Chapter 43 | Through Thick and Thin

——————————CHAPTER 43Through Thick and Thin

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You sat down quietly at the engawa by the back of the japanese-style house, looking at the snow that piled on the ground while everyone else were in the kitchen setting up stuff. A look of confusion was evident on your face, and a sigh escaped your lips as you heard them quietly chattering.

"What are you doing here? Your dad's calling you, everything's ready." Kuroo's voice appeared from behind, followed by him sitting down just beside you as he held your hand, giving you a warm smile.

"You're getting along well with them..." You muttered, another sigh following after. "I should be happy but... I don't know."

Kuroo chuckled in response, squeezing your hand gently as he turned his gaze to the pile of snow you were looking at as well. "Your dad's still not too happy with me, but I'm trying to show him I have nothing but good intentions with you."

"Why?"

"Hmm?"

"I mean... Nothing." You groaned, shaking your head frustratedly. "I just don't know how to accept and deal with this situation."

Sighing, you leaned against Kuroo's shoulder. "I just want things to be peaceful. I don't want to stress about anything anymore."

"(Y/N)." Your boyfriend turned to you with an encouraging smile. "I just know that what your father want is the same thing. A peaceful and happy family. Now it's up to you what you want to do about that, just remember I'll always support you, okay?"

You smiled, glancing at him from the corner of your eyes. "Even if I decide to rebel?" You asked jokingly.

"Maybe I won't support bad decisions." He chuckled.

Laughing lightly, you straightened yourself and took a deep breath, smiling as you exhaled. Standing up, you pulled him along and turned to the direction of the kitchen. You turned to him for a moment while still holding his hand. "I guess I'll try... accepting this situation and family, that is."

He nodded and grinned in an encouraging manner. "Let's go in. They're waiting."

Rina welcomed you back cheerfully, although there's a hint of nervousness on her face. She was sitting between your father and Kurt, while you and Kuroo sat across them. Looking down, a variety of food was present on the dining table, including some of your favorites and desserts.

When silence followed right after you sat down, you cleared your throat, then forcing out a smile. "Thank you for having us over."

Your father and Rina looked at each other in surprise for a short moment, and a smile broke through their faces before they turned to you.

"It's our pleasure, (Y/N)-chan."

"I'm also glad you decided to come. Shall we eat?"

"Oh, uh, y-yeah... Thank you for the food."

It was awkwardly quiet again as you all began eating, as if everyone was afraid of starting a conversation. You looked at their expressions as they ate, and it was obvious that they felt pressured somehow.

Your dad cleared his throat, finally deciding to break the awkwardness through small talk. "So, (Y/N)... I heard you live alone now. How's your place? Is it good and safe?"

You nodded. "There's nothing to worry about it. My workplace is good too."

"It makes me happy to know that. Just be safe always."

"Ku— Tetsuro walks me to and from work."

"Don't worry, pops. I always make sure she's safe!"

"Pops?!!!"

Rina laughed lightly at your father's reaction, and that seemed to break the small tension that has been present the whole conversation. For the whole lunch, it switched from small talk and awkward silence, but the atmosphere was also gradually becoming lighter.

When you were all done, you felt like you should help with cleaning up, and so you did even though your step-mom told you not to bother.

"So you two have known each other since your college days?" You inquired, inwardly cringing when Rina blushed while washing the dishes beside you.

"We dated a while back then, and haven't seen each other since he and (M/N)-senpai got married. But we met again last year, and..."

You placed down the plate you were wiping on the rack, then taking the next one. "So dad's been cheating on mom for like, almost a year before deciding to get divorced?""

"N-No! It's not like that... Oh, but... maybe... I'm sorry." She sighed, and it actually made you feel a little guilty for saying something so insensitive.

"It's fine. I don't really care. Not like I'm loyal and attached to my mother." You shrugged, placing down the last plate.

"I have... always loved (F/N). He is 2 years older, but we were dating throughout high school and college, but a couple of weeks after their graduation party, he and (M/N)-senpai came to me and admitted she was pregnant with his child. They got drunk in the party and ended up... you know." Rina stated, a sad look in her eyes that you wished you didn't notice.

Their story was something that ended with the beginning of your existence, but you also can't help but hate your dad for what he did. If they were dating for so long and was so in love with each other, how could he sleep with someone else? It made you feel upset, wondering if Kuroo would ever do the same thing.

