Author's Note: Sorry for the late update! I have been really stressed because I'm still in the middle of switching schools because my previous school is shit. It's really hard to enroll in another school in the middle of the pandemic! It's really stressful! So I decided to stress out Kinomi, too, lols. Can't believe that we're already in the 40s! We're almost done so I hope you guys stay tuned! :D

The dialogues that are in bold are spoken in English so that there'll be no confusion. :>

XL.

Kinomi.

"Mimi!" I flinched when the door opened in a furious manner, ruining my concentration in decorating the cake.

"Bloody hell, Noah." I harshly place the piping bag full of buttercream frosting on the counter because of my annoyance. Jamie also messed up her cake.

"Yeah, bloody fucking hell, Noah." She glared at him, too.

I have to redo the swirl of icing because I messed it up. I flickered a glare at the restaurant's manager who was looking so delighted at what he had just done.

"Sorry, ladies!" Noah apologized with an unapologetic smile.

"You better have a damn good reason why you came here to bother me or I'll smother you with frosting."

"Scary." He mocked using my mother tongue, snickering.

"With your blood mixed in it." I deadpanned.

"Damn, brutal as always." He chuckled lowly, making me just roll my eyes. "Apparently, there's a customer complaint."

"And I'm supposed to care because...?" I arched an eyebrow at him. That's strange. Noah usually takes care of customer complaints.

"Someone complained about the strawberry shortcake—"

"What?!" I immediately took off my apron, threw it on the counter beside the cake. "Jamie, can you take care of the décor?"

"Sure thing." She agreed. Then I stormed out of the kitchen, Noah was still explaning in the background.

"Chef, are you okay?" Robert, one of the waiters, asked the moment he saw me out of the kitchen.

"Yeah." I deadpanned with my resting bitch face.

"She's not okay." I heard Noah whisper to Robert.

"I feel like something bad is about to happen." Robert commented.

There's a customer demanding for my attention, wanting to voice out their concerns about my cake. I have been baking this cake ever since middle school and this is the first time I had ever received a complaint from someone. Noah pointed the table who complained about the cake so I had to approach them. It was a typical family who looked like they were celebrating some special occasion.

"Good afternoon." I greeted, plastering on my PR smile. "My name is Kinomi Kuroo, and I'm one of the pastry chefs in this restaurant. I hear you have some concerns regarding the desserts I've made?"

"Yes, this cake specifically..." The woman with blonde locks tapped on the plate of strawberry shortcake which was half finished. "is stale."

"Stale?" I tilted my head to the side, preventing my expression on time from contorting into a scowl.

Stale? Fucking stale? Stale is the last word to describe my desserts! Especially strawberry shortcake! And if it tastes stale like she claimed, she would have given it up on the first bite!

"Did I stutter?" She sneered, cocking an eyebrow at me. I internally rolled my eyes. Twat.

"Ma'am," I said slowly, literally swallowing back the snarky words that were begging to be released from my throat. "I guarantee you, our desserts are baked freshly every bloo—single day. The same goes for the other courses. We don't serve stale dishes in this restaurant."

"Oh, so now you're calling me a liar? I just told you this cake is already stale!" Her voice turned a notch higher, and I'm sure it earned unwanted attention from the other diners. I looked from side to side to confirm this. Oh... this restaurant is going to get a reputation because of some cockroach who's obviously trying to leech her way into free desserts.

"On what basis?" I asked politely. I'm kind of surprised how I'm still not losing my cool in here. Years of practice, I guess.

"Honey, calm down." Her husband hissed. "You're attracting attention."

"I told you this was a bad idea." A younger male commented.

"I don't care! She's invalidating my concerns!"

"I'm not invalidating your concerns, ma'am." I said, my PR smile widening. "I'm just simply asking you... on what basis is my strawberry shortcake stale?"

"The... uh... are you blind? Just look at it!" Her nostrils were getting bigger and bigger from anger each passing second.

"I am." I drawled, looking down upon my masterpiece then back at her.

What? I swear I'm only a few seconds away from either bursting into a fit of laughter or clawing her eyes out and use it as an ingredient for my next recipe. The latter sounds tempting. But then I couldn't prevent the little smirk from pasting my lips. And it somehow offended her.

