"Kuroo-san."
A woman of wavy dark hair turned around to give an expectant stare to the person who called her name. It took her a full month to fully adapt to her new last name after getting married to the love and light of her life; messy hair, lopsided grins, and all. Now, six months after being married, she was still adjusting since her classmates and professors started calling her 'Kuroo' instead of 'Kazahana', a name that wasn't so new yet felt right. Kuroo Yukimi flashed a small smile, seeing as one of her classmates started fidgeting with her fingers when the former turned around. The dark-haired girl was just on her way to the library to get started on her readings for the week, her mind occupied with excitement that today was one of those special days marking another step in her relationship.
"Yes, Akita-san?" Yukimi asked with a kind tone, her arms straining from the weight of her textbooks. "Were you going to the library, too? If so, let's go together."
Akita Mio immediately felt her face burn. One of the most amazing medical students at Tokyo University just asked if she wanted to study with her. The short-haired woman remembered how her roommates always talked so highly of the caramel-eyed beauty, how she finally had her life settled at her final year in medical school, knowing that she married a person with a stable job and salary that can support Yukimi in her remaining months of medical school. Realizing that she had been staring at the woman for quite some time, Akita cleared her throat. "I just wanted to say thank you for helping me calm down while doing the practical exam." She scratched the back of her neck before glancing at Yukimi. "So I just wanted to repay you by giving you this essential oil since I bought too many yesterday and figured that it might help you with nausea. You mentioned something about not sleeping well and vomiting yesterday."
At that, Yukimi's eyes widened. It could be that this was because she had a shift in the hospital last night, with her only sleeping for two hours before getting ready for her class. She didn't even come home to warm embraces and lavender-scented candles, instead she tried resting in one of the provided dormitories on the campus. It wasn't her fault that one of the doctors needed assistance from a couple of sixth-year students. Letting out a small sigh, the dark-haired girl tucked her bangs behind her ear, missing her husband by the minute. She then painted a smile on her lips, acknowledging her classmate devoid of exhaustion. "You're welcome, Akita-san, and thank you for the essential oil. I appreciate it so much.
With a wave of goodbye exchanged between the two women, Yukimi went into the changing rooms of the hospital. Changing her scrubs for a pastel yellow cropped blazer and straight skirt that went past her knees, the dark-haired girl made her way towards one of the many libraries in their university. Upon entering the double doors, the blast of the air-conditioners greeted Yukimi, pulling a reminiscent smile on her lips. It was only two years ago that she was inside these walls with her closest friends and boyfriend, trying to absorb the information given by their recorded lectures and textbooks. Now, she was all alone as her black ankle boots led her to her usual spot ー a cozy cushioned chair on the third floor overlooking the entire expanse of bookshelves.
Music whispered in her ear, with the soothing sound of her pen against the screen of her iPad, and suddenly everything felt right for Yukimi. Yes, she missed her friends under the arches of the library but it was inevitable. If this were set two years prior, Yaku would be to her left, muttering formulas, and Tetsurou would be to her right, rubbing her back in circles since her readings just keep piling up. She would sometimes meet up with Bokuto and would just enjoy the free time she will get, sipping bubble tea and talking shit behind Tetsurou's back (this will always result in the messy-haired boy sarcastically pointing out Bokuto's idiotic yet endearing moments just to get back at him). Kenma sometimes visited her all the way from the business department, his girlfriend, Hikari, in tow, bringing along take-outs that they will indulge in.
There were times, however, where she cherished being alone. The constant hum of the air-conditioners in the study hall. The solitude she chose after every exam, basking in the yellow leaves of the ginkgo trees lining the pathways. But in the end, she will always come back to the company of lavender-scented hugs.
It was nearing dark when Yukimi decided that she would continue her readings in the comfort of her home. With arms hugging her textbooks to her chest and her scarf wrapped around her neck, the caramel-eyed girl walked leisurely to the station. As the train dashed past the buildings that glowed like stars, Yukimi let herself be swept in the memoirs that she held dear in her chest.
The past six years were all beautiful in their own ways.
In their third year of high school, Nekoma was finally standing among the many competitors for the nationals. It was the peak of their momentum as volleyball players, knowing that most of them are in doubt about pursuing the sport even after they graduate college. The Battle of the Trash Heap unfolded and proved to be one of the most nerve-wracking games during that season. As much as everybody was saddened by their loss, the members of the Nekoma volleyball club felt a sense of satisfaction in achieving their goal. Yukimi originally thought the match was in their favor but it turns out Karasuno was capable of flying in even greater heights, only for their wings to be cut down by the vines Kamomedai implanted on the court. Everybody was rooting for the underdogs and it was the right decision to do so. That year, a different underdog of a school dominated the nationals, sweeping the crown of victory from Fukurodani.
