A/N: I never add Authors notes here because I feel like it looks weird but I figured I might as well. So, wow, this is my fifth story to these one-shots. Nice. I'm gonna be taking a short break to finally finish Their Secret. God knows how badly that chapter needs to be rewritten. I gotta stop distracting myself with all these YouRiko's!

With a single flower in her hand, You stood in front of Riko's door but for once, the rose wasn't for her love. She had been with Riko for nearly five years now after the ending of high school, of course that didn't mean she didn't still bring her roses but that wasn't the point. They had gotten together in their first year of college, right after Riko had needed a date for a wedding. With a little bit of convincing, You skipped class that day to accompany Riko. When push came to shove though, each of their feelings came spilling out that night. Of course, that wouldn't have happened if Riko didn't steal a bottle of champagne for the two of them to drink back at their dorms. It was a fond memory You liked to look back upon. It was best feeling getting out her heart's true feelings but nothing could top receiving that admiration right back. Before You could take a trip down memory lane though, the young sailor had other plans before her.

Riko was out of town for the week, as she was in America composing pieces for a new artist on the rise that specifically called for her. It was You's perfect time to do exactly what she needed.

Ringing the doorbell, You quickly checked to make sure she looked presentable. She chose a simple blue dress with sandals. Being in her captain uniform seemed too professional and being in sweatpants was out of the question. Patting her wavy hair down quickly, You heard footsteps approaching.

Answering the door, a tall man appeared before her with dark crimson hair, matching the family trademark.

"Can I help you?"

You presented her flower to the man before bowing her head in the process,

"Mr. Sakurauchi, I have to ask you something!"

Riko's father looked down at You curiously but before he could say anything, You continued on,

"I, Watanabe You, would like to ask for your permission to take your daughter, Sakurauchi Riko's, hand in marriage. It would be a great honor to spend the rest of my life with her by my side. It would be an even higher honor for her to become a Watanabe with me. So, please, what do you say?"

You, who felt as if her heart was going to come up from her throat. She took no breath between her words as she sputtered them all out. Thinking on it now, it came out smoother in her practices.

As You counted down the seconds, she could feel herself shaking as the man still hadn't answered her question. Peeking up to see his reaction, she was met with a confused look.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

'Ouch'

You couldn't help but feel a little hurt. It wasn't as if You hadn't gone to multiple of Riko's family gatherings or given their family a multitude of gifts from the places she had traveled as a ferry captain.

You brought the rose to her side as she slouched her shoulders in defeat.

"I'm Watanabe You. You know, the girl who's dating your daughter. Your only daughter."

The man suddenly realized who he was talking to. With a smile upon his face, she snapped his fingers,

"Oh, the little captain Riko's dating. I remember you."

You sighed in relief. At least it wouldn't be totally awkward trying to reintroduce herself like the first time she met him.

"So, what do you say? May I marry her?"

The man laughed,

"No."

Closing the door in her face, You stood there with her single rose still in her hand. She didn't even get to question his reasoning before that harsh ending to their conversation.

Being in shock though, You turned around, trudging down the steps of Riko's house. She turned around to look at the building. A part of her wanted to just go home and cry as that was just about the worst outcome she could have gotten, but she couldn't. If she wanted Riko to be a Watanabe, she had to do this.

Pumping out her chest, You gave a salute to the house where Riko's father resided, before making her promise,

"I'll make you change your mind, sir! Just you watch!"

"Please, I would do anything for Riko. I'll come back each and every day if I have to, just please let me marry her."

You was at Riko's parents' doorstep again. It was the third time that week that she had been rejected. Each day it was a door to the face with no reasoning behind it. Now, however, it was Riko's mom to answer the door, not that You saw as she was already on her knees, begging for mercy.

"Um, You, why are you on the floor?"

You looked up to see Riko's mother. At least You knew she liked her. Standing up, You grabbed her hands, attempting to quickly gather her marbles, as she questioned her,

"Mrs. Sakurachi, I haven't seen you all week. I haven't gotten the chance to ask you my question. May I, Watanabe You, take your daughter's hand in marriage?"

You silently prayed as Riko's mother looked at her intensely for a short moment,

"Yes."

"Really?"

Riko's mother giggled before confirming with You,

"Yes, really. Why would I say no? Riko loves you dearly and she's been waiting for this proposal for a while now, trust me."

You jumped in the air but was quickly cut off as Riko's father approached the door,

"Ah, Watanabe, you're back."

Feeling the mood between the two, Riko's mother walked away from the door before calling behind her,

"Good luck, You!"

You smiled back at Riko's mother before staring at the man before her. With an intense look, You repeated her question,

"Sir, I ask once more. May I please marry your daughter."

Just as the previous days before, he showed a simple smile before his ill-fated words,

"No."

Before he could shut the door, You put her foot in front of it, stopping him from closing it.

"Sir, at least tell me why. I would do anything to change your mind!"

"Watanabe, you will never get my blessing to marry my daughter until the day I die."

You took a step back as he took a step forward. Mentally preparing herself, You could feel this was about to be the worst day of her life as his face turned stone cold against her.

