I know it's a LOT of Chiho, but please bear with me :)
Writing this as part of Selfish/Alternate Ending themes of MaouEmiWeek2021
It was a breezy afternoon and the weather was pleasant, even though it was summer in London. Chiho Sasaki stared out the window of her classroom, watching people hanging out with their loved ones and prepping up for the long weekend ahead. She was lost in thought and interrupted by her phone beeping
"Hi there Chiho, this is Alex again! If you're not up to anything for tonight, would you may be like to join me for dinner? Tina and Zack are coming too. Let me know!"
Before she let out a troubled sigh,
"Woah Chiho, Alex does seem to like you.. he ain't giving up even though he knows you have a boyfriend back in Japan hehe", Tina came in from nowhere and startled her.
"Sheesh It's only a friendly dinner with friends. You guys are going too right?", Chiho replied pushing Tina away.
Alex had always been helpful and there for her right from day 1 when she entered college. He was her classmate, but since he was raised in London, he helped her greatly with many things she could not have managed by herself. They have been part of the same friend-group and it was very evident and clear to everyone that Alex was attracted to Chiho.
More importantly, Chiho could not deny the fact that she did enjoy his company and all the attention she's been getting.
"Of course we are. I'm not going to miss any of the fun"
Chiho and Tina continued chatting as they left the classroom. It's been more than two and a half years since Maou accepted her proposal to date and since she left Japan immediately the following month to pursue higher education.
She had never been happier at that moment and even told her parents everything. She did visit Japan again after the previous semester ended, but her interactions with Maou could barely be counted as dating. Maou had been pretty busy after quitting work at Mg Ronald's and was also working on his own café with Emi. It was either that or Chiho using up some of her holidays to "help fix things" in Ente Isla.
She almost forgot to inform Maou and hurriedly sent a message
"Hello Maou-san, letting you know I'm coming back to Japan in a week for the summer break! Will send more details later, bye."
They tried to talk over phone many times but plans almost always got cancelled because of Maou's busy and hectic schedules and of course, timezones.
There was never a moment she did not think of it and looking at all the happy couples around in college did not help at all.
After the dinner, while everyone was ordering dessert and waiting for it, Tina suddenly stood up and said she wanted to take a walk outside with Zack to get some fresh air.
With only the two of them left, Chiho tried to break the awkward silence with small talk when Alex looked her in the eye and said –
"Look Chiho, I know this is really forward and I know that you're seeing somebody already, but my gut feeling says it's not serious. Would you, maybe want to go on a date with me? I promise not to make any moves or disrespect your relationship… I just want to get to know you better"
"Alex, I uh-.. You know I have a boyfriend and I can't do this right now", Chiho replied with a sorrowful expression in her voice. Alex could tell even though she was trying to hide her facial expressions that she did not really want to reject him.
"Fine. Please let me still be your friend and keep helping/taking care of you. At least let me come over to the airport to send you off for the summer break." Alex did not flinch and insisted.
"Alex…"
It's been a week since that happened and Chiho is now back in Japan. Her current visit was not much different from her previous one and she ended up spending more time with her parents instead.
She met Kaori and they talked about Chiho's university and Kaori's career plans.
"I notice you talk about one special friend more than the others over there Chiho! *wink
So did Maou-san plan any fancy trips for your vacation as boyfriend and girlfriend?" Kaori was excited to know everything.
"Not this time Kaori, he's a little busy this week with the café and some discussions with Yusa-san. And next week Alas Ramus chan has some parent-teacher meetings and a play at her school"
"Oh Chiho, he always has some excuse hmph! Don't tell me he's still buying you both the same gifts and everything" Kaori face-palmed.
"Uh.. that- nevermind", Chiho tried to explain but did not find the motivation.
The next day Chiho went to check in on Maou and Emi in their conference room. They were bickering over the enhancements of the café as usual but Chiho somehow felt uncomfortable watching their closeness. At the end of the meeting, Emi packed up her laptop and said –
"Alright then.. I have an announcement to make. I am moving to Kyoto in two months."
"What? What about Alas Ramus? And the café?", Maou did not see this coming and spoke with worry evident in his voice.
"I applied for a degree in agriculture in a university over there.. and Alas Ramus come along with me of course! Don't worry she will be coming to Tokyo for every single holiday and I would still be funding you for the café.. I would just not be so much involved in the decision making"
"Yusa-san, this is so sudden..", Chiho was equally surprised at Emi's announcement. And Maou was still looking with a confused expression trying to figure out why they were informed so late.
"Actually, this isn't as sudden as you think haha, I had plans as long as a couple of years back.. anyway, we will all be in touch, I promise!"
Chiho felt sad that Emi was moving out but somewhere deep inside she felt a sense of relief, which she did not want to admit.
As for Maou, "And why the heck did you wait until now to tell us about this Emi? Did you already find a place to stay there? How are you going to manage all by yourself you idiot?"
Maou was yelling and trying his best to sound rude again but Chiho could not help but notice there was something about him that negated all his actions. She was not blind to the tension between Maou and Emi and was unable to hide her true emotions anymore.
"I- I think my mom is waiting for me at home, I will be leaving now"
""Chiho!"" Maou and Emi looked at each other confused. By the time Maou went after her, she had already left.
At her home, Chiho's moodiness did not go unnoticed with her mother, who held a little surprise intervention.
"Chiho, I could not help but notice your relationship hasn't been playing out as you expected", Riho spoke to Chiho in the calmest way.
"No, you don't understand, I love Maou-san deeply and that is all that matters", Chiho was annoyed and did not want to discuss any further.
"I know you do sweetie, but the question is does he think of you in the same way? I know Maou-san is a very sensible and great guy, but I don't see him reciprocating your love .." Riho tried to calm Chiho down and asked her a straightforward question.
"Mother, I – Maou-san did reciprocate my proposal that night and kissed me. He knows about my feelings, and I truly want marry him", Chiho explained.
Riho sat down beside Chiho and held her hand in hers. She asked "Chiho, it takes two people to be in love. Love does not work if it is not mutual, it should not come out of pity."
"You remember when I said Maou-san reminded me of your father when we were younger? In my case, even though I was attracted to your father despite his struggling career, I knew I was the only woman in his eyes and we would always make time, despite other priorities. We did everything together and it was mutual, which is what made it beautiful."
Chiho thought about the good times she had spent with Maou, but there had always been one thing bugging her. Maou just could not stop thinking about Emi. Chiho was not the center of his attention, not when he bought both the same gifts, and not when he treated her the same way as he treated Emi.
As her darker side started to take over, she was about to break down thinking about all this when Riho hugged her and tried to pacify.
"Let me tell you one thing, this is not how my daughter deserves to be treated. I was wrong when I thought you did a good job choosing Maou-san. I'm sure Alex would love you from the bottom of his heart if you gave him a proper chance, you always say such good things about him. You deserve much better. Father isn't exactly excited about your current relationship either", Riho wanted Chiho to do the right thing.
"It's okay to be selfish sometimes"
I'm almost done with the next chapter... stay tuned!