━ ❝ FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Y/N's POV

           Flash forward to February 14, 2016

It's been two years since I was diagnosed with having a minor brain tumor. The doctor let me out of the hospital after a week and let me attend school under one condition, I'll have to do regular check-ups. He said that the tumor should be kept monitored or else, I'll be in danger. I also scheduled my surgery right after graduation so in that case, Tooru won't know about my condition anymore because he's already overseas.

Today, it's Valentines' Day and I decided to celebrate it with Tooru.

"OIKAWA!!!" Back to my usual routine, I opened my window to shout his name early in the morning. Hey, it's Valentines' Day. No time for slacking off!

He tiredly opened his window. "What?!"

"Happy Valentines' Day, Tooru!"

"Yeah, thanks."

I narrowed my eyes, thinking of hitting him with a frying pan. "You should've at least greeted me too!"

"Why would I?"

"EHHH?! Cold as ever!" 

I shut my window before marching towards my bathroom. How could he so rude to me?! I hope he gut hit by a flying burrito or anything! Anyways, it's Valentines' but of course, we still have classes. I prepped myself before running downstairs, only to see my meal fully packed. My mom peeked from the kitchen.

"I know you're not going to eat your breakfast once again so I included it on your box."

I smiled at my mom before giving her a warm embrace, kissing her cheek afterward. "Happy Valentines', Mom!"

"Aw," she cupped my cheeks before kissing my nose. "Happy Valentines' too, darling."

We shared a couple of chit-chats together when my eyes suddenly landed on my wrist watch, I saw it's already past 7:15 in the morning.

"Oh, shoot." Grabbing my stuffs, I bid my Mom goodbye before storming out of the house.

"Hey, Y/N!"

I stopped on my tracks to see my Mom leaning on the gate. "Don't stress yourself too much, okay?"

"Got it, Ma'am!"

Saluting, I dashed towards the Oikawa residence, only to saw Tooru waiting for me patiently on their doorstep, foot tapping the ground while his bag is on his shoulder and goddammit, he's so gorgeous. He looked like a model of our school uniform.

"Yo–"

"You're late," he scoffed as he walked ahead of me.

I chuckled, anchoring our arms together and when he tried to protest, I stared at him angrily.

"It's Valentines' Day, at least let me hold you!"

"People will think we're a couple," he whispered, blushing.

"Don't you want that to happen?" 

I laughed so hard when he looked at me awfully. He looked so hilarious! I hold onto my stomach as I became teary-eyed until I felt stinging pain on the back of my head, making me stop from laughing abruptly.

"O-Oi Y/N, are you okay–"

I gave Tooru an immediate, big smile. "Of course, what're you talking about?"

"Y-You looked like–"

Flooding his voice with my loud laugh, I slapped him jokingly on the shoulder before dragging him, knowing that if we don't quicken our pace, we'll be late for classes. As graduating students, we should be prioritizing our studies so we can finish our year with honorifics and awards. Yet no matter how loud I laugh, the pain inside my head is killing me. No matter how hard I try to hide the pain, I want to shout that I can't take it anymore, that I want to give up. My head hurts like hell. 

But I still want to be with Tooru, so I will endure it. I can do this. I can do better than this.

─────── · · · · ♡

"THERE'S A MARRIAGE BOOTH?!"

I screamed on top of my lungs, palms glued on both of my cheeks as I stared at the classroom with many flowery decorations around it, my eyes wide open. I bet there are stars sparkling around me because I'm really amused! My whole life I've been studying here in Seijoh, this is the first time that I saw marriage booth around the campus. Usually, students put cafeterias and horror booths, but not this!

"TOORU!" All students on the hallway looked at me as I ran to Oikawa's side, immediately grabbing his free hand, dragging him in front of the marriage booth.

"Hello there. Are you going to try our–"

"Obviously!" I cut the girl's introduction. "We would like to try it!"

She chuckled before showing us a paper so we can write our names on it. Since Tooru don't want to cooperate with me, I was the one who jotted down the names on the bond paper. The girl asked us to wait for a while so they can prepare their room.

"You looked so cute together," she commented.

"Oh!" I laughed, jokingly slapping her shoulder. "Of course, we are!"

Tooru grunted beside me, forcing his arm out of my grip. He finished the sushi he was eating as Iwaizumi came, putting his arm around our shoulders. Great! At least, we have an audience to witness this special day for me and Tooru–kidding, special day for me only.

"What do we have here?" He asked, looking right and left.

"We're going to try the marriage booth!"

"Really?" 

He smiled at me before he started shouting the name of our section. That's when I felt embarrassed. This was just a joke! Why is he calling out classmates?! I grabbed his mouth, covering it with my hand to stop him from yelling and causing a commotion.

"Iwa-chan!"

He chuckled as I let go. "Why? It's better if the whole class can witness this–"

"It's embarrassing!"

