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"I'm home." Saku chimes as he opens the door. He hears what he thinks is his girlfriend, whom he had been sharing a house with since graduation from T-University.
"Welcome home!" the ever so familiar voice called out. It brought a smile to Saku, who's had quite a long day, and his said day improved ever so slightly.
His day turned even better when he saw her. She was wearing an apron, of all things. It also smelled amazing in there, so Subaru was probably cooking. Then again, she was also probably done, as she was placing plates and bowls full of food on their dinner table.
Why was he thinking so much? He must still be in that teachers' teaching mindset or whatever they called that.
"That smells nice. What did you make?" he asks, walking over to give her a light peck on her forehead. Subaru smiles as she returns the kiss.
"Food." she teases. "Just some rice, vegetables. A little fish. You're fine with eggplants, right?" she asked. Eggplants?
"I… don't believe I've tried. Something your sister brought back?"
"Yep."
Saku smiles. "Let me guess where Shouhei dragged her this time… the Maldives?" he guesses.
"Nope. Hodaka actually just went back to Malaysia. She seems to really love it there, we should check it out one day." Subaru replies. Saku nodded.
"Ah. I knew that. The sambal smell is quintessentially Malaysian."
"You've never been." Subaru responds, looking at him cheekily. Saku rolls his eyes and walks to the stairs.
"I'll take a shower first. I'll be back." he says, walking up the stairs.
Subaru waits for him to walk up, out of earshot and sighs. That was close, he nearly caught her looking at the ring.
Subaru had been waiting for this day. She didn't care if proposing to the love of your life on Valentines day night was as cliche as cliche could get. She just… wanted to.
They've been together for what, 4, 5 years? All throughout their Uni days, starting just before so when they found out they were going together.
So they've been living together for about 1 to 2 years. Seeing for 4 to 5. To some that might seem… a little short, but it was plenty for the pair of them. They've learnt a bunch about the other, achieved and helped the other so much that Subaru felt it was time to take the next step. Just as she did all those years ago.
She also had a plan. One she and Kaoruko had formulated carefully since Subaru grew sure of her idea. She'd get Saku to go on a walk with her, maybe grab a desert, maybe just a stroll. They'd find a bench, she'd tell him everything, propose, fireworks go off, they kiss under the moonlight-
Admittedly planned it with Madoka as well.
She sat down in her chair, facing the stairwell. She scooped up some rice onto both of their plates, and a little bit of everything onto them. Eggplant, fried fish, whatever this petai stuff was. Hodaka said it was great, so she tried cooking it… somehow. It was… very, very pungent.
She stole another peak at the ring. Being a lawyer… the pay was potent, and in combination with Saku's job as a teacher, they could live comfortably. Subaru had gotten a 'sponsor' from Kaoruko and Mio, the only two other than Madoka who knew.
Subaru liked the ring. Then again she wasn't one for spectacular jewels or bling, so just this simple silver ring with a small engraving of his and her names on the outside was enough for her. It was… actually quite easy to get Saku's ring size. She just had to tire him out one night, all means necessary.
Subaru felt her cheeks redden thinking about that. 'Gosh, I was so foreward that night…'
Back to the ring, though, she also knew Saku was about the same as her, not too keen on lavish things. They preferred things simple. So she obviously chose this little guy for the job, knowing it would be far more than enough for the pair of them.
And, obviously, for a gesture as big as this, neither would really care what was on it. Subaru hoped, at least, that Saku didn't have other plans for something like this.
A few minutes later, after Subaru texted Kaoruko idly waiting for Saku, said man walked down the stairs, wearing a much more comfortable looking piece of clothing. "I'm back."
"Indeed you are." Subaru said as she hurriedly hid the ring. "I hope you're hungry, I've already put some stuff on your plate." she said. As Saku sat down, Subaru told him what she'd made for them tonight.
"… and she also gave me this petai stuff. She says it's good, that we ought to try." she says. She scoops up a spoonful of the stuff, which is mixed in with meat, dried shrimp, chillies and onions and all of that, and shovels it into her mouth.
It was… crunchy, a little spicy, the meat a little chewy. But overall quite nice. The taste of this stuff was very strong, but in a good way.
"Mmm…" Subaru sounded out, content with the taste of the condiment. She chewed it and swallowed, happily. "That's not that bad, actually." she reviewed.
Hopeful that it would be good, Saku himself took a spoonful of the stuff, and brought it to his mouth. His curious look soon turned into a scowl, a tad disgusted, as he regretfully chewed on the condiment. He swallows hard.
"Subaru… your cooking is the best I've had after my mother's, but this… doesn't taste so good." he said. He shotgunned a glass of water, trying to get the taste out of his mouth.