"Madam... for your information..." I inched myself closer to their table, taking a closer look at the 'stale' strawberry shortcake. "It's basic knowledge for chefs to tell if the cake is stale just by looking at it..." With my bare hands, I tore the cake to get a good feel of its texture and appearance. They gasped at the action. "I baked this cake just hours ago and moisture usually evaporates after three to four days. The texture dries out and molds sometimes appear." I cleaned my hands using the napkin on the table. She looked up at me as if she couldn't believe what I'd just done. "I'm quite flattered because it just proved that you liked my cake for you want another slice." I smiled at her again. "But unfortunately, you can't get a refund or a fresh slice. You have to do better than that." I bowed my head, letting out the smirk that I had been suppressing since the start of this conversation.

"These Chinese people are so rude!" She banged the table, creating a loud thud.

I craned my neck to the side to gaze back at Noah, who was watching us by the distance with a wide, amused smile. Popcorn is all there's lacking and he would make a very satisfied audience.

"Hey, don't look at me. She said that she wanted to talk to the pastry chef who baked that cake." Noah raised his arms up, smiling mischievously. I internally sighed before refocusing my attention back at the Karen.

"I'm Japanese." I corrected her.

"I'm Japanese." She mimicked me, mocking my accent. "You all look the same to me." She rolled her eyes.

I just smiled at her, but deep inside I could already hear and feel the last bit of my patience snap like a thread. Not only have I encountered another Karen in the flesh, but also a racist as well. What an amazing combination.

"Mommy, that cake tastes good. I want another one." The little girl pointed at the source of the problem. Karen ignored her and just kept her menacing glare focused on me. If only looks could kill, Noah would have been arranging my funeral right about now instead of enjoying this little freak show.

"I. Want. To. Talk. To. The. Owner." She said it very slowly as if I'm having the difficulty comprehending English. I couldn't prevent the little smile from spreading its way to my lips. That's a good idea.

"Absolutely. I'll gladly lead the way, ma'am." I gestured toward the door to my employer's office. Karen made her family stay by the table and she stood up. The heads of every diner followed us as I walked on ahead. Karen was still insulting me in the background. I just rolled my eyes. Just wait there, Karen. I just need to have you privately and give you a dose of your medicine.

When we reached my boss' office, I knocked on the door twice before identifying myself. "Sir, it's Kuroo. There's a customer who wants to speak with you." I tried to sound professional but I chuckled at the last syllable. I could already imagine Travis' reaction on the other side of this door just by the sound of his voice.

"Come on in." He grumbled.

I turned toward Karen who was still in a sour mood. I gestured the door to her. "After you, ma'am." I grinned at her.

Karen didn't like the little grin on my face, making her have second thoughts if she should go on with what she's fighting for. When she didn't open the door, I opened it for her.

"Hello, good afternoon! Come in, come in!" Travis greeted with his bright, pearly smile. Karen blushed at the sight of the handsome owner of the restaurant, making her have the courage to step inside his territory. I closed the door behind me, smiling evilly behind her.

"U-uh... hi..."

Travis gave me a look, and I already knew what that look meant. He wanted me to behave. Behave, my ass. People like her have the tendency to either talk to the manager or the owner so I just took it to my advantage. I lead people like her to this very office so that the other diners wouldn't have to witness me sass them until they cry.

"What can I do for you, ma'am?" Travis started, which snapped Karen out of her daydream.

"Uh, yes. This woman right here," She pointed behind her, at me. I just crossed my arms against my chest. "She served me stale food! Not only is her food stale but she also disrespected me and questioned my taste!"

"I didn't question your taste, ma'am." I said, commencing with my sass party but Travis tried to stop me. Don't worry, Boss. I'll entertain you.

"Chef—"

"I'm just simply saying you don't have one." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"What did you just say?!" She turned to me with wide eyes, breath hitching in surprise and anger. Wow, that face alone is enough endorsement for abortion.

"And please don't start with me because I'll be the one who will finish it."

"Is that a threat?" She narrowed her eyes at me.

I widened my eyes, smiling as I wave a defensive hand. "What? Oh, no, no! What kind of a person do you take me for? I'm worried about you, actually. When it comes to insults, I can make you cry harder than when your husband hits you on a regular basis."

"Kinomi..." Travis ran a palm over his face.

