"My love for you will outlast this beach, this ocean, this planet. When judgment comes and Heaven finally falls, I will take you back with me." - Scarlet Blackwell, I Am Fallen

XXXVI.

It was a day of blue skies and cherry blossoms danced together with the wind. I can't even believe that it was already spring.

An involuntary smile of excitement crept to my lips as my feet took its first step on the floors of Kyoto - my home. Yes, I'm finally home at last.

"Yurika!" Someone called out my name, which caught my attention.

I switched my gaze at different directions, finding the source of the sound. And then I found my mother, who was waving her hands to me.

I grinned and ran to her direction, dragging my luggage with me. I gave her a tight hug and giggled.

We chatted the whole while on the way home, catching up. Even though I've always kept in touch with her throughout the years, we never seem to run out of topic today. Maybe that's the result of finishing college in Melbourne and might as well, manage the branch company for a few years. And besides, I missed my family as well. And seeing her today... I can't help but notice the huge change that occurred in her. But that change was in a positive side.

Kyoto had changed a lot. There were many repaired roads, newly opened shopping districts and such. Everything felt so weird yet good at the same time. But it was still the same place that I built memories for years... with a certain someone.

When we arrived at the certain mansion that I used to call home, my eyes sparkled in awe. They had made a few changes and renovations here and there but it's still simple. Simple yet elegant.

I had recovered most of my memories thanks to the help of therapy. However, I never recovered the memories of my childhood. And it saddened me because I will have no childhood moment to reminisce about and I never met my grandfather in person, only in my dreams. He died when I was 12. But I managed to live with it.

Opening the front doors of my home, I was beyond surprised when familiar faces greeted my eyes - my friends of course.

"Surprise!" Yukari was the first one to squeal and attack me in a tight bear hug, which made me giggle and quickly return the favor. There stood the Uncrowned Kings: Reo Mibuchi, Kotaro Hayama and Eikichi Nebuya. Chihiro Mayuzumi and Erika was also there. And she was grinning ear to ear as she held her baby son in her arms.

"Kyaaa~ Yuri-chan! I missed you~!" Reo sang then hugged me which made me laugh. He got even taller though.

"Welcome back, Yu-chan! You've changed a lot!" Kotaro grinned and also gave me a hug.

"Is it the good kind of change?" I asked then returned the smile. He just laughed and nodded.

I shifted my gaze towards Eikichi and grinned at him. "Looking good, Eikichi!" I approached him and gave him a hug, he laughed and hugged me back then spun me around, making me laugh as well.

When Eikichi put me down, I shifted my attention towards the female with the baby. I squealed in excitement. "Oh, my God! Is he already my godson? Hi Subaru-kun!" I exclaimed, happily. Subaru-kun's dull eyes met mine and his lips curled up into a smile.

"He likes you!" Reo said.

I gave Eri my famous puppy eyes. "May I?" I asked Eri.

She giggled "Do you really need to ask that? Of course! He's your godson after all!" She said with a smile then slowly put Subaru-kun in my arms.

"He's so cute! Right, Chihiro?" I beamed at him, giving him a grin as well.

"Well, I'm his father after all." He shrugged as if he had stated a fact and that made Eri roll her eyes.

"I just hope he won't inherit that side of you." Eri muttered to herself.

"What side?" Chihiro asked.

"That arrogant side of yours." Eri shot back, smiling innocently.

"Hmp, too late for that." He smirked at her then slid his arm around her waist, which made Eri blush furiously.

Yeah, you got that right. Chihiro is Eri's husband and the father of the child I'm currently holding. I remember her telling me how much she hated Chihