"There's really something…"

"… that I can't pinpoint."

Tsubaki looked at Hana and Mika as if they've grown two heads. She exchanged looks with the ginger, a question lingering, and shared with their connection.

"What?"

Mika grinned at her, pointing her chopsticks in her direction, making her blink.

"You look like you're glowing."

Tsubaki glanced back and forth from her to Mika and Hana, looking confused. This caused Mika to sigh, still leaving her in confusion. Sawako watched the brunette gesture the ginger to come closer and whispered something in her ear. Her confusion rose when Tsubaki gasped.

"Seriously, what? Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, taking large bites on the banana she just peeled.

Tsubaki grinned, looking smug at the new information she just heard. She placed her elbows on the table, her jaw resting on the top of her palms. With a grin, she answered her question. "You had sex."

Sawako choked.

"They did," Mika smirked.

Hana nodded.

She shook her head in slight disbelief at her happy three friends. The ginger, brunette, and ravenette grinned at her while she drank her glass of water. It came as a surprise to her, she couldn't believe she choked on a banana. The shape reminded her of something spectacular of an unforgettable night, but she fought the blush that tried to flush before her friends' prying eyes.

"Just confirm our suspicions." Hana cheekily told her after their shared silence.

Closing her eyes, Sawako sighed. She bit her lip and let the blush break free and paint her cheeks. "We did."

Suddenly, Tsubaki slammed the table. "How was it?!"

And shush her friend received it immediately. The ginger backed down and zipped her lips after apologizing to the people who turned to her at her outburst. It made them giggle on their own at her predicament.

Tsubaki pouted and crossed her arms. "Out of us four, I'm like the only one who has no experience, yeah? I have the right to know. Tell me, Sawa!"

Hana looked at her. "No details, please."

"Details are fine." Mika grinned.

It made her take another sip of her water, eyebrow twitching. These two…

"On second thought, don't tell me. I might get envious, hoping all. But you better tell me how to suck a lollipop."

Sawako groaned. These girls.

[Another service ace! That's the fifth serve and wow, what a fearsome 19-year-old. That's Kageyama Tobio for you!]

Immediately after hearing his name, she whipped her head towards the source. Her eyes landed on the flat-screen television attached to the wall where everyone can see and watch. Being played was a recorded video of the match last night. It showed the match of the Men's National Volleyball Team against France particularly the replay of how the young man named Kageyama Tobio stole five service aces in a row against them.

She already watched the match last night. As promised, she stayed up late to watch due to the different time zones and she was very supportive in her reactions in every turn of the match then. So much that she flooded him with her praises.

Sawako never felt so proud. She ignored the pinching and squealing of Mika and Tsubaki to her about the news and Tobio. She watched instead, her focus solely on his face that the camera focused on. He shouted with a vigor that Sawako could actually hear him.

He became so known now that he's shining. Whenever they're together wherever they go, someone would recognize him. He's that setter for Adler's, the one with killer serves and to her unsurprise (and horror), the handsome rookie of the league.

She sighed. I miss him. They still have a game today.

Sawako and Tobio.

They may appear like a brother and sister in the public and a lovey-dovey couple to the only ones who knew. But only the two of them as a pair have a world of their own. Ever since they had their first intercourse, for some reason, they became more engaged in the deep level of intimacy. From time to time, she would opt to wear a sleeveless shirt at night and Tobio would sleep without a shirt. She must say that they became aware of their bodies, shame about being naked was gone, it felt like things were normal.

Their sexual agreement became normal as well. Due to their first time being done raw, Tobio missed the feeling of doing it with a rubber. Once, they tried and he wore a condom, but he ended up complaining – "It's really weird." to the point of comparing to having tape in his fingers when he's setting. To avoid unplanned pregnancy, which to both of their surprise, nothing formed on that night, they decided to do it once or twice a month during her safe days. To her request, coming inside was limited and to his favor, he dominated her most of the time.

Not like she has any complaints on that part.

