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The Proposal

Kotoko walks back home, her face flushed with happiness after her rather
enjoyable date with Kin-chan.
It has been so long since she had felt so happy, after all those hot cold
treatment she had received from Naoki. Honestly, she was getting rather
tired of his indifference to her all the time, but, just as she is about to
give up all hope, he suddenly showers her with the love and passion she had
been wanting all along. Really, she couldn't quite make up her mind if Naoki
really liked her or detest her. Maybe she really should give up on him.
After all her presence always seems to irk Naoki.

Suddenly, a figure standing in front of Kotoko causes her thoughts to come
to an abrupt end. It was Naoki! Had he come to apologize? or to spout more
sarcastic and mean remarks to hurt me, she thought.

Just staring into his handsome face made Kotoko  want to run into his arms
and hug him and spending the rest of her life with him.

" Stop it " she ordered. You know he'll never be yours. Just walk over
calmly and greet him. DOn't stop to let him make some more remarks about
you.

" Irie-kun....uh...."

" SO, you had a good time huh. Enjoyed yourself? I almost thought you were
gonna spend the night at his place" said Naoki smirking.

Kotoko on hearing this deflated all the courage she had summed up earlier
on. SHe was shaking badly. How dare he make this sort of snide remarks when
he was the one who made her go out on the date. How Dare He!!!! She screamed
inside her head.

" Well, why do you even bother asking!!!! I am not your toy you can just
play and shove around. In case you didn't know, I am a person with feelings.
SO please keep all those snide remarks to yourself." Kotoko shot back
felling tears welling up in her eyes. " And just for your information,
Kin-chan has proposed to me and I have agreed to be his bride!"

" Honestly Naoki, I can't take this anymore. I...Can't...." Kotoko said
dissolving into tears, crumpling onto the floor.

Naoki, obviously shocked by Kotoko's outburst, looked away guility. Damn it.
WHy did he have to do that? ALl because he couldn't stand her going out with
another guy. He didn't mean to hurt her. and what was she saying about
Kinnosuke proposing to her? What was that all about? What have I done? he
thought, his conscience overcoming with guilt and pain to the thought of
losing Kotoko.

Gently, Naoki carried Kotoko up. He lifted her chin up and dried her tears.

" I am sorry " he whispered slowly to Kotoko. " I am such a jerk. I never
meant to hurt you. In fact I've loved you all along but was too afraid to
show my true feelings for you."

Kotoko looked up slowly. Hardly believing that her Irie-kun was suddenly
telling her all this. Was it true? COuld it be that the man of her dreams
had finally falled in love with her? How could it be? He has always detested
her and made it perfectly clear from day one that he was never going to be
hers.

And then out of the blue, Naoki placed his lips firmly againts hers. FOr a
split second, everything came to a standstill. Her breath was caught in her
lungs and her heart paused, midbeat. After overcoming the confusion and
shock, she kissed him back, very gently and lovingly.
Naoki then pulled away. She was still paralyzed when he pop the one question
she never dreamed he'd ask.

" Kotoko, will you marry me? " whispered Irie-kun with such tenderness that
at once Kotoko's heart melted, her face burning hot from the gaze Naoki was
giving her.

" Are you sure you want to marry me? " said Kotoko, hesitating a little for
fear Naoki might change his mind.

" Baka. Of course I want to marry you. You were the one I loved all along! "

And then they kissed again. This time even more passionately than the first
one. Mama was right, they were made for each other, a pair made from heaven.

- Anamiya -
anamiya_86@hotmail.com

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