5 Decisions

The next few month passed by in a flash. Natsuo found a simple job that didn't take too much time so he still could write his stories, which also payed off increasingly well. They weren't as good as the first story he had written in that cafe on that wonderful day, but they were better than what he had penned before. He had also made sure his shifts overlapped with Rui's training so he had time when she was free. Their life was that of a young couple full of energy. They spent pretty much all their free time together, and every day seemed even better than the last. Natsuo and Rui were the happiest they'd been so far.

It was a Sunday evening, a few weeks before the end of Rui's training. The two young lovers had just returned home from a picnic in central park. They were cuddling on the couch, watching a great show they had discovered. When the show was over, Natsuo turned of the monitor and pressed Rui against him. "Hey Rui? Let's tell our parents about us when we get back."

Rui stiffened for a moment in his arms, but quickly relaxed again.

"I've thought about that too. I don't want to go back to living separated and I don't want to go back to pretending we're just brother and sister. I've even thought about staying in New York because of that." she replied.

"You're taking the words of my mouth. But I decided that I would prefer to go back to Japan. And even if we stayed here they would find out sooner or later. I mean.. It's not like what we're doing is illegal – we're not related by blood. I think they would accept it. And even if they don't, I feel like they have a right to know – we're pretty much independent now too, so I firmly believe our relationship is strong enough to survive even the worst case scenario of them actively trying to tear us apart." Natsuo said.

Rui hugged him tightly "They won't try to tear us apart – they just wouldn't do that to us. I think that they would accept our relationship. And I, too, would like to return to Japan."

"So it's settled then? We'll tell them as soon as we get back?" Natsuo asked.

Rui agreed "Yes, it's settled."

They kissed.

"Natsuo?" Rui asked shyly, blushing "When we've told our parents.. Do you... Do you want to get married?"

Natsuo looked at her for a second, then stood up " I'll be right back" and vanished into the little entrance area right at the door.

Seeing him leave the room right after her question frightened Rui. Had she wanted too much? Had she scared him off? But Natsuo hadn't looked like she had. Still, the longer Natsuo didn't come back, the more nervous she got. Natsuo stayed in the other room for what seemed like hours to Rui. It sounded like he was grabbing his jacket. Would he leave?

Natsuo came back. He actually hadn't left for more than two minutes. Rui felt relieved, but she still was worried. Then she saw what Natsuo had brought with him. In one hand he carried what looked like a long, thin box covered in wrapping paper.. and in the other hand he carried a small square box. A box that looked a lot like – Rui's heart jumped – a lot like a box to put a ring inside.

Natsuo was incredibly tense – Rui had just asked him whether he wanted to get married, she basically already had said yes. But no matter how often he told himself that, his tenseness only got worse. The two boxes he had grabbed from their hiding place in a jacket he didn't use at the moment felt heavy in his hands. Still, he forced himself to take the remaining steps towards Rui. In front of her, he went down on one knee, put the long thin box on the floor beside him and grabbed the other box – the one with the ring in it – with both hands.

Rui didn't dare to hope – but what else could this mean? Natsuo had a box that looked like it contained a ring AND he was kneeling before her. He put down the second box he had brought with him and looked her in the eye

"I thought about when to ask you this, but I think this is as good a time as any" He opened the box – inside was a beautiful ring. Rui's heart beat so loud she thought the whole world would be able to hear it. Natsuo asked "Will you marry me, Rui?"

Rui's heart skipped a beat. He had actually asked – all she had to do know was say yes and they would be engaged. She couldn't hold herself any longer. She practically jumped to Natsuo and hugged him as tight as she could. With tears of joy in her eyes, she answered "Yes, yes I will!" She could feel his heart beat. It almost seemed to beat faster than her own. They were engaged. They actually were engaged. She kissed her betrothed. When she could bring herself to break away from him she held her hand towards him, and Natsuo put the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.

"I actually have something else for you!"

The second box! What could it be? Natsuo grabbed it and handed it to her. Removing the wrapping paper, she found a wooden casket

"What is it?"

"Look inside"

Rui opened it with her newly ringed hand. Inside was a knife. It was bedded in velvet and looked very high quality. Awestruck, she took it out. On the handle, her name was engraved in small golden letters – in what looked like Natsuo's handwriting.

"I thought I should get you something for work, too. You have your necklace and the watch, but I wanted you to have a symbol of our engagement there too." Rui carefully put the knife back in the casket, and, as soon as it was safely put away, jumped at Natsuo once again

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" she whispered, hugging him as if she would lose him if she saved even an ounce of her strength.

"You're crushing me!" Natsuo groaned "but I'm glad you like it"

Rui loosened the embrace and kissed her oh so wonderful fiance once again.