The Olympics passed by and things started to lay low. As if the internationals didn't happen, Tobio would go home at the usual hour and he would catch her in the middle of either laughing, crying, screaming in either in horror or in anger. Her academic requirements have now transformed to lesson plans, the student's performance on their exams, and their research – which she managed to finish on time before dinner. She has the luxury of watching a movie a day or two to three episodes of any series in a row.

She never heard him complain aside from questioning her – "What are you watching?" To her delight, he would join her.

Sawako turned to the young man beside her. A smile already formed on her lips and she whispered, "I love you."

Tobio, flabbergasted, blinked. There was a shade of pink in his cheeks that glowed, her eyes caught it before he could hide it by scowling. "What's with you…" He mumbled. "Of course, I know… I love you, too."

How cute. It made her cheeks ache. Her smile widened at his upfront feelings. "Say it again."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She cackled. "Oh, come on. Say it."

But he didn't, no matter how much she pried. Instead, she received a pinch in the cheeks. The one which made her pout and shut her up. In response, she did the same to him, making him annoyed. Whether her cheeks hurt because of him, it didn't matter. Moments like this are rare.

Time passes by. It's like the blink of an eye. Long and short at the same time, no one can control its flow. It's long when you're listless and short when you're busy. It's ironic, sometimes frustrating. It hurries you and excites you at the same time. It wasn't that long before another season of winter came and visited.

Winter was very different this time around. They may be discreet but Sawako knew and picked up what was up. No one snitched on whom, she just chose to pretend that she didn't know. It started one day during winter break.

Like the previous years, Sawako and Tobio went home for the last two weeks of December 2016. She was dropped off by the wooden gate and he left not too long to go back home. Although they didn't meet on the days that followed not until his twentieth birthday, a number of people got drunk once again – Koushi, Satsuki, Daichi, Hitori, and even herself. They shopped for Christmas together on the day after. They went to Sendai to many malls to buy gifts and special purchases for Christmas Eve. They're still strolling and looking around when Sawako found herself walking alone.

Huh?

"Tobio-kun…?"

His name was uttered to the air, it faded the moment her eyes found him. But she didn't catch his attention. He was intensely looking at something through the glass. Her brow raised, curiosity peeking why her lover stood in front of the glass of the jewelry store where the silver and gold lined up for display.

She was never the materialistic type. She prefers memories over souvenirs, hence her journal full of photos. She never asks Tobio-kun to buy her stuff even though his profession pays a lot more than hers, and he's already earning while she's still studying. He never bought her anything, except for food. She'd prefer more time with him more than anything.

But looking at Mika blushing over a necklace that Suguru-kun bought for her or the cute hairclips that Hana has on her hair from Semi-kun, and to Tsubaki's greatest denial, a wristwatch from Ushijima-san, Sawako would wonder how it must be nice to receive something that she could keep. She may appear in denial and holding herself back to him, but she really didn't want to abuse his money.

Yet seeing him there… made her excited at the probability.

"Tobio-kun?" She approached the lad.

He broke his gaze away from the mirror and shook his head. Immediately, he snatched her hand and led their walk. "Let's go."

It really made her wonder what he was thinking at that moment or what he was looking at exactly. But that memory will not fade away. It'll be kept, a remembrance of the time that Tobio-kun once looked at the jewelry store.

Sawako called it in her mind, Curiosity No. 1.

The 24th has passed without delay. The Ukai and Harukaze family celebrated Christmas Eve with Tobio-kun and Miwa-nee-san joining them at the Harukaze residence. Reika-san was at the hospital and apparently, Kazue-san, Tobio-kun's father, was still abroad and the family was expecting his homecoming by spring. To her surprise, she was a little disappointed when she received her gifts. There was no jewelry but new films for her camera. Yet the sudden talk with her sisters became Curiosity No. 2.

"Nee-san, what about this?" Kirin took her attention, pointing at the magazine full of rings.

Her eyes blinked, looking at the silver band of small diamonds and a ruby. Sawako raised a brow. "I don't know. Don't you think the design is kinda over the top?"

Another magazine suddenly blocked her vision. There, on the page was a ring with the biggest pearl she had ever seen. "And this isn't?" Hitori laughed. "I bet I'd look like a clam wearing this."

