Sirimiri ; ODAJIMA YUKEN

Chapter 22

"Don't go." I went silent as he grabbed my hands. His grip on me was shaky as he looked at me.

"But I-" His arms wrapped around me as he rested his head on my shoulder. I felt his tears falling on my exposed shoulder as I hesitantly wrapped my arms around him as well.

"We can work things out..just don't leave.." He mumbled and I sighed before slowly pulling back but keeping him at arm's length.

"I have to do this-"

"No, you don't-"

"But I-"

"I love you!" My eyes widened, not expecting that from him as I feel my breath get caught in my throat. I guess he didn't expect to say it as well as his eyes widened before looking at me deeply.

"Y-you still-"

"Did you ever doubt I didn't anymore..?" His voice, full of hurt and longing as I begrudgingly nodded.

"I thought that was why you were blowing me off..why you were avoiding spending time with me.." He sighed before pulling me aside.

"I wasn't intentionally doing it...I was working for Daruma..." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and my eyes widened in shock.

"Working? Daruma?" He nodded.

"I needed some money..so I asked Murayama-senpai for work and he said that Hyuga was looking for someone who could clean up the temples and do odd jobs from time to time. "

"Odd jobs?"

"Not anything dangerous, more on negotiations between the gangs.."

"But why would you some money..? Don't you have some left over from your parent's trust fund?" He nodded before continuing.

"If I wanna marry you, I needed money more than enough for us to get a nice house in the countryside and a bit more for us to adopt those dogs at the shelter. And the ceremony alone would cost us a lot already so I didn't wanna have to rely on-"  He stopped as I choked back a sob, covering my mouth as my heart began to ache in guilt.

All this time, he was doing it for me...for our future.

"I'm so sorry... I don't deserve you..." I slowly take a step back but he grabbed my hand, pulling me back.

"Don't ever say that.." He whispered as I kept my head down, letting him caress my cheek as our foreheads touched.

"I do love you..please stay..let's work it out?" I sighed, before looking up again.

"I can't." His eyes mirrored the hurt he felt in his heart.

"Don't you love-"

"Of course I do.."

"Then why-"

"Because we're both hurting and until that hurt goes away, love can't grow back into our hearts. If we push this, we won't be happy ever..so please, let me go." I whisper as his lip trembles.

His eyes pleaded with mine, a silent negotiation between love and the reality we faced.

I reached out, caressing his cheek as well. "Maybe one day, Yuken. But for now, let's give ourselves the space we need. It doesn't mean we can't find each other again."

He sighed before nodding.

"Okay.."He looked down before removing the necklace from his neck. Hanging from it was my promise ring that matched his. He took a step closer before fastening it around my neck.

"This will always belong to you and you alone." I looked at him, tears brimming my eyes as my lip trembled.

"But I-"