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{*puts it here and runs to hide in a bunker*}Francis had a date. And he already prepared everything. He'd send a limousine to pick his date, then they'd enjoy a dinner for two at the best restaurant he had reserved before. Francis smiled at that thought. Reserving the restaurant was the hardest part. The place was always full even on weekdays. He was lucky he had been able to reserve the best table right before someone else did. This would be a good date and he was certain Lili would be happy. He had asked her an important question on their last date, but she needed time to think and promised him she'd give her answer on their next date. Which would be now.

When Francis checked the restaurant at the afternoon, he saw his acquaintance there. Someone he really didn't expect to be seen at a fancy restaurant wearing such an expensive-looking suit: Ludwig Beilschmidt. The French man's greeting was returned with a tired grunt, so he asked Ludwig what's been bothering him.

"I was going to propose..." he cleared his throat, "to Carmen. Had everything planned out. But the restaurant... somehow wrote someone else's name over my reservation." The German proceeded to tell Francis the detail of his plan, which strangely sounded similar to his date plan with Lili.

Of course Francis wanted to help his friend, but on the other hand, he couldn't enjoy his date knowing Ludwig had a problem with his plan. So he approached a waitress and quietly ask that his reservation was given to Ludwig, without mentioning that he did this for him. The other man's plan was more urgent than his, after all. Once Ludwig was told that the best table was given to him, Francis patted his shoulder. "Good luck, Ludwig."

"Wait," the German's voice sounded tense. "I need advice. I know you're good at... this sort of thing," he cleared his throat. "So, advice. Bitte?"

That evening, a voice message was sent to Lili Zwingli's phone: I'm sorry Lili, but it seems we can't have a date tonight. You see, a friend of mine is having a problem...

.

Francis had another date. It's going to be simpler now. He and Lili would meet at a nearby park, have lunch together and watch local artists performing their talents: drama, poetry reading, pantomime and many others. The weather was perfect; the sun was shining and there were thin clouds scattered across the blue sky. Beautiful.

He was about to head outside when his phone rang. Francis picked it up, "hel--"

"Francis," the caller's voice was cold and tense, as if something horrible was happening before their eyes at the moment. His name then followed by a string of curse words, making Francis winced inwardly. He waited until the other person calmed down a bit before asking.

"What's wrong, Arthur? What happened?"

"Peter," Arthur hissed. "I looked to another direction just for a moment and they were gone. Peter and his friends. I tried tracking his phone--he was last seen somewhere near your house..."

Francis instantly knew he had to help searching them. The last time Peter was separated from Arthur, the boy got run over by a car. Sadly, it'd took the whole day to find Peter and his friends, so Francis left a message for Lili: I'm sorry Lili, but it seems we can't have a date today. You see, a friend of mine is having a problem...

.

Yesterday Francis had a long day. He attended meetings and parties, so he was very tired when he came home. And when he woke up today, he was late to his date.

So Francis rushed from the bed, getting himself prepared and then proceeded to leave his house. But alas, as he did so, a strange projectile hit his head out of nowhere. He blacked out and had to stay in bed until the next morning, so he called Lili and said, "I'm sorry Lili, we can't have a date today..."

He began to wonder if the universe didn't want him have a date with Lili.

.

When Francis called Lili about their fourth attempt of date, Lili said she'd send help to him.

"For what?" he inquired.

"So you can arrive safely at my house," Lili answered.

"You don't have to--"

"I insist."

Francis accepted the offer. Still, he's wondering what kind of help Lili would send to him. Hopefully it'd be able to protect him from random projectiles too.

"He certainly would be able to," Lili replied when Francis mentioned about the accident. He couldn't see her from here, but he knew the young woman was smiling. And possibly giggling.

Much to his surprise, it was Vash who showed up at his door. "Come on," he gestured to the outside. "I don't want to make my sister wait too long." The Frenchman thanked him politely. Luckily nothing strange happened during their trip; Francis didn't meet anyone who needed his help or got a call to do so. They arrived, then Vash left Francis at the garden.

Lili exited the house, beaming. "Francis, I'm glad you're finally able to come here." She glanced upwards, concerned. "Is that still hurt? Your head?"

He shook his head, reminded by a couple who were having a fight near his house by throwing flower pots at each other. "By the time I entered this garden, all my wounds are already healed, Lili." Excitement began to build up in his chest. This is it. He finally would get the answer he'd been waiting for days.

Chuckling, his date led him to a table for two. They sat and Lili poured tea for both of them. The girl was unusually nervous and avoided making eye contact, so Francis asked her, "what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" but deep down he began to think that Lili would give him a negative answer. Especially after he canceled their date three times...

Lili reached for Francis's hand and gently squeeze it. "I was disappointed when you canceled our dates twice," she said softly.

His smile remained, but he could feel his heart sank a little.

"But then I heard from bruder that you did it because other people asked for your help. It... it erased all the doubts I had..." Lili glanced to the house. Francis followed her gaze and saw a glimpse of golden hair behind the window. He thought Vash was listening, but he shrugged it off.

The young woman before him took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "When you told me about the fighting couple and the flower pot, I got a feel the Universe wouldn't let us meet unless bruder agreed with my answer. That's why I asked him to go to your house. I... I guess he already told you my answer..." a faint blush appeared on Lili's cheeks.

"He didn't, Lili," Francis beamed, amused. "Maybe he wants you to tell me in person." He held Lili's hand, already knew what she's going to say. And that knowledge made him glad.

She raised her face, looking straight to his blue eyes. "M-my answer is yes. Yes," she repeated it several times before tears starting to roll down on her cheeks as she laughed happily. "W-we're going to marry."

Without releasing her hand, Francis rose from his chair. He moved closer to Lili's, knelt and kissed his fiancée's forehead. "Thank you," he whispered. Then he took a small box from his pocket and opened it before her, showing a simple gold ring crowned with a sapphire. Lili promptly gave him her hand so he could put the ring on her finger.

"You make me the happiest man in the world."