"He came home late again?" Yuki asks in disbelief and angrily rolls her eyes. "What is his problem? He is literally awarded the worst husband!" she yells as Hikari tries to calm her best friend down.

"Calm down, Yuki-chan! You're disrupting the other customers," Hikari softly says and bows towards the others who are staring. "He's just busy, okay? He's not the worst husband."

"Of course you'd say that. You've been defending him since you both got married, you simp!" she straightforwardly insults, instantly making Hikari look down in embarrassment.

Seeing how she had probably gone too far, Yuki sighs. "Look, I'm sorry I'm being harsh but it's because you're my best friend. I don't want to see you so hurt by him anymore. He spends all day supposedly working and just eats the meals you cook. What if he isn't working at all? If this is how he is going to live his life, he didn't need to marry you! He could've had this lifestyle without you."

Hikari plays with her hair and doesn't say anything. Everything Yuki was saying was true but deep in her heart, she didn't want to regret marrying Akaashi. She had loved him all throughout high school and it was a dream come true to her. However, a flaw that she did not realize Akaashi had was that he was a complete workaholic. He never cared about relationships back in high school and it seemed like it had carried on into his adult life. The only reason why Hikari and Akaashi ended up marrying was because their parents--who were good friends--didn't want their children to be lonely forever. Akaashi, being the obedient son he is, didn't have much objection and although Hikari had been in love with the pretty man since high school, she couldn't even entirely accept the marriage. She wanted to receive Akaashi's love with her own abilities, not because of their parent's powers.

A sudden ring comes from Yuki's phone and she checks to see a text from her boyfriend, Kuroo.

"I'm sorry, Ari, but Tetsu is asking for something," she apologizes as Hikari gives a reassuring smile.

"It's no worries, Yuki-chan. I'll be fine," Hikari explains as Yuki gives a hesitant nod.

"Okay, but I don't care what you say! If the man does not celebrate your guys' first anniversary of marriage with you, husband or not, DROP HIM! I don't care if he's Bokuto's best friend!" She angrily crosses her arms.

Hikari giggles and stands with her best friend.

"No worries, Yuki-chan. I'm pretty sure if I ask, he'll do so," Hikari tries to convince. However, she wasn't sure who she was trying to convince--herself or Yuki.

"If you say so. I love ya, okay? See you tomorrow for lunch!" Yuki and Hikari hug.

"I love you too; thank you for being here for me, Yuki-chan."

"Of course!! What kind of best friend would I be?!"

Hikari laughs at her friend and waves. "See you tomorrow."

Once Hikari arrives home, she's welcomed with loneliness. Looking at the time presented on the microwave, it reads 3:30pm.

"I have some time before cooking dinner; I guess I'll do some gardening work outside," she decides and changes into outdoor wear.

The house Akaashi and Hikari shared represented more of a traditional Japanese home with some modern structures here and there. Rather than living in Tokyo, where they both originally lived, they had to move to the Hyogo Prefecture for Akaashi's job. Choosing their house together was so awkward when they were searching. Mrs. Akaashi and Mrs. Ai, Hikari's mother, were supposed to accompany the newlyweds on their house hunt; however, the two women ditched their children. Even though the two had known each other since their first year in high school and Hikari even participated as a manager for their volleyball team, they weren't close at all. Akaashi was stuck by Bokuto's side at all times and Hikari was hardly given alone time with him. Especially with her shyness, it made it even more difficult. Without Yuki and Kuroo's encouragement, Hikari would've never volunteered to be Fukurodani's volleyball manager.

Going back to the house hunting, Hikari was grateful Akaashi wasn't picky with what house they chose. So, when Hikari saw their house's backyard, she instantly fell in love. It was large and it also connected to a beautiful forest that was hidden behind its tall trees. Ever since Hikari was small, she somehow felt like she had a connection with the forest--like a part of her was in there. Oddly, it felt like home to her. However, her neighbors made sure to warn her to never enter the magical forest. They explained that whoever entered the forest was never able to return or be found. The forest has a power gifted by God to protect the spirits and animals inside from those outside and it would do anything to keep harm from occurring to its environment. That didn't stop Hikari from enjoying her backyard though; as long as she doesn't enter the forest or harm it, she'd be fine, right? Hence, whenever Hikari would be waiting for Akaashi to come back home from work, she would spend her time in the backyard doing whatever she wanted for hours.

