Written for Ficwip Discord’s August 100 Words Event
Title: biscuits for a day of remembrance
Ship: Takumi/Yui
Fandom: Delicious Party Pretty Cure
Word Count: 1,000
Rating: T
Warning: Canonical Character Death
Tags: Grief, Mourning, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Pre-Relationship, Food as a Metaphor for Love
Takumi woke up for the day, he was struck by dread. The birds didn’t sing outside, the frost lingered, and the skies were grey. The whole town, it seemed, knew exactly what made this Sunday so out of the ordinary and so utterly tragic.
Time all but stood still in remembrance to a certain woman whose reputation was known far and wide in this town. Today marked exactly one year since the passing of Nagomi Yone.
In the kitchen, Takumi stood like a zombie. He wasn’t hungry, he just wanted to pay his morning dues. In a similar fugue state, his Mother gave him an apologetic look. She knew, too, and had already made plans and arrangements to give Akiho and Hikaru the day off. That meant he was tasked with occupying Yui.
His stomach clenched at the thought of his best friend. Poor Yui. She had been closer than anyone to her grandmother, absorbing all her wisdom and clinging onto her dress the way only a granddaughter could.
It wasn’t the same but he could relate to the gaping hole left by a precious person’s absence. Just look at his Father, even on a day like this, he was still far away and on that boat in a different part of the world. It was tough. But at least for Takumi, who still had all four of his grandparents, it was temporary.
Takumi got changed and it was eleven by the time he went next door. With the diner closed, the front of the house was eerily quiet. The lights were off and the gloomy weather hung like a ghost. He came around the side and into the main part of the house. Where it was a home. Or should have been. It was so cold today. Felt lifeless and lonely yet when Takumi saw Yui, he was relieved.
There she was. In the kitchen, humming a little tune to herself. She had her hair done up in a bun today. That was uncharacteristic but understandable on a day like today as it was just like her nan’s favourite hairstyle.
When she noticed him, she turned around with a bittersweet smile.
“Ah. Hey Takumi. Mum said you would be around soon.” Yui said, her voice cracking. “I-It’s nice that our parents are friends, they’ve gone to have lunch somewhere. Or, uh, maybe brunch since it’s not noon yet.” She laughed awkwardly.
Takumi came closer, leaned against the entryway to the kitchen, where tatami met tiling underfoot. He could smell something crispy and somewhat sweet in the air when he poked his head in.
“How’re you holding up?” Takumi asked.
“Y-Yeah, fine.” Yui clearly lied. She was honest to a fault as she pawed at her eyes. They were shiny and rimmed red. “Um, I’ve had a, uh, cry or two already this morning but…”
“You're working out your feelings the way you know best.” Takumi said and he gestured to the workspace in the kitchen.
The mess that Yui made seemed reflective of her headspace. Nothing was neat and clean, there was flour and desiccated coconut sprinkled on the benchtop. Her wooden spoon perched precariously on the sink’s edge was still slathered in batter.
Yui nodded.
“Whatcha making?” Takumi asked.
“Army biscuits.” Yui replied. “You're just in time, they’re almost done.”
“What’re army biscuits?” Takumi asked.
“They’re from Australia and given to folks who you aren’t going to see in a while. They don’t spoil easily so they’re good for long journeys.” Yui said, her pacing off-kilter.
She brushed herself down, skirt flapping, and started to walk into the den, so Takumi joined her. They sat down together. It was obvious that Yui was feeling fragile but at the same time, talkative so it was better to continue cross-legged versus standing up.
“D-Did you know?” Yui asked. “My Grandmother, she did some travelling in her youth. Including Australia which is where she learned this recipe. It's made with coconut, oats, and golden syrup. They’re hard and crunchy but so yummy.”
“I look forward to trying one then.” Takumi replied.
“They’ll be ready soon.” Yui said then got flustered. She had already said that. She fidgeted atop the table as she got upset with herself. Takumi reached out and stroked her hands, running his fingers over her knuckles.
