XXIII

**What about us by P!nk. It's best for this chapter.

**Yuki**
Los Angeles was warmer than Japan but it wasn't bad. It was as busy as I remembered the States to be except when I lived here, I stayed in Oregon. We've been here for almost two weeks and everything was slow.

I was looking for a job, Takato started school and Kirito was well Kirito. Being Nomadic but making sure to come home before dinner and only God knows where he was going because he always went to bed early. Takato hated here and the other foreign kids because they asked him a lot of questions about Japan that he snapped at one of the kids.

He couldn't reach his father and he was saddened about it but he still kept a cheery face for my sake. I was so happy to be blessed with such a wonderful boy.

"Mama!" Takato shouted in joy, running into my arms as I hugged him. I patted his head and he giggled before he waved his hands at girl who called his name and climbed into the car.

I entered the car and the driver took off. Takato was smiling brightly making me smile.

"Who is she?" I asked and Takato then blushed a little.

"She's my new friend. Her name is Mickey and she speaks Japanese too. Her mommy is a Japanese while her big mama is an American. I showed her a picture of Kairi and she said my Kairi is very cute. She's in my class and a beta." He explained and I smiled as he told me a lot about his new friend.

"What about papa?" He asked with his eyes hopeful that his father called. I shook my head sadly making him to sigh and lean on the car door.

"How about you and I get ice-cream? We'll buy your favorite flavor, bubblegum with gummy bears." I said placing a smile on his face.

"But you can't buy me forever." I laughed at his joke then agreed with him on his decision.

"We're home." I said as I walked in with Takato who was digging into his ice-cream.

"Hello angel. Any luck?" Kirito asked referring to the job hunt and I shook my head.

"Not quite but then there's this café that wanted a baker no matter their gender but the interview is next week." He nodded and Takato walked up to him, lifted a spoon towards Kirito.

Kirito bent down and opened his mouth before Takato fed him a few spoons. Nights of sleeping on the same bed made Takato to accept him as family just not as someone who wants to be lover my lover.

"Oh yeah, Yuki I almost forgot, I need you to go pick a package for me." I stared at Kirito with my mouth slightly opened before I closed it and nodded.

"Here's the address and don't come back until you receive the package." He added then cleaned his ice-cream stained mouth and carried Takato. "I'll take care of the little menace here."

"Okay. Have fun...I guess." I was about to walk out from their presence when Kirito called my name.

"If you are ever to be put in a position where you have to take off that ring I gave you...promise me that you'll take it off by your choice without a second too late. If you come back wearing that ring, I'll take it that you've given me your answer."

I was confused by what he said but when I wanted to ask him, he changed course and ran away. I sighed at how hopeless and childish he looked with Takato in his hand before I walked out the door, taking the first taxi I came across on the street.


I was expecting a post office when I got here but I saw a park that made me wonder how legal this package was. I sat down on a bench as I leaned my back against the support and stretched my legs out to feel the sun on my skin.

I picked my phone and started scrolling up but paused when I saw Haru's number. It had been so long that we had talked and that during the farewell party. I heaved out, ignoring the person who sat beside me and stared at the clouds.

"It's a beautiful weather today isn't it?" The familiar voice asked as I moaned in agreement.

"It is." I responded and looked at Haru before looking back at the sky. Pause, Haru? I faced Haru who was wearing a shirt, a light cardigan and trousers with a bright smile on his face.

"I've missed you." He said and I quickly stood up as well as he.

"Haru? What are you doing here?" I asked in confusion, feeling my heart beating fast and cheeks hitting up slowly.

"I came to see you Yuki because there's something I came to tell you."

"What did you want to tell me?" He looked nervous but he took a deep breath and held my shoulders gently. His eyes glared into mine, making it difficult for me take mine away from his.

"I love you Yuki. I love you now and I'll love you forever. The biggest mistake I ever made was letting you go because I thought it would make us happy, make you happy but I forgot that happiness is where your heart lies. Yuki you are my life. You and Takato are my life, my family, my first love and my future. Nothing makes sense to me without you in my life Yuki. You may not know not know this but Yuki, you saved me from the darkness I lived, you made me feel so many wonder and painful emotions but it can't be explored without you in my life."

