Disclaimer: I do not own Nisakoi or any of it's characters
Graduation. It was a time when students are at their happiest or can be nervous, having to leave the family and start their lives. Today was Raku's little group for this day. After a long ceremony, the group had gathered together, congratulating one another. Marika was reaching out for Raku. "Chitoge, you're so mean! Can't you see Raku wants me by his side!" She tried getting away from Chitoge's arm, but Chitoge held strong.
Tsugumi was hugging Koaski and Ruri, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'm going to miss you guys!" Kosaki was trying her best not cry as well. Ruri patted Tsugumi on the back, giving her condolences.
Chitoge stood beside Raku and looked down, shifting. "I'm..going to miss you as well. Even though you were a terrible fake boyfriend." She said giving a little half smile, pushing on his shoulder a little bit.
"What are you talking about I was a great fake boyfriend." He smiled back at her.
"You never once noticed anything different about me." She pretended to pout, but ended up smiling. "But still..I'm going to miss this." She said looking over at everyone.
Raku's smile faded a little as he looked over them as well. "Yeah, these were a great three years." He looked over at Chitoge and then looked away quickly. "I'm sure you'll have lots of fun back in America. And I'll keep in touch with you."
She nodded and smiled over at him. "I'll do the same. With everyone." She said as she started walking away going over to Tsugumi. Kosaki looked over at Raku with a smile and walked over to him. "I guess this will be the last time we'll be together." She said softly. Raku gave a soft nod, his face redding. "W..we'll still keep in touch right..getting together for holidays and such.."
Kosaki gave a soft smile and nodded. "That would be great." She said softly as she looked down at her hands.
Chitoge looked over at Raku who only smiled looking at all of them. "You guys." He said softly. He looked over all of them. "I think..we're all going to miss this." He sighed. Chitoge let go of the now calmed down Marika. "And to think..we're all going to go to different colleges." He looked over at Tsugumi and Chitoge. "And you two are going back to America..and Marika." He shifted a little looked over at the red haired girl. "Well..what is it you're going to do after this?" He rubbed the back of his head, looking at her in confusion.
"Well..I'm going to be your wife of course! And I'll take good care of you..and.."
"no no no no.." Raku waved his hand quickly. He sighed looking over the group, ignoring the wild woman. He sighed. If only Onodera had joined my college. We could have classes, lunch..we could just spend all our days together. He thought to himself dreamily. "I really hope I can keep in touch with all of you."
They all smiled and agreed at the same time. As they stood among each other talking about their plans in the future, Haru stood at the edge of the ring, looking into the group. She swallowed hard, her hands fiddling with the small gift she held in her hands. "I...I..I don't think I'll do this after all." She gave a nervous chuckle. Her friend Fuu stood behind her. "It's okay, I know you can do it Haru." She gave her a hushed encouragement. "Look." She pointed out as they started to separate from each other. Chikoge and Tsugumi were heading back home and Marika left with her bodyguard. Onodera started leaving with Ruri. Haru felt her heart beat faster as she hid from her sister. The last thing she needed was her sister seeing her here and wondering what she was doing. Kosaki walked beside Ruri with her head down. Ruri crossed her arms. "You're just going to leave like this..not say a word to him about anything..about how you feel about him?"
"Please Ruri." Kosaki didn't look up. "Not now. We're all leaving for different places. That wouldn't be fair to him..or any of us." Ruri didn't look interested in hearing the excuses.
"You only have yourself to blame Kosaki. If you would just tell him what you felt, I'm sure the two of you could work something out. I won't be around to help you anymore..this is your final chance." Haru stayed still, waiting to hear the answer, her heart beating faster. The harsh words of Ruri only made Kosaki turn her head away.
"Maybe..it just wasn't meant to be." She said softly walking ahead.
Haru closed her eyes, hearing the pain her sister's voice as she walked by them. "Fuu..I can't do this." She started to move away, but Fuu smiled and grabbed her arm. "You heard your sister, she's not going to go after him. Now's your chance to be happy..now go!" She gave her a push, sending her stumbling out. Haru gasped as bumped into someone. "Ah! I..I'm sorr...I..Ichijo.." She looked up at her prince.
He blinked looking down at her. "Haru..what are you doing here?" He put his hand on her shoulder and moved back from her.
"U..uh.." She looked away. "I brought you..a graduation present." She held out her hand. "It isn't much..but..I figured you would like it."
He smiled as he took it from her. "Thank you. I'm sure I'll enjoy it." He looked her still reddening face. "Are you okay?" He asked her as he reached out to feel her forehead.
"A...ah! Y..yes I'm feeling fine." She forced a smile. She felt her heart skip a beat as he touched her forehead but she held her composure. She stepped back from his hand and turned away. "Enjoy your present!" She waved as she hurried off. As she turned the corner, Fuu pulled Haru in close to her. "Fuu!" She said quickly before her mouth was covered
Fuu stood there and let her go. "What happened?"
