This Side of Paradise - Tsukishima Kei x OC

Chapter 33: Her Return

Chapter 33:

"Rawr! I'm gonna eat ya!" Yamaguchi beamed as he tickled Hana's stomach. She squealed with glee, clearly enjoying herself, as her adorable laughter echoed throughout the living room.

Kei took the day off work in order to watch Mizuki's first match back since her maternity leave on TV. He would've loved to drive down to Tokyo with his daughter to watch it live but unfortunately, they were advised by the government to stay at home due to the harsh, rainy weather conditions. He settled on watching the game with Yamaguchi, however, word spread about their plans, and now, Yachi, Kogane, Kunimi, Kindaichi, Goshiki, Kyotani, Tanaka, and a few others were on their way to his house with snacks and drinks.

"I can't believe you told Tanaka-san about this..." Kei muttered as he turned on the TV, "He's practically invited the whole neighborhood."

"I didn't know that this was a secret viewing party!" Yamaguchi chuckled, strolling to the sofa with Hana in his arms, "Has Hana met all of them yet?"

"She knows Tanaka-san and Yachi, of course..." Kei pursed his lips together thoughtfully, "As for everyone else, I think she's met them all once before, but she probably doesn't remember them."

"She only remembers me, doesn't she?" Yamaguchi grinned, "You only love me, right, Hana-chan?"

Hana squished Yamaguchi's cheeks as she babbled excitedly.

"By the way, how's you and Suzuki-san?" Kei asked curiously.

Yamaguchi blushed deeply at his best friend's question. He had been in a relationship with Suzuki Mina - Rina's twin - for a few years now, and as much as he wanted her to stay in Miyagi, her work was located in Tokyo, just like Mizuki's. Kei and Yamaguchi bonded over the fact that both of their loved ones were often far away from them.

"We've been good..." He chuckled lightly, "Actually... I've been thinking about something a lot lately..."

"What?" Kei raised an eyebrow.

"Dada... Dada..." Hana repeated, reaching her arms out for him.

Kei took his daughter from Yamaguchi and almost instantly, she snuggled against him. He caressed her back soothingly as he waited for his best friend to continue.

"I love Mina..." Yamaguchi smiled, his eyes shining with affection, "Tsukki, I think... No... I know..."

"Know what?"

"I know that she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with..." He revealed, "I want to marry her."

Kei's eyes widened in surprise, and after a few seconds, he let out a small laugh.

"What?" Yamaguchi chuckled.

"It's about time..." Kei smirked, "You've had a crush on her since we were first-years in high school, and then after high school, you waited for her to come back from America after four years of university... If she hadn't kissed you at the airport that day, I wonder if you two would've started dating at all..."

Yamaguchi rolled his eyes and smiled, "The best things in life are worth waiting for, Tsukki."

"Well, anyway..." Kei murmured, "I'm happy for you, Yamaguchi. You two are perfect for each other."

"Thank you..." He smiled tenderly, "That means a lot... Also..."

"What?"

"Will you be my best man... at the wedding?" Yamaguchi asked nervously, a bit flustered by his own question.

"Idiot... Of course, I will..." Kei mumbled, his face reddening slightly, "I'd be offended if you choose Hinata or someone else to be your best man."