"A-are you hearing this right now, sir?! I can't believe this! This is beyond disrespectful!" She exclaimed, mouth gaping in absolute shock and anger.

"What's beyond me is how there's about 7.7 billion people in the planet and I had to encounter someone who's fucked up beyond repair."

"Mr. Morrison! You s-seriously keep employees like this?! You should fire her! She is a disgrace in the industry!"

I cocked a brow then let out a chuckle, flitting a gaze back to Travis. He just shook his head at me, watching the scene in front of him in a bland manner. Well, he really can't fire me, and the only thing that will stray me out of this restaurant is if I resign.

"You're not the first person I have brought in here, ma'am." I said. "Why do you think I'm so good at this? I just hope those children back at the table aren't yours. Just the thought of you having kids makes me sick."

"Alright, that's it! I'm taking my party elsewhere!" Karen stomped her way and before she could purposely bump into me, I moved to the side to dodge her.

"Good. Because you actually came to a funeral."

I could still go on but the woman ignored my statement and just slammed the door behind her. I was left there with Travis who I'm sure was digging holes into my back with his bland stare.

"I honestly don't know what to do with you anymore, Ms. Kuroo." Travis slumped on his swivel chair, running a palm over his face once again. "I feel like I'm aging every bloody time you lead Karens into my office. I'm surprised that this restaurant still has a good reputation despite your 'untamed' attitude."

"Karens' opinions obviously don't matter, Mr. Morrison." I sat on the chair in front of his table then crossed my left leg over my right. "People usually don't take them seriously."

He sighed exasperatedly, then poured me a cup of steaming black tea. I smiled as I took the expensive, ceramic teacup and took a sip of the beverage.

"I know you're the reason why this restaurant received its very first Michelin star—"

"That's why you can't let me go." I set the teacup aside, crossing my arms again.

"Yeah, but please don't sass the Karens, Ms. Kuroo. They're still customers."

"I really don't believe that 'customer's always right' bullshit, Travis." I shook my head, my lips lifting in a snide. "They don't have the right to bully me or any of my colleagues just because she's a customer. I don't tolerate bullshits."

"But you can bully me and your colleagues?" He cocked a brow, shooting me a mischievous smile.

"I wouldn't call that bullying though." I smiled with a wink. "But hey, you guys are going to have a break from me for two weeks."

"What's your business in Japan again?" He shifted on his seat, taking a sip of his own cup of tea.

"I'm going to attend my brother's wedding." I shrugged. "He threatened to disown me if I don't come home."

After a few minutes of just chit-chatting with Travis, I dismissed myself because I needed to get back to work. When I opened the door, Noah yelped as he fell forward and face-planted to the ground.

"Noah, what the hell?" I grimaced at him. I closed the door behind me as he immediately stood up and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "How long have you been eavesdropping?"

"Uh... since the customer left. She made quite a commotion when she came out of Mr. Morrison's office. She was screaming bloody murder about how you were a such disgrace in the industry and how Asians are rude and disrespectful."

I just rolled my eyes, with him just trailing behind me as I walk back to the kitchen. "She's a failure as a human being and probably the dumbest bitch I had ever met next to you."

"Wow, Mimi! That hurts." Noah exclaimed, laughing.

"But you're quite unique in your own personal brand of failure."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" He frowned at me. "Damn, Mimi. You're like cards against humanity if it was a person... but on steroids!"

"Yeah, Noah," I waved a dismissive hand, "I know that I'm awesome. Now piss off and get back to work."

"I hear that you're taking a leave for two weeks?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Ooh! Can I come with you? I've always wanted to go to Japan! What season is it already in there?"

"Spring."

"My favorite season! The cherry blossom trees are really a sight! How many years has it been since you last came home?"

"Six years."

"Do you still know how to speak your language?"

"Fuck off." I said in my mother tongue. Noah just laughed even though he didn't understand it.

For the first time in six years, I was finally going to come back home even just for a short while. If it weren't for Tetsurou and Eira finally ending the feud between our families and them tying the knot, I wouldn't have any reason to go back to my home country. Tetsurou already returned to Japan two years ago because he'd rather pursue his career in there. I could also choose to do the same but instead I stayed here and became a pastry chef in one of the most renowned restaurants in England. Deep inside, I knew the reason why I refused to come back to Japan... it's still because of him. I wanted to stand by my decision and stay here for good.