“When you're ready.” Takumi told her again.
“Thanks.” Yui breathed a sigh of relief. “I-I thought they would be a good choice for today. Grandmother said these biscuits are baked around times of remembrance, so, um, I thought it was fitting.”
“I see.” Takumi murmured.
Neither had anything to say to that so it turned into a mutual minute silence for Yone. It was a heavy silence which had Yui shuddering as she tried not to cry but she was boiling over like a kettle on the stove. Takumi was a non-judgemental presence but ever an awkward teenage boy, he didn’t know what to say.
Luckily, he didn’t have to say anything. Yui’s timer went off and she went flying to the kitchen in response. Anything to flee her feelings as she opened the oven, was blasted by the heat inside and drew out the cookies on the tray over the rack.
Takumi could smell them from here. They had a wholesome, hearty smell to them decadent with caramelised golden syrup. Yui impatiently plated them, singing her fingers by accident.
“They’re ready.” Yui said. “And be careful, they’re hot.”
Takumi nodded and let Yui place them in the middle of the low table but waited for her first. She got onto her knees and took a deep breath, then spoke.
“Thank you for this recipe, Grandmother.” she said.
“Thank you.” Takumi echoed.
Yui reached for the top biscuit piled upon the plate. She breathed, shuddering, and they were still too hot to handle and that made her tear up, or maybe she was already tearing up because of her grandmother then ate, with gusto, and let her tears stream down her face.
Tags: Fluff, Crushes, Pining, Pre-Canon, Food as a Metaphor for Love
Takumi did not pride himself on being on time.
In the metaphorical sense. Not a literal one.
Literally, he was quite the punctual young man. However, metaphorically, he was very rarely at the right place at the right time. He was either too soon - hyper prepared for a scenario which never comes to fruition - or too late - hyper prepared for a scenario which never came to fruition. He was very good at sticking his foot in his mouth in his own unique way of being socially awkward.
Surprisingly, this was not one of these times.
“Good timing, Takumi-kun, I just got these cookies out of the oven. Want to eat them with me?” Yui asked, beaming. She looked adorable with a smile which was ear to ear.
The whole of her house smelled delicious. It always did, of course. Her family’s restaurant was award winning and very successful. However, usually, it smelt delicious with savoury smells. Not sweet ones, like perfectly cooked vanilla and a hint of chocolate.
“I’d like that.” Takumi replied.
He’d only come around to Yui’s place on a whim. He was already on top of his homework, there was nothing good to watch on television and it was pretty boring to sit around all day staring at the wall. At least doing that last thing with Yui would be preferable to doing it all by himself.
“Then come and sit down. I’ll get us some plates.” Yui said.
She grabbed Takumi’s hand and pulled him past the threshold of where her house started and where her family’s restaurant stopped. Her fingers wrapped around his wrist and she darted off into the back room where the sun room was. She was way too fast for Takumi, especially on slick lacquered floors in just her socks but despite being loud and boisterous as she was, Yui never slipped and never took Takumi down with her.
She laughed as she dumped him on the edge of the sun room and it was there, so close to the open plan kitchen, where the smell of cookies was at its strongest and most delectable. Takumi got comfortable at the low table with a pillow underneath him and looked out to the garden.
It really was the perfect day to bake cookies, no wonder the idea had dawned on Yui. It was a classic winter’s day. It was brisk and cold outside, trees bent and shook with a frigid wind that blew and the courtyard was glazed with a near permanent frost. Takumi wouldn’t be surprised if it started to snow later, it wasn’t on the forecast but looking out into Yui’s backyard, and what he could see of his own, it felt like it would. The clouds were the right colour and the sky was almost indigo.
“So how’s your day been?” Yui asked.
“Yeah, good, kinda boring.” Takumi replied.
