Being a University student wasn't as difficult as some claimed it to be.

In fact, for me, I felt it was easier than high school.

I create my own schedule to perfectly meet my needs and the independence the professors grant their students is truly remarkable to say the least. And to top it off, no one knows or cares about who you are.

I would almost go so far as to say I had enjoyed my time for the last, almost four, years.

Almost.

There was one glaring negative. One that nearly made me change my choice of school.

However, I knew that he never would have agreed to that.

Seriously. He can be so hardheaded sometimes.

He stayed in Chiba while I moved to Tokyo. Not a great distance but enough to make meeting each other time-intensive, something we didn't have the luxury to spend.

Despite that, we never went long without seeing one another.

Until just recently.

It had been exactly two weeks since I last saw Hikigaya-kun face to face. And as ridiculous as it may sound, to me, that felt like an eternity.

Sure, we communicated with one another via calls and texts, but that still wasn't equivalent to being in the same room as him.

Honestly, sometimes I really surprise myself with the way I feel towards him.

Five years into our relationship and my love for him has never once faltered.

I can feel my cheeks begin to redden as I think this.

Stupid Hachiman. Making me think about embarrassing things in broad daylight.

Currently, I was on my way to meet him.

Our first date in a while.

It was safe to say I was happy.

Weaving through crowds during the weekend was still my least favorite thing but if this was all I had to do in order to reach Hikigaya-kun so be it. In fact, I would trek through a sea of people for miles if need be.

Luckily for me, our meeting spot was near the train station that I had just exited from, so a long walk wasn't a worry.

I wonder if he did that on purpose?

As I was making my way through the busy crowd, the meeting destination finally came into view.

A local supermarket that was close to the train station. Easy to spot, hard to miss.

Getting closer, in between the gaps of space from the people that were going about their business, I saw, in small intervals, the image of the man that I was happy to call mine.

He was wearing some dark blue slacks with a matching blazer, a white button up that was tucked in, and brown loafers that was all tied together with a brown belt.

His hair was even combed.

Such a simple attire and yet he looked so handsome.

He didn't always dress like this, but when he did…I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

Luckily, he hadn't seen me yet. I was probably eyeing him like some sort of hungry lion.

Finally, close enough, I called out to him. "Hachiman."

He turns to look at the source that was attempting to grab his attention.

Finally noticing me, he lifts a hand up to greet me.

"Yo." He says behind a small smile.

He really is something else.

We haven't seen each other in two weeks and that's all the greeting I get?

And even still I couldn't help but return his with a small smile of my own.

"I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"About an hour now." He says as he takes a glance at his wristwatch.

I give him a steel stare in return.

"I'm kidding." He replies with another smile.

"Hmm."

Noticing that I wasn't quite enjoying his teasing, Hikigaya-kun closes the distance and brings me into a tight embrace.

"Hachiman?" I was surprised by his actions. Displaying so much physical contact in public areas was never his thing. Mine neither if I was being honest. And yet here he was, hugging me tightly in front of a busy store as hordes of people pass us by, giving both amused and disgusted looks.

"Sorry. I really tried to hold back but the moment I saw you… I had to."

His arms wrapped around me making me feel so warm and happy. I can't help but be sucked into his pace as I finally return his actions by wrapping my arms around his waist, nuzzling my face into his shoulder.

For that moment in time, it felt like we were the only two people in the world. No disturbances just two people that cared for one another.

"I missed you too." I whisper to him.

What a ludicrous statement, it had only been a couple of weeks.

Even so, I couldn't help feeling the way I did.

After a few more moments, he finally breaks our embrace as he pulls himself away from me.

"Now that that's out of my system." He takes my hand. "Let's go."

"Wait a minute. We just met up!" I squeak out as he practically drags me with him.

"We're kinda on a tight schedule today, so just go with it."

"Hachiman, I have questions!" I feel like I'm practically yelling so that he can hear me over the city noises.

"I have answers, but we really need to make it to the eleven twenty train to make good time."

I've never seen him look so determined.

His eyes have a certain pierce to them. His hair jumps ever so slightly with his every step. His long strides remind me just how much taller he's become since high school, making it a bit difficult for me to keep up right now. And the grip on my hand…as if nothing in the world could pry mine from his.

This side of him, I must say is rather…exciting.

"Unbelievable. Being so forceful, it appears as though you're trying to kidnap me."

"Huh? As if I need to use force to get you to go somewhere with me." He snaps a look back to me, a stupid grin on his face.

