Will You Be My Sowlmate? (BokuAka AU)

Chapter 35

5 December
*Keiji's POV*
Wait what? A company trip to the zoological gardens? To be frank, I was looking forward to it too, especially the owls. But why only notify me one hour before work? I had no time to pack my day bag before I was dragged out of the house by an equally ecstatic Bokuto-san.

Bokuto-san drove us to our destination - Ueno Zoo. We got there around 9 in the morning. The Zoo was empty, quiet, apparently Bokuto-san booked the Zoo for the whole day. After a while, employees started to file in with their family members. Some greeted Bokuto-san when they recognised him. He looked so very different with his hair down and golden eyes hidden behind sunglasses. It was cold out so he dressed in a long sleeved v neck, matched with coffee coloured pants and the rugby glove he bought at the beginning of the year. I spotted Tsutsugami-san among the crowd, a girl cradled in his arms. I never knew he had a daughter. It was heartwarming seeing the strict Tsutsugami-san smiling at his little girl.

The Zoo opened and everyone went in excited. I planned a route in my head as I held the map. Bokuto-san seemed to have other ideas. What I did not manage to pack, he had in his haversack. He led me around like a tour guide, feeding me with information on the various animals.

Tigers, lions, monkeys, cats, and even hippopotamuses, he knew it all. We had a lunch break, Bokuto-san passing me a picnic basket filled with sandwiches. Tsutsugami-san walked past with his wife and daughter. Was that a wink? We settled down and ate the delicious sandwiches. I was enjoying every bit of my time in the Zoo. Bokuto-san told me that the owls would be the last stop after all there was this popular logic about "saving the best for the last."

There was a petting cage. I stood outside as Bokuto-san charged in, picking up as many rabbits as he could. "Keiji, come in." I walked in and Bokuto-san passed me a spotted rabbit. Its fur was so soft. Kids passed by and pointed at Bokuto-san, telling their parents about us. Their parents shushed them.

We had the chance to feed the giraffes, apes and saw the water show. It was amazing. My camera ran out of battery from all the photo taking. The funniest thing was when we got to the snake enclosure, Bokuto-san was hiding behind me the whole time. The zookeeper offered Bokuto-san a snake to hold, and he quickly rejected the offer, pulling me away. I came back and took a photo with the snake though. The snake's skin was cold and scaly.

About 5pm, we finally made our way to the owl sanctuary. We headed inside the darkness. The owl eyes were glowing. There was the snow owl, horned owl, barn owl... Bokuto-san himself was plastered against the glass that separated us from the feathery creatures. There was a touch-a-snow-owl booth, we took turns petting a snow owl, which stared at us curiously. We continued to roam around inside the sanctuary.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around. Bokuto-san was kneeling down on the floor, hands holding a small box. He opened it to reveal a ring made of white gold, with intricately carved gold dragons around it.

Just then an owl flew pass, with a banner flapping behind it "Happy birthday Keiji! I love you." written on it. "Keiji, I know I...am loud and annoying to be with. But...but...will you be my sowlmate?" He stared at me with his big clear eyes.

"Yes Bokuto-san. I will."