"Psh," he nudged our other friend.  "Tooru isn't embarrassed a bit, right?"

"Shut up, dummy." 

The latter whispered under his breath as I felt my cheeks starting to warm up. I growled when I saw my classmates circling around us while some are already entering the booth to grab their seats. Even the girls are complimenting me, cheering me up. What the hell?! Now, I'm thinking of backing out! A staff from the booth grabbed Tooru, giving him a tuxedo for him to wear while on the other hand, someone asked me to change my clothes for a while.

I looked at the staff when I finished changing. Fortunately, the dress fits me perfectly.

"Y/N, right?" I nodded. "You looked so beautiful."

I bowed my head to thank her as another student asked me to sit in front of a mirror with light bulbs around it.

"Wait, make up?!" I squealed as they nodded. "B-But–"

"Don't you want to look good on your wedding day?" 

My cheeks burned hotter as I bit my lip, looking at the floor. This is still a fake one, right? But as if I'll get to marry Oikawa someday. I let out a sarcastic laugh but mentally. I don't even know if I can still live longer.

"But still–"

"Don't worry, let us handle this, okay?"

Letting out a sigh, I nodded as they started coloring my face. They even fixed my hair. My usual messy ponytail is now in a very beautiful braid falling on my back. As I stared at myself in the mirror, I couldn't believe my eyes at first. Is this really me?! I'm not a fan of lipsticks and powdery products for the face but I do really looked...different.

"See?" A staff put a hand on my shoulder. "I bet you're boyfriend will fall in love with you harder."

I smiled, sourly. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Oh? Then, your admirer?"

I shook my head. "He's just my friend."

"But, does he like you–"

"No," I looked at her with pain in my eyes. "It's a one-sided love."

And it's the most painful part of this story.

─────── · · · · ♡

As they did the finishing touches, they helped me get out of the changing room, making me stand in the main door of the classroom. A staff noticed us that the "groom" is ready inside and is waiting on the so-called "altar" but it's just really their teacher's table.

My heart beat increased. My breath became improper. Many things are running on my mind right now.

"Hey," Iwaizumi stood beside me, giving me a thumbs up. "You'll be fine."

I smiled as I remembered to fish my phone out of my pocket. I saw my other friend standing near me as I called her name.

"Can you take pictures? Pretty please?"

"Sure, Y/N-chan! You can count on me."

I gave her my phone and at the same time, the door slowly opened before me. I took a deep breath as I started walking on the so-called "aisle" with my shaky legs.  The choir started singing a very beautiful music, adding more excitement in the atmosphere.

That's when I saw Tooru waiting for me in front of the classroom and it feels like everything stopped from moving. It's just me and Oikawa, looking at each other. I watched as he blinked his eyes, probably can't believe that I look good on a dress like this.

A tear escaped my eye. If this could only be real.

He appeared just like a dream to me.

As I reached the "altar", I stopped in front of him as he shyly took my hand. The staff who played the role of the priest started his rituals and speech until he asked us to give our vows. It was Tooru's turn first.

"I," he looked so nervous but shook his head before looking at me directly.

"Thank you for liking–no, I mean, loving me. Thank you for being my best friend, thank you for always staying by my side. Even though that I didn't agree for this marriage booth thing, I realized I want to see you happy so I let this happen anyways. I'm sorry..."

"For?" I whispered.

"For not able to reciprocate your feelings. I knew how much you love me but I just can't see you as...as a lover. You're my sister and best friend, nothing more. I'm sorry–"

I cut him off by putting my index finger on his lips, tears finally streaming down my face.

"It doesn't matter. I loved you by my own will so you don't have to feel guilty about being unable to love me back. It's okay with me, as long as you're fine and happy. Tooru, I wish I could forever stay by your side. I wish that everything could be real: that someday, you might change your mind and finally fell in love with me and we can marry. Promise me..."

I cupped his cheeks. "Promise me you'll reach your dreams. Promise me you're going to love a woman with all your heart. Promise me you'll take care of her and will do your best to protect her with all your might."

He chuckled nervously. "Y-You talk as if you're leaving–"

"I love you so much, Tooru." I hugged him tight as I whispered, "Please, can I hear you say it back?"

"B-But, this is just fake–"

"I don't care if it's fake. Just...let me hear it once."

"Fine."

He hugged me back, tightly. As if he will not let me go anymore. As if I was the gem that he'll forever treasure. As if I was the most important person in his life. Then, he said it. The words I've been wanting to hear for so long from Tooru.

"I love you, Y/N. So much."

─────────────

            💌: I was so glad you listened to my request, Tooru. From that day, I realized that God could take me. I was satisfied. I couldn't ask for more. But are you reading this, Tooru? Had this letter reached you? Because if yes, can I ask for one more selfish request?

           Before I go, can I hear you say it again?

─────────────