Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew. Mia Ikumi does.
A/N: A good bit of Ryou+Ichigo in this chapter, though no 'real' fluff. Sorry, but I think you'll like it!
I hit the 50 review mark! Yahoo! Congrats to Enjie Yekcam,who was my 50th reviewer! In my joy a drew a scene from Valediction! (Well, kind of. My artistic skills are whack.) It's Ichigo when she was at the airport, crying. So I guess it's just her crying, but I disgress. It's just pencil and yellow paper, but it's mine. Don't go claiming it as your own! (As if you'd want to!) By the way, you'll have to get rid of the spaces since don't allow urls.
img. photobucket. com/albums/v291/lilytheaisha/ichigo-valediction. jpg
The first person to guess the correct volume and part of the story that my Ichigo's outfit is from will be featured in the next chapter, and MIGHT (key-word...) be featured in the story. Very minor role, and I'll have to work it out. Again, MIGHT, so don't be disapointed.
Also, I said there would be Ryou jealousy, but I'm not sure if that's quite the right word. Oh yeah, he's jealous, but it's not just that. Oopsie on my part.
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VALEDICTION
Photograph
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Minto's POV
"What about when she's extremely depressed?"
Silence. Shirogane-san's conclusion temporarily knocked the wind out of us.
Is he saying that Ichigo...no. But he's dead serious. And Ryou Shirogane is a genius. He wouldn't say something like that without proof.
What could cause her to be depressed to such a point? Why, last week she was so happy after her 'marriage' to Masaya.
Masaya...
"I admire Masaya very much. It seems so wonderful that he could go and study abroad. I want to pour myself into my studies, just like he does, and to do that I can't have a job. I have to study whenever I can."
Perhaps she was so overcome with grief once he departed? No, that's not like Ichigo. I snap from my train of thought to notice the other already engaging in a debate on what could've happened to her. I note that Shirogane-san isn't participating.
He knows...
"It's Masaya, isn't it?"
The chatter stills at my voice. Shirogane-san's gaze meets the floor. "Your guess is as good as mine..."
He's a decent liar. Too bad I've already caught on. "Don't lie to us, Shirogane-san. We want to help Ichigo, too." My voice is steady and piercing.
He looks my straight in the eye, with a practiced glare. I wait for him to speak, but instead he turns and heads down to the basement, his own little hiding place.
I look to the others. "Obviously, by his reaction, Masaya is responsible for Ichigo's depression." Rettasu looks at me, uneasy. I can tell she wants to say something, but she is interrupted by the sunny voice of the childish Purin.
"This will be easy, na no da! We just have to ask Masaya what happened, and he'll realize his mistake, na no da! Then Ichigo-Oneesan will be in love with him again!"
SHATTER.
The sound echoes from the basement. Poor Shirogane-san must've been listening to our conversation. The guy just doesn't know when he's in love...
And of course, Purin. Sweet kid, but forever oblivious.
"Purin, Masaya might not even like Ichigo anymore for all we know."
The innocence slips from her face and is replaced with one of childish cunning. "Why, then we just slip him my super secret love potion, na no da!"
Akasaka-san just grins sheepishly at that. "Purin-chan, that can be our final resort." Nevertheless, this seems to satisfy her, so she quiets down.
"However, there isn't any harm in asking him what happened," I tone, "Since Shirogane-san isn't going to spill anytime soon, there's nothing better we can do."
I grab a sheet of paper from the stack we always keep in one of the drawers and get started on the 'rough draft' so to speak. I do have the best handwriting, after all.
Ryou's POV
What is wrong with me?
I just had to go and voice my thoughts aloud with Keiichiro, without even thinking about how the girls were there! And that stupid Minto...she's too observant for her own good. Momomiya-san chose the worst to keep her daughter's dilemma a secret.
I look at the photograph by the super-computer, and grab it to scrutinize it more carefully. The picture itself is of Cafe Mew Mew and the whole team before it. Ichigo is in the dead center, of course. Ichigo...always in the middle of things.
"Then Ichigo-Oneesan will be in love with him again!"
SHATTER.
I retrieve the shattered frame from the floor, and pull out the photograph.
Again, what is wrong with me?
One mention of Ichigo with Masaya, and I'm in denial. In a fury, I tear the photograph in half and let the pieces flutter to the ground.
You had her, Aoyama, and you just threw her away!
Letter
Dearest Aoyama-san,
May this arrive to you safely; it is of utmost importance we receive a reply. Shall we get straight to the point, Aoyama-san?What happened to Ichigo?
The things that passed in that airport are very crucial to Ichigo's health. If we don't know, she may break down.
No, Aoyama-san, I am not exaggerating.
Tell us every detail you can remember, any event that may have affected her.
Aoyama-san, I can tell you are about to throw this into the fire. Just consider Ichigo, Aoyama-san. We beg of you.
Sincerely,
Aizawa-san and Company
Ryou's POV
What is this feeling?
It's like feeling ecstasy, jealously, passion, and sadness all in one huge wave.
Ryou, don't try and hide from what you know is truth.
Truth...what is the truth?
Ryou, look deep inside, and you will find it. Perhaps now, perhaps later. But you will find it.
This feeling...for Ichigo...
Could it be...?
I clutch my heart, which is seemingly beating twice as fast as usual.
Ichigo Momomiya, am I in love with you?
I fall to the floor, my head is pounding. Ichigo...
I notice the two, thin pieces of photograph and feel guilty. The pick them off from the ground and try to piece them together.
As I put the strips side-by-side, I notice the rip is between Ichigo and me. It separates us, and it is a tear that can not be mended.
No, it was never meant to be...
Masaya's POV
"Goodbye, Clarissa."
"I'll be seeing you, love."
The door closes. So far, things have been going great for me in England. I have Clarissa, attend a prestigious college, and have a great side-job.
I collapse on the couch, ready for some television.
The Iriomote cat is a feline species discovered in 1967, and can only be found on--
Click. Not exactly what I wanted to watch.
I should get to work anyway. I grab my PDA. Let's see...
Laundry...check.
Homework...check.
Project work for the week...hmm...check.
Cleaning...better get to work on that later...
Letter...
I freeze.
Ichigo Momomiya, why can't you leave me alone?
A/N: I was THIS close to making Masaya's GF Cho Chang. (You know, Harry Potter!) Pfft. It amused me. But alas, she is now Clarissa.
I hope you enjoyed the Ryou+Ichigo, as many have been wanting this! Kind of like my present, so the explanation is going to wait. Hope I didn't disappoint if my romanticism seems lame.
