It was the night before the holiday that everyone looks forward to the most. The one where kids are always asking their parents to get things months before. It's Christmas Eve! People are rushing through the busy streets of Misaki City rushing here and there. From store to store. There was a lot of heavy traffic due to all of the activity. Meanwhile, a young man with short hair and black eyes named Yuji Sakai was walking along with the crowd through the busy streets of the city carrying a very special item in his pocket. Something for the girl he loves. The Flaming-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter, Shana. The two of them have been dating for several years now. In his pocket, he's carrying a small black box. And inside it is a beautiful diamond ring. He plans on proposing to her tonight.
"I hope I can really do it without much hesitation tonight though. Hopefully I don't chicken out..." He thought to himself sighing.
After a few minutes, once the light changed from red to green for the pedestrians to walk the across the street, he made his way toward toward the Misaki Bridge in which his house was on the other side where his soon to be fiance Shana awaited him. Eventually, he did make it home. As he soon as he more or less shut the door, he was tackled to the ground from a giggling and happy Shana. He smiled as he embraced her back, kissing her forehead.
"You're happy tonight, aren't you?" He said with a chuckle as the couple stood back up.
"Well of course I am! Why wouldn't I be!" She said giggling. "Who wouldn't be happy on Christmas? Another reason why I'm happy tonight is because, it was this day a few years ago when we started dating."
"We did start dating this time a few years ago, didn't we?" He said wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Indeed, it was." The black haired Flame Haze said.
Yuji certainly remember that night. That was the night his heart was put to the ultimate test. He thought back to several years ago years ago when he recieved two letters from two certain girls. One being from Shana and the other being from Kazumi Yoshida. The letters gave him directions to meet the woman whom he loved the most in certain places. By that point, he had already chosen Shana. And the two couldn't be anymore happier. Shana has long since gotten over her tsundere act and now actively acknoledges her love for the Torch/Mystes wholeheartedly.
They both look at each other in the eyes lovingly and share a small, soft kiss. They kiss for what seemed like forever to them. After they broke apart, they pulled away as she linked her arm with his and walked out the door.
"Oh yeah, there's something special I have planned for later on tonight." He said as they walked down the road.
"What is it?" She asked curiously.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise. And I wouldn't want to spoil it now would I?"
"I can' wait!" She with excitement.
After a few hours of walking and enjoying each other's presence hand in hand, they finally went to their favorite spot in the entire. The shore of the Mana River. The light from the moon shined down over the frozen river and gave it a beautiful gllow. Shana hugged his arm and rested her against his shoulder. He looked down at the black haired Flame Haze and smiled, he was glad she was happy. He then gulped in nervousness.
"Hey...Shana?" He said in nervousness.
"Yes, what is it?" She asked. Her eyes still closed, head still against his shoulder and smile on her lips.
"I need to tell you something. Something very important." He said with a determined voice.
Shana looked up at him with a curious look as Yuji took a deep breath and exhaled.
"This is it...The moment of truth. I'll finally ask her." He thought to himself.
"What is it, Yuji? Is there something wrong?" She asked him with a worried tone.
He then took hold her of her hands and held them tightly.
"Shana, I love you with all my heart. I love fighting by your side. Back when we fought Friagne or back when we fought Bal Masque. I love everything about you. I love how much pride you have. I love how you refuse to give in. I want to be there for you for any future battles you have. You told me that it was me that you have the strength you needed when we defeated Friagne, that made me so happy. I want to be there to protect you as much as I can. I want to wake up next you and see your beautiful face in the morning. I eventually want to start a family with you. I want to be with you forever." He said in both a lovingly and serious voice.
Shana had tears running down her face from what he'd just said. "Yuji..."
"C-Could he be..." She thought to herself.
"I've been saving up to get this for awhile now." He said as he pulled out the box from his coat pocket.
He kneeled down on one knee, opening the box. Shana gasped and covered her mouth in shock.
"H-He is!"
"Shana...You're the girl I want to be with. I'm not asking you as the Flame Haze, the Flaming-Haired Blazing-Eyed Hunter. I'm asking the girl that I love more than anything. Will you marry me?"
More and more tears begin to run down her face as she collaspes into his arms and cries into his shoulder. Moments later, she looks at him happily and smiles.
"You idiot. Do you even need to ask? Of course, I will!"
He slides the ring on her finger and look at it for a few seconds before shifting their gazes to each others eyes and look at each other lovingly.
"I love you, Shana. Merry Christmas." He says lovingly, kissing her forehead.
"Merry Christmas, Yuji. I love you too..." She says still with tears running down her face.
They both lean in toward each other and engage in a soft yet passionate kiss. This is one kiss that neither of them would ever forget and would remembered in their hearts forever.