"If you enjoy the fragrance of a rose, you must accept the thorns which it bears."
"Onodera… are you free after school? There's something I have to tell you."
...Maybe phrasing it like that was a bad idea.
The class broke out into chaos as soon as it happened. The girls huddled around Kosaki immediately, forming a ring to keep the boys out, and gave the young woman advice on what to do (though they were mostly just looking for gossip). Meanwhile, the guys started ribbing into me, telling me that I was scum that deserved to die… jokingly of course. Kosaki was definitely popular among the boys, and me pulling her aside for something got them all riled up. She was an angel to them— a goddess to them— and I knew Raku Ichijou took that worship to another level.
Speaking of goddesses…
I thought back to what Otama had told me that morning. A wish that brought me here? Lost memories? Repeating lives? It was a lot to take in, and honestly? I was still trying to get used to the art style.
'I blame Shaft,' I mused, watching my hand as I turned it back and forth, 'The heroines are all beautiful for sure, but as far as guys go, there's really nothing to write home about.'
I didn't fault them though. Cute girls sell, and Nisekoi had some of the best around. The fans were crazy dedicated— I've never seen shipping wars so intense— and Aniplex was always happy to deliver with more merch. I'd never bought a figure before, but the Sega-line Chitoge looked really nice... It was relatively inexpensive too. Totally worth the judging eyes of my peers.
I shook my head clear. This... really wasn't the time. No, no, my focus should be on something else entirely.
As the day went on, the girls continued to protect Onodera's "maiden heart" from the other boys, fussing over her like she was a bride on her wedding day (my face burned bright as that particular image crossed my mind) and Shuu managed to keep the other guys from cornering me near the vending machines and beating me to death with a math textbook. I guess it made sense in a way. Shuu had always known and supported Raku's feelings, even if it was a little odd that so many listened and backed off when he asked. Either we have more classmates from our middle school than I realized, or Shuu's charisma was truly that infectious. Or maybe he really just knew everyone? That kid's got connections out the wazoo.
My request… As soon as the words left my lips, I saw Ruri's eyes widen by approximately 2 millimeters (which meant she was probably more surprised than she'd ever been in her entire life). The girl was silent, mulling over it the rest of the day, only speaking up to nudge her taller best friend into paying attention.
Kosaki was… kind of a mess. In a cute way, as always! She was more quiet than usual, lost in her thoughts… which was why Ruri had to poke her every time the teacher called her name. Part of me was happy that all the girl-talk must've gone over her head though. I knew it'd only embarrass her more.
I sighed, looking up at the sky. Man… I'm really lucky. Asking her in public was a really dumb move. The last thing I want to do is put pressure on her… I'm grateful the girls stepped in when they did. They probably would've told me off, if not for the army of angry hormonal teenage boys trying to tear my head off... In hindsight, that probably was the only reason they didn't.
Now, I was on the roof waiting for her. Leaning against the railing, I had a clear view of the school into the courtyard. Some students were still hanging around, making plans, or just on their way out… whichever it was, the campus was becoming more and more empty. The only people around were people in clubs, like soccer, literature, gardening or… Well, I guess student government keeps people after school. Only Mondays though, since that's when meetings were held.
Today happened to be a Monday.
The year may have just begun, but a student council is always needed. Apparently. They held class elections on the first week, and Kosaki won the class rep position in a landslide— she dominated the male vote, that's for sure. And while she wasn't the most confident of people, she took to heart the faith her classmates seemed to have in her, and vowed to try her hardest. She even did a little fist pump. It was honestly adorable.
...Wait.
How did I know that? I definitely wasn't there.
"Is this thing on?" I heard a popping noise, like someone tapping a microphone, "Hey! Can you hear me?"
I almost fell over in surprise as my head filled with a familiar voice. 'O-Otama!' I held my head, 'No need to shout! I can hear you just fine, thanks!' I turned around, and laid the back of my elbows against the rail, looking up to the passing clouds. It was nice to hear her voice. 'What's up? You've never talked to me directly before.'