Their graduation was a bittersweet moment. The remaining members of their clubs lined up in front of the third years, some of them holding back tears. Their spring ended with smiles and glittering teardrops of happiness, making way for the start of spring of the rest of Nekoma's volleyball club.
Their college years were golden. In the first semester of university, Yukimi decided to share an apartment with Tooru (who promised himself that after half a year in Tokyo, claiming that Yukimi doesn't have to be lonely, he will be flying abroad to continue pursuing the sport he loved most in the world). When he went away, the dark-haired girl couldn't help but shed a few tears in the airport since it would take years for her to see her brother again. Tetsurou had to invite her to his shared apartment with Bokuto because it looked like Yukimi needed someone, the latter boy of gray streaks even joined in hugging the dark-haired girl, which made her cry even more. At the start of their third year in college, Bokuto decided that he'll be moving out from Tetsurou's apartment to live with Akaashi, who was also moving out of their university dorms. That was the start of sharing one home for Tetsurou and Yukimi.
A year after her boyfriend graduated and finally earning a job at Japan Volleyball Association, he surprised her with a bought house in Shibuya, following with it a proposal that sent Yukimi in a bawling mess.
Their wedding was oneiric.
It was Yukimi's birthday, the cherry blossoms in full bloom when it happened. The pink petals created a train from the entrance arch towards the altar. Tetsurou said that the date was perfect because it was when everything started, spring in full bloom and hugs that amount to the vastness of the universe. She told him it was cheesy yet there was a bubble of warmth in her stomach when he said those words. That was not the only thing that made her tear up when she was walking down the grassy field with Kiyoko helping her, it was also in the form of a familiar man clad in a black suit, hands combing through his styled brown hair.
"Tooru?"
The said man turned around at the whisper, a soft smile decorating his face. "Kimi-chan."
Yukimi didn't hesitate in pulling up her tulle dress, wrapping her arms around her brother's neck, with his arms immediately seeking refuge around her waist. "I can't believe you're here!"
Pulling away gently from his sister, Tooru brushed his fingers against the side of her face. "I'm here to walk you down the aisle, Kimi-chan." He leaned down to place a tender kiss on Yukimi's forehead. "I took a break for a while, you know, a vacation because I needed it plus I miss home. That and also the fact that I wanted to see my beautiful sister on her special day." His eyes roamed around Yukimi's visage, the woman holding back her tears from falling and ruining her make-up. "You look so heavenly, Kimi-chan, Kuroo-chan is a lucky guy. Or should I call him Tetsu-chan because you'll both be Kuroo's now?"
Her heart was beating loudly in her chest, vaguely feeling the reassuring squeeze Tooru gave on her hand that resting on his arm. The music played and every person in their little train; Hikari, Kiyoko, Yachi, Yukie, Kaori, even little Takeru, all filed out and entered the pink canopy. Minutes before it was her turn, Yukimi briefly closed her eyes, images revolving around her husband-to-be flitting through her mind. That time in their first year of high school; when they scored the same marks in all subjects when their gazes met while she took her camera from her desk, when she asked him if it was alright to take away some workload off him during a group meeting since he was tired from volleyball practice, or when he asked her questions to pass the time since they were partnered during a retreat. He was always there and she never even noticed him until he showed her that she wasn't alone in her orbit. The memories shifted to when they were finally together; all of their firsts, the loving whispers on nights where their breaths mingled and their souls becoming one.
She couldn't ask for anything more.
At the altar, she caught the gaze of Daichi, fulfilling his role as her best man, as he should. They exchanged smiles and Daichi mouthed, 'I'm so happy for you', to which she answered, 'Thank you'. Yukimi's train of thoughts then broke when Tooru gently led her down the aisle ー the sweetest caramel melting under the brightness of golden irises.
Kuroo Tetsurou instantly took her breath away.
Gone was the messy hair and the mischievous expression. The way he looked at her was enough for a tear to roll down her cheek. Tetsurou looked at her like she was the best thing that happened to him. He looked at her like she was meant to save him. He looked at her like he did when he saw his first volleyball. He looked at her like she was everything in the universe combined.
"Hi, beautiful."
"Hi, starlight."
