Nightfall blanketed the campsite with a soft velvet hush, punctuated only by the occasional crackle from the bonfire and the hushed voices of friends winding down from a long day.
Above, stars began to blink into view—scattered glimmers dancing in the ink-black sky. It was the perfect kind of night for magic.
Around the far edge of the clearing, Keiko had Yuki cornered near the picnic table with a dramatic retelling of her worst blind date experience, complete with wild hand gestures and exaggerated voices.
Haruto played along like an expert wingman, adding fuel to the story and keeping Yuki distracted and laughing.
Meanwhile, at the opposite side of the campfire, Ayaka leaned close to Makoto, Kazumi, and Takeshi, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Okay, I need you guys to listen carefully. This stays between us."
Kazumi blinked. "Wait, this sounds serious. Are we about to be recruited into a cult?"
Takeshi shot him a look. "Shut up and listen."
Ayaka rolled her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her excitement.
"Fujiwara's proposing to Yuki. Tonight."
Three jaws dropped in unison.
Takeshi nearly choked on his marshmallow. "What?"
Kazumi slapped his knee. "Finally! It took that guy long enough!"
Makoto, however, was the quickest to process it. "Where is he now?"
Ayaka folded her arms, suppressing the giddy flutter in her chest. "He and Akihiko went into town to pick up the ring and confetti. Fujiwara said the ring was just finished today, so they couldn't get it earlier. He also hid the drinks at the back of the van to make it look like they actually forgot something."
Makoto raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Crafty."
"He's also got both of their parents already at the proposal spot setting up. Fairy lights, candles, the whole thing." Ayaka added, grinning. "They just need help with the final touches, but we can't all vanish at once. So we're splitting up."
Kazumi leaned in. "Tell me there's a code name. Like Operation Love Explosion."
"No code names." Ayaka said flatly. "Makoto and I will head out first—pretending we need a walk after dinner or something. Ten minutes after, Kazumi and Takeshi, you guys follow. Haruto and Keiko will hold Yuki here until we give the signal."
Takeshi was already nodding. "Got it and the signal?"
Ayaka glanced at her phone. "I'll text the group chat. Just an emoji so it's subtle. A sparkle or something."
Makoto's gaze met hers, steady and cool. "Let me guess. You volunteered to go first because you wanted to make sure everything was perfect?"
She hesitated, then gave a small smile. "Maybe. Fujiwara's been planning this forever. I just want to make sure it goes the way he dreamed it."
Kazumi nudged Takeshi. "I'm bringing tissues. Yuki's going to cry like a fountain."
Takeshi grinned. "So will Fujiwara. Let's be real."
Ayaka checked her phone again. "They should be arriving at the venue soon. Keiko says Yuki's still clueless. We're good."
Makoto stood and brushed off his jeans. "Then let's get moving."
Ayaka shot a quick glance across the clearing.
Yuki was bent over in laughter as Haruto mimicked a waiter with a terrible French accent.
She looked happy.
So unsuspecting.
Perfect.
Ayaka turned to Makoto, giving him a slight nod. "Ready?"
"Lead the way, partner." he replied with a faint, teasing smirk.
As the two disappeared quietly into the trees, Ayaka glanced over her shoulder once, her heart fluttering with anticipation—not just for the proposal, but for what it meant.
New beginnings.
Real love.
The moment that would change everything for Yuki and Kaito.
And behind them, Kazumi and Takeshi were already bickering about who would carry the extra lanterns, their whispered voices fading under the stars as Operation Proposal went into motion.
Tonight was going to be unforgettable.
------
The woods opened up into a small lakeside clearing, the trees pulling back like velvet curtains revealing a stage.
Makoto stepped aside, letting Ayaka walk ahead of him, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Golden fairy lights were strung from low branches and arched across a handcrafted wooden arch in the center of the clearing.
Beneath the arch, a circular platform of smooth stones outlined the proposal spot, dusted with flower petals—pale pinks, whites, and soft lavenders that glowed beneath the delicate lighting.
Candles in glass jars lined the path leading up to it, their flames swaying gently in the breeze like tiny, eager hearts.
Ayaka's breath hitched. "He really... did all of this?"
Makoto nodded, quietly impressed. "Damn. Fujiwara didn't just go big. He went cinematic."
Lanterns swayed from shepherd's hooks lining the trail from the woods to the lake's edge.
