2026-07-22: The Man For Miho
- Cutscene: The Man For Miho
- Cast: Miho Ijuuin, Tomoki Hasegawa
- Where: Tomoki's Apartment, Yumezaki Ward, Sumaru City
- OOC Date: July 22, 2026
- IC Date: Thursday, December 13, 2012
- Summary: Tomoki has something important to discuss with Miho--and a question to ask.
"So, I wanted to thank you for saving Yua," Miho says. "...It sounds so simple when I put it that way, but I mean it. You did what was necessary, and then further took her to get medical care."
Miho says this as she steps through Tomoki Hasegawa's living area in his apartment, beginning to take off her suit jacket as she does. It's a relatively small apartment, as befits prime real estate in Yumezaki, but large enough for one or two--a 1LDK. Then again, Miho lives in a penthouse. Regardless she continues, "And don't say it's nothing. ...It wasn't. It required skill, quick thinking, and compassion. Those are fine qualities."
Tomoki watches Miho as she speaks, still by the door where he let her in. He was indeed going to say that--but instead he smiles, a little self-effacing. That's not usual for him, but it's a serious matter. "...All right," he says. "You're welcome. But you equipped me to do it--I wouldn't leave her to die, but I wouldn't have known how to help if not for you."
"No, you wouldn't leave her, would you?" Miho reflects. "...You really wouldn't, despite our complex arrangement."
"That's right. She comes with you. I know that. ...And really, I've come to appreciate her for herself."
"Is that so?" Miho smiles.
Tomoki nods. "It is! She's sharp, she's organized, she's adorable. I don't think I could keep on top of things as much as she does. And..." He closes the distance as he speaks, and looks down the short distance to Miho's face. "She loves you. That's a plus in my book."
"She does. And I love her." Miho looks distant in that moment.
Tomoki continues, "But I love you, too. ...That gives me a good space to talk to you about something. If you're up for it?" He gestures to the couch. He already has his jacket off; they're dressed quite similarly, if divided among gendered cuts; dress shirt and slacks. He had a tie, before he took it off.
"Something important?" Miho gathers, and moves to sit down.
Tomoki sits with her--he actually reaches out for her hand, which Miho accepts, closing her fingers in his. He doesn't give the Mark on her wrist a second look; he's seen it before. "Yes," Tomoki says.
"All right." Miho looks down, and then up at Tomoki's face. As tall as she is, he's even taller, 6'4" to her 6'0".
"...I want to talk about marriage," he says. "Between us."
Miho's first reaction is surprise--but not displeasure. Quite the opposite, she finds her heart flutters a little. "Marriage?" she repeats. "We've only been together a few months..."
"Even so," Tomoki says, "I'm sure. We've had an eventful few months, even if that's all we've had. I can't think of a woman I've taken to so quickly as you. And I know you feel something strong for me--I've seen it. You don't fake your feelings."
"I... No, I don't fake them," she agrees. "Tomoki-san..." She finds that she's warm on the idea. So many of her past relationships have ended poorly, and one even for exactly a reason like this. But--"What about Yua?" she asks. "I can't... I won't do it unless I know she's..."
"I asked her first," Tomoki says. ...He frowns. "That's actually what..." He shakes his head. "Well, she had a condition--but she did say yes. It was discussing the condition when she had her attack."
"...And what condition is that?" Miho wonders.
"That we adopt Hiroki as soon as we're able. I don't know why--other than that he's yours--but she was deadly serious about it. So I said yes. And so did she. So if you're worried about Yua... you don't have to be."
"I was," Miho admits freely. "But in that case..." It's true that her family's been pushing her--but is that enough reason? No. On the other hand...
"I'm interested," Miho settles on saying. "But you'll have to actually ask."
Tomoki grins. "Old-fashioned that way, hm?"
"Not as old-fashioned as my father," she points out.
Tomoki laughs--but then grows much more serious. He pauses, rising to his feet to go over to his jacket, where he pulls a small box from the pocket. He takes a knee.
"Then, Miho Ijuuin... Will you marry me? I want to be the only man in your life." He opens the box; it is not an overly ostentatious ring but instead understated, unlikely to overwhelm a wardrobe.
Miho is surprised again--but her smile is almost catlike, at the trouble he went to. "Tomoki-san..." Pause. "No, Tomoki," she says, without the honorific. "If you would be my husband," she says, "Then I will have you. ...But I cannot yet take your ring," she says. "Not until we have my father's permission, as well."
"I figured," Tomoki says, "But I wanted to at least see if you liked it first." He smiles. "I love you, Miho."
"I love you," she says, and with Yua's permission in this way, it feels less a betrayal than it would have. "But I hope it's the three of us, for a long time. I'll be fighting for that."
"No argument here," Tomoki answers warmly. "I'll do all I can. ...But I am serious in what I promised to her, too. If she leaves us... I'll raise your son with you as my own."
"...Thank you," Miho says quietly. "I don't like to think about it... But I know she feels better with that security. Just... don't count her out yet, all right?"
"I won't. There's a lot else we'll have to talk about, too." Tomoki pauses. "...Instead," he says, "How about we celebrate? I have an older bottle of wine..."
Miho shakes her head, as if she can shake off the worry over Yua--and finds that perhaps a little celebration would be in order. "Let's," Miho agrees. "I'm with you, tonight. ...Let's make the most of it."