The Chosen Wife || Jibaku Shounen Hanako-Kun

Tsukasa : A Clumsy Proposal

It had been a week since Tsukasa had decided he would finally ask (Y/N) to marry him. Of course, he'd planned it out perfectly in his mind—he would bring her to the river, where the sunlight glistened over the water, and he would look into her eyes with all the confidence he had, and simply ask.

However, nothing ever went according to plan when it came to Tsukasa. He had noticed the growing tension in his chest every time he saw her, a tight knot that made it impossible to focus. The teasing, the flirting—it was all a mask for how much he actually wanted to make her his. 'This time,' he swore, he'd finally do it.

So, on a cool afternoon, Tsukasa invited (Y/N) for a walk by the river. He'd been a bit on edge all day, the weight of his plan heavy on his shoulders. He needed her to understand just how serious he was. But knowing Tsukasa, he couldn't exactly be straightforward—he wasn't that brave yet.

As they walked along the water's edge, Tsukasa was quieter than usual, glancing at (Y/N) occasionally, watching the way the sunlight danced through her hair. She noticed his strange silence.

"Lord Tsukasa, you seem a little... distracted today," (Y/N) commented, raising an eyebrow at him.

Tsukasa grinned, trying to mask his nerves. "Distracted? No, I'm just thinking."

"Thinking about what?" she asked, her tone playful but also concerned. She couldn't remember the last time Tsukasa had been this quiet around her.

"Just... important things," he muttered, his gaze flicking away for a moment. "You know, nothing to worry about."

Just then, (Y/N)'s mother appeared, walking along the path with her younger brother. (Y/N)'s eyes widened in surprise as her brother waved enthusiastically.

"(Y/N)!" he called, practically running over. "I heard Lord Tsukasa was taking you to the river for something romantic. What's going on? Are you two planning something secret?"

Tsukasa's eyes widened at the mention of "romantic," and he instantly blushed, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Wha—no! It's not—well, maybe, but it's—!"

(Y/N)'s mother chuckled from the distance, arms crossed. "I told you, dear, when you invited Lord Tsukasa over, you'd get more than you bargained for." Her teasing voice made Tsukasa even more flustered. "But (Y/N), don't you think it's a little early for such serious talk? You're still so young."

(Y/N) turned back to Tsukasa, clearly embarrassed. "I... we're just talking! Mom!"

But Tsukasa, ever the gentleman, quickly stood straighter, his hand hovering nervously near the back of his neck. "Lady (Y/N)'s mother, you needn't worry. I'm just... you know, we're just walking."

(Y/N)'s mother's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Oh? I suppose I'll let you two have your 'walk.' Don't take too long, Lord Tsukasa, and don't do anything rash."

"Rash?" Tsukasa repeated in a high-pitched voice, but before he could clarify, (Y/N)'s brother dragged her mother away, winking over his shoulder at Tsukasa. "Just don't embarrass yourself too much!"

As the family moved on, Tsukasa let out a sigh of relief. His face was flushed, and he gave (Y/N) a sheepish grin. "I don't think your family likes me much, huh?"

(Y/N) chuckled. "You'll have to get used to them, Lord Tsukasa. They're just excited."

But Tsukasa was still uneasy. That interaction had thrown him off course. He had come here with one goal in mind—to ask for her hand in marriage. But now? Now, he was just flustered and distracted.

"Lord Tsukasa, is there something you're planning to ask me?" (Y/N) asked again, her voice soft. Her eyes were searching his face, like she could already tell something was off.

"Uh, well—uh... yes," Tsukasa finally said, rubbing the back of his neck. His voice was suddenly low, the usual playful tone replaced with hesitation. "Actually... I've been thinking a lot about us. And..." He cleared his throat, trying to stand tall. "I wanted to ask..."

Before he could finish, a loud noise came from behind them. Both of them turned just in time to see Amane stepping out from behind a tree, his hands raised in mock surrender. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt your romantic moment."

(Y/N) blinked, incredulous. "Lord Amane? What are you doing here?"

Amane, unfazed, smiled charmingly at them both. "Just taking a stroll through the woods. I thought I'd check in on you two. I see things are... progressing."

Tsukasa, feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation, scowled. "You're ruining my moment, Amane," he grumbled.

Amane raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What moment? I thought you was just having a nice walk, like me."

(Y/N) chuckled at the playful exchange, but Tsukasa wasn't having it. "Out of the way, Amane. You've distracted me enough."

With a sigh, Amane nodded. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you two alone, but don't take too long. You know how I like to meddle, after all." He winked and stepped away, his laughter echoing in the distance.

Finally alone, Tsukasa turned to (Y/N), his heart thumping in his chest again. He had to do this.

"(Y/N)," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "I came here today because... well... I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You make everything so much brighter, and I... I want to make you mine."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, the ring inside glimmering as the sun caught it. "Will you marry me?"

(Y/N) stood frozen, her heart racing. She hadn't expected this, not with all the teasing and mixed signals. Her eyes searched Tsukasa's face, his usual flirtatious grin replaced by sincerity.

Tsukasa, nervous now, continued. "I promise I'll never stop being annoying. But I'll also always love you. Please say yes."

Before she could respond, however, the ground beneath them suddenly gave way as they both slipped on the wet rocks by the river's edge. With a loud splash, they fell into the water, laughing hysterically as they struggled to get back to their feet.

"Well, that was graceful," (Y/N) said, still chuckling as she wiped water from her face.

Tsukasa, dripping wet and still holding the ring box in one hand, looked at her with wide eyes. "I—uh—didn't plan on that."

But this time, (Y/N) didn't need words. She pulled him close, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his, the sound of the rushing river the only background to their kiss. When they finally pulled away, breathless and laughing, Tsukasa couldn't help but grin.

"Does this mean yes?" he asked, his voice teasing but with a hint of vulnerability.

(Y/N) smiled brightly, her heart full of affection. "Yes, Lord Tsukasa. Yes."

Tsukasa, still grinning from ear to ear, tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "So... what should we name our baby? Hmm? Maybe something like 'Tsukasa Jr.'?"

"IDIOT!!!" (Y/N) yelled, her face turning bright red. She swung her hand up and bonked his head with a loud smack.

"Ow!" Tsukasa winced, rubbing his head as if he'd been hit by a truck. "Hey, that hurt! I'm just asking—"

"You're asking for trouble!" (Y/N) huffed, crossing her arms. "If we ever have a baby, I'm naming them something with class, not after a total dork!"

"Hey! I'll have you know, 'Tsukasa Jr.' would be very classy!" Tsukasa protested, trying to look dignified, but the grin creeping back onto his face gave him away. "What, don't like it? How about—"

"Don't you dare!" (Y/N) warned, pointing a finger at him, but Tsukasa just laughed, pulling her back into a hug, both of them still dripping wet from the river.

"Alright, alright," Tsukasa chuckled, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "But I'll let you know, I'm sticking with 'Tsukasa Jr.'—if we ever have one."

"Over my dead body, Tsukasa," (Y/N) muttered, trying (and failing) to hide a smile.

And with that, they both laughed, caught up in their playful, ridiculous moment, as the future—whether filled with babies or not—felt a whole lot brighter.

The End