The laughter, the dancing, the music—it all came to a sudden hush.
As the final note of the love ballad drifted into the sky, the lights dimmed softly until a single spotlight remained—shining directly on Ren and Shinomi.
Ren blinked, confused, as the crowd around them faded into the dimness, giving them the entire stage. "Shinomi…? Why is everyone looking at us?"
Shinomi didn't answer.
Instead, he stepped forward.
Ren's breath hitched as Shinomi reached into the folds of his coat and pulled out a small, glimmering box. Before Ren could even react, Shinomi got down on one knee—right in the center of the celebration, in front of everyone.
Gasps spread through the crowd like wind catching fire.
The ring, delicate yet bold, sparkled beneath the spotlight as Shinomi lifted it up with one hand and held Ren's trembling fingers with the other.
"Ren," he began, his voice softer than anyone had ever heard it. "You didn't just change me… you became my light, my anchor, my peace. I've crossed lines for you. I've gone to war for you. But more than anything—I've learned to love because of you. So now, I ask…"
A pause.
"Will you marry me?"
Silence.
And then—
"YEEEEESSSSS!!"
Ren squealed so loudly he startled a few pigeons into the sky. His entire face turned cherry red as he jumped in excitement, bouncing on his toes like a child who just got his favorite sweet.
"Yes! Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!"
He shoved his hand forward, trembling with joy. Shinomi laughed under his breath, slipping the ring onto Ren's finger with a care that made it feel like he was placing the moon into the sky.
The ring shimmered like a promise made of stars.
The crowd? Erupted. Cheers, screams, clapping, flower petals flying in every direction.
"KISS! KISS! KISS!!" they chanted, over and over.
Shinomi smirked, stood, and cupped Ren's flustered face in his hands.
"You ready for the part they'll never forget?"
Ren nodded, breathless.
And under the open sky, they kissed—a deep, passionate, unforgettable kiss that made the whole city believe in love again.
It wasn't just a kiss.
It was the beginning of forever.