They sat in the dusk at a well-lit little food stand, as a huge figure with a shaggy cow's head placed platters of food in front of them.

I'll ask now, she thought, and then, No--I'll ask after we're finished eating.

So they ate, both of them laughing normally together. Liya thought, I'll say, "Do you think we could--" and then, No, I'll say, "Will you be my girlfriend?" I'll just say it!

She stabbed a slice of fruit on her plate with her fork and ate it determinedly. And if she says no--

What if she does say no?

Yoshi set her fork down and took a drink. I have to say it now.

C'mon, say it! Liya urged herself, but her mouth didn't open. Say it--

Yoshi lowered the glass from her lips and said, "Er, Liya...would you be my girlfriend?"

Liya's mouth fell open. She didn't respond immediately, just gaped at Yoshi wordlessly; and a look of abject horror overcame Yoshi, the longer she went without responding.

Yoshi looked away in a panic, launching into an apology, trying to explain, urging Liya to just forget she'd said anything and they could go back to being just friends, and--

She stopped, because Liya had started laughing.

Liya took her hand, and leaned against her, and said, "Yeah. I'll be your girlfriend."

The cow-headed person running the stand had heard the whole thing, but deliberately kept their back turned, thinking how cute it was.