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6 years had passed since Yu Narukami had stayed with his uncle for one year in the small town of Inaba. And what a year it was. The young man never expected to get thrown in the middle of a murder investigation, let alone discover a whole other world, and the power known as “Persona”. During that year, Yu made everlasting bonds, and while he would never forget anyone he became close to, there was one person in particular that stood out among the rest…
Yukiko Amagai. The heir to the historical Amagi inn was the woman Yu had fallen hopelessly in love with. What started as a friendship grew into a love that would never fade or wilt, and he would always remember the day the two of them became a couple in front of the shrine.
Over the last 6 years, the 22 year old had made many trips back to the place he considered to be his true home. And now, with just a month left until he graduates college, Yu could hardly wait to settle there permanently…..which brings him to this evening.
The date was February 13th, and it was just before midnight, and Yu had taken the last train from Tokyo to Inaba, and the young man looked at the small black box in his hand. Only 3 people knew of his plan, his Uncle Dojima, who he had gone to for advice, and Yukiko’s parents. He had spoken to his (hopefully) future in-laws the last time he had been in Inaba, getting their blessing to ask Yukiko to marry him, and to get a jump on the process of formally making Yu part of their family. He knew a Valentine's day proposal was cliche, but it just seemed fitting. He kept going over in his head what he was going to say to his girlfriend, and only snapped out of his planning when he heard the announcement that the train was arriving at the station. He carefully put the ring box in his jacket pocket, and got off the train.
As he stepped onto the familiar platform, he looked up at the night sky. It was cold out, and cloudy, but no signs of fog. He hadn’t had to worry about the fog in years, but he was always on the lookout for it. “Hey…Kid…it’s not smart to be loitering around this late, you might get arrested” a familiar sounding voice said to Yu. He smiled softly, and turned to face his Uncle. “Well, it’s a good thing I have an in on the force” The two chuckled, and gave each other a quick hug. “Good to see you Uncle. Is Nanako-""Safe at home, fast asleep. She’ll be surprised to see you in the morning” The detective said as he led Yu to his car.
As the two drove back to the Dojima residence, Yu’s uncle let out a sigh. “Jeez, it feels like yesterday you were just a kid coming to stay with me for a year ... .now, look at you, about to graduate college and ask your girlfriend to marry you…Makes me feel old” he said with a slight smile.
Yu returned the half smile with one of his own. “Speaking of Uncle, you made sure not to tell anyone, right?”
Dojima sighed. “Not even Nanako knows, though she almost overheard me on the phone with you the other day, so she suspects something. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled for Yukiko to officially become her “Big Sis”.
Yu chuckled at that. “Good ... .I didn’t tell anyone else I was coming besides you and Yukiko…I was able to take a sick day from school, the first one I’ve ever used at college, but I wanted to make it special. She thinks I’m just making up for last year when I couldn’t see her on valentine's day”
The two men finally arrived at their home, and as they entered, Yu had no idea that on the other side of Inaba, the woman he loved was still awake…
Yukiko stared intently at the ceiling as she laid on her futon. For the last 2 weeks, something had been weighing on her mind. She would have told Yu about it sooner, but his spontaneous Valentine's trip gave her a chance to tell him the news in person, and that was probably for the best…considering she was pregnant…
Only two people besides her knew this secret. Her best friend in the whole world, Chie, who could always tell when something was off with her, and her mother, who ran into Yukiko right after she had taken the test. The couple had been together for 6 years and were both adults, so it wasn't the worst thing that could have happened, but it was still unexpected. The two were always careful, and it must have happened on New Years day, while Yu was visiting for winter break…she thought her mother would of been disappointed, and maybe even upset, and while she seemed a bit perturbed by the news, Yukiko had no idea her mother knew of Yu's proposal plan. The raven haired woman sighed as she closed her eyes, trying to think of what she was going to say to him…he was the only one she had ever been with, and their relationship has survived the long distance for 6 years, but she had heard so many stories of how an unexpected pregnancy could ruin a relationship…and she couldn't bear the thought of that…
As she thought about trying to sleep, her phone buzzed. Yukiko picked it up, and saw it was Chie calling. She took a deep breath, and answered.
“Hello?”
“Oh good, you are up…I'm really sorry for calling so late, I just wanted to make sure you were doing ok…”
“I'm…fine Chie…just nervous…what if…what if he doesn't take the news well?”
Chie sighed. “Look, Yukiko, Narukami is one of the best people I know…and he loves you more than anything. I'm sure he's gonna be ok with your news.”
“But this wasn't supposed to happen like this…I always figured if we had kids, it would be well into us having already been married….”
“Yukiko…I wish I knew what to say, other than I'm here for you, no matter what…and if he doesn't take it well, I'll punt his butt into space!”
