Chapter 124: The "Punch" Line

It is six months later.

We are graduating soon.

Fuji and I are at the arcade. The REAL arcade. It got fixed.

We are playing Street Fighter.

I am losing.

I am distracted.

Because Fuji is acting weird. Weirder than usual.

He keeps checking his pocket. He is sweating.

"Okay, spit it out," I say, pausing the game. "You are throwing off my combo."

He freezes.

"Aoi. I have... a theoretical question."

"Oh no."

"If... theoretically... a Prince wanted to ask a very aggressive commoner to... be his permanent Player Two..."

I stare at him.

He is blushing. He is looking at his shoes.

Is he...?

Oh god. He is.

He is going to propose. Here. In front of "Dance Dance Revolution."

It is so stupid. It is so perfect.

But he is taking too long!

"Fuji!" I snap.

"Yes!" he jumps.

"Are you asking me to marry you or are you just stuttering until we die of old age?"

He blinks.

Then he laughs. That real, warm laugh.

"I am asking you to marry me, Aoi Isuzu."

He pulls out a ring. It is simple. Silver. With a small, dark purple stone.

"It matches your aura," he says. "Terrifying and beautiful."

I look at the ring.

I look at him.

I don't cry. Bloody Twilight does not cry in arcades.

I punch him in the arm. Hard.

"Ow!" he rubs his arm, but he is smiling.

"Yes," I say. "You idiot. Yes."

He slides the ring on my finger.

It fits perfectly.

"Game over," he whispers, kissing me.

"No," I whisper back. "New game plus."