Finding Love (China x Female Reader x Japan)

Love Never Ends

As soon as I came back to my senses, I staggered back in shock. My eyes widened when I realized what happened.

"K-Kiku, y-you―"

I couldn't find the words to bring out of my mouth. Kiku had...he actually...

"That time..."

I stared in bewilderment as he continued.

"I thought that I didn't deserve someone like you. Even now I am scared to consider myself worthy. But...now I don't want to let you go."

He took my hand in his and caressed it with his fingers.

"Which is why, I―" he stopped.

A single tear rolled down my cheek as I looked at him, realizing that the man I had dearly loved so much had loved me back all this time too.

I lowered my head. My hands shook on finally getting my life-long feelings reciprocated. But something felt odd. It was as if an emptiness had formed in the depth of my heart.

"M-Miss (Y/n), I'm sorry for making you cry," Kiku was about to put his other hand on my shoulder, worried.

"K-Kiku..."

He stopped.

I held that hand and pulled it closer to my chest. Strands of hair fell on my face but I still didn't let him go.

"D-Do you know how much it hurt me..."

Memories from that rejection flooded into my mind. The pain of getting my love and hopes crushed, the painful feeling of getting pushed away by him, the blame I put on myself for everythig that happened...

"Do you..."

I looked up at him with teary eyes.

"REALIZE HOW MUCH YOU HAVE HURT ME!!" I screamed at him.

I couldn't hold on my anger any longer. Every memory stabbed me like a knife to my heart. Kiku looked taken aback by my sudden outburst.

"I-I loved you for so long..."

I slowly stepped forward.

"I w-wanted to be with you...cherish you...but you..."

I pressed my head against his chest. His heartbeats were faster but it still felt oddly comforting.

"But you hurt me like that..." Tears streamed down my face as I cried on his chest.

Kiku slowly let go of my hands and pulled me closer in his arms. He rested his head on mine and gently stroke my hair.

"Please forgive me, Miss (Y/n). I will take responsibility for this," he whispered in my ears.

His embrace was warm but I still felt pain in my heart. To be given what I had ever wanted when I finally decided to let it go...

"So, will you please give me a chance?"

I looked up at him in surprise. His sincere gaze met with my astonished one.

"I will always take care of you," he promised.

Looking at him right now, I couldn't help but feel that my paths were forking again. Any I choose, I will lose the other. But I had to give my answer.

"Kiku, I―"

"Hmm? China, why are you standing here?" I heard a voice from outside.

Yao?!

I quickly let go of Kiku and went to the door. Opening it, I was met with Yao, who was leaning against the door, and Antonio who looked confused.

"Yao!"

He flinched on his name being called. Without turning back, he started running down the corridor.

"Wait, Yao!!" I called out to him.

He didn't stop.

No, Yao...

I ran after him, leaving Antonio and Kiku by the door. Yao ran through the corridor and was about to enter his room when I called out again.

"Yao, please stop!!"

He finally slowed down his pace before stopping. I caught up to him, gasping for breath from the running.

"Yao, I was―"
"It's good, isn't it, aru?"

I stared at his back, confused. He still didn't turn around.

"Japan finally confessed his love for you, aru. Isn't that what you always desired, (Y/n)," he said.

I shook my head. "Yao, you misunderstood."

He finally turned around. I saw the cheerful smile that he forced on his face. My heart clenched on looking at him like that.

He came closer and patted on my head.

"No, aru. You misunderstood your feelings. Japan is the only one you love, no one else. And I'm glad I finally fulfilled my promise, aru," he said.

His patting slowly turned into gentle stroking of my hair.

We looked into each other's eyes. I could sense the pain he hid behind those smiling eyes.

"I have some work to do, aru. So I'll be going to my room," he took a step back.

"Yao, please listen to me," I held his hand but he pulled it away.

I stared at him, wide-eyed. Yao averted his gaze and replied. "You shouldn't be touching other men when you have your own."

Saying this, he turned and walked into his room.

I stood there, dumbfounded.

"Y-Yao..." I whispered.

"(Y/n)! (Y/n)!"

Antonio came running up to me. I still stared ahead from the shock.

"(Y/n), I have something to tell you. It's about China and Japan," he said.

I snapped out of my daze as I heard that. I turned to Antonio who looked at me with serious eyes.

What was I going to find out next...?

~~~♡~~~Bonus~~~♡~~~

Yao closed the door behind him and sat on the floor. He leaned against the door, as warm tears fell down his cheeks while he recalled what happened earlier.

The woman whom he loved was now being taken away from him as well.

He pulled his knees closer and hugged himself, crying silently.

"Japan...why do you always take away everything important to me..."