25

The engagement promise party was grand- held in the most prestigious hotel, the Twin Sky Towers, at the very top floor. Many had come to congratulate the Ushijimas for their lucky son. Although Ushijima Wakatoshi wasn't truly interested in this at all, his mind was dedicated for the upcoming Nationals in the next month.

His eyes wandered to his mother dressed in a beautiful, violet kimono arrayed with white lily patterns. It accented her purple eyes, making her look ten years youngers. She was busy talking with the father of his betrothed who wore the yukata in bright red.

Unlike them, he was wearing a suit. Just to differentiate the bride and the groom. It was black and white, formal and clean- like how his mother wanted. He sighed just remembering his grandmother and grandfather doting on him throughout the ride to the hotel.

He wondered how it became this way. He had nothing to worry about- everything was destined for him in the grandest way possible. He went to the most prestigious and best volleyball club in Sendai. He is one of the top students at Shiratorizawa. And he was going to be married to a daughter of a CEO.

Nothing should be wrong. But it was. She was the unknown puzzle that entered his life and made him go through the most wonderful ride. All the plans for his future just crumbled to pieces when she became an important part of his life. He learned to enjoy the time he had with his friends. He learned to be aware that he was not strongest alone.

Hayato, Eita, Reon, Jin, Hoshi, even Satori, made him realize that. And he was glad to be the same year as them. He was going to be the Ace his father told him about. He didn't care how many years it would take.

"Ushijima-kun…excuse me, Ushijima-kun?" His thoughts were cut off at the sound of a masculine voice. It was kind, but he didn't know whether to trust it just of yet. He looked down and saw the CEO and his mother.

She was smiling, though he knew she was glaring daggers at him.

"I'm sorry. I was a bit preoccupied." He bowed his head.

The man smiled, extending his right hand. "Oh, no worries, Ushijima-kun! I'm just glad that a strong boy like you will be my daughter's husband. I have great expectations from you."

Ushijima nodded, shaking the hand. "There is no need to worry, Sir, I will take great care of her." He blinked feeling the shake in the man's hand and looked straight into the CEO's eyes. But they were closed.

His mother giggled. "Oh, I'm happy that you two are faring well. It would be wonderful that you will be the father figure for my Wakatoshi." He didn't hesitate to send a glare at his mother's direction. "By the way, when is your daughter coming?"

The man coughed. "Well, she's been extremely nervous for the meeting actually. I just hope you wouldn't judge her too harshly." He was the one looking nervous, eyes darting to the ground. Ushijima narrowed his eyes, but shook it off.

No matter what- the promise must go off without a hitch. Either that, or volleyball goes. He glanced at his mother who continued to chat as if his life didn't hang on the balance.

"Why would we? My mother was extremely pleased with your daughter. And she's very hard to please." Ushijima could agree to that- it took two more years for his grandmother to be accustomed to his left handedness.

The man then flinched as if realizing something. "Oh dear, I didn't even introduce myself to the young man here." Ushijima blinked, realizing the same thing. He was that deep in though huh. The man extended his hand again. "My name is Eichuuro Yoshi…"

His introduction was cut off by an announcement. "The appetizers have now been served. Please return to your tables for beginning of our lunch array."

The man sighed, putting down his hand. "We should save introductions until after the lunch array." He smiled. "Next time we meet, I will introduce you to my daughter."

Ushijima bowed. "It was a pleasure, Sir Yoshi."

Since his bride to be had yet to arrive, the table meant for two only hosted him. He sighed. He could hear the whispers, rumors spiraling already. Though he didn't really care about it, his mother did. And he didn't want his mother to worry about this.

But it didn't stop him for paying special attention to the whispers.

"The bride has yet to arrive, no?"

"Most likely run away. Tch, I feel bad for the boy- he's a power all on his own. I heard Japan's scouting him for the under-19 team."

"My daughter would suit better for him, I believe. She's also an athlete, but a tennis player..."

"It's embarrassing for the CEO to be here and not the bride for the engagement promise, noh? It should have been Shoda's daughter."

Ushijima picked at his food, already losing his appetite. He preferred being at the gym all day practicing than be here honestly. But this was for his mother's sake.

It was two entrees later when a loud gasp resounded the room to a still silence. All eyes immediately glanced over to the open double doors where a woman stood in a white kimono, arrayed with a pattern of roses.

"Is that her…?"

"No, that's the mother. She should be wearing a dress, not a kimono."

Ushijima immediately stood up, but never glanced at his bride to be. He knew what she would be wearing. It would be black or white, just to match his suit. He would learn to love his bride- just as he had loved her. Though he knew how difficult it would be.

He was glancing at his mother when a whirl of confusion hit him. His mother looked outraged. Shouldn't she be pleased? He was doing what she wanted him to do- even at the cost of his own heart.

The sudden gasp caused a new kind of stillness in the air. It sent his stomach to flop and his heart to accelerate. Just like volleyball, except it wasn't. In his vision, it all went slow motion. The people around him slowly disappeared as his head looked at his bride to be.

His own jaw dropped and his eyes widened in disbelief. The blush was unstoppable as it spread from the tip of his nose to the edge of his cheeks.

Her face matched his, but soon her lips stretched to an uncontrollable smile. And her eyes shined to a brighter color, maybe just like his own. Because he felt it.

"Wakatoshi…" She giggled. "…If I knew it was you, I would have come earlier…" The tears were clear, crystal and he didn't want her to cry.

He didn't hesitate to reach out and pull her into his arms. "This time, I'm not letting you go." He embraced her small body and let out a relieving sigh.

And he didn't care that there were people. Cause for now, it was just him and his bride to be.