Disclaimer: I do not own K-on or any character in it. Oh how I wish I can own them. Anyway, please enjoy this story.
"Maybe it's best to leave it like this." Ritsu mumbles when running away from her best friend, or more like the one that she loves. She quickly walks towards her room and locks the door. She throws her bag aside and lies down on the bed, still fighting the urge to cry.
"How should I face her now? I maybe should just follow my dad's advice and go to United State to continue my study instead." Ritsu buries her face in the pillow. She still remembers how happy Mio is when she announces to her friends that she is going out with a guy and also how hurt she is when Mio is angry with her.
~FLASHBACK~
The Houkago Tea-Time is having a gathering at a café that Mugi's father's friend owns it. Mio is being silly for the whole day and not even Ritsu, the whole band mates actually notice about this.
"Mio-chan, are you okay?" Yui asks right after she finishes her cake.
"Huh? What make you ask that?" Mio is shocks and slightly jumps from the chair.
"This is because Mio-senpai is acting very weird." Azusa says, offering her favorite senpai another cake.
"What make you say that?" Mio tries to defend herself once again.
"This is because you can smile suddenly when staring at the phone. You also will suddenly giggle while eating your cake." Mugi explains.
"Thank you, Azunyan." Yui hugs her favorite kouhai, or more accurately her lover. Azusa and Yui just begin to date each other a month ago when Yui finally gains enough confidence and confess to Azusa. Azusa's answer is actually surprise Yui because Yui expects Azusa rejects her, but Yui's love for Azusa is actually mutual and so Azusa and Yui begin to date each other. They tell their friends about this good new as soon as they meet with each other. This incident has gives Ritsu a confidence boost in confessing to her best friend, Mio.
"Mio, are you free today?" Ritsu decides to confess to Mio today.
"Huh? No, Ritsu. I am busy today."
"Busy with what? I thought you finish your assignment already" Ritsu pouts when she finds out that Mio is hiding something from her.
"Oh, I think I should tell you all now. I am going out with a guy." Mio announces this great big news.
"Oh, do we know him?"
"Is he studying in the same campus with you?"
"Is he taking the same course with you?"
"How does he look?"
"How do you two get together?" Yui, Azusa and Mugi keep throwing question at Mio which make Ritsu feels annoyed and heartbroken at the same time.
"Hold on, guys. One at a time. No, I don't think you all know him. Yes, he is studying the same course and at the same campus with me. He is quite good-looking. He confess to me and I feel that hanging out with him is kind of fun, so I agree to go out with him."Mio answers the questions fluently.
"You are so amazing, Mio-chan!" Yui says with full of excitement.
"I'm not that amazing." Mio lowers her head due to her embarrassment, she begins to think that is it a good idea to tell her friend about this.
"Oh, you are. You manage to go out with a guy and that's amazing!" Yui throws her hands up to the sky.
"Yui-chan, you also going out with Azusa." Mugi reminds Yui about her girlfriend. Yui quickly turns her head and look at Azusa and finds out that Azusa is pouting and looks towards the other side.
"Azunyan, are you jealous?" Yui asks and sitting closer to Azusa.
"No, I'm not." Azusa denies about it although she is actually jealous that Yui thinks Mio is great by going out with a boy.
"Relax; no one can replace my Azunyan. I will love you forever and ever." Yui hugs Azusa. Azusa tries to struggle at once but she quickly calm down when she realizes that Yui is actually care for her.
"Come o, guys. Mio is actually lying" Ritsu suddenly speaks which gain everyone's attention.
"Why do you say so?" Mugi asks with an unknown expression on her face.
"How can Mio get the guts to talk with a guy and go out with him? This is Mio we are talking about. The shy, scaredy cat Mio. She is just lying to us." Ritsu continues to say without realizing Mio is angry.
"Who say I can't go out with a guy?" Mio suddenly shouts.
"I say, because you are shy and you don't even can talk to a guy normally!" Ritsu shouts back.
"Then you are wrong! I'm not the Mio that you know before. I'm the new me. I had change, Ritsu." Mio stands up and shouts.
