Underwhelming (K) 386
Her silence was killing him. He didn't know why he kind of expected a normal reaction to come out of her but he did. But would it kill her to act surprised? For her to stand up in delighted shock? Give out a little gasp? Or even just drop her cutlery and stop spearing food into her mouth? Give him any indication that she'd heard him put his entire heart out on the line for her?
Even after four years of dating, his Shiho had remained a very difficult person to read. He thought he'd had her figured out recently but clearly he was wrong. Several awkward moments of silence punctuated by quiet chewing passed them by.
He was sweating. "Shiho?" He begged her to end his misery. She raised an eyebrow as she took a sip from her wine glass and finally spoke as she set the glass down.
"Are you sure?"
"Am I sure? Of what?" She gave him a meaningful look. "Of course I am! Why else would I-"
"Ok," she said.
"Ok? Just that?" He shifted. Having all his weight on one knee was getting uncomfortable.
"Sure. Now get up so we can finish dinner. And give me the ring already." Her quickfire words took him aback but he quickly stood up and complied.
Once back in his seat, he looked at her uneasily, not really sure if she was happy or not. He didn't want to pressure her into marriage. His mind raced trying to come up with reasons why she would have agreed to marry him if she wasn't into it.
Shinichi worried most of the night but as dinner went on, he kept catching her staring at the ring on her finger. Her mouth would turn upwards ever so slightly when she caught sight of it. Even though he was still kind of worried she'd take back her acceptance, he took those half smiles as a good sign and relaxed bit by bit.
It wasn't until they were halfway into their car ride home that his fears were assuaged. Shiho took hold of his hand and squeezed him lightly.
"I love it," her grip tightened. "And I love you. So much." She laced their fingers together. "Thank you, for everything." With that, she sealed their engagement with a kiss.