Ryu's POV

It's been two days since the incident with Asakura Kazumi and Mio's outburst and Mio hasn't come to school during that time.

I've tried to visit her a couple of times on my way back home…But Mio's mother told me that Mio was too 'sick' to see anyone…So I would just go home.

But despite Mio's absent, the HTT members and I continued to go on with our classes and would practice after school.

"…Ryu-kun…" Mugi called to me softly so as to not startle me as I come out of my train of thought.

"Mugi…what is it?"

Mugi frowns. "I think you already know what I'm going to say don't you?"

I bow my head in shame…"How can I, Mugi? After that incident…There's no way Mio would want to see ANYONE…."

"*sigh* Just give it your best shot…We'll even go with you?"

"what?"

"HEY, Ryu-chan! Let's go visit Mio-chan together!" Yui jumps from behind Mugi with Gitah over her shoulder.

"Ryu-sempai…we're all worried about Mio-sempai. Let's go together." The young Guitar player says as she pokes her head from behind Yui.

"Alright, let's give it a shot." I couldn't help but smile at how unified and faithful my friends were. Even though I became 'Ryu' and took the place of their beloved 'Ritsu', they welcomed me with open arms and warm smiles…I'm so glad I came back.

Mio's House w/ normal POV

*ding~ Dong~*

"Hello?" It was Mio's voice.

"Mio-chan! It's Yui!"

"Oi, Oi. Tell her that we're here too."

"….."

"Mio-sempai, please come outside. We are all worried about you."

"….."

"Mio-chan, don't you think that it's a little unfair to us? We came here to see you…the least you can to is respond to Yui and Azusa-chan…."

"…..Mugi….I just don't-"

Ryu's pushes pass the girls and interrupts Mio.

"Mio. Come outside…please. You don't need to say anything, but please just listen to what I have to say."

"….."

"Please…Give me ten minutes"

"….fine…*click*"

Ryu steps back from the speaker in a cool manner while the three girls stare in awe blushing at the cliché 'drama' scene.

The door opens and Mio is seen wearing her school winter jacket, muffler, long pants and winter boots. She doesn't make any eye contact with the group and continues to stare at the ground as she walks towards her fellow band members.

"Mio-cha-" Yui attempts to approach the bassists when a hand stops her. It was her dear Kohai, Azunyan. Who just shakes her head.

"I'm glad to see that you're doing okay, mio-chan." Mugi says while smiling, while Mio just shrugs.

"Mio…." Ryu addresses with a serious look on his face (but not in an angry way).

"What?"

"Take a walk with me."

"? *blush* Y-You said you just wanted to talk right? Do it here…." Mio shifts uncomfortably.

"No. Come with me." Ryu takes Mio by the arms and starts to lead her away from the house.

"Ch-Chotou!" mio says staggering behind.

Mugi, Yui, and Azusa are frozen in position and were trying to process what had just happened.

"ah…" Yui (surprisingly) was the first to come out of her reverie. "They left"

"Where do you think their headed?" The young kohai asks.

"It seems their headed to the park."

"let's go!" Yui starts to run after her two friends.

"Ah! Y-Yui-sempai! chotou matte kudasai!"

With Ryu and Mio in the Park

"Hey! R-Ryu! How long do you plan on dragging around me for?"

Ryu ignores Mio and continues walking in long strides.

"HEY, RYU! I'm talking to you!"

Ryu continues walking.

"RYU!"

Ryu stops.

"….? Ryu?"

Ryu suddenly squats down to the ground, still facing away from Mio.

"O-Oi…Ryu? Are you okay?" walks around to Ryu's side to get a better look.

The next thing Mio knows, she gets a face full of snow.

Mio instinctively starts to wipe the cold substance from her face as Ryu starts to laugh.

"HAHAHA~ You let your guard down Mio!" Ryu is now up on his feet with two more snowballs in hand.

"wh-what? What do you think your-!"

"Take this!" Ryu throws another snowball, but Mio is able to dodge it.

"Kya! R-Ryu! Stop it!"

