That evening, when Nao Tsuda got off work, she received a call from Aoki Haruhi.
"I made your favorite ginger-fried pork at home. Remember to come over tonight," Aoki Haruhi said.
"Huh?"
"No, you must come over, otherwise I can't finish all of this by myself."
Ah, this...
Nao Tsuda didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
What was he thinking?
This man.
Didn't they already break up, and he's still calling to have dinner together?
Nao Tsuda frowned slightly.
But she didn't think too much about it.
They were all adults; not being able to spend the rest of their lives together didn't mean they couldn't remain friends.
"Okay."
...
With what kind of mood should she face Aoki Haruhi?
Nao Tsuda hadn't sorted out her emotions.
Before this, she thought she had a strong exterior and interior.
Fearless.
Even without others, she could live very well by herself.
However, for some reason, after her marriage proposal was rejected yesterday, Nao Tsuda's heart was very flustered.
That feeling was difficult to express in words.
At first, it seemed like nothing.
But it was like a seed germinating in the dark; slowly, by today, whether it was during meetings or work, she felt restless.
It was then that Nao Tsuda realized she wasn't as strong as she imagined.
She was also a person; she also needed someone to accompany her, someone to care for her.
Someone to grow old with.
And that person was now gone; she felt very lost.
It wasn't disappointment; it was that feeling of a soul suddenly being pulled away.
...
When she heard Aoki Haruhi's call, she even felt a slight joy.
It wasn't that she felt she had to do anything.
Perhaps it was a habitual reliance.
If a person has been in your life for five years, seeing each other every day and living together...
More or less, there would always be a hint of reluctance, right?
...
Unconsciously, Nao Tsuda found herself habitually driving her car into the underground garage of Aoki Haruhi's home.
Then she habitually went upstairs.
Arriving in front of the apartment where Aoki Haruhi lived, she habitually pulled out her key.
It was only when the key jingled that she came to her senses as if waking from a dream.
Ah...
Would she not be able to come and go freely here anymore?
How awkward would it be if she accidentally ran into Aoki Haruhi's new girlfriend?
She took a deep breath, then knocked on the door.
...
Aoki Haruhi opened the door and saw Nao Tsuda standing outside, asking strangely, "Don't you have a key?"
"Huh?"
Nao Tsuda was about to say, "Is it not good for me to keep the key?"
The next second, Aoki Haruhi leaned in and, just like usual, gently kissed her lips.
"Welcome home."
Eh?!
Nao Tsuda was momentarily stunned.
Is this really okay?
Can they still kiss after breaking up?
It felt too strange.
Before she could think it through, Nao Tsuda was pushed into the house by Aoki Haruhi, who walked over and pushed her back.
"The hot water is ready for you; go take a bath first," Aoki Haruhi said, pushing her towards the bathroom.
"Eh?!"
Nao Tsuda's heart was in disarray.
"Is this really okay?"
"It's fine. I've already found all your clothes. Just put them on after your bath and come out."
"After you're done with your bath, dinner will be just right," Aoki Haruhi said with a smile, winking.
Eh?!
Although she felt a bit strange, after all, they were no longer in that kind of relationship.
But Nao Tsuda was still pushed into the bathroom by him.
What was going on here?
Tsuda felt completely confused.
Was it really appropriate to take a bath at a recently broken-up friend's house?
However, since it had already come to this, there was nothing else to do, right?
Nao Tsuda gritted her teeth and began to undress for her bath.
"Ah..."
Tsuda let out a faint sigh.
Forget it, forget it.
The kiss at the door and the bath, that's as far as it goes.
Can't go any further.
Mm-hmm.
Tsuda nodded vigorously, making up her mind.
...
Tsuda dried her hair, changed into the clothes Aoki Haruhi had prepared for her, and opened the bathroom door to come out.
The room was completely dark.
Only flickering candlelight illuminated the table.
"Zhiyuan Jun, um, Aoki-san, isn't this outfit a bit..."
Tsuda asked, puzzled.
It was a white long dress made of sheer gauze, quite simple in style, yet it perfectly outlined Tsuda's curves.
It felt a bit like a small wedding dress.
The only problem was that it didn't look like something one would wear at home.
Aoki Haruhi smiled and walked towards her.
"You look beautiful."
Aoki Haruhi gently wrapped his arms around her waist, then leaned closer to Tsuda.
"Mm... wait a minute, what are you doing?" Tsuda quickly used her hands to brace herself against him.
"Of course, I'm kissing you."
"Huh?"
"Aren't we always like this?"
Before was before, now is now.
This is really strange, okay?
However, before Nao Tsuda could speak, Aoki Haruhi had already made his move.
"Mm..."
After the kiss ended.
Nao Tsuda helplessly covered her face, a line of black sweat on her forehead.
It's over, it's over.
This is definitely the last time; it can't develop any further.
...
Just then, Aoki Haruhi gently took her hand and walked towards the bedroom.
"Wait a minute!" Nao Tsuda felt that something was not quite right.
"I'm not that kind of person."
"Huh?"
"I really can't accept this."
