[English] ~𝒟𝒶𝓇ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝒟𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓂~ Kenma x OC

Chapter 36: Welcome Back to the United States of America!

When we landed in New York City, it was only early morning. I could already feel the jet lag, which was definitely inevitable due to the 13-hour time difference. After we had taken our suitcases off the conveyor belt, we went straight to the airport parking garage. We had rented two cars so that we didn't have to rely on the overpriced taxis. Groaning, I lifted my heavy suitcase into the trunk, then turned to the others. 

"I think it's best if I drive." Six pairs of eyes looked at me in confusion and I grinned. 

"I'm American, here you can get a driver's license at sixteen. And I know the area best." 

My aunt threw me the key. "Convinced. We'll meet at the hotel. Be careful." Smiling broadly, I got in on the driver's side. Kenma plopped down in the passenger seat, Kuroo-san in the back seat. My cousins ​​drove to the hotel with my aunt and uncle. I started the engine and slowly rolled out of the parking space.

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Nothing had really changed. The streets were just as busy as before and the city was bustling with people. My heart was beating faster. I was home again. Kenma was tapping away on his smartphone and in the rearview mirror I could see Kuroo-san curiously examining the surroundings. The traffic in front of me came to a halt and I used the time to grab a drink. My mouth was dry as dust. 

"How does your "family" get to New York?" Kenma asked me. He looked up from his phone screen. I shrugged my shoulders. 

"I don't know. And they don't even know we're here and will be going to the trial. It's going to be exciting." The traffic light turned green and I stepped on the gas. "We're almost at the hotel," I said. 

I looked down the street where I had lived with my father just a few months ago. Strangely enough, it put a smile on my face. I'm back, Dad... I would fight to the end. I wouldn't give up that easily.

Shortly afterwards we reached the hotel. It was right next to the Central Park, one of my favorite places in New York City. After I had parked the car in the parking garage, we went into the huge foyer to wait for my aunt and uncle, who had booked the rooms. They arrived just ten minutes after us. 

"Here, Izumi-chan, your room key. Kenma, you and Kuroo-san can have the room next door. And my cute little rascals will take the room across the hallway." My aunt handed me the key and nudged Kenma. "And Kenma: no visits after twelve o'clock. Do we understand each other?" 

I opened my eyes wide. Kenma also seemed embarrassed. Had they noticed after all? 

My uncle laughed loudly and said: "We're not stupid, Izumi. One can see how much you two care for each other." 

My cheeks turned tomato red. Oh no, that too. "I'll go upstairs then," I stammered. I quickly fled to the elevators. Even when the doors closed behind me, I could still hear their happy laughter. Despite my sense of shame, I had to grin.

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We spent the rest of the day with a bit of sightseeing and a cozy lunch at my favorite restaurant. In the afternoon, my aunt met with Dad's lawyer to discuss the final arguments for the next day. Our research had payed off. Dad's lawyer was very confident that everything would go well. 

In the evening, I splashed around in the hotel pool with my cousins ​​and Kenma. Kuroo-san had retreated to his room to sleep. The whole story and his testimony against Hikaru must have been very hard on him. 

I drifted through the water, thoughtfully. The water gurgled in my ears. To be honest, I enjoyed the dull sound. It was kind of calming in some way. A rush of water hit me in the face and I snorted. 

Atsumu laughed out loud and shouted: "Ya, that was definitely not intentional, cousin." 

I gave him mock evil looks as I hissed through the water like a fish and threw myself on top of him. He lost his balance and fell to the side. Now I was the one that laughed out loud. The whole situation ended in a huge water fight. Eventually we were all so exhausted that we went to our rooms.

It didn't take long for me to fall asleep. The jet lag was definitely a big help. I slept dreamlessly, but it wasn't really restful. The next morning my alarm went off at six o'clock. I slipped on a pair of leggings and a loose T-shirt as well as my volleyball club tracksuit jacket, then I took my keys and my cell phone and put on my headphones. I walked to the elevator and then left the hotel through the exit that lead directly into the Central Park. After I had passed through the gates right into the green paradise, I started jogging. My foggy brain slowly began to process all of the events of the last few days. I breathed in the fresh air with pleasure. The Central Park was one of the few places in New York where the air was relatively clean. I decided to run at least five kilometers and then concentrated on my breathing.

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The jogging had done me good. I felt ready for the day. After I arrived at breakfast, freshly showered and changed, I was greeted by tired faces. I had to smile. They were much more jet-lagged than I was. Lucky me. I slowly plopped down next to Kenma. He gave me a tired smile and then took a bite of his bread roll. I hoped for their sake that the American breakfast didn't bother them too much. My father always liked to tell me about his arrival in New York, including how long it took him to change his diet. Japanese breakfast was different from this one.

I reached for the milk bread on my plate with determination and took a delicious bite of the sweet pastry, but soon after I pulled a face. I definitely didn't remember it being this sweet. After thinking for a moment, I put a slice of cucumber on the bitten end and took another bite. This time it was just right. However, I got a few strange looks for this idea. Unimpressed, I shrugged my shoulders. 

"So, is everyone ready for today's court hearing?" My aunt had finished her coffee by now and seemed much more cheerful. The others also seemed more awake. 

Osamu rubbed his hands. "I'm excited to see their faces when they realize how badly they have messed up," he said. Oh yes. I was excited to see that too. 

My aunt dampened his euphoria. "Let's wait and see what the judges think. Don't get your hopes up, big guy."