Rina laughed lightly before she continued, at the same time wiping the sink while you just leaned there and listened. "I was so heartbroken, they even invited me to their wedding! For more than a year, I kept trying to forget... and ended up sleeping with a foreigner I just met. I got pregnant and almost didn't graduate, but I'm glad I managed to get by and have such a loving son." She smiled as she finished the story, turning to you with a slightly apologetic look. "I'm sorry if I'm being selfish... That I took your father back, but... I don't really regret anything."

You looked away, unused to talking about something so serious that you didn't know how to react or what to say. Clearing your throat, you spoke. "It's fine. Dad's not happy with my mother, and... I think you two deserve to be happy too." Saying that felt embarrassing, so you waved at her and walked out of the kitchen.

It was a side of your father's story that you never knew about, but then again, you didn't really know anything much about your parents. There has always been a line drawn between you and them, but your father seemed to have started trying to erase that line.

"(Y/N)..."

You were again sitting at the back of the house when you heard your father's voice. Looking at him through your peripheral vision, he sat down beside you, a tensed smile evident on his face. "So you've heard... Of how horrible I am. I'm really ashamed of what I did to Rina back then. But you know, I'm still glad I was able to have such a strong daughter like you." He uttered, nervousness laced on his voice. "Thank you for coming here, (Y/N). I will not ask for anything more."

You remained quiet as you listened to him, your eyes fixed on a pile of snow on the ground. You still haven't settled your feelings, but with all that has happened, you were feeling ready to forgive him. You wanted as much peace in your life as you can have.

"But you can ask me for anything. I will support you with everything that I can."

"Mhm." You simply nodded.

Before long, it was time for you and Kuroo to get back to Tokyo. As much as your father still wanted to spend more time, he understood that you had your own life now and respected your decisions.

The ride home was quiet, mostly because you were tired, and part of it being that you had a lot of thoughts in mind. Kuroo decided not to ask, as you seemed to be seriously thinking about things. He figured it had something to do with your father and his new family. He then wondered how your mother was doing, and considering that he has seen the type of people your relatives were, he realized that your mother may also be facing hardship and judgement from the family members regarding her failed marriage.

The ex-volleyball captain dropped you off at your apartment, giving you a tight reassuring embrace after he settled your luggage down on your floor.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay for a little while?" He worriedly asked.

You just nodded, giving him a tired smile. "I appreciate you coming all the way to Kyoto with me. I know you got things to do too, so don't worry. I probably will just fall asleep the rest of the day."

"Alright. May I stay with you until you fall asleep, then?" He insisted.

Chuckling lightly, you nodded. "Fine, fine. You really want to be with me that much, huh?" You teased.

Kuroo just grinned, suddenly lifting you up off your feet into a briday carry position which caused you to yelp. He carried you towards your bed, gently settling you down before he laid down beside you as well. "Honestly? I want to be with you every second of every day."

You felt your face heat up and didn't say anything anymore, and just hugged him over his torso while using his arm as pillow. You snuggled towards his chest, closing your eyes as you listened to his heartbeat. You felt light and quite happy with how things were starting to get more peaceful. You were fine going no contact with your parents, but being in talking terms with your father and knowing he would be there for you now, was a great feeling as well. It felt like everything going great wouldn't have happened if it weren't for your supportive boyfriend, and the thought made you embrace him tighter.

Laying there, Kuroo caressed your head gently, playing with the locks of your hair. The action made you feel so calm and relaxed, and started to make you feel sleepy as well.

"Tetsuro?" You quietly called, looking up to his face while maintaining the same position for the rest of your body.

"Hmm?" He glanced at you as well, a soft smile showing on his lips as he looked at you dearly. His heart beat was quick, and his thoughts were filled with you. He held your face with his other hand, gently caressing your cheek.

You smiled at him, moving yourself up a bit to reach his face as you planted a soft kiss on his lips. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"For everything. You've been with me through everything, and I'm really happy. Thank you." You continued.

Kuroo's embrace tightened around you as he shifted his position to face your side, still holding your face with his hand. As he looked at you, he could feel his heart beating so fast, and his mind raced with countless thoughts about you. He wondered how it was so possible to feel so much love, that words aren't even enough to describe it. He never felt such way before to anyone, you were the first person to introduce him with such wonderful emotions. "I love you." He sweetly uttered, not giving you a time to react as he closed your distance, planting a soft, long kiss on your lips.

You closed your eyes and savored the feeling, kissing him back which eventually turned into a passionate exchange. Words weren't enough to communicate how much he feels for you, but he made sure to do so as you both spent another love-filled night.

"I love you so much, (Y/N)."

——————————To Be Continued——————————

epilogue next!