"Thaaat's just 'cause I never got the chance to introduce myself properly before. You know me now, so... that's that!" she said, with one of her trademark laughs.
I blinked. That made sense. I was already all over the place with the whole "I'm in a harem anime" thing— voices in my head wouldn't help.
"Anyway, I'm just droppin' by to explain some stuff," Otama explained, "Remember you asked why you were in so much pain and I told you about the whole assimilation process thing?" ...I remembered asking about it, but I don't think that was the answer I got. "Well, whatever. You forgot the details when I wiped your memory, so I guess I'll have to explain again." Lovely. Let's hear it.
"Raku Ichijou's memories are still inside ya'," her voice sounded strained for a moment, like she was struggling to sit up in bed, "That's why your head and body were all scrambled when you woke up. His experiences melded with your own. Filled in the blanks, you could say. You know things you were never there for, and your body's capable of things ya' never learned how ta' do. For example, you have his cooking experience, if you ever wanna' take that for a spin. Usin' his muscle memory should be easier on you now. You had a couple weeks to let the changes settle, and all."
'That's… very specific. Did I really wish for all this? Planning ahead was never my strong suit.'
"I'll tell ya' kid," she started, a bit more serious, "Your wish is really unique. The most interesting-est I've granted in a long time. Honestly, I drop in and check on ya' whenever I get the chance. Not like I have a ton of duties up here," she made another noise, like she was stretching,"Besides, what you did today blows every other schmuck's 'second chance at life' wish outta' the water."
I quirked a brow. Was that a good thing?
"Oh, hell yeah it is!" she cut in (apparently she could still hear my thoughts), "You're better than cable! Cable doesn't play Nisekoi reruns though, so no contest there."
My brow rose higher. 'Playing "reruns" of the events of your universe? You make it sound like you're some multi-universal deity.'
"Ehhh, you could say that. That's kinda' part of why I'm talking to you right now," her voice picked up a bit more, "Technically, this universe— the universe you're in right now— isn't mine. I don't have any real authority."
What? Who did then?
"Some higher ups. I'm just a wish-granting kitsune god. I'm all for bendin' reality without consequence, but Universe Management is something left to… whatever. It's not important," she spoke as if she waved off her own train of thought, "Point is, I don't have any power… 'cept bringing you back to life of course. Part of what'cha wished for."
That was surprising. Good foresight, me.
"But that's the only real kind of interference I'm capable of," she sighed, "So if ya' want a wish granted, you'll have to take it up with the Otama of your world."
You're separate?
"It's complicated," she admitted, "I'm just givin' you a heads-up. Don't treat us like we're the same person… fox… goddess. She doesn't know a thing about'cha. Nothing about what put you in this world, or even me."
I nodded. That was good to know.
"Again, she's the one with the wish-granting power around here," the girl said, "But don't worry! No wish can override another, so you're really stuck in this world."
I chuckled. That was a way to phrase it.
'So you can talk to me whenever you like, I have Raku's memories, and the Otama of this time and you aren't the same being,' I summed up, 'Did I miss anything?'
"That's pretty much it…" she muttered (I heard something that sounded suspiciously like a memo pad), "Like I said, I'll be droppin' by every now and then, so don't panic! If you ever got a question, just think about it reaaaaaally hard. I'll know if you're poppin' a blood vessel."
Thanks… I think.
"Your wish is my command," she said with a false posh accent. "Speaking of, meeting the 'me' of this world wouldn't hurt. She could always use more friends."
I nodded again. Didn't have to tell me. I'd already planned to head up the mountain for a visit this weekend.
"Awesome!" she chirped, "Bring some inarizushi! She might even grant another wish for ya'!"
That thought made me shiver. I just got into this body— don't go swapping me with others just yet.
"Aw please, I did it with the best intentions," she deflected, "And besides, it all worked out, didn't it? She ends up marrying Raku. Besides, you're about to confess anyway, so what difference does it make?"
I almost fell over. 'Who's confessing what now?'
She paused. "...Aren't you… about to tell Kosaki Onodera how you feel about her?"