I give him a pout.

Jerk, don't say it out loud!

Still.

"I guess I'll be in your care for today." I say with a hop to my step, now walking shoulder to shoulder with him, a smile on my face.

He nods in turn.

I would go to the ends of the earth for you, Hachiman. I hope you know that.

"So, can you explain why we are here?"

It's not that I really had a problem with this particular place, only that it felt very random.

"I actually liked it here. Even if it was way too crowded when we came in high school."

"hmm."

I didn't really understand him. I thought for sure he would have found this place to be filled with bad memories. Well, maybe not 'memories' as it was really only one.

At least it was for me.

I can still remember it as clear as day.

The way he marched up to Ebina-san, looked her in the eyes and confessed to her.

At the time, I didn't know why I felt so angry, but I did. How could he just so easily throw those words out, even if it was for a request. In an attempt to save the false friendships of others, he hurt himself.

It was painful to see him have little-to-no regard for his own self-worth.

So, for me, this place was not one I had fond memories of.

The last thing I wanted to think about were times when Hikigaya-kun was hurting and I didn't know what I could do to help him.

Even now, I still have the fear that one day, a time will come when I won't be able to help him and that scares me more than anything else.

"I'm sure you still remember the last time we were here… didn't quite end on a high note." He says looking at me with a sad smile.

"Yes, it was quite a gloomy way to end the trip. A bad memory, if you will."

"Well, that's why I wanted to come back."

I looked at him in confusion.

He in turn takes my hand as we finally reach the entrance to our destination.

A concrete path surrounded by what looked like a tunnel made up entirely of tall bamboo. It was evening so the sun was beginning to set, the only source of light were the dimly lit lamps on the edges of the path, separated each by a few feet.

It was indeed a beautiful sight.

"Let's override that memory with a good one."

I still wasn't really sure what he was trying to do but I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Sure."

Surprisingly, it appeared as though we were the only two people here. It was silent, very peaceful, the only sounds were those of insects and the pitter-patter of our shoes.

I couldn't help but be completely at ease. I scooched closer to Hikigaya-kun so that our shoulders would rub ever so often.

Ah, he was right, doing something like this now, really does erase those feelings I had once felt many years ago.

Then, suddenly, he stops walking.

"Something wrong?"

"Yukino." He answers me with a very serious tone and face to match, grabbing and turning my shoulders so that I face him.

"Y-yes?" What's with him today? He's had this look quite a few times already.

"I know it's been hard for us these past few years. Since you decided to study in Tokyo and I decided to stay in Chiba. But even still, we met up with each other at every opportunity we had."

While the schools weren't that far from each other, there were many times that I had wished he was closer to me.

Unfortunately, we became busy with our studies, but as he said, even still, we found every opportunity to meet up with one another. In fact, these two weeks marked the longest amount of time we've gone without seeing each other.

"It was hard, wasn't it?" He kept his hold on my shoulders as he asked me this.

"Yes." I replied.

It was the truth. It was hard. Especially this time.

"I thought so…" he let out a sigh as he lowered his gaze.

"B-but we made it work!" I said in a panic.

My shout seemed to have startled him as his head shot back up in that instant.

"We made it work." I repeated what I said in a more confident tone.

He in turn gave me a small smile.

You're making me worry right now, Hachiman!

"Yukino. Thank you for giving it your all."

….

"You too."

Why is he talking like this?

"In about a month we'll have graduated and right after we'll be entering the working world."

He stops talking but I don't say anything back, urging him to continue.

"We're going to get really busy. After today, it might be even longer than a couple of weeks until the next time we see each other. Maybe until after we graduate."

A month without seeing him.

"Even after that we'll begin working and the time that we get to spend together could also begin to lessen."

"Hachiman, what are you trying to say?" He was really beginning to worry me.

"Yukino, I don't want you to worry about any of that. Nothing will stop me from being with you. I'll make it work somehow."

There it was again. That piercing stare. As if he was looking directly into my very being. Telling me once again what I wanted to hear.

Truly, you are far too good for me, Hachiman.

"So, today, I'll be taking the first step in order to prove my resolve to you."

He proceeds to release the hold on my shoulders, letting his hands fall to his sides, still not breaking his gaze.

He stares at me for a few more moments.

I myself, can't seem to move.

Then, he begins to do the last thing I expected for him to do.

He takes a small step back and begins to get on one knee, in the same motion I see him reach into the inner pocket of his blazer.

He's not…

Gingerly, he takes out a small black leather box.

