Tomoka is definitely up to something. I knew it from the moment I saw the hotel. New Otani Hotel. It's massive and there are several restaurants inside.
I feel horribly underdressed. I'm wearing a light purple sundress and a white sunhat. My shoes are simple white sandals. I didn't even think to do my hair or put on makeup.
Tomaka leads me right outside when she sees me. She's wearing shorts and a tank top. I immediately feel better about my own outfit. I don't mind dressing casual if she is too.
"Look, Yui!" she says excitedly.
I had been looking at her. She's just so beautiful. I tear my eyes away from Tomoka and look where she is pointing. My breath catches.
There's a massive garden. It's so gorgeous. I can barely catch my breath. There are flowers tastefully placed throughout it. There's even a waterfall.
I let Tomoka lead me through the garden. I have to keep closing my mouth. My girlfriend keeps glancing at me nervously.
"Do you like it here?" she asks me.
"I love it. Thank you so much for bringing me here! You're the best girlfriend ever!" I jump into her arms.
Literally... I have to jump. I'm short and Tomoka is tall. She catches me and spins me around giggling. I cling to her, but I'm not afraid she'll drop me. I trust her with my life.
When she finally sets me on the ground, we tour the gardens for hours. It's the best date she's brought me on.
By the time we finish, we're both starving. She leads me back into the hotel, a wide grin on her face. Tomoka seems more confident and relaxed now.
We enter a restaurant. I didn't see the name. I'm too busy focusing on her. We order lunch (soup and sandwiches). Then, we just talk. I can't stop gushing about the garden. Tomoka tells me how she dropped her running time again.
As we finish lunch, Tomoka seems more nervous again. I'm about to ask her what's wrong, but then a waiter is coming with a tray. He sets it in front of me.
I look up at Tomoka. She's redder than the rose on the tray. I carefully pick it up. The petals are still closed. It feels a little heavier than a rose should.
"Can I say something? Please don't interrupt me because I'm worried I won't be able to finish." Tomoka is fiddling with her napkin.
"Of course."
"Yui... I love you. I know we're just finishing university... And we have our whole lives ahead of us. I want to share mine with you though. All of it. The good and the bad. Gay marriage is still illegal in Japan... But... I want to promise you something. The second it's legal, I will marry you and gladly spend the rest of my life with you. That is... If you want it." By the end of her speech, I'm crying. Tomoka is crying too.
"I want it. I promise I'll marry you as soon as we can." I stand up, setting the rose on the table and hug Tomoka tightly. Tomoka laughs shakily, kissing all over my face.
"There's a ring in the rose," she manages to get out.
I don't want to leave her arms, but I'm curious. I sit on her lap and pick up the rose again. I gently part the petals until I can see a delicate gold band. There's a diamond on it. It looks pretty. I slip it onto my ring finger. I have to get Tomoka a ring. I want us to match.
"I love it. Thank you so much, Tomoka!"
I don't care that we're in public. I pull my future wife into a kiss. We're still crying.