Thank you everyone that has taken the time to read, favorite, follow, and review Laser-Tag Love. I am very grateful and glad that you are enjoying it. I truly love you all!

I welcome all constructive criticism.

Here is chapter thirty. Chapter thirty-one will be posted soon.

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of the characters from it. Skip Beat is the property of Yoshiki Nakamura.

Couple's Progression

Kuon lead Kyoko to his dressing room, glancing around to make sure no one was near, quickly opened to door and pulled Kyoko inside. He closed the door and pulled Kyoko to the couch. She still hadn't said anything but he didn't expect her to. He sat down, drew Kyoko down onto his lap and gave her a quick kiss. "Kyoko? Are you still with me?"

Kyoko blinked and her eyes focused on Kuon's. "D-d-do you r-really mean it? That you w-want us to get m-married?" Her voice was no louder than a whisper and her eyes looked fearful but with a hint of hope.

Kuon smiled, 'She still has no idea how much she means to me. I need to change that some how.' "Yes Kyoko, I meant every word I said. I love you, Kyoko. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together." He kissed her again, it was a slow, languid kiss. When he pulled back he saw Kyoko smiling making him smile in return.

Kyoko's eyes suddenly got a mischievous gleam to them. "So are you proposing right now?"

Kuon actually blushed but was able to manage a small smirk as well. "Perhaps I am. What do you say Kyoko? Will you marry me? Will you be my wife, the mother of my children, spend the rest of your life with me?"

Kyoko turned bright pink and looked down for a couple of seconds. She looked back up and gave Kuon a quick kiss. "Yes," she whispered.

"Yes?" Kuon asked excitedly.

Kyoko nodded still bright pink.

"Yes!" Kuon kissed Kyoko with all the love he had for her. He ended the kiss and beamed at her. "I love you so much, Kyoko."

Kyoko had shut her eyes during the kiss but she opened them when she heard what Kuon said. She smiled, "I love you, too. But we just told everyone that we aren't ready to be married..."

Kuon chuckled. "Just because we are engaged it doesn't mean that we need to get married right away. We'll take it at our own pace, just as we have been. And we don't need to tell anyone that we are engaged. We'll just let them think we are still just boyfriend and girlfriend."

"Really?"

"Yes, besides can you imagine what Boss would do if he found out?"

Kyoko shuddered. "The crazy love monster would appear!"

Kuon blinked at what Kyoko said and then burst out laughing. He hugged her tightly still laughing. "That is the most accurate description of Boss I have ever heard," he said when he finally got himself under control. Just then his phone sounded indicating that he had a text. He sighed and moved Kyoko sit on the couch so that he could stand up. He walked over to where his pants were folded and pulled out his phone. When he saw who the text was from he frowned slightly. 'Why is Boss texting me?'

You and Kyoko have the rest of the day off. So go have some fun.

Kuon sighed and shook his head. 'Typical Boss.'

"Who's the text from?" Kyoko asked curiously.

Kuon turned back to her and smiled. "It was Boss. He just wanted to tell me that we have the rest of the day off and to have some fun."

Kyoko blushed. "What does he mean by 'fun'?"

Kuon smiled as he sat down next to her. "I think he wants us to go another date. And I have the perfect one in mind." He wrapped his arm around Kyoko's shoulders and gave her a kiss.

"What kind of date?"

"Well we are engaged so you need a ring."

"WHAT!?" Kyoko yelled as she jumped up. "N-n-no I don't! Rings like that are really expensive! You don't need to buy me something that costs that much! And how are we going to keep it a secret if-"

Kuon cut her off with a kiss. "Kyoko please calm down. It isn't going to be a real engagement ring yet. We'll save that for when we announce our engagement. For now I just want to get you a simple ring and you don't have to wear it on your left hand. You can wear it on your right hand. Please let me do this for you Kyoko. Let me use this to show you how much I love you, even if it is through something as simple as a ring."

"But-"

"Please?" Kuon gave her is puppy dog eyes.

"Okay."

Kuon beamed again and kissed her. "Thank you. You should go change and then we can go shopping."

Kyoko nodded and started walking to the door but then stopped. "We can't go shopping for a ring!"

Kuon frowned, "why not?"

"Well what if people recognize us?! There could be all sorts of trouble!"

Kuon smiled again. "Don't worry. I still have some temporary hair dye. We can just stop by my apartment and dye our hair again."