“Mm, same, not much you can do on a day like this except stay inside and make your own fun.” Yui mused. “I would much rather be out and about playing soccer or something but it's way too cold!”
Takumi half laughed to himself. The way Yui had enunciated her complaint with the cold was just oddly funny to him. He heard the clatter of plates in the drawer and that caught his attention. He twisted around at his waist to look over his shoulder. Not only was Yui getting them both little saucer plates to put the cookies on, she was also arranging some empty glasses to go with them.
Upon noticing that Takumi was staring, Yui asked, “Do you want any milk to go with them?”
“Yeah, sure.” Takumi shrugged.
“Cool, and do you want it warmed up?” Yui asked.
Takumi screwed up his face, “I’m not a little kid.” he grumbled.
“I wasn’t saying you were? I just think it’d go nice.” Yui pouted. Her cheek puffed out to the side.
“No thank you then.” Takumi huffed. He hadn’t meant to offend Yui but it seemed like he had.
“Okay then I’ll only warm enough for me.” Yui said.
“Good for you.” Takumi said.
Yui kept fluffing around in the kitchen and the conversation fell silent. Takumi waited at the low table and drummed his fingers on its surface. He kept stealing glances at her however. She just looked so cute in her element. Even when she was all rugged up in her winter casual wear.
Christmas and New Year were right around the corner. It was the thick of winter and then the calendar year was going to change a week after one of the most romantic days of the year. It was no Valentine’s Day but… It was close enough, right, being a couple’s holiday.
Takumi kept a sigh to himself. He felt thankful enough to spend any time during winter break with Yui before they moved into the second year of middle school. He’d had a crush on her for as long as he could remember and maybe someone with more bravado than he would have confessed by now but Takumi just wanted to wait for the right time. When he was certain of himself and what he would say and how Yui would react. They were the best of friends, he didn’t want to ruin that by making it a thing.
Still, his heart skipped a beat as Yui served him up some butter cookies with cold milk.
“Here you go.” she said, breaking him out of his reverie.
“Thanks.” Takumi replied.
“I hope you enjoy,” Yui said as she then sat down with him, “I baked them with love.”
Takumi blushed. Seriously… How could Yui say these things?! She laughed it off but even so, how dense and oblivious she could be. She was too sweet and forthright for her own good at times, her genuine earnest both her biggest virtue and her biggest flaw. It’s exactly what Takumi liked about her.
“And a pinch of salt. It brings out the sweetness.” Yui said.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before somewhere, maybe from your grandmother…” Takumi said.
“Yeah, maybe. Or me. Quoting my grandmother.” Yui said.
She laughed awkwardly. It was still a touch raw but it was obvious to Takumi that giving Yui the space to talk about her grandmother and remember her, and more importantly cherish her, helped. He picked up his glass of milk, his fingertips were frozen by how chilled it was.
“Cheers.” he said.
“Cheers.” Yui agreed.
She didn’t leave him hanging for long before clinking her own glass of milk - warmed - against his. They held that pose for a moment and shared a sustained smile. Then, they both tucked in.
“Aah, they’re so good.” Yui praised herself and it was well deserved.
Objectively, Yui was a kitchen goddess and to prove it, these cookies were nothing less than sublime. The texture was perfect: buttery, crumbly, yet at the same time melt in your mouth soft. They had just a hint of cocoa taste in the checkerboard pattern of vanilla and chocolate. Speaking of, the design and execution were so good, it really demonstrated how precise and steady her hand was. Best of all, they tasted better than how they looked.
They paired perfectly with the milk, but of course, milk and cookies was a classic combination.
“Thanks for sharing.” Takumi said.
He took a sip of milk and enjoyed the coldness. The sun room was well air conditioned and so was comfortably warm, but looking out to the backyard and seeing the state of mid-winter, it felt right somehow. He glanced at Yui and sure enough, she was guzzling down her warmed milk.
When she finished, she smacked her lips together and sighed contentedly, “Thank you for sharing your company, it made it even yummier.” Yui said.
