Clannad Chapter 6: Ties of Friendship

Disclaimer: I do not own Clannad

Having spent thirty minutes in the shower reflecting in the shower, Tomoya makes a decision. Despite the possible negative outcome that might occur, Tomoya is confident that his decision was the adequate one. After eating dinner Tomoya takes Kotomi to the lake that is five miles south of where Tomoya used to live at.

Tomoya's P.O.V.

Tomoya: The lake sure looks beautiful tonight, Kotomi-chan.

Kotomi: Yea it does. I remember coming here every night back in high school because I could play my violin calmly.

Tomoya: So how does your wrist feel? Have you been able to play the violin like you used to as a child?

Kotomi: What do you mean, Tomoya-kun? I thought the sound was the same as a child?

Tomoya: The sound has changed somewhat. I think you should get your wrist checked out because I've seen you had trouble playing the violin for long periods.

Kotomi: Well if you say so. How does Next week sound?

Tomoya: Since tomorrow is Monday, I'll let my boss know if he can give me the day off on Saturday.

Kotomi: Good, Tomoya-kun. To be honest every time I'm with you, Tomoya-kun I feel like it's a date.

Tomoya: Why do you say that?

Kotomi: You make me happy in so many ways. I'm no longer afraid of being alone, you're always there to support me, I also enjoy spending every second with you, and it truly makes me happy.

Tomoya: I also enjoy our time together, Kotomi-chan. I didn't realize this earlier, but my feelings for you are bigger than you can imagine. The day I saw you at the park, I looked into your eyes and saw sadness in them. For the first time I regretted having spent those five miserable years in solitude. Having isolated myself from the people I love I knew the person I hurt the most was you. I abandoned you back when we were kids, and I ran away from you again and the people I care about the most too. Kotomi-chan I won't make that same mistake a third time.

Kotomi: Tomoya-kun!

Tomoya: I LOVE YOU, Kotomi-chan! I want to spend every day with you, form a family, but most of all make you happy.

Kotomi: I Love You too, Tomoya-kun! Don't leave me ever again, please. I've lost so many important people to me. I don't…

Tomoya: Shhh! Its ok you don't have to say it. Just close your eyes please.

Kotomi: I know what's coming, Tomoya-kun. My first kiss will always be special to me because it will be with you.

As the two embrace each other tightly, Tomoya looks at Kotomi's light purple/blue eyes and slowly gives her a passionate kiss on her lips. For three minutes both kiss each other passionately. Having expressed his feelings the two return to Kotomi's house with Kotomi leaning her head on Tomoya's shoulder.

Tomoyo's P.O.V.

Early in the morning Tomoya receives a phone call from Tomoyo, and is asked to meet her at the City Park. Before he leaves, he kisses Kotomi's cheek and leaves her a note on the table.

Tomoyo: Good morning Tomoya. Sorry for waking you up so early in the morning. I know you have to go to work later this morning, but I have something important to tell you.

Tomoya: So do I Tomoyo, and it's about what you told me the day I walked you home.

Tomoyo: Listen it's alright that you don't have feelings for me. I already know who you truly love.

Tomoya: Well I knew you'd find out who I truly love. I mean the day I told you I would think about that must have been the reason why.

Tomoyo: Not exactly, Tomoya. Right after I closed the door I was closing the blinds, and I saw Kotomi behind you with a gloomy look. I knew she was sad, and that she would need you more. Also even if we did become couple our work schedule would not be cooperative. I will be moving to Tokyo next week because I found a new job over there. The company that hired me wants is selling beauty products so I decided to be their sales manager. I will be working five days a week, and the schedule isn't really flexible.

Tomoya: I hope you can stop by every once in a while, and hang out with your friends.

Tomoyo: That is something that I can promise because Tokyo is only four hours away. However please promise me one thing Tomoya.

Tomoya: Sure, what do you want me to promise?

Tomoyo: Promise me that you will call me when you have some time off. I'll let you know when I'll have free time too. Being alone in Tokyo can get depressing because all my friends won't be there to support me.

Tomoya: There, there Tomoyo. I know you're still scared about that incident happening again, I won't let anything happen to you. Please take this small electric pen. I you're in some sort of danger just pull the pen it and once you click the trigger on the side it will release a small volt of electricity that will bring a person to his/her knees. That should give you enough time to run and get help. Second before you leave stop by Kotomi's house. I want to give you a security camera for your house. If I'm home and you are at work I can monitor your house and give you a call should a problem occur.

Tomoyo: Thank you Tomoya! It means a lot to me because now I won't feel as lonely. Also I can use the security camera as a webcam to say hello when I come from work.

Tomoya: Don't feel bad about being lonely in Tokyo. Kotomi, Ryou, Kyou will also visit you when they can.

Tomoyo: It means a lot Tomoya. Have a nice day at work, and I'll stop by your house later today.

After having talked for nearly thirty minutes Tomoya hugs Tomoyo and then leaves to his work.

Tomoya's P.O.V.

Tomoya: How am I going to explain to Ryou about me and Kotomi finally going out. I made love to Ryou two days ago, and I'm certain she will get very upset. Tomoyo understood why I couldn't go out with her. She's mature while Ryou might be somewhat mad or maybe even furious because we had a one night stand. However I don't consider our lovely night a one night stand, I consider it more like an act of love. We both gave in to our feelings, but now my feelings are with Kotomi.

