Fake it Till you Make it
Haitani Rindou x Fem! Reader
"Don't go ahead of them! They'll notice..." I whispered as I quickly ran and stopped him.
"I know you miss Ilena-san, But you have to fckin wait- they'll notice that they're being stalked." I groan as he only sighed as a response.
"Why do we have to stalk them?" He asked while he rubbed his nape
"What do you mean why? You already know dimshit-"
"This is not how a relationship works. Remember that we're in public."
"Correction, a 'Fake relationship' and who cares if we're in public? Not everyone knows we're in a damn relationship and stuff." I retorted sarcastically and I heard him click his tongue.
He then continued walking while I stood there shocked.
'How can that son of a btch ignore me?' I thought.
He glanced behind his back watching me stand still on the same spot, later on he called out to me.
"Hurry up! do I need to carry you or what?"
"Oh, Shut up, Rindou!" I marched my way down the pavement to follow him upfront. This boy is gonna be the death of me.
"Don't act like a toddler Y/n."
How did we end up here again?
"Hey, Y/n right?" A voice called out to me.
"Yeah...and who are you again?" I asked turning my head at the unfamiliar voice.
"I'm Rindou. Haitani Rindou."
"The Haitani?! The brother of Haitani Ran?!" I gasped and kept my cool as I took a deep breath.
"You're the brother of Ran Haitani?"
"Well yes, But, let's get straight to the point." He spoke, suddenly he held my wrist and quickly dragged me to an empty hallway.
"I know you like my brother." He starts.
"And...?" What a great start, I guess?
"I'm willing to help you"
"He likes someone else and that someone who I practically like. You have to help me separate the two of them and we can have our own separate lives in the end. You can have Ran and I can have- Whatever her name is." He explained.
"All you and I have to do is fake a relationship."
"What? Can you repeat that?"
"Are there any alternatives that we don't have to fake or go into a relationship? Because I've been rejecting numerous people- probably they'll be shocked when they hear about us and that the little miss 'no to relationship girl' is suddenly in a relationship-"
"Cut the crap, you rejected them because you want to be with my brother. Admit it, you're single because of him."
"Well... that's besides the point, people will surely be suspicious of me suddenly hitting on someone else's brother. " Rindou brushed a bunch of his front hair back and rolled his eyes, furrowing his brows after to look at me dead in the eyes.
"They'll just think you have a type. There's nothing wrong for having one. And Besides, It's for letting my brother realize that you're the one for him or make the two of them jealous of us."
"But, I don't want to break their relationship."
"Please?" He pleaded suddenly and it took me in by surprise. He's willing to do everything for the girl he likes? His brother's current girlfriend?
"You're not guilty that Ran may... you know? be disappointed that his own brother will snatch his girl after breaking up with them?"
"I mean... He has you and You can have him? You're you and Lovey dovey. He'll probably move on quickly"
But, I really do want to. I've been rejecting multiple guys for him and maybe this will be my chance since his own brother is helping me out.
Well, we're both helping each other out.
"Deal" I answered and I saw him smile a bit. He then patted my head and walked out leaving me on my spot.
"As of now, we're in a relationship. Got that?" He added before walking out the hallway.
"Earth to Y/n." I woke up from my thoughts and quickly looked at Rindou.
"Stop staring too much. They'll notice." He spoke as he took a sip from his drink.
"I'm not" I protested as I also took a sip from my drink then he spoke "You were if I haven't woken you up from your fantasies."
"I do not daydream" I winced, looking at a different direction and avoiding his purple irises he shared with his Ran.
"Whatever bursts your bubble." Rindou replied. I ignored his snarky reply and took a quick glance back at the two couples not far from our table.
"Are you gonna finish your food?" He suddenly spoke and I turned my gaze back at him. "Yes, just wait you're not taking our deal seriously"
"Well I am, You're just being way too obvious stalking them. Just eat your food." I raised a brow at him.
"How come?" I heard him groaned and instead he remained silent.
"Just eat them already or they'll get cold. I swear you're wasting money"
"Why are you being persistent? It's not like we're on a date or something." I retorted suspicious of him.
"Then consider this as a Date. I'll pay for the food, we didn't come here just to follow and stalk the two of them. I know you're hungry." He smoothly stated but he kinda sounded desperate so-
"Fine" I said in response and ate the food, and he seemed to slipped in a smile and took a bite as well from his plate.
A few minutes have passed, Me and Rindou were busy having a conversation. We would tell stories, or things that happened between our lives, and it reached to a point when we didn't notice the time and the couple have already left the cafe.
"And hey- Do you remember the small stall we saw near the park? Maybe we can go there sometimes!" I suggested and he hummed in response.
"Sure, in our free time." I grinned as I felt myself ecstatic at the moment. I glimpse at my phone's screen and saw the time.
"Oh- It's been 2 hours already? and they're already gone." I murmured
"Let's get going then." He stood up and waited for me to do the same.
"Thanks for paying our meal" I smiled as we strolled down the sidewalk, side by side.
"Yeah... you're welcome." He replied.
