Chapter 100: Full Circle

~Five years later~

"Aunty, we'll be visiting soon," I press my phone between my ear and my shoulder as I tuck the corners of the guest bed.

"And when will my Dearest be landing," Aunty Bri ask over the phone, her weekly check up. Though to be honest it's my like three calls a week, but what can I say. I love her and I miss her.

Even if she was just here a week ago for Bokuto and mine graduation. Then she was on a flight to Paris to go to Ros' graduation. Now she's going back to Japan and Ros is coming here to spend some time with me.

"She lands In the morning, me and Bokuto are gonna pick her up."

Bokuto appears at the sound of his name, so not ready to leave. He walks about with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. He leaned into the doorway, watching me with daring eyes.

"And then you guys are back to Japan?"

"Maybe for a little while, before we start the job hunt."

Bokuto moves into the room as I fluff out the pillows of the bed. He comes behind, grabbing hold of my waist pulling me to him with a grin on his face.

My aunt still talks through the phone about our visit, while Bokuto's lips move to my neck. Kissing the skin tenderly, moving his body closer to mine.

His hand starts To hike up my dress, his large hands gliding over my thighs.

"H...hey, aunty, I... I got to go," I breathe as his fingers push aside my panties. "Dinner with Bokuto's Mom, don't Want to be late."

"Alright Love, Love you."

"Love you too, aunty," I say in a hurry and hung up right as Bokuto began to rub his tip up and down my already wet lips.

"What are you doing," I ask, looking back at him.

His hand lands on the center on my back, pushing me down onto the bed,"We got a little time," he laughs But I scurry away turning to face him.

"Not here," Is my only protest, "I just put on fresh sheets for Ros."

"Fine," is all he says with a bold smile. He wraps his strong arms around me letting me up, letting the towel fall from his waist as my legs wrap around them.

We don't make it all the way back to our room. He stops in the kitchen, placing me on the countertop with our lips crashing into each other and his hand pulling down my panties. He tossed them onto the kitchen floor and places himself between my legs, slipping inside me with a gasp leaving my lips and his falling My to my neck as my head is thrown back.

He waste no time, pumping into me. He knows, it's like He said, we have a little time. His mother will be calling soon, if not his mother than one of his sisters.

I try to keep my voice down at Least a little. Sure this is our apartment, but we have neighbors. We've gotten A bang on the wall one too Many times.

The moment he feels me come, he reaches around me, snatching a few Paper Towels to catch himself.

Yes, it's been six years since we've been together. Yes, we've graduated college. Yes, we have job offers for good job, Still, would rather not be pregnant right now.

Hooting, sounds from our bedroom as he cleans himself up.

"Your mother probably," I breathe, "Go put some clothes on and let's get going."

He leaves me with one final kiss, sweet a tender, just love. When he disappears into the bedroom I hop down from the counter, snatch my panties from the floor and head to the bathroom to fix myself up before we leave.

I swear, it's like his sisters have a sex radar. Every time we do something before seeing them, they know.

Bokuto and I join back together in the living room. He has his phone pressed to his ear and a Tupperware container of cookies we baked last night.

"Yeah, we're leaving right now Mom," he snatches my keys from the hook near the door. Sure, he has his own car but he always wants to drive my Jeep.

Maybe because it makes him feel bigger. As if he needs it, the man sprouted Two more inches since high school. Gave him an extra confidence boost, as if he needs it. Though, his confidence is one of the things I love about him.

"We'll be there in a few minutes," he hang Up the phone and opens the door, "Ready baby bird?"

"Ready," I grab the container Of cookies from him and head downstairs and to the parking lot.

we Ride in peace with the radio playing. We're only a fifteen minute drive from his mother, which makes us happy that she doesn't drive.

She hasn't been as clingy since her two daughters came to stay with her a year after we moved here. They wanted to be sure their father was never coming back. And that got confirmed When he was arrested for drunkenly attacking a woman that looks like Cho.

No one was willing to back him up on this. Especially, since He's been stumbling Around drunk and not doing much Detective work since his wife and son moved out of Japan.

Everythings been coming together since we've moved to the US. And now, that we've graduated, we've got options.

We pull up to his Mom's house with his sisters, Kenji and Liz sit on the porch waiting.

The moment we step out of the Jeep, Kenji looks down at her watch, "Three minutes late. Come on Baby brother, that's all you got in you?"

"Kenji, come on," Bokuto groans, as we step up to the porch, "Where's the little brat?"

As if on que the, the four year old comes running out of the house arms open wide, "Uncle Kōtarō!"

"Hey hey hey, night owl," Bokuto grabs the small boy and throws him up above his head.

"When you making one of your own," Liz giggles.

"When are you?" I throw back. Bokuto laughs with the toddler on his shoulder.

Kenji has been married and divorced. Liz however, no word on any man even picking her up for a date.