Yukiko got a chuckle from that, and if she wasn't so tired, she may have gone into one of her full blown laughing fits. “Thank you, Chie…I'm going to try and sleep now…I'll let you know how things go…”
“Goodnight Yukiko…let me know as soon as you can what he says..” and with that, the two friends hung up..
The next morning, Yu woke up in his room, and saw it was only 6 am. He wondered if Nanako was still asleep, and if Dojima had gone to work yet. As he went downstairs, he was surprised to see his Uncle in the kitchen, making coffee. “Morning, Yu. Figured you'd be up early, and that you'd need some caffeine” he said as he handed his nephew the mug he had given him all those years ago. “Thanks, Uncle…I'm surprised you're still here” Dojima smirked, and sat in his usual spot at the table. “I may have taken the day off…things have been quiet for once, and I figured what the heck, I'll be around in case you need me.”
Yu couldn't help but smile at his uncle. When they first met, he couldn't imagine he would ever take any time off work for anything. “Thank you, uncle…I really appreciate you”
As he sat down to drink his coffee, some footsteps could be heard coming down the hall. “Dad…are you still-...BIG BRO!!!” Nanako yelled as she ran up to Yu, giving him a big hug. “What are you doing here?! You were just here for winter break!” The 12 year old exclaimed gleefully. Yu returned the hug, and patted her on the head. “Well, I've got some big plans today, it's a surprise, but if it all goes well, I'll tell you everything later, ok?” Nanako nodded enthusiastically. “Ok Big Bro! Ooh, I better get ready for school!” She yelled as she ran back to her room. Dojima sighed and shook his head. “That girl…she forgot all about me the moment she saw you were here” giving his nephew another half smile.
As the sun rose, Yukiko slowly got up, and began to get ready for the day. She was feeling self conscious, she was just over a month along, and already worried that all her clothes wouldn't fit anymore. Only when her mother came to help her get dressed did she calm down some. “Dear…I know you're nervous, but don't fret …Yu's a good man, and I'm certain it will all work out” she desperately wanted to tell her daughter what her longtime boyfriend was planning, but she also didn't want to steal the moment from him. Yukiko nodded, and sighed. “I know….. Yu loves me…and I love him…” as she said that, she gently rubbed her stomach without even realizing it…
Yu stood outside of the Amagi Inn, a somewhat blank expression on his face . His heart was racing, but he did his best to keep that calm, cool demeanor he was known for. As he walked inside, he was greeted in the customary way, until the staff realized it was him. “Oh!! Narukami-san! Let me grab Yukiko” one of them said before running off. Yu took the moment to look around…if she said yes, this place would become his home, and he wouldn't be known as Narukami for much longer…
“Yu-kun…” As Yu heard that familiar, sweet voice, he turned to face his raven haired beauty, a smile immediately appearing on his face. He walked up to her, and gently wrapped his arms around her in a hug. Even after 6 years, it was hard for Yukiko to do any PDA, so he didn't try and kiss her just now. “Happy Valentine's day, Yukiko…I hope you'll like what I have in store for you”
As her boyfriend hugged her, Yukiko blushed a bit, but still wrapped her arms around him back, gently pushing her face against his chest. “I hope the same thing, Yu-kun…I uh, have some chocolate for you…it's in kitchen”
Yu smiled, and pulled back some so he could look at her face. “I can't wait to eat it later….my uncle let me borrow his car, and I was really hoping we could go to Shichiri beach.”
Yukiko blushed, and before she could respond, her mother appeared. “I don't mean to eavesdrop, but that's a wonderful idea… you two go and spend some time alone, we can handle things here, Yuki-chan” Yukiko nodded, albeit a bit shaky. “Thank you mother”
“Thank you, Amagi-san” Yu said, taking Yukiko by the hand, walking side by side as they went to the car.
The ride to the beach was mostly silent, both Yu and Yukiko having so much on their minds, unaware of what the other one was planning. As they arrived at the beach, Yu found a nearby parking spot. “Seems like most people don't want to be here in the cold…we will have some privacy then” he said with a smile.
Yukiko only half returned the smile as she nodded her head. “T..that's good…it will give us a chance to talk alone…no prying eyes or ears…” she said, thinking if she tried to tell him back at the inn, the entire staff would know before he would have a chance to process everything.
The couple made their way to the same spot they had 6 years ago, hand in hand as they sat down. Yu looked out at the ocean, and then back at Yukiko. “I can't believe it…has it really been over half a decade since our first valentine's?”
Yukiko blushed as he spoke, and squeezed his hand. “I can hardly believe it myself…part of me thought that when you went back to Tokyo…you'd forget me…but you never did…” Yu chuckled at that. “And what sort of prince would I be if I were to forgo my promises to my princess?~”
Yukiko sighed. “You're never gonna let me live down the whole “Princess” bit, are you?....you're lucky you're cute…my prince” and as she said that, the two of them laughed, and leaned into each other.
