the soft glow of the city lights blurred around you as you walked beside tetsuro, the lingering warmth of a delightful dinner still settling in your stomach. laughter had been your constant companion throughout the evening, his genuine smiles mirroring your own. what you hadn't noticed, of course, was the way his gaze would soften, almost to the point of adoration, whenever you weren't looking. it was the kind of look that made it clear he saw you as the love of his life, his soulmate. that intense gaze could make anyone melt, yet the moment you caught his eye, it would morph into his familiar, teasing grin.

“a stroll sounds perfect,” you'd said, eager to extend the magic of the night. it was then that a man approached, his voice smooth as he introduced himself and his "candle" business. intrigued, you nodded, tetsuro a comfortable presence just behind you. the man led you both to a quiet part of the city park, not far from where you stood. the night air hung still, a serene canvas for the twinkling lights of dozens of candles, arranged in a surprisingly romantic display.

"just a few couple poses for a promotional video," the man explained with a smile, and you readily agreed. then, he asked if his small music band could add to the ambiance. you were already beaming, your excitement bubbling over as you glanced at tetsuro. he smiled back, a soft, warm expression that sent a familiar flutter through your chest. as the gentle strains of an orchestra began to fill the air, he leaned in, his voice a low whisper against your ear.

“hey, i uh…” he trailed off, his voice a little shaky, but his hold on your hands was steady, his smile unwavering. “i lied to you about proposing in june.”

your heart, which had been soaring moments before, dipped. you looked at him, a flicker of disappointment crossing your face, but his gaze softened, overflowing with tenderness. “i’m gonna propose right now,” he clarified, his whisper still intimate.

“do you recognize the song?” he smiled, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from your face. “it’s the one we’re gonna walk down the aisle to.”

his smile widened even more as you gasped, the realization dawning on you. “that’s why i took you to our first date spot this weekend,” he continued, his thumb gently wiping away a tear that had escaped. “because i knew… i knew even back then i wanted to marry you. and i wanna be with you.”

he let out a heavy sigh, as if a great weight had finally lifted from his shoulders. “i love you now, and i’m going to love you forever, okay?” he gently cupped your cheeks, his touch as delicate as if you were the most fragile flower in the world. “i want you to be my wife.”

finally, he created a small space between you, kneeling down, his eyes never leaving yours. "{{user}}, will you marry me?"