"So what? I prefer the old Mio that usually hangs out with me, I prefer the old Mio who usually hides behind my back when she is scares. I prefer the old Mio!" Ritsu hits the table very hard and stands up.
"Guys, please calm down. Everyone is staring at us." Mugi tries to calm both of them down while Yui and Azusa are shock about this sudden change of atmosphere.
"Sorry but the old Mio isn't going to come back anymore. Look, Ritsu. I had change and you should change too. You should throw away your childish attitude and think for my happiness!" Mio shouts.
"Oh ya, I like my childish attitude. I don't want to think for your happiness. Oh, how I wish you and your stupid boyfriend will break up right away!" Right after Ritsu says this sentence, a pain feeling coming from her left cheek. She slowly uses her hand and touches the spot where the pain coming from. She realizes that Mio has just slaps her just now.
"Ritsu, think for my happiness! Don't say something like that!" Mio tries to shout but she feels like her energy is losing bit by bit.
"You want me to think about your happiness? Then who is going to think about mine!" Ritsu shouts when tears slowly fall down on her cheeks.
"What do you mean by that? Of course I will also think about your happiness." Mio looks at Ritsu with shocks plus confuses expression.
"It is nothing. I suddenly feel sick. I think I will go home now, Bye, guys." Ritsu stands up and walks away before anyone able to say anything.
~END OF FLASHBACK~
"Argh!" Ritsu shouts in the pillow and lets her tears fall although she hates crying.
"What's wrong with me? Why do I feel so hollow? Why do I feel pain from my heart?" Ritsu mumbles in the pillow. After that, she tells Satoshi to inform her mom that she is not going to eat her dinner. She stays in her room and stares at the ceiling, thinking back all those good memories of her with her best friend. She walks down to the living room and finds out that her parents and brother are sitting at there watching the news.
"Hey, dad. Can I ask you something?" Ritsu asks while walking towards her father.
"Of course, sweetheart."
"Dad, about the study at United States, do I still be able to go there and continue my study?" Ritsu asks and lowering her head.
"Of course, you still be able to catch up the second semester."
"Oh, if that's the case, I want to go to United State to study." Ritsu looks into her dad's eyes. Both amber eyes are staring at each other. A knowing smile appears on her father's face.
"Of course Ritsu. I'm glad that you understand the whole situation and you think about your family first. If you study at United State, you will be able to take care of the family business." Ritsu's father slowly strokes Ritsu's hair.
"Yes, I understand. I also understand that Satoshi will be taking care of the family business in Asia while I handle the ones at Europe and United State." Ritsu smiles at her father.
"Yes, you are right. You and your brother know that the Tainaka family business is well known across all the countries and so you two shouldn't disappoint me and your mother. I will help you to transfer that next month."
"Dad, I wish to go there next week."
"Why? You can't study at that university if you go right now."
"I want to suit myself to the culture and those places." Ritsu tries to convince her dad to let her go early because she doesn't want to see Mio's face anymore.
"But what about Mio?" Ritsu's mother asks.
"Yea, about that. I think Mio and I, we should… go our own ways since she still doesn't know I'm actually daughter of a rich family just like Mugi." Ritsu says when she looks at her house. Ritsu and her family live in a very simple double storey house although they are very rich. Besides that, Ritsu and Mugi actually know each other from the start but Ritsu asks Mugi to help her keep a secret that she is actually rich from the others and Mugi agrees to it.
"Well, okay. If this is your decision, we will surely respect it. I will ask the agent there to help you find a room for you to stay. You just pack your things and the others I will help you to settle it." Ritsu's father puts down the newspaper.
"Thanks, dad. I am going back to my room to think what I should bring with me." Ritsu walks back to the room and sits on the bed.
"I think, this is the best and only way for both of us." Ritsu mumbles and starts to pack. The next few days none of the band members contact Ritsu and neither do Ritsu contacts them and tells them about the truth.
Finally it's the day when Ritsu is going off to United State. Ritsu walks slowly and gently touches everywhere of her house.
"Mom, I going to the playground for awhile. I will be back soon." Ritsu walks off to the playground and sees the yellow swing set when she first met Mio. She slowly walks to the sandcastle when she protected Mio from the bullies. Ritsu smiles and she walks away from the playground and remembering all those nice memories.
