WILDFLOWER [Ryunosuke Tanaka x OC]

Epilogue 1 - The Return

❀

"I'm so glad we both got today off, babe!"

Wearing Karasuno's signature colors of orange and black, Ryu draped his arm around Kano's shoulders as they walked into the big fancy gym side-by-side. Somehow, they found themselves at the Miyagi qualifying rounds for the spring interhigh tournament yet again; at their qualifying rounds last year, Kano kicked Ushiwaka in the nuts and busted her hand. They hoped to have a much less eventful day this time around.

Ryu's heart raced like he was about to get on the court himself... but he was merely an observer today, not a player. The thought alone was both heartbreaking and strangely peaceful.

Shoving his conflicting feelings to the side, he pulled Kano close and pressed a kiss to her temple, so glad she could make it to share this day with him; between their jobs and classes and schoolwork, Kano and Ryu hadn't been seeing much of each other lately, despite living in the same apartment together. But that morning they woke up early, took the train to town, and went out to breakfast, taking the time to enjoy each other's company for the first time in a while.

"I am too, babe," Kano answered smoothly, leaning her head against Ryu's shoulder. More than anything, she was looking forward to the rest of her day off with her favorite person, completely free from responsibility and homework. They were going to watch some amazing games and support their teammates and—

"THINK FAST!"

Kano had less than a second to untangle her fingers from Ryu's before a blur streaked past, tackling her boyfriend to the ground. When the dust settled, Nishinoya sat on Ryu's chest, beaming. "You're old and slow now," he said matter-of-factly.

"Well you're still a butt weasel, so who's really losing here?" Ryu laughed.

"Touché!"

The two of them laughed as Noya helped Ryu up and they hugged. "Good to see you, man," Ryu said, trying and failing to wrap Noya in a headlock to give him a noogie.

"I've missed you, dorkwad," Noya said, writhing out of Ryu's reach. "Ready for the game?"

Sighing, Kano intervened. "Nerds, talk on the way," Kano said, tugging them along by the ears and eliciting yelps from both of them. "Reika's saving us seats and people are giving her nasty looks. We've got to get moving."

"Babe, it's so hot when you take charge like—"

"Save it for the bedroom, Ace."

"Yes ma'am."

❀

The trio managed to make it to their seats without any further issue, finding Reika easily in the Karasuno stands. "You made it!" she beamed, standing to hug Kano. Her hair was pastel pink now, and she seemed happy.

Kano hugged her best friend and squeezed tightly. "Pink is definitely your color."

"Thanks, I think so too," Reika beamed, giving her hair a little flick. "Impulse control has never been my forte."

"Ignoring your problems is your forte," Kano reminded her jokingly.

Reika pursed her lips, scrunching up her nose. "Guilty."

"You can tell me all about whatever you're ignoring during the game." Kano said, sitting beside Ryu. Kano wedged her canvas tote between her legs to hold it up. "Who are we playing first?"

Reika waved to Ryu and Nishinoya. "Nekoma. They—"

Noya leaned forward in his seat. "What'd ya bring?"