barking at the moon [tendou satori]

epilogue

OKA SHOVED THE pictures deep down inside her keep box and tried not to bring up memories of her lost love. She had gone through her entire third year regretting every choice.

Some nights it was the choice to be so in love with Tendou, sometimes it was the fact she hadn't ever checked she had his number.

Oka had tried so hard to find his number but it was near impossible. She had tried every transfer from Shiratorizawa but they all gave her weird looks. One day she even debated emailing the school for his contact information but decided that would be too crazy.

But through it all she would never give up. Her parents noticed this and had eventually taken away her phone and computer, forcing her to practice later and later until she fell asleep in the school gym. Perhaps they were a little hard on her but Oka had finally refocused on what they wanted.

Oka shook her head. Now was not the time to think about her parents abuse. She slid the lid on her final box and carried it out to her father's car. He proudly smiled at her, but she ignored it in favor of slamming the trunk shut and climbing into shotgun.

The ride to her university was silent, her father wisely staying shut. Oka had chosen this college years ago, back when volleyball was her only love. But now, she just hummed when people congratulated her on her choice. It wasn't enough to replace Tendou, she wished she could say.

When they stopped at the gates she saw loads of students milling in through the gates. None of them had stark red hair or big bug eyes.

She still found herself hoping even though the whole year. She slammed the passenger door shut, keeping her head down until she looked up to see the school crest.

She let a heavy sigh escape her lips before turning around to help her father with her suitcases.

"Oka!"

She looked around, seeing if anyone was looking at her. But people continued walking around her. She hesitatingly took a step towards her father.

"Katano Oka! Stop!"

She whirled around, desperately trying to locate this person. She did stop, her feet planting themselves firmly to the cement. Her heart picked up pace like an out of tune snare.

Finally, someone broke free from the ranks of students pouring into the gates. Someone with red hair and bug eyes.

A gasp tore itself out from Oka and she stumbled forward like a drunk idiot. A gasping sob escaped her throat, like the ones that escaped her when she holed herself up in that empty bathroom.

Tendou sprinted for her, arms spreading open and she laughed hoarsely, running straight for him. They collided, collapsing straight to the ground in an awkward pile. But they couldn't care less, hands grabbing everywhere they could as she clung into him.

She could hear him breathing, crying the same as her. She laughed as she finally settled in his lap, hugging his toros and hiding her head in his neck right above his collarbone.

"Oka, love, I found you."