A/N: Uhhhhh yea... this chapter might be sorta diff in a way but felt completely necessary. Some might really hate it lol (i do for certain reasons) but i had to have a chap like this sooner or later. so enjoy and...yea...


The world can be viewed in so many different ways; with a constant change, regardless if positive or negative.

One day, the world is sparkling and everything is just so…amazing. And then there are days where you really just want to watch the world burn; especially since everything just feels and looks so worthless.

Whether you prefer the previous or the latter, it all just comes down to your mood; the consistent changing variables that life hits you with, and if you can still manage having the constants be kept in order and supported.

For Raku, he may not want to watch the world burn, but if something was burning, it'd be his world…

Once everyone heard about Chitoge going to the states and that she's not coming back… everyone just bombarded Raku with constant questions and serious accusations on his character and priorities, etc. Raku didn't even feel offended. Whatever they said, whatever they were saying, whatever they were thinking… it was all true…

…..

They all of course, tried to contact Chitoge immediately. They desperately tried to get into any form of contact. But, nothing worked… Chitoge was completely ignoring them and avoiding them. So, after a unanimous decision (and a month and a half later), they all decided to go to America to get her back.

That…. Well that didn't turn out well at all. They found her, they trapped her, and they talked to her. They each got their own turn to speak and say what they wanted to say. Chitoge listened and cried quite a few times. They really thought it was going to work; they just needed that finishing touch. And the only one, who could accomplish this, was of course her… ex-boyfriend.

But when it was his turn to speak, he had nothing to say. He truly did know her the best out of all of them. The silent conversation they had with just eye-contact, told him all he needed to know.

They really were speaking to the one another. And if you were to ask Raku what he was saying (if you could even tell they actually were having a conversation) he would tell you, 'I can't remember anything other than begging her, and telling her please come back to me… I even lost count on how many times I said it…'

To no avail though, did Chitoge agree. She kept responding with, 'No and she can't. She can't and she doesn't want to. Even if you do love me, it won't last. You're just confused and want your friend back, Raku. I'm not coming back, I'm sorry…'

The silent conversation and 'staring contest' took place for about 6 minutes. Everyone was seriously so… the atmosphere was just so tense. They didn't know why (they couldn't realize the conversation Raku and Chitoge were having) it was this tense and it just left them all speechless. No one wanted to say anything because they know only Raku can finish the job. Not to mention they didn't wanna say something that could end up fucking up the entire plan…

Finally, once Raku and Chitoge finished, Raku just cried a little and walked away. He left the room and started running. He didn't know where he was going but he couldn't handle the rejection from Chitoge. He felt so stupid, pathetic, angry and useless, again. He knows he fucked up by not noticing the real feelings he has. But he knows now, so why can't she believe him?! He loves Chito-…

… At that moment, Raku stopped running and crouched down to cover his face. He could feel a bit more tears fall out but it was really because of what it was he had realized. When he said he loved Chitoge, he felt in his heart, that he did. But, when he did, he also saw Onodera's face, along with Chitoge's…

He may love Chitoge, but the feelings for Onodera were indeed there too; he was still in love with her, with both of them. That's why Chitoge rejected him. She wasn't the only one in his heart and she knew. She could see it. But how could she see it and not Raku himself…

The answer was simple; once he thought about it more carefully, a memory surfaced.

'… I love you Raku,, I always have.'

'… I've always known Raku, there's no way I'm wrong. I've spent 912 days thinking and looking at nothing but you…'

Even the air-headed Raku could tell how cruel the situation was for Chitoge; how cruel Raku has been towards Chitoge. She's known all along that she's never been an option, let alone number one in his heart. He never even took her into consideration…

And when he finally does realize, when he finally notices her, and when she's finally taken into consideration, she still wasn't number one.