"You go in first; how do you know you can't accept it?" Aoki Haruhi became a bit anxious.
How could she accept this?
Nao Tsuda's willow brows furrowed slightly.
I'm really not the kind of woman who can sleep with someone even after breaking up.
However, the next second, Aoki Haruhi directly took her hand and pushed open the bedroom door.
"Aoki Haruhi!"
Nao Tsuda cried out.
She really couldn't let this continue!
However, just as she was about to say these words, she froze.
Because, right here.
In Aoki Haruhi's bedroom, a pile of balloons floated on the ceiling.
The balloons were made of fluorescent material, and after the lights were turned off, they glowed with a faint yet bright light in the dark room.
Just like the moon in the sky.
"Miss Moon."
Aoki Haruhi smiled slightly, holding her hand and gazing into her eyes.
"Huh?" Nao Tsuda was utterly shocked.
But even now, she still couldn't understand what was happening.
Or what would happen next.
However, this atmosphere strongly moved her.
...
It was at this very moment that she realized—
Aoki Haruhi's hand was also trembling.
"Will you let me finish speaking first?"
"What do you want to say?" Nao Tsuda was completely unprepared.
Yet she also felt as if she had been preparing for a long time.
But what if it wasn't what she imagined?
"Nao."
Aoki Haruhi took a deep breath and softly called her name.
"Mm."
"You proposed to me a few days ago, and I didn't agree. It wasn't because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Then, then why?" As soon as Nao Tsuda spoke, she found her throat a little choked.
Her chest also began to heave erratically.
Her entire heart was in disarray.
"I just felt that it shouldn't be you doing this."
Aoki Haruhi smiled.
"Honestly, I was very touched and really wanted to say yes, but as a man, I have my pride and dignity."
"I think, even if my future wife is the most unconventional and strong woman in the world, even if in the eyes of outsiders she is so assertive and so brave.
However, in my heart, she still has her fragile and shy side.
She is also a woman; she also has her own little shyness and little pride.
She also needs to be cherished.
She also needs to be treated gently.
She is the white moonlight in my heart."
"So?" Nao Tsuda covered her mouth, her eyes a little moist.
"If it's me, I will become her husband.
Then, I think, the matter of proposing should be done by me.
At least I want my wife to feel my love for her, rather than just passively accepting."
"Originally, I planned to make a new game for you to propose with.
I even thought of the name and theme: 'proposal daisakusen'."
"Then why did you change your mind?" Nao Tsuda's hand trembled.
She couldn't help but tightly grip it with her other hand, controlling her emotions.
"Because, even a game, even a galgame, takes several months to produce."
Aoki Haruhi said,
"I can't wait that long."
"These past two days, I've dreamed of you every night."
"I want you to know sooner."
As he spoke, Aoki Haruhi reached out, gently pulled a "moon," and held it out to Nao Tsuda's hand.
"My Miss Moon."
Aoki Haruhi knelt on one knee, "Will you marry me?"
...
"You really..."
Nao Tsuda was already in tears at this point.
"Baka!"
"Aoki Haruhi is an idiot!"
Uh...
Aoki Haruhi was stunned for a moment, not expecting Nao Tsuda's reaction to be even more intense than he imagined.
When you proposed to me, you were so calm.
Even though marriage is such an important matter, Tsuda's tone at the time was like discussing everyday things.
"So, Miss Moon. Will you marry this idiot?"
Nao Tsuda cried uncontrollably, a happy smile on her face.
"Fool, didn't I already say yes to you?"
"That's great!"
Aoki Haruhi stood up, wrapped his arms around Nao Tsuda's waist, lifted her, and spun her around in the air.
Then he gently lowered her to the ground.
"Hold this."
Aoki Haruhi placed the balloon in Nao Tsuda's palm.
Bang!
"Ah!!!" Tsuda was startled by the suddenly exploding balloon.
After the balloon exploded.
A silver ring lay calmly in her palm.
The diamond on it was very large, truly a pigeon's egg.
...
Nao Tsuda was completely stunned for a moment, not expecting the diamond ring to be hidden in such a place.
"Nao, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Just like John and River.
No, I should say unlike anyone else, just like ourselves.
Without any regrets, to live a good life."
Aoki Haruhi smiled slightly, looking at Nao Tsuda with infinitely gentle eyes.
The latter's face flushed, and she silently nodded.
Aoki Haruhi picked up the ring from her palm and gently placed it on her ring finger.
"Thank you, Mr. River."
Nao Tsuda smiled.
She smiled so brightly and radiantly.
Just like the glowing balloons floating on the ceiling.
White moon.
————————————
This chapter was originally supposed to be released tomorrow.
But seeing the loud comments, I really couldn't hold back and quickly posted it.
This was a plot point designed from the beginning, and nothing was changed because of the readers' opinions.
Having Nao Tsuda propose was to shape her character.
But as a man, Aoki Haruhi had to be responsible, so I designed this "small twist" plot point.
Please Support me by becoming my Patreon member and get 20+ chapters.
[email protected]/Ajal69
change @ with a
Thank You to Those who joined my Patreon