At around midday Ryou phone calls Tomoya and asks him to meet her at the train station that is by their previous high school after he gets out of work.

Train station: 4:30 pm

Ryou's P.O.V.

Ryou: I hope the choice I'm about to make is the adequate one. Despite what happened between me and Tomoya I know it's for the best.

Tomoya arrives 3 minutes later

Tomoya: Hi Ryou! Excuse me for arriving late. I had to run from work to here because Kotomi took the car that we found not too long ago.

Ryou: Oh I see, but couldn't you have taken the bus instead?

Tomoya: The next bus would arrive at 4:45 pm, and I know you probably had somewhere to go after so I ran instead. So tell me Ryou why did you want to see me so urgently?

Ryou: Well it's not easy to say this, but it's about what happened Saturday. Honestly I really enjoyed our lovely and beautiful night together. However, Sunday I saw you with Kotomi by the lake at night kissing. I'm not going to lie, I felt mad, but I realized you cared more about Kotomi before we ever had that passionate night. I also realized that I would rather stay friends than to be rejected formally.

Tomoya: What do you mean by formally?

Ryou: By that I mean being a couple and then finding out you are with another girl. When we made love we were just friends who let our emotions get the better of us. Our desire to show how we felt could only be shown by making love. So in the end you didn't reject me, and neither did I because I never asked you if you wanted to be my boyfriend. We only told each other we wanted to stay together.

Tomoya: So how are you feeling right now? I'm also sorry about what happened Saturday. I feel like I used you for the act only.

Ryou: I'm feeling good right now. Listen about Saturday I'm just glad that I lost my innocence to the person love the most. No one will ever love me like you did. Despite not being with you in the end I'm just glad that I was able to take those memories with me.

Tomoya: Take those memories with you, what do you mean by that? Wait hold on are you going on a trip?

Ryou: Exactly, Tomoya. Yesterday before I passed by the lake at night I went to the post office to pick up my transcript for my nursing school. I applied for a nursing school at Frankfurt, Germany. I'll be leaving the city shortly because I have to be there in two days. I want to become a nurse, and I also want to travel to Germany. I looked at the possible university's that offer a nursing career, and I found a great nursing school with five out of five stars rating in Frankfurt, Germany.

Tomoya: I see, well I wish you the best of luck. I hope we can see each other soon, and hang out with the others too. This is so sudden so I still can't accept your really leaving, but I know you'll be fine. Also I made an account on Skype so we talk, and see each other via webcam. You can just call me or email me when you get the chance, and also Kotomi would love to share her experience with foreign travel with you.

Ryou: Well here comes the train, take care Tomoya. I'll call you when I get to Frankfurt, and also let Kyou know when she can call me too. Bye, Tomoya!

Tomoya: Ryou, take care!

With a final good bye Ryou boards the train to Fujimura Airport, and then boards the plane that will take her to Frankfurt, Germany. Tomoya then goes home, and sees Tomoyo talking with Kotomi.

Tomoya's P.O.V.

Tomoya: Hey, Tomoyo. Did Kotomi give you the security camera's that I left for you?

Tomoyo: Yea she did. By the way Tomoya you look sad. Care to explain?

Tomoya: Hey Kotomi can you come outside I have something important to tell you too.

Kotomi: Ok, let me just put my sweater on.

2 minutes later

Kotomi: So what is the important news, Tomoya-kun?

Tomoya: Well it's not easy to say, but it's about Ryou.

Tomoyo: Don't tell me something bad happened to Ryou?

Kotomi: Come on Tomoya-kun don't keep us in suspense.

Tomoya: Alright I'm done with the suspense. Ryou left to Fujimura Airport because she will be boarding an airplane to Frankfurt, Germany. She told me she got accepted to a nursing school there, and she also wanted to travel there as well.

Tomoyo: Did she give you any contact information?

Tomoya: No, but she did say she would call me once she gets there. I'll ask her at what time we can call her, and if possible maybe Skype with her.

Kotomi: I'd love to Skype with her. I went to study to a foreign country once and I'd like to share my experience with Ryou.

Tomoyo: Same here, I'll be going to Tokyo, Kotomi. I got a new job there so I'll be living there, but I do plan to visit you all.

Kotomi: I'll miss you too, Tomoyo-chan. Come to my house Tomoyo when you come over again. I'd like for you to try my Pumpkin Pie. Only Tomoya-kun has tried, and that was back in high school. Actually it was the like the fourth time we met again that I baked a pie for the both of us.

Tomoya: Yea I loved every bite, but it sure left me fat.

Kotomi: Hey don't bully me, Tomoya-kun or you won't get to eat my Coconut almond Cake.

Tomoyo: I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. I have to go pack my stuff because my plane leaves at 4:00 am tomorrow.

Kotomi: Well have a safe trip, Tomoya-chan. Also feel free to call us when you have free time.

Tomoya: Likewise, Tomoyo. Remember we are all here to support each other. Have a safe trip as well, and if possible if you haven't informed Kyou about your departure to Tokyo do so. I'll check up on her tomorrow to see if she's doing alright. Well good-bye Tomoyo, take care.

Tomoyo: I'll stop by Kyou's house right now. Well I better get going, bye you two, take care.

With that Tomoyo goes to Kyou's house to tell her about her departure to Tokyo. Tomoyo and Kotomi go to a restaurant, but not before stopping by the City Arboretum. Tomoya reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box that he kept for seven years.