Chapter 10: Final Touches

The day before the proposal dawned crisp and clear, the sun casting long shadows over the blanket of fresh snow that adorned the ground. Rei awoke with a racing heart, nerves fluttering within her. Just one more day stood between her and the moment she had meticulously planned for—an unforgettable proposal to Usagi. As she sipped a warm cup of tea, she couldn’t shake the feeling of anxiety that crept in. Was everything ready? Had she thought of every detail? She retrieved her phone, muttering to herself, “A little extra advice never hurt anyone.” With a quick text, she reached out to Minako and Ami: "Can we meet up for a quick chat? I could really use some last-minute brainstorming!" She didn’t have to wait long. Minako replied first, her enthusiasm palpable even through text, "Absolutely! Meet us at our favorite spot in an hour! Can’t wait to help!" Ami quickly chimed in after, sending a simple, supportive, "I’ll be there too!" A smile broke across Rei’s face—her friends always seemed to know when she needed them the most. Arriving at the quaint little café, Rei could hardly contain her excitement as she waited for them to arrive. Minako was the first to burst through the door, followed closely by Ami who looked eager to dive into the discussion. “Alright, Rei! What’s on your mind?” Minako chirped as she sat across from Rei, bubbles of excitement bouncing in her voice. Rei leaned closer, her fingers combing through her hair as she hesitated. “Okay, so I’ve been thinking… what if she reacts differently than I imagined? What if she’s surprised but not in the way I want her to be?” Ami shot her a reassuring glance, leaning in. “Rei, it’s Usagi you’re talking about. She loves you, and she’ll be over the moon no matter how you propose. Just be yourself; that’s what makes it special.” Rei nodded, but uncertainty still gnawed at her. “But what if I forget something? I want everything to be perfect.” She pulled out a crumpled list from her pocket. “I’ve got the hot cocoa ready, the blanket, and the spot picked out, but what if I forget the ring? Or what if it snows too much and we can’t go?” Minako waved her hand dismissively. “You’re overthinking things! Why not embrace the chaos? If it snows harder, you could create a mini snow fort! Just think how cute that would be! Plus, it can only add to the magic of the moment.” Rei felt the tension in her shoulders ease slightly, comforted by Minako’s words. “Okay, I like that idea,” she admitted, a small spark of creativity igniting within her. Ami smiled and added, “And don’t forget to speak from your heart. When the moment comes, Usagi will be captivated by your sincerity.” Feeling a mixture of relief and enthusiasm, Rei bit her lip and grinned. “What you’re saying makes so much sense! Maybe I’m just nervous about the whole thing. I want it to be a memory we can cherish forever.” “Yes! You can do this, Rei!” they chorused together, reinforcing her resolve. “Just focus on your love for Usagi, and the rest will fall into place,” Ami continued, her eyes full of understanding. With newfound confidence, Rei glanced at the clock, realizing time was slipping by. “Okay, so about those fairy lights… How do we get them to sparkle just right?” Eager to contribute, Minako and Ami launched into a discussion filled with excitement and ideas on how to transform the picnic into a winter wonderland. Together, they laughed and debated the best way to create the perfect ambiance, while Rei felt a growing warmth in her chest as she imagined how happy Usagi would be. As the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting an enchanting glow through the café’s windows, Rey knew that tomorrow would change everything. With her friends at her side and the vision of a beautiful proposal after a year of love and joy, she felt ready to step into the future—hand in hand with the girl who illuminated her life.