It had been a good few months ever since [name] had started to help Hanamaki with pretending to be his girlfriend for the sake of his parents' visit. And within this few months; they both had created memories that [name] truly cherished. Their teams had played till the semi-finals of Spring High-Miyagi Prefecture Representative Playoffs, and the boys had lost to Karasuno High; whereas the girls had lost to Shiratorizawa Academy.
And today was the final day where [name] had to pretend to be Hanamaki's girlfriend; and after today, it will all be over then. They will go back to being just friends; senior and junior.
"Takahiro! You should bring your girlfriend out to celebrate the last day of the year!" Hanamaki's mother chided Takahiro who was sprawled on the sofa, wearing his jacket as he flipped the channels of the TV. He then sighed; because apparently despite the amount of happy memories he had created with [name], it just seems that [name] isn't falling in love with him one bit. And that gave him critical damage then.
"[name]! Takahiro said he will like to bring you out on a date today!" he heard his mother's voice, and immediately he sat up straight and realised his handphone was in his mother's hand.
"Alright, he will pick you up at 8pm, don't worry! Remember to stay warm!" and his mother hung up the call.
"MUM!"
"You better take lots of photos!"
"DAD, SAVE ME!"
"AT IT BOY!"
"COME ON AM I NOT YOUR SON!?"
"Nii-chan…" [name] mumbled as she laid in Toru's bed; watching him play stack the cards with Hajime. Toru then looked up at [name], and smiled widely as he gestured for her to continue while he turned his head back to the pile of cards before him.
"It hurts."
"What hurts?" Hajime asked as he flicked Toru on the forehead.
"To know that all this is fake." [name] spoke, and her heart started to ache.
That's when both Toru and Hajime stopped playing as they realised what was going on. For the past few months that [name] had pretended to be Hanamaki's girlfriend; she had fallen in love. And this time, she couldn't stop herself. She couldn't stop love. She had fell in love with the way he kissed her forehead. With the way he held her hands and gave her that reassuring smile. She had fell in love with the way he would laugh whenever she became flustered; the way he will wrap his arms around her in a protective manner.
"Don't cry, [name]." and [name] felt a pair of hands cupped her cheek and wiped away the tears that had fallen without her consent. She then stared into a pair of brown eyes just like hers, and she couldn't help but cry a little more.
"Come on, you have a date don't you? Why not you tell him then?" Toru spoke as he placed his forehead against [name]'s forehead.
"W-What if…"
"You won't know if you don't try." Hajime spoke.
"It's going to end…" Hanamaki spoke as he sat in the shared house of his, Matsukawa and Hajime.
"What's going to end?" Matsukawa asked as he came out from the kitchen with two cups of hot chocolate. He then set one cup in front of Hanamaki; who happily accepted the warm drink and took a sip of it; warming the inside of him.
"[name] and I will be back to friends after today." Hanamaki spoke.
"Idiot, why not just tell her already?"
"But she doesn't seem like she's in love with me."
"BAKA! YOU SAID THIS WAS A FAKE RELATIONSHIP. OF COURSE SHE WOULDN'T BELIEVE YOUR ACTIONS WERE YOUR TRUE FEELINGS. YOU IDIOT." Matsukawa snapped, and Hanamaki flinched at how angry Matsukawa was.
"Today, you're going to confess to her. OR YOU CAN STAY OUTSIDE OF THIS HOUSE AND FREEZE YOUR GOD DAMN PUNY ASS AND BALL-LESS SELF OUT THERE IN THE COLD."
"H-Hey…" Hanamaki called out as he went to pick [name] up from her house. He then realised that Toru and Hajime were glaring at him; and he paled slightly. He was suddenly ushered forward, and realised that Matsukawa had pushed him.
"I'm freezing out here you dimwit. Let me in!"
"A-Ah, I'm sorry." Hanamaki apologised.
"[name], have fun today alright?" Toru called out as he hugged [name] tightly. [name] then nodded in his chest, and Hajime hugged her as well once Toru had let her go. She then let go of Hajime and headed to walk past Hanamaki;
"Don't I get a hug too?" and [name] giggled as she walked back towards the house and hugged Matsukawa tightly.
"That's better, now go have fun!" Matsukawa then ushered the duo out of the house.
"Let's go get some toshikoshi soba." Hanamaki spoke as he held [name]'s hand. [name] just kept quiet the entire time as she had a lot of things going through her mind. Hanamaki was a nervous wreck although he didn't show.