"Alright," Kyoko said as she quickly left the room.

A few minutes later Kuon and Kyoko were making their way to his car. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Kyoko asked as Kuon opened her door for her.

"Yes. I've never been more sure of anything in my life." Kuon gave Kyoko a quick kiss before she got in the car.

He walked over to his side and got in as well. "I love you and I want to marry you. You are the most important person in the world to me."

Kyoko blushed, "you're the most important person to me too." Her voice was just a whisper but Kuon heard every word. He smiled as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward his apartment building.

About forty minutes later they were heading to a jewelry shop. Kyoko looked at the buildings around them. "We aren't going to the same shop we did before."

"You're right. They don't have the kind of ring that I have in mind."

Kyoko turned to give Kuon a puzzled look. "You already have a style in mind?"

"Yes. Once you see it I'm sure that you'll love it."

Kyoko's eyes got sparkly, "will you tell me what it looks like?"

"Nope. I want it to be a surprise."

"Okay," Kyoko said with a small pout.

Kuon reached over and took her hand. "Don't be like that. You'll love it. Trust me."

They were quiet for the rest of the drive.

'I wonder what the ring is going to look like.' Kyoko thought. 'How can Kuon already have something in mind? Did he already have this planned? If so for how long? He said that I'll love it. I really want to know what is going to look-'

"We're here," Kuon said as he parked the car, effectively cutting off Kyoko's thoughts.

Kyoko looked up at the building. "This store looks really expensive..."

"I already told you to not worry about that. Please just let me do this for you without any arguments."

"Alright," Kyoko said quietly.

Kuon smiled and kissed her cheek. He got out and walked around to let Kyoko out. He offered his hand to help her out. "My lady."

"Stop it." Kyoko blushed.

"Why? You're my princess and so I'm going to treat you as one." With that he locked the car and started leading Kyoko toward to jewelry store.

There was a male clerk just inside the door. "Welcome," he said as he bowed. "How may I help you today?"

Kuon put his arm around Kyoko's shoulders as he replied. "We're wanting to look at couples rings."

"Of course, sir. Please follow me." He turned and lead them to a long glass counter on the right side of the store. There were several cases full of matching rings.

"Kuon, what do you mean by couples rings?" Kyoko whispered as they followed the clerk.

"I mean that I want rings that show we are a couple. Everyone already knows it but I want something to show that we are a couple." Kuon replied, also whispering.

After they reached the counter the corker moved to the other side, "we have several different styles." He said as he pulled out a few cases to allow Kuon and Kyoko to take a closer look.

"Actually we are looking for a specific style." Kuon said politely as Kyoko leaned a bit closer to look. "Do you have any Claddagh (kla-də, ˈklä-) rings available?"

The clerk nodded, "Yes, sir. Please give me a minute to get our selection." He put away the cases that he had pulled out and went to the far end of the counter.

Kyoko looked up at Kuon. "What are Cl-clad..."

"Claddagh rings?"

Kyoko nodded.

"They are actually a Celtic ring with special meanings depending on how you wear them."

"What kind of meanings?"

Kuon smiled. "I'll tell you later."

"But-" Kyoko stopped. The clerk was back and she was immediately entranced by the rings in the cases. "Th-those are beautiful!"

Kuon squeezed Kyoko with the arm that he had around her shoulders. "See? I told you that you would love them."

"What are their meanings?"

"Well they have multiple meanings." The clerk answered. "Not only do the rings have meanings but the gems that some of the hearts are made from also have meanings. For example the amber means happiness and renders the wearer irresistible. The emerald is the stone for the goddess Venus, its for love and prosperity. It also enhances memory." The clerk pointed to each stone as he mentioned them.

"Wow," Kyoko said excitedly. "What do they other stones mean?"

"The garnet symbolizes commitment, love, passion, and desire. Moonstones attract love and luck. They are also said to aid in fertility."

Kyoko blushed and Kuon cleared his throat.

The clerk bowed his head. "Forgive me. I should not have said that last part."

Kyoko shook her head, "No its okay."

"Do you see one that you like, Kyoko?" Kuon asked trying to change the subject about what the stone symbolized.

