𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 (𝖻𝗈𝗄𝗎𝖺𝗄𝖺)

Epilogue | If You Wanted Me To Stick Around, I Could

Akaashi trudged home, exhausted after a long day of social interactions. Today, there had been even more socializing than usual due to the fact that it was graduation day. Akaashi and the rest of his year would be moving on to the third year, and they were way too enthusiastic about it. At least, they were compared to Akaashi, who honestly couldn't have cared less.

The only thing Akaashi really cared about on that graduation day was Bokuto—but he hadn't texted him anything about it. They hadn't made plans, they hadn't seen when the other was busy, they hadn't even texted at all that entire day.

Akaashi was starting to worry Bokuto had forgotten, or, even worse, he didn't want to see him anymore. Anything could have happened to make Bokuto stop caring—heck, he lived seven hours away.

The worries plagued his mind, chipping away at his conscience and attacking his heart. He badly wanted to cry, not just for Bokuto, but also because he had actually grown attached to him. He had never—not in a million years—expected that the one he truly cared for would be the one he met on a summer road trip to a small, undistinguished down in Northern Japan.

Akaashi entered his house, taking in the welcoming scent of homemade taiyaki as he stepped out of his shoes. He glanced down at the other shoes against the wall and stared at the unfamiliar pair of sneakers resting by Akina's slippers. Slightly confused, he brushed it off, thinking it was probably nothing.

He headed straight for his room, where he put his bag down and changed out of his uniform into a sweater and jeans. Once he was done, he left his room and headed into the kitchen, where his mom was walking around, holding a plate of warm taiyaki.

"I made your favorites! Taiyaki and—" she held up another plate, "—nanohana no karashie!"

"Thanks, Mom," Akaashi said. "You're the best."

She smiled and set the plates down on the kitchen counter. "I thought I would make some snacks for you, your sister, and—"

"Keiji! Keiji! Keiji, hurry up, come on!" Akina shouted, running inside to grab Akaashi's hand and drag him towards the back door. "Why did you take so long getting home? Come onnn!"

"Akina, what's going on? Calm down."

"No! Hurry up!" she whined. She was giggling profusely in between words as she pulled her brother through the door and into the backyard. "Come onnn!"

"Okay, okay." Akaashi started walking with Akina and she stopped pulling his hand so tightly. "What's so important?"

"I have something to show you!"

"What is it?"

Akina successfully dragged Akaashi to the place she was hoping for, which was right under the cherry blossom tree they had in their backyard. "Look!"

Akaashi looked to where her finger was pointing. It took him a few long seconds to register what he was seeing, but when he realized, he couldn't stop a grin from growing on his face.

He dropped into the grass next to Bokuto, who was laying down and smiling at him. His hands were holding a small flower crown on his chest, which Akina was now trying to grab. He let go of it and she put it on her head, beaming at the two boys. "Now you two can really date! Because we're not leaving soon!" she said happily, dancing around at her own words.

Now that Bokuto's hands were free, he held one up in the air and Akaashi grabbed it, intertwining their fingers smoothly.

Oh, how Akaashi had missed this. He had missed this a lot.

Just the simple touch of their hands together made him euphoric—he was back with Bokuto, the boy who had captured both his attention and his heart and changed his life, all with just one summer.