She giggled. "It's bigger than normal but not exactly a clam, Torin."

"Simplicity is beauty, Succhan once said." Kirin recited.

"More than once!"

"Okay, more than once. Must you shout?"

She let out another giggle and decided to tune out the twins' exchange. Sawako began to flip the pages, eyeing a few rings that are simple but elegant in design. She stopped and stared at the ring in the column.

"How about this?"

The two immediately diverted their attention to hers. Hitori started, tilting her head with a pout while Kirin raised a brow at her.

"Really, nee-san?"

She nodded.

"Isn't that so simple? It's just literally a band in the finger." Hitori mumbled beside her.

"It looks like a wedding ring to me."

It is? Sawako blinked. "If I were to buy one, I'd choose a design like this or that one with an embedded stone."

The pair of blonde and blue-green went silent after that and not even one insisted she choose and look for another design. They continued to flip and began to gush on necklaces which really made her curious with all the questions on what she preferred. Sawako shook her head the whole time, catching Hitori seemingly busy with her phone.

It didn't take for Curiosity No. 3 to come.

She was resting with her legs inside the futatsu one afternoon. A book was on the table, spread open on page 143 beside the cup of chamomile tea when she dozed off. She really didn't know how long she's been sleeping but it happened.

Cracking an eye slowly, it landed on a yellow mop and a focused look on her younger sister's face. Sawako watched Hitori discreetly and sneakily placed a measuring tape around her ring finger. Tongue stuck out of her lips and brows narrowed at the action.

Hm?

And when it seems her sister got the measurement she wanted, Hitori fished out her phone, typed something, and even took a picture of the measuring tape. After doing so, her sister left her as if nothing happened.

What just happened?

Her mind began to think of reasons, the questions lingering as if knocking her to make up and realize what has been happening. Why did Torin measure her finger? Why her left hand and fourth finger? The other day, Kirin and Hitori pestered her to look at the magazine for rings. Why did they ask her what design she likes? They really came out weird.

Sawako sat back up from her position. A yawn came out from her lips, tears threatened at the corner of her eye as she tried to cover her mouth. She raked a hand on her hair while the other began to reach out for the ignored book. Her elbow rested on the table and lazily, she scratched her foot under the kotatsu.

"Ah…" She yawned again.

Am I going to receive a gift from the triplets? She smiled at the thought. That's rare.

Suddenly, she was brought back to the time one day in the busiest time of Sendai. That one time where she shopped with Tobio-kun and he got distracted. A blush made its way to her cheeks while she began to pick up the pieces of the curious counters in the past days.

Her eyes flickered to the framed portrait. It was on one of the first New Year' that Harukaze and Kageyama prayed together. She gazed, bluish-green immediately zeroed on the younger lad she came to love. He's unpredictable and obvious, it was amusing how transparent he was depending on his moods. But this time around, she still couldn't read what he's thinking.

One thing's for sure, there's a ring for her to receive at the right time.

But for now, let's pretend I didn't know.

Her phone buzzed and it lit up. Sawako picked up the mobile device and her eyes immediately widened to find that she had just received mail. Without wasting any second, she opened and began to read nervously and expectantly.

"Oh my…!"

Tobio-kun

01/08/17 Sun 22:48

Tobio: Do I really have to go?

Sawako: Of course.

Sawako: Don't you want to commemorate the time you turned 20? That's 2 decades of existence.

Tobio: Not really.

Tobio: There's a birthday for that.

Sawako: Birthday is personal. The ceremony is for the public.

Tobio: I know that.

Sawako: Then let's go!

Sawako: I'll take photos, okay? ()

Tobio: Fine.

Sawako: Wear a kimono!

Tobio: (ゞ

Sawako: ( ് દ ് )

Aside from taking a peek at how the current volleyball teams were faring in the Nationals, Sawako attended the annual coming-of-age ceremony for Tobio. Because it was her request, instead of choosing to wear the optional suit and tie, the raven-haired lad came with her in a kimono and hakama which made Sawako gush the whole time. She had taken a lot of photos to add to her journal and to Reika-san's photo album.