Kuroo Tetsurou never strayed his eyes away from the woman walking down the aisle, all spell-binding in white.
At first, he was nervous to the point that his neat hair became messy from all the tousling he did before stepping on the altar. As he let the music sway him from feeling like he can combust any minute, Tetsurou nearly jumped in his skin when he felt Bokuto poke his back, pointing at the people slowly trickling inside their small venue. After patiently waiting with pursed lips, his eyes widened, feeling his heart stop inside his chest. No matter how many years passed by since the start of their relationship, Tetsurou felt his breath hitch when he realized that at the end of the aisle is and will always be the love of his life. He was at a loss for words every time he looked at Yukimi, but at this very moment, he wasn't sure what to feel from all the swirling emotions making a jumbled mess inside his stomach. Anticipation took over the bundle of nerves clogging up his chest, letting him breathe as he took in the beauty of the woman walking towards him. The prickle of tears started, his breath still shaken, as Tetsurou watched Tooru walking her down the aisle.
Tetsurou got one look at Yukimi, finally a meter away, and tears came rushing down without him controlling them.
It all started with a smile after being declared as two of the brightest students in their school. It continued with unrequited loving glances from across the room. It blossomed one spring day when he wrapped her in one of the tightest hugs he gave a person.
God, how Tetsurou loves her so much.
He could faintly register how the people around the venue chuckled endearingly when Yukimi tenderly placed a hand on his cheek, thumb catching a tear and a smile so full of love and adoration for him that he couldn't help but lean to her touch. Not even a few minutes into the ceremony and Tetsurou was on the verge of crying. He wasn't that emotional when he was a kid but spending enough time with the men seated at the front (Taketora was full-on crying while being comforted by the then first-years of their club, Kai and Yaku had tissues in their hands, Kenma even had a smile on while he stared at two of the most important people in his life, and Lev was gushing about Yukimi's beauty alongside Fukunaga and Alisa), it definitely made him soft through the years. The whole time the priest droned on, Tetsurou's stare remained only on Yukimi, still convinced that everything that was happening at the moment was a fever dream and the woman was still asleep beside him when he wakes up in their house.
But everything was real. It was unfolding in front of his eyes ー how he was finally marrying the woman of his dreams. He felt like the happiest man on the planet.
"Tetsurou, you made me believe in love, magic, myself, and the universe. I wish I could form coherent words that explain how much I love you but I know they are not enough. The way you make me feel transcends a tornado of butterflies and tingly stomach knots that are common to others ー with you, it is the blurring of my soul, connecting it with yours in the purest way possible. Love is a much too soft and over-used term to ever describe the infinite and divine emotions that I enclose in my heart for you. You are the best thing that's happened in my life, Tetsurou. You are so kind. You are silly and smart at the same time. Your laugh is contagious and I always find myself staring at you because you look so happy while doing that. So today, I vow to make life worth living for you, to always hold you with warmth and tenderness, to dream with you, and to walk with you through whatever life has in store for us. I promise to always welcome you home after a tiring day, to love you unconditionally without bounds, and to live within your heart and never leave until my last breath."
"How can I ever top that, Hana?" A shaky breath. "Some might say that we were too young when we announced that we were in love back in high school, but look at us now. If there was one thing that I regret when it comes to you, it was never having the courage to talk to you back in our first year. I would have done so many things to make you feel like you're the most special person on the planet and that you deserve all the happiness. But you are just so amazing, so radiant that I think I'm about to be burned whenever I come close to you. You are a hundred suns and moons combined, one look at you and I feel so warm yet I have this sudden urge to gaze on you with all the love I can muster. On this day, six years ago, was when our fates became connected — a day that I was looking forward to back when I was fifteen. The way we love each other can rival the stars, even the cosmos. The way you go off to do the things you love the most with every fiber of your being is so beautiful. I promise to always hold you to my chest, close to my heart when you have a bad day. I will always listen to you and love you like I did back when we were teenagers.
"I promise ... to always be your home."
"I'm home," Yukimi called out once she entered their house, taking off her boots in the genkan and hanging her scarf on one of the hooks in the wall. The lights were down low yet there was a savory smell emanating from the kitchen that made the woman curious. "Tetsu?"
Padded footsteps made their way to the living room where Yukimi was now unbuttoning her cropped blazer, a black bralette decorating her chest once she took off the jacket. After placing her textbooks on the low table and her bag on the couch, she was immediately wrapped in an embrace, the smell of lavender tickling her nose. A firm chest pressed against her back, a deep voice humming right by her ear, and a nose nuzzling her neck.
