Chapter Text
Yukizome thought nothing of it when Sakakura invited her to lunch.
…Somehow, the two of them had become even closer since Sakakura and Munakata started dating. It was a little bit awkward initially, sure, since Yukizome still harbored a pretty substantial crush, but Sakakura’s determination not to push her out or hurt her was very clear. Whatever small, petty grudge she held onto for the first few weeks faded quickly upon the realization that, beyond very private, intimate dates, they never neglected to invite her along. There was always, always room for her in their circle, and the fact that the two of them had fallen in love wasn’t about to change that.
And in time, the crush faded, as all of them do.
The restaurant was close enough to walk to, even in her boots, but Sakakura still offered a half-joking ‘you sure you don’t want me to give you a lift?’ halfway there. Yukizome refused, of course. Though she knew carrying her probably would take no effort on his part.
It was a small place with outdoor seating and black wrought iron fencing surrounding the patio. Five or six black tables with matching black chairs and multicolored cushions were spaced out around them, far enough away not to feel too cramped. It was cute, but Yukizome quietly hoped that such a venue wouldn’t turn out to be outrageously expensive. She’d hate to take advantage of Sakakura’s generosity.
“Really. Get whatever you want, Yukizome.” He said, as though reading her mind. “When I said my treat, I meant it. You don’t need to get…water and leaves just because I’m buying it.”
“…Do you mean salad?”
“…Yeah. What did I say?”
“You said leaves, Sakakura-kun. And what if I like water?”
Sakakura actually…laughed.
If asked, Yukizome probably wouldn’t call him a total killjoy (he was, and she sort of knew it, but she maintained the position that he had to have a sense of humor somewhere in there) but seeing him actually enjoy himself was a new and welcome experience.
“…I like water.” Sakakura finally said. “I’m just saying you don’t have to get it.” He paused, drumming one finger on the table and shifting his weight, as though momentarily considering what to say next. “…Special occasion, anyway.”
That got her attention, but their server stopped by just as she was about to ask about it.
It was a little bit frustrating that he’d just drop something like that and not bring it up for the entirety of lunch, leaving her to wonder what exactly Sakakura-kun considered special enough to make an event out of. Not that he seemed to notice. Even as she rushed, hoping that he’d get to the point by the time they were done eating, he took his time. And then, when she was finished, he suggested she get more!
What felt like a month and a half passed during that meal, and then Sakakura pushed a small box across the table.
It was solid black and felt soft, like velvet, and Yukizome knew what it was before she even opened it up.
That’s a ring.
An engagement ring.
…
Why is Sakakura-kun giving me this…!?
“I-I thought you were…” She stuttered out, a thousand and one questions racing through her mind. What would Kyosuke think? How do I tell him no…?! Do I want to tell him no?? I don’t want to tell him yes, but he is very, very handsome… But…aren’t he and Munakata…
…
…Yukizome suddenly felt very, very dense.
“…Heh. Still gay, sorry.” Sakakura smiled, and even in the midst of mentally berating herself for assuming such a silly thing, Yukizome couldn’t help but smile too.
He said it out loud for the first time almost a year ago. A lot had changed since then - what had once been something that obviously caused him a lot of pain to admit, was now a detail that he mentioned with grace and ease. As casually as he might say what he had for breakfast that morning.
The looked at each other for a long, long, quiet moment. Then Sakakura’s eyes moved to the box and back again.
“I want it to be perfect.” He said. “That’s why I -”
“…Sakakura-kun…”
“…Wait. It feels right to ask this formally.”
With that, Sakakura leaned forward, bumping the table accidentally and nearly toppling his own water into his salad. (Huh! You don’t need to order water and leaves, Yukizome! Specifically not water! Specifically not lettuce! But I guess I’m going to get that exact thing!) Yukizome put all of her energy into not laughing, as this was a very serious matter, and a very important moment for him.
Really, she should be applauded. For as well as he cleaned up, Sakakura was still much too bulky to be particularly graceful, even in the situations that called for it.
“Yukizome.”
She was snapped out of her train of thought. Sakakura took a sip of the water that he had narrowly avoided spilling all over the table.
“You’re my best friend. And Munakata’s. But that’s not the only reason why I’m asking you to do this.” He bit his lip thoughtfully.
“Since high school, you’ve always been the one that goes above and beyond, while I kept you on a leash and made sure we never went over budget on anything, or took on too much and stressed Munakata out… But with this, now, I don’t want to do that.” Sakakura shook his head. “I want it to be unforgettable. But that’s a talent I don’t have. I need you, Yukizome. Without the leash.”
He took a long pause, and then a long, long breath, before speaking again.
“…Will you help me ask for Munakata’s hand in marriage?”
Yukizome moved to speak, but found her throat closed. She couldn’t tell immediately, but judging by Sakakura’s face losing all color within moments, she probably started tearing up, too.
“H-hey, I…I’m sorry. I should’ve…I should’ve known better. I know how it felt to have feelings like that, it’s not right of me to get you involved. If one of you had asked -”
Sakakura was suddenly cut off with arms around his neck, pulling him tightly into a hug. He didn’t even notice Yukizome stand up.
“You’re my best friend too, Sakakura-kun. Don’t tell Munakata.”
She couldn’t actually see him, but he may have chuckled at that, if she could interpret chest movements as well as she thought she could.
“I’m going to help you.” Yukizome finally pulled back from the hug, allowing Sakakura to dab underneath her eyes with his napkin. “I’m just…in shock, is all. Good shock. Nothing but good. Honest.”
Sakakura did smile at that.
“You mean it, though? No budget?” Yukizome leaned in close. “You have to say you mean it! You can’t get mad at me later if I decide to rent out a continent or something!!”
“A continent…!?” Before it faded. the look on his face made it perfectly clear that, for a moment at least, he didn’t doubt that she’d go that far. “…Promise not to put me in debt for the next thirty years. Other than that, no budget.”
“Got it. I’m sure we can work out a twenty-nine year payment plan for something like this!!”
His eyes narrowed, again. Yukizome wondered if there would ever come a time when he’d realize she was kidding.