Takumi smiled a small smile. He glanced at Yui and his eyes widened. He laughed.
“You have something on your face.” he said.
She blinked, “huh? I do?”
“Yup, right here.” Takumi said.
He traced along his upper lip to show Yui exactly where she had something on her face: a white milk moustache.
“Oh, oops.” she laughed embarrassedly upon realising it.
She moved her lips around and her lips twitched. She could feel it now and it clearly bothered her.
“Here, let me.” Takumi said.
He plucked a serviette from a dispenser in the middle of the table. He leaned across it and Yui stilled herself for him. Meanwhile, his own heart raced as he got close - too close? - to her and dabbed along her upper lip. He was so close, he could steal a kiss if he wasn’t careful. In the meantime, he was gentle as he cleaned her up.
“Thanks, Takumi-kun.” Yui said. “I can always depend on you.”
“You're welcome.” Takumi replied as he scrubbed the last of Yui’s milk moustache off her face.
Now would be a good time, some part of him knew, but not yet. He wasn’t ready, even though his heart swelled as he scrunched up the serviette now that it had been used. He and Yui began to chat some more, ate some more cookies, and Takumi began to wonder if next year might be when he would be neither too soon nor too late to confess his feelings. That, just like right now, he would have good timing.
Yui loved what she loved. She loved utterly and full-heartedly but goodness gracious, the girl could be dense. Especially around what she loved and what she loved most of all was food.
Takumi should have seen this coming. He should have known that everything had been going too well and too smoothly for the pair of them and yet. Somehow, he screwed up at the last minute.
Tonight was the night of nights. The weather was good, with a gentle breeze and clement temperature, to be expected for late spring. It had the best of both worlds as far as seasons went: the air was pleasantly warm and balmy without being uncomfortable. The night skies were clear, lit by the moon and stars. They could see all from their balcony table at the restaurant that Takumi took Yui on a date.
They were beyond relaxed, not having to worry about cooking and cleaning up afterwards, they could take the night off for themselves and spend it solely on each other. From this restaurant’s balcony they could see so much of Hanamichi Town from up there, under the twists and turns of crawling vines and blooming flowers. Darkness covered the streets and hills but a yellow warmth emanated from the sparkles of businesses and homes illuminated from within. It brought back memories and as a preamble to their dinner, the nostalgic conversation that it reminded them of was charming.
It had been ten years since their heyday as middle schoolers. Back when they were Cure Precious and Black Pepper, fighting monsters, rescuing Recipipis, and saving the day. Those were the good old days, of halcyon afternoons spent snacking and for Takumi in particular, pining for the girl next door. He had been in love with Yui for as long as he could remember but he’d never had the courage to ask her to go out with him until one sunlit afternoon.
They were on the precipice of graduating high school. They had universities lined up and though they trusted their bond and friendship, there were plenty of unknowns posed as their lives would soon take them far away from one another and through the twists and turns of the big city far away from Hanamichi Town. Takumi intended to study mathematics and accounting, for Yui she wanted to pursue all things in the culinary arts.
But one evening, when the moon had just begun to shine upon them whilst the afternoon sun blazed in its last and fleeting glories, Takumi saw out of the corner of his eye, how beautiful Yui looked in the conflict of the auburn and the placid. They were eating onigiri together on her and family’s back deck, talking about the future and her mouth was flecked with a singular grain of rice. Takumi couldn’t help himself.
He leaned in. He rubbed Yui’s chin clean and their gazes met. It was then that Takumi finally tapped into some of the courage that he had when he could masquerade as a two bit Tuxedo Mask and he finally asked Yui out. It was disastrous. For Yui, this announcement of Takumi’s feelings didn’t come from the left field but from outer space. But it was for the better. For the best even.
She smiled and even now, Takumi got a virginal thrill from recalling the memory of how empathetically she replied, “Yes,” with a glimmer in her precious, purple eyes. He couldn’t have been more over the moon as joy flooded his heart then and now.