Subaru giggled. "I guess it's an acquired taste. Here, you want me to take your portion? I realise I was a little… generous." she offers. Saku nods.
"Yes please. This Eggplant looks more appetising." he said. Subaru smiled. She really loved this life. And she was going to make sure she would have it for the rest of it.
"Please. Dig in."
"I want to go out for a walk. Wanna follow?" Subaru sheepishly asked.
"Can we get donuts?" he asked. Subaru smirked. "Desert."
"… fine."
Thus there they were, strolling through the street. There just so happened to be a donut shop open for them to buy some from. They got 3 vanilla filled donuts and 3 chocolate ones. Each other's favourites.
Subaru fidgeted with her fingers. How on Earth was she going to do this? It seemed so… nerve wracking. So… impossible.
"Subaru? Is something wrong? You… you kinda devoured that donut like it owed you money." Saku broke her out of her trance. She smiled at him, hiding her nervousness.
"I-I'm fine, thank you." she said. "You want to sit down somewhere, finish these donuts?" she suggested, hoping he'd say yes. For if not, there was no turning back.
"Sure. I think I saw a nice spot earlier, overlooking the sea." Saku said, stopping in his tracks and turning around. They walked back the way they went and Saku showed her the bench. It was next to a lamp post, which illuminated the bench.
'Say something.' Subaru said, the silence between them eating at them. She swallowed the last of her second donut and turned to him-
"This is a nice spot. It's a cool night too… perfect for desert." Saku said, staring off into the sea. The beach was just below them, a few steps away. Subaru decided to go along with the conversation.
"Perfect for desert." she said. She cleared her throat. "Listen, Saku… I have something I want to say." she said. Saku looked at her with a donut in his mouth, blinked, bit down and as he chewed he nodded, smiling.
"Go ahead." he said after he swallowed. Subaru breathed. Alright, here it goes.
"A-Alright… Saku, do you remember when I confessed to you?" Subaru starts. She's a little nervous. But not embarrassed or anxious.
"Of course I do. It was on this beach." he said. Subaru got up and extending an arm to him.
"Can we head down there…? Just for a second." she asked. Saku nodded and they got up.
Subaru didn't know what she was trying to do, honestly. She had a rough plan, but not about what she'd say. She'd been thinking of this for so long and yet…? In anycase, this had to be a short one. Had to be quick so that she could… could…
"Subaru? You're drifting off again." Saku called out. Subaru breathed.
"Sorry. It's just sorta hard to get this off my chest." she admitted. Saku smiled, placing an arm on her shoulder.
"I'll wait, no pressure. Take your time." he said. Subaru always got lost in those eyes of his. It gave her comfort. And it relaxed her.
"Alright." Subaru said. She relaxed her nerves. "Saku… you and I have been… together for how long now?" she asked, wanting him to acknowledge.
"About 5 years now." he said. "And we've lived together for 4." he added. Subaru smiled. He answered proudly.
"Right. I always wondered over these 5 years… when would you get tired of me? When would you find another woman that excited you?" she said. All of those sleepless nights, wondering what the catch might be. 'Why on Earth would he want to spend time with me?'
"Never. Subaru, I love you with all of my heart. Every bit of it." he said. Subaru took a breath.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Then…" she started. She dipped down and got on a knee, the waves crashing and the wind blowing her hair. Saku's breath hitched and his eyes widened. "Would you like to vow that you do?" she asked.
Saku's mouth contorted from an "o" face into a wry smile, tears so quickly falling onto his cheeks.
"Natsusawa Saku, you've brought so much joy to my life. I was… a little hard at first, a little pretentious, and God knows dense." she started. Saku laughed through a sob. "But now… now I'm doing what I did 5 years ago. Taking the next step." she said. "Will you-"
"Yes! Yes I will marry you, Hoshina Subaru. Yes." he said, so loudly that even the petrels and gulls out at sea could hear him. Subaru smiled widely as she got up, taking the ring out of the box. She took his hand and slid the ring onto his ring finger, then looking up to him.
"It looks good on you. Everything does though." she said, wiping a tear of his away. Saku had what would usually be an uncharacteristic smile on his face, ear to ear. He chuckled, sniffling. "Hey hey," Subaru started, cupping his cheek. "No need to cry."
"Today's a happy day, okay?"
Saku nodded, even though he was freely crying still. Subaru lenaed forward till their foreheads touched, and she shut her eyes. Saku did so too, leaning in.
"I love you, dearie."
"I know. I damn well know. Now kiss me."
And they did just that, the moon above of them as their ears blocked out the sounds of the waves.