Chun Li stared at the table, waiting for Ryu to begin. She couldn’t believe she was actually going to sit and listen while he discussed what had taken him away from her…

“A week after Ken’s party, Akuma came to visit me…” Ryu began. “It was in a dream. And I realized that in order to start my life over…I had to fight him and avenge my sensei.”

“From what I’ve been told…not many people have seen your teacher’s killer. Gen told me that he is quite a fighter.”

Ryu nodded. “That’s very true. That very same night…my sensei came to me in a dream and I saw him perform the final techniques of the Shotokan discipline. Sensei felt it was time for me to learn.”

“You saw this while you were dreaming?”

Ryu nodded. “So I trained for several days, perfecting my skills to another level…And when it was time…Akuma found me. We fought for half a day, I believe.”

“And then?” Chun Li leaned forward.

“He had given me a difficult time. I had worn him down…but it appeared that I was going to lose,” Ryu explained. “But in desperation, I tried the technique that Sensei had shown me…and it had worked.”

Chun Li looked at the table.

“Akuma was defeated…but…inside…I felt empty,” Ryu said quietly. “I don’t know what had happened…I thought that I would feel at peace for defeating such a strong opponent…”

Chun Li frowned in thought. “I…I see…”

Ryu sighed. “I stood there…staring at Akuma’s form for at least an hour. And I felt hollow…disappointed…I was wondering if that was all there was to the fight. Defeating your opponent. But I wondered what was all the training for? I was angry at Akuma, even at Sensei for praising the perfection of the fight. But I felt nothing once I defeated Akuma.”

Unconsciously, Chun Li reached for his hand. For as long as she had known him, all he seemed to care about was the fight. Defeating a strong opponent had been his only goal in life. Ryu glanced down at their joined hands before his eyes met hers.

“I’m sorry about that,” she said gently. “I know how important that fight was for you…”

“So you understand how I felt.”

“Yes. So what about us? What happened to us?” Chun Li asked nervously.

Ryu took a deep breath, his fingers tightening over hers. “In all honesty…I was unsure of myself. I didn’t know what to do…I had no idea on how to pursue a relationship…all I knew was Shotokan…And…I was angry at nearly everything. I felt that friends and loved ones had been a distraction from my true goal…and they were the reason why I felt so empty.”

Chun Li pulled her hand away, her eyes wide. “Are you saying that you resented me?”

Ryu studied her. “I know that sounds cruel, but it’s the truth. Do you want to hear the rest?”

At that moment, she knew that she could forget what Ryu did. Even forgive him. It didn’t mean that she would take him back. She crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive posture.

“Yes.”

Ryu sipped his tea to gather his thoughts. “At the same time, I was torn. I loved you yet resented you. I didn’t know what one was supposed to do in that situation…so I did what I thought was best for me.”

“You ran away from me and went to train?” Chun Li queried curtly.

Ryu nodded, noting her tone. “I withdrew from everyone, and I will always regret that.”

Chun Li replied, “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?”

Ryu closed his eyes in shame.

“You didn’t seem to really care what everyone else thought. You just don’t abandon someone you love,” Chun Li declared.

Ryu opened his eyes. “You’ve made your point. I’m too late to win you back…there’s nothing I can do now…”

Chun Li nodded firmly.

“I just want to know if you can ever forgive me for leaving you.”

Chun Li stared at the table for a long time. She was so torn up inside. What was she to do? She didn’t want to show any sign of weakness. She had already given him her heart, only to have it thrown back at her.

“Ryu…if you love me like you say you do…then I think you should leave,” Chun Li declared. “I have other things in my life that I have to deal with. I have a daughter, a business, and-”

“You have a wonderful daughter,” Ryu said softly. “You’re a very generous person, and Lien is growing up in a good family.”

“Lien wasn’t easy to raise. But I loved her, so I couldn’t very well turn my back on her.” At Ryu’s flinch, she continued, “So…I’m glad you told me what was going through your mind…I got some insight on how uncaring you were.”

He sighed in defeat. “You will never let me forget this, will you?”

Chun Li’s eyes turned glacial. “I could forgive you for only caring for the fight. I could even forgive you for leaving me during your personality change. What I can’t forgive you for is your resentment towards me for your own actions…and your refusal to open up to me the day you left.”

Ryu looked away, unable to bear the coldness in her eyes. What else could he do? He got his answer. Now it was time for him to go back to his old life. If he truly loved her, then he would let her go, just as she asked. “There’s a flight on United Airlines that leaves for Tokyo tomorrow morning. When you wake up, I’ll be gone.” With that, he walked away.

