Cleo entered and observed Harvey's room fully this time compared to his first time there. Even though there were a few boxes here and there, the room was large enough to contain more empty space than clutter. He saw a few open suitcases with folded clothes inside laid out around the room also. "Are you preparing to leave?" Cleo asked.
Harvey nodded while taking a large book from one of the boxes and tossing it in a suitcase. "Yeah, even though I still have a week left until I return to America it's always better to prepare things in advance." Cleo nodded in agreement. "In fact, today I went to my university in Philippines to request a withdrawal. So that way, I won't be just an exchange student at my university in America."
"So you won't be coming back then?" Cleo asked curiously.
Harvey paused before he spoke. "Yes, that's what I decided to do. Go ahead and take a seat if you want. I need to just empty this box."
"Sure." Cleo answered. As he made his way to a seat he noticed two framed photographs of children on a mantle. Inspecting it closer, one had four happy children whom he was able to pinpoint as Azumi, Ashley, Calex, and Harvey. The other one had a little Harvey laughing at the camera alongside an even littler Ashley who was beaming so brightly.
Something about her smile triggered a realization within Cleo's brain. He had never seen a happier smile come from her. She... loved him from the beginning.
Without thinking twice, Cleo spun around and called out to Harvey. "Please don't go back to America."
Looking up with an expression of pure confusion, Harvey was about to ask why but Cleo managed to speak out again. "For Ashley, please stay in Philippines, Harvey." He continued quickly, not giving Harvey a chance to talk. "When you weren't here, all Ashley did was read about you or watch you on television. She talked about you a lot and I knew she was hoping that you would return."
From outside the room, Ashley returned from greeting Harvey's parents but slowed her pace when she heard Cleo say her name. She stayed away from the door but at a close enough distance to hear what he was talking about.
"When she talks about you, she always seems more content. But then when you recently decided to go back to America, I noticed her attitude has been going downhill. She isn't as cheery or happy now. It seems like she can't be herself when you're gone. So please, Harvey. Stay in Philippines." Cleo ended, hoping Ishida would take his pleading in consideration.
Harvey gave a thoughtful smile but shook his head. "I'm sorry but I can't do that. I've made my decision and I can't go back on it."
Cleo had to try it one more time, just for the sake of it. He walked up to Harvey and bowed low. "Please, just stay here for her. She needs you."
"Cleo, stand up." Harvey told him, not bearing the sight of someone he considered a friend bowing before him.
He looked at Cleo seriously and continued. "I must make this decision. It's like when you come across something you could have but you refrain from taking it because of other reasons. Some people are fine with it but I'm not one of those people. I want to be my own person and decide how I live my life." He paused and placed a reassuring hand on Cleo's shoulder. "I really hope you understand, Cleo."
Cleo nodded and could only bow his head slightly. "I understand and I apologize for being like that. I shouldn't have said those things."
"It's fine." Harvey replied. He patted Cleo's shoulder before taking his hand away. "And about Ashley, please take care of her for me."
Cleo's eyes widened at his request but nodded. "Okay. I uh, should go back home now. Thank you again." He said his goodbyes with Cleo and went out the room and down the stairs to leave the premises.
Just as he got out the door he was stopped abruptly by Ashley. The look on her face was of disappointment and slight anger to Cleo's surprise. "What are you trying to do?" She asked him.
Cleo noticed the tone in her voice was demanding. He could barely figure out what to say to her.
"Who asked you to do that? I didn't bring you here for you to beg him." She bit her lip and tried to hold back the tears that were stinging her eyes. "Was it for me? If so, you should mind your own business... I can't believe you did that."
"But you looked so pitiful earlier." Cleo blurted out honestly. "You know you won't be able to see him again."
"I said it's none of you business!" She reiterated yelling at him. Cleo took a step backward, fully in shock at her outburst. "You know, I shouldn't even have brought you here. Just go back." When Cleo didn't move instantly she yelled at him. "Go back!"
Cleo couldn't take this. It made him feel horrible inside that someone he wanted to help didn't want his help in the first place. He decided she was right that he only made things worse by butting into her situation. He made his way around her and left her as she broke down and wept to herself.
One Week Later.
At the airport Azumi, Calex, Lucas, and Miranda's family and other friends were all present at the airport to say their goodbyes and see him depart. After he said his goodbyes to a group of people, Harvey made his way over to B4 with a grin on his face despite the rough times they previously encountered.
"Harvey, for what happened at the party, I want to apologize for it. I'm sorry."Azumi started. She had thought about it before they arrived at the airport and she honestly didn't want him to leave with a grudge against her.
"I understand. Apology accepted." Harvey answered and gave her a hug goodbye. He did the same to Calex and Lucas after.
"We give you our best wishes." Azumi said after he was done.
"Same to you all." Harvey returned. He heard his flight boarding and said one more goodbye to his family before turning to leave.
"Harvey! Harvey! Wait!" Harvey turned to see Cleo in his school uniform, running toward him at a sprinter's pace. Azumi also caught sight of him but refrained from acknowledging his presence.
"Ah, Cleo! You came!" Harvey said with surprise as Cleo stopped in front of him and caught his breath.
"Yeah... sorry... for... being... late." Cleo said between deep breaths. He spotted the B4 and noticed there was no Ashley with them. "Where is Ashley?"
"She didn't come." Harvey answered, obvious disappointment written upon his face. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot." He reached down to pick up his briefcase and opened it. "I have a gift for you." He took out a wrapped gift box and handed it to Ichigo. "Please open it now."
Taking off the box's cover, Cleo's eyes widened with awe at the sight of an expensive silver watch.
"I hope it'll give you more time and luck combined than I have received in my life." Harvey commented. "I also hope you will do your best in everything you pursue. Try your hardest, Cleo.do your best"
Harvey walked to his gate as only Cleo with B4 a few feet behind him, stayed to watch him leave all the way through. He turned back once more and waved. They all waved back. Once he was gone, Cleo took another look at his watch and marveled at its features.
"Eh? Ashley?" Cleo heard Lucas say out loud. He turned around to see Ashley standing there before them with hands clasped nervously together.
"Ashley, did you just arrive?" Calex asked her.
She shook her head. "No. I came here an hour ago."
"Then why didn't you come here?"Calex inquired.
"I was watching you all instead." She said quietly and looked down toward the ground in shame.
"Why?" Cleo asked her. He walked up to her and looked at her in frustration. "You need to go after him right now. If you love him, you have to follow him, right? You can't let this one chance pass."
At his outburst, a small smile played upon her lips. She looked up and within her eyes Cleo saw a gleam of happiness. "I'm going." She said.
"What?" Cleo said in disbelief.
She took something out of her pocket and showed it to him. "I'm leaving for America too." It was a plane ticket.
Besides Cleo who stood there in shock, Azumi, Calex and Lucas were all completely dumbstruck at her revelation.