*Please read Part 1 and 2 located in the 1st Book before reading this!!!
"I......I've already forgiven you a long time ago." (Y/N) looked down, absolutely refusing to look at Hijikata's face. "But, I'm sorry— I don't know how but at some point, our love turned fake. I can't bring it back so easily," She looked at him and furrowed her eyebrows apologetically
"We can't return what we've lost..." She spoke lowly, as she took a step back into the house. She smiled lowly, "You should go home now, it's late and it's cold outside, Hijikata-san."
"Wait— (Y/N)!!!" Before (Y/N) could close the doors, Hijikata grabbed it to keep it open. "I— I'm sorry for what I've done, I really....really regret eveything, it was all my fault. So, let's start it up from scratch!!"
"Wha—"
"You can't trust or love me again easily, I understand because I've hurt you that much. So, instead— let me show you how serious I am. I swear—"
"......That's not up to me to decide, Hijikata-san." (Y/N) looked at his hand before she sighed and gently took it off the door. No matter what she did, her heart longed for him— she knew that she wouldn't love anyone else but Hijikata.
Hijikata felt his heart twinge when she called him 'Hijikata-san' instead of 'Toshi'. To him, it meant that she had no plans of starting it over with him.
".....But, actions speak louder than words, don't they?"
"You're....giving me a chance?" Hijikata looked up with wide eyes— it was rare for him to look so disheveled and show such emotions easily but, right now— he didn't care. From now on, he was gonna prioritize her. "(Y/N), I promise I won't mess it up this time!"
When (Y/N) finally closed the doors, she let out a shaky breath, as if she couldn't believe that it all just happened— she hadn't talked to Hijikata since she bid goodbye and ended their relationship and the whole time she just kept trying to forget him.
"Seriously....How can I ever forget him?" She smiled bitterly and then she heard small footsteps approaching and saw Gintoki leaning at the entrance to the living room— still dressed in his pajamas.
"....You gave him another chance?" He asked in disbelief, his arms crossed over his chest while she blinked her eyes flusteredly.
"I-I...Gin, you know I really can't— I just..." (Y/N) tried to find the words to explain to Gintoki what she had just done but her words failed her.
"I'm sorry...I still love him, Gintoki— Our love was fake, but the times he made me smile and happy? None of those were fake, I never once faked the words 'I love you' to him...It wasn't fake...I can't help it that I'm so in love with him—" She looked down and bit her lip.
"So, isn't it alright to give him one last chance?"
"....You're too generous." Gintoki sighs as he shook his head. "Go back to sleep. It's midnight," He gestured his head to the bedroom and she scampered away quickly.
Gintoki's red eyes followed her figure longingly as he sighed, "If you had that many chances...why not try your chance with me? I will never give you Fake Love...." Gintoki clicked his tongue and ruffled his hair.
"Tsk, damn it......I guess it's my fault anyways for not trying more seriously,"
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"Ah, it's bright and early again this—" (Y/N) opened the doors to the Yorozuya House and smiled at the warm grace of the sun that had fallen on her as soon as she did.
At this, she saw Hijikata who was leaning against the rails— dressed in his usual shinsengumi uniform. He was even holding a plastic bag in his hands—
When he saw the door open, Hijikata straightened his posture and looked down— nervous to meet her gaze.
"Hijikata-san, what are you doin—" (Y/N) felt puzzled, Hijikata despised Gintoki so why would he ever willingly come to the Yorozuya House?
"I-uh, I was patrolling somewhere near here so I....got you these..." Hijikata hesitantly reached the plastic bag out to her. "Oh, thank you..." (Y/N) awkwardly smiled and took the plastic bag he offered to her.
"You didn't have to go through the trouble of coming here and giving me these though..." She tilted her head to the side and gave him a confused glance while Hijikata looked up and gave her a serious look.
"I swore that I'm going to do my best— I won't mess up again, like last time. I swear on my life," Hijikata says as (Y/N) blinked her eyes— stunned before her lips stretched into a small smile.
"Okay...." She looked down and laughed a little, "Do your best, Hijikata-san."
