Chapter 16

"What do you want to order?" He asked, peeking at me from the menu. He brought me to a fancy restaurant. Everything looks elegant and the ambiance is relaxing but I still can't enjoy this without Takashi.

"Water," I replied, I didn't look at him. I'm just staring outside with my head resting on my palm.

"Are you on a diet or something?"

"No, I just want this to be over." I saw him fold the menu through my peripheral vision.

"And water for the lady, that's all." He said to the waiter.

"Why don't you just dump your boyfriend and be with me to make your life easier?" He rests his chin on his palm

"Excuse me, What?" My head instantly snaps at him.

He just shrugs his shoulders. "I'm handsome and I'm rich..." He paused and smirked at me, that annoying smirk. "Super rich, so obviously, I'm a better choice."

"Yeah, sure. You have the looks and you are rich but you're also a jerk, smug, pervert, over-confident-rude-ass motherfucker."

"Hey, woman! Chill!"

I sigh, I don't have the energy to argue with him. "Look, Money can't buy love."

"Well, it works for me. I just have to flash them my card and they are all willing to kneel between my legs."

"Ewww." I made a disgusting face. "Then, it's not love. You don't pay money for love."

He rubs his chin and stares at me. "What's this? is this a new way to get my attention?"

"What?" My voice slightly became louder, so I gathered small attention from the other tables. I look at them and lower my voice. "What are you saying?"

"You act like you don't like me." He looks serious. "Then me... that is used to be chased by girls will think oh, this one chick didn't like me, then I'll give you my attention."

"What? Are you high or what? Stop snorting what you're snorting, it's not good for your brain."

He leans close, his chin is resting on the back of his hands. "Stop the act, You now got my attention." He then winks at me.

Oh my god! He's so full of himself. "Do you wanna know what I think?"

"Yeah?" He's still grinning like a dog.

"I think that you want to be loved but since you're "RICH" no one gave you this genuine love that you're looking for..." I paused. "Actually, I don't think it's only love but also friendship. You can't find a genuine friendship so you got tired and in the end, you just gave up and be this... jerk who buys love."

His smile turns into a frown. "Did I hit it?" I asked.

"You don't know anything about me."

"So are you. so stop interfering with my relationship." I stand up. The waiter comes up with his food. "Put this on my tab, it's my treat" I then smile at him before I walk out.

The next day I called Yuzuha. I can't stop thinking about the engagement and I need someone to talk to. I still don't have enough courage to tell Takashi what is happening because we are happy and I don't want to ruin that. If I could just keep us in a bubble away from my family, I will do it.

"Yo!" Yuzuha said, waving.

I stood up from my seat to greet her. "Hi!" She then sits in front of me.

"I thought Taka-chan already knows your secret. Why did you summon me?"

I didn't speak for a while, I can fight big people and I'm not scared of bruises and cuts but this... this is scaring the shit out of me.

"If you're not gonna talk, I'll go." She tried to stand up but I stop her.

"Wait!"

I told her everything that happened at the family dinner my ass. "I was hoping you have some advice?"

"Wow! That's heavy shit right there."

"Yeah, I tried to ask Takashi to marry me but I realized that It was a selfish move, Luna and Mana still needs him."

Yuzuha thinks for a while before she speaks. "Do you want to marry your forced fiancé?"

"What? No!"

"Are you gonna live without Taka-chan?"

"What?! No!"

"Then be with Taka-chan. Fuck your toxic family! you don't need them, and they don't deserve you. Give your energy to the people who treasure you a.k.a Taka-chan, Luna, Mana, and the rest of the toman." She paused and stared at me. "Fine! Me included. I see you as my sister."

I slammed the table lightly, her words gave me confidence. "You know what? I think you're right! I spent all my life trying to fit into their world but still ended up rejected and alone. Hell, I even went to the extent of pretending to be a boy just to earn their respect but they just shame my mother in front of many people. If they don't want me, then fuck them! I would rather be with Takashi than be wealthy but empty. I also confirmed that my father... No matter how hard I try, he will never gonna accept me fully. He only sees me as an investment."

"Atta girl!" Yuzuha said with a smile.

"Thank you! Yuzuha. Maybe I know the answer all along, I just needed someone to tell it to my face."

"You're welcome. Just be yourself, y/n. you and your flaws are loved by us. You don't need to be perfect."

We talk for a while before we part ways, I am now determined. I will tell Takashi and move out of the place my father gave me. I have small savings that I can use to find a smaller apartment. This time, I will follow my happiness.

When I got home, I immediately packed my things. This is the first time that I don't have a plan prepared, this is the first time that I let fate decide on what will happen to me, all I know is that I need to get out of this situation.

After I'm done, I went to Takashi's.

Mitsuya

y/n is acting weird these past few days, Like today, I asked her to meet me but she declined. She said she had something important thing to do. The way she's acting is starting to worry me.

I am sewing some simple dresses for my sisters when I heard the doorbell ring. I step outside my room and open the door. There, I saw y/n with two baggages and one backpack.

"y/n?"

"I choose you, Takashi." She said with tears in her eyes.

"Hey, What happened?" I walk towards her and wipe her tears with my thumb. "Come in, Let's talk about it."

She's quiet sitting on the chair in the dining area. She's playing with her thumbs, it's her habit whenever she feels anxious, so I decided to make her some tea to calm her down. I don't want to force her to tell me what's bothering her, I just need to make her calm first then patiently wait for her to talk about it.