"I always dream where we live together, Takato coming home from college to visit with his lover and then have a nice Christmas dinner with me telling jokes that you'll still laugh no matter how bad it is because I love. Every time I close my eyes, I see that life for us and when I open my eyes, I see a reality that can only be possible with you and Takato." He confessed and held my hands, circling his thumbs on the back of my hand.

I remained silent at his confession. I tried to move back but Haru moved forward, our eyes never leaving each other.

"But your married and Asami is..."

"She's not pregnant at all. We're divorced by her choice because she wanted us to be together. Yuki there's a chance for us but all it takes for it to be possible is just for you to search into your heart and tell me what you feel towards me. Tell me what you were never able to tell all this time." I watched as tears strayed from Haru's eyes as he gripped my hands for comfort.

If you are ever to be put in a position where you have to take off that ring I gave you...promise me that you'll take it off by your choice without a second too late. If you come back wearing that ring, I'll take it that you've given me your answer.

Kirito's words ringed in my ears as I looked at the ring in my finger and then looked at Haru and chuckled. "So that was what he meant." I whispered as I freed my hand from Haru and played with the ring.

I pulled off the ring and placed it on my palm. Haru who was crying stared at the ring before I smiled and pocketed it on my pocket. I rushed into his hands and hugged him so tight, praying this wasn't a dream as I started to tear.

"I love you so much. No matter what mistakes we've made, no matter what happened I love you so much and I'm so glad I met someone like you. I don't regret falling in love with you, I never have and never will. No matter how big or small your world is, I want to be a part of it because just as I'm your sun, your my moon. Just don't ever hurt and leave me alone, promise me you dumbass." I joked before we started laughing and he started to kiss my eyes, cleaning my tears.

I watched as Haru fell on one knee and then brought out a ring from his pocket, grabbing the attention of the passers-by.

"Sorry this is a late, sloppy marriage proposal but Yuki Tomoki, will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?" He asked making me to frown. I could sense the tension in the air even among the audience but Haru was feeling it more.

"Why is everyone in a hurry to put a ring on my finger." I complained with a stoic face and I saw Haru's expression fall before I started laughing so hard.

"You should see your face, it was so funny." I knelt down, took the ring and put it on. I held Haru's face and then kissed him making the people to clap and cheer before I pulled back. "That is your answer." I panted with flushed cheeks before Haru blinked.

Haru jerked me up in his arms from under my ass as he shouted in joy while I helplessly giggled, squealed and laughed in his arms as I held his shoulders as support.

We entered Kirito's house who was playing flash cards with Takato. Takato faced Haru and I who were smiling before he stood up and ran.

"Papa? Papa!" He shouted and jumped into Haru's arms and then Haru started spinning him around. They started a rather fast conversation before Kirito pointed towards his study.

I left them to be bonding and entered his study before Kirito locked it behind me. He walked to the table, pouring a glass of wine into two cups and handed one to me but I shook my head.

"Alcohol thought me the hard way." I explained and the he shrugged.

"I guess more for me." He said before he drank my share and held his glass.

"That's a really nice ring." He complimented as he waved the glass towards my finger.

I felt self conscious remembering that Kirito had feelings for me. "Why did you do it?" I asked as I played with my ring.

Kirito took a sip and dropped the glass on the table. He leaned in the table and folded his hands.

"To be honest with you Yuki, I did it for Shino." He confessed, confusing me from his truth.

"What do you mean?"

"You may not know but Shino loves you more than anyone in this world. Well, after Haru who is clearly whipped. He told me a few years ago that he wanted someone who could make his brother, so I decided to pay a visit, heal your heart. At first, I didn't want you to be with him but I talked with Asami and Haru wasn't as bad as I thought. He was just not in control of his life so that's why for the days we've been here, I was training his mind. I'm glad I did because now Shino can relax because he is my best friend and I want him to move on." He explained and I could see truth in his eyes.

"I'm sorry if I tricked you but I honestly love you. The feeling isn't strong enough for me to fight but it's there and I'm happy. If you want to set me free, then please do it now." He requested and then I sank my hand into my pocket, opening it to reveal the ring he gave me.

I placed the ring on his hand and closed it in his palm. He brought it close to himself before he wrapped it in a cloth and threw it into the dustbin. I gave him a confused expression but he hugged him.

"Better make me your best man." He joked and I laughed along with him.

"You never change."