Since that confession, going exclusive and even long distance, their relationship had gone through all kinds of ups and downs. It wasn’t easy to balance each other, and rarely seeing each other when they had been inseparable as kids, with part time jobs and studying full times but they managed. They came out the other side, celebrating and graduating and then hit the road with a gap year together. It was the best of times, it was the craziest of times. All to sample all kinds of cuisine abroad, from Italy to France to Mexico. They were here, there, and everywhere all over the world, catching ferries and planes, backpacking and more. They wouldn’t have traded those hard yards for the world as they came home. Settled in.
All to reinvent the familiar routines of Nagomi Diner which became theirs upon Yui’s parents’ retirement. That
So, are you keeping up? Ten years since middle school. Eight years since high school. Now, it had been five years since they had graduated university, and two years since becoming the new proprietors of the Nagomi Diner. And all for what?
To make each other happy, to have and to hold. Takumi cherished each and every day he spent with Yui. Whether it was doing laundry or washing dishes, perfecting the budget or going picnicking on their days off. They made the most of it and for that reason, Takumi knew it was time to make Yui his.
Given that they were shared business owners and partners in every other regard, it had been difficult for Takumi to squirrel money away for the occasion. He wanted it to be a surprise but he had bought an engagement ring for Yui. He wanted to do it properly, like in the movies and kind of like his parents. He guessed. They had such a different rhythm to him and Yui but in certain matters, he and his father were far too alike and his Dad was his biggest supporter, too. He wanted the best for his son and for Yui, too.
With a little bit of fatherly advice, and lots of his own opinions, too, Takumi had bought a ring for Yui which was crystal clear and embedded on a band of gold. Gold was very much her colour. She didn’t care for the specifics of diamonds or other jewels because she wasn’t that type of person but Takumi made sure to buy something subtle, simple, and complementary. Something which could be taken off at ease so she could cook or clean around the house or diner. That kind of thing.
Though, it did have an inscription on the inside. Takumi paid extra for that, so it would read, “Delicious smile” as even now, that was her catch phrase and philosophy and Takumi was inclined to agree. After all, Yui’s smile was his favourite thing about her.
And Takumi had no doubt in his mind that if he could get this proposal to go off without a hitch, he would be treated to the kind of smile from Yui which was one in a lifetime. A smile which was brilliant and dazzling and head over heels in love.
With the jewellery box burning a hole in his pocket and the conversation coming to a lull, Takumi knew the time was right and that the question was ripe for the asking. His mouth dried. His heart pounded in his chest as he got himself sorted. He had practiced and practiced in his head, over and over again, but even seated… His knees were knocking and his palms were sweating.
“So, uh, Yui…” Takumi piped up awkwardly.
“Yes?” Yui prompted him and she batted her eyelashes with mild nonplus as the tone of conversation turned sharply.
“We’ve been together for a long time, yeah.” Takumi continued.
“Mm, our whole lives, practically.” Yui agreed.
“But, like, romantically.” Takumi clarified but that just made the tone feel weird.
“We have.” Yui agreed, though less enthusiastically than before.
“Yeah, we have and I’ve been thinking.” Takumi said and he reached into his pocket. But it just made him look like he was adjusting his trousers. Yui squinted, perturbed. “And, uh, you're really beautiful.”
“Thank you?” Yui questioned the compliment.
All whilst Takumi was floundering. He was going bright red and he couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t for the life of him get that question out of his mouth. It should be easy. It seemed so easy when he was saying it to his dad for moral support or to the mirror for charisma. So, he gave up. Abruptly. And changed tracks. He looked away from Yui, unable to stand the torrid tension between them.
“The moon is, uh, really beautiful tonight, isn’t it?” Takumi sputtered through his lines, screwing up any script he’d had in mind previously.
