A/N: For all my fellow Ryu x Chizu shippers. Honestly, I prefer them to Shota and Sawako - I adore everything about Ryu, and I think he and Chizuru have so much history together that it'd be pretty impossible for them not to have a future. So, here is one that I am writing for them! Scanlations are coming out very slowly so this is what I envision for the two of them soon. (Also if you know of any good fics for this pairing, PLEASE send them my way - there's a surprising lack considering this is one of the more famous shojo series!).

Disclaimer: I do not own Kimi ni Todoke.

"Well, I'm off."

Chizuru stared at him blankly for a few seconds before launching herself at him and bursting into tears.

"Don't go," she whispered, knowing that it wouldn't change anything, but deciding that if she wasn't going to see him for a few months, she might as well be honest now.

Ryu embraced her, crushing her to his chest, kissing her hair softly. "I'll be back soon."

"You'd better be," she sniffed. "Or I'm gonna hunt you down and claim my hundredth win."

"I'm looking forward to it," he smiled. She pulled her face back, looking up at him, eyes glistening with tears.

"I love you," she said, gripping the front of his jacket.

"Now you've done it," he muttered. "If you say things like that, I'm gonna end up staying."

"If it's that easy..." she grinned, pulling his collar towards her so she could press her lips to his. They lingered there for a moment, resting their foreheads on each other, savouring their time together.

"I'll call you when I get there," he breathed.

"You better make it there and back in one piece," she said firmly. "The future of baseball depends on us," she winked, referring to their promise by the docks.

"You got it." He kissed her goodbye and began to walk towards the train platform, suitcase in tow.

She watched him go, feeling both sad and hopeful. The countdown had already begun as to when she would see him again.

"Oh, and Chizuru?" he called out, turning his head slightly to look at her.

"Yeah?" she yelled back.

"I love you, too."