"Okay." Was all that [name] had said as she gripped tighter onto Hanamaki's hand.
"Urgh, why are they being so awkward now?!" Toru whined out and was immediately pulled back into his hiding spot by Hajime.
"Shut it, trashykawa!"
"They might hear us!"
"This is good." [name] mumbled out as she took bite of her soba.
"I'm glad it's to your liking. Want to do some shopping before we head over to the shrine?" Hanamaki asked as he pushed [name]'s fringe out of her face so that she wouldn't end up eating her hair together with her soba. [name] blushed at the sudden contact and she quickly averted her gaze and looked down into her bowl.
"S-Sure…"
"I wish all these wasn't fake…" [name] thought to herself as she continued to stare at her bowl.
"I want to tell her so badly how I feel…" Hanamaki thought to himself as he stared at [name]. His face immediately turned beet red when [name] lifted her head all of a sudden and caught him staring at her the entire time.
"Makki! Look at that!" [name] cried out as she pointed at a store that sold stuff toys. Hanamaki then laughed as he allowed himself to be dragged into the store by a happy-go-lucky [name].
"It's so cute!" [name] cried out as she hugged a bunny that wore a blue colour winter jacket.
"You're even more cute." Hanamaki spoke, and [name]'s face turned 10 times red.
"Stop lying…" [name] mumbled to herself; which Hanamaki definitely heard. He then cupped her cheeks into his hands and looked at her straight in the eye.
"I'm not lying."
"Keep those fake compliments coming, I might really fall for you." [name] spoke with a fake smile.
"Tsk." Hanamaki responded and smiled a fake smile as well.
Not knowing that they were deceiving each other; hiding what they truly feel from one another.
"Would you like to buy that, miss? It is a couple set." The store clerk spoke, and pointed at the bunny that [name] was holding.
"Why are you taking the pink one?" [name] asked as she tightened her hold on Hanamaki's hand.
"Because the pink one is the female one; and it reminds me of you." Hanamaki spoke out so easily, that [name] nearly believed him. If only she did believe him then.
"Come on, let's head to the shrine before it gets too crowded." Hanamaki spoke as he grabbed hold of [name]'s hand tightly and pulled her towards the direction of where the shrine was.
"You're worrying too much, Oikawa."
"But! My poor baby sister's heart is at stake! What if Makki decided that it was all a joke and decide to reject [name]?!"
"Shut it crappykawa, you're worrying too much!"
"AREN'T YOU WORRIED, IWA-CHAN?! IT'S [NAME]!"
"Why are my friends so gay for each other."
"Sorry lad, we're only left with a cup of amazake. Will that do? It will take about 30 minutes to bring out the next batch." The stall owner spoke as he handed the last cup of amazake to Hanamaki.
"it's alright, thank you for the hard work." Hanamaki then grabbed hold of the cup of amazake and made his way towards where [name] was waiting in the cold.
"Babe!" he called out, and [name] flinched slightly at the nickname he had called her by. He then smiled and handed her the cup of warm amazake which she gladly took and took a sip of it.
"This feels so much better…" [name] mumbled out as she felt her system get warm. She then handed the cup back to Hanamaki and urged him to drink it as well.
"[name], can I tell you something?"
"Makki, I need to tell you something."
They both spoke at the same time; and they both stared at each other with wide opened eyes.
"Y-You go ahead!" Hanamaki insisted and he looked at the time; five minutes till midnight.
"O-Okay…" [name] mumbled and suddenly it was extremely quiet.
"M-Makki… I really enjoyed all the time I've spent with you ever since I started to help you out by being your supposedly girlfriend. B-But… At some point of time I wished this wasn't fake. I wished all these were real. But I told myself that I shouldn't fall in love with you. I told myself I shouldn't get my hopes up all high. Because you'll never love me. You'll never love a girl who isn't pure anymore. And I know truly, that all the actions you did for me were all just an act. An act to trick everybody. To trick even me. You fixed me when I was broken; you mend my fear and everything. I thought I was numb to this feeling called love. I was oblivious as hell to my own feelings for you. I was too afraid to fall in love."
"3!" the countdown to the New Year started, and Hanamaki stared at [name] with wide opened eyes.
"I wish that maybe you might have that little bit of feeling, but I guess you wouldn't have."
"2!" and [name] shut her eyes as she mumbled out the last few words;
"I'm happy to have been your fake girlfriend, Makki… I wish it wa-." And all of a sudden, Hanamaki grabbed hold of [name]'s face into his hands and smashed his lips against hers.