They had ramen for post-winter and she was expecting the whole day for something like a ring but nothing happened except they had two bowls and two plates of gyoza.

Sawako hid her disappointment at the lack of surprise. The absence of the tiny band for her finger made her wonder why her sisters had to go to such lengths to ask her about the rings and measuring her size. Am I wrong to assume?

But due to their schedule, life fell into a routine after the ceremony and the idea of rings was pushed back behind the pile of students' test papers, a folder of lesson plans, a movie watch lists, and test questionnaires. while Tobio-kun focused on shooting for endorsements, attending conventions, and training with the team he joined.

It's like, he never looked at the jewelry store, no sisters asking her about the rings, and she never assumed.

Not until Valentine's came.

Her annual obligatory chocolates continued to find themselves in the possession of her high school friends, and college friends. Sawako still makes him chocolate but not as much as before because of sugar. She still cooked him that special bento that he would eat once he's home. Not a grain of rice or a tiny piece of meat and crumbs were left to both of their satisfaction.

February 14 changed as well. With their history in bed and their monthly plan of action-packed exchange of body fluids, it has been added to the agenda in the celebration of the day of hearts. That was why Sawako found herself listening to the echo of her moan inside the bathroom.

Tonight's bath bomb was recommended by Hana because of its calming qualities – lavender with a mixture of sweat and love juice.

She stifled a gasp, air sucking out from her lungs at tightening in her stomach with every thrust she received. She could feel herself tightening down there that would make him groan. His lively penis going in and out under the water.

"Sawako-san…" He whispered behind her. It sent shivers in her spine making her back arch and her bottoms raising to connect with his pelvis.

"Hm?"

Gosh, she likes the thrill of being done in the back. Not only couldn't she see what exactly was happening, aside from feeling the pleasure, but she also loved his kisses on her nape and back. They're all so soft and gentle that contradict his hard thrusts. There's excitement along with it.

"… I'm cumming."

She hummed in acknowledgment. She placed her hand on top of his as Tobio-kun's thrusts became faster and rougher. Her toes curled and her hand gripped on him tightly. She met his thrusts, groaning in time for her to come. She shuddered and felt the liquid spurting through her walls.

Her eyes looked at the water. Her fingers, she noticed, were all wrinkly from the time they stayed in the tub for too long. It was lavender, as far as she knows, but the smell was faint now with the other mixture from this lovemaking.

"It's not lavender anymore," Tobio murmured on her skin.

A small laugh escaped her lips but her attention swerved to his lips still plastered on her skin. She may not have seen it but Sawako knew he left another mark there. "Hey, don't leave hickeys somewhere I can't hide."

"Am not."

She rolled her eyes. "Sure. The last time you said that the gals teased me the whole day."

She'll never forget that day. They had a passionate night and Sawako, unaware, went to class parading a hickey on her nape. Her short hair and the collar of her blouse couldn't hide it, so she ended up borrowing Hana's scarf.

"Wear turtlenecks next time then." He scoffed.

Tobio-kun slowly stood up, the water going down in the absence of his body. Sawako watched him go out of the tub, turning on the shower to cleanse himself. Her brows narrowed at his words, which made him smirk at her speechlessness.

She pouted and went out of the tub as well. Pulling out the plug, her bluish-green eyes watched how slowly the water drained. Meanwhile, Tobio-kun was already done and left the bathroom. It left Sawako to clean the tub and clean herself once more. It was not a waste of one bath bomb.

When she turned off the lights of the bathroom, Tobio-kun was acting weird. For one, the moment she stepped outside, he immediately hid something in haste. Two, the sharpness of her trained eyes caught something black and a box. Three, the screen of his phone was open. Lastly, four, he looked like a cat caught in the act. Why she's yet to find out.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Nothing." So, he said and flopped down on the bed. He immediately closed his eyes, head on the pillow, on the act of pretending to sleep.

You're still a bad liar.