I leapt to my feet. 'What?! No! Not yet, anyway...' I leaned over the rail with a sigh, 'Kosaki's great, but I barely know her. I may admire her from afar, and adore her with every bit of Raku's tenacity, but I don't know her.'
I'd seen her smile and laugh with her friends, but did I see her do a little happy jump when she thought no one was looking?
No.
I'd seen her completely fail and laugh it off, but had I seen the tears she cried when she was all alone?
No.
I knew a bit of her likes and dislikes, but did I know why she hated Konjac? Why she loved decorating? The songs she liked, and the way the lyrics spoke to her? The books she hated for the characters that were far too cruel? The reason she did her hair the way she did? The reason she came to school every day? Why she got out of bed every morning?
I knew her, but I didn't know her. No one really did.
'I want to be her friend, Otama,' I crossed my arms in thought, 'People put her on a pedestal all the time— and if anyone knows that, it's me. I want to know her. I want to truly understand her.'
I fought the urge to blush.
'And… and if I do fall in love with her, I want that to be true too.'
...
There was a bit of silence, before Otama broke it.
"This is why I chose you, kid," she said, "You're a better Raku Ichijou than Raku Ichijou."
...There were too many questions to ask about that sentence. I'll just nod and take the compliment.
"Good," she beamed, "Anyway, you better get ready! Student Council just let out, and she's probably on the way up."
'Got it. Thanks Otama.'
"Any time! Ufufu~"
And with that, her presence faded from my mind. I liked her. She may be a goddess, but she's also just good company. I wouldn't mind her dropping by from time to time... Even if that was my choice to make.
I looked back down into the courtyard. A new wave of students had left the building. Among them, I could see some Student Government Executives. Looks like the meeting ended while we were talking.
"U-Um… Ichijou-kun?"
I heard a nervous voice call my name.
Okay. Here we go.
(About two minutes earlier)
Kosaki Onodera stood locked in place, biting her lower lip as she fidgeted. "A-Are you sure he's up here?"
A stoic pair of eyes stared back at her. "This is where Kakitani said he was, and she's the gossip queen," Ruri Miyamoto smiled lightly, "He's been waiting for you. Are you ready?"
The two girls were standing in the dark stairwell, leading to the rooftop. Shuu had tagged along, since he had the key, but he was being respectfully silent through the whole walk over. He knew how big of a moment this was. For both of them. For all of them.
Ruri put her hand on her taller friend's shoulder. "You can do this," she said, emotion in her voice, "You can do this, Kosaki. Don't overthink. Keep calm, and let him say what he has to say."
The girl took a deeeep breath… and let it out. Ignoring the blush she'd had since this morning, she patted her cheeks lightly with open palms. This was it. Could Ichijou really…?
"And the roof's abandoned anyway," Ruri thought aloud, "You could jump his bones in broad daylight and no one would know."
"RURI-CHAAAN!"
Miyamoto's calm wasn't to be mistaken as indifference. She really did care for her friend… she had her own way of showing it. Ruri wasn't a pervert by any means— not at all. She just knew what pushed Kosaki's buttons enough to get them both to laugh. Maiko's presence was the only thing keeping her from slapping the girl on the ass with a "Go get 'em!"
And with that, the smaller girl pushed Kosaki out the door, and into the great unknown. They'd be rooting for her.
…
…
"...Not to ruin the mood…" Shuu murmured, "But damn girl, you bad."
A fist sent the boy barrelling down the stairs, knocking over a nearby trash can. He walked it off quickly, chuckling about closet-perverts and hypocrisy. Meanwhile, Ruri looked like she was gonna' deck him again.
"Onodera, have you seen somewhere this before?"
A voice brought their attention back to the confession.
I smiled at the girl. The kind of smile where you see someone you've known for a long time… and they don't remember you. It's not a painful one… but there's a bit of hope to it. It fit the situation though.
I pulled the locket out of my shirt by the chain, holding it up for her to see.
"Onodera… have you seen this somewhere before?"