"Do you want to know why? I'm sure you do since you're desperately here each day."

You let out a small noise in discomfort but he continued on,

"Do you know how many days I heard Riko cry in her room over you? All the days where you were away in the middle of the ocean while she stayed here, constantly waiting for you?"

By now Riko's father was in You's personal space as he continued on,

"I told her over and over to just move on as there were plenty of people out in the world but she was so stuck on you. Now, after all this time you want to come here and ask to marry her, for what? So she can really never move on and keep hanging on to a girl who might leave for good one day?"

You was at a loss for words. She knew that some days she couldn't contact Riko due to there being no signal in the sea but each time they talked again she seemed so happy, never sad. How long had Riko been keeping that a secret from her?

"I-I'm so sorry, I didn't know-"

"Of course you didn't know, you ever think about anyone else besides your boat, Watanabe?"

Before You could answer, Riko's father had shut the door in her face once more. This time though, she felt as if she deserved it. You took a moment to stare at the door before her, swallowing the guilt that crept up her throat.

She had to marry Riko. There was no way around it.

It was finally the last day of the week before Riko was to return home. You hadn't come to Riko's house all week as she was preparing for her final visit. She had planned everything down to the wire and if this didn't work, she could give up. She would let Riko move on to someone new, someone who wouldn't break her heart as many times as she unknowingly did.

Standing at the door once more, You knocked.

It came to no surprise when Riko's father answered,

"You really don't quit do you? The couple day break was nice though, I gotta admit."

Pulling the paper from her back pocket, You gave it to Riko's father. He took the paper but before he could ask a question, she began her planned speech,

"I quit my job as a captain, sir. You are right, I only thought about my boats, not the woman I want to marry. That's my resignation letter. I will be let go by the end of the month as soon as I train the newest captain to take my spot."

The man looked at the paper before back at You,

"And where will you work then? How will you support my daughter?"

You smiled as she had already thought of that,

"Well, to become a captain, you have to study marine biology. I know the local aquarium's owner and she is in need of someone who will help her care for the sealife there. I'm set to work as soon as I finish my captain duties."

"Okay, but how can I know she is in safe hands with you? You left to the sea once before, how do I not know you won't do it again."

You dug out from her pocket the box she had been protecting for the last couple of months. She flipped it open, showing the diamond in rusted jewel, while presenting it to the man. You raised her hand in salute,

"I, Watanabe You, promise to not ever break your daughters heart ever again. I will not return back to the sea unless she is by my side."

Letting her salute down, You spoke from her heart.

"I love her so much, Mr. Sakurauchi. I've dreamed about this day for so long and I refuse to just give up on us. However, if you do not want us to be together, if you don't believe I can or could ever make your daughter happy, you can take the ring right from my hands and I'll leave. I'll break up with Riko and I won't ever step back into any of your lives. However, do know that I'll forever love her, no matter the decision you make."

With the box shaking in You's hand, she awaited her answer. She doesn't know why she laid the answer on the table when the man had refused her all week, he would gladly like to see her fail for a final time. Yet, she had to let Riko's father know that she respected him and his wishes.

As Riko's father began reaching forward towards the box, You tried her best but her tears were already forming in her eyes. Her heart was going in overdrive as his fingers touched the box. They only rested there for a moment though, before shutting the open case.

You looked at him in confusion Before he laughed,

"I see you're genuine about my daughter. Giving up everything just so she will be happy shows you are serious about this. I do have to say, it was brave of you to put your faith in me. I give you my blessing."

You fell to her knees before the man, letting her tears come down as well,

"Thank you so much, sir. I will do everything in my power to make sure she wakes up and goes to sleep knowing I'm by her side! She won't ever know what it's like to not be loved with all of my heart I swear on my life-"

By now Riko's dad has to cut in,

"Watanabe, please keep it together. You still have to ask Riko, you know that right?"

You stopped her crying before smiling,

"I think she'll say yes. Even more so now that you guys approved!"

You jumped up to hug her future father-in-law. It was strange to think about but she also couldn't have it any other way. Riko's mom, who was patiently waiting on the side of the door the entire time, finally burst out, getting in on their hug.

"Ah, our Riko's getting married, dear! I knew she would find someone, despite all those weird books she reads."

As they all backed away from their hug, the smile stayed on You's face as she looked at her future in-laws.

"Thank you so much. I really do promise I'll cherish and love Riko with all my heart, well even more than I do now. If that's possible."

You laughed as her words before realizing she should take her leave. You gave a quick bow to Riko's parents before turning around. Riko's mother called out to her, stopping her before she could step away,

"Wait! Why not stay and have dinner? We never get to talk with just you anyways."

You felt as if her day couldn't get any better. As she was guided into The Sakurauchi's household, You took in everything around her as now, it all felt different. It was strangely comforting knowing that this would soon be like another home away from home. Someday she would be in Riko's father's place while her red-haired beauty would be in her own mother's place. In their future home together, living out their life while giving their next generation a hard time that were secret life lessons in disguise. You smiled to herself at the thought.

No matter the outcome, so long as Riko was there, You could handle anything in their future.