Blame
Honestly, who was to blame? Was it the circumstances? Or was it always bound to end up this way?
Death the Kid and Maka Albarn. They were two people everyone knew about-they'd defeated the Kishin Asura, and overcome many other challenges as well. But the one thing everyone in the DWMA knew them for was the fact that they were the school's most popular couple.
Absolutely everyone knew every detail about their relationship-from Soul Eater to Ox and even Spirit. The teachers, the students, Shinigami-sama… It was the hottest gossip. Always!
But was that what doomed it from the start? Their popularity? How everyone was always in their business? Or perhaps it was just because of their lack of chemistry?
No. That couldn't have been the case. They had plenty of chemistry… while it lasted. There never was a moment where the other wasn't on their mind. And they spent plenty of time together, bonding. Kisses, cuddles, promises, love…
There always was a spark there. It would flicker to life when they would touch, and burn brighter when they kissed. It was special, the best and most meaningful relationship either of them had. Kid and Maka, they certainly had something. And, in the eyes of the DWMA and its inhabitants, nothing could have possibly ended their relationship.
Stress? Peer pressure?
Perhaps. Everyone was always wanting to know the next juicy topic on them... As if they were sharks circling prey.
"Did you hear? Kid and Maka did the deed under the bridge! I heard it from Kid himself!"
"They got in trouble for PDA again! Apparently, Professor Stein was in the middle of a lecture, and they were making out! Can you believe it?"
"Anything new with the DWMA's hottest couple? Last I heard, they were skipping so they could 'do things' in the janitor's closet!"
But it was just teenagers being teenagers. None of these things were true, and all were obviously exaggerated. They certainly did not do anything under the bridge; they were taking a walk when Kid slipped, fell, and accidentally pulled Maka down with him. It led to a fit of laughter, and eventually a little kiss. Nothing more. And the public display of affection? Rumors spread from holding hands in class. And even the third rumor, they were called to do a mission right before class started! It was ridiculous how far things had gotten away from the truth.
So maybe that was a contributing factor to the relationship's apparent downhill slope. False rumors and high expectations from peers. Constant injuries and battles always strained romantic relationships in the Death Weapon Meister Academy, for obvious reasons. You never knew when your date might just be killed in action, so you tended to guard your heart.
And, rarely, did relationships thrive on that sort of knowledge or behavior.
Both Kid and Maka were very good at what they did within the academy. Missions upon missions were assigned to the pair-usually, separately. The time spent apart would sometimes span past months, and all that could do is harm a budding relationship.
Not to mention an overprotective father. He was a handful all on his own. All the rumors that reached his ears only heightened his bloodlust, and any time he laid eyes on the boy who was-in his mind-defiling his daughter, it swallowed him whole. Many occasions Kid would have to narrowly dodge a flying projectile aimed right at his forehead. Thankfully, he was pretty good at escaping death, all things considered.
But was that enough to ruin what everyone believed to be a perfect relationship? What really was to blame? There had to be something. Sabotage from a close friend, a rival, an enemy?
Maybe it was Soul Eater. Everyone knew he had been crushing on Maka ever since he met her. So, he might have gotten jealous and done something to ruin the relationship! That must have been it. It was the most scandalous of affairs. Obviously, he got another girl from the academy to seduce Death the Kid, and once Maka caught him cheating on her, she must have ended it! It was clear as day now. Everyone knew it was true, it made perfect sense.
Or maybe Maka had dumped Death the Kid because she much preferred Black*Star, who was always sticking by her side and defending her from whatever came her way. He was the bigger man, and Maka was obviously attracted to men with big egos. Who wouldn't be? Kid fell flat in comparison!
But who really was to blame?
The true answer to that question? No one. The relationship still thrives, hidden from the public's eye and from over-the-top rumors. The only thing that could possibly be to blame for the relationship's new-found secrecy is the peers they once might have trusted with anything.
But now, they could take long walks outside of Death City and go swimming and go to the movies (wearing disguises!) without constantly being questioned or ridiculed. They could go on dates and be as lovey-dovey as they wanted to, so long as Kid rented out the entire restaurant or bribed the owner to not let any of their fellow meisters or weapons in.
The only people they trusted were their own partners. Maka normally would have entrusted Tsubaki with this knowledge, but knowing how well she kept secrets when put under pressure, it would not have been the wisest decision. Plus Black*Star was a loud mouth; if he knew, everyone would, and the rumors would only start over.
But the best part about this arrangement?
No one was to blame.
And neither Kid nor Maka could be happier.
