You Did it Sumire!

Fiancé

"WHAT?!" Suna-san and Sumire both exclaimed, drawing curious glances from passersby.

"Could you please quiet down?" Kita-san said calmly.

"How can we be calm about this? Since when do you have a fiancée?" Suna-san demanded.

"Since before starting college," Kita-san replied.

"Why didn't you tell us? Do our high school friends know?" Suna-san continued.

"No one knows, except for Aran," Kita-san admitted.

"Wow, Kita-san! I mean, who would have thought you'd have a fiancée? I mean, you can have one, but like, agh, you know what I mean," Suna-san said, clearly flustered.

"You're asking all the wrong questions, Suna-san," Sumire interjected. "Kita-san, congratulations! I'm so happy for you."

"I'm not, though," Kita-san said, looking down. Both his friends exchanged worried glances. Sumire sat next to him while Suna-san crouched in front of him.

"Kita-san, we're here for you if you want to talk," Sumire said gently.

"I... don't know. I'll think about it. Thank you, both of you," Kita-san replied with a small smile.

"Okay, anyway, is this fiancée of yours someone I know?" Suna-san asked.

"I'm not sure, maybe. She used to go to Nawaki High School and now works as a teacher there," Kita-san explained.

"Ah, that's near Inarizaki," Suna-san remarked.

"Yeah, she lived in the same neighborhood as me for as long as I can remember," Kita-san added.

"Oh, do you have a picture?" Suna-san inquired.

"No, I didn't even have her number until today when my grandmother told me she wanted to join my welcome party to get to know my friends and team," Kita-san said.

"Oh, so it's kind of an arranged marriage then," Suna-san noted.

"Yeah, it is, but it's not forced. I could have said no, but my grandmother seems to like her, and she actually is polite and nice, so I thought it was fine," Kita-san explained.

"Okay, when is the wedding scheduled?" Sumire asked.

"Not until after my graduation," Kita-san replied.

"You have plenty of time to get to know her. Don't worry, Kita-san. It will be alright," Sumire assured him. "Can you tell me her name? Since she'll be my roommate for the next two days, thankfully I have an extra bedding."

"So, this means you're okay with accommodating her? I thought you had a problem with people in your space?" Kita-san asked, surprised.

"I do, but since she's your fiancée, she's an exception. I'll need to leave early to buy groceries, though," Sumire said.

"I'll help you out. Is it okay if I leave early from practice?" Kita-san asked Suna-san.

"Yeah, I'll inform the coach," Suna-san replied.

"Thank you," Kita-san said, pausing before continuing, "Her name is Sato Himari. She's the same age as me, a little extroverted, but she's kind and adaptable. She won't be a problem, Yamashita-san."

"That's a beautiful name," Sumire said, smiling. "Don't be so tense, Kita-san. Sato-san must be very nervous about meeting her fiancée too."

Suna-san nodded while Kita-san just shrugged. Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break. The three started heading towards the gym when Suna-san suddenly stopped.

"Kita-san, I forgot to tell you, but Atsumu is coming to tomorrow's party. You should tell him about your fiancée; otherwise, you know how dramatic he can be," Suna-san said.

"Ah, thank you, Suna-kun, for the heads up," Kita-san replied.

The three continued their walk to the gym where the guys practiced while Sumire helped with setting up the net, handling the volleyballs, and filling the water bottles. She then sat down to do her homework. At 4 p.m., Sumire and Kita-san said their goodbyes to the team and went to buy groceries. Sumire decided to cook curry with some sushi, as it was Sato-san's favorite.

"Kita-san, you do know Sato-san's favorite food and her allergies. Are you sure you don't know her well?" Sumire teasingly asked Kita-san. The atmosphere suddenly changed; Kita-san became silent. Sumire wondered what she had said wrong and what she should say next. They walked in awkward silence for about three minutes before Kita-san broke it.

"I've known her all my life," Kita-san sighed. "She was my playmate and friend in elementary school. She used to come to my house quite often too. In middle school, we somehow drifted apart, and we drifted further when I went to Inarizaki," Kita-san explained. He paused, expecting Sumire to ask something, but she remained silent. "In second year of middle school, she confessed to me. That's when things got complicated. I never thought of her as more than a friend. She's beautiful and perfect in every way, but I never wanted a relationship. My studies, my practice, my team, and my grandmother have always been my life. And now, suddenly, the girl I rejected a long time ago is back in my life just because my family, especially my grandmother, loves her. It's not that I hate her; I'm just not ready, and I don't know if I ever will be."

Sumire was surprised to learn that Kita-san, who always seemed so calm and composed, was feeling nervous. But it was understandable; getting married is a big change for anyone, especially for Kita-san, who had never been in a relationship and didn't plan on being in one. Sumire didn't know what to say. She never knows what to say, but she still wanted to help her friend.

"Kita-san," Sumire said softly, pausing to let Kita-san's thoughts settle. "The change you're going through is a big one, and if you don't know this, I need to tell you that everything you're feeling is normal and it's okay. It's okay to feel like you're not ready, and it's okay to not know if you ever will be. You know, when you first started school or started playing volleyball, you didn't know what was to come. You were scared and nervous and wished your life would stay the same, but that's not possible, no matter how much we want it. Kita-san, you don't have to know what will happen. You'll figure it out as you go along." Sumire smiled softly at Kita-san.

Kita-san stared at the sky for a while before breaking into a smile. "Yeah, you're right, Yamashita-san. I'm still nervous, but I think I'll be okay."

"Yes, and I'm here for you. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here," Sumire said.

"I'll remember that. Arigato, Yamashita-san," Kita-san replied gratefully.

By the time they reached Sumire's apartment, it was 5:15 p.m. Kita-san and Sato-san were expected to arrive by 7:30 p.m., and they, along with Suna-san, would have dinner at Sumire's place. Suna-san was excited to try Sumire's cooking and decided to come early to help her prepare.

They both cooked dinner and waited for the couple, chatting over tea. When the doorbell finally rang.