Slightly shaking her head, Sawako kept her curiosity to herself. She eyed his phone, now dead, and the spot where he hid that hideous object. To assure his tensed self, she joined him in the bed and lay beside him. A smile curved on her lips, pecking his cheeks.

"Goodnight, Tobio-kun."

"Goodnight."

She turned off the lights. The time was 21:43.

It was 02:15 when the dim room was brought to life by a lightened screen of her phone. She was careful not to wake the already sleeping setter beside hers. Sawako even had to make sure that he was by taking a peek. She sighed a moment later when she saw his angelic sleeping face in a state of deep sleep.

Yosh.

Slowly, she slid her feet to the floor, and carefully, without a sound, she stood up. Sawako sneaked towards her boyfriend's bag where she's sure that's where he hid something. She eyed Tobio-kun once more, his back facing her and snoring lightly. For some reason, her heart was beating loudly. She's afraid it'll wake him.

She bit her lip, hand placing it on the zipper of his bag. I'm sorry, Tobio-kun. She's really curious. Trying not to make any sound, she slowly opened it. Oh my gosh… She slid her hand inside and with the help of the flashlight of her phone, she began to look for something that matches with black and box. But to her surprise, not, she immediately found it.

Must be the haste trying to hide this from me…

She's really nervous and curious about this. She felt sorry for prying but she didn't want to back down now and go back to sleep. Not when the box was already in her hand. She turned off the flashlight of her phone and headed near the balcony door. The moonlight should be enough to cater to her curiosity.

A sigh.

Sawako held the box in both hands. Her thumb tracing the smoothness as she tried to guess what's inside. Music box? But it has no key. She found the lid. Her excitement and nervousness began to mix with one another. Not going to waste any longer, she pushed and opened the lid.

Bluish-green eyes widened. The moonlight shone, it hit the streaks of her hair. Her knees wobbled, getting weak at the sight. Her lungs seemed to squeeze themselves, disabling him to breathe properly and her jaw slacked in surprise. Because right there and then, inside the black box Tobio-kun hid from her was a ring similar to the one she told Kirin and Hitori last Christmas.

"Oh my gosh."

The words escaped from her lips before she knew it. The light groan from the male reminded her what she's sneaking for. Blinking, Sawako closed the box and returned it to where she took it. She laid down on the bed, casting a questioning glance at her lover.

She tried to sleep, but her mind raced with questions once again. To whom the ring is for? Hers? Moreover, since when? Did he conspire with the twins? Was that why the question about the ring was so sudden and random? Was that why Hitori had to take her measurement when she had her guard down? When did he buy the ring? How long has he been keeping this from her? For what is the ring for?! A birthday gift?! Or for something else? What is it?!

Gosh, Tobio-kun…

Marriage.

It's an entirely different kind of commitment that Sawako has yet to understand. As a pre-service teacher that has been doing demo-teaching in primary school, she knew that she will have to encounter parents' counseling regularly and guardians to accommodate the learning needs of her students – their child. Her tutoring helped her know how to handle them in advance. So far, parents were really kind and flexible in arrangements for their children.

Her parents once had a lively marriage life. In the short amount of time she shared with her father, Sawako could tell and even saw it, how much her parents loved each other. Even when death's door knocked and set the two apart, the string of love was strong, her mother's marriage remained even now.

It was romantic how her mother would still look at their father's portrait with a look so tender, Sawako couldn't disturb. They were two different people. Her mama was very prim and proper. She was strict because of her upbringing contrary to her papa's wild and careless lifestyle. Despite their polar opposites, they're balanced and influence one another to be better.

Sawako wanted that kind of marriage life, too. Nothing beats the unconditional love and long patience.

But even though her romantic life exists, she's unsure of what will happen next. Of course, when it comes to personal goals, it will still be the main drive to keep going but what about their relationship? Her mama might've been vocal regarding weddings and babies but seriously. Is Tobio-kun satisfied with dating or yearns to settle down and tie a knot?

Although technically they're both still young in their early 20s, when you've been going out for a long time, it will really make you wonder if they're going to be together until extreme old age. It made her wonder, making her wonder why that ring exists in his possession.

