"That's in three days." She said.
"I tried to extend the time, but they kept insisting."
"Wait here for a moment."
She ran across the halls looking like a mad person. After a while, she bumped into her dad.
"Whoa, slow down. Where's the fire?"
"Just let me catch my breath first."
"You know, you could've saved yourself the trouble and mind-linked me instead, right?"
"Right." She facepalmed. "Anyway, we have a problem."
"If you're talking about how you didn't tell me you're engaged, then yes, we do have a problem. Well, I knew it'd happen soon because he was here the other day to ask me for permission to ask you to marry you, but that's beside the point."
"Sorry about that, and I was going to tell you. But you know, stuff. And other stuff."
"You do realise you're not making any sense, right?"
"I know, but anyway, that's not the problem I was talking about. Takumi's parents want to come over to meet us this weekend."
"I don't see how that's a problem."
"Well, as far as they're concerned, we're human."
"You haven't told them?"
"We're working on it. It's not something we can just say without looking like crackheads."
"What are we going to do?"
"I already have a plan in mind, but it's going to be the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard. And it might not work, but it's worth a shot."
Later...
Twilight was sorting through some files in her dad's office when a pair of hands covered her eyes.
"Guess who?"
"Alex?"
"Missed me?"
"You wish. What are you doing here?"
"I heard someone had finally found her mate, and I had to come and see it with my own two eyes. Also, I wanted to meet the man who was able to win you over. He must be something, because mate bond or not, you're not an easy catch. Not even my charms worked on you. My father sends his congratulations. And I brought Regina and Xavier with me. A little heads up, they're a little upset."
Just when he said it, they busted in.
"You!" They both said.
"Hey, guys."
"Don't 'hey guys' us," Regina said. "You have a lot of explaining to do."
"Explain what?"
"Why didn't you tell us that you already found your mate?" Xavier asked. "Aren't you supposed to tell your friends these things?"
"I guess it...uh...slipped my mind." She shrugged.
"Slipped your mind my ass," Regina said.
"I knew that they were going to go psycho on you, but I didn't think it'd be this much. So, when are you going to do your mating ceremony?" Alex asked.
"Huh?"
"We already know that you're mates, but you haven't made it official by having a mating ceremony. And correct me if I'm wrong, but since that didn't happen, you also haven't applied to approve your union."
"We're just waiting for him to finish his studies. Mostly because once we make it official, he'll have a lot of responsibilities and..."
"Is that an engagement ring?" Regina asked. "Geez, I feel like I don't even know you anymore."
Takumi walked in. "Did you figure out...am I interrupting something?"
"No, you actually saved me."
Regina was the first one to check him out.
"Hmm, handsome. In good shape. A little too tall for her, but whatever. Pretty good aura. You're alright with me. I'm Regina, and that's Alex and Xavier."
"Takumi. Nice to meet you, I think."
"Was that necessary?" Twilight asked.
"Duh. I'm not going to hand you over to just anyone, mate or not. Anyway, we'll be taking our leave."
"So soon?"
"Yeah, we were just stopping by for a quick visit. We have things to do too, you know."
"Catch you later," Alex said. "And take good care of her." He patted Takumi on the shoulder.
They left.
"Friends of yours?"
"Yep. Alex is one of the newly instated Demon Kings, and Regina and Xavier are the future Witch Queen and Vampire King. You don't have to be intimidated by them, they're pretty cool. Regina and Xavier are a little too much sometimes, but still pretty cool."
The next morning…
"Hey, wake up." No response. "C'mon." She poked his cheek.
He stirred a little but wouldn't wake up. Instead, he rolled over to the other side. She tried something else, and this time, he woke up.
"Were you licking my face just now? That's a weird way of kissing someone a good morning."
"No, that would be very disturbing. I used Oreo for that. You can have your beauty sleep later, but not now."
"Are we going somewhere?"
"Yeah, now hurry up and go get dressed. I'll be waiting in my car."
"Give me a moment."
He came down after half an hour.
"You went back to sleep right after I left, didn't you?"
"Guilty as charged, but you can't blame me for that. So where are we going?"
"You'll find out once we get there."
After another hour of driving, they reached their destination. A jewellery store.
"Why are we here?"
"To get your ring, duh."
"But I didn't bring any money with me."
"Leave it to me. Plus, it's weird that I'm the only one, between the two of us, who has a ring on."
"Can't argue with that logic. Are you sure you want to?"
"Yeah, and you can pick whatever helps you sleep at night."
They checked out a few of them.
"See anything you like?"
"How about this one?"
It was a plain platinum ring.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I don't really care how it looks. And most of them are too flashy for my liking."
"Hmm." She thought for a bit. "Actually, I might have one in mind that I saw the other day. But it'll take some time for it to be delivered."
"Sure, I can wait. What are we going to do about this weekend?"
"Don't worry about it. Just play along."