AN: A quick story that had been in my head. Its a little longer than a one-shot that I love writing so, this will be a little longer. Forgive me but I'm trying to get caught up to the manga and just finished the anime. I really hope that you all like this story as much as I liked writing it :)
A summer breeze blew past but it was not enough to cut the tension between Chitoge and Raku. The crashing of the waves broke the silence between them. She looked down with her shoulders down, feeling her eyes hot as she fought the tears back.
Her heart pounded hard against her chest, filling the sound in her ears.
However, no matter how heavy the words she said were, it felt like a huge weight was finally lifted. A strange sense of calm came over her as the thought was no longer hers. It was now out in the open.
"What did you say?" Raku said, after a few more moments.
He had heard her loud and clear but, for some reason, the words had not clicked.
"I think we should break up," she said, her voice no longer wavering.
Her eyes was now met with his, determined as ever. The urge to cry was no longer there. She knew that he would argue it and she knew the consequences of what she had said.
However, none of that mattered to her anymore.
It all started about two months ago, prior to their summer vacation. Chitoge was washing her hands in the bathroom when someone had approached her. Chitoge recognized her as a classmate but her name escaped her. Was it Isuzu Miki?
"Hi," she said cheerfully. "Isuzu-san, right?"
"Yea," Isuzu said. "I find it kinda funny actually that you and your so-called boyfriend act so sweet to each other when he actually is in love with someone else."
Chitoge narrowed her eyes at Isuzu, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, he can act all sweet to you all he wants but it's somewhat obvious who he really likes."
Chitoge turned the water off and turned to face Isuzu. "I don't know who you are but I don't appreciate you talking to me or my relationship about this. I don't think that I need to justify anything to you."
Isuzu smiled and shrugged, "Suit yourself. I just think that it's somewhat pathetic that you, like, keep pretending that he has feelings for you."
Chitoge didn't say a word to her. She now remembered that Isuzu liked started drama for no reason, which was why she didn't go out of her way to make friends with her like she did her other classmates.
Isuzu shrugged one more time, "I just think that you two deserve happiness and maybe he should have his shot at his. Later."
Isuzu left the bathroom and Chitoge followed her out. When she entered the classroom, she felt her thoughts catching up to her. Why had she not considered how Raku felt about her instead of obsessing her crush to him? If he didn't like her then who did he like?
She received a clue when she entered the classroom. She saw how close Raku was to Kosaki, looking embarrassed for being so close to him. She watched Kosaki smiling at him and for some reason, the smile looked very familiar to her.
She knew that Kosaki liked someone – was it Raku? By the way she was acting, it would have been him. Chitoge knew better than to ask her, since they had a pact to not reveal it.
Since he was acting really flustered towards Kosaki, was it because he liked her back?
She essentially got her answer the following Saturday during their fake date.
"Hey Darling," she said as she idly played with the spoon of her ice cream.
They decided on a small sweet shop where they can order as many things as they want. It was a change from their parade around town to appease their respective gangs.
"What's up sweetheart?"
"Don't you think Kosaki is cute?"
The question made Raku dropped his fork from the chocolate cake he was eating. He felt his face have a rush of heat and he averted his gaze. What was he supposed to answer this?
Yes, she is so cute. She is so unbelievably cute and it makes me heart pound and kiss her forever and ever and ever. She easily brightens my entire day and I could just hold her and dote on her and squeeze her forever.
"I guess," he answered, still not looking at her.
"Be real."
His facial expression clearly showed he was frustrated. Chitoge knew that she hit a nerve with him but felt no ounce of guilt. It wasn't that complicated of a question and she had been with him, fake relationship or not, to know that he was keeping something.
Why was he getting so flustered over a simple question – if he didn't like her then he would have responded apathetically. She wasn't expecting the type of reaction he was giving her.
"What kind of a question is that?"
"I thought it was pretty straightforward."
"What do you want me to answer? That you're more beautiful than her because I love you so much with all my heart?"
As he said that, he immediately looked around to see if any of the Beehive members were around, ready to pounce at him for answering wrongly. What was going on with her, he thought. First she seemed kind of distance and now she was asking him this.
"I was hoping the truth, Beansprout," she said flatly. "But, this will work."
The tone made Raku look at her. Suddenly, he became aware of the slight sadness in her eyes. She looked vulnerable to the point that he wanted to slide next to her and let her rest her head on his shoulders.
His heart started pounding hard.
"Is there something on your mine, sweetie?"
"No," she fibbed.
"You know that you can talk to me, right?"
"I know."
"I can't help you unless you talk to me," he said, his tone concerned for her.
As strange as their arrangement was, he somehow still deeply care for her. She may be crass, rude, easy to anger and a little bit of a warfreak, but somehow, she was still his to protect.
"I know," she finally said. "Just some things on my mind."
"Whenever you're ready," he smiled at her.
Later that night, Chitoge found herself knocking on her dad's office. This time was different of what she wanted to do. The last time they had a big argument, she really didn't care if they continued with their fake relationship. This time, though, she wanted to make sure that both sides were okay with the "breakup."
"Yes, darling?" Her father called out from the room.
"Can I talk to you about something?" she said as she entered the room.
Chitoge explained to her dad that she doesn't think she can continue with the relationship. She pointed out that both sides have quieted down from the all-out war and how there was less surveillance from both sides. She said it didn't seem like the end of the world and they can spin that the breakup was actually a good thing.
"Chitoge, are you sure you want to do this?" her dad asked thoughtfully.
She looked down to her palms, "yes. I really do."
"Okay, sweetheart," he responded. "We can make it work whenever that happens. As long as you both know that this is what you want to do."
"Thanks, dad."
She was about to go back to her room when her dad motioned her to come closer.
When she did, he pulled her to a big hug.
"I'm proud of you," he finally said. "Sometime when you love someone, you can't keep them in your grasp. It's better to let go of them."
For the remainder of the weeks leading to their summer beach trip, Chitoge spent her time observing Kosaki and Raku together. She never fully cared before but this time, she wanted to be sure. She would ask carefully worded questions to them and Ruri, gauging their responses.
They were both really skilled at hiding their feelings but little by little, she can tell that they both really like each other.
She almost didn't go through with it until the first evening they spent at the beach. She spotted Raku and Kosaki, sitting on the beach and looking up to the stars. They both looked so at peace with each other that she couldn't help but feel somewhat bitter. She clenched her fists together and feel her chest tightened.
Why did it hurt? She knew why. So why was she so unprepared for this?
"Chitoge?" Raku called out to her as she spun around to get away from the situation.
"Sorry, Onodera," he said as he turned back to Kosaki.
"It's okay," she said sadly, watching Chitoge basically huffed away.
Chitoge didn't stop as she continued walking down the beach. She couldn't walk any faster because of the sand so she stopped when she felt that she was at a considerable distance from those two. She was wrong when she heard Raku.
"Are you finally going to tell me what is going on?" He demanded.
She turned around to face him, her fists still clenched.
"I think we should break up."