Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Mew Mew!
Chapter Two: A Proposition From Masaya
Masaya sat in his college algebra class in the very back. He tried so hard to forget about the other night, but flashes of Ichigo on his bed, naked, flooded his vision and clouded his thought. He loved her so much he couldn't stand to be apart from her for long. He sighed. 'This stupid Professor: wind bag!' He looked around and not many people were there today. Maybe he'd leave early and treat Ichigo to lunch. He glanced at his watch. '11:30 a.m.' No wonder he was hungry. They ran late this morning, he and Ichigo, and didn't have time to eat breakfast. There were only ten minutes left to the class, so he packed up and left. "Great thing about big Universities: huge classes. They could care less if we ever come," he whispered to himself as he walked out and down a hallway.
Masaya knew Ichigo's schedule and she knew his. She was in dance right now so he walked to the Gym and stood outside. A few seconds later, a gush of giggling girls stormed out of the double doors. He was so glad Ichigo had grown out of that stage. She'd matured a lot over the years. He didn't know if it was age, her fighting, or when he left for England that made her grow up. A small slender girl with bright red hair pulled into a pony tail walked passed him. "Ichigo!" he shouted.
She stopped dead in her tracks and spun around. "Masaya!" she squealed. She ran to him and they kissed and hugged. "What are you doing here?" she asked happily.
"I want to take you out to lunch."
"Aw! Masaya!" she gleamed.
"I knew you'd say yes!" he smiled. Then, something reminded him WHY he wanted to treat her.
In the newspaper he read last week on his walk to the college, there was a vacant two bedroom one bath apartment for rent for cheep. He had a job and had enough saved to rent it; so, he got it to move out of his parents house. He loved Ichigo so much and wanted to be with her forever. After last night, he knew his feelings for her weren't a fluke or a fling or puppy love. He'd do anything to protect her, and he wanted to support her and even have kids with her. He wanted to marry her.
Ichigo saw the gleam in his deep brown eyes and wondered what was going on behind that pretty face of his. "Masaya?"
"Hum? What is it Ichigo?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing."
"Okay then, you ready to eat? I'm starved!"
"I wasn't this morning, but that dance instructor worked us hard today. I'm worn out and very, very hungry."
"Aw, I'm so sorry!" He kissed her gently on the lips and smiled. He put his arm around her shoulder and she placed hers around his waist, but not before she grabbed his butt. He looked at her and they both laughed. He loved it when they were like this. And soon, it was going to be like this forever.
They arrived at the restaurant and he saw how busy it was. He was glad he had called and reserved a table.
"Masaya," Ichigo cried, "look how busy it is! We'll never get in," she sulked.
He hated to see her like that so he spilled about the reservation. She cheered up instantly. They cut through and got to the front, "Reservation for Aoyama, Masaya."
"Yes sir! Right this way please," the hostess said walking to the back. They followed. She sat them at a tiny table in the back corner of the restaurant. He had the table prepared beforehand with candles and Champaign.
"How romantic!" Ichigo smiled. "I-I just wish I could have dressed better."
Masaya looked at her. She was wearing a pair of dress shoes, panty hoes, a black skirt that flowed when she walked, and a pink button up blouse. "You look very nice Ichigo: my sexy kitten." Ichigo blushed as he threw a wink at her. She giggled.
The hostess brought out some bread and sauce to dip. She sat the plates on the table, poured their Champaign, took their orders and left to the kitchen. Masaya grabbed Ichigo's hands. He couldn't stand it any longer. "Ichigo."
"Yeah?"
"I want to tell you something great!"
Her eyes widened. "Yeah? What?"
"I found an apartment! I'm moving out."
Ichigo's heart sank. Would she ever see her love again? Just like Masaya for Ichigo, her true feelings for him came out. She loved him, and if he moved away she would just die! She couldn't stand to be away from him for a long time.
"Ichigo, are you okay? You look like you're about to be sick," he said standing up and kneeling beside her.
"I'm fine! Really," she said as a tear ran down her cheek. Masaya reached up and wiped it away. "Will I get to see you? Where's it at?"
"Oh, no, Ichigo, I'm so sorry! It, the apartment, is closer to your house than my parents'!"
"Oh God!" She was so over come with joy she wept in his shoulder.
Masaya embraced her tightly. He should have known better than to say it like that, especially after what she went through as a kid when he went to England. "Ichigo?"
"I'm sorry, Masaya. I thought you were moving away."
"No, no. I would never do that to you again." They hugged and he got back to his seat.
"I'm so glad you found one!" She laughed, wiping her face.
"Me too, and Ichigo," his emotions were running wild, he had to do it now, whether he had a ring or not.
