A/N: Due to much anticipation and some free time to review and brainstorm for future plans with this story, I finally make this chapter for all the awaiting fans. If this story becomes wanted and enjoyed again, I'll finish this story. Thank you everyone to those who enjoy this work.
Returning Home
"This has to be a prank, even if you said you had a boyfriend, I doubt he'd still be interested in you after all this time. We've been here for two hours and I still see no one of this 'Kyuken'.", Kotomi complains.
"Just shut up, he'll be here.", Tomoko snaps and grips her phone with an open email.
[To: Tomoko
[From: Kyu
Msg:
It's finally happening Tomo-chan! I'm coming back home. I can't wait to be with you again, I'll tell you many funny stories on my trip, give you some presents that I have saved for you and take you on the many dates I owe you! My train arrives around 2:30, come see me if you have time!
"You promised…", Tomoko mumbles and seeing the clock at 4:10.
"Just be patient Komi-chan!", Yu reassures Kotomi, "I've seen him, and he's quite something. Don't worry Mokocchi, Kyuken-kun's train must be late is all, right?"
"Yeah…", Tomoko looks at her phone sadly.
She suddenly finds two long arms coming from behind and around her.
"TOMO-CHAN!"
The three girls scream and find Tomoko being glomped from a tall random person.
"It really is you! I barely recognized you, I love what you did with your hair. You look good with longer hair. And you got a bit taller too? Is that a third-year uniform? Nearing graduation time, huh? Time sure flies… Um, Tomo-chan?"
Tomoko was a bit confused and excited at the same time, but it seemed that Kyuken's ramblings made it worse for her concentration.
"Uh, earth to Tomo-chan… Heh, oh you must be Tomo-chan's friends. I'm Kuroda Kyuk- Ugh!"
Kyuken was suddenly glomped back with Tomoko's face buried in his back and feeling some soft punches on his back.
"You idiot! You made me wait 2 years and 2 HOURS! You broke your promise! How could you-"
Tomoko found herself being held again, "I missed you too, Tomo-chan."
Yu couldn't help but smile and cheer for Tomoko. Kotomi snorts, "Well… He certainly is handsome…"
The group leave the station, Kyuken pulling his luggage through the gates.
"So, are we still meeting at your house Mokocchi?", Yu asks.
"Oh, am I in the way of you girls hanging out?", Kyuken pulling near the curb to catch a taxi.
Tomoko fumbles with her fingers, "Actually…"
"Well… This is certainly unprecedented…", Kyuken pulls his luggage and finds himself in front of Tomoko's house, "You never mentioned of me to your family like… ever?"
Tomoko sighs, "I was too nervous to mention you to them back then, I was hoping they'd understand the situation now…"
"We'll go in first to set the mood, Kyuken-san.", Kotomi knocks on the Kuroki residence's door.
Tomoko's mother opens the door to see the 3 girls, "Oh hey, girls. Come on right in."
"Um…"
Tomoko's mother finds a tall, young man at the doorway, "It's nice to meet you, Kuroki-san. I'm Kuroda Kyuken."
As Kyuken rose from bowing, Tomoko's mother looks at her daughter with a confused stare.
"Um… Mom, meet my… boyfriend…"
After a minute of silence, Tomoko's mother suddenly held Kyuken's hands.
"REALLY?!"
"Um… Mom?", Tomoko embarrassed by her mother's actions.
"I'm so glad you found an interest in my daughter! My daughter might be rough around the edges, but she'll definitely make you happy. Please, would you like to stay for dinner?", Kyuken and Tomoko were caught off by her mother's fast rambling.
"Uh… If I'm not intruding, it would be my pleasure, eheh…", Kyuken awkwardly laughed.
"Nonsense, please come right in!", Kyuken suddenly found himself being pulled in by Tomoko's mother.
Kotomi, Yu, Tomoko and Kyuken sat on the couch. Kotomi and Yu snicker at Tomoko and Kyuken's flushed looks.
Tomoko's mother brings a platter of snacks, "Tomoko, would you come help me bring some drinks?"
"Eh? Why?", Tomoko flinched at the sight of her mother.
"Why else?...", Tomoko's mother brought a deathly aura, "To be hospitable to our guests…"
Tomoko immediately stood up, "Right."
-X-
As evening came, Tomoko's friends left for home. Tomoko was forced to help make dinner with her mother, which made Kyuken chuckle.
"I'm home.", Tomoki notices the stranger at the table.
"Oh. I'm Kuroda Kyuken, nice to meet you. You must be Tomoki-kun."
"Nice to meet you…"
"Tomoki! Greet Tomoko's boyfriend properly!", The mother yelled.
"Mom!", Tomoko becoming embarrassed.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Kuroki Tomoki.", Tomoki bowed, "Boyfriend?"
"Itadakimasu."
Dinner was set, and everyone began eating.
"This is quite delicious Kuroki-san.", Kyuken grinned.
"Oh, stop it.", Tomoko's mother getting flustered, "Your beloved girlfriend helped too!"
Tomoko sighed from her mom's obsession of her being in a relationship.
"So, how long have you two known each other? Considering it seemed you were on a trip recently?", Tomoko's mother pointing out Kyuken's luggage.
Kyuken cleared his throat, "I was recently studying abroad for university. Tomoko and I have been in touch since we started dating a couple years ago."
"How wonderful. It was very surprising to suddenly find Tomoko with a boyfriend, a university student too. You could get study help from him, right Tomoko?"
Tomoko looked away, "Y-Yeah…"
It became silent, then Tomoko's mother spoke out, "Do you plan on marrying her?"
Kyuken choked on his drink while Tomoko coughed from swallowing hard at the sudden question.
"*Cough*… Um… Uh… Ahem, I…"
"Mom! This is embarrassing!"
Tomoko's mother chuckled, "What?~ It was a simple question."
"This is entirely awkward…", Tomoki continued eating his dinner.
-X-
"Are you sure you don't need a ride?", Tomoko's mother asked as she sees Kyuken walk out with his luggage.
"It's fine, I live near the station on my stop. Thank you for having me tonight."
"Of course, come visit any time.", Tomoko's mother bowed, "Tomoko, why not escort Kyuken-kun to the train station?"
"Sure!", Tomoko rushing to her boyfriend before her mother gave her a conniption.
On the way, it was quiet between the two.
Kyuken wanted to break the silence, before he could say something, Tomoko spoke up surprisingly.
"Say… Kyuken… H-Have you ever thought of… Marriage?...", Tomoko looking away with a blush.
Kyuken chuckled and patted her head, "It's come to me as a thought, but I want to take things slowly. I want to enjoy knowing Tomo-chan and showing that I can make you happy!"
Tomoko made one of her awkward smiles, Kyuken pulled her close while snickering at her shyness.
As they arrived at the station, Kyuken noticed Tomoko tugging him back as he tried to get to the gate.
"How about a date Saturday? I'm finally here after all."
"Yeah…", Tomoko having her head down.
She was met with Kyuken's lips just as it was two years ago, but it felt refreshing for her.
Kyuken left a snicker while pressing his forehead on hers, "See ya later, Tomo-chan."
Tomoko waved as Kyuken entered the station and walked back home with a smile that seemed unordinary for her.