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"Oh, wow! Look, Kyo! They're so pretty!" she says with a big smile, running over to the large patch of hydrangeas. She places her hand on one of the big, round flowers and gently touches its petals.
He smiles and walks over to her. The flowers really do look pretty, and the atmosphere is calming. But, of course, with Tohru here, that just makes it all the more better.
They both decided to take a trip to Kyoto. They have been here once on a class trip before but never really got to enjoy their surroundings because of all the people. It was actually Tohru's idea that got them here. She wanted to see some things they didn't have the opportunity to last time and wanted Kyo to come along.
Kyo agreed to come because they had enough money saved up to go on a trip, and she looked so excited about the prospect. It's also because this is the perfect opportunity to propose to her. He bought a ring for her some time ago but never found the right time to propose. It's been safely stashed away, but now he's ready, and he's thought through what he's going to say.
She looks over at him with her big smile "Hey, do you want to check out the temple I was talking about earlier? I heard it has a flower garden just like this!" she chirps.
He gently squeezes the small box in his pocket and smiles. "Yeah, sure. Come on," he says, wrapping his arm around her waist and guiding her down the path to exit the garden.
It took a little while to get there, but they finally made it. It's worth it, seeing the amazed look on Tohru's face. It really is a beautiful sight. There are many hydrangeas in all different shades of blue, purple, pink, and some white ones, along with some trees, all surrounding one main building right in the center. The temple's design is very fancy and open to the outside. And it looks pretty old like it's been here hundreds of years.
"Wow! This is amazing! Look at all the flowers! There are so many of them! The temple looks amazing too!" she takes Kyo's hand in her own and runs towards the front of the temple.
"Woah, slow down, okay? We have all day. There's no need to rush."
"I know, but I'm just so excited! I'm so happy you're here, Kyo! This is amazing!" she smiles her brightest smile.
He sighs and smiles back. Then, he bonks her on the head with his knuckles. "Okay, just don't wear yourself out. At the rate you're going, you're going to pass out way before the sun sets."
She giggles. "I'm sorry, Kyo. I'm just so excited!"
"It's fine, dummy. Do you wanna go inside?"
"Yes!"
They check out the inside of the temple, and it looks nice and fancy, just like the outside. Since it's very open to the outside, they can see all the trees and hydrangea. Tohru loves it, of course. So after some looking around, they come back outside and walk down the path of hydrangeas. There's a lot more here than the garden they were in before.
Kyo's starting to feel nervous. He nervously plays with the hem of his shirt between his fingers while he walks hand in hand with Tohru. 'Is this the right time? Should I do it now? Is this the right spot?' he thinks. He's starting to have doubts in himself, but he knows he can't. Right now just doesn't feel like the right time to propose, so he waits.
"Hey, maybe we should go get some lunch. It's around that time now," he suggests, "but we can stay here longer if you want to."
She smiles at him, "Yes, that would be great! I'm actually pretty hungry. Where would you like to go?"
"It doesn't matter to me. I'll go wherever you go," he smiles.
"We can go downtown and see what restaurants are there, and then we can choose!"
"Sounds good," he gives her hand a gentle squeeze, and they exit the garden by the temple and head downtown. It takes a little while to get there, but they make it, and there are many shops and restaurants in sight.
"Wow, there are so many to choose from! They all look so good!" she says.
"Well, come on, let's look around and see all our options."
After they see what restaurants are In the area, they both decide on a sushi place. They are told it has excellent sushi, and they want to try it.
The front of the restaurant looks pretty and not overly decorated. It looks nice. When they enter, he catches the smell of fresh cucumbers. He sees the restaurant hostess at the hostess stand. She welcomes them and gets them set up with a waitress and table.
They take their seats on opposite sides of each other, and both start by ordering two glasses of water. "Alrighty, I'll be back shortly," the waitress says and walks away.
Kyo gives her a smile, and Tohru does too. "She seems nice. I'm excited, Kyo! We get to have sushi together!"
He's so glad she's having fun. He's happy he can spend this time with her and take a trip and get away from everything for a day. But, unfortunately, they're only able to take a day trip because he has to get back to the dojo and can't be gone too long, so that is a little disappointing, but all that matters is that he's spending this time with her.
He also came here because this was the perfect opportunity to propose to her, but he just needs to find the right place and time.
"Where would you like to go next after this?" he asks.
"Hmm…" she places a finger on her chin and thinks, "There are some more temples and shrines that look nice. Would you like to visit them?"
He reaches over and places his hand on hers, "I told you, I'll go wherever you go, just name it," he says with a warm smile.
She smiles back warmly, and he leans over the table and kisses her, which she happily returns.
