A visitor's badge hung from my shirt as I held Hanji's usual drink in one hand. I wanted to surprise her at her school during lunch and see her students. Sometimes, people can hide their true self by exposing it to others. Hanji may be the light of my life, but who knows how her students feel about her? I want Hanji to be the best woman I know and to be the best teacher a student could ever have. I thought today was the day I saw her in her natural habitat.

I found out the hard way.

I slipped into her classroom, and I knew that I had chosen the right woman.

"Correct!" Hanji shouted with a smile on her face. She turned her back to the class as she wrote on the whiteboard with a black dry-erase marker. The tiny squeaks of the marker forced a smile and chuckle into the students. Hanji began to explain why it was the correct answer, proudly wearing a smile on her face.

"Ms. Zoe!" 

I watched for minutes, completely in awe of her relationship with the students. The passion she had for teaching told me everything. She loved her students. There's nothing wrong with that. I wished I had a teacher like her when I was in school. Her teaching method was slow, but not too slow. Everything was explained carefully, and she always encouraged everyone to ask questions. 

Then, it happened. Hanji looked up from her students, and our eyes met. She gave a different smile, but the sparkle in her eyes remained. The students turned in their seats, curious about who captured their favorite teacher's attention.

"Who's that?" A boy squeaked as I walked closer.

"This is Mr. Ackerman. He's a friend of mine that's supposed to be working." Hanji snickered as she approached me. "What are you doing here?"

"What? Are you telling me I cannot give my favorite person in the entire world her favorite cappuccino? I wanted to stop by and give it to you myself. I like seeing the smile on your face."

Her cheeks turn a slight red as she takes her coffee. "You didn't have to come all this way to my classroom."

"Since I'm here, can't I observe your class?"

Hanji guided me to her desk as she addressed the class. "My friend, Mr. Ackerman, will stay here to observe my classes. Let's make sure that he's impressed by special people like you. Now, onto the next thing. For the rest of the class, we will be preparing for final exams. I know you all want to groan and moan, but I rather everyone start preparing now than be unconfident in yourselves minutes before the exams. Of course, tomorrow's class will be practice exams and we will go over them. I want everyone to get a passing grade."

I watched Hanji pass out her study guide packets. She even gave one to me. I flipped through them, having my mind blown as my eyes scrolled page after page. The way she worded every unit and chapter of her subject was amazing. She quoted the textbooks and wrote a simplified version of it underneath. She had picture examples as well. Now, I wish she was my teacher when I was struggling with science classes. 

Once the bell rang, I approached Hanji with a smile on my face. "So?" She asked with her eyes twinkling like stars. "How was my class? Is it up to your standards?"

"I think you raised the bar, Hanji."

"Well, I'm glad to have done that. What I'm doing must be a requirement of all teachers in every subject. However, I understand if some teachers can't do it. We are overworked and underpaid. Sometimes we don't have the time or the effort to help the students. However, I will dedicate every waking moment to ensure my students pass the class. Even if I know that my subject is not their strength, I want to encourage them that their skills lie elsewhere."

"Hanji..."

"Yes?"

I kissed her lips, holding her hands tightly as we stayed in that empty classroom. Under my breath, I whispered. "No words cannot express how much I love you, Hanji. If I could, I would propose to you right now. Sweep you off your feet and stand by your side forever."

"What's stopping you from proposing?"

"I have no ring to give."

"Ring or not, I will always say yes. Yes, I'll marry you, Levi."

"In this classroom?" I chuckle, kissing her again. "It's not very romantic."

"Who says proposals must be located in romantic places? You can propose to me anywhere, and the answer will remain the same. I don't need a ring, a fancy dinner, or a beautiful wedding. All that matters is that I'm with you, Levi. So yes, I'll marry you."