Because, in terms of love for a significant other, there can only be one. If there are two, and he/she says you're number one in their heart… that's just a lie. To be number one, in someone's heart, as a lover—can only be possible, when you're the only one in their heart…

Eventually, they all had to go back to Japan and by all, obviously excluding Chitoge. Not even her father who begged, nor her mother who ordered her, had worked… nothing got Chitoge to budge. They were lost and they all still didn't know the real reason why she left in the first place.

Chitoge, after contemplating for a while, knew she must tell some—certain people, the real reason. Cause if she didn't, she knows they would never stop…

Once those certain people heard the entire story, while seeing Chitoge's extremely painful expression—all of them were left in the same state Raku had been—once he heard. They were speechless and ridden with guilt every time they kept re-thinking on how to get Chitoge back to Japan. They really couldn't ask her to come back. How could anyone? It's not fair and it'll never allow Chitoge to be happy.

The guilt of asking was too much, so it left them speechless till the end. The atmosphere around the ones whom were told, felt so depressing and unapproachable. So eventually, everyone ended up the feeling the same way and just stopped speaking entirely. They just packed and left to go back home.

….

Raku took it the hardest when leaving and once back in Japan. Two months later, when they started college, Raku still hadn't recovered. Everyone else had and were back to trying to enjoy life.

It really did feel empty and occasionally lonely at certain times; nonetheless, they didn't let it stop them from enjoying their lives. It hurt, but they must move on. Time will heal them all and they believe sooner or later, they'll all be reunited. That's what real friendship is for; that's what real friendship means; they'll always care, they'll always be there for her and comfort her… And they will always, always, wait for her, no matter what…

For Raku… Raku was still a lost cause. He kept hating himself more and more. It's too hard for some reason. But he can still feel those feelings for Onodera. I mean, he's been in love with her since middle school, so honestly it's not a shock that the feelings will take quite a while to disappear.

He's also been just going only straight to class and then straight home. He won't enjoy life because he feels he doesn't deserve happiness for what he's done to Chitoge. Why she should have been the only one to be hurt and feel like such shit for years…?

Out of nowhere, Onodera suddenly was outside his room staring at him. He hadn't even notice she opened the door. He was going to speak and ask why she was here and to leave him alone. But before he could, he was slapped, hard.

"I can't stand this Ichijou! You're making yourself miserable and damaging yourself, physically and mentally. You're making everyone around you so worried and scared! Life goes on! Chitoge is moving on; even if you don't want to, even if you can't… I'm here for you! I will be here for you and support you! I'm tired of crying and not doing anything for you. I love you! I have ever since middle school and I've done nothing but cause you grief and misery… I-I'm s-so sorry… I p-promised I wouldn't c-cry b-b-but I can't… I don't want to see you kill yourself. Even if it's not fair that I can't fight for you, fairly, against Chitoge; I just can't sit here and continue to do nothing for the man I love. So please come back to us, to me! … If you can't do it alone, we'll help you. We're all here for you still. You still have us and I'll be by you, for however long you need me…"

The sudden outburst from the shy, unspoken Onodera, made it clear to Raku on how bad the situation was; for not him, but for them all. He had been adding on to everyone else's unhappiness and worries. He made them sad by just being near them—because they care, they really do…

Raku said he wouldn't try to cry anymore either. After this, he will really try to live up to promise so he will have more time to smile. Life will move on, regardless of what Raku chooses to do…

As they both stop crying, because it's a 'in the moment' type of situation… Raku grasps hold of Onodera's face and gently rubs his thumb over her cheek repeatedly. As she blushes, she decides to just let her instincts take over and draws nearer towards Raku face.

When they finally kiss, they can feel the slight spark and continue till both were out of breath. After kissing again and again, they finally just lean on each other, forehead to forehead; they smile and don't even have to exchange words. They're a couple, and will get through it all, together.

… Now with the sudden grumble of Onodera's stomach (which causes her to be extremely embarrassed), Raku tilts his head towards the direction of the door; indicating for them to get something to eat.

As they walk off, while thinking of what to eat, they make sure… that their hands are completely, securely, and firmly, entwined