𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
About two weeks before Hajime and Yutaro revealed their secret, the two met up to discuss something that Hajime was unaware of.

IWA'S P.O.V.
"Yutaro!"

I see my friend staring into outer space as I walk towards him. Even when I call his name, he doesn't budge.

"Yo," I call again, this time nudging him in the side.

Now that he finally acknowledges my existence, he apologizes for being lost in his own thoughts.

"So how come you wanted to meet up, uh, at the mall. I don't think I've been to one in few years."

"S-Shut up!" Yutaro stammers as he stands up.

I notice his face begin to turn a bit red as he avoids my gaze.

"I-I just needed your help with something okay? I didn't know who else to ask for advice."

"Is everything alright?"

Yutaro calms down once more and begins walking. I quickly catch up to him. The two of us walk in silence for a little while until he lets out an audible groan, indicating that he was ready to talk.

"I want to propose to Asuka..."

"No way? Seriously? Isn't it kinda-"

"I know," he sighs, "I just really love her. I couldn't imagine my life without her."

Yutaro continues going on and on about Asuka and the reasons behind why he wants to propose. I've got to be honest. I get it. I've thought about it before, too, but I've never really been sure if it was the right move to make.

"Anyway," Yutaro finishes, "I thought you could help me, um, find a ring."

"Why me?"

"Dude!" Yutaro groans and stops walking, "did you listen to what I just said?"

"Uh-"

"I thought you and Y/N were close, no? Were you not thinking about..."

"Well," I mumble out as I collect my thoughts, "I have thought about it but do you think she would even want to, uh, you know..."

"So dense," Yutaro replies as he shakes his head, "at least come look at the rings with me."

I nod and the two of us make our way to the ring store. Yutaro wanders around while I stand near the door, waiting for him.

Maybe he's right. Looking around wouldn't hurt...

I glance at the display before me. Before I realize that I've even moved, I'm standing over the display staring down at the rings before me.

"Can I help you?" a man from behind the counter asks as he approaches the display I'm staring into.

"U-Uh, no," I say as I look around for Yutaro, "Just here for my friend."

"What friend?" the man asks as he raises his eyebrows.

I turn around completely, looking for Yutaro, but he's nowhere in the store.

That little motherfucker chickened out on me.

"Sir?" the man questions, bringing me back to reality, "How old are you?"

"T-Twenty," I tell him.

"And you're looking for.."

What the hell am I looking for? I don't fucking know? A ring for the girl I desperately want to marry but am too stupid to realize it.

"Ring," is all I manage to tell the man as I look back down at the display.

The man lets out a groan and shakes his head slightly before walking away. I take a moment to look over to the door.

Should I go look for Yutaro... or look for a...

My eyes get captivated by the display once more. I decide to get to work and examine the rings. I know I definitely look like a complete idiot, but I want to make sure I find the perfect ring for Y/N.

Some time passes as I've lost track of time. Eventually, I hear someone calling my name behind me. When I turn around I see Yutaro with a pale face standing in the doorway.

"Dude, what the hell happened to you?" I grumble as he approaches me.

"I, uh, had to use the bathroom. Were you here the whole time?"

"N-No, I just came back because I, uh, thought you would be here."

"Such a bad liar Iwaizumi," he rolls his eyes, "show me what you found."

I give in and point towards a classic white gold ring with a twist leading to a sparkling diamond in the center.

"That the one?" he asks me as if I know what the hell I'm doing.

"I dunno," I shrug, "what if she doesn't like-"

"She's not going to say no to you either way," Yutaro laughs, "she loves you and she'll be thrilled with anything you get her!"

But she deserves the perfect ring.

After a lot of persuasion, I give in and tell Yutaro that I'll buy the ring on one condition.

"You have to get yours too... now..."

Yutaro pouts and his face turns pink again, but it's better than the pale version he was sporting a few minutes ago.

After what felt like two hours later, both of us walk out of the store satisfied with our purchases, although nervous for what was to come.

"So when are you going to ask her?" I awkwardly ask my old teammate.

"W-Well I was going to do it tonight but-"

"Tonight!" I yell as I smack him on the back of the head, "you're such an idiot! You waited 'til the last minute and then were going to drop it all together?!"

"Geez Iwa calm down," he says as he rubs the spot I hit him, "I just figured I could do it another time. What about you?"

"U-Uh I don't know, dude."

"So how can you yell at me when you don't even know?!"

"I wasn't planning this!" I fight back.

"Liar! You can't stand there and say you aren't grateful for the fact that I got you to admit to yourself that you want to marry my cousin!"

"I'll do it in my own time, don't be a dick."

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey! Welcome back lol. I wrote this quick chapter as a thank you for 200k reads. Not sure why you like this book so much T-T but I'm still super glad you enjoyed it <3