Haru turned around quickly to face her. "I..I just.." She sighed heavily. "Come on..let's just go home. I don't even want to think about it." She said as she started walking towards her home. Fuu followed right behind her.
They walked in silence, avoiding the topic at hand. When they finally reached Haru's home she let a heavy sigh. "Mom? Kosaki?" She called out after she took off her shoes and Fuu started taking hers off. She looked around and saw no one else in there. "I guess it's just us." She said setting her bag down.
Fuu smiled a little good. "That's good..then we can talk about what happened."
Haru froze as she heard Fuu speak about what she had been trying not to talk about. "Wh..what about it?" She shifted a little. "I gave him the gift I got him."
"Yes." Fuu sat down her bag as she walked over to the couch and sat down. "But you forgot the most important thing. You didn't confess to him."
Haru looked down. "I just couldn't right then..it was too nerve wracking." She closed her eyes and sighed. Fuu was getting ready to speak up when Haru turned around to her. "But!...but..it's not like I'm not going to ever confess. I just..I'm not sure when I should confess.." She put her hand over her face. "That was such the perfect time!" She groaned.
Fuu chuckled a little watching her. "Why don't you go by his house and confess to him?" She said opening her bag.
Haru blinked. "Why would I go to his house? I mean..wouldn't that seem strange of me just going over for no reason..and if he..says no..I mean.." She fidgeted a little bit. "Then.."
"Then you'll just have to have a good reason to go over there." Fuu spoke up in her cheerful voice. She lifted a book out of her bag. "How forgetful of me..I borrowed this from Ichijou and forgot to give it back to him."
Haru looked at her in disbelief. "I can't believe you Fuu." A small smile crossed her face. "Thank you though..for helping me with all of this." She reached out and took the book from Fuu.
Haru walked over to Raku's home. She had been there with her sister and her friends a few times, so she knew the way over there. She looked at the house, worrying about approaching it. Most would be nervous because it's a house of yakuza members, but she had put that to rest long ago, she was just worried about what would happen when she confessed.
She stood in front of the door, holding the book close to her chest. She reached out and rang the doorbell. Her heart was pounding as she waited, the longer it went without an answer. I..I..I think I better do this another day! She thought to herself as she started to turn away. As she started to walk the other way the door opened.
"What do you want?" One of the Yakuza answered the door, his arms folded over his chest.
Haru froze hearing the gangster talk. She turned around slowly. "I..I just..came here to see Ra..Raku." She held up the book. "M..my friend borrowed this book..and asked me..to return it to him." She gave him an uneasy smile
"Ohhh. You're a friend of Raku's!?" The gangster's attitude had changed completely hearing that it was a friend of his second master. "Well he's not in right now, but you're more than welcome to leave the book with me and I'll give it to him." He held out his hand for the book.
Haru shook her head and kept the book close to herself. "Thank you..but I want to make sure to give it to him personally." She started to step back. "I guess I'll just come back another day."
The yakuza scratched the back of his head. "You could wait here if you want. He shouldn't be much longer."
Haru stopped and looked at him, thinking about if she should. After a moment, she nodded with a small smile. "I'll wait then." she said stepping into the threshold of the home. She followed behind the gangster as he lead her through the house. As they got further in, he let her go on her own. She was suddenly nervous by herself. D...do I wait in his room for him..or..or do I just wait in the living room.. She shifted around as she thought about it. H..he'll probably go into his room first..and that would be the easiest way to find him. A..alright! She pumped her fist to herself I'll wait for him in his room and confess then. She started walking to his room, the place where they had studied and played games together from time to time.
She stood in front of the door, taking a breath. As she reached out and opened the door to his room a figure came flying out at her. "Raku!" As the words hit her ears, she fell to the ground as the older girl knocked her to the ground.
"Wh..what the.." She rubbed the back of her head as she started sitting up to see Marika sitting on top of her. "Wh..what are you doing here!?" She asked crawling out from underneath her and putting her back against the wall.
Marika gave a disappointing look as she stayed sitting on the floor for a moment. "I can ask you the same question." She said as she pushed her hair back.
"I..I just came to give Raku his book back..Fuu..borrowed it.." She said lifting the book up.
Marika gave a smile. "Well then I'll just take that and give it him, when he gets back. I'll tell him that Kosaki's little sister dropped it off." She gave a fake smile as she reached out for the book.
Haru pull the book close to her chest. She didn't like how she felt like she was being talked down to. "I'll just stay here until he gets back." She said as she turned away from her. She started walking away, trying to find some place else to wait for him.
A/N Sorry it took me so long guys to update. I had been debating on what route to take with this. I hope I had chose right for you and that you'll enjoy it :)