The Bokuto girls, maybe even more playful than their brother. But clearly all Bokutos. Short stuff Liz, beats her fist to her laughing, little brothers, broad chest, "What are you laughing at?" She cries as he laughs more.

"The forty year old virgin?" He laughs along with Me and Kenji.

Liz let's Out a gasp, but his nephew, now dangling upside down on Bokuto's back, ask, "What's a virgin?"

"Alright, that's enough. Let's get cleaned up for dinner," Cho leans out of the screen door, ushering us all inside.

Bokuto sets the boy down and already he is off and running for the bathroom sink, forgetting about his question. In all reality, Bokuto will probably be the one having that conversation with him. That's been Bokuto's little buddy since they met. He even has his own toy box at our apartment.

I'm sure he will be begging to come with us at the end of the night and the only reason Bokuto will say no Is because we have to drive to the airport at dawn.

We all sit Down at the table, say, "Thank you for the food," and take part in our mix matched dinner. Some original Japanese dishes with some of their favorite American foods. It doesn't always work together, but they like what they like. And years ago, we made A deal to be here every week for dinner, and we haven't broken that promise. For as long as we are in town.

"Hey, you guys coming to Japan with us in two weeks. Going to stay with Zara's family for about a week." Bokuto ask as he fills his plate.

"I got some vacation days to use up, I'm in."

"Me too," his sisters agree.

"Mom? It's been years since you've been back you know," he reminds her.

"I know, I know, it's just..."

"He's gone," the Bokuto siblings sigh together.

"Live your life Mom," Kenji says as she replaces her son's fork with chopsticks. Trying not to lose all culture while raising him in America.

Liz puts on a pouting face, "Come on Mom. It could be the all of us, home together. And it's your grandson's first time in Japan, do you really Want to miss that?"

Kenji gives Bokuto a big slap on the back, "And if You go, Kōtarō here will finally make Zara your daughter-in-law like you've been wanting."

Bokuto nearly chokes on his food, "I never said that."

While I shrivel back. These daughter-in-law comments have been going on for the past two months.

Liz smiles, "You didn't have to, big sis said it for you."

"Now shut up, I'm trying to make a deal," Kenji give Bokuto a push, as if she could actually move him "So Mom, what do you say."

"Leave Zara and your brother alone," Cho chuckles with an eye to me over her glass.

"Cho, isn't nice have all of your children with you again," I give a little laugh at the theatrics and the blush owl beside me in a hissing match with his oldest sister.

"It is," Cho laughs, "You could join into the clan too, Officially if my Son Would just hurry up and-"

"Mom, enough already," Bokuto sighs.

"Hurry up and what?" The bouncing boy ask.

Liz answers Her nephew, "Hurry up and ask Z to marry him so she can be your really aunty Z."

"Guys," I try but everyone's attention is on the boy.

He looks to Bokuto with Eyes full of questions, "Wait But you said-"

Bokuto's long arm reaches past his sister and covers the mouth of the boy, "Anyway-"

He changes the topic and everyone follows along. Although he is the youngest, he still had the ability to lead his family. Three years USC volleyball Caption will surely sharpen your leadership skills.

Something I've admired about him. His ability to take charge, now in every situation he's in.

He still Gets a little flustered from time to time. Especially with his sisters and their marriage teasing, but he brings himself back.

I can't lie and say I haven't questioned it. The joking around with his sisters, it all started at the Sametime. But Bokuto has never been one to hold back. If he had planned to ask me, he would have by now. Especially if he told them about it.

It's nothing, I've convinced myself, just teasing. The same as my family. Most KJ on his phone calls. His teasing been going on longer, with questions of ring types and preferences.

That was about 4 months ago, around the time aunt bri made me my custom gloves and needed my precise hand measurements.

I let all of these coincidences pile up in my head just for it to mean nothing. Because as smart as my man is, a plan 5 Months In the making is a bit much, even for him.

Still, my heart flutters when the topic is touched.

After dinner I sit with the woman in the kitchen while Bokuto plays monster trucks with his nephew. His mom leans in the doorway between the living room and kitchen. She lets out a soft breath, "He'll make Such a good father."

"Yeah," I agree before I can stop myself. My eyes widen and I stare down into my cup of tea while His sisters snicker around me.

"So all that practice is leading to something," Kenji gives a smug smile.

I sip my tea, trying to avoid Her.

"Leave the young woman alone," Cho laughs before throwing in, "I mean, she won't be a young woman forever but-"

"Thanks Cho," say, just getting her to stop.

Which she does for the moment, "So have you guys decided Where you're going to settle?"

"Not yet," I shake my head, "To be honest. Japan has always felt more like home, and we have great job offers both there And here. We just have a lot to discuss."

"But you're staying together though, right?"

"Of course," I answer Liz, again before I can think but honestly I haven't imagined myself without Bokuto in years. It only feels right to go where he is. Though any decisions we make, we make together.