"Umm... Well..." Kyoko looked at the rings trying to decide. 'I really like the ones with the red stones. I think the clerk called them garnet? But would Kuon be happy with those? Maybe I should pick one without a stone. After all I bet the ones with the gems are really expensive and I don't want Kuon to spend a lot of money. The ones that are silver are very pretty, too. But I-'

"Kyoko." Kuon's voice cut through Kyoko's thoughts again. She looked up at him. "I can tell what you're thinking. Please stop worrying about the cost. I want you pick the one that you like the most. Choose the one that you honestly love the most. Okay?"

"Okay." Kyoko said in a small voice. 'How does he do that?' She sighed silently before making her selection. "I like the ones with the garnet. I think that's the right name."

The clerk nodded as he pulled three pairs with the garnet and set them on the counter. The pairs were each a slightly different style. The first set was rose gold, there were small diamonds in the band of the female's ring, while the male's band was plain rose gold. The middle set was silver, they were puzzle rings as well. The last set also looked silver but was actually platinum, their bands looked as though they were braided.

"They are all so pretty. How am I supposed to choose one?" Kyoko looked up at Kuon silently asking for help.

Kuon gave her a teasing smirk. "You could close your eyes and point at one at random."

Kyoko looked horrified and started to punch Kuon's chest. "I can't do that! These are special and can't be picked at random!"

Kuon gave a small laugh. "I'm sorry. I meant it as a joke."

Kyoko huffed, "Meanie."

"But you still love me."

Kyoko went bright pink and put her hands over Kuon's mouth. "Don't say that in public! Don't you have any modesty!?" She glanced at the clerk but he was behaving as though he couldn't hear a thing they were saying and was rearranging some of the ring displays.

Kuon gently moved Kyoko's hands from his face and gave her a small smile. "I'm sorry. Don't be mad."

Kyoko didn't reply and turned back towards the rings. 'I like how these ones look like braids.' She glanced at the set in the middle. 'But why do these look as though they have three different parts?' "Excuse me." She said to get the clerk's attention.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Why does this set have three different parts?" She pointed to the silver pair as she spoke.

The clerk smiled as he picked one of them up. "That is because they are puzzle rings." He tossed it into the air and caught it again. He held out his palm to show the couple how the three parts were still connected but weren't one ring. He then deftly interlocked the pieces back together creating a single ring.

"That's amazing!"

"Is that the pair you want, Kyoko?"

"They're beautiful but it would take awhile to remember how to complete the puzzle. Also what if we're at work and it drops. We'd have to take time to put it back together. I don't think those ones would be a good idea."

"Are you sure? We can get them if you want them." Kuon said. 'I want to make sure that she gets the set that she truly loves.'

Kyoko nodded. "I think I like these ones the most." She pointed to the ones with the braided bands. 'They're the simplest looking pair so I bet they are the least expensive.'

"Those are really the ones that you like the most?"

"Yes." Kyoko said in a decisive voice.

"Okay. We'll take this style" He said to the clerk. 'Does she realize that, that pair is platinum and so the most expensive? I doubt it. If that was the case she wouldn't have chosen them. Oh well. This way I know that she chose that ones that she genuinely loves the most.'

"Very well, sir. Please wait a moment while I put the away and get the different sizes for the ones that you want." He was gone just a couple seconds later.

"When are you going to tell me what the ring means?"

Kuon smirked. "I'll tell you when I put it on your finger. It will mean more that way."

Kyoko sighed but didn't say anything as the clerk came back caring a case full of differently size Claddagh rings.

"Ma'am, do you know what size ring you wear?"

"I'm sorry but I don't."

"Then may I please see that hand that you will wear the ring on."

Kyoko blushed as she held out her right hand toward the clerk. He gently took it and looked at the ring finger. "Let me see." He pick up of rings to measure finger size and selected one that was size six and a half and gently slid it onto Kyoko's finger.

Kuon clenched his fists. 'Woah, calm down. He isn't coming onto her. He is just determining her ring size. No need to be jealous.' He took a deep breath and slowly let it out to calm down.

"This is a little too big." The clerk tried a size six next. "How does that feel, ma'am? Does it feel as though it will slide off?"

Kyoko flexed her fingers a little and gently shook her hand to see if the ring would come off. She smiled when it didn't. "It feels perfect."

"Wonderful," said the clerk as her to the measuring ring back. He then picked up a size six Claddagh ring from the case and put it in a small box that he had also brought out.

"Sir, do you know what size you will need?"

"Yes, I wear a size ten."

