What the Future Holds

(Set in my Life Will Change universe)

Begin!

~Normal POV

The warm beach. The beautiful sunset. Hawaii was truly a paradise. And it was as beautiful as Ann remembered it. She hadn't been here since they were in high school.

She and Akira finally took that trip back here like they promised. The two were almost out of college now. College was a more difficult time for them. Ann studied abroad, so for much of the time they had to go without seeing each other in person. Akira was fine with this, as he promised to support whatever she set her mind on. (He was living in an apartment near his college with Morgana. Ann planned to move in with him officially once they finished college; but when she came back to Japan to visit she always stayed with him anyway.) She was taking acting classes now too, trying to prepare to be a movie star along with her modeling career. During their video calls she'd even give him a little demonstration of what she's learned. He always tried to put aside his bias and give her fair criticism if needed, but he did see that she had improved her acting skills since their days as Phantom Thieves. No matter how far away the two were, they remained faithful, and always found ways to return to each other whenever possible.

They made the same effort with their fellow thieves of course. With the threat of the Metaverse gone for good this time, everyone was finally able to live their lives as freely as they wished. They'd all found success in their own ways, and they made a point to see each other often. Nowadays, the Phantom Thieves had something of a cult following. (Ever since Mishima released his duology of novels of their adventures. Exaggerated and untruthful as it was, Akira enjoyed reading them immensely.)

Akira and Ann were currently lounging alone on their beach towels, relaxing comfortably together. They came to Hawaii during a time of the year when there were less tourists around, so they were given relative privacy. And he was grateful for it. This trip wasn't just for their personal enjoyment, he had another goal in bringing her here. One he hadn't been able to stop thinking about since he bought the gift...

How could he go about giving it to her though? Would she prefer the traditional way? Or could he try something more unique? Heh, Akira thought- he was going about this like he was Joker; his thoughts running circles in his head as he tried to strategize in a Palace. But still, these questions were important. He loved Ann, and she deserved for this to go just right...

He recalled his conversations with others on this subject. Not content with only asking Ann's parents for permission, he had also asked Shiho. She'd told him she was honored and happy that he respected her so greatly to ask for her permission to marry her friend. ("As if I'd ever say no!" She had told him.) And he even asked Ryuji for permission as well. To which his friend had simply told him, "Go for it!"

Nearly everyone was aware of his intentions at this point. Morgana saw him bring the ring home after buying it. Futaba had noticed the ring while visiting him recently and blurted it to everyone: except Ann, of course. (She wasn't that cruel.) So when Akira mentioned that he and Ann were taking a trip to Hawaii by themselves, everyone was quite aware of the reason for this private vacation. At first it was a little embarrassing, having all of them know about his proposal before it even happened, but now he was more warmed up to it. Maybe because of how supportive they all were. Akira and Ann had been together for so long, they must have felt the time was right. Even if they put off the actual wedding until a later date, he wanted to at least make it official now; you know?

"Mmm... this is nice..." She mumbled, snapping him from his thoughts.

"Yeah, it is..." Akira replied.

Ann sat up and smiled at him. "It's much less hectic with just us."

He chuckled. "Yeah, and this time you didn't need an excuse to share a room with me."

"It wasn't an excuse!" Ann whined, indignantly. "Sheesh, if I had wanted an excuse, give me more credit: I could have come up with a way better lie than just getting locked out of my room!"

"I know, I'm just teasing you," Akira said, grinning despite his nerves.

Ann rolled her eyes and went back to relaxing. Akira was always like this. Teasing her playfully whenever he saw fit. She was used to his antics by now and embraced them fully.

"Ann...?"

"Hm? What's up?"

Akira tried to quell the nervous feeling in his stomach. It was almost nighttime, the sun was just right, they were totally alone... Every instinct in his body screamed at him to ask her now.

"I'm glad you were able to come here with me..." He started.

"Me too! I know we don't get to see each other as often as we like right now but we make it work, right? You're ok?"

"Of course I am... And yes, I do miss you, obviously, but I'm not going to stop you from working towards your dream." He ran a hand through his hair sheepishly. "There is... something I want to say though..."

Ann sat up straighter. "Oh? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong- nothing at all!" Akira said, chuckling nervously. "But it is important, so please listen." She nodded and gave him her full attention. He knew what he wanted to say but he hoped it wouldn't sound too "rambly" before getting there. Feeling the weight of the ring in his pocket he spoke.

"Ann, you and I have been together a long time now. And we've done and seen incredible things together. Things only a select few people would ever experience. We even saved the world twice. In a lot of ways, we've both been through Hell, too, but in the end, we found each other." He could see her tearing up a bit but he kept going. "You brought light into my life when I thought I had lost everything. And still to this day, you make me happy just knowing that you're here. Whether I see you once a week, or every morning when I wake up, it doesn't matter to me as long as I have you as a part of my life. So... I want to spend the rest of that life with you..."

The moment he pulled out that little ring box she nearly screamed, but managed to let him finish first.

"Ann Takamaki, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" She all but tackled him to the ground to cover him with kisses. Once she stopped, he gently placed the ring on her hand, making her blush. "You dragged me all the way to Hawaii just to propose?" She asked, smiling widely.

"You don't seem too upset about it," Akira replied, playfully.

"Well- of course I'm happy but I just wasn't expecting it that's all... But then- It's such a you thing to do. Going all-out for me like this..."

Akira grabbed her hand and kissed it, making her even more flustered. "Anything for my girl..."

He pulled her close and kissed her. The two lost track of how long they spent on that beach. Too wrapped up in each other's arms to care what time it was anymore. All they wanted to celebrate their engagement alone. Sure, they'd have to deal with their family pestering them about it when they got back to Japan, but for now it could just be the two of them.

And they couldn't wait to see what their future held.

~The End!