"Yeah?" She asked, totally oblivious to what was about to come.
Masaya Stood up and walked over to her again. He kneeled beside her. This was coming so out of order, he wanted to ask her to move in with him, then buy a ring, then take her on a trip to Hawaii or something and ask her. But, he always said, if the time is right, then do it. "Ichigo, after last night I knew my feelings for you were real! I wanted to stay like that forever."
"Me too!" She said interrupting him.
"Let me finish," he said shushing her. Ichigo smiled, heart racing. Masaya continued, "After last night, I knew I could never be apart from you ever again. I wanted, want, you to be mine." Ichigo nodded her head. "Momomiya Ichigo, will you marry me?"
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She let it sink in as she stared into Masaya's deep brown eyes. All of last night and the feelings she felt flooded her vision in the form of tears. She really did love him and she did want to be with him forever. "Yes!" She cried and kissed all over him.
"I don't have a ring right now, but I have the money, so, we'll go shopping after this. Okay?" Ichigo nodded in reply. "And I want you to come live with me in my apartment. We'll be a family, you and me!" Her eyes grew and she hugged him.
Behind them they heard a throat clear. Masaya turned to see their waitress with their food, Ichigo and Masaya glanced at each other and laughed. While his back was turned, the waitress smiled and gave a thumbs-up to Ichigo. Ichigo flashed a giant grin. She sat their plates on the table, filled their glasses, and took the bread plates back. Ichigo didn't know how she felt. She was so happy she couldn't believe what had just happened. He asked her to marry him, asked her to move in and she was going to get a ring. Ichigo and Masaya just smiled at each other through the rest of the meal. They didn't have to speak; their eyes and body gestures said it all.
After dinner, Masaya took Ichigo to a local "up scale" jewelry store. The whole way there they didn't let go of each other. You would have though they were Siamese twins. As soon as they walked into the jewelry store, Ichigo ran to a corner display and turned to Masaya, beckoning him with her bright, wide eyes. He walked back to her and looked at what she was looking at. "Which one?" Ichigo pointed to a gold band with three simple diamonds that cost $760. "Are you sure? Don't you want something more complex? More expensive?" He asked.
She shook her head, "Nope, I want that one! I've had my eyes on it and prayed no one would get it. It's simple and elegant."
He nodded in approval. "Just like my baby." He grabbed her tight and they kissed. Ichigo was so happy; her life long dream was coming true. They pulled away on cue and without Masaya's gaze leaving Ichigo's he spoke out. "Excuse me, Sir." Masaya motioned to the clerk behind the counter.
"Yes, how can I help you this evening?" He smiled. Obviously knowing these two lovebirds had been through the big "E" word. He had seen many a couples come and go in his shop, but these two were different, they just might be able to make it.
"I want this ring, that one there for my fiancé." Ichigo giggled at the sound of him saying 'My Fiancé'.
"Alright," the clerk said walking to the cash register. He rang the ring up and Masaya paid for it. He and Ichigo thanked him and left.
They walked to the park and sat on a bench. Masaya opened the box and placed the ring on Ichigo's finger. He kissed her softly and pulled away. He stared into her brown eyes and ran his hands through her soft red hair. Masaya came in for a second kiss, this time he massaged her tongue with his and rubbed her arm. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his hands moved up and down her side. She moaned with happiness. He pulled out of the kiss and he embraced her. They sat like that in each others company for what seemed like an hour. She sighed and pulled away and snuggled under his arm. She held her hand out and looked at the ring. "You like?" Masaya asked.
"I love it!" She said looking into is eyes. She kissed him on the cheek and laid her head back on his chest.
Ichigo listened to his heart beat and felt the rhythm of his every breath. She synchronized her breathing with his, until they were one. They sat there a few more minutes until Masaya spoke. "Do you want to go see the apartment?"
"That would be awesome!" Ichigo chimed. Masaya stood and helped her up.
They arrived at the apartment and Ichigo loved it. They walked inside and everything was so perfectly sized for a family. This made her long for something else: a baby. She didn't want to push it with Masaya; she thought she'd give it some time. He picked her up and spun her around. They fell onto the floor and kissed all night.
Ichigo loved Masaya with all of her heart, and she let it show that night. Masaya loved Ichigo with all of his heart, and he let it show too.
"Ichigo," he said inside of her, shaking with pleasure.
"Yeah?" She asked, about to peak.
"I love you sweetie!"
"Oh, Masaya, I love you too!"
They moved faster and harder. Ichigo Threw back her head and let it go. Masaya did the same. He thrashed his body against hers and didn't try to hold it back. They lied in a heap together, panting. They embraced each other and fell asleep in one another's arms, right where they wanted to be, forever.