I wonder how he's doing right now?

Every now and then, he would still inevitably cross my mind like the wind does. I took a deep breath as I try to ease the growing pressure in my chest. Some would say that he was just a childish teenage love but to me, he was more than that. He was... my everything.

I saw him once again when I watched one live feed of a Japanese professional volleyball match and there I learned that he joined the V.League upon graduating high school. The man who looked at volleyball as only a club is still wearing a jersey. I smiled at the thought but it immediately wiped off. I'm only limited to his professional life... just like any other bystander. And I'm more than content with that.

"We're finally coming home after so many years." Mom sighed, a smile evident in her voice. I snapped out of my pool of thoughts and shifted my gaze to my mother who was busy packing up Aria's stuff. I saw a nostalgic glint in her eyes. "Are you excited to come to Japan, sweetie?" She asked my six-year-old sister.

"Yes, Mom!" Aria beamed through mouthful of cake, chocolate frosting smearing her lips. She savored the taste of her favorite chocolate cake as she swayed her hanging legs on the bed and watched our mother with her suitcase. "I'm also excited to meet Maki-tan!" She referred to Tetsurou's daughter.

"Mom, we're only staying there for two weeks. You packed so many stuff, it looks like you want to stay there for good." I commented with a shake of my head.

"I don't see the reason why we can't. Tetsurou and Eira-chan already solved our problem with the Masafumis. They're even getting married now. And besides, Japan is our home after all..." Mom reasoned out, her lips unsmiling.

"Aria," I called my sister. I turned to her with a gentle smile, to which she mirrored my expression. I went to wipe off the excess frosting on her lips with a tissue. "You need to take a bath now, you smell like yesterday." I teased which made her let out a giggle.

"I'm not! Mommy said that I smell like a baby!"

"But you smell like yesterday to me." I hugged her and sniffed on her soft skin, which tickled her.

"Come on, Aria. I'll bathe you." Mom beckoned.

Aria shook her head. "I can bathe myself now. It'll only take me about fifteen minutes!"

Mom shook her head with a smile. "Okay, baby. Just tell me if you need help."

"Mmhmm!" Aria stood up and immediately marched out of the room, leaving me alone with my mother. I took a seat on Aria's small bed, not minding the deafening silence that enveloped us.

"I'm sorry, Kinomi." Mom started.

"For what?"

"Maybe I should have just left you alone like you've always wanted. That way, you didn't have to be dragged into our mess. Even after all these years, you still have that wall built around you that you wouldn't let anyone get past. Except Tsukishima-kun..." I winced at the mention of his name, making me look away from her. "I just wanted to atone for my sins. I've always done nothing but make your life miserable. Maybe I shouldn't have forced you to let me in your life again."

"Aren't you six years too late?" I arched an eyebrow at her, tilting my head to the side. "But maybe you're right. Maybe I should've just stayed in the province, should've stayed in Karasuno... should've stayed as a simple waitress... stayed with the man I love. Doing all of that was effortless. Hating you was effortless, Mom." Mom looked away, pursing her lips in a thin line at my statements. "But then again, I chose the difficult path because I wanted to be a better person. If I continued on hating you, then what kind of love would I have given to Tsukishima? He doesn't deserve the kind of person who holds grudges in their hearts. Nobody does." I shrugged, swallowing the lump forming on my throat. "So it's okay."

"He's very lucky to have you..." Mom smiled, going over to sit on the empty space beside me. She held my arm and offered it a reassuring squeeze.

I smiled bitterly. "Honestly, I was never sure about that."

~*~

"Wow! Look, Mimi! This is so cool!" Noah exclaimed as he looked out the window, seeing the lights from the skyscrapers sparkle like stars. He has been like this ever since we passed by Japan territory.

"Shut up, Noah." I drawled.

"Sorry, Mimi." He scratched the back of his neck in a sheepish manner.

"Yeah. You should shut up, Noah." A random passenger interjected.

"How about I sew your mouth shut?" I said to that random passenger who was sticking his nose into our business. He didn't reply so I just leaned on my seat again.

"Woah, calm down." Noah chuckled. "It's okay. I'm just so excited to finally be here! You'll tour me around Japan, right?"

"No."