"(Y/N)—" Hijikata stepped forward, but then a hand blocked him from her and then he saw Gintoki standing in between them.
"Oh? You wanted to say something, HijiBaka-kun?~"
"N-Nothing. I'll see you again soon (Y/N)." Giving a curt nod to (Y/N), he threw Gintoki a small glare and walked away.
"Tsk, whose house does he thinks he's visiting?" Gintoki clicked his tongue at the sight of Hijikata and then turned around to peek at what he gave (Y/N).
"...Ew, isn't that peach juice? Don't you hate that?" Gintoki scrunched his nose in disgust when (Y/N) took out a bottle of peach juice from the plastic bag.
A nostalgic smile appeared on her lips as she looked at it softly, "It's okay...." She giggled lowly, remembering why Hijikata had bought that for her—
"...(Y/N), do you like that?" Hijikata asked looking at her curiously as she drank the peach juice Sougo gave her.
"Ah, well...Sou-chan gave it to me, so I guess you could say that."
".....I see," Hijikata averted his eyes, quickly imbedding in his memory that she liked peach juice although she actually hated it.
"....I guess, I don't hate it that much now." She murmurs softly as she turned around and headed back into the House. 'At least he remembered,' (Y/N) happily thought in her mind.
Gintoki's red eyes went half-lidded as a small scowl appeared on his face, his tone bitter.
"...Is that so?"
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"Damn that Sougo....." Hijikata cussed as he limped towards a small clinic in the Kabuki District. 'Usually...(Y/N) would treat me, but she isn't here anymore...' Hijikata looked down solemnly as he stopped at the door of the clinic.
Sliding the door open, he limped inside. "Excuse me? I need your help with...." Hijikata trailed off when he saw (Y/N)'s face— (Y/N) was standing in front of him, in the small clinic he entered.....(Y/N)?
Hijikata furrowed his eyebrows and rubbed his eyes, wiping the blood off from his head too. "....Am I hallucinating?"
"Hijikata-san, what happened to you?"
"I— Sougo— he, wait— (Y/N), why are you here?"
"Is that more important?! Sit here!!" (Y/N) hurriedly sat him and scampered around for a while before she returned with a bunch of band-aids and disinfectants.
"So, what brings you to such a small clinic?" She gently asks, carefully applying the disinfectant on his wounds.
"...The hospital's too expensive and we don't have a doctor anymore at the base...." Hijikata guiltily looked down, "Are you working here now?"
"I am," She smiled and placed the band-aid on him. "The pay is good, and they were short-staffed so it was a perfect opportunity." She started putting all the materials away on a small tray.
"Why....didn't you guys hire a new doctor?"
"....Well," Hijikata gulped. "The guys didn't want any other doctor but you....They're so stubborn," Hijikata suddely looked at her and gave her a soft smile.
"But, I understand them. I wouldn't want any other doctor aside from you too,"
"T-That's an exagerration." She nervously replies, "I imagine Sou-chan's been trying to step up his murder plans ever since I left?"
"Yeah....I can't sleep a wink with him around." Hijikata sighs, as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That kid's too energetic when it comes to killing me."
"Well, Hijikata-san." (Y/N) placed a finger on his band-aid, making hin look at her. "If you ever get injured, I'm here to help~" She grinned and walked off.
".....I'm really an idiot," Hijikata bitterly ruffled his hair. "How could I ever let go of you?"
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"Should I just walk in? I don't have an injury though," Hijikata patted his body, "Should I injure myself?"
"No, no, no. That's just stupid. Will she be creeped out if I visit her again? What if she doesn't want me hanging around her workplace?!" Hijikata anxiously walked back and forth in front of the clinic where (Y/N) worked at.
Ever since he found out (Y/N) worked there, he started coming there. The Yorozuya House was too risky, Gintoki was like a watchdog— always magically appearing when Hijikata tried to pay (Y/N) a visit. But at her work, Gintoki wasn't around so Hijikata had more chances of actually talking to her.
"Alright— Let's just walk in confidently—" Hijikata cut himself off when the door suddenly opened and there appeared (Y/N).