A small table stood off to the side, holding a vintage phonograph-style speaker.
A soft instrumental melody played—a gentle piano piece Kaito had once written for Yuki and never released.
Ayaka wandered closer, blinking rapidly. "She's going to cry the second she sees this."
"She's not the only one." Makoto said lightly, though even he felt a lump forming in his throat. "If I ever do something like this, remind me to hire Kaito as my planner."
They turned as the sound of footsteps approached.
Kazumi and Takeshi emerged from the path, momentarily stunned by the sight before them.
"Whoa!" Kazumi said, mouth falling open. "This is like... It came out from a magical story book..."
Takeshi blinked. "Am I underdressed? I feel like I should be in a tux just standing here."
Ayaka laughed, wiping at the corners of her eyes. "You guys, focus. We need to make sure everything's set up for when they arrive. Kaito's parents are somewhere nearby—his mom texted me saying they were lighting the last few candles."
As if on cue, faint murmurs came from deeper in the clearing.
Fujiwara's and Yuki's parents, dressed in coordinated pastel tones, waved from behind a thicket of trees.
Ayaka gave them a thumbs-up and they returned it with warm smiles, slipping back into place.
Kazumi adjusted one of the lanterns. "So, we hide in the trees and pop out when he drops to one knee?"
Makoto shook his head. "Let's not ruin the moment. Stay behind the trees until she says yes. Then we can cheer."
Takeshi pretended to scribble something down in the air. "Note to self: Do not ruin the moment."
Ayaka checked her phone. "Keiko says Yuki's starting to get suspicious. We have maybe ten, fifteen minutes. Everyone go to their respective position now."
------
Back at the Campsite...
The atmosphere at the campfire had shifted slightly.
Yuki glanced toward the van, arms crossed. "Okay. Is it just me, or are Kaito and Nakamura taking way too long for a drink run? It's been, like hours. Are they harvesting the grapes?"
Keiko immediately perked up, feigning nonchalance. "Oh! You're right. That is a little long…"
Haruto jumped to his feet. "I'll give them a call. Maybe they hit traffic. Or a bear. Or a bear made of traffic."
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Don't worry about it!" Haruto said, walking a few paces away, phone already to his ear, pretending to dial. "I'll check in."
Keiko clapped her hands together suddenly. "In the meantime! Yuki. You, my dear, are overdue for a makeover."
Yuki frowned. "A makeover?"
"Yes. We've been camping. Your hair needs a little drama. Your lashes need air. Your whole face is crying out for glamour."
Yuki squinted. "You always do this when you're hiding something."
Keiko narrowed her eyes, digging into her makeup pouch. "And you always say that when you're deflecting from how much fun a good makeover is."
Yuki stared at her for a beat. "...Fine. But only mascara and blush. And no glitter."
"No promises." Keiko grinned.
Haruto came back, the phone still to his ear. "Fujiwara says they're almost back. They had to go to two stores."
Yuki leaned her head back and groaned. "What kind of drinks require two stores?!"
Keiko took her chin and gently tilted it. "Stop squinting. You're wrinkling your eyeliner real estate."
Yuki huffed, but allowed Keiko to dust some shimmer onto her cheeks. "If I find out you guys are planning something—"
"Just let yourself be surprised once in a while, Yuki." Keiko murmured, a strange softness in her voice that made Yuki pause. "It might be worth it."
Yuki blinked at her. "What do you mean?"
But Keiko was already fluttering a brush across her eyelids. "Nothing. Now hush. Let the artist work."
------
Ayaka stood near the entrance to the clearing, heart pounding.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Keiko.
**🪄✨**
She turned to the others. "They're on the move."
Everyone scrambled into their positions—Kazumi and Takeshi ducking behind a large oak, Makoto stepping just off the path with Ayaka beside him, ready to watch the moment unfold from a respectful distance.
The clearing sparkled under the lights.
The lake rippled gently under the moonlight. And in the distance, faint voices could be heard—Keiko's laughter, Yuki's protest, Haruto's attempt at sounding casual.
Makoto looked down at Ayaka, eyes glinting. "You ready?"
She nodded, eyes shining. "Let's make this perfect."
And from the darkening trail came the voice they'd all been waiting for.
"Kaito, this better not be another one of your—"
The words cut off as Yuki stepped into the clearing and froze.
Everything stopped.