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Proposals were difficult to plan to say the least. To think that this was only the beginning. Haru had an entire wedding to set up too, but at least she wouldn’t be alone in that respect. Kanami would be more than happy to give her input, but she couldn’t really give her perspective on what was intended to be a surprise. It wasn’t just the beginning of a lot of celebrating though. It was beginning of the rest of her life.
There was tension in her chest, not just because of her nerves, but also because of her past. The last time she was involved in marriage, it wasn’t pretty to say the least. However, today was a new day. Sugimura was out of her life, and she could marry the girl she actually desired. The one who actually respected her, and loved her. Who didn’t see her as just a status symbol.
It probably helped that Kanami, as a former Idol, also had anxiety over being seen as a trophy or prize to be won, instead of a woman. Not to mention both of their struggles with gender, while she was on the topic of womanhood. They had a lot in common, so Haru felt it was time to finally tie the knot, so to speak.
The former phantom thieves all supported her decision. They even helped her with ideas. Ann in particular was especially ecstatic. Morgana told her he’d accompany her if it’d help, especially because Kanami couldn’t understand him so she’d see him as just a normal cat, but she wanted to do this on her own. She loved her friends, but they were with her in spirit.
It was Ann’s idea to come to where she was now. They were on a private cruise. Sometimes having a large amount of money came in handy. The thought took her back to the source of her wealth, her late father. She wondered what he’d think if he saw her now. Would he be happy to see her happy? Be glad she got away from Sugimura? Had the change of heart gone though, probably? Assuming no change of heart, he’d be angry seeing her entering a relationship with another trans girl.
Mostly because marrying her wouldn’t help the company at all. Sometimes she felt that the only reason he let her transition was because it’d make it easier to sell her off. That was neither here nor there, he was gone. Sadly, she’d never know the answer to that question. It had been years, yet she couldn’t help but still miss the man he could’ve been. The man that he was, before everything went wrong for him. Before greed consumed his very being. She wasn’t alone anymore though. She never would be again thanks to the thieves and Kanami.
At the very least, with the metaverse gone, no one would have to go through what she did. Not having a Dad there to walk her down the isle, because he was killed in that world. Him not being there to support her or push her to take a leap of faith and propose. Telling her not to be worried about it, because Kanami loved her. There was no way she’d say no. It hurt, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it.
As much as she felt conflicted on the boy considering he put the bullet in his back, she really hoped that Akechi was resting in peace too. He’d probably call her stupid for showing him any form of empathy, she giggled a bit at the thought. He’d also probably, in his own way of course, tell her to stop being so worried about today. She still didn’t really like him as a person, and the feeling was probably mutual, but so was a begrudging respect.
Was Kanami’s answer so certain though? Maybe she wouldn’t want to get married. They hadn’t talked about it before. That was part of why she wanted it to be private, in case she said no out of nervousness or something. Maybe she wasn’t worthy of being a wife? She looked out to the beautiful sea. His shadow still lingered over her. Sugimura.
Despite not being in her life, the things he said and did to her… it still weighed on her soul. In another world, she’d be trapped under his thumb. Without Ren, she’d had married him, and be a victim of his violence and verbal abuse every day. As time went on, probably even more than that. She shuddered. That future never came to pass. Ren changed her destiny, and she’d never forget that.
Now, she could be in a loving relationship. Instead of waking up miserable, she’d wake up next to a beautiful girl who actually cared about her. Someone who did kind things for her, who cared for her, who never got mad if she said no. Who made her feel comfortable enough to say no. Who never made her feel like she was one wrong word away from being put in the ground. She had choices ahead of her. She was free.
She felt like the princess she always wanted to be, since she was a little girl. Even before she knew she was a little girl. She smiled gently. A smile that Kanami has told her said she adored. The feeling was mutual of course. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small box. She opened it, revealing her diamond ring. She wondered if she didn’t spend enough on this. Before she remembered that it was the thought that counted. Kanami probably would’ve been happy with an even cheaper ring. It was only 800,000 yen, but she still hoped that she’d like it. It was so beautiful that she couldn’t help but grab it.
She had told Kanami to meet here around 9 am before they went to sleep last night. She shouldn’t have been too much longer. This wonderful backdrop with the glistening water and the bright sun. Ann couldn’t have picked a better spot. She was just glad that this would be a better time on a boat than with Shido’s palace. She was at least pretty sure it wouldn’t end with a near death experience. The boat was relatively expensive, so she didn’t think anything would let it spontaneously combust. That could put a damper on things.