Yu could feel the ring box in his pocket, it felt heavier and heavier each second it was in there. “Yukiko…there's a reason I brought you to this specific spot…I-” before he could finish, Yukiko looked him directly in the eyes, blushing like crazy and interrupted him “Yu…I don't mean to cut you off, but if I don't say this now, I feel like I'll explode....I'm pregnant..!” She blurted out, a bit louder than expected, and she was grateful they were alone right now.
Yu was left speechless, processing what Yukiko had just said. Before he could speak, she looked down at her shoes, and said. “I'm sorry I just blurted it out, I had no idea how I was going to tell you otherwise…I took 3 different tests, so I know it's true…I haven't known for long, and I was going to tell you the moment I found out, but then you said you were coming for Valentine's day, and I figured this was something I should tell you in person…” she was fidgeting with the end of her skirt, unable to look up at him.
Yu….wasn't expecting this at all…”So…if you aren't far along, that means…” he sighed softly, and chuckled a bit. “New Year's Day….that has to be when it happened” He remembered because that was the day he had gotten the blessing from Yukiko's parents to ask her to be his wife. He had been so excited after their talk, he rushed straight to her, and the two spent the entire rest of the day in her room, and didn't leave it until the early morning.
Yukiko blushes more as her boyfriend was clearly reminiscing about how this happened. “That's…that's the date that makes the most sense….” She finally looked up at Yu, and it was clear she was holding back tears. “I…I know this must be unexpected…and I get if you're freaked out…to be honest, I'm still wrapping my head around it…”
Yu frowned when he saw the woman he loved was so close to crying, and he leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Yukiko…it's gonna be ok…I'm gonna be right by your side, every step of the way…now…may I say some things?” Yukiko nodded, biting her lip.
Yu brushed the forming tears from the corner of his beloved's eyes, and smiled softly. “Do you remember, our very first Valentine's here? You made me that enormous box of chocolate, and we spent hours just sitting here, and you told me of your dream…about the two of us, running the inn together, side by side?” Yukiko nodded. “Of course….I could never forget that day Yu…” he smiled, and slowly got down on the step below Yukiko, kneeling in front of her.
“I told you then I loved you, and I loved that dream…and now, with my degree almost done ... .I want to make it more than a dream” as he said that, he slowly pulled the little black box from his coat pocket.
Yukiko watched her boyfriend as he spoke, his words calming down some of her fears. But when he pulled that box out, her eyes went wide, and she felt herself beginning to tremble. “Y..Yu..is that?”
Yu interrupted her this time. “Just…please, don't say anything else until I'm finished” Yukiko nodded, her heart pounding. Yu took a deep breath, and looked into her eyes. “I've loved you since high-school…weve been through so much together, things no normal people could understand…and don't you think anything could scare me away from you, especially the fact that you're carrying my child…”
Yu then opened the box, revealing an elegant but simple platinum band, with a red stone in the middle. “Yukiko Amagi…would you grant me the immeasurable honor of becoming my wife, and let me officially join the Amagi family?”
Tears ran down Yukiko's pale face, and all she could manage at first was an enthusiastic nod, before finally finding her voice. “Yu-kun….you don't know how often I've dreamed of this moment.Of ... .of course I'll marry you!…!” Yu smiled at her yes, and took her left hand, placing the ring on her. Yukiko looked down, and more tears came rushing down her face. “How..how long have you-” “Years” Yu said as he sat next to her again, wiping her tears away. “But, the actual plan for today has been in motion since winter break, and yes, you parents gave me their blessing, and explained the process of me formally becoming a member of the Amagi family” Yukiko chuckled. “So that's why mother wasn't as flustered as I thought she'd be when I told her about that baby…she already knew your plan…”
Yu leaned in, and kissed his now fiancee, and Yukiko returned the kiss. She knew no one else was around, but she was so happy that she wouldn't have cared if people saw. Yu pulled back after a moment, and placed his forehead against hers. “I did have to change my speech a little on the fly there after you gave me that news…” as he spoke, he gently placed a hand on Yukiko's stomach, and she grabbed it lovingly with one of her own. “I was thinking we'd get married sometime next year…but, now, maybe we should do it sooner, given..you know.”
Yukiko blushed, and nodded. “I'm sure my mother has been planning a traditional wedding since the moment you asked for her blessing, and since she was the first person that knew about the baby, I can only imagine she's been on overdrive since then”
Yu chuckled, and held his beloved close. “I was planning on leaving early tomorrow morning, but I've got to stay a few days now at least. And don't worry, all my assignments are well past done, I'm in the home stretch of college, I can miss a day or two for my future bride.” Yukiko leaned her head against his shoulder, and smiled “I won't argue with that…my love…” as the two sat there and looked out at the ocean, neither wanted this moment to end….