The clerk nodded. He took size ten from the selection and put it into the box next to the ring meant for Kyoko. He gently closed the lid and handed to box to Kuon. "Here you are, sir. Was there anything else that you were interested in?"

"No, thank you." Kuon said with a smile.

The clerk nodded and filled out a small piece of paper. "Here is the slip needed at the register. Please have a pleasant day." He bowed before taking to case of rings back it to the back room.

"Come on," Kuon said. "Lets go pay for these."

Kyoko nodded and followed Kuon towards the cash register.

Kuon handed the slip to the cashier.

The cashier smiled as she took it and started to put the information into the computer. "Will that be all for you sir?"

"Yes," Kuon said as he handed over his credit card.

The cashier took it and swiped it before handing it back to Kuon. "Please sign the screen, sir." She said pointed to screen in front of Kuon. After he signed the cashier handed him the receipt. "Thank you for coming." The cashier said with a bow. "Please come again."

"Thank you." Kyoko and Kuon said in unison before exiting the shop.

They walked back to the car and Kuon helped Kyoko in before getting in himself. He started the car and headed back toward his apartment building.

Once they were inside Kuon had Kyoko sit down on the couch before kneeling in front of her.

"Kuon? What are you doing?" Kyoko asked in confusion.

"I know that I already asked you to marry me. But I want to do it again properly with a ring." He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it up. "Kyoko, I love you with my whole heart. Will you please make me the happiest man in the world and consent to be my wife?"

Kyoko blushed but gave a small laugh. "Kuon, you can be so silly sometimes. You're first proposal was perfect but I'll give you my answer again.

"Yes. I will marry you." She launched herself at Kuon and kissed him.

Kuon kissed her back. "Thank you, Kyoko," Kuon said when the kiss ended. He took out Kyoko's from the box and put gently put it on Kyoko's right ring finger. He kissed her hand before letting it go.

Kyoko smiled shyly at Kuon. "May I put your ring on your finger, Kuon?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"Of course." Kuon said with a smile. "Make sure that the point of the heart is facing my wrist."

"Alright but why?" Kyoko asked even as she carefully put the ring on Kuon's finger. She kissed Kuon's hand, just as he kissed her's.

"It has to do with the meanings that I told you about. I'll explain them now." He lifted Kyoko up and sat down on the couch with her and his lap. "Look at the heart on the ring. There are four different meanings to it depending on which direction its facing and which hand it is on. If the ring is on your right hand, with the point facing your fingers it means you are single and might be looking for love. If the ring is on your right hand, with the point facing your wrist it means that you're in a relationship." He paused to give Kyoko a kiss. "Just like we are."

Kyoko smiled and snuggled further into Kuon's chest. "What are the other two meanings?"

"On the left hand with the point facing your fingers it means that your are engaged. I would love us to be able to wear them that way but then it wouldn't be a secret engagement."

Kyoko blushed a very bright pink making Kuon smirk.

"With the ring on your left hand with the point facing your wrist it means that you are married. When we do get married I want us to wear them that way."

Kyoko's brain short circuited at that. "I-i-i thought you s-said that th-these would be s-s-simple couples rings!" She tried to jump up but Kuon held her still.

"I'm sorry that I lied a little but I wanted it to be a surprise. You wouldn't have wanted to get them if you knew." Kuon kissed Kyoko again. "Will you please forgive me."

Kyoko sighed before she smiled. "Of course I forgive you. I really do love them. Do they mean anything else?"

"Yes they do. Look at the crown that is on top of the heart. It symbolizes loyalty while the hand around the heard symbolize friendship. Also apart from what direction the heart is facing it symbolizes love."

"Wow," Kyoko said in awe. "So much meaning in one small ring. It's incredible. Like magic!"

Kuon smiled as sparkles started to appear around Kyoko's head. 'I knew that these rings would be perfect.' He kissed her hair and held her tightly. 'I'm never letting you go Kyoko.'

They stayed like that until Kuon's phone started ringing. He sighed before pulling it out and opening it. "Hello?"

Hello everyone! I'm so sorry that this chapter is so late. I hope that you all liked it. Also I'm going to be posting a sketch of the Claddagh rings on my Tumblr account. Please go take a look.

You can also look Claddagh rings up online to learn more about them.

I also need to give a huge thanks the my amazing older sister for telling me about Claddagh rings! Thanks so much big sis!