"Here, drink this. This will calm you down." I handed her the teacup, she took it and her hands are shaking. I sat beside her.

She drinks it first before she starts to speak. "I ran away." She said and put the teacup on the table.

"What?" I hold her hand. "Why?"

"Dad set me up, Takashi!" Tears streamed down her face. "He... he changed my surname so he can arrange me in a fixed marriage."

Her words stab me right in the chest. What? Wait? She's marrying someone else? She looked at me and probably saw my expression so, she held my hand and squeezed it tight.

"That's why I packed my things and ran away. I don't want to be married to anyone other than you, Takashi." She then looks down. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was afraid."

"Hey," I calmly called her, She then looked at me. I am scared too! The thought of her leaving me... I can't bear that. But I need to be strong so she can depend on me. "It's not your fault, y/n. I'm glad that you took some time before telling me. I understand."

So this is why she asked me to marry her last time.

"Thank you, Babe. You're too good for me."

"You, sacrificing everything just to be with me... You're the one who's too good for me." I let out a faint chuckle.

"We're both too good to each other." She jokingly said. I wiped her tears again,

"Yes, we are. That's why we're meant to be."

I talked to her for a while to get rid of her anxiousness.

"you can live here if you want. I have an extra futon but we don't have extra room, you can sleep with me. I can take the futon and you can take the bed." I jokingly said to lighten up the mood.

"Tempting but it's fine, Babe. I have savings so I will look for an apartment maybe near so I can visit you every day."

I suddenly remember something. "You know what? I think the apartment next to us is vacant, I'm not sure, but I can ask the landlady now."

"Really! That would be great! we'll be neighbors."

"Stay here, I'll ask the landlady." I kissed her hand and stood up.

y/n

I watch Takashi step outside the house. I look down, holding my forehead and think about the things that will happen after my dad found out that I ran away.

"y/n onee-san?" I heard a small voice, I looked up and saw Luna in front of me, Behind her is Mana peeking from Luna's shoulder.

"Mom said that letters would make sad people happy, so here's a letter that Mana and I wrote for you." She said and smiles at me.

I accept the letter, It's a handmade envelope made of notebook paper. There's a heart drawn in the middle and stickers at the edge.

Your smile is beautiful, so smile often y/n onee-san.  was written. It's short but I felt the love from it. I smiled.

"Aww, Thank you, Luna, Mana. This is beautiful."

"Mama said that this will make you happy too," Mana said and walked towards me. She spreads her arms wide and hugs me.

Her arms are tiny but her hug gives me warmth. I feel loved by the people that I'm not related to by blood. It made me smile.

"Thank you. I will treasure this letter forever."

"You're welcome, y/n onee-san. Thank you also for making Onii-chan happy."

After a while of talking to the kids, Takashi returned to the apartment.

"y/n... good news! it's vacant."

I immediately move in after I paid three months' rent. It's luck that the previous tenant moved out yesterday.

Days passed and things were normal. I expected that after a day or two, my dad will make a move. I feel that this is the calm before the storm and It's scaring me, but whatever happens, I will stand to my decision. I will never leave Takashi.

After that dinner, Kazu-something stops bothering me. I felt relieved. I may say some things that I shouldn't have but he provokes me first.

Every night I go to Takashi's and eat dinner with them. He also introduced me to his mom and she welcomed me to their home. She's so nice to me that I saw my mom in her and for the first time after my mother's death... I felt the love of a mother again.

Days became months. My savings are slowly decreasing, I try to use my card once but I got declined, so my father cut my card.

"Babe, I think I need a part-time," I said. We're at the hideout, hanging out with Toman.

"Where do you want to apply for part-time?"

"I think of a coffee shop. I like the smell of coffee beans so I think I will enjoy working there."

"I can help you find a part-time. Tomorrow after school."

"Really? Thanks, Babe!"

We looked for part-time and luckily I got hired. After a week of working, I never felt this tired my whole life. I was raised with money so I never had the chance to earn one myself.

After my shift, I flop my body on my bed. It's not as soft as the one I had in my old place but It's okay, it's warm. "You can do this, y/n! Yes, maybe you're tired but you're happy! Super happy!" I whisper to myself.

Another month has passed and that's when I felt the gravity of life. My grades dropped and I had to work two part-times because the one I had is not enough for rent, school fees, and food. I also sold my designer bags and clothes online to earn extra. Takashi always asks me if I'm okay and try to offer me some help but I always say that I'm fine. I can't add my situation to his plate plus seeing him by my side is enough motivation for me to move forward.

I feel invincible when I have Takashi by my side.

Mitsuya

It's been five months since y/n moved in next to us. I know it's hard for her to adjust but I can see that she's trying her best, all for me. So I did my best too! We're happy even though sometimes we're both tired from work.

I also looked for a part-time to help Ma with the bills and stuff. The prize money I've won is almost gone so I need to earn more.

The school year finally ended... y/n's grade dropped so she ended up 5th place in the ranking. Everyone is talking about her, some started a rumor that y/n had a gangster boyfriend so she forgot to focus on her grades. some said that y/n is pregnant. I try my best to protect her and tell them that it's not true but she stopped me. She said that as long as I know the truth it's fine to her.

She really endured a lot just to be with me that is why sometimes I feel guilty. But never once in five months did she rant about her life with me. She always greeted me with smiles, always made me feel happy, and always said that she's happier now than before.

I believed her.

"Takashi, Let's break up, I can't do this anymore." She said, looking straight at my face. There are no tears, just a blank expression.

I believed her.