A/N: Wow. 253 followers, 181 favorites, and over 100 hundred reviews. I can't thank you all enough for your support for my story. I haven't felt this passionate to write with my other stories than I do for A Mother's Love. And I'm really glad my efforts are paying off. I really hope and pray that I will be able to finish this story and that you guys will there to join me :)
Riko twisted and untwisted the handkerchief in her hands until the cloth was consumed with wrinkles. "I don't know if I could do this," she chanted over and over again as she rounded the dressing room for the umpteenth time. "Ugh! I'm so nervous!" The brunette's companion said nothing, occupied with scanning over the clipboard in her hands.
"Please refrain from making too much moment," warned Tetsuki. "Otherwise your hair will come loose." Standing from her seat, Tetsuki stopped the bride's tracks and guided her to the seat by the vanity. Though it did little to ease Riko's anxiety. The day of Junpei and Riko's wedding had finally arrived in the second month of spring. Guests have already begun to fill the venue—which also happened to be located in one of Akashi's hotels—and only moments away from witnessing the commencement of the high school sweethearts.
If someone were to ask Riko about her feelings for the basketball captain back then, she would give a platonic answer, merely admiring him for his athletic skills and nothing more. But upon entering college, Riko finally released her feelings for Junpei after an arrogant classmate insulted her appearance. The coach-in-the-making did not turn a blind eye and laid a bruising punch to the guy's face. Riko had gone to Tetsuki to complain about the matter, wondering why in the world Junpei would lose his demeanor like that, to which her friend replied, "If someone you loved was publicly insulted, would you stand and do nothing?"
One could image Riko's surprise when she discovered Junpei's mutual feelings.
Brown eyes looked at her beautified reflection, watching as the bluenette fix the strands of hair that escaped its slick hold. Her hair was just long enough to be styled into a low bun, secured by a diamond clip on top where her veil was placed. With makeup applied and hair prepared for hours to come, all that was left was to put on her wedding dress. The wedding dress Riko deliberately ignored since it was brought into the room.
"Oh Tetsuki-kun, it's almost time!" the bride sweatdropped.
She followed Riko's line of sight towards the clock and felt the stress gradually fill her system. She forcefully maneuvered Riko away from the vanity and into the middle of the room where she began to unclothe and redress the brunette as quickly and carefully as she could. Riko had accepted the help, for she was frozen with shock at the winding time. Pulling at strings of the corset, Tetsuki left room to breathe and tied the string into a ribbon, pausing when she fully saw Riko's reflection in the full-length mirror.
Floral embroidery began from the chest and ended in a loose tresses-like manner around the waist. The dress consisted of three thick ruffled layers of stain material, the last layer stopping just above the knees. While the front was cut high, the three layers extended at the back of the dress as though it was a long gown altogether. Sleeves concealed her entire shoulder caps, bringing attention to the sweetheart neckline and Riko's sparkling complexion.
Tetsuki thought she was nothing less than beautiful.
With a gentle smile, she tipped Riko's mouth closed with a finger beneath her chin. "It's time," she said quietly as she knelt to place the nude colored heels on the brunette's bare feet. While her friend was trapped in a stupor, Tetsuki took one hand in hers and guided the bride out of the dressing room.
Riko came to when one of the hotel employees assisting the event placed a decorative bouquet into her hands. She was face to face with the door of destiny, where friends, family, and her soon to be husband were waiting on the other side. Desperately, the twenty-six year old searched for the phantom. "Tetsuki-kun?! Tetsuki-kun, where are you?!"
"I'm right here," Tetsuki deadpanned on the right side of the door. Per the norm, her presence went unnoticed. With a sigh, the bridesmaid raised her voice. "Riko-san!"
Riko turned to the direction at the shout and was greeted with a comforting smile. "It's all right," Tetsuki told her. "At my wedding, I tripped and got a nosebleed."
"Tetsuki-kun..." The brunette's shoulders slumped. "Seriously?"
"Seriously."