"Honey, it's time to go. You are going to miss your flight!" Ritsu's mom shouts at Ritsu and Ritsu starts to run and gets in the car. She looks outside when her dad drives towards the airport.
"I will never forget these wonderful memories with you, Mio." Ritsu says softly.
"You better take care of yourself there, and also remember to give us a call when you free. We all are going to miss you." Ritsu's mother hugs Ritsu tightly.
"Ya, sis. Don't you go hit up with some girls and also remember introduce some nice looking girls to me since you will be very popular among the girls at there." Satoshi laughs.
"Ritsu, take care of yourself. We will all go visit you when we free." Ritsu's father smiles gently.
"Okay, I will. Satoshi, do I really look like a boy?" Ritsu asks when suddenly Satoshi takes off her headband and pass her a mirror.
"See for yourself." Ritsu looks into the mirror, her bangs flow down perfectly without her even trying it, those amber eyes full of confidence and the grin that can make a hundred of girls fell for her. Ritsu now only believe that she really looks like a guy when she takes off her headband.
"Ritsu, you should be going now. We will miss you." Ritsu's mother hugs her once again.
"Bye, dad, mom and Satoshi. I will give you a call when I reach there." Ritsu bows and waves her hand. When the airplane begins to fly, she looks towards the window and she realizes everything is so small. She lays back and plugs in her headphone and begins to enjoy every song of her band, and also mumbles," I'm sorry."
No one knows that Ritsu leaves because no one dares to contact her. Mio is still going out with her boyfriend but the one that fills her head is Ritsu.
"Why is she crying?" Mio thoughts when sitting in front of her study desk.
"What is she thinking for not coming to study for these many days?" Mio begins to worry about Ritsu. She flips open her phone, trying to call Ritsu but soon she decides not to call her.
"She won't want to pick up my call, not after what I did to her." Mio sighs and she continues to study. She decides to go for a walk, so that she can clear her mind. She suddenly sees one guy that look like her boyfriend. She walks closely and realizes he is her boyfriend and she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her by kissing another girl. She runs away and runs towards her room. She locks the door and cries.
"How can he do this to me?" Mio says and cries. She suddenly remember how nice it will be if Ritsu be here. She flips open her phone and send a mail to her boyfriend that she knows that he is cheating on her with another girl and she wants to break up. That guy replies her and says he wants to break up with her awhile ago.
"So, we are through." Mio sighs. She decides she will find Ritsu tomorrow and seeks comfort from Ritsu. The next morning, Mio wakes up early than she expected, or more like she doesn't get any sleep last night. She washes herself and goes to Ritsu's house.
"Excuse me, is Ritsu here?" Mio asks and knocks on the door.
"Mio-neechan? Why are you doing here?" Satoshi opens the door and asks.
"Hi, Satoshi. Is Ritsu here?" Mio asks. Satoshi gulps and lowers his head.
"So she still doesn't tell you at the end." Satoshi sighs.
"What happen?" Mio asks.
"I guess you still need to know about her. Onee-chan left to United States to continue her study yesterday." Satoshi tells Mio about this news which makes Mio steps a few steps backward.
"Stop joking, Satoshi. It's not funny." Mio tries to deny the fact that Ritsu left her.
"No, I'm not joking. Nee-chan decides to continue her study at United State and she left yesterday." Satoshi says it once again.
"Oh, thanks." Mio walks away and runs to her house.
"Dear?" Mio runs past her mother and straights go to the room and lock it.
"Dear? Are you alright? Please open the door for me." Mio opens the door and lets her mother in.
"Why are you crying? Is there anything wrong?"
"Mama, Ritsu left. She went to the United State yesterday and she didn't tell me about this." Mio continue to cry as her mother hugs her.
"Why would she left?"
"I don't know. She promises me that she will be with me forever and now she breaks her promise." Mio continue to cry.
"Honey, I don't know what to say to make you feel better but please think this thoroughly. I know Ricchan won't suddenly go away. There must be a reason." Mio's mother pats her back gently.
"I better go get ready some food for you. I think you are hungry."