"Welcome home, Hana. I miss you."
Yukimi turned around, wrapping her arms around Tetsurou's neck. The messy-haired softly gazed at her before ducking down to plant kisses on her collarbone and neck. "I miss you," she breathed, placing a hand on Tetsurou's jaw, pulling him to meet her lips with his. Pulling away with his eyes still dazed from the kiss, she took in his white button-up and slacks. "You just came back from work?"
Tetsurou smiled, placing his forehead against his wife, noses brushing each other as he swayed her to an imaginary tune. "Nah, I'm home for about an hour or so. I was preparing dinner the moment I came back and I just finished putting the food on the dishes when you shouted that you're home. Sleeping without you last night has taken a toll on me."
"I'm sure you managed." Yukimi gently took Tetsurou's hands from her waist, turning around to make her way to the stairs. "I'll just go and take a bath before dinner." Sensing the pout of her husband, she glanced back at him with a smile. "You want to join?"
The grin on Tetsurou's face said it all as he swooped down and carried Yukimi up the stairs towards the bathroom.
"How was your day?" Tetsurou asked in a mouthful of tempura, glancing at his wife sitting on the adjacent chair of their small dining table. There a thick textbook situated beside Yukimi's plate, her face adorably scrunched as she read through the paragraph while pushing up her reading glasses on the bridge of her nose. The dark-haired girl looked up with her bottom lip jutting out a little bit, making Tetsurou laugh while reaching out to wipe a grain of rice at the corner of her lips. "I hope you didn't overwork yourself in your shift."
"My day was fairly alright, we're doing clinical practice the whole morning and some lectures in the afternoon. I had to start on the readings since we have some exams coming up," Yukimi replied before playfully narrowing her eyes. "I should be the one saying that you shouldn't overwork. I know how hard you're working in lowering the net and I'm just guilty that I'm spending less time home."
"No, don't say that, Hana. Yes, I miss you when you have calls from your university hospital but I'm also happy that you're doing so great at the things you love. Being in your field is hard but I'll be with you every step of the way. And after your residency, I will be screaming at the rooftop of our office that my wife just became a doctor and that I'm proud of her." Tetsurou leaned forward, kissing Yukimi on the nose. "So please don't ever say that you spending time more in your university is something that takes away your time with me. I'm always here, Hana, I'm not going anywhere."
"Why do you always find the right words to say?"
Tetsurou grinned handsomely. "Because," he paused to brush his lips against Yukimi's, "I love and am in love with you."
"I'm so lucky to have you," the caramel-eyed woman murmured, making Tetsurou's smile widen.
"And that means I'm the luckiest man in the world because of you."
Going back to their dinner, Yukimi eyed her husband, slightly concerned that he opted in not wearing a shirt while winter was starting to say its greetings. As much as she admired Tetsurou's toned body that was a product of years playing volleyball and going to gyms, Yukimi was becoming worried since colds and the flu have been becoming rampant in their part of the city. "Tetsu, aren't you cold?"
The messy-haired man looked up from mixing his fried rice with more onions. At the question, his gaze instantly went to his wife's oversized pajama top. "What can I say, my clothes always look better on you than on me." With a softened gaze, he stared at Yukimi, cheeks flushed at the compliment and hair tied in a messy bun on her head. Kuroo Yukimi (he is still flustered to this day when he thinks about putting his last name with Yukimi) is a beautiful woman, continuing to become even more ethereal year after year, but there was something about her at the moment that made her look like she was glowing. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but his heart was racing when she flashed a shy smile before going back to her food. "Hey, Hana, did you do your skincare routine without me noticing? I mean, it's pretty impossible because we're inside the bathroom together but your skin is glowing."
Yukimi flinched, looking at anywhere except him. His curiosity was piqued when she stood up and made her way to the couch, rummaging through her bag and returning with something behind her back. Was it a new product she wanted to try with him? Tetsurou had no idea but he knows that it was making Yukimi nervous so he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her until she sat on his lap. Looking up at her, he ran a hand through her hair until Yukimi whispered, "I know we still didn't discuss this but ..."
"Hey, what's the matter? You can always tell me, right?"