Light foot steps drew her attention. She looked behind her and saw a wonderful sight. Her hopefully fiance stretching, clearly having woken up not long ago. She yawned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Despite her exhaustion, she still put on proper clothes instead of coming to see her in her pajamas. She was wearing a red plaid shirt with blue jeans. She was always more tomboyish than she was. She always enjoyed that about her. They were both trans women, but they expressed that differently through their style. Kanami could get a bit self conscious about it, since more trans women preferred to express the femininity they’d been denied their whole lives.
“Shorry Haru, I didn’t mean to sleep in.” Kanami apologized.
Haru could only giggle. “It’s no problem. No need to be nervous.” She said, aware of the irony.
She smiled and walked over to her. She embraced her in a warm hug, making Haru blush. She always loved how tightly she squeezed her. Smelling the orange shampoo in her long beautiful brown hair always brought a smile to her face.
“You wanted to talk to me?” She asked with a tilt of her head.
Haru nodded. “That’s right Nami-chan. There’s something we need to talk about.” She paused. “I’m not breaking up with you, and you didn’t do anything!”
Kanami released the breath she was holding. “You know me so well.” She said with a smile.
She put her hands behind her back. “We’ve been together for a while. It’d be strange if I didn’t know what upsets you and what makes you happy.”
That was something Sugimura never bothered to try and learn. She was his toy, his property. When she met Kanami, she realized she wanted to learn everything about her. Her favorite foods, her favorite color, all of that. Even before they entered a relationship. She had no intention of making anyone feel the way he made her felt.
“Fair enough.” Kanami chirped. “Well, what is it?”
Haru looked away. The hardest part was starting. If she could just figure out how to begin, it’d be smooth sailing. Even if she was just throwing up words, the important thing was that it came from the heart. That she meant every word from the bottom of her soul. As long as her love came across in her speech, she’d be content.
“I’ve thought you were so pretty since the day we’ve met. Since that fateful day where our paths crossed, you’ve only grown more beautiful. Not just to me, in my opinion there is no girl more beautiful than you. Not just when you were on stage, but when you’re the way you are now, right in front of me.”
Kanami looked away with a blush. Haru smiled, she was glad this was landing. Just as she planned, she knew what she needed to say next. She’s focused enough on Kanami’s looks. There was more to her than that. Much more than being a lovely face to look at.
“You always make me laugh. You always make me smile. You always cheer me up. Your mannerisms are so cute, from your occasional lisp to your voice. There’s no one I’d rather be around than you. You’re my best friend.”
Kanami started smiling in spite of her blush. Now was her chance to move on to the next section.
“I don’t want to lose you, ever. My days would be filled with darkness if it wasn’t for you and my other friends. A former idol, and a former phantom thief. They’re quite different lines of work, but they’re also similar. We both had to wear masks, to hide our true selves. When the truest self is the most amazing to me.”
She reached into her purse and started playing with the ring box. She was almost there. All that was left was to bring it home.
“So… thank you for being in my life. I… can’t risk it. I need you by my side, now and forever.” She took a deep breath to prepare herself and calm her nerves. She got down on one knee, prompting Kanami to gasp.
Her eyes widened, and she looked like she was holding her breath again. As if she didn’t believe this was real. She could already see her tearing up. She knew she was making the right choice. In hindsight, she felt silly about being so concerned. There was nothing to be worried about. The love they shared was not only strong, but mutual.
“Kanami Mashita… Will you marry me?”
Kanami started breathing again before she started sniffling. She looked ecstatic despite the fact that tears were running down her face. She leapt towards Haru and gave her another one of her trademark tight hugs, except somehow even tighter. She didn’t mind though. Anything would do as long as she was with her.
She started rubbing her back, she could feel her shaking. This was a day she’d never forget. The smell of the ocean, the sound of waves, it’d be burned into her mind until the end she figured. A memory that she’d always hold dear.
“Nami-chan…?”
Kanami sniffled again. “Hm?”
“Darling, you never answered my question.”
“Oh!” She said between hiccups. “I do! Of course I do!”
Haru giggled. “I figured as much. I just wanted to hear it come out of your mouth.”
The two sat in each other’s embrace for so long that one would be forgiven for thinking they’d fallen asleep. Haru was so glad she went through with this. She figured Kanami would be a bit too nervous to do it, plus she didn’t want to feed into her insecurities about her presentation by letting her propose. Gender roles could truly mess with someone’s head.
Kanami’s soft breathing was like music to Haru’s ears, bliss on her skin. She couldn’t wait to tell the thieves about how it went. She knew they’d be just as happy as her. Finally, the next stage of her life could start. She could plan a real wedding. She could start her business, and she’d be able to do it right next to Kanami Okumura.