"You want me to go to Regionals? With Tenshi-kun?" she asked slowly, letting it sink in. "But my P.R.-"
"Has been increasing quickly recently. Look, Tenoh-san is better than you, but she vaults much better than most of the young girls in the country." Tenshi lowered her eyes modestly. "If you'll be up to your usual standards by Regionals, you could do pretty well. But if you don't want to, or you think you'll still be injured, I could send Tenoh-san alone."
"Iya, she'll be fine," Tenshi volunteered. "We'll keep her in shape until then."
Neko was in shock. "Ano� when are Regionals?"
"Early July. Can you do it?"
She nodded.
"Great! Well, hope you feel better."
She was stunned.
"Breathe, Koneko."
"Uh, yeah. Breathing."
She turned to Tenshi. "Ohmigod!" She flung her arms around Tenshi's neck. "We're going to Regionals!"
"Careful, you'll hurt yourself," Tenshi laughed. But she was overjoyed that Neko had agreed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Finally, Tenshi had finished changing and joined Neko outside. But they weren't alone for long.
"Neko-chan! Tenshi-san! I just heard!" Rika ran up to them. "Congratulations! You guys are the best!"
"Arigatou!"
"See, Neko-chan. I told you, you were rivals," the redhead boasted.
"No, I'm not that good." Neko said.
"Yes, you are," Tenshi argued. She turned to Rika. "Koneko's just being modest."
"Mah. 'Koneko'! You're getting closer everyday!" She nudged Tenshi in the ribs.
"Yamate," Tenshi scolded her.
"Well, I'd better change. Congratulations, again!" She skipped off.
Neko watched her go. "I think she's number 1 in the Tenshi-Neko fan club."
"Hai, and I don't think she even knows you're gay. Although she might have figured it out now."
Neko punched her playfully in the shoulder. "I meant the pole vault fan club, not the relationship one. Ne, Tenshi-kun?" she asked as she leaned against the wall.
"Hai."
"'Koneko?' What happened to my '-chan?'"
Tenshi looked at her innocently. "That's what you said to call you. Is it bad? I can add the '-chan' back." She paused. This too was dangerous ground. But unlike before, she felt that this would turn out okay, even if Neko disagreed with dropping the honorific. Tenshi just felt that strongly about Neko that she was comfortable with leaving it off. She wanted to be that close. But she also would understand if Neko wasn't ready. "I'll call you whatever you wish."
Neko thought it over. It was extremely intimate to say someone's name without an honorific. And no doubt Mi-chan would tease her endlessly for it. But it did sound wonderful coming from Tenshi. "Koneko." She remembered how Tenshi had described "koneko" to Mi-chan. From Tenshi, it had more meaning than "Koneko-chan." The "-chan" seemed to take the "kawaii" and "little" and "helpless" with it.
"Iie. I would love to be your 'Koneko'," she said shyly.
"Good. Now close your eyes and hold out your hand."
Neko did as she was told. She felt Tenshi put a small box in her hand.
"Okay, now open them!"
"Oh, Tenshi-kun!"
In the box was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. The band was white gold, and the setting was a beautiful deep blue tanzanite with a small diamond on each side of it. The sunlight hit it, making it sparkle brilliantly.
Neko was speechless. She just didn't know how to respond to the ring.
Tenshi took her right hand and placed the ring on her ring finger. "It fits you very well."
"Arigatou," Neko whispered.
"I thought it would match your necklace well."
"It does."
"Do you like it?"
Neko responded by reaching up and kissing Tenshi. "I love it. I love you. Arigatou."
"I'm glad." She answered with a kiss of her own.
The she literally swept Neko off her feet. "Tenshi-kun!"
"Well, I don't want you to overexert yourself. I'll just carry you to my car."
"Silly girl. I can walk."
"No, I think this is best," Tenshi answered seriously. "Then you can't escape."
"Oh, you! You just want me to think you're charming."
"That's right! I am Prince Charming and you are my princess, and I am going to whisk you away on my beautiful white horse."
"Oh? Where are you taking me on this noble steed?"
"It's a surprise."
"Again? There are other surprises? I thought we did them all."
"Nope, there's at least one more. And I'll bet we'll find others as we go."
Tenshi put Neko down gently in her car and gave her another kiss. Then she produced a pretty silvery-blue rosebud and presented it to Neko.
"Happy birthday, Koneko."