February and March flew like a breeze. Sawako has not once uttered nor implied that she knew of the ring. Tobio-kun doesn't seem to have known that she knows. For what has happened in those days, they focused on each other's goals. And after being behind Tobio-kun for two years already, she's literally one step away from being a licensed teacher.

"Congratulations, darling. Next is applying for the license!"

"Congratulations, Sawa-nee!"

Her mama and sisters' smiling faces were the first thing she'd seen immediately. It was followed by their hugs and kisses on the cheek. Behind them was Suzaku standing beside Tobio-kun with the latter holding a bouquet of flowers.

Early in the day, as early as six in the morning, her family came into the apartment. Her mama, Hitori, and Kirin helped her prepare for her special day by doing her make-up, hair and preparing her hakama and furisode while the boys played video games.

After a few captured photos, they walked to the university where she met up with some of her blockmates and to the ladies. Semi-kun, Suguru-kun, Tsubaki's mother, and Taichi-chan attended for the three that sometimes while she was in line to enter the gym, she caught sight of her Tobio chatting with the other volleyball players.

But that's beside the point. They had just graduated with flying colors.

"SAWAKO! SAWAKO!"

She turned to the side, catching only a blur of ginger before being tackled to another hug. Arms wrapped around her shoulders with sobbing noises. Hana and Mika tailed behind. There's an amused smile on their faces and in season, their eyes were a little red from crying.

Sawako patted Tsubaki's head. "There, there." She shushed. "You're going to get ugly when you cry overboard."

"What?!" Tsubaki snapped at her. "Here I thought, I'm going to miss you!"

She giggled and patted the ginger's head twice. Sawako opened her pouch, taking out a pocket tissue pouch. "Here to wipe and regain your beauty."

Tsubaki pouted but took the tissue anyway. "Seriously, Sawa-chan."

"If you're going to miss me, we can meet up anytime."

"You mean, it's alright to ransack your apartment?"

A slap at the back of Tsubaki's head. "Idiot."

Sawako shook her head. Her friend's attention drifted to her cousin, Hana. The two began to have a one-sided banter. She watched the two, realizing that she'll miss seeing them doing that regularly now that they're off on their own trying to get themselves to work. It reminded Sawako of how Hitori and Suzaku fought a lot in middle school.

Huh?

She was just thinking of her family just now. She turned to them, but suddenly, they're gone. "Have you –" She blinked. Where did they go? Even her friends disappeared, leaving her standing in the middle of a flashy crowd full of furisode, hakama, suit, and tie. It's the attire that made it a little hard for Sawako to spot where her friends went.

"They left just now."

Except for one, still-awkward young man with a bouquet of flowers.

"That quick?" She raised a brow at him.

Tobio pouted, averting his eyes. "Yes?"

"What?"

What's happening? She couldn't stop herself from looking everywhere. There are still people in here and it's making her dizzy trying to look for people that disappeared without telling her. It was hard to make out at least one of those people but she swore she saw Tsubaki's hair just now but was gone within the crowd.

A cough. A fake cough to be specific.

Sawako looked at him. He stared back. No one talked then, making her think what he was thinking at the moment. Staring at his blue eyes, Sawako could take a hint or two. His eyes were always transparent. He always wore his emotions on his sleeves even when he never said it. Right now, she could pick up one thing that stood out from the rest: Restlessness.

"Can…" He spoke. Sawako regained her focus. "Can we go somewhere else?"

Her brows narrowed. "What about the others?"

"Don't worry."

Huh? She's getting curious. Don't worry, he said. Worry about what exactly? But if it's what Tobio-kun asked of her, she nodded. She decided to cast off her worry about the strange whereabouts of her family and friends, nodding at him.

"Ah. Here." She blushed at the sight of his own. The various colored petals of flowers were wrapped with expertise in an old newspaper and ribbon. "It's for you."

Sawako couldn't stop herself from smiling. It's the first time that Tobio-kun gave her flowers. I want to cry. "Thank you."