"It got me thinking... How did you and Ilena-san met? that got your little heart out crazy over her." I asked curiously and eyed him. He avoided my gaze as he instead continued to look up ahead.
"But I've told you mine!"
"Still No." I sighed and accepted my defeat of persisting him. But then, he spoke. "You'll know why sooner or later."
"Sure, sooner." I chimed in with a hint of sarcasm laced in my voice.
"I wonder where Rindou could be.." I Murmured to myself as I walked around our school; looking for him.
"You're looking for Rindou?" I heard a feminine voice behind me and saw it was Ilena, Rindou's crush and Ran's girl.
I stood there frozen after I recognized her. She saw my state and she chuckled softly.
Her laugh is beautiful, I can tell why Ran fell for her. Heck, If I were to compare my laugh with hers I'll be sounding like a crying duck.
"Rindou-kun is with his older brother, they went out for a brother talk and they won't take long. Wanna hang out?" She spoke softly
'I get it, why I lost to her in the first place' I thought and she gently grabbed my wrist and dragged me somewhere with her
"Is there a problem?" I asked as we both got inside the Male's restrooms. Ran suddenly pulled me here, leaving her girlfriend behind and excused the both of us.
"How 'bout bringing our girlfriends for dinner? so they could get to know each other more." Ran answered and I could only hummed back.
"My girlfriend wants to meet your girl and she said she wanna get along with the two of you. I'm pretty sure Y/n would want to join us."
"....yeah, I know for sure." I murmured looking at the tiled floor, Ran noticed this and he patted my head.
"Thanks lil bro, see you later at home." Ran bid his goodbyes and left the restroom.
I left the restroom soon after and walked around the school to cure my boredom. My mind was too focused on the floor until I bumped into somebody and when I looked up, I bumped into Ilena with Y/n beside her.
"Oh! Rindou? Are you and your brother done already?" She chimes in and was looking around for my brother, I assume. And Y/n stood there beside her.
"Yeah, just now. I think he's looking for you." I answered back and glanced at Y/n.
"So she's with you all along?"
"Yep! She's pretty cute and lovely to be with~ I'm so excited for later!" Ilena squealed while hugging Y/n's arm.
I couldn't help but notice their height difference. Finding Y/n's height more compelling at some point.
"See you later Y/n~ Bye Rindou!" Ilena bid as she let go of Y/n's arm and started looking for Ran.
After she left me with Y/n, the said girl had been remained silent the whole conversation.
"Ilena really can make the Haitani Brothers fall for her, huh? I know now." She uttered to herself, sounding mesmerized yet down.
Though noticing her downed spirit, I decided to mention the topic me and my brother shared not so long ago. "My brother is inviting you for dinner with Ilena. More like a double date I guess..."
But she kept on a straight face and only hummed.
"She's breathtaking." She added. Maybe she's distracted?
I ignored her comment and instead wrapped my arms around her shoulder. I felt her shake for a second, waking her up from her thoughts.
"Come on, Let me treat you something." I said, she was about to say something but then she stopped- kept quiet and let me drag her.
"You are hungry." I chuckled, she answered with an irritated groan.
'It's already 5pm where could she be at this hour? The school already dismissed the students.' Rindou thought as he waited for Y/n in front of the school gate.
"Hey Rindou, How long are we gotta wait for your girl?" Ran yawned behind Rindou. Apparently, Ran, Ilena and Rindou have been waiting for Y/n for the past minutes.
"I... don't know, I know she's not in any school clubs recently." Rindou replied, skeptical.
"Maybe we should go check on her?" Ilena asked, Rindou couldn't wait any longer so he approached a student.
"Sorry for disturbing, Have you seen L/n Y/n anywhere?" Rindou Asked but to his luck the student he asked didn't know her.
"Sorry but I don't know her-"
"L/n? She already went ahead! She's not on cleaning duty today." A student butts in as they approach Rindou.
This information shocked him, he didn't expect for Y/n to avoid him completely or leave them behind considering Ran invited them for dinner and Y/n couldn't possibly decline it.
"I think... 10 to 15 Minutes ago?" Rindou didn't hesitate to run as fast as he could go; surprising the students along with his brother.
"Oi! Rindou where are you going?" Ran Yelled, looking as Rindou ran past him.
"Go ahead! We'll catch up!" Rindou blurted back as he continued ahead of him.
"Stupid Y/n, agreeing to the deal knowing you don't have a chance with him. I'm only ruining their relationship by then- but also my reputation." Y/n uttered to herself angrily as she kept her gaze at the ground, her hair flowing through the breeze of the wind.
Y/n looked up and watched the sun go down. She just then realized, that no matter what you'll do- you can't force them to love you back because they already have someone to love.
Y/n grits her teeth and kicks a nearby rock towards the riverbank, She felt burned out after chasing the guy she likes for the past months and agreeing to fake a relationship with a mere stranger.
"I should've known. Ilena is perfect, he wants Ilena, he cares for Ilena, he's crazy for Ilena, He loves Ilena." Y/n muttered under her breath
"I'm not Ilena." She mumbled as she wiped those tears that were about to fall.