A sudden laugh erupted from the bride as she recalled the distant memory, her nervousness easing away with every breath. The somewhat angry look on Tetsuki's face only prolonged her laughter until a confident smile spread upon her glossed lips. "This is it," she declared brightly.
The blue haired woman wasn't sure what came over her at that moment but found herself pulling Riko into a tight embrace. "I'm very happy for you, Riko-san," Tetsuki said softly. "You two deserve each other and I hope for all the good things to come."
Riko unlocked her arms around the smaller woman, patting her head reassuringly as she had always done before. "I know it's hard for you to be here today, with all the wedding stuff and all..."
She shook her head. "What's important is that today is about you and Junpei-san's happiness."
With a smirk, Riko placed a sisterly kiss to Tetsuki's forehead. "Thank you," was that last thing she said before she turned to the opening doors and welcomed the new journey ahead of her.
"Now, join me in welcoming the newly wedded couple, Hyuuga Junpei and Hyuuga Riko!"
A round of applause sounded throughout the venue hall as the couple bowed and waved to their guests. After the commencement, everyone was directed to the dining area where the master of ceremonies would host the event until the evening. No one was more fit for the job than their (regrettably) good friend, Izuki Shun.
Once the clapping died down, Izuki returned to the mic. "Good evening everyone, I am Izuki Shun and I will be your MC for tonight. A Master of Ceremonies with a Masters in Comedy! (Good job, me!)"
"Shut it, Izuki!"
Junpei would've lost his cool early in the night if it weren't for the assuring pat on his arm from his newly pronounced wife. Dinner was served soon after, giving time for Junpei and Riko greet guests and family members at each table. Afterward, the party was directed to the hotel garden just outside of the dining hall, where cocktail tables were spread out in multiple parts of the area and a dessert table was open to everyone. Long time friends and loved ones caught up while new faces mingled with one another.
Fetching some fruit for the children, Tetsuki turned away from the food platter and walked back to her table where Himuro was supervising her children when blue eyes immediately spotted a familiar face. "Takao-kun?"
The ravenhead looked her way at the sound of his name, a cheesecake bite seconds away from being consumed in his mouth. "Ah, Tet-chan!" he exclaimed with a grin and dropped the dessert in an instant. Tetsuki squinted her eyes when the movement brought attention to the other two black haired adults standing on the other side of the table, one of spiky short hair and the other with long, messy locks.
Making her way to the hawk's side, Tetsuki stood where all faces were revealed to her and bowed. "Hello," she deadpanned. "It's been awhile, Imayoshi-kun and Kasamatsu-kun."
The spiky haired man jumped while the megane raised both brows at her entrance. "Tetsuki?!" Kasamatsu choked.
"It's been too long," Imayoshi gleamed, his fox-like eyes squinted more than ever. "Have you been ignoring us, Tetsuki-chan?"
Tetsuki simply stared at the grinning man. "I didn't wish to bother you two during the season."
Imayoshi Shoichi and Kasamatsu Yukio were both previous basketball rivals of Tetsuki back in high school. After winning the Winter Cup her first year at Seirin, the two basketball captains at the time soon became long time friends of hers. The two were now coaches for their respectful former high school teams, Hyuuga Junpei included.
"Ryouta! Come back!"
The four adults turned to see a golden haired baby crawling his way towards his mother, a huge toothy smile on his face. Tetsuki set down her plate of dessert and knelt to scoop up the baby off the grass. Takao scratched the back of his head and let out a sigh. "Suits don't just fall from the sky, Ryou-chan!" Courtesy of the baby store employee, Takao aided in choosing a full clad suit for the infant, consisting of a black blazer, white button up, black slacks, and a bright yellow bowtie around his neck.
Himuro entered the scene, her two suited toddlers following close behind. "I'm sorry Tetsuki! Some girls came up to me and then..." the ravenhead trailed off when he noticed the friendly faces gathered around the tall table. "Well, this is quite the reunion."