"OH, I'm sorry miss Dangerous Queen~ Is your face numb from the first snowball?"

Mio flinches from the nickname and her face grows red.

"D-Don't call me that!" Mio pick up a handful of snow and throws it towards Ryu, who easily dodges it.

"Is that all you've got? Nah nah~ So slow Mioooo!" Ryu mocks as her stick out his tongue and waves his hands beside his face. Xb

"Oh yeah? Well, take this!" Mio throws another snowball, which makes impact with Ryu's face.

"hoh~ no bad, Mio! Take this! Hah!"

"Oh yeah?"

The onslaughts of snowballs continue as three teenagers watch from a safe distance.

"Wh-What are they doing?" *sweat drop*

"Looks like fun! We should join too!" Yui starts to pick up a handful of snow.

"Y-Yui-sempai! What are you-oof!"

"hahaha~ Now it's your turn Azunyan!"

"Yui-sempai? Wait just a moment!" Azusa says, while shielding herself from Yui's snowball attacks with her bag. "M-Mugi-sempai! Please say something!"

Mugi tilts her head and smiles. "ma ma ma ma."

"Four times." Yui pauses to count Mugi's "ma's."

Yui continues to toss snowballs at the Azusa, while Mugi turns back to look at the 'couple'.

"It's nice to hear Mio-chan's laugh again…" A gentle smile spreads across the pianist's face.

Minutes have passed and both Ryu and Mio were lying on their backs, exhausted from their snow frenzy. Mio was the first to speak.

" *huff* *huff* ….I'm sorry…"

"Huh? *pant* what was that?"

"I sorry for everything…For ignoring you guys…for making you worry…for letting you guys down."

Ryu sits up and looks down at the crestfallen Mio.

"Heh! What are you talking about, Mio? We're friends aren't we? Of course we'd fight once in a while."

"B-But I-…"

"It's okay. You'll just have to apologize to them later, right? They'll definitely forgive you…because we all love Mio~"

"…..ha…hahahaha!" Mio places the back of her hand on her eyes. Shielding her eyes from Ryu's view.

"Huh? Has Mio lost it?" *sweat drop*

"hahaha…ha…ha…You really are like her…" Mio removes her hand to reveal teary grey eyes. "To be able to make me act like this…You two are just too weird."

"Hmph! 'Weird'? You're the one who was laughing for no reason just a second ago." *grins*

"Hahaha~ I guess that's true…Hey Ryu…Can I talk to you about something? Or more like…'Someone'?" Mio pushes herself up from the frosty ground and faces the drummer.

"…Sure."

The two friends stood at the railing of a stone bridge that was suspended over a frozen river. Ryu listened to Mio about 'Ritsu' and how much she impacted her life. How she was able to give Mio the courage to read her essay in grade school, how Ristu got her to join the K-ON club, and how she died. Ryu couldn't help but blush a little as Mio would talk about their childhood. It gave him a very nostalgic feeling.

"….You know? I really didn't like it when you moved here."

"Is that so?..."

"Yeah…But that was just because you reminded me too much of her. I'm sorry about that."

"mmm…it's okay. Afteral….we're 'friends' now…aren't we?"

Mio nods and trots over in front of Ryu in a very cutesy manner and smiles. This causes Ryu to blush.

"But now…I'm really glad you came here Ryu. Thanks for everything."

At that moment, Ryu's face burned a bright fire red, and his eyes were wide open, mesmerized by Mio's cuteness.

"Sh-she's so cute. And the way her hair flew just there…it's like a scene from an anime or something. Ah~ She's so beautiful…And her smile…makes me feel so warm."

"I love you…" blurts out.

Mio's eyes widen.

"huh?"

Well, there you go! w Yet another cliffhanger to leave you thinking! Muahaha~ Thanks so much for reading, and please R&R! I Just love hearing from the readers! *Bows*

Hmm…So I guess Ryu kinda blurts out his thoughts and Mio…well…let's see what happens.

Oh and if any were wondering, just Ryu confessing isn't enough to keep him in THIS world. Mio needs to return the feelings by saying that she loves him too. Thanks again!