Finding Love (China x Female Reader x Japan)

Whom My Heart Lies With

The lights turned on.

Looking around amongst themselves, the countries finally dispersed until it was only Kiku standing there in front of me.

A gentle smile had adorned his face.

I gave the mic to Alfred and walked up towards him.

"Kiku, I wanted to give you my answer," I told him.

The two of us stood in the centre of the hall while the other countries made space for us and stood further away.

"What is your answer then, Miss (Y/n)?" Kiku stared at me curiously.

I took a step back and bowed.

"I'm sorry, Kiku. But I love Yao."

The hall erupted into gasps. I didn't lift my head up but I could already hear everyone whispering about it.

"Miss (Y/n)..."

I closed my eyes shut.

I can't dare to look at Kiku right now. Was he angry? Was he disappointed? My heart pounded in my chest just thinking about it.

"I'm glad you finally realized."

My head shot up at him. Kiku was looking at me with a warm smile.

I slowly straightened up. "Kiku..."

He softly chuckled. "I knew you loved Mr. China but you couldn't even accept it yourself, much less tell him about it."

A small blush spread on my cheeks as I looked down, embarrassed.

"I'm very sorry, Kiku. I admit I loved you for all these years, but now I―"
"Miss (Y/n), if you don't mind me asking, how did you even fall in love with me?"

I looked at him, surprised.

I recalled the memories from my childhood when I heard about him and fell in love with a man whom I never met...

"My father had met you and told me about you. I thought you were a caring, strong and kind-hearted person who would anything for the ones he loved...and I fell in love with you since then..." I admitted.

Kiku gazed at me endearingly. "I'm afraid it wasn't me whom you had fallen in love with, Miss (Y/n)."

I stared at him in confusion.

"You fell in love with a man whom you made up in your mind with all these qualities. But it's not me," he said.

My heart clenched in my chest. So all this was nothing but my imagination?

"So all this time...I was in love with a man who never existed?" I lowered my head, dejected.

Kiku stepped up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him, surprised.

"There is. And I'm sure he has been in love with you this entire time too," he said, smiling.

My eyes widened on his words. The man I was in love with all this time was...

Yao!!

"Where's Yao? I need to find him!" I searched around.
"(Y/n), I saw him in the garden playing with his panda!" someone yelled from the crowd.

"Thank you!"

I bowed to Kiku and ran out of the hall.

I promised I'll always be with you. No matter what happens, no matter how far you are from me, I promise I'll be with you forever.

Because I love you...

Yao.