left behind by him. Not even a text. At first you assumed it was because you hadn't noticed his behavior, to find that wasn't the case. Rin had decided to take him to Australia for while Rin was off for a week. It was so sudden and not to mention unexpected. It puzzled you, but there was no use in trying to figure it out. Even if you desperately wanted too. Not to mention there was something you needed to get off your chest and with neither Haru or Rin around. How could you do it? Not with the others. Not with just Mako. It would be right. Plus there was still much you where still shifting through your mind.

Since Haru's departure, the place was very lonely and empty. It felt like cold. Being here by yourself, it was like you were back living in your old home alone. After what happened to April and your father. Waking up to nothing but emptiness. Eating alone. You did still walk with Mako to school which wasn't too lonely and made it go away, that is until you came back home. With no reason to go to Samezuka since there was no practice And pretty much everyone left to go home. Meaning going there would feel the same as you did here, back home. It seem no matter where you went, loneliness followed you. A feeling you couldn't stand. But some how you managed.

Back to Mako, his presence wasn't really that much a of a surprise. He had been coming over to check up on you, even inviting you over to have dinner at his place. Or would bring some over to share it with you. Nagisa and Rei would come too. Even Gou, which was kind of her. Though it was mainly Mako.

"I'm fine."you tell him. Adjusting your white short sleeve short jacket. He notices your attire, a simple green tube top, jean short shorts, and blue tennis shoes. Your hair remain down. It was clear you where on your way out.

"Are you going somewhere?"he ask, trying not sound too curious.

"Oh! Yes, I am."you tell him, shutting the door and locking it."I just thought I would take a nice day to myself. Since Haru's been gone, I won't get time like this."You joke. He laughs with you."Was there something you wanted to-"

"No."He quickly interrupts you."Sorry. I mean no. There's nothing. A day to yourself sounds good."He starts to walk down the stairs with you."I'm sure you're now able to actually take a decent bath too."

You couldn't help but nod and laugh from what he said. He was right. Not having Haru around did allow you to finally take a bath by yourself and not having to share it with him. Able to have all the room you needed.

"It is rather nice."you agree."Also, not so much of mackerel as a main dish."

"I beat." The two of you make it to the bus stop just as it comes. You go through your small bag and search for some change."Here."Mako gives you some. You look at it shocked and hesitant to take it. But he just places it in your hand."It's alright. I don't mind."

"Thanks."you tell him, taking it and pay your fair."Guess I owe you. I'll see you later, Makoto." Waving bye to him, he sees you off waving bye and smiling until the bus was out of sight.

His hand and smile both drop. On the bus ride you look out the window, passing shops and places. Each one of them holding a fond memory from your childhood with the others. Your eyes reminisce them. A great deal of them where very funny. Recalling a few, you couldn't help but laugh to yourself. There was always something wonderful each day with the others, once you became friends. The group you had become a part of had become your family. Being in their presence was felt the same as it did back with your friends in America. A feeling you cherished deeply.

Your stop comes and you get off thanking the driver. Reading the street sign double checking you where in the right spot you go on your way. Walking down a couple of blocks you come to the place.

Lighting some incense and placing a few flowers before the two graves,reading: Kirby O'Neil and April O'Neil.

You give a little smile and bow respectfully to them as the that was custom."Hi dad. Hi sister."Letting a heavy sigh."Do I have a lot to ask and say."

Back with Mako he was with the others. Meeting up with them. At the school's pool to just get in some extra practice for their individual meets."Hey?"Nagisa notices him by himself."Where's May? Why isn't she with you?"

"Oh, she decided to spend time with herself today."he tells them.

"Did she say why?"

Mako shakes his head no."No she didn't. She just wanted to spend time by herself. It seem really important though."

"Well she could have at least said something."Gou huffs."But then again, that's her I suppose."

"Yeah, we all know how she can be."Mako agrees. While his eyes said something different."..."

"Are you okay,Makoto?"Rei notices the worried look in his eyes.