"What do we have here?" Imayoshi whistled in interest as he looked upon the colorful haired children surrounding Tetsuki. "Babysitting at a wedding?"
"These are my children."
When a silence overtook the group, Himuro and Takao's shared a worried glance but were ready at any moment to defend the blue haired woman if needed. Around the time of her divorce, Himuro had briefly informed his and Tetsuki's close friends on the situation should a case like this occur. Himuro didn't, however, tell their friends about her infertility due to her wish for privacy.
After what felt like years, Kasamatsu broke the silence and lowered his head to Ryouta's height in the mother's hold. Topaz orbs gazed upon the naturally serious features with both curiosity and intimidation, causing him to curl closer to the crook of his mother's neck whilst still holding eye contact with the spiky haired man. Kasamatsu reached a hand towards the baby and wiped away the bits of grass on his little trousers. "Be respectful to your mother, you hear? Don't stray too far and lose your way," he told Ryouta with a smile, ruffling the golden locks.
Daiki tugged at the side of her dress, glaring at the megane of the group. "Kaa-chan," he whispered not so quietly. "Who's the guy with the creepy fox eyes?" The question was followed by the giggles erupting from Takao.
"The name's Imayoshi-nii-san to you, kid." Imayoshi gave the tanned toddler a wide grin which only resulted in him hiding his face into Tetsuki's leg.
"So how do you guys know each other?" asked Takao, finally taking a bite of his cheesecake.
Himuro gave the hawk a smile. "All coaches know each other." At the statement, Kasamatsu let out a yelp just as a spray of spit was shot his way. It was a stroke of luck that he was able to dodge the flying chunks from getting on his suit.
"You're kidding; Himuro-kun, don't tell me you coach for Yosen!"
Kasamatsu's brow twitched at the hawk's excessive excitement. "We just went over this!" He crossed his arms and glared at Takao, annoyed. "Don't you listen to anything I say?"
"Maybe I should become a coach too," he daydreamed, looking off into the distance with a grin. Kasamatsu's angry sputters went ignored by the ravenhead.
Tetsuki rocked Ryouta side to side as she looked to the hawk. "You are more than eligible to fit the job," she complimented. "It's no doubt they wouldn't hire you."
"Tet-chan...!" Takao was moved, indicated by the comical tears forming in his eyes. He pulled the woman to him and squeezed every bit of life from her, Ryouta's arms frantically waving around as he was suffocated between the two bodies.
A cry came from the hawk when a heel suddenly dug into in foot from under the table. Letting go of the bluenette, Takao glared at Imayoshi who had an innocent look upon his face. Kasamatsu let out a sigh at their antics.
Imayoshi faced Tetsuki with a long smile. "So did you come here alone?"
She shook her head. "My parents and my brother are somewhere among the guests."
"It's too bad our dear Kasamatsu-kun came here dateless," he sighed dramatically. "I've been trying to get him to ask one of the teacher's at Kaijo, but I'm afraid that even I have given up at this point."
Incoherent sounds slipped from Kasamatsu's mouth as his entire face blazed red. "Leave me alone!" he cried. "I don't need a d-date to have a good time!"
"Easily embarrassed as always," Takao crackled. "Considering that I'm your plus one, doesn't that make me your date tonight, Yukio-chan?"
"Don't call me that!"
Tetsuki hid a smile behind Ryouta's head. It seemed like ages since she last saw the two coaches, their company alone warmed her heart. Hours passed as the blue haired woman caught up with the three men until Izuki announced the next event of the night. "Alright! The moment you ladies have all been waiting for! The throwing of the bouquet!"
A herd of women rushed forward to where Riko stood with Junpei on the balcony above the dining hall. Tetsuki watched with mild interest and brought her gaze elsewhere, only to be stared down by the three men.
"Show 'em who's boss Tet-chan!" Takao cheered, a fist clenched in front of him to show his enthusiasm.
Putting two and two together, Tetsuki gave the men a deadpanned expression. Though, it wasn't enough to stop the men from their encouragement. Suddenly, Ryouta was lifted from her grasp much to her dismay.
