A few days had passed since Aizen and Violet had finally confessed their feelings for each other. Their relationship, once tinged with uncertainty, had become more comfortable and warmer. They still shared their hobbies and spent time together, but now, there was a sense of ease and mutual understanding that made their bond even stronger.

  Ryuen, ever the perceptive friend, was pleased with how things had turned out. But as he watched Aizen and Violet grow closer, he couldn’t help but reflect on his own situation. His girlfriend, who would be joining their school next year, was someone he cared deeply about. But one thing nagged at him—he hadn’t properly proposed to her yet.

  One afternoon, while hanging out with Aizen at their usual café, Ryuen decided it was time to have a heart-to-heart conversation. As they sipped on their drinks, Ryuen leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful.

  “You know, Aizen,” Ryuen began, his tone casual but introspective, “seeing you and Violet finally sort things out got me thinking...”

  Aizen raised an eyebrow, curious. “Thinking about what?”

  Ryuen sighed, running a hand through his hair. “About how I haven’t really done right by my own relationship. I mean, I haven’t even properly proposed to my girlfriend yet. We’ve been together for a while, but I never really took that step to make it official.”

  Aizen looked at Ryuen, surprised by his friend’s admission. “You mean you’ve never actually asked her out properly?”

  Ryuen shook his head, a sheepish grin on his face. “Nope. We just sort of... ended up together. But seeing how you handled things with Violet made me realize that I should probably do it right. You know, make it special.”

  Aizen nodded, understanding the sentiment. “Yeah, I get that. It’s important to make those moments count.”

  Ryuen leaned forward, a glint of determination in his eyes. “So, I need some advice, Aizen. You’ve always been good at thinking things through—how should I propose to her? I want it to be something she’ll remember.”

  Aizen thought for a moment, considering the best approach. “Well, first of all, it should be something personal, something that reflects your relationship. What’s something the two of you have shared that’s really meaningful?”

  Ryuen smiled, thinking back on his time with his girlfriend. “We’ve always bonded over baseball. She used to come to my games, even when we were at different schools. She’d always cheer me on, no matter how I played.”

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  Aizen nodded, an idea beginning to form. “Then why not make the proposal about that? Maybe you could take her to one of your old practice fields, where you spent a lot of time together. You could set up something simple but meaningful—maybe a picnic after a game, and then pop the question.”

  Ryuen’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “That’s actually a great idea. She loves baseball, and we’ve shared so many memories on the field. It would mean a lot to her.”

  Aizen smiled, pleased that Ryuen liked the idea. “And don’t stress too much about making it perfect. The most important thing is that it comes from the heart. If she loves you, she’ll appreciate whatever you do.”

  Ryuen nodded, feeling more confident. “You’re right, Aizen. It’s not about the grand gestures; it’s about being genuine.”

  Aizen leaned back, taking a sip of his drink. “Exactly. Just be yourself, and let her know how much she means to you.”

  As they continued talking, Ryuen felt a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that proposing wasn’t just about asking a question—it was about solidifying the bond they already shared. And with Aizen’s advice in mind, he felt ready to take that step.

  The next day, Ryuen put his plan into motion. He invited his girlfriend to one of their favorite baseball fields, under the pretense of a casual practice session. As they played, the familiar rhythm of the game brought back memories of all the times they had spent together, laughing, cheering, and supporting each other.

  After the game, Ryuen suggested they sit down for a picnic, pulling out a blanket and some of their favourite snacks. They talked about everything and nothing, enjoying the simplicity of the moment.

  As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the field, Ryuen knew it was time. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small box, his heart racing with nervous excitement.

  “Hey,” Ryuen said softly, catching his girlfriend’s attention. She turned to him, a curious smile on her face.

  “There’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a while now,” Ryuen continued, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. “We’ve shared so many memories together, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I know we’ve never really made it official, but I want to change that.”

  He opened the box, revealing a simple but elegant ring. “Will you be my girlfriend, officially? Will you stay by my side, as we make even more memories together?”

  His girlfriend’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as she looked at the ring, then back at Ryuen. She nodded; her voice choked with emotion. “Yes, Ryuen. Of course, I will.”

  Ryuen felt a surge of happiness as he slipped the ring onto her finger. They embraced, the baseball field around them feeling like the perfect place to mark the beginning of this new chapter in their relationship.

  Later, as they walked home hand in hand, Ryuen couldn’t help but feel grateful for the push he’d received from Aizen. Sometimes, it took seeing someone else’s journey to realize what you needed to do in your own life.

  And as for Aizen and Violet, their own story was still unfolding, but one thing was certain—they had good friends in Ryuen and Kei, friends who would always be there to support them, no matter what.

  To be continued...