Perfection. I know nothing is perfect. I know that, but looking at her, her and all of her flaws, I can't help but think that if perfection were to be encapsulated, if it were to take a human form, she'd be it. With her kindness, her intelligence, her beauty, her powers, she is perfection to me. She is unworldly to me. A Goddess. A deity.

So with that in mind, I choose the day that celebrates and honors a deity such as she: Tanabata. After all, what day could be more perfect or fitting?

She had been excited for the day as she has always felt an affinity to it, even more so when we got together. Once in a blue moon, she would refer to me as her Hikoboshi when it would rain. I had poked fun at her, saying that it wasn't as romantic as she believed. She had explained it that though Orihime and Hikoboshi couldn't meet because of the rain, the rain connected them regardless. That even though the rain separated the princess and the boy star, the rain made their longing and love stronger, which brought them closer. That the rain could unite the eternally separated earth and sky.

But I did not have to worry about rain. Tanabata would have clear skies, no cloud in sight. The magpies would flock together, using their wings as a bridge so Orihime could meet her love. And if Orihime were to cry, her tears would be tears of joy for she would be able to embrace her Hikoboshi.

And it would be perfect. Perfect because the night would end in the same way: with Orihime in my arms.

We are to meet at the restaurant that we had our first date. In the spirt of the day, we'd be in our yukatas that Yuzu and Karin had helped me pick. So we would meet at the restaurant, and Taku would serve us, and I'd be all nerves, and she'd be all smiles. We'd eat and laugh and talk. We'd leave the restaurant, and we'd make our way to the Tanabata festival. We'd visit the stalls she'd choose. I'd win every prize she set her eyes on. She'd lead the way, and I'd follow her every step. And when the festival came to an end, when the fireworks would illuminate the sky, I'd propose to her. And under the lit sky, I'd promise her that even the Milky Way could not keep us apart. That I would not let it keep us apart.

And it would be perfect. Perfect because she deserves nothing less.

The night before, I could not sleep. Maybe it's the nerves, or maybe it's the anticipation, but every time I closed my eyes, I could see my heartbeat beneath my eyelids. I could feel my thoughts pound in my head. I could taste the tension.

So without any sleep, I wake up early and start on our breakfast. When I'm placing our food on the table, I feel her arms wrap around me.

"Morning," she yawns.

I carefully straighten and turn so I embrace her, giving her a soft kiss.

"Morning."

She smiles as she leans in for another kiss. I pull back when I feel her trying to deepen it.

"Nuh-uh. You have plans to meet the girls, remember?"

She pouts before she stands on her tippy toes as she tries to reach my lips.

"Don't tempt me, Hime," I warn.

"But you said it's my day today," she whines.

I chuckle before I place a swift kiss on her forehead. I then lead her to sit down so she can start on her food.

"It is, but Tatsuki will be here soon with Karin and Yuzu. If you start now…well, let's say that they'll be requesting money for therapy sessions."

She purses her lips before digging into her eggs.

"Orihime's Hikoboshi wouldn't treat her like this," she complains.

I roll my eyes as I sit down next to her.

"You are so going to milk this, aren't you?"

She gives a toothy grin before handing me her fork. She then opens her mouth and closes her eyes.

I snort.

"Ahhh~" she prompts.

"You know, Hikoboshi's Orihime wouldn't be so," I begin.

"Less talky, more feedy," she interrupts. I laugh as I scope a forkful of food into her mouth. She hums appreciation.

I shake my head as she opens her mouth again.

"You are so ridiculous," I comment before I feed her another bite.

"But you love me," she sings after she swallows her food.

I snort as she points to her water.

"That I do," I say while I move the glass to her lips so she can take a few sips. A few drops fall down her chin, and I wipe the water away with my thumb.

"My Hikoboshi treats me so well," she praises with a small smile. I swear I see hearts in her eyes, which only makes my heart race.

"My Orihime sure knows how to push all my buttons," I whisper as I lean in for a kiss. I stop short when I hear knocking on the door. I groan while she moans in protest.

"Enjoy your time with them, Hime, because tonight you are all mine," I state as I stand.

"Promise?" she asks while reaching for my hand. She lightly skims her lips against my hand before nuzzling her check against my palm.

"Every single damn one," I comment under my breath as I gently pull my hand away to go to the door.

"Onii-chan!" Yuzu chirps as she hugs me. I give her a one arm hug while the other arm pulls Karin into our embrace.

"Morning." I look up at Tatsuki. "What? No hug for your oldest friend?"

She scoffs as she punches my arm, scooting past us.

"She getting ready?"

I nod as I let my sisters go, nudging them in the apartment before closing the door behind us.

"We had a late start."

"Not a good sign," Karin teases.

"Oh, hush! Don't poke fun at Onii-chan. He must be nervous," Yuzu scolds her twin.

"Thanks, Yuzu. And yeah, I am nervous. It doesn't show, right?"

"What do you want to hear? The truth or do you want us to lie?" Tatsuki asks before sitting on the couch.

I ignore her as I take a seat next to her.

"So you guys remember the plan?"

"Yup! We are going to have the best girl's day before dropping her off at the restaurant!"

"In her yukata," Karin adds.

I nod while a run a hand through my hair.

"She's going to say yes, you know. You don't need to be so nervous," Tatsuki reassured.

"But I want it to be perfect," I mumble, embarrassed.

"Stop that! You know it grosses me out when you get all romantic!" Tatsuki complains. Yuzu and Karin laughs.

"What are we laughing at?"

I hop off the couch and walk over to Orihime. I place my chin on her head and lean on her.

"Me, of course."

"Yay! My favorite subject!" Orihime cheers.

"At least pretend to defend me, Hime."

I feel her shake her head. I laugh. I give the top of her head a kiss before letting her go.

"Alright, you guys had better be going. You'll never get all things Orihime wants to do today if you all keep lollygagging."

"Aye, Aye, Captain," Karin and Tatsuki say at the same time. Orihime and Yuzu giggle.

I shoo them out the door.

"Have fun," I yell as they walk toward the staircase.

Orihime lingers in the middle of the walkway before turning back and running toward me. She wraps her arms around my neck.

"See you soon, Hikoboshi."

I smile down at her while I move my hand moves her hair back from her face. I lean down to give her a brief kiss.

"Not soon enough, Hime."

She gives me a wide smile, her eyes crinkling at the sides. She pecks me on the cheek before heading down the stairs.

Once I no longer hear her footsteps, I head back inside and into the bedroom. I walk into the closet, standing on my toes to reach the corner of the top shelf where I had hidden the engagement ring. With the blue box in my hand, I collapse onto the bed.

"Soon is not soon enough," I whisper before pressing the velvet felt box to my lips, my eyes closing briefly as I imagine the moment when I slide the ring onto her finger while the sky rains down a colorful array of sparks and flames.