"You alright...?" A voice spoke out to her from behind, her head turned hastily to the familiar voice and she saw Rindou a feet away from her hunched over with his hands on his knees, panting for air.
Y/n eyes widened by his sudden appearance knowing she didn't tell anyone where she would be at. She stood there frozen while Rindou took a huff for air and walked over to her with a firm stance.
"Are you okay? Why are you crying?" He asked his voice laced with worry as he touched her cheeks to wipe some of the tears off her face.
"Did something happen while I was gone-"
"Our deal. It's no use for me... I- I don't like him anymore, I'm sorry." Y/n mumbled softly as she wiped her own tears, pushing Rindou's hands away from her face.
"I can't help you with Ilena, They're perfect for each other. Why bother messing with their relationship when they look so good for each other?" Y/n continues.
"You'll have to accept that Ilena-san could never be yours, Like how I accepted Ran could never be mine."
"No." Rindou retorted coldly as he stared at her. Y/n hearing this, scoffed.
"What the hell? Don't you want your brother to be happy? Don't you want Ilena-san to be happy?"
"You have to accept it Rindou! You can never force someone to love you back if they already have someone to love. Do you need help understanding that?" Y/n exclaimed in disbelief.
Rindou could only do is listen to her words bits by bits but none of them affected him much.
"I know that... I wouldn't dare to snatch Ilena-san from my brother. I don't have any feelings for her." Rindou said sternly; shocking Y/n unexpectedly.
"I don't like her, I lied about having feelings for her. I lied that I want to snatch her away from my brother. And, I know that I don't give a damn about her." Rindou continued.
"I like someone else... I don't like Ilena. I like someone who's practically in love with my Brother. I like her-"
"No, I love her."
"I like someone else... I don't like Ilena. I like someone who's in love with my Brother. I like her-"
"No, I love her."
Rindou mumbled only for the girl to hear. "I love her for the way she talks, she laughs, I love her eyes, her personality, her looks, you name it and I love her for the way she is. It sounds cliche but I loved her ever since our eyes met. Ever since I first saw her at School.
He's not the type of guy to express his feelings for someone nor tell anyone about it. He felt weak and embarrassed but at the same time that's him, a person who falls in love.
"Then what is the purpose of our deal..?" She mumbled back confused and guilty for a second after hearing him confessing he didn't have any feelings for the girl she's envious of.
Confusion and nervousness hits her to the core.
"The purpose of our deal... so I could get close to her. Be there by her side when no one will, treat her right, and love her silently while she admires someone else."
"You're right though, I can't force someone to love me because they have someone else to love." He added as he slowly walked towards her, his head hung long so she couldn't see his expression.
He then gently and hesitantly laid his head on her shoulder, hiding his face from her. Y/n stood there speechless. Waiting for him to say something and break the silence.
"But, I didn't force her though... I waited for her in fact." He stated as he wrapped his arms around her figure, hugging her.
Y/n who was in a state of pure shock was putting all the pieces all together. 'He waited for me...?' Y/n thought in her mind as she kept quiet and processed everything.
"Me? I'm the one you like?"
"Why? Why fake a relationship and lie to me?"
"I know I don't have a chance. So i had to improvise a few things to get your attention. So i had to Fake it till I make it."
"But, I don't think I can pretend anymore."
"Even though I don't have any chance but... do remember you have a chance with me."
The air around them turn silent, warm but tense. He then heard Y/n shuffle under him- then she hugs him unexpectedly. Earning a small yelp from him but nonetheless he hugs back taking the chance.
A few more minutes of fluff and stuff, Y/n finally spoke. Rindou gently held Y/n's chin to inspect her face, he brushed off the dried tears that were still visible on her face as he asked something.
"Are you okay now? you need to stop crying. You'll get ugly."
"Oh sorry Mr. Faker" Y/n replied sarcastically while Rindou chuckled.
"....Do you still want to join dinner with us?" Rindou offered as he softly held her hand to his... providing comfort and a bit affection to her. Y/n thought for a bit before replying.
" I would love to, but, with this face?"
"Yeah, you look beautiful." Rindou said earning a smack to his shoulders from Y/n. "Stop the flattery. As if you just forgotten you told me to stop crying because I'll get ugly! " Rindou chuckled again as he patted her head.
"I remember the same thing you did this to me when you approached me for that deal." Y/n thought a loud making Rindou raised a brow at her.
"Wow, you remembered" He sang acting impressed and Y/n groaned.
She smiled, warming his heart for a second. "I mean, why not?"
Rindou hid his smile as he heard her answer, earning a loud laugh from her finding his reaction endearing and a rare sight. She quickly held his arm and said:
"Hurry up, I'm sure the two are waiting."
'I may haven't said this to you directly but...'
Note: This oneshot is proof read but NOT ENTIRELY. I only did some minor changes once again where I spot a few scenes that seems too cliche or awkward and along with the dialogues. You can see the difference when you have read the same oneshot from my Wattpad Account.
PUBLISHED DATE : March 28, 2024 (REPUBLISHED)
ONESHOT TITLE : "Fake it till you make it"