Her eyes widened, slowly. Her breathing hitched… and she stood there, dazed. There was a silence, only the sound of the wind blowing over the rooftop. Realizing this, she pulled herself back to reality enough to answer.
"I… I think so…" she mumbled, before shaking her head to herself, "No… it can't be…"
I breathed.
"Ten years ago… in a place called Tenkuu," I began, "Some old girl-friends from high school had a reunion. They had a great summer reminiscing, talking about old times, catching up on the new. Turns out though, three of their husbands ran large-scale crime syndicates, and another was the chief of police for an entire prefecture. The four worked out a deal for future relations… As the adults went about their business, their children were left to do as they pleased."
"Of those children, one was the heiress to an organized American street gang, followed by her bodyguard. Another was the successor to the most prominent mafia groups in China, and she loved to tease the delicate, spirited daughter of the police chief," I chose my next words carefully, "There was a boy— the unwilling heir to a yakuza clan…"
"And a girl, with her younger sister. Her mother ran a sweets shop."
Kosaki hung off every word with bated breath.
"They played together, all summer. That little group of seven became closer than words can describe. They did everything together… eat, play, sleep, even... bathe... It was just the one time though!" we both flushed a bit as I continued, "Everyone had so much fun. It was the greatest vacation of their lives..."
"But it had to end," a heavy breath, "As their time together drew to a close, the kids made a promise."
I held the locket in my hand. "The boy would take the lock… and they'd take the keys. When they meet again, they agreed to bring them together, and unlock the pendant. This pendant."
Her eyes were wide, her voice locked away. Her hands were over her mouth, trying to keep the words trapped... as if they'd come spilling out in a torrent of emotion.
"Onodera… do you still have it?"
Wordless, trembling hands guided a small thread around her neck, revealing a key at its end, its pink gleam sparkling in the light. I stepped towards her… and she followed, until we stood before each other.
"Kosaki…"
And like a dam, those emotions burst forth. Kosaki threw her arms around me, almost knocking me over, as she sobbed deeply into my chest.
"I-Ichijou-kun…!" she cried, "It's you…! It's been you all this time!"
I wrapped my arms around her, tight.
"Kosaki… I won't leave you, ever again. I'll be by your side, always."
Three years of hesitation melted away into passion, as I called her name once more. She crushed me against her, embracing me with all she had… clinging to the one who had to leave.
And now, the one who was here to stay.
It was a good ten minutes before either of us stopped crying. I'd teared up too without even realizing it…
Oh hell, who am I kidding? I was so damn happy. Happy for Kosaki, happy for Raku…
This is the story they deserved. The path we wished they could take.
And now it was here. And it was ours.
"I won't lie to you, Kosa—… Onodera…" I caught myself, "I'm… I'm very different from who I was back then. In... more ways than one."
I unwrapped her arms from my body gently, before taking her hands. They were small, delicate… filled with so much care and love. They fit perfectly in my own, like pieces of a puzzle.
"If… if you can find it in your heart to be all right with that…" I gazed into her eyes, staring right back, "...can we start over? We may have drifted apart over the years, but I'd love to be your friend."
Beautiful.
Her smile was beautiful.
"Of course, Ichi—…" her tears began to fall again.
"Of course, Raku!"
And we embraced, once more.
"Wow…" Shuu mumbled, dumbfounded, "...Who could've seen this coming?"
Ruri nodded dumbly from her position by the door. They were both reeling… A promise from ten years ago? Childhood friends? It was enough to make anyone's head spin. It was something straight out of a drama.
"It's not the kind of confession we were hoping for…" the boy crossed his arms behind his head, "...but it's a good change, nonetheless. I'm happy for 'em."
The girl nodded, having regained some of her composure. "It'll be easier to pair them up together now… being better friends and all," she observed, "And I guess some progress is better than none."
"I guess that's a way to look at it," Shuu nudged her with his elbow gently, "That said, we should probably go. Give the lovebirds some space."
Ruri frowned, following him down the steps. "Didn't you just say that it wasn't a romantic confession?"
"I may wear glasses, but I'm not blind."
