Hamtaro looked up at the tree that led to Bijou's window. Pausing for a second, he looked almost uncertain, but only for a brief moment. He leaned his umbrella up against the tree, it's branches providing some cover from the pouring rain. Scrambling up the tree, he then climbed along the long branch to Bijou's window. He tapped on the glass. Bijou swung her head round from her mirror, where she was busy combing her hair. She held up a single finger, indicating she'd be ready in a minute. She picked out two of her blue ribbons and tied up her two ponytails, then brushed each one. When she was finally happy with her fur, which she confirmed with a final glance in the mirror, she slipped out of her cage and nudged open the window, stepping out onto the windowsill opposite Hamtaro.
"Bonjour, Hamtaro." Said Bijou with a smile. "Cappy wasn't lying about the weather being bad today, was he?"
"Definitely not!" Hamtaro smiled back. "Shall we get going, I've got an umbrella down at the bottom of the tree."
"Oui, I think we're certainly going to need it!" The pair dashed down the tree, and Hamtaro opened the umbrella, both Hamsters squeezing underneath it's protection. "It is a good thing you remembered this, Hamtaro, or we'd be soaked!"
"Well I'm no Maxwell, but even I can tell when I need an umbrella!" They both laughed, before Hamtaro continued. "Like the colour? It matches your ribbons, Bijou!"
"Oui, so it does!" Bijou blushed, as the pair entered the park and began to walk towards the clubhouse tunnel. Hamtaro glanced around.
"Now looks as good a time as any," Hamtaro thought to himself, noticing even the wind was catching Bijou's ribbons just like in his dream. He stopped and turned towards Bijou, who turned to him.
"Why have you stopped, Hamtaro?" She asked quizzically. Hamtaro took a deep breath. "Guess it's now or never." He thought.
"Bijou, I want to ask you something." She looked at him, with a slightly puzzled look on her face.
"Oui, Hamtaro, what is it?"
"Bijou, I want to ask you if you'll come with me to the Ball on Sunday," Hamtaro said quickly, hardly pausing for breath. He stood there, looking slightly shocked. Bijou stared at him for what seemed like forever, before blushing.
"Oui, Hamtaro, of course I'll go with you." She replied, blushing further. Hamtaro attempted to reply.
"Muh?" Hamtaro's eyes appeared to glaze over for a second. He shook himself. "Sorry, what?"
"I said I would very much like to come with you, Hamtaro," Bijou said, still blushing slightly, but also trying not to laugh at Hamtaro's odd reaction. Suddenly realisation lit his face.
"You said yes?" He asked, as if to triple check.
"Yes, silly," Bijou giggled.
"Yes!" He shouted. "She said yes!" Completely forgetting the rain, Hamtaro ran off into the field, shouting and laughing at he top of his lungs. Also completely forgetting that he was holding the umbrella, he let go. The wind took this opportunity to whip it up into the air, blowing it high out of reach.
"Hamtaro, you silly hamster," Called Bijou, "You've lost the umbrella, we will be soaked!" She laughed, as Hamtaro ran back over.
"So? Race you down to the clubhouse then," He cried, as he shot off.
"Hey," she called after him, "You get back here," And she took off after him. Together they dashed across the field and down into the dryness of the tunnels, where they collapsed in each others arms in fits of laughter. Water rolled off them, forming a puddle on the floor of the hewn tunnel. Once both of them had managed to stop laughing, Hamtaro stood up, offering his paw down to help Bijou stand up. They stood, looking into each others eyes, until Oxnard wandered along.
"So, you asked her then?" He smiled, as the pair looked round guiltily.
"Yeah." Said Hamtaro, smiling sheepishly.
"Come on," said Bijou, "We really should be getting along to the clubhouse." Oxnard shook himself in an attempt to dry himself off a little, and smiled.
"Yeah, I'm sure everyone will be pleased for you two." His smile faded slightly. "Well, maybe not Boss…" He turned away, headed for the clubhouse.
"I'm sure Boss will be fine," Said Bijou, though she didn't appear convinced. "Come on, let's go together." The pair began to follow Oxnard to the clubhouse.
"Oh no," Thought Hamtaro. "I was so worried about even asking Bijou, I didn't think about afterwards. Asking was the easy part. It's dealing with Boss that's going to be tough…" Bijou looked up into his worried face, clearly reading his thoughts.
"Do not worry, Hamtaro, we will just have to find the right time to tell him. He will have to be the first to know, it might make things easier." Oxnard stopped up ahead and turned round.
"Well I for one won't say anything." He said
"Thanks, Oxi." Said Hamtaro, managing a smile.
"Don't worry about it," replied Oxnard. "There is NO way I'd be the one to give Boss that kind of news," he added as he turned back towards the clubhouse door. The slight smile on Hamtaro's face faded.