With the seven month old now settled within his grasp, Kasamatsu gave the blue haired woman a gesture of the head towards the crowding women. "Go out there and have fun," he ordered lightly. Even Shintaro and Daiki seemed to want her to join the activity. Defeated, Tetsuki walked away from the annoying men and towards the balcony. In the distance, a shout of "DO YOUR BEST TETSUKI!" ringed in her ears. The voice undoubtedly belonged to her mother.
"Look at all the lovely ladies here tonight. Perhaps the next bride is among them? After all, marriage has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
"Izuki, please."
"Then, let's begin!"
Riko smiled at the crowd below, waving at the bluehead hidden from within, before turning her back to them. "Ready?" he asked. When she replied with an excited nod, Junpei shared her smile as the couple counted down together. "San, ni, ichi!" Riko tossed her arms up and behind her, letting the bouquet slip from her fingers and fall towards the earth where eager hands waited down below. Tetsuki watched as the bouquet came down at a slow rate and was kissed by the setting sun when, suddenly, an unwelcome memory arose from the depths of her mind.
"San, ni, ichi!" As the bouquet was thrown behind her, Tetsuki knew by the triumph cry that the flowers were caught by none other than her best friend. In all honesty, she had hoped Riko would be the one to catch it.
"I can't even tell whether she tried to catch it or if they just let her have it," came from the man beside her. "She had the face of a wild animal after catching its prey."
"You are one to talk, Kagami Tiger."
A tsk. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?" Tetsuki hid a smile behind her hand. The next thing she knew she was pressed against his hard chest, a smirk upon his lips. "Thank you," the redhead said kindly. "Thank you for marrying me."
Despite the redness of her cheeks, Tetsuki's expression remained flat. "If not I, who else would marry a Bakagami?"
"Oi!" His split brows furrowed in annoyance yet his smirk widened by a fraction. The bluehead stared into his eyes in attempt to read his thoughts but instead found her lips locked with her husband's. Once released, she could see the pride radiating off of Kagami as he claimed, "Even if no one else wants to marry me, there's only person I would want to call my wife, and that's you, Mrs. Bakagami."
Tetsuki returned to reality as a round of applause was directed towards her. Confused, she wondered why she was receiving such praise. All her questions were answered when the weight in her hands occurred to her. After being caught up in her memories, Tetsuki had somehow managed to catch the bouquet. While the women clapped in her honor, only those who knew her story could tell by her silence that the experience hadn't settled well.
She missed the way Riko signaled Izuki to change the activity as his voice projected through the microphone. "A-Alright! Moving on to our next segment, the bride and groom will now cut the cake!"
As the crowd moved around her, Tetsuki remained still. She knew better than to take out her suffering on the bouquet but couldn't help the feeling of disgust for the flowers.
"Okaa-san?"
Blue eyes wandered downwards to see her two three year olds at her side, Shintaro's hand grasping the fabric of her dress. Kasamatsu and the others followed close behind, Ryouta babbling along the way. Tetsuki remained quiet as she took the seven month old from his cradle and into her arms. With a pat on the head from Imayoshi, the four left her in the gardens, giving her the space she needed.
Once she was settled in silence, Tetsuki allowed her children to play as they pleased. She watched fondly as Shintaro and Daiki tried to help Ryouta walk with one hand in each of the stumbling baby's. At times Ryouta would speed up when he felt strong enough to walk on his own, letting go of his brother's hands only to fall down to his knees due to the lack of support. Scolding from Shintaro and Daiki ensued but Ryouta accepted none of it, resuming his mission to walk on his own. Tetsuki set down her phone and stopped recording the scene. Her eyes looked distant when the redheaded chairman sat on the bench beside her.
"He's a fast learner," observed Akashi, watching the trials and errors made by the golden haired baby.
