Chapter 18

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In the days that followed the gathering with their friends and Ishii's sister Jennie, Ishii and Mina found themselves reflecting on the journey that had brought them to this point. Their home buzzed with the residual warmth of laughter and camaraderie, yet a sense of quiet settled over them as they savored the memories and contemplated the future.

One crisp morning, Ishii woke early, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains. He slipped out of bed with care, not wanting to disturb Mina's peaceful slumber. Padding quietly to the kitchen, he prepared a pot of coffee, the comforting aroma filling the air.

As he waited for the coffee to brew, Ishii gazed out the window at the awakening world outside. The sunlight danced on the leaves, casting gentle patterns on the ground. It was a moment of quiet solitude that she cherished, a chance to collect her thoughts amidst the busyness of life.

Sipping her coffee, Ishii thought about how much had changed since Mina and Skyler entered her life. She marveled at the love that had blossomed between them, the challenges they had faced together, and the deep sense of purpose that now filled her days.

Mina emerged from their bedroom, her hair tousled from sleep yet her eyes bright with warmth. She crossed the kitchen to join Ishii, wrapping her arms around her waist from behind. "Good morning," she murmured against his shoulder, her voice soft with sleep.

"Good morning, beautiful," Ishii replied, turning to kiss Mina's forehead. "Coffee?"

Mina nodded gratefully, accepting the mug Ishii handed her. They stood together in comfortable silence, the aroma of coffee mingling with the promise of a new day.

Later that afternoon, they took a stroll through the neighborhood park, hand in hand. The crisp air carried the scent of fallen leaves, a reminder of the changing seasons. Skyler ran ahead of them, his laughter echoing through the trees as he chased after a fluttering butterfly.

"He's growing up so fast," Mina remarked fondly, her gaze following Skyler's antics.

Ishii squeezed her hand gently, her heart swelling with pride. "He is," she agreed softly. "And he's so lucky to have you as his mom."

Mina smiled, leaning her head against Ishii's shoulder as they continued their walk. "And he's lucky to have you too, Ishii," she replied sincerely. "You've been amazing with him."

They found a bench overlooking a tranquil pond, settling down to watch the ducks glide gracefully across the water. Ishii wrapped her arm around Mina, pulling her close as they soaked in the peacefulness of the moment.

"I've been thinking," Mina began hesitantly, her fingers tracing patterns on Ishii's hand. "About us, about our future. Of what would it bring to us."

Ishii turned to look at her, her gaze searching hers with tender curiosity. "What about our future, Mina?" she asked softly, sensing the weight of her words.

Mina took a deep breath, her voice steady. "I want us to take the next step," she confessed, her eyes shining with determination. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Ishii."

Ishii's heart skipped a beat, overwhelmed by the depth of Mina's words. She reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Mina," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I want that too."

They sat together in the quiet of the park, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the promise of their future. In that moment, Ishii knew that their journey together was far from over—it was just beginning, filled with love, hope, and the shared dreams that bound their hearts together.

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In the quiet of the park, surrounded by the rustling of leaves and the gentle ripples of the pond, Ishii and Mina's conversation lingered in the air like a promise waiting to be fulfilled. The realization that they both wanted to move forward together, to solidify their commitment in a more permanent way, filled them with a sense of anticipation and joy.

"Ishii," Mina began softly, her eyes never leaving her. "I want us to take the next step—to build a future together, officially."

Ishii smiled warmly, her heart swelling with love for Mina. "Mina, I've been hoping you'd say that," she admitted, her voice laced with sincerity. "I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you and Skyler."

Mina's face lit up with happiness, a radiant smile spreading across her features. "Really?" she asked, her voice tinged with relief and excitement.

"Absolutely," Ishii replied without hesitation, her gaze unwavering. "I want to wake up beside you every morning, share our dreams, and create a home filled with love and laughter."

Tears welled up in Mina's eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of Ishii's words. She leaned in and kissed her tenderly, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude.

As they sat together, wrapped in each other's arms, they talked about their hopes and dreams for the future. They discussed practical matters—like where they would live, their careers, and how they would continue to nurture Skyler's growth and happiness.

"I think Skyler will be thrilled," Mina remarked with a chuckle, imagining his reaction to the news.

"I'm sure he will," Ishii agreed with a grin. "He adores you, Mina. You've been an incredible mother to him."

They spent the rest of the afternoon in the park, enjoying each other's company and envisioning the life they wanted to build together. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the world around them as they finally made their way home, hand in hand.

That evening, after Skyler had been tucked into bed with his favorite story, Ishii and Mina sat together on the couch, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm ambiance around them.

"Mina," Ishii began, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. "Will you marry me?"

Mina gasped softly, her hands flying to her mouth in surprise. Tears of joy welled up in her eyes as she nodded vigorously. "Yes, Ishii," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes, I will marry you."

Ishii's heart soared as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Opening it, she revealed a delicate diamond ring that sparkled in the candlelight.

"I love you, Mina," Ishii murmured, slipping the ring onto her finger. "I promise to cherish you, to support you, and to love you for the rest of our lives."

Mina threw her arms around Ishii, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I love you too, Ishii," she whispered against her chest. "I can't wait to spend forever with you."

They held each other close, their hearts overflowing with happiness and the knowledge that their love had brought them to this beautiful moment. As they gazed into each other's eyes, surrounded by the warmth of their home and the promise of their future, Ishii and Mina knew that their journey together had led them exactly where they were meant to be.

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