"Oh, just thinking that's all."he assures Rei. Who clearly saw it was something else but choose not to push it.

"I was hoping we could all sit down a enjoy something cool to eat."Nagisa whines."Like we did when we were younger. I was hoping to treat May, after practice. Do something before the year ends."He sighs."She hasn't really been smiling much like she normally does."

The others look at him. Seeing the concerned look he had."Well we are about to graduate."Mako tells him."She has a lot on her plate not to mention Nationals are coming up soon so no doubt she is getting herself ready for that too."

Nagisa looks at him, understanding but that wasn't it."I know...But do you guys get the feeling there is something she isn't tell us. There's something bothering her. I could be wrong but it's like she's afraid to tell us, there's some secret?"

"..."Everyone looks at each other, thinking about what he said. Except for Rei.

He looks at them, Nagisa's words had affected them. He wanted to say something, to the questions building up in their eyes. He had the answer for them, but he couldn't say.

"We can't worry about that."Mako brings everyone back."If May is ready to tell us or if she does have something to say. We'll let her say it. In the meantime why don't we just get in some practice."With everyone agreeing they start.

You where still at the cemetery, lamenting everything to your family. Though more so towards April than anything. Laying it all out, it felt good even she couldn't give you a response back. The fact you where able to say it, eased your mind and kind of gave you a clear path. Kind of. You still needed some guidance. Someone to help you see what was right or what was wrong. Time was slipping away. Bowing out you take your leave. Only to run into someone.

Seijuro.

Standing at the entrance with some flowers, no doubt for April. You where more surprised seeing him then he was with you. But, he was happy upon seeing you. Grinning at you."Well, this has to be the first time you're not crying. How's it going May?"

Standing next to him before you sister's grave, he pays his respects to her and Mr. O'Neil. You remain quiet, allowing him in a sense some privacy.

"You came to talk with April?"he ask, pretty much knowing the answer. So there was no reason for you to respond."That's good you have. She's been wondering where you've been."

He said as if she was alive."...I'm sorry."you mumble.

"It's alright. April always said you wouldn't say anything until it was too much. So it was only a matter of time before you would be here."he looks at you. Smirking."So did she help? Give you any good advice?" You think about it, unsure now. He saw the look."You hungry?"Still you said nothing. He throws his arm around you."You are now. Come on let's go get something."

Your order was placed before you, you thank the waiter who also gives Seijuro his. Looking down at your dish, it was Omurice. Seijuro ordered it for you when he took you to out to eat. You look at the food, it looked very delicious and...

"Aren't you going to eat?"Seijuro quips to you. Snapping you back, you look at him sitting across from you."I thought Omurice was your favorite dish to eat? Well here in Japan, that's what April told me. So eat up."

Dropping your eyes you apologize and reach for the chopsticks hesitantly, noticing something was wrong. Everything went black, like that time when you were younger being blindfolded by the guys, you strangely felt that same way. Hesitant. Scared. Despite the others ensuring you it was alright, just like with Seijuro telling you to eat. Your view came back and you find the chopsticks no longer there, looking seeing Seijuro holding them out for you. You take them and quickly thank him.

Looking at the dish before you, he was right this was your favorite thing to eat here. Yet, you just didn't seem in the mood. While he ate away, noticing your dour mood. He stops.

"So? Ready for graduation?"he says. Taking your attention away from the food."Last time you told me how many schools wanted you. Did you settle on one?"Slowly you nod your head."Let me guess...is back home? In America? New York?"

It surprised you that he was correct. There was no need for you nod your head, he could see it. Dropping your eyes you look away from him."Y-yes."

He gives you a questionable look."Why don't you seem happy about it? I would think you would be happy to go back home. Seeing everyone else again. Have you gone to visit?"You cringe from his words."You haven't gone? May schools going to be over soon, you can't be..."Stopping he notices something else. He wasn't sure to call it indecisiveness, he could tell it was a blockade. Now getting serious, he ask."What's going on May? Why don't you want to go?"