Chun Li’s eyes opened. It was morning, if the bright light streaming through her window was any indication. She remembered the night’s events. Feeling a headache coming on, she massaged her temples.

“Mommy!” Lien called, running from her room.

Chun Li sat up. “What is it?”

“Ryu’s gone!” the girl’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“I know, sweetheart. He had to go to Japan today.” Chun Li tried to fight down the sadness that moved through her. That’s what you wanted right?

“But he didn’t say goodbye!” Lien pointed out.

“He didn’t want to bother us,” Chun Li explained.

“What’s that?” Lien pointed to her nightstand.

On it was a long silver box placed on top of a white piece of paper. Chun Li picked up the box.

“Open it, Mommy.”

Chun Li lifted the lid and the two gasped in surprise. A dozen of yellow, pink, white, and red tulips made out of colored paper lay in the box.

“Origami!” Lien exclaimed. “It’s from Ryu!”

Chun Li swallowed. Ryu did this? She was surprised. He didn’t have a romantic bone in his body…and yet he had done something so touching…

“Is this a letter?” Lien asked, handing her the white paper.

“Yes, I think it is.”

“Read it, Mommy.”

Chun Li decided that she might as well…her daughter wouldn’t leave her be unless she read it.

“It says: ‘Dear Chun Li, I’m sorry that we couldn’t settle our differences. It’s only now that I realize what was truly important to me. Unfortunately, it’s too late. But at least I got to see you and explain what happened between us four years ago. I also hope that one day you can forgive me. I’ve included my address at the bottom, in case you need to write or locate me. If you need anything at all, you know where to find me. Take care of Lien. Merry Christmas. Love, Ryu.’” Chun Li swallowed. “And…that’s what it says.”

Lien had difficulty with some of the words, but she understood. “Mommy…Ryu loves you, huh?”

Chun Li carefully put the box and letter aside. “What…Why do you ask?”

“I just know.”

Chun Li swallowed. “Sweetheart…Ryu and I loved each other a long time ago…even before you were born.”

“What about now?”

“Now? Well…” Chun Li faltered.

She felt her chest tighten. What about now? She hadn’t found anyone else since him. But that was because she loved him. For fifteen years, she had loved him. She knew that Ryu’s affection would be difficult to win…but yesterday, he had offered himself to her. He had opened his heart, his mind…himself. And what had she done? She had rejected him so harshly. She really understood what had happened to them years ago. Ryu wasn’t ready to settle down…perhaps he had even been afraid to. That was in the past. In the present, he had tried to make up for it. He was different now…more grown up in the ways of the world…and he was wonderful to her daughter. She had wanted to hurt him as much as he hurt her those years ago. She closed her eyes in shame.

“Mommy?”

“Sweetheart…go get dressed.”

“Where are we going?”

Chun Li scooted her to her room. “We’re going to stop Ryu. I won’t let him go to Japan unless we talk to him first.”

Lien grinned widely. She scurried to her room to get dressed. In less than ten minutes, Chun Li and Lien hurried out the door, nearly knocking down Yun and Yang.

“What’s the rush?” Yun asked.

“We’re going to the airport,” Chun Li announced.

“Mommy’s gonna tell Ryu she loves him,” Lien added.

Yun and Yang glanced at each other.

“I think today’s family picnic can wait,” Yang declared.

“Get in the car,” Yun announced.

Yun zoomed through the streets, making Chun Li nervous. She hoped they weren’t too late…

At the airport, the four hurried through the terminals. Yang quickly glanced at the flight monitor.

“Chun Li! Ryu’s flight is boarding!” Yang announced.

“You sure?!” Chun Li called behind her shoulder as she walked through security checkpoint.

“United, right? The only other flight leaving for Tokyo is at two p.m. today,” he confirmed, following her.

Lien followed her uncle. Yun walked through, setting an alarm off. Chun Li whirled around. Yun swore softly, emptying his pockets.

“Chun Li, go!” Yun called, fishing in his pockets. “Yang and I will take care of Lien.”

Chun Li hesitated. Yang pushed her in the direction of the gates. Lien nodded, holding Yang’s hand.

“Go, Mommy!”

Chun Li took off into a run. When Yun passed through the checkpoint again, no alarm sounded. He got his belongings, hitched Lien on his back, and ran, Yang hurrying beside him, the three not noticing the curious stares they got from travelers.

“Hurry, Uncle!” Lien cried out.

“I’m trying, kiddo,” Yun huffed. “Let’s just hope your mom catches him.”

Yang glanced at his watch. “Five minutes until the plane leaves, Yun!”

Yun shook his head. “I really hope she catches him…”