"Can't you just picture it, Akane?
"It would have to be in the spring so the sakura blossoms would be in season. We'd have the ceremony outside in the backyard, but not too close to the pond just in case of any accidents. We'd only invite the closest of friends this time. My buddies Hiroshi and Daisuke. Yuka and Sayuri for you. Any other people who haven't tried to kill us in the past.
"Of course, you'd have your stupid, pouffy wedding gown. But you'd look real cute in it. I guess I'd be in a tuxedo, but I wouldn't care what I was wearing the day I'm marrying you. Just as long as I'd get to.
"The dojo would be set up like a dance hall. And we'd have a live band. And we'd get to dance our first dance as a married couple. We'd fight, of course, on who gets to lead, but neither of us would really care. Those are just details. It's gonna be the happiest day of our lives.
"So what do you say, Akane?" Ranma whispered tenderly. "Would ya marry me?"
Akane merely snuggled against his bare chest, moaning a little. He, of course, expected no real answer. After all, she was asleep, and had been every single time he asked her.
It was amazing, really. Ranma was pretty sure they were the only people in people in the world who went from being strangers to fiancés to boyfriend and girlfriend. Careful not to wake her, he turned to look outside the window. The sun was just beginning to rise, meaning he had a few more minutes before he could sneak back into his and his parents' room without getting caught. His mind strayed to the velvet box tucked squarely away in his underwear drawer.
One day—hopefully soon—Ranma would have the courage to ask Akane when she was wide awake.