Final Chapter

A few days passed, and as the new week came, it was also the day Rin was set to return. 

Yuto knew what he had to do. He had to remind Rin about the breakup. It was his duty. Well, this was what he told himself. He needed a reason to justify recreating the breakup.

After so many failed attempts, he finally had hope. He had managed to succeed once, even if only for a moment, so surely he could do it again. He had the template and knew how Rin would react. He just needed to recreate the scenario and ensure that Rin didn’t fall down a flight of stairs again.

“What the hell are you doing?”

The voice behind him made Yuto jump. Hana was eyeing him with a puzzled look on her face.

“Don’t mind me, I’m just preparing,” Yuto replied, waving her off.

She tilted her head, her confused look lingering. “Preparing for what?”

“I’m waiting for Rin.”

“Alright,” she responded in a condescending tone. Yuto grabbed her arm, preventing her from leaving.

“I swear I’m not as crazy as I look.”

“Usually, when someone says they aren’t crazy, it’s a sign that perhaps they are.”

“Trust me, I have to tell Rin something. It’s more important than anything in the world.”

“I see…” The way she said this indicated she had little faith in Yuto. “Well, good luck with whatever you are doing.”

“No! I need you to bear witness to it.”

She turned her head slightly away, her expression twisting in disgust.

“Do I have to?” she asked, unable to make eye contact with him.

Yuto nodded and turned his attention back to the hallway.

What Yuto couldn’t have known at the time was that a greedy raven had just stolen a box containing an expensive diamond ring and was en route to its nest on top of the school building.

After a few awkward minutes of waiting, Rin appeared from the stairway. She glanced around, noticing Yuto and Hana.

“Yuto!” she called, running towards him.

“Rin, I was waiting for you.”

“For me? Is that how much you love me?” she asked, rolling her shoulders flirtatiously, which Yuto immediately shut down.

“I have something very important to tell you!”

“I-important?” she stuttered, nervous by the seriousness of Yuto. “Well, class is going to start soon. Since I missed a bunch, I should probably make sure I arrive on time.”

“It cannot wait!” Yuto shouted. His yelling had also garnered the attention of a crowd of curious onlookers. It also masked the sound of a raven flying into a window. The impact caused it to throw its very precious diamond ring inside.

“You see…” Yuto took a step forward. And the moment he did, he felt his feet give out beneath him. He closed his eyes, anticipating what was about to happen. He stumbled, slipped and fell. Landing on his knee.

He felt a throbbing pain shoot up his knee. It hurt so badly, he didn’t even feel the foreign object land in his hand as he fell in his stumble. His focus was entirely on the fact that his knee would likely bruise later. That and the pain of his embarrassment. He couldn’t bring himself to open his eyes.

He waited. But he was met with silence.

How long was she going to leave him like this? He was embarrassed enough already.

Squeals and gasps from several girls scared him. Perhaps his injury was worse than he initially thought. He reluctantly opened his eyes, expecting to see his knee facing sideways. But in doing so, he bore witness to the sight that had caused such commotion amongst everyone else.

In his hand was a small open box with a dazzling diamond ring. Opposite him stood Rin, her face bright red. Her delicate fingers covered her mouth, and her eyes were beginning to water as a smile crept up her face.

“Yes… I accept,” she replied through tears, her smile beaming as she held out her hand. Meanwhile, Yuto’s brain was trying to reconnect, the dial-up noise playing in his head. He couldn’t process what was playing out in front of him.

“I can’t believe Yuto proposed to her. How bold.”

Huh?

“And to think, Rin said yes.”

Huh?

“I hope I get an invite to the wedding.”

Huh?

“Will they wait until graduation or get married beforehand?”

Huh?

“I’ll always love you, dear,” Rin choked through her tears.

Yuto involuntarily shed a tear.

“Look, Yuto is so happy he is crying out of joy.”

Rin rushed forward, leaping into a hug that carried enough momentum to knock Yuto over. The impact sent a fresh wave of pain through his leg.

“You make me the happiest girl in the world,” Rin commented, her tears of joy mixing with his. He resigned himself to this familiar feeling. The feeling that his plan had, once again, spectacularly backfired.

Rin. I swear. Someday. Somewhere. Somehow. I will get you the hell out of my life.

❤︎ --- ୨୧ --- ❤︎

The End