Without further ado, he began to walk. Sawako picked up with the pace and followed while clutching onto the bouquet. They managed to squeeze through the crowd, still the absence of a familiar mop of heads bothering her but she's on to what he planned.

Looking ahead, her eyes landed on his back. It's…. also the first time she looked at his back. I think. She doesn't recall not walking by his side. From the moment they met, it was her who walked in the front and they walked side-by-side together.

It's different now when she thinks about it. Sawako may have already seen his back a number of times, his back that was bigger than five years ago but it's the first time that she felt… different. She became anxious and worried. Was it because she graduated just now that she's able to cross off one of her life goals? Was it because he did something for the first time, like giving her flowers? Or was it because they're different from the teenagers too shy to initiate a conversation?

I think I'm really going to cry.

Her heart ached with every step. Walking behind him gave her this idea – a reality check – that she was already behind him. She couldn't see what's ahead but his back.

Sawako has been with him. The distance didn't matter in the first two years of their relationship. They made it work and now they're living together. She had seen him from the rookie genius setter that was very competitive. But right now, he's far from that person. He's still competitive and he still sucks at lying. He was sweeter, softer. He really could be clingy. But even then, she still loves him.

Loving Kageyama Tobio is simple. Sawako just has to accept him for who he is and understand every predicament. She'll support him in any way and will always be available when he needs someone to lean on. She wants to stay by his side, even when he's shining bright.

Oh, she's really catching up to him. Sawako doesn't really want to ride on his fame. She doesn't want to be known as Kageyama Tobio's girlfriend or Kageyama Tobio's high school sweetheart. That's why she worked very hard to reach and graduate on time.

It wasn't easy. A number of times, giving up would cross her mind. But Sawako was serious and everyone was expecting her to come out and be successful and she's pressuring herself to double the effort. She'd wake up early in the morning to eat and study. All of her school work was done with a hundred percent effort and high-quality outputs. Overnights or two-to-three hours of sleep was a big no when she's living with a pro-athlete.

Particularly in her demo-teaching. She's still studying and she has to study for the student's learning. It was mentally exhausting and dealing with children drains her energy most days. But she always made it so that she could even find time to watch before dinner.

All of that not to get left behind. All for her personal gain. All to make a name of herself and she's earning it.

But why? Why is it that she's feeling as if something is out of place? Why was it that she felt inferior just by merely looking at his back? Ah, she wanted him to stop walking ahead and walk by her side instead.

As if hearing her thoughts, he did. Sawako halted, her grip on the bouquet tightening as she waited for what came next. Ah, it's because she can't see his face that makes her anxious about what he's feeling right now.

"What's with that face?"

She looked up.

"Oi, why are you tearing up?"

"Huh?" She blinked. And blinked again. Only then did she realize that she's on the verge of crying. Tears fell at the action and immediately, she reached to wipe them away with her tissue. But… she gave it to Tsubaki earlier. "Oh gosh…" She sniffed.

Sawako heard a sigh. Tobio took something in his pocket and by making her heart soar, he offered her another pocket tissue. "Is everything alright?"

She took it and dabbed it on her cheeks. "Nothing." She told him. "It's just… weird." He raised a brow, making her shake her head. "Just reminiscing, actually, and… well, you're bigger now."

He really is.

Sawako took a step forward. She closed the feet gap between them. Because of the growth spurt he went through, she noticed one thing: She couldn't reach his nose anymore. Now, she's his perfect jaw rest. He was taller now and older that reminded her of her high school graduation. He used to be thin.

"Is that a good thing?"

Sawako smiled. "Of course. I was able to see you mature."

He breathed a sigh of relief. There was a gentle smile on his face, Sawako looked at him with her full attention. "Do you… still want to see me get older?"

She blushed. "Of course." Naturally. She has no intention of leaving his side after all. She raised her brow, silently asking what's with his question. Only for her curiosity and anxiousness to rise when he sighed.

"If I'm a bad liar, you're bad at sneaking, Sawako-san."

Hm?

"I know you knew." Tobio pouted. "I told them not to be obvious but I had a feeling that you knew what's up."