Her eyes softened at the sound of his voice, gazing at the setting sun hidden behind the perfectly cut hedges. "Ryouta doesn't take competition lightly. None of them do." Few moments passed until Tetsuki was able to muster the strength to come face to face with Akashi. "Thank you for taking the time to still attend. You must've had a busy day at work."
Akashi gave a nod, noticing the unnatural timidness from the bluenette. He watched as her gaze returned to the bouquet in her hands once more, twirling its base mindlessly. "It's not that I'm ungrateful," she began, her voice frail and small. "I'm just afraid of uncertainty."
"It is only superstition," he suggested, assuming her thoughts were on the bouquet.
"It's only superstition," Kagami huffed. "Aren't you excited to tell Coach?"
Tetsuki folded the last of the bathroom towels and set them aside into the hamper. "What she doesn't know won't harm her," she dismissed. "Better to be safe than sorry."
Kagami scratched the back of his head. "How long is a trimester again?"
"Twelve weeks."
Dramatically, he spat out the sip of beer from his mouth. "T-Twelve?!" Kagami wiped the drops of liquid from his lips. "That's like, uh... three months!"
Although she was expressionless, her eyes showed mild interest. "I thought math was your worst subject," she pondered with a tilt of the head.
A harmless growl rumbled in his throat. "Oi."
The blue haired woman smiled and stood from her place on the floor to sit next to her husband on the couch. Kagami didn't seem to mind when she took one of his hands in hers. "I'm as excited as you are," she told him. "But my mother says if we tell anyone before the end of the first trimester, there would be a higher chance of having a miscarriage."*
Kagami saw the determination in her eyes and sighed, reluctantly abiding by her wish. "As much as I don't believe it, I'll let it go this time." With his free hand behind her head, he pulled Tetsuki in for a quick kiss. "But don't think I won't just stand around and do nothing! I'll protect you," he lowered his head to her flat stomach, smiling as he said, "and our little one for as long as I live."
Petting a hand through his spiky locks, Tetsuki nodded wholeheartedly and placed a soft kiss onto his hair. "Let's go see the doctor about it tomorrow."
She often wondered, if they hadn't found out from the doctor that day, would he have stayed by her side longer if he heard it from her?
Tetsuki would've believed if there was a sudden shower of rain to appear in the middle of spring. However, it seemed rather than water coming from the clouds above, it poured from her own two eyes.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed quietly. "I'm so sorry." It was unclear whether she was apologizing to Akashi directly.
Her hands moved to wipe away the falling tears only to result in a new batch each time. When the redhead cupped her face in his hands, she refused to meet his eyes, presenting the glistening tears upon her eyelashes. "I cannot help you if you don't tell what's wrong."
"Your life with Taiga was filled with many memories. We're not asking you to throw them away, but instead cherish them as they were. It's time to let go of the pain and take the chance to find someone who will treat ten times better than that Bakagami ever will."
I don't want him to view me as weak, she thought, afraid of the outcome of telling the man she liked about her past. But I don't want to hurt anymore either.
And so Tetsuki told him. Told him of her marriage, her divorce, her imperfections. Akashi listened carefully to every word she spoke, saving any comments he might have until she finished her story. In the midst of telling him, Tetsuki noticed the fist that gripped tightly around hers and reluctantly wondered if he would leave her after hearing her past. Whatever the outcome, Tetsuki couldn't blame him if he wished to leave. All she could think at the time was the instant relief she felt when the heavy weight on her chest was finally lifted.
A/N: *Pregnancy superstition: if you inform others about your pregnancy before the end of your first trimester, there will be a higher chance of a miscarriage. Don't worry, it's just a myth. (｡ŏ﹏ŏ)
Hurray for the longest chapter thus far! How'd you like the cameos? Would you like to see more of them? Let me know! And don't worry about Seirin, they'll have their screen time very soon. (Also please excuse my lame attempt at Izuki puns) If you'd like to see how Riko's wedding dress looks, look up "sweetheart appliques beading high low wedding dress." It should be the first image to pop up.
Thank you as always for reading. I hope you liked this chapter and remember to leave a review!