"(Y/N)?!"
"Oh, Hijikata-san."
"H-Hey....."
(Y/N) looked at him, he seemed anxious— then she sighed and shut the door close as she stepped out. "I'm on my lunch break, would you care to join me?"
"Here you go!!!"
Two bowls of ramen were thrusted in front of (Y/N) and Hijikata, then— Hijikata shyly handed (Y/N) the salt.
"Here...You like it a little more saltier, right?"
(Y/N) stared at him for a while, she didn't think he would ever remember— as far as she remembered, he didn't pay much attention to her.
(Y/N) grabbed the salt from him and looked back down at her bowl of ramen, "...Thanks. I didn't think you knew," she shot him a small glance with a little smirk.
Hijikata looked at her with a guilty look, "I...might've ignored you when we were together, and I deeply apologize for that. But, I paid attention to you too.... " Hijikata awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
"So, this time— I'll try to—"
Suddenly, a sword came in between them making Hijikata stop and flinch.
"S-Sougo, what are you doing here?...." He sweat dropped and turned to Sougo who was standing in between them.
"Hijikata-san, why are you hanging around my nee-san? Didn't you break up already? Nee-san even left the Shinsengumi and now I find you with her—" Sougo was giving Hijikata one hell of a death glare while (Y/N) was just quiet.
"I— uh," Hijikata gulped, "I apologized to her and I'm trying to make up for everything I did—"
"But you hurt her, didn't you?" Sougo emphasized the word and his eyes widened even more— in a terrifying manner.
"I-I did, but I'm trying to show—"
"Hijikata-san, if I accidentally set you on fire and say sorry— that won't bring you back to life would it? What makes you think all the pain you caused nee-san will disappear if you just say one measly wor—"
"Sou-chan," (Y/N) decided it was time to step in. Placing her hand on top of Okita's hand which held the sword he wedged in between (Y/N) and Hijikata for space she looked at him.
"I gave him a chance to prove himself to me. Don't be so hard, he already realized his mistakes." She grinned slowly, while Sougo furrowed his eyebrows at her.
"Nee-san, you're an idiot."
"Oi, Sougo—!"
"I know," She laughed, "I am, really. But, there's no reason to not give him a second chance. It's my decision, so if you must blame anyone— blame me." She placed her hand on her chest while Sougo looked down.
"...Nee-san, your happiness is what I want." Sougo pouted and looked at her with a pleading look. "He can't make you happy— he'll only make you sad again."
"I won't." Hijikata interjects, "I'll die before I ever make her cry again. This time, I'll make her happy—"
Sougo glared at Hijikata spitefully— "If you, ever make nee-san cry. Stick to your words and die, Hijikata-san."
-----------------
"Would she like roses?....Wait, was marigold her favorite? I don't know...." Hijikata nervously looked over various flowers at the flower shop. After his usual patrol, he figured he'd pay (Y/N) a visit at the clinic and on the way he passed by a flower shop.
"Why the hell do I not know what flower she likes?!" Hijikata cursed as he looked down and clenched his fist— deep inside he knew the answer to that— it was because when they were dating he never once brought her flowers.
(Y/N), who was on her way back from the grocery store spotted Hijikata from afar and giggled when she noticed that he did not know she was watching him.
"...Would she like lilies? No, no......Should I go with roses after all?"
"Hijikata-san, my favorite flowers are pink carnations, just so you know~" She whispered to him, making him flinch and jumo back.
"(Y/N)!? N-No, I-I wasn't buying—"
"Oh, so they weren't for me. I thought so, you never bought me flowers."
"N-No, they're for you!! I just— No, wait—"
"I was kidding," (Y/N) laughed and tugged on his arm. "But, really— I don't need flowers."
"....You like pink carnations?"
"I do," (Y/N) nodded, it seemed like Hijikata didn't know what pink carnations meant in the language of flowers so she decided to keep it a secret.
"Why?"
"It reminds me of you, because I'll never forg—"
"M-Me?!"
"Nevermind that, help me carry these!~" (Y/N) shoved the plastic bag she was carrying into his arms and dashed off.
