Of Cats and Crows (Sugawara Koushi)

Fast Forward

The University years flew by. Graduation was incredibly bittersweet. Mitsumi and Suga knew this would be the last time their small high school crew would be together. They would all be parting on their own paths. Excitement raged as Bokuto signed a contract with the MSBY Black Jackals down in Osaka. Mitsumi signed on with the Hikari Pharmaceutical Red Rockets and signed another contract with the JNT. This time she had a shot at the Olympics. Suga got a job as a kindergarten teacher at the school he completed his student teaching. And Kuroo, that lucky cat got a cushy position in the V. League Marketing Department. Albeit as a paid intern. His new boss, the one and only Matsuki Hikari.

Everyone was currently partying it up after Mitsumi's senior recital. She had gotten permission to have it after graduation so Sugawara's family could attend. It was a grand affair in the gym. There was dancing and some intense karaoke. She was with some of her closest friends and family members. Watanabe was kind enough to enlist the help of her assistant managers to decorate for the occasion. The party was supposed to be a celebration for all of the graduates. But there were definitely a few ulterior motives.

The music slowed down all of the sudden. Mitsumi tapped her foot to the beat of the familiar jazz standard. She was still in her maroon performance gown. Her brown hair was neatly curled and styled so that it was half-up-half-down. It was one of the rare occasions where she went all out with her makeup. Sugawara couldn't stop staring at her. Kuroo and Bokuto had to give his oogling heart eyes a haggle. Mitsumi chuckled watching her friends slap Suga on the back as if they were ushering them over. 

What was this? A high school dance? Mitsumi was grateful she still had that kind of effect on her dreamy man. 

Megumi looked over at Ryu, Suga's brother who was about her age. "Ryu, he said this is the cue right?" She said putting her camera on around her neck. Megumi started taking photos seriously once she graduated from high school. The youngest of the Mitsumi clan was a freshman in college at Tokyo Geida. Somehow, the girl had made it into Japan's only public Art Institution. And she was also interning with Volleyball Monthly on top of managing her own photography business.

Ryu nodded, "Yeah, this is the song." He was currently studying to become a museum curator at Sendai University. His older brother was lucky that he was able to come down for graduation.

Suga teetered over to where his girlfriend had been resting and set the drink in his hand on the table and held his arm out to her. "May I have this dance?"

She stood up in an instant, "You still think I'm going to say no?" Mitsumi took his hand. They swayed to the sweet melody of Fly Me to the Moon. The smooth voice of Frank Sinatra eased them into a light swing step. She noticed his tense posture and furrowed her eyebrows in concern, "Got something on your mind?" 

Suga tightened his grip on her waist. "Just thinking about how we are graduating." He laughed off the growing anxiety that was wadding up in his stomach. "It's kind of crazy how fast these last four years went by."

"Mhmm." Mitsumi rested her head on his chest as they danced.  "The future finally made it."

"You know, Chie, we talk about the future a lot." Suga's honey eyes locked onto her emerald ones as he loosened his hold on her and pulled away. The future had been a topic they had been stuck on a lot recently. Now that they were both considered TokyoU alumni, there was still a lot ahead of them. 

Mitsumi giggled, "I guess we do." She continued to sway to the beat of the music with him. "It isn't a bad thing, you know."

He shook his head, "It really isn't. Especially when I know you're in it." Suga smiled warmly and took his hand off her waist. He reached into his suit coat for a small black velvet box. "Will you come fly with me to the moon after dominating the world and marry me?" He dropped to one knee and opened the box. His use of the titles of her two favorite Frank Sinatra hits made her giggle.

The moment his words hit, her face turned redder than her dress at that moment. The music came to a smooth stop and all eyes were on them. Mitsumi nodded her head rapidly, "Yes! Koushi, of course!" She let him slide the ring on her finger. It was similar to the promise ring he had given her for Christmas years ago. It was a simple silver band with flowers engraved into the metal. A diamond sat in the center.

He yanked her into a kiss as everyone clapped and cheered. Megumi's finger never left the shutter button. Kuroo, Bokuto, and Ryu practically tackled the couple after things calmed down a bit. The two sappy lovebirds were finally going to get married. 

"Bro! You didn't tell us about this!" Bokuto was tearing up. "I'm so happy for you two!" It was more like Suga avoided telling Bokuto so he didn't spill the beans. Kuroo knew about it only because Suga had been threatened that the middle blocker would stop the proposal if it wasn't good enough. Funny enough, Suga took Daichi ring shopping with him. His childhood friend really came in clutch from time to time. It was a shame that he was going back to Miyagi really soon. It was nice having him close by during college. He could at least trust someone without feeling pestered by unruly behavior.

Mitsumi crumbled in the three-inch heels she was wearing. She attempted not to fall forwards but gravity dictated otherwise.  "Guys! I can't breathe!"

Ryu was the first to let go. "Sorry, Chie! But Bokuto was crushing me."

"Aw come on. I'm happy for you guys." He grinned.

Kuroo threw his arms around their shoulders. "You two were serious about waiting until graduation. And had EVERYONE on a crazy cliffhanger until now." He sighed and shook his head and smacked their backs, "Congrats you guys."

Dr. Tanaguchi was standing in the corner all teary-eyed. She dabbed a tissue to her eyes. This was one relationship she was waiting to set sail fully for years. Coach Yamata was even feeling a tad teary.

Megumi finally appeared with Kaori, Kimi, and their parents. "Oi, don't think you can escape me."

Saki had made it from the train station just in time for the proposal. She had been hiding behind the table of food until the song turned on. "Or me!"

"Or me!" Kaori and Kimi called out. They both played on the TokyoU women's team. Kimi was in her first season training under Mitsumi as the new starting libero. Coach Yamata was glad that he had someone with a lot of similar skill sets as Mitsumi. And Kaori was in her second season as the team's opposite hitter.

"You three knew about this! Punks." Mitsumi gave them all hugs. "Megumi, you better have gotten good pictures." She said to her sister.

Suga was laughing, "Give her a break. I told her to document it all." He wrapped his arms around her again.

Everyone laughed and went back to partying as the music returned. Once Mitsumi was released from the confines of her best friend's arms, she grinned the largest grin of her life. The next chapter would be one of excitement for sure.