(I'm glad to say that I actually have an excuse this time for taking so long with the chapter, I've been agonizing over this one, trying to make it the best I can. Since it's the most important one in the entire story, at least in my opinion. It's not the last one, that's for sure, though I think the next chapter will be the last. And so you know, I WILL NOT be on for around a week, I'm visiting family who I don't get to see often. Also, I'll tell you guys one thing, this chapter was almost impossible to write for me. As of me writing this on the final day of revising and adding, I've been in the midst of writer's block. I tried to make it longer, but I really couldn't do that without watering it down or adding clunky details. And I knew I couldn't keep you guys waiting for another 5 days. So you'll have to wait for the next chapter, but not this one. Enjoy, as here comes the moment you've all been waiting for! :D)
They paused. It was only a few seconds, yet it felt like an eternity to Tadase and Rima. They were so alike, they'd both expressed their love, and that love hadn't been fully accepted.
"I've chosen..." Amu exhaled, before smiling. "Tadase."
"Yes!" Tadase could hardly contain himself from yelling out in victory as he jumped out of his chair and raced to Amu, giving her a hug that nearly knocked her out of her chair. "Thank you, Amu-chan..." He murmured in relief. "I love you."
"Tadase-kun.." Was she going to cry? Maybe. "I love you too. I don't deserve this, after all I've done to you, but I'm glad that you still love me."
"Of course, Amu. There was never a moment where I stopped loving you, nor will there ever be such a moment. I will forever love you." He looked up at Kairi, no longer feeling burdened by glassed boy's presence. "But I think it's time we hear someone else's decision."
Amu stiffened slightly, she had momentarily forgotten about Kairi in her happiness. "Even though I know I'd never go out with him now, will he still choose me? I wouldn't be able to date Tadase in peace if he does..."
"I'm sorry for not honoring our deal, I lost the words for a second there." He talked formally, adjusting his glasses before continuing on. "But I'm glad I did, as I can feel fully decisive now with my decision."
"At peace...?" Nagihiko repeated. "Meaning you've chosen-" He knew the answer to that question before he asked it, and before Kairi finished it for him.
Kairi nodded, smiling himself. "Rima." Was all of this just a waste? The fight for Amu? No, because of this fight, he'd found a different girl, one that he was in even more love with. He'd set out in search of one destination, only to find one much better.
A wave of relief washed over Amu, she'd never felt so good hearing that a boy wasn't in love with her. "Everything will finally be normal again."
"It's funny, I came here uncertain of what was going to happen, considering the terms all of us were apparently on. But when I saw you struggling with the thought of Mashiro-san being in love with you, I had a feeling that you'd choose her." Tadase admitted. "All and all, this situation's probably helped us all."
"Eh?" He glanced up at Hotori, confusion in his eyes. "Helped? Me? You?"
"Mm. I got to realize how much I care for her, since she had been momentarily taken away from me. If anything, it's strengthened our relationship. Now Mashiro has been able to confess her love to a boy she cares about. Even with the hard times, this entire experience has been a win, not a loss."
"I-I wouldn't say tha-" He stopped mid-sentence as he felt a tug on his shirt. "Eh..? Ah!" Rima was clutching onto the end of his polo, crystal tears falling from her eyes. "H-Hey! Don't cry! I chose you Rima! You! I realized that I'm in love with you Rima! So don't cry!" He crouched down so he was level with Rima, unable to figure out what was wrong.
"I'm crying because I'm happy, Kairi-bozu." She chuckled and looked Sanjo in the eyes, with tears still in her own. "I'm so glad... I'm so glad to hear you say that. That you love me."
"Rima..." He reached his arm out and grabbed her by her shoulder, pulling her closer to him. "I'm sorry I didn't realize this earlier, both yours and my own feelings.."
"Don't be." Rima said, putting her head on his shoulder. "You realize it now, and that's all that matters."
The other three watched them in silence, a joyful one at that. Finally, everyone was happy. That's the only true way of describing all of this. Tadase Hotori and Amu Hinamori were finally back together, as they should've been this entire time. Rima Mashiro and Kairi Sanjo had realized their love for one another, and a new relationship had kicked off. Even Nagihiko, watching the girl who he still held feelings for crying tears of joy because she was with someone else, was smiling for one simple reason.
Because that crying girl...
Was happy.