"Aw, you didn't even hesitate." He pouted. "At least I'd get to have free lodging." He chuckled.

It felt very overwhelming and surreal when my feet got its very first step on the floors of Tokyo. It left me with the confirmation that I was really here. I'm finally home again.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Mom asked me once we got out of the airport. Aria is sleeping in her arms while Dad's busy wheeling our luggage.

"I'm fine. I just want to get some sleep." I adjusted the time on my wristwatch to Japan's current time which was one in the morning.

Meanwhile, Noah was by the distance busy taking pictures of every inch of the airport like an idiot. He still has a lot of energy to spare. When he was finished, he jogged toward us with a wide grin plastered on his face, like he was a child who was granted his wish list for Christmas. He helped Dad in wheeling the heavy luggage.

"What do you guys suggest I do as a first timer in Japan?" Noah asked.

"I suggest you get some sleep first because it's one in the freaking morning." I groaned.

"Of course, Mimi! Duh!" He cackled with laughter.

"I can recommend a few popular tourist spots." Dad chuckled.

"Don't forget about the food." Mom added with a smile.

I just walked ahead of them because I wanted to get inside the car and get some sleep. By the ingress of the airport stood Tetsurou and Eira who greeted us with warm smiles on their faces.

"Hey, sis." Tetsurou greeted me, giving me a tight hug. "You look like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed." He chuckled.

"You're not Tetsurou if you're not an asshole." I groaned with an eye roll.

"I missed you, too, Kinomi." He grinned before turning his attention to our parents.

I turned to Eira who looked amused and happy watching us. Still the elegant young miss as ever. "You still have time to back out of the wedding, you know."

She chuckled. "Oh, Kinomi-chan..." She shook her head then pulled me in for a hug also. "Don't listen to him. You still look great even though you're tired."

Mom and Dad also greeted the lovebirds and Noah also introduced himself to them. We helped each other in tucking the luggage. Tetsurou was the one who drove while we sat in the backseat, my family talking amiably with each other whilst I only tried to find a more comfortable position to sleep.

"Mimi..." Noah whispered, taking my head and placing it on his shoulder. "You can sleep on my shoulder."

Without another word, I wrapped my arms around his, shifting to a more comfortable position. I didn't mind the noise of my family as I focused on falling asleep.

The next day, I told my family that I will just go to Miyagi because I want to visit my father and brother. It has been so long since I've seen them. Noah also tagged along and Mom asked me to take Aria with me so that she'll get the chance to meet them also. I borrowed Tetsurou's car so that I'll just drive on the way back in the province.

"You didn't have to come with me, you know." I said. "Miyagi is in the countryside. There's nothing that you could see in there."

"It's alright, Mimi. It's still part of Japan." He smiled. "Besides, I'd get to spend some time with Aria-chan!" He craned his neck to the backseat and gave her a toothy grin to which Aria rewarded him the same grin.

I just rolled my eyes but then cracked a smile right after. He's really like a big brother to Aria, right next to Tetsurou. We stopped by the flower shop to buy white narcissus flowers and went to the cemetery to visit my father and brother. How I missed them so much. I introduced Noah and Aria to them, and there they offered short prayers for their souls. The memory of yesterday still overwhelms the memory of today...

I suddenly remember the last time I went here with him years ago. It was on my sixteenth birthday. How time flies so fast like a heartbeat. I wonder what Dad and Nii-san had to say about my decision years ago? I'm sure they're shaking their heads in disappointment, judging as they look down upon me from heaven right now. I shook my head at the thought.

After that, we went to the Sendai City Museum because of the two tourists with me. I don't really know much about paintings, fossils and artifacts but Noah and Aria are still contented with what their eyes are witnessing. I don't know why my heart feels so heavy upon seeing huge dinosaur fossils around the area. I sighed, but then my head swayed when I felt the weight of someone's stare on my back. And there it felt like I've forgotten how to breathe.

Our eyes met and it was as if everything around me went still. I couldn't hear the outside world anymore. Every inch of my being focused on him. My heart started to beat erratically and my feet felt like it was glued to the ground when he casually approached me.

"Hi." He greeted.

I blinked as if coming out of a daze. I swallowed the lump on my throat before I dragged the word out of my mouth. "Tsukishima..."

"Nice to see you again." He smiled at me.