After a few hours of fixing up her homemade garden in the backyard, Hikari comes back to make dinner. This was a routine for her; Cook dinner at 7pm, wait until 8:30pm for Akaashi's arrival, realize that he wouldn't be coming home any time soon, eat, wrap up the food for Akaashi, shower, wait in the dining room for Akaashi's arrival again, then he would finally arrive home at 10:30pm.

Opening the door, Akaashi lets out a breath as a signal of his "I'm home" greeting.

"Welcome home, Keiji-kun," Hikari greets. "Would you like me to heat up your dinner?"

As he tiredly loosens his tie and removes his shoes, he nods. "Yes please," he answers without giving Hikari a glance.

Satisfied with his response, Hikari is already placing the dinner in the microwave. She already knew his answers and what he would do next. All of the little things Akaashi did was already embedded in her brain. The way he was embarrassed to openly say, "I'm home!" so he would let out a breath loud enough for her to know he was home. She knew how big his appetite was and how much he loved her cooking even without verbally telling her. Even the way Akaashi would play with his fingers when she wouldn't be done heating up his food as he would wait. She loved all of the little things about him. This was why she could never be too mad at the fact that he never gave her any affection or time. The little things he did made up for it and always made her heart flutter.

"Here's your meal, Keiji-kun," she softly says and places the plate in front of her husband who says a little prayer before digging in.

'His first scoop is always his smallest--to be respectful--and then his second scoop is always his largest--to express how hungry he is,' Hikari silently admires as Akaashi eats. 'Oh! I need to tell him about our anniversary coming up!' she remembers and starts to nervously play with her hair. "K-Keiji-kun!" she calls out.

With his mouth full, Akaashi looks up and lets out a, "Hm?"

'It's now or never!'

"O-on the 1-12th, it's our one year a-anniversary... I-I was thinking we could celebrate by having an earlier dinner together," Hikari stutters then looks down at her lap. 'I did it!'

Akaashi swallows the food in his mouth and takes a sip of his water. "I've never really understood why events like those should be celebrated," he flat out says.

An invisible arrow pierces Hikari in her heart and she bites her lips.

"Y-you're right." She forces a laugh. "It was a dumb ide--"

"It's not dumb; I just said that I never understood why. I feel like it's already being celebrated by the things we do for each other everyday already; but if you want, I'm fine with a celebration," Akaashi interrupts and goes back to eating his meal. "If you want something, just say it, Hikari."

Hikari stares in shock at her husband's response. She never expected this from him; it made her heart flutter and her eyes start to slightly water.

"O-okay then! W-would you be able to come home at 6:30?" she asks. When she looks up, she sees Akaashi's brows furrow. "H-how about 7:30pm then?" she quickly suggests.

Feeling satisfied with her suggestion, Akaashi nods. "That's fine. I'll be home by 7:30pm then."

A big smile forms on Hikari's cherry lips and her eyes sparkle in delight. Without much thought, Hikari places her hand on Akaashi's hand that rested on the table.

'It's so warm,' he thinks to himself once he feels her hand against his.

"T-thank you, Keiji-kun! Is there anything specific you would like me to cook?" she asks. 'Of course onigiris and rape blossom dipped in soy sauce and mustard.'

"I guess... if you can... onigiris of any kind and rape blossoms dipped in soy sauce and mustard. I don't want a fancy dinner or anything," he shyly answers and plays with his chopsticks in his hands.

Hikari's smile brightens when she guesses right. "Okay, Keiji-kun! I'll make sure to add those in!"

Seeing that Akaashi is done with his meal, she grabs his plate. "I'll wash your dish, Keiji-kun. It's no worries; you had a long day at work. You can go ahead and take a bath," she lovingly says as he nods.

"Okay, thank you for the meal," he lightly thanks before heading into the room they share.

Happily, Hikari washes the dishes and lightly hums a tune.

"If you want something, just say it, Hikari." His words echo in her ears and she does a small dance in excitement to fangirl. 'I'm so happy!!'

Date: 6 October 2020