A Promise to be Kept (Nisekoi Raku x Onodera)

Ch. 2 : Returned Love

"I love you too... Onodera. I have for a long, long time. Since junior high. I loved you for a long time. And to this day... I still do."

Astonished, Onodera gazed at her long-time crush, revelling in what he had just said. A long, long time, he said...

"Yes. Thank you. I understand," she began, uncertain of what was next. "And truly, that means a lot. But... your feelings have changed. Right?

It took Raku a minute to process what she meant but he finally caught the hint.

"There's someone else in your heart now, isn't there, Ichijo?" Onodera inquired with a sad smile.

"Oh... yes... right. Chitoge." Rake took a deep breath before finally spilling out the emotions he had held within his heart for over a decade. "Onodera? I've loved you from our promise 10 years ago through all of the time I've spent with you. When you told me what you really felt... well, that was my life's peak."

"Of course I love Chitoge. But I've come to realize... my love for you will forever encompass that. To throw away all the years I've spent trying... just trying in vain to earn your affection... that would be a complete waste," Raku proclaimed. "Chitoge will always remain in a special place in my heart, but as long as you are in this world, I would have no other woman."

At a loss for words after Raku's loving speech, Onodera finally spoke, "I love you, Raku. Always have and always will. Now, would you like to see what is in that locket all our years of wondering?"

After Onodera filled him in on what she remembered of the promise 10 years ago, they opened the locket to find... two matching rings and letters from their younger selves. Smiling in amusement, the pair began to read out the letters.

Raku read out his first. "Dear grown-up Kosaki, how are you? I'm probably fine. When we grow up and get married, let's have all the animals we love as pets. And I'll buy you a real ring too. When we get married, I want to eat your cooking every day." He chuckled at the last part.

With a grin, Onodera teased "Still planning on keeping that last promise?" with Raku and Kosaki both knowing how terrible her cooking was.

Onodera began to read out hers, "Dear grown-up Raku, I bet that you're tall, now that you've grown up" she laughed, "My younger self really knew how to state the obvious, huh? She continued, "I can't wait to grow up and see and talk to you again. A lot of time must have gone by, but I'm sure I'll still love you." She paused.

"What is it?" Raku asked. As he read the last part of the letter, a tear rolled down his face. On the letter, it read Do you still love me?

"Thank you, Onodera..." Raku said, "Thank you for returning my love."

"Yes..." Onodera said with a sad smile, knowing what was ahead for Raku. "Always. And now... you must see Chitoge, right?"

"I do," Raku stated solemnly, "but Onodera, know that I have chosen you, and will not alter my decision."

"I'll be waiting," whispered Onodera.

As Raku started down the path to Chitoge, he was overcome with emotions, happiness that Onodera had returned his feelings, relief after finding out she was his promise girl, but also sorrow and regret, of what he would have to do next, and what it would do to his relationship with Chitoge.

He thought to himself, "Well, I've made up my mind and there's no turning back... Now..."

He stopped in his tracks as he saw Chitoge a close distance from him with her back turned.

Authors Note: I just want to say sorry for waiting over a year to make this, mostly out of laziness. I will finish the series, don't worry. Also, this fanfic is a retcon of the last few chapters of the Nisekoi manga, so most events will sound similar. Thanks for checking out my first attempt at writing fanfiction!