Me and Ai

Chapter 84: Question

"No particular reason. I probably just wanted to see you."

She sits up on the bed. "Suspicious."

"Whatever." I poke her cheek.

I stayed and talked with Kaori for a while; I'm happy to see her being lively again. Her smile really is filled with warmth.

"It's already bright outside."

"Yes, you're right." I then look at the clock; it's almost seven o'clock. "Kaori, I'll go and see if Mama-san is already in the kitchen; I'll help her prepare breakfast."

"I want to help too."

"You're still sick. Even though you feel better already, you still have to rest."

"Sigh. Fine...I miss cooking..." she mumbles.

"Go back to sleep if you can; that would help you recover."

"Fine."

I plant a little kiss on her forehead before heading towards the kitchen where I find Mama-san cooking.

"Good morning, Mama-san. Is there anything I could help you with?"

"Oh! Good morning Ai! It's alright, there's nothing left to do since I just finished cooking everything."

"Then let me help you put the food on the table."

"No need, dear. It's still early for breakfast and Kuro and Kaori aren't up yet. Besides, don't you have something to discuss with me and Hiroyuki?" she smiles.

Mama-san picks up a tray that had 3 mugs of coffee and 3 sandwiches; she prepared them for us. "Shall we head to the living room? Hiroyuki is waiting."

I nod and follow her into the living room.

"Ah! Just on time! Good morning, Ai!"

"Good morning, Papa-san."

"Alright! So let's get straight to the point! I don't want our talk to get cut; I'd like to finish it in one go."

"I too wish to have it settled in one try and I don't want to be the reason for the two of you to be late for your appointment for the morning."

"So Ai, what was it that you wanted to talk about?" Mama-san asks.

"Papa-san, Mama-san, I am really happy being with Kaori. Ever since I met her, she has showed me so many things I never knew before and up to this day she never fails to surprise me. She has been very kind towards me and has always supported me in many different ways. "

Mama-san's eyes sparkle.

"But most of all, I am thankful for having a person like Kaori by my side. Having someone to be there for me, to laugh with me, to smile with me, to stay by my side in the good times and the bad times of my life, to have someone love me for who I am, I couldn't ask for more and yet Kaori has given me much more than I could have ever imagined to receive. I have been thinking about this for some time now but I was just not one hundred percent sure until I came to this house. The first night that I slept here, that was the first time in a very long time that I laid in bed without her by my side. Though she was just nearby in another room, I felt uneasy and unable to sleep. As I tried to fall asleep, all I could ever think about was Kaori; the thought of not having her by my side was terribly unbearable. That was when it occurred to me that I don't want to be separated from her; I want to stay by her side just as much as I want her by my side."

Mama-san's smile has grown wider whereas Papa-san seems to be tense.

"Hiroyuki-san, Miwa-san, I was unsure before but now I am absolutely sure of my decision. I would to marry Kaori. Would you two grant me your permission and blessing to do so?"