A Promise to be Kept (Nisekoi Raku x Onodera)

Ch.4 : False Love

Raku held his arms out for one last hug, and Chitoge indulged.

"What next?," he asked. "You'll come back, won't you? To Bonyari High? I know that things will be a little shaky between us, but..."

Chitoge looked away. "Well, actually... I don't think I will."

Raku looked aghast at her, "I'm so sorry! I swear, I'll keep my distance if you stay!"

Startled, Chitoge blurted, "No, it's not that! I... mentioned finding my own path, right? When I was working with my mom, I didn't intend to go back, so I was putting out feelers, and..."

She hesitated. "And a famous businesswoman, an associate of my mother's expressed an interest in me. She says I have potential. But if I want the job... I have to go for it now. And... I think I should."

She looked at Raku with regret in her eyes, yet determination as well.

"I've always been confused and unfocused when it came to my future, and... I think this is my opportunity to change that. I want to realize my potential so that.... I can hold my head higher when we meet again."

"The thing is...." She sighed. "If I do this, I don't know how long it will take. Apparently, it involves travelling all over the world. Maybe half a year... or even longer."

She continued, "Of course, I really appreciate your honesty, and I would love to stay here in Japan with you, Kosaki, and the others... It's just... I've really thought this over, and..."

As Chitoge went on rambling, Raku tapped her shoulder with a stern, yet humorous smile on his face.

"Don't be silly, you dummy! Go follow your dreams. I... all of us will be waiting here."

Raku went on, "I don't know what your dream is, but this means a lot to you, right? Not to mention it's a rare chance. So the choice is obvious. Go for it!"

Chitoge's eyes watered. "Yeah! Thank you, Raku... for everything. And don't worry... I'll be there on your big day. I wouldn't miss it for anything."

Raku looked away. "But, just to check, you aren't leaving because I, uh.... rejected you, is it?"

Chitoge's tears instantly disappeared, her expression replaced with a glower. "OF COURSE NOT!" clobbering Raku. "Imagine me getting emotional over a bean sprout like you," she huffed.

Raku suddenly regained consciousness. "Nice to have you back," he croaked weakly.

As they walked down the mountain, they came across their friends, prompting a moment of silence.

Chitoge and Onodera stared at each other.

"C-Chitoge..."

"Kosaki..."

"Chitoge... um... I..."

As tears began welling up in Onodera's eyes, Chitoge rushed to meet her with a hug.

And thus, a long day drew to a close. Promises... memories.. the love in various hearts.... all blended together.

Story is now narrated by Raku.

Chitoge went straight back to Hana's company. Not surprisingly, Tsugumi decided to go with her. Both dropped out of school... but they were both already way too smart for high school anyways. Where they were going, academic credentials weren't a big deal. Tachibana went back to finish treating her condition. Basically, life went back to normal.

Time passed...

Everything happened in a blur, from the BonyariHigh Cultural Festival to the countless study sessions with Shu, Kosaki, andMiyamoto. I miss having everyone here, namely Gorilla Girl, Tsugumi, andTachibana. At last... it was graduation time. My friends and I have come to ourtime at Bonyari High, but I will never forget the memories we created.