"Thanks, mama." Mio lies on the bed.
"Ritsu, why would you leave me?" Mio stares at the ceiling.
"This is weird. When I found out my ex-boyfriend is cheating on me, my heart never felt this pain. When I found out Ritsu left me, I feel like my heart very pain and I feel like something in me is missing." Mio touches her heart. She flips open her phone and finds out that she still has the picture of her ex-boyfriend. She suddenly thinks that her ex-boyfriend look like someone she knows. She looks at the picture on her table that she took when they go on a trip to the beach. She suddenly feels that her ex-boyfriend looks just like Ritsu when Ritsu takes off her headband. She recalls back the memory when she with her ex-boyfriend, she also realizes that her ex-boyfriend act just like Ritsu, or more like her ex-boyfriend is actually a boy version of Ritsu.
"Does this mean, the one that I actually love is Ritsu?" Mio shakes her head.
"No, it can't be." Mio sighs and stares at the ceiling.
"Ritsu, I wish you are here with me right now. I miss you." Tears begin to fall from Mio's eyes once again.
"I don't know what to do now." Mio curls up into a ball and cries.
"Mio, come down please. There's someone need to see you." Mio's mother calls for her. Mio sits up and wipes away her tears.
"I'm coming, mama!" Mio changes her clothes and washes her face.
"Oh, hi guys." Mio realizes her friends and Satoshi are sitting in the living room.
"We heard about Ritsu-senpai."
"We felt sorry and also confuse about this."
"Mio-chan, please don't be sad. Ricchan will never want to see you like this." Her friends try to comfort her.
"Mio-neechan, here's a letter than I found in nee-chan room. I think this letter is for you." Satoshi hands an envelope to Mio.
"Thanks guy. I am lucky that I have you all as my friend."
"Mio-chan, there's one thing I want to tell you."
"Yes, Mugi?"
"Please think about Ricchan feelings towards you and your feeling towards Ricchan."
"I think we better leave now. Please don't be so depress because Ritsu-senpai will definitely come back," Azusa bows and the others too. After they all left the house, Mio walks up to her room, and open the envelope. The envelope consists of the pictures that she took with Ritsu since kindergarden until the high school. Tears begin to fall down once again when she remembers all those nice memory of her and Ritsu. She realizes there's a letter with it. She opens it and read.
Dear Mio,
I think you already know that I'm continuing my study at United State instead at Japan. I am sorry that I can't keep the promise that I will be by your side forever because of certain issues. Mio, please forgive me. I shouldn't act so childish towards your relationship with that guy. I should think for your happiness. I am really sorry for blurting out those hurtful words to you. I think I have to say this now because expressing it in the letter is better than expressing it face to face. Akiyama Mio, I love you. I love you more than a friend should be. I realize this feeling of mine when I feel jealous of you being a good relationship with Nodoka. I'm childish, right? I know that. I been trying to tell you a few times but I'm scare that you will reject me and think that I'm disgusting. But when I heard you wish Yui and Azusa happiness when they announce they are together, I gain confidence once again to confess to you. When I decide to confess to you, you announce that you are going out with a guy and this news makes my heart broken into pieces. I decide to leave Japan and go other place so that I can avoid you and all this awkwardness. So I think I will wish for your happiness right here. Mio, please be happy. Please remember, I love you.
From the one that love you more than a friend,
Tainaka Ritsu.
"Baka Ritsu." Mio hugs the letter closes to her heart and cries for all the content of her heart. This is the first time she felt heartbroken.
"I now only realize I can't live without you." Mio thinks back all those good memories of her and Ritsu.
"I wish to tell you this, but it is too late." Mio cries until she sleeps.
A/N: Hey, my first time tries a K-On fic. Being a total fan of them! This story is about Mitsu and I now trying to create a story about YuiAzu and also need to finish the lucky star fic and sister princess. Sorry about the lucky star and sister princess since I really having a writer block cause I don't know how to continue once again. I hope this fic is alright and I will continue it. Please review and give comment and please don't critic me until too bad. I hope my grammar is okay but if I have error please tell me. It will improve my writing skill. *Bow 90 degree* Please review, onegai!