But at least he coughed up something romantic… Right? Not really. He wanted to be cool and elegant, like a man from classical poetry but that wasn’t his vibe. Nor was it Yui’s. Any hope of inference or reference dissipated as the mood turned blank and the moment passed.
Yui blinked owlishly at him. It was as if she knew that Takumi was going to say something else but she played along, dismissing it as her imagination. Curse how dense this woman was! She laughed and smiled in blissful agreement.
She turned her head to view the sights of the balcony beside them, “Yeah, it is.”
Takumi groaned and hung his head in shame. Takumi’s nerves had gotten the better of him and he cursed himself for it as he tried to unpick where he had gone wrong with his words. He chewed his lip and he couldn’t help but be reminded once more of when he had first asked Yui out. It was an instant throwback in that regard.
Back then, he had struggled to get those words out, too, but even worse, Yui plainly misunderstood. He said he wanted to go out, she pointed out they were already outside, he said he wanted to go on a date with her and she thought they were talking about dried fruits. It was genuinely inconceivable to him that one girl could be so dense but once he got through, Yui graciously accepted the offer.
In doing so, Takumi realised that it was because they already loved each other so much that to alter or label it wasn’t their second nature to be like that with each other. To be the kind of mushy gushy couple who were all up in each other’s faces and social media statuses. What they had was more natural and unconditional than that: true company. Still, it was a change they were glad they made and the next step was, of course, to get married and have kids and grow old together. That was the kind of future they wanted, like their parents and grandparents before them.
All that stood in the way of that was a question and a diamond ring. Surely, given the insurmountable odds they had faced, this should be nothing. And yet. Trouble continued to plague Takumi as he tried again.
“Anyways, what I meant to say was-” Takumi began to get himself flustered again, “-its been a beautiful night, with you, and we’ve eaten lots of beautiful food and–”
Where was he even going with this? It certainly wasn’t getting him closer to popping the question.
“I’m glad I’ve got to spend it with you.” Takumi finished his rambling.
Yui flashed him a smile, “Me, too, it’s been amazing.”
Takumi hummed and nodded in agreement. Moreover, tonguetied all of a sudden.
No, no, not to worry, this is fine, though, Takumi coped. Hard. He took a breath and he tried to sort out his thoughts. He refused to let panic get the best of him. He could rectify this with a single sentence. Four words minimum. He could do this and after that pep talk, Takumi opened his mouth and his foot entered it directly.
“And all night, all I’ve been thinking is…” Takumi finally managed to untangle his words. He even managed to pull out the engagement ring and its box from out of his pocket. He readied them into position as his will strengthened, “Will you-”
“Ooh, our dessert’s arrived.” Yui cheered. She clasped her hands and turned around at the hip to acknowledge the approaching waiter.
“Share a spoon with me?”
“Huh? But we ordered two…?” Yui pointed out. She glanced sideways towards Takumi, confused as heck.
“Oh. That’s right.” Takumi relented through gritted teeth.
The timing couldn’t have been more off. Takumi was helpless as the waiter sashayed on through with their dessert course and Yui clasped her hands together. She thanked him graciously and they were both given their own bowls of rice pudding.
The bowls arrived in front of them with a clink against the laminate covering on the table. Yui thanked the waiter profusely for the food and all Takumi could do was stare. Under the table, his grip on the engagement ring box loosened. The crushed velvet did little to stick to his fingers as he watched, blankly, as steam wafted up and off the surface of the pudding.
The rice pudding smelt sweet and sticky. Notes of caramel and butterscotch mixed with the homey vanilla that it emanated. They were even served with a smattering of chia seeds and cinnamon. It looked delicious and based on Yui’s reaction as she had the first spoonful, tasted even better.
“Mm, so good.” Yui swooned.
She had never swooned for Takumi like that and so, bitterly, Takumi couldn’t help but wonder. Was it possible that he would always come second best to her one true love of food? She was a gourmand of all things sweet and savoury. Her knowledge towards the culinary arts was all but religious with the kitchen her place of worship. It became all the more possible that Takumi would simply never compare to the bond she had with food.
