Chapter 149: Engagement

Being a second-year brought many exciting events.
But the highlight was undoubtedly the school trip. True to its aristocratic nature, Takamari Academy had chosen Paris, a testament to Japan’s love for France. However, a far more significant event awaited me.

“Rina, let’s get engaged.”
“…Eh?”

The world seemed to fall silent. Aya’s casual words, spoken in the quiet classroom after school, echoed in my ears like a bombshell.

“E-Engaged?!”

“Yes. It’s not legally binding, just a promise.” Aya said, her tone as casual as if she were asking, “What do you want for lunch tomorrow?”

My face burned, and my hands flailed awkwardly.

“W-Wait, engaged… You and… me…? Really?”
“Yes. Who else would it be?” Aya tilted her head, blinking innocently.

We were openly dating, we’d exchanged rings, but… engagement?! Images from countless romantic comedies and novels flooded my mind. Engagements were supposed to happen after graduation, or at the end of the story!

“A-Aya, this is… so sudden… What… what do we need to do…?”

I stammered, waving my hands frantically, and Aya chuckled, amused by my reaction.

“Well? I think you just need to… be prepared, mentally.”
“M-Mentally prepared?! Eek… O-Okay…!”

Mentally prepared…
That wasn’t a simple task, Aya!

My heart pounded in my chest, my face burning, the world spinning slightly.

“Rina, your face is so red. You’re so cute.”
“St-Stop saying that…!”

Aya reached out to touch my cheek, and, mortified, I buried my face in my desk, curling up into a ball. I felt like I’d never be able to uncurl again. Unable to reach my cheek, Aya started massaging my shoulders.

“So, Rina, we’re engaged, right? Right?”
“…Y-Yes…!”

I was dying of embarrassment, but I nodded weakly.

****

I hadn’t expected this.

“Ahhh…”

When Aya said I didn’t have to prepare anything, it meant she’d already taken care of everything.

I’d thought we’d have a small, intimate gathering with our families and close friends. Even weddings in Japan were small affairs… So I’d assumed the engagement would be even more low-key. But…

Why was I wearing a white dress that looked suspiciously like a wedding gown, and why was Aya in a perfectly tailored black suit and tie?

“Aya… this… this looks like a wedding…!”

I whispered, tugging on Aya’s sleeve, my face burning. The people helping me with the train of my dress only added to the surreal feeling.

The venue was a small banquet hall in a luxurious hotel in the heart of Tokyo. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the elegant floral arrangements. It looked exactly like a wedding venue. The air was filled with the scent of flowers, and soft classical music played under the sparkling chandeliers.

It looked exactly like a wedding! I’d expected something… simpler, but the perfectly arranged flower path and the glittering chandeliers made me dizzy.

‘Ugh…’

Was this really happening?

“Rina-tan~! Congratulations! You look like a princess~!”

Mizuki beamed, holding my hand and jumping up and down excitedly. Arisu also smiled faintly and offered her congratulations.

“Congratulations, Rina. You look beautiful today.”

“Thanks, Mizuki… Arisu… I’m still so flustered…”

Mizuki whispered, “Engagements and weddings are always sudden, aren’t they?”
“Eh…?! Really…?”

I looked around, bewildered. Our parents were chatting amiably.

“Our Aya is very fond of Rina-san.”
“Aya-san is a wonderful girl. Please take care of our Rina.”

What was happening?!
This was so surreal that my legs felt weak. And I’d heard Dad had recently moved to a law firm run by the Yukikawa family. His income had apparently increased significantly… Wait, was this for real?

Aya quietly approached me.

“Rina.”
“Y-Yes… Aya…?”

Aya gazed at me for a long moment, then gently caressed my cheek and leaned in.

“Wait, Aya, not now…!”
“It’s okay. Everyone knows we’re the main characters today.”

Aya’s lips brushed against mine, a soft, sweet kiss. Cheers and applause erupted around us, and my face burned crimson. I couldn’t escape, not in this elaborate dress. I’d trip and fall.

Aya pulled away slightly and took a beautiful, sparkling tiara from a nearby box and gently placed it on my head.

“There. Now you’re a princess, Rina.”
“Aya… this…!”

Aya took my hand and whispered,

“This is a promise that I’ll protect you, always. You can’t run away now. No, you shouldn’t run away.”

Aya wanted to bind me to her.
But I wasn’t going anywhere. She was the only one for me. Perhaps I’d loved her even before I was born into this world…

****

Life at school returned to normal after the engagement, surprisingly. Or rather, the only difference was that Aya and I were more openly affectionate. We still went to school, attended classes, participated in student council activities… A normal routine. And the next event in our normal routine was the school trip.

“The school trip… is to Paris, right?”
“Yes.”

Aya nodded, smiling.
Paris, the city of romance.
For some reason, Japan had a well-known love affair with France. I’d never been to Europe, so I was curious.

The theme of this school trip was independent travel. We could either explore with our friends or follow the teachers to museums and tourist attractions.

Naturally, we formed a “Trinity” group: Aya, Mizuki, and me. Our new homeroom teacher approved. Ito-sensei had become the homeroom teacher for Class 3, so we didn’t see him much anymore. It was a shame.

“I trust you three. Permission granted.”
“Thank you, Sensei.”

Mizuki had become more… vocal since the engagement.

“Aya-ring, you only like Rina-tan~! I’m so lonely these days~!”

“Mizuki, don’t be like that. You had fun at the engagement party, didn’t you?”
“But you two are always so lovey-dovey~! It makes me jealous! I can barely even see my fiancé…!”

Mizuki pouted, feigning annoyance. I knew she didn’t have any real feelings for her fiancé.

But despite her playful complaints, we were still the Trinity, always together. And now, we were planning our trip to Paris.

“What should we do in Paris?”

“Hmm… The Louvre? Or Montmartre?”

“Rina likes sweets, so how about a food tour?” Aya suggested, smiling at me.

I puffed out my cheeks, feeling like she’d seen through me. “A food tour…? I can appreciate art too, you know…?”
“Hey, hey, don’t leave me out! Let me join the fun~!”

Aya and I laughed at Mizuki’s whining.

The school trip was just around the corner. The thought of making new memories in Paris filled me with excitement.