His sisters grin at each other while I sit tight rolling my eyes. I love their brother, it's no secret, the literal world knows it.

Reporters Were expecting something big and personal to report the night we brought our school a double national victory for the second time. Cameras stayed locked on the two of us, but we've outgrown the limelight. We simply don't want it. We do enough to make the school proud and keep it pushing, nothing too interesting, nothing too personal. We were brought here to win, and that's what we did. There was nothing else to say.

When It's time to go, Bokuto's little night owl was clung to his leg begging to come with us.

"Not this time little man," Bokuto chuckles, peeling the boy from his pants and setting him in his mother's arms.

Cho reaches into the Desk near the door saying. "Oh son, you got some mail from Japan." She hands a small stack of envelopes to Bokuto.

He takes it, leaves A small kiss on his mother's cheek and takes my hand, "night everybody."

"Goodnight," I wave as we walk to the Jeep.

He opens the door for me first and hands me the stack of mail, with a small sigh, "They're getting exhausting."

"You're the one who invited them to Japan."

"Uncle Kaoru told me to," he shrugged, before closing the door and moving around the car. He hops in, "Besides, it will be good for Mom to come back."

"Yeah, expect now she'll be expecting another daughter when she gets to Japan," I laugh as Bokuto backs out of the driveway.

"Anything can happen," he shrugs. So casual, this is nothing to him.

While I try not to show anything, "Bokuto, come on."

"What, I might be motivated being back home and everything. It could happen." He laughs.

"It won't."

"What, would you say no?"

"No," I answer too quickly, and stillness takes over the drive.

His bold and confident smile pulls to his face, as glances over at me, "That's what I thought."

"Shut up," is all I say, slouching in my seat and he only laughs. He takes a hand off the wheel And finds mine, intertwining our fingers and raising my hand to his lips, leaving just a soft kiss.

He has me, he knows he does. He knows he always will.

When we get back to the apartment, I start shuffling through the mail from Cho's house. Anything from Japan always gets sent to her.

Some interview requests, job information and... "Hey, Bokuto..."

"Yeah Baby Bird," he asks, already stripping away his shirt.

"Were you expecting something from MSBY?"

"MSBY?" He questions, before his eyes get wide, "The Black Jackals?" He drops his shirt on the floor and runs Back to me taking the envelope from My hand, "They're D1!" He rips the envelope open with excitement bleeding out of him.

Quickly his eyes scan the page, "Baby Bird, they're Offering Me a spot." He beams, "Baby Bird, I got a spot," his hands land on my shoulders excitement Pouring from his golden eyes.

I smile almost as wide as he Does, just to see him this way. "Dude, what?" I question, his excitement striking Me. I snatch the paper from him and read it myself, "You are to report to Tokyo in three weeks. Bokuto, you are so in!" I go in for a high five and when he give it to me, his hand Stays laced In mine.

He calms for a moment, his chest still beating up and down, "Wait. Baby Bird, that means I'm moving back to Japan."

"Then we're moving back to Japan," I don't miss a beat, "Bokuto, you have to take this. And I'm going to be right there with you. For always."

For a moment everything stops. His eyes turn soft as he looks at me, reading me, seeing that I mean it with every bone in my body when I say, "I love you. Where you go, I go."

"So," he takes a deep breath, "back to Japan?"

"Yup," I smile.

Now he takes a step back, smiling falling slightly, "Which means we have to back up for good soon. End the lease on the apartment, and my mom, you know she'll want to stay close and-"

"Bokuto, relax, we'll figure all that out," I laugh sitting at the arm of a living room chair shuffling through more of the mail, Some of which is for me, I raise one envelope, "Besides, Nekuma needs a new coach I see. I can keep myself busy."

"What, not going back to good old Fukurōdani?" He laughs.

"I stand by what I said, fuck that school."

Bokuto plops down in the chair beside me, he stretches his legs Out and tilts his head all the way back, fully extended. "You know, I always thought we'd move back To Japan. I just swear to everyone that by the time we did, we'd be engaged."

And there it is, the flip of my heart that I try to down play with a laugh, "Well, guess you going to have to disappoint everyone."

"Or not," he shrugs.

I freeze, "What?"

"Marry me Baby Bird."

The envelopes fall from my fingers, "Bokuto, what are you-"

"Wait," he hops up and runs to the kitchen. He reaches up, over the cabinets and pulls down a small velvet box and walks back over, all the while explaining, "I was going to wait until our trip back. Take you on a picnic in the park like our first date, but why wait. Seems like nows the time to start on a future, doesn't it?" He drops to one knee, over the fallen letters, "So, Baby Bird, what do you say? Will you marry me?"

He smiles so bold, so much confidence, not a flick of doubt. This is everything he wants, laid out for him in a single moment. And everything I want, bundled up in his Eyes that tell me, everything will be alright.

So of course, I say what he knows I will say.

I say, "Yes."

The End