So, he gave up.
His right hand lifted up and over the edge of the table. He placed the engagement ring box in plain view. After weeks, if not months, of hiding the payment and the object itself, Takumi had given up. There it was. In full view. And Yui still hadn’t noticed.
But do you know what she had noticed?
“Takumi, you haven’t touched your rice pudding yet…?”
Takumi sighed, utterly dumbfounded but he couldn’t help himself. A smile pricked on his lips. This, too, was how Yui showed she cared. She didn’t want him to go to bed hungry or unsatisfied, she loathed an empty belly and a plate untouched.
Takumi picked up his spoon and silently, he took his first spoonful of his rice pudding. He skimmed the top, made sure he got a generous helping of the toppings sprinkled along the rice pudding’s surface and brought the spoon to his mouth. He paused, he relished the dulcet scent that his warm food exuded and ate.
It was so good. Homey and yet exquisite in the way only a master chef could produce. It had so many flavours and add-ons to elevate it from the classic and yet, it was all harmonious as the sweet flavours danced on his tongue.
Yui beamed as she watched Takumi eat, his face illuminated with the joy that he got from eating. Her heart skipped a beat and as Takumi continued, spoonful after spoonful, Yui finally noticed the box that he had added to the table’s collection of cutlery and bric-a-brac.
“Hang on! Is that what I think it is?!” Yui exclaimed.
Her loud and sudden outburst was enough to make Takumi jump out of his skin – and to say nothing of the other patrons who dined around them. Inside and out. Takumi laughed awkwardly as he put down his spoon. He picked up the engagement ring’s box and opened it.
He showed off the contents to Yui. She leaned across the table, her jaw had dropped as she examined the ring. It was beautiful. Brilliant. The diamond’s faucets caught the moonlight to sparkle. The gold band was polished beyond relief and with a twist of his fingers, Takumi made sure she saw the inside.
“Delicious smile…” Yui breathed aloud. Either to read or in her own disbelief, either worked.
Takumi smiled. His heart skipped a beat. Maybe this kind of pace suited them better than the whole getting down on one knee routine. Something timeless and classy like that didn’t suit a pair of dweeby high school sweethearts like them in all honesty.
“Oh my gosh…” Yui exclaimed. “Have you been trying to ask me to marry you?!”
“Only all night but, ugh, yes.” Takumi relented. He shook the ring and the box again. “So, will you?”
“Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” Yui gushed.
Takumi smiled fondly and he offered Yui her ring. Her hand trembled as she accepted it. Her amethyst eyes glimmered with awe and gratitude: like she couldn’t believe it was real. To be fair, neither could Takumi, given the events of the night but even so, it was absolute bliss to watch Yui accept the proposal.
Yui was gentle with it as she placed it onto her correct finger and admired it. Her fingers splayed out. The ring twinkled in place, like she had been born wearing. Then, there it was. That smile that Takumi knew he would remember for the rest of his life.
His heart grew three sizes as watched Yui’s smile carefully. The wonder in the purple of her eyes, the crease in the smile of her lips and how slightly they were parted, the glisten within. The gentle sparkle that she emanated as time around them slowed.
And there was something else, too, about her that Takumi was enamoured with. Something all too cute that she couldn’t have been more blissfully ignorant of: Yui had a smidgen of rice pudding in the corner of her mouth. It was all but hidden in the magnitude of her adorableness and smiles, the transcendental joy that she embodied at the acceptance of her proposal but it was that grain of rice that Takumi knew he would cherish for forever and a day.
For a girl like Yui, Takumi couldn’t help but think a little bit of messiness was cute and her greatest accessory. So, he didn’t mention it, as he found himself falling in love even harder with Yui. If that was even possible but clearly it was as he looked forward to the next stage of their lives and beyond.