"1!" [name]'s eyes widened in surprise as she tried to process what was going on. Soon she melted into Hanamaki's kiss, and closed her eyes as she kissed him back.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" and the duo soon broke their kiss. Hanamaki continued to cup [name]'s face in his hands as he smiled at her.
"I've been wanting to do that for a very long time already, [name]. I've always loved you. I fell for you the moment I saw you practice with us during the very first day of school. I fell even more when you smiled and laughed at my jokes. I just love you too much. I don't care whether you're no longer pure or not. That little thing doesn't define you. And I love you, for you." Hanamaki whispered as he hugged [name] tightly; tears rolling down both their faces.
"ABOUT TIME, YOU SHITHEAD!" the duo then looked at who had yelled; and [name] immediately laughed as she realised who had yelled; Iwaizumi Hajime.
"So, what did you get?" Hanamaki asked as he looked at the fortune slip that [name] was holding. He had gotten 'Great Curse' for his; but he was kind of happy with the result.
"You'll be stuck with the one you love for eternity."
"Hm… Great luck." [name] spoke out as she showed Hanamaki.
"The person beside you is your other half." Hanamaki read out the last part.
"Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww." Toru called out.
"NII-CHAN!"
"Come on, time to head home and rest. We'll head out to watch the sunrise later." Hajime spoke and grabbed hold of Toru by his hand.
"Eh?"
"Oya?"
"Nii-chan and Hajime?"
"CALL IT!" the trio yelled out as Toru and Hajime's face turned beet red.
2 Years Later
"[name]!" Kindaichi called out as he waved at [name] who had descended down the steps after receiving her graduation certificate. She then smiled a wide smile as she rushed towards where Kindaichi and Kunimi were standing at.
"Is Oikawa-san coming?" Kindaichi asked as he walked towards the area where the graduating 3rd Years were assembling for the graduation speech which their principal was going to hold.
"I'm not sure though. I haven't been in much contact with nii-chan ever since he moved out." [name] explained as she continued to walk.
"Even Hanamaki-senpai?" Kunimi asked.
"Taka-chan… Not much contact as well. They're all busy with college." [name] mumbled with sadness shown in her eyes.
"It's suprising that you're still together with him." Kunimi spoke, and [name] shot him a look.
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Heh, kidding!"
"We may have a broken communication; but we will definitely fix it." A voice spoke out, and the trio turned to look behind them. [name]'s face immediately went from a glare to the widest smile she could ever show.
"TAKA-CHAN!" [name] immediately threw her arms around Hanamaki; and he gladly returned the hug as well; kissing her forehead too.
"KYAH, IT'S OIKAWA-SAN!"
"OIKAWA-SENPAI!"
"Nii-chan is here?" [name] asked.
"Of course. He claims that he can never ever miss his beloved baby sister's graduation. So apparently he skipped lectures today." Hanamaki explained, and [name] giggled.
"Nii-chan is still the same." And all of a sudden Hanamaki cupped [name]'s cheeks in his hands and placed his forehead against hers'.
"You did well for holding out for the past two years, babe." And he kissed [name] on the lips.
"Shithead, stop pda-ing in front of single people will ya?!" and when the duo broke apart, [name] immediately giggled as she realised who had spoken; Matsukawa.
"Matsu-chan!" [name] called out and ran over to give him a hug. When she withdrew from the hug, her eyes immediately widened and her smile went wide once more as she ran towards the duo who were walking towards her. A Toru who was rubbing the back of his head with his free hand; and a pissed off Hajime who was holding Toru's hand.
"NII-CHAN! HAJIME!"
2 Years Later
"Sorry, may I know where is the assembly area for the graduates?" [name] asked a few boys that were wearing the graduation gowns.
"O-O-Oh, d-d-down this way and t-turn right!" one of the boy stuttered and [name] smiled as she thanked him and proceeded to walk down the given directions.
"That was totally uncool bro!" his friend cried out.
"B-But, she's pretty!"
"Isn't she Hanamaki's girlfriend?"
"Is she?"
"Hanamaki has a girlfriend? I thought he has a wife! He keeps bragging about how great his wife is and all."
The boys continued to chatter, but they didn't realise that [name] had walked back to the same group and was listening to all that they were talking about. Apparently when she walked the given direction; it was the wrong direction as she was supposed to head the opposite way instead.
"Wife?" [name] thought to herself.