--------------------
(Y/N) hummed happily as she closed up the clinic, it's been a month since Hijikata started courting her again. He was true to his words, he tried to do everything that would make her happy— even small things like giving her a smile when she looked at him.
"Guess he's not coming today," (Y/N) let out a little sigh as she looked around. Usually, Hijikata started seeing her home after her shift— claiming that there had been recent kidnappings of women happening around. But, today for some reason Hijikata didn't show up.
"Well....He definitely can't just come here eveyday, can he now?"
It was night, and she was on her way back to the Yorozuya House. But then, as she started walking— she felt a presence following close behind her. Getting anxious, she picked up her pace and soon enough she could hear the person following her picking up their pace too.
She was clearly being followed.
"C-Come close and I'll punch you!!!" (Y/N) yells loudly as she turned around to face the culprit. But she saw—
"Hijikata-san?....."
Hijikata stood behind her with his hands up in a surrender position— "...Don't punch me...."
"I won't— BUT WHAT WERE YOU DOING STALKING ME?!"
"I-I wasn't stalking you!!" His face had gone red as he stepped shyly closer towards her. "I was late today....so I thought you'd be angry so I just decided to watch over you until you get back home...."
"That's cute...but creepy— Please don't turn into Kondo-san."
"I-I won't do it again...." He embarrassedly looked down, (Y/N) sighs as she nudged him with her shoulder.
"Come on, walk me home~"
"We're here already." Hijikata comments as they both stopped in front of the door to the Yorozuya. (Y/N) looked at him and Hijikata stared back at her expectantly— they both were too shy to admit that they both wanted to spend a little bit more time with each other.
"(Y/N)—"
"Hijikata-san—"
They both paused when they called out at the same time. They averted their gazes— the air suddenly getting tight and tense as they both grew nervous.
"You go ahead, Hijikata-san." (Y/N) urged, she was the first to break the silence.
"(Y/N), I actually—" As Hijikata started to speak, the door behind (Y/N) opened and Gintoki appeared with a glare directed at Hijikata.
'Crap! I forgot that bastard was here!!' Hijikata yells in his mind when Gintoki tugged on (Y/N)'s wrist and then huffed at Hijikata.
"Were you trying to say something, Hijibaka-kun?" Gintoki taunted him, narrowed red eyes looking at him with disgust. Hijikata glared back at Gintoki before shifting his gaze to (Y/N) who was now behind Gintoki.
"No.........it's nothing. I'll see you tomorrow, (Y/N)!" Hijikata smiled warmly, after a long while of hesitation, as she waved him goodbye.
"No, you won't!!!" Gintoki yells at him when Hijikata walked away before he turned to (Y/N). But the sight— took his breath away, the way (Y/N) looked right now.
She was looking at Hijikata, her beautiful (E/C) eyes were shining with pure happiness and gentle love— something he had never seen her look at him with before. Her face had that look of longing and love on it— like a lovestruck girl, seeing the love of her life for the first time. And that smile—
Her lips curled up at the slightest with a gentle touch of softness. A kind, soft and warm smile easily capturing his heart with just the sight of it.
Gintoki knew that look— It was so different from how she looked before. When she broke up with Hijikata, her face was void of any emotion, her eyes lost their light and she never smiled the way she used to— they way she was smiling now.
She was so depressed back then, spending her time just staring at nothing. She seldomly responded or talked to anyone— but now....she was back to her old self. Gintoki felt a pang in his chest when he realized that he could never have that effect on her.
'Ah....she's really....' Gintoki raked a hand through his hair and frowned. "Gin, did you and Kagura-chan have dinner yet?" (Y/N) suddenly turned her attention to him— pretending as if she wasn't looking at Hijikata just now.
Suddenly, Gintoki placed his hands on her cheeks and squished them together making her confused.
"Gin, just what are you—"
"You look happy."
"Huh? What?—" Gintoki interrupted her and leaned down to her eye level. He stared eye to eye with her, his hands still on her cheeks.
"I can't be the one to take that happy face away." He suddenly grinned— but every bit of it was forced. "I won't do it," He shook his head with a gentle but bitter smile.