Not replying, Yukimi handed an envelope to him. Glancing at his wife, Tetsurou felt his heart pound with anticipation as he took the envelope from her hands. He gingerly opened the flap, his other arm still wrapped around Yukimi. What he saw on the photograph made him gasp, looking up again at Yukimi, who was looking at him worriedly. "You're ...?" A nod was all he needs for his heart to nearly burst out of his chest. "I'm going to be a dad." He wrapped both arms around Yukimi who was holding back her tears. Kisses were then showered all over Yukimi's face, their laughs coloring their house in a wonderful song. "Hana, thank you, thank you. Fuck, I love you so much. We're going to be parents."
The dark-haired woman nodded with a large smile. "We're going to be parents."
"You're going to be a mom. I'm going to be a dad."
Yukimi laughed, taking her husband's face in her palms. Kissing his forehead while he was still gushing about their baby that's the size of a small seed, Yukimi lovingly ran her eyes on Tetsurou's excited visage. "Yeah, they're still small though."
Tetsurou dropped his gaze on Yukimi's stomach. Tenderly touching her nonexistent baby bump, he dropped his voice in a whisper. "How far along are you?"
"Six weeks."
"So that's why you've been vomiting lately. I thought it was just my cooking."
The messy-haired man then perked up. "I have to tell Kenma." He stood up with Yukimi in his arms, dropping her gently on the couch when they reached the living room. He ran towards the kitchen and picked up his phone, pressing a few numbers while he was pacing in front of the caramel-eyed woman. Yukimi could only look at her exhilarated husband, constantly running his hands through his hair with a giddy grin on his face. At the sound of Kenma picking up, Tetsurou stopped pacing. "Kenma, guess what!"
"Stop shouting, Kuro, and I'm not guessing what that is because I don't know. And you're interrupting something right now."
"Interruptingー?" He didn't notice that his childhood friend also had his naked torso on display until a messy-haired Hikari came into the frame, asking who was calling her boyfriend and why was it so loud. Tetsurou full-on cackled. "Hello, Hikari-chan. Having fun, are we, Kenma?"
"Shut up, as if you don't do that with Yukimi-san. Here, 'Kari, lean on me because this rooster-haired idiot just had to disturb our evening nap."
An evil smile pulled on Tetsurou's lips. "Evening nap, huh? Didn't know that was another thing for seー"
"Shut it, Kuro. Now, why are you calling? And if you say 'guess what' again, I'll be ending this call."
"Okay, okay, geez. I'm sorry for disturbing your sex life," Kenma glared at him, "but Hana's pregnant!"
"That's amazing, Kuroo-san," Hikari's voice chirped from Tetsurou's phone. "Congratulations to you and Yukimi-san!"
"Why are you looking at me like that, 'Kari? Okay, I'm going to say it. Congrats, Kuro, and especially to Yukimi-san. Happy now, 'Kari?"
Tetsurou's devilish grin turned even more mischievous when Hikari kissed Kenma on the cheek, his long-haired best friend turning soft the next second. "I'll leave you two lovebirds. I'm going to call Bokuto, Yakkun, and Kai next. Bye, you can continue making love to Hikari-chan, Kenma." He ended the call right when he heard the two-toned boy starting an outburst with red cheeks, Tetsurou chuckling at the image. His eyes met with Yukimi, who was staring at him with a smile, the two of them feeling the butterflies fluttering, gazes overflowing with how deeply they love each other.
They made it.
It was like the Fates aligned everything to make it that way.
There, the lone planet of windflowers looked at her Sun that was exuding with cheerfulness, creating an entire universe of their own ー and the existing galaxies could never compare with how brightly they burned for each other.
FIN.
THE WHOLE TIME I WAS WRITING THIS, I WAS CRYING. AFTER A YEAR OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS TRYING TO FABRICATE EACH CHAPTER, WE FINALLY REACHED THE END OF PLUTO.
I KNOW SOME OF YOU MIGHT SAY THAT THIS ENDING IS RUSHED, THAT'S PARTIALLY TRUE, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT THE STORY SHOULD'VE ENDED WITH CHAPTER 36 OR 37. BUT I LOVE KUROO AND YUKIMI SO MUCH THAT I JUST HAD TO CONTINUE WRITING ABOUT THEM. THIS HAD BEEN A WILD RIDE OF EMOTIONS EVEN ON MY PART AND I COULDN'T THANK EACH ONE OF YOU ENOUGH FOR GIVING THIS FIC LOVE AND ATTENTION.
DON'T WORRY, I WILL STILL BE POSTING BONUS CHAPTERS BECAUSE I LOVE THIS COUPLE SO MUCH TO LET IT GO.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH ME.
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH !! 🧡
— A.