"So, is your wife coming?" one of Hanamaki's classmate asked.
"I hope she is. I hope she isn't too busy." Hanamaki spoke with fake sadness in his eyes. All of a sudden he was dragged by the collar.
"Shithead, what's this about you having a wife?!" Matsukawa spat out.
"Yeah, if [name] finds out you're lying; you'll get it!" Toru whispered out.
"And no, we won't save you from her." Hajime added on.
"Hanamaki! Is that her?" a classmate yelled out and pointed to a girl who had long brown hair and a pair of brown eyes.
"She looks like Oikawa-san!"
"MY WIFE!" Hanamaki yelled out and ran towards [name]; who then smiled sweetly at him…
.
.
.
*WHAM*
"Ow… What was that for?" Hanamaki cried out.
"My dear boyfriend, may I know what's going on with all these wife talks?" [name] whispered with an angelic smile on her face; and Hanamaki knew that smile like the back of his hands.
"Hehehe, I can explain!"
"You better have prepared a ring if you really want to call me your wife." [name] muttered out.
"YOU'RE SO CUTE WHEN YOU'RE MAD!" Hanamaki cried out as he hugged [name] tightly.
"H-HEY!"
3 Years Later
"May we know where's the assembly area for the graduates?" Hajime asked a group of students who seems to be there for the graduation.
"Oh, it's just right around the corner. Erm, is he alright?" one of the student asked as he gestured a finger towards Hanamaki who was fidgeting.
"Don't mind him. It's an important day for him." Hajime explained, and soon thanked the student as he brought Toru, Matsukawa and Hanamaki towards the assembly area.
"Mou, [name]! I can't wait to see your boyfriend!" one of [name]'s classmate exclaimed.
"Can you tell us how did you two manage to stay together for so long despite all these difficult situations?" another classmate asked [name] as she latched herself onto her arm.
"Well…" [name] started off, not realising a certain group of volleyball boys were making their way towards where she was standing.
"When something's broken, you don't just throw it away. You'll find a way to fix it when you know it's extremely important to you. I guess that's why we're still together? I was broken, extremely broken when I was in High School. But then I realised I was fixed by him." [name] spoke as Hanamaki came closer; and the girls in front of [name] started to smirk slightly.
"Eventually someone else will replace what's broken. Just because you're hurt or broken; doesn't mean you'll never heal. There might still be scars upon you; but it just shows how much you've been through. And I guess, that's what he likes about me? I don't know." [name] finished what she had, and all of a sudden she felt arms wrapped around her waist.
"The broken ones; are the most beautiful, babe." Hanamaki whispered into [name]'s ear and planted a kiss on her cheek; causing [name]'s face to turn extremely red; and the girls in front of her to burst out into a fangirl mode.
"Hey babe." Hanamaki spoke and turned [name] around. All of a sudden he got down onto one knee, and [name]'s breath hitched; while her classmates started to squeal, causing everybody to look at them.
"I've been thinking hard about how I should do this, [name]. I've always loved you. I fell for you the moment I saw you practice with us during the very first day of school. I fell even more when you smiled and laughed at my jokes. I just love you too much. I don't care whether you're no longer pure or not. That little thing doesn't define you. And I love you, for you." Hanamaki then got out a box and opened it; revealing an engagement ring.
"Right now, you've graduated; and I've waited quite a long time to finally ask you this. Will you do the honours of making me the happiest man alive, and marry me?" Hanamaki finally asked; and almost immediately did [name] hugged him tightly as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I assumed that's a yes?" and [name] nodded. Hanamaki's smile turned wide as he picked her up and twirled her around.
"YES!" and then he put her down and placed the ring onto her finger…
.
.
.
"MY BABY [NAME]!"
"SHUT IT TRASHYKAWA!"
"WOOO, WHEN ARE YOU GONNA MAKE HER PREGGO BEB."
"ISSEI!"
And [name] giggled as everybody applauded at the scene before them. She then hugged Hanamaki tightly, and soon she felt relief. She felt her heart at ease.
At least she knows now, her future is going to be a bright one.
"I love you, Hanamaki [name]."
"Shut it, Taka-chan."
In a few years, someone else will replace what's broken. Just because you say you're broken and that you're hurt; doesn't mean you'll never heal. When you love someone, things won't end just because of a little mishap. You'll find ways with your loved one to overcome that obstacle and build a stronger bond together. Eventually what is rightfully yours, will be yours. Be patient. Things will eventually happen if they're supposed to be happening.