"Gintoki, seriously— what have you be—"
"I want you to be happy, (Y/N). So, go—" Gintoki let go of her cheeks and stood up straight. Then, he pushed her out of the door— "Go to him, and tell him what you want to say."
"Prove to me that it isn't Fake Love after all~" He smirked and patted her back— giving her one push.
"Gin......" (Y/N) was unable to say anything but she looked back at Gintoki before she nodded and smiled, "Thank you!!"— Then, she ran after Hijikata.
"TOSHIIIIII!!"
Hijikata stopped walking and furrowed his eyebrows— he felt as if he heard (Y/N)'s voice calling him 'Toshi' like she used to. "Ah, that's not possible." Hijikata shook his head, "She calls me Hijikata-san now..."
"TOSHIIIIII!!"
"Must be my imagination," Hijikata sighs as he started walking again. Behind him, only a few meters away was (Y/N) running furiously after him.
"LOOK BACK HERE, YOU BIG IDIOT!!"
"Agh, just who keeps yelling—" Hijikata turned around and at that exact time he saw (Y/N) standing a few meters away from him panting— exhausted, feeling like she just ran a marathon.
"(Y/N)?!"
"How....." (Y/N) clenched her fist and bit her bottom lip. "Just how many times do I have to keep chasing after you, you big idiot!!!"
"...What??" Hijikata gasped in disbelief, walking closer towards her he couldn't say anything because of that angry look she'd been giving him.
"I'm telling you— You don't have to do anything anymore..." (Y/N) looked down and connected her hand with his. "I.....I think, our love was never fake—"
"It wasn't Fake Love, Toshi. I— never forgot about you either...I still love you as much as I did the first time I ever fell in love with you." She finally confessed, but Hijikata was standing before her— shocked speechless.
"....(Y/N), is this a dream? A hallucination? My imagination?...." He absent-mindedly asked, and she shook her head with a small smile.
"I....ever since we broke up— I kept thinking, it took me a while to realize that I couldn't live without you, (Y/N). I love you with all my heart and you are the most precious person in my life— I regret if I ever made you feel any less than that." Hijikata steped closer, grabbing her other hand, he smiled softly.
"From now on, I will dedicate my whole heart, mind and soul to you. You will be the only woman in my eyes, and I will love you sincerely. None of it— will ever be fake, I will never give you Fake Love again." Hijikata spoke softly, as he places a chaste kiss on the back of her hand while his steel blue eyes were locked on her (E/C) ones.
"....You better keep that promise, Toshi." She giggled.
(BONUS: Part 3 took so long I swear—)
Back at the Yorozuya House, Gintoki leaned of the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. He could see where Hijikata and (Y/N) were from where he was.
All the time, his heart had been in pain— as if someone was crushing his hand in the palm of their hand. Gintoki clenched his clothes and sighed, it felt hard to breathe— the way his heart was hurting.
"Maybe my love for you was fake love?" He asked, looking up at the moon with a bitter smile. "Nah," Gintoki scoffed and looked down, his messy silver hair covering his eyes.
"It was true up until the very end—"
".....But, I just can't help thinking....Would things be like this if I said I wanted you from the start?......."
A single tear rolled down his cheek as he covered his face with one hand and scowled.
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BISHA-CHAN'S NOTES:
WAAAAAAH. THAT WAS SO BAD. IM SO SORRY. Okay so, when I published "Fake Love Part 2" everyone immediately awaited Part 3— But, as you know Bisha-chan never writes a continuation unless someone asks for it. After a long while of deciding if I should write a continuation— the Part 3, I finally decided to write it in the 2nd Book hehe.
You know? As long as you guys ask for it, I will do anything and write anything that I can!!!!
BUT THIS WAS BAD IM SORRY EVERYONE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SO MUCH AND THEN I GO AND DISAPPOINT YOU ALL. BISHA-CHAN IS SO SORRY.
*if you guys were disappointed with this just ask for a continuation and I'll write one (Either with Gin or Hiji!)
Requests still open!!! ♥️♥️♥️