Oh my gosh.

"They suck at disappearing, too."

Hold it. "What?" Mama and the others purposely left them alone?

Another sigh. Gone was the pout that was wiped off from his face. Instantly, his face was calm and cool. Tobio didn't answer her question. Instead, his hand went to the pocket of his coat.

"Sawako-san…. "He began, not letting her see what he got. "No, Sawako…"

She paused breathing.

Slowly, he opened his big hand. Sawako stifled a gasp, jaw slackening at the familiar black box. With her heart racing and ears buzzing with the loudness of her heartbeat, with surprised eyes she looked at her lover. He was blushing very red but calmly looked at her despite the raging happiness.

"I… I know we're both busy. I'm not even sure when's the right time to actually do this but I wanted to assure you." He paused, biting on his lip as he opened the box. "I want to see you get older, too."

Oh my gosh.

"No matter how long it'll take, let's do it at the right time as you see fit."

I want to cry.

"… Sawako… wanna grow old together?"

I love you.

He called her name without honorifics. It made her smile. With each word he uttered, she could feel his sincerity and her heart began jumping in joy. She actually wanted to squeal when he began his speech. Tobio-kun rarely speaks like this as if he's reading some sort of script. Even though he opened the box for her, already knowing what the ring actually looked like as she's the one who chose it in the first place, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. She maintained their eye- contact that when she looked at the silver ring, it immediately made her lips quiver.

Tears sprung, they invaded her vision. His face became glassy and burry they already made their run to her cheeks to her jaw and to the cemented ground. Her nose was starting to get clogged, she started sniffling to breathe. She's feeling on a cloud nine at her heart's desire to burst. She wanted to jump.

The ring is for her. FOR HER. But not just any ring – it's their promise. She had no idea how long this had been in his mind. The only obvious answer to her was Christmas. Maybe, that's when he got the idea, Sawako didn't really know. But it's April now and gosh, it took him almost four months.

Her answer has long been decided. It is profound, deep joy at the man she passionately loves whom she shared her life with, who knows her, and who proposed a lifetime commitment with her. Gone were the days of being a teenager. It's now them who are older, bulkier, more tired, and growing old day by day. They're basically old enough to settle down.

She remembered her own set of news she's yet to tell everyone. She has just recently found out and had her suspicions confirmed that she hasn't told him yet. It's for the future and she's going to spend that now with him.

Sawako grinned with tear-stained cheeks. She answered, "Yes. Of course."

It made him grin and excitedly took out the ring from the box. Although he didn't ask on his knee, standing was very much like him, she had no complaints. She watched him take her left hand and carefully slid the ring on her fourth finger. Seeing the silver ring with an embedded sapphire made her giddy. She giggled and bit her lip from smiling too much. The ring looked good on her and made her heart swell with pride.

Snaking her arms in his shoulders, Sawako brought Tobio down to her level. Their eyes locked, mirroring the gleam of happiness that can be reflected at each other. Adding the cherry on top, she whispered:

"I love you, daddy."

note:

DADDY. Hey, this is a clue what happens next chap.

Btw, HAVE YOU ALL SEEN THE TOHO ANIMATION X BUNBOUGO CAFE?! I SWEAR MY HEART DIED SEEING KAGS' SMIRK, ARMS, LEGS, AND FEET. He's so lovely, I thought I died from too much happiness. I'm in love at him all over again, huhuhu.

I reread the previous chapter and found a lot of typo so, I'm going to fix it once our title defense is over today. TBH, I was very nervous on that chap. My first time writing it in a man's POV so I don't really know how it works aside from hentai (LOL). And, perhaps you noticed but I kind of evaded using the terms directly. I'm still shy! But reading the reviews and assuring myself that I did my best really helped! Thank you so much!

And at long last, one of my favorite chapters is this. Hehe.

aivenir: Sawako pregnant? GUESS WHAT. And thank you very much! 3

bbymojo: bout time I post the long-awaited scene, huh? I'm glad you loved it! Thank you very much for the support.

see you, 070621!