The waitress returns with two glasses of water and sets them down in front of them, "Here are your two glasses of water. Do you need more time to order?"
He looks over at the menus they haven't even touched yet, "Oh, yes, please."
"No problem. I'll give you two some time," the waitress says and walks away.
He grabs two menus and hands one to Tohru, who is blushing out of embarrassment. He stifles a giggle, "We should find out what we want to order before she comes back."
"Okay," she says with a smile.
After they find out what they want and order, it doesn't take long for the waitress to come back with two sushi plates that have delicious-looking sushi on them. They both enjoyed their dish, and it's enough to keep them full for a while. Kyo paid, and Tohru thanked him for the delicious meal. He's just happy she's having a good time.
Next, they visit some more shrines and temples, and they both enjoy seeing them. They are stunning and nice on the inside and out. Kyo let Tohru guide, and she chose where they would be going next. He's surprised she still has energy. Time flew by fast. The day is close to an end, and he still hasn't proposed to her, so he needs to do it soon, but the times just haven't felt right.
"Hey, Kyo? Before today is over, would you like to visit the bamboo forest? The last time we were here, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, and I would like to visit again if it's not too much to ask," she says, looking regretful for asking.
"Yeah, sure. It's no problem, Tohru. You can ask, and I won't get mad. It doesn't matter if I choose the places we visit or not. All that matters is that we go together, and I love the time I get to spend with you," he says with a warm smile.
She smiles, "Me too. I love spending time with you so much."
That makes him happy. "Alright, come on, let's go to the bamboo forest," he takes her hand, and they go visit one last place for the day.
When they're in the forest walking down the path, he hears the sounds of tall bamboo bumping against each other, which the wind is causing. It's an interesting sound, and it's actually pretty calming. So they walk silently, hand in hand, down the long path in the forest.
Eventually, Tohru speaks up, "It's so nice to feel the breeze and hear the sound of the bamboo, isn't it, Kyo?"
"Yes, it is nice. It was a good idea to come here," he smiles, and she smiles back.
There is a bamboo forest close to Shigure's old house they used to walk through sometimes, so it's nothing totally new, but it feels different. Maybe knowing they're on a trip, or because he will propose to her…
When they exit the forest, there is an opening behind some trees, and the grass is very green with some flowers and a giant cherry blossom tree. It's perfect.
He leads her into the opening right under the cherry blossom tree, "Tohru, there's something I've wanted to do for a while now, and I never found the right time. Being here with you on this trip has made me so happy. I love spending time with you and being by your side. I would go anywhere with you. You have always been here for me and helped me through my darkest times. You were the light in all of that craziness, and I want to be the same for you. Every moment I'm with you makes me so happy. I want to be here by your side and make you happy. Tohru, I want to live my life with you and stay with you, no matter what. Happy and sad times, I'll always be here for you. When you can't stand on your own, I'll lift you. When you struggle, I'll be here to help. So, Tohru…"
He gets down on one knee and reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black velvet box, and holds it out in front of him, "This is a promise to always stay by your side. I love you so much, Tohru."
He opens the tiny box, and there sits a small ring, just big enough for her to wear on her finger. The ring is a beautiful shining silver color with a pink jewel right in the center with two little orange jewels on both sides of the pink one.
The look on her face is filled with so many emotions. There's surprise, excitement, and happiness. Then, she starts to cry very, very happy tears.
"Will you marry me?"
She falls to her knees, not able to support her weight anymore, "Yes! Of course! I love you so much, Kyo! I want to spend my life with you!" she reaches forward so quick and wraps her
arms around him in a tight hug. She cries against his chest from being so happy. This is one of the most magical moments in his life. Tohru is saying yes. She's saying yes!
He wraps his arms around her, and just then, he realizes his own tears. He's crying. After some time, they pull apart, and Kyo takes the ring out of its box, and Tohru is already holding out her hand, ready for him to put it on. He gently takes her hand and slides the ring on her finger, "I promise to always stay by your side and love you for my whole life. I love you so much. This means so much, Tohru."
"I love you so much, Kyo. I'm so happy to spend my whole life by your side. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Meeting you and falling in love with you has been a joy and has made me so happy," she cries.
"I feel the same. Thank you for always being here for me. I promise I won't disappoint you, and I will be the best husband I can be for you." He kisses her and brings her into a hug, and they stay just like that, wrapped in each other's warmth for a while, having the knowledge they will be together for the rest of their lives, and they are so happy in this magical moment.
The cherry blossom petals fall, and it's beautiful. Right now is their happiest moment. They both feel so much love for each other, forever and always.