Clasping it in both hands he takes a deep breath.

Holding my breath, I begin to shift my eyes between his and the box.

And he begins.

"Yukinoshita Yukino… I can't promise you a castle, fancy cars, fancy clothing, or even fancy meals…"

My legs begin to shake.

"What I can promise you, is that my feelings for you will never change. I will never put anyone above you. And I will always be by your side… to take care of you in any and all situations."

I really might collapse at any moment.

"So, I guess what I'm trying to say is…" He takes the box and holds it up to me. One hand underneath and one on top, securely holding it. His eyes show no traces of fear or anxiety as he speaks his next words. "Yukinoshita Yukino, I love you." He slowly and carefully opens the box revealing a diamond ring. Far bigger than I expected. I quickly shift my eyes back to his as my hands move up to cover my quivering lips. Taking the last bit of breath I held in my lungs as he finishes. "Yukinoshita Yukino, make me the happiest man in the world…Will you marry me?"

I couldn't hold on anymore as my legs give out from underneath me. I fall to my knees as I feel tears begin to run down my cheeks. My hands now shaking, still covering my mouth as I try to muffle out my ugly weeping.

Hikigaya-kun gives me a worried expression as he witnesses my actions.

But just before he makes any movements I lunge myself at him. Wrapping my arms around him.

"Y-Yukino?"

I finally burst into a full-on cry.

I'm so glad that he can't see my face right now because undoubtedly, it's not a very appealing one.

I wrap my arms around him as tightly as I can.

"I-I love you!" I say in-between my howls. My tears staining his shoulder as I burry my face into it.

"Is that a yes? Or-"

"Yes! A thousand…a million times yes!"

He moves one arm and wraps it around me. Pulling me closer to him.

If time would stop at this very moment it still wouldn't be enough.

And for a moment it felt like it did, before Hachiman broke up the silence.

He began to gently push me away, I reluctantly allowed him.

Fortunately, I had stopped crying a few moments ago, although I was still sniffling every now and then.

"Can I give you the ring now?"

He gives me a teasing smile.

"Y-yes! Please do."

I had completely forgotten about the ring. Just him asking me to marry him was enough of a shocker to fry my mind.

I move away just enough so that he has room to take the ring out of the box.

Apparently, since I had my hand out in anticipation, Hikigaya-kun chuckles as he notices this.

Don't tease me, Hachiman!

Hikigaya-kun gently took my left hand as he carefully slid the ring on.

"How does it feel?"

"Perfect."

It was a perfect fit. It was so perfect that I felt like I was going to cry again.

"Good."

I couldn't stop staring at it. It sparkled so beautifully.

"But, there was one mistake you made, Hachiman."

"Huh? Where?"

In a panic, he took my hand and started to examine the ring.

"It won't be just you."

He looks in my eyes as I attempt to make a stern face.

"I will also do everything in my ability to make sure you know just how much you mean to me and just how much I love you."

His eyes widened a bit.

I continue. "Everything you said to me…I feel the same. I will work hard so that you can also have a happy ending."

I reach out to cup his cheek.

"So, don't worry about a thing…my dear husband."

His cheeks instantly begin to turn red.

Don't get a head of yourself, Yukino! You'll drive him away.

In response, he gives me a warm smile as he grabs my hand.

"I'll be in your care…my dear wife."

Now my cheeks begin to burn.

I couldn't help but giggle hearing him call me his wife.

There were many questions I still wanted to ask Hikigaya-kun right now. Like, how much did this ring cost? Did he somehow book this path so that no one else could disturb us? How long had he been planning this? What did I do to deserve him? He really wanted to marry me, right?

But none of that mattered.

The only thing that mattered was that we were together and nothing would keep us apart.

I was dangerously in love with Hikigaya Hachiman.

A/N: Hello, it's been a while. Sorry about that. I wont bore you with reasons. Anyway, it appears as though there will only be one more chapter. Can you guess how it'll end? I assume most of you could figure it out (if not all). I'll keep this short, as I'll say my real farewell in the next chapter. So once more, I hope you enjoyed!

PS: A reviewer asked me for a link to the cover photo that I use for this story. I tried to message you but you have the option blocked, so if you are reading this send me a pm and I'll give you a link. That goes for anyone else that wants it. I actually drew it myself so I can give you guys a high quality version. Well anyway, thanks again, and also feel free to pm me about anything else. Like questions or just to say Hello. Once again, thank you for your support! (And this was supposed to be a short 'A/N'. Oh well.)