Right there. That question, it was one that April would say. Tears begin to form, but you bite them down refusing to cry in front of him. Recalling what you told him the last time you saw you. That you would be alright and there was no need for him to worry over you. Sucking up your own sorrow, you try to force yourself to smile for it to quickly fade by the serious look he was giving you. He wasn't playing around, there was no fooling him. The intense look in his eyes. Pierced your soul, his eyes shot straight in you, reading everything. No matter what you choose to say, he would not believe it to be the truth. Unless you said it. No more using tricks.

Swallowing hard, you tell him. Every word that came out of your mouth was the truth, he heard and read so much confusion, hesitation and fright. Along with frustration and anger, even if you choose not to cry. Your words spewed out like a dragon's roar to stop and become as calm and disoriented as a stream. Finishing it up, you look at him expecting him to figure it out for you. Tell you want to do. Looking to him for guidance.

He folds his arms with a rather calm and unreadable expression. Opening his eyes to look at you. Unfolding his arms, expecting him to boastfully tell you what to do. Instead he comes at you more delicately. Yet firm.

"May. I'll be honest with you."He starts, inhaling sharply then exhales."I can't help you decide what to do. I know your looking for someone to tell you what to do right now. The eyes you have right now, are the same ones you would have with April. During the festival you had them, looking to her for guidance. Even before the festival you would give her the same look you're giving me."He snickers to himself."You remind of a lost puppy. It's cute really, I can now see though what April meant by she was afraid of leaving you."He laments to himself, thinking of her for a second, then returns back to you."Maybe I should be partially to blame for this too. I did force you to stay with the team before I left. Not allowing you to choose. Making choices aren't really your thing. All your life it's been that way. Moving from country to another. Taking away from here, to be brought back...no wonder you look for someone to give you direction. You had feeling lost, don't you?"It was a rhetorical question, one you didn't need to answer.

But you did so anyway."No, I don't."you cringe sadly."And now, I feel even lost than ever. I thought...I wasn't expecting this, these other roads to form. I truly don't know what to do. Seijuro."A few tears roll down your cheek."I've been seeking others help, to help guide me on what I should do. My heart it hurts...it's hurting because it's being pulled in different directions."

"As I figured."Seijuro said."May?"he leans in closer."Do you know what you want?"

"What I want?"you repeat, thinking about it. Your eyes look down at the omurice. Which was left untouched."What I want?"You mumble to yourself.

The sun was setting as you make your way back home. Spending time with Seijuro was actually rather refreshing. It felt like a blessing in a disguise, actually it felt like April was there telling you want you needed to hear. Reflecting on everything from today and in the past. Looking at each of the newly form roads to choose from in your life. From Rin's, Mako's, Nagisa's, just everything.

Recalling what Rei said to you, helped to make things much more clearer than before, mixing it in with Seijuro's as well with April's and even Ms. Miho's too. Before you headed back home, you stop off by a few places first. Elementary school, looking around the grounds remembering fond memories. Your very first day and when you first meet the others. All the fun things you did with them. Playing during recess. Class time. After school rushing to the swim club, where you stood now. It was nearly closing. You stood afar seeing the staff inside. Seeing yourself and the others going in, while the others swam you would be there taking their pictures. Your mind went to helping out Makoto with the children. Seeing their smiles, taking their pictures. All the joy and happiness you had being there. The same feelings you felt years ago. From the Swim club you went to junior high. Sure it didn't last very long before what happened. But you still had good memories here too. With Mako and Haru, and a few others. From junior high you make your way to your old home.

Where many memories still remained. It made you smile, thinking about them. With your family, when you first came here. It was so scary, you were so frighten. This place didn't feel like a home at all. That is until the others started to come over, this place soon became one. From your home you go to Iwatobi High. Looking at it building that would be nothing but a fond memory. It was here you reconnected with the others. At first it was hard, but everything became much better. This was the place you be with everyone. The laughter and moments. How they had become. Every time you came, you would be welcomed with a smile. Or a hug from Nagisa. Jumping on you. This place meant so much...

Going to each place special to you, except for one. Samezuka. Which was a bit further. And you didn't mind, getting a ticket you take the train all the way there. Stepping off, walk on the night campus. Looking around. So many memories here too. When you first arrived, being forced to come by Seijuro. Meeting the whole team, reuniting with Rin. Which was a rough patch too. Here you meet Aiichiro, the first friendly face on the team. At first you had to admit you felt nervous and uncomfortable. Just like you did when you arrived in this country. But, that quickly faded when begin to fit in. The team welcomed you. Made you apart of them. You felt at home. Everyday you where so excited to come, even if you didn't show it. Even Seijuro left, you still kept coming. Not because of him, because of yourself. You enjoyed it. Even when Momo came to be part of the team.

Thinking about him and yourself, how the two of you could be. It would be rather frustrating but you wouldn't trade it in for anything. Your eyes spy upon the empty pool. Seijuro's question echos in your mind again.

Giving the pool one more look you take your leave. On the ride back home, you look out the window into the night. Resting your head on the glass.

Making it home, it was rather late, which was alright. Walking up the steps with your key ready, normally you would be expecting someone waiting. But not right now, being careful and quiet you reach the house. Opening the door, coming to a empty place. Lights off, until you turned them on. There was no smell of dinner being made or ready. It just looked like no one like no lived here. Shutting the door, you take off your shoes and go upstairs to your room. When hear a knock. Going back down, opening it. Finding Mako standing there with a plate of food for you.

"Hey Mako."you greet him. He smiles at you.

"Good evening May. Are you hungry?"he holds up the plate for you.

You let him in and take the food, warming it up. He took a seat at the table you would normally share with Haru when it came to eating. Taking a seat across from him.

"Thank you."you thank him, and begin to eat.

"Sure. So, how was you day?"

Chewing and swallowing before you answer."It was...very enlightening. I was actually able to put in things a pretty good prospective."

"That's good to hear. Nagisa was wondering where you were today. He wanted to spend some time with you."

"Oh? Sorry."

"There's no need to apologize. You had a lot to think about."

It became silent between you two for a few seconds. You where about to say something when Mako did."May. I want you to know something. You know no matter what, we'll always be here for you."He smiles."Okay?"

Stun for a second, you return his smile warmly."Thank you. Makoto."A single tear rolls down your face. A small sigh of relief escapes you."It's rather scary, isn't it?"

"Growing up? Yes, it is."

"..."you look around the place. Trembling for a second, to stop feeling Mako's hand upon your's."Thank you."You squeeze his hand back.

After dinner and some time with your friend, you nearly called it a night. Not before you did something. Finishing up what you had been working on and sending it out to others. With that being done, you could now do what you needed to do. Though you felt wrong for doing this, you had too. At least so you could know. Feeling horrible inside, you just hope they would understand.

It was two days before Nationals, Haru and Rin made it back just in time from their trip. Being greeted by Mako at the airport. He takes them to Nationals, where they split to go to their separate teams. Haru meets up with his, while Rin does the same. Finding the Samezuka team ready. They greet their captain, Aiichiro reports there wasn't anything wrong, that is until Rin noticed something amiss.

"Nitori? Where's May?"

The mention of their manager's all eyes look away. Aiichiro then presents Rin with folded up piece of paper. Addressed to him. The grimace look upon on Aiichiro's face spoke many volumes. Taking the folded piece of paper, afraid to read it. He does so anyway. And what he read, was the same that Haru, Mako and Nagisa heard from Rei.

Their reaction was just the same as Rin's. They didn't know to be either happy, confused, angry or something else. It was clear they wanted to react and put a stop to this. But it was clear in the words of both the note and Rei, it wouldn't matter. It was already done. By the time they decided to take action, the plane had taken off. Your eyes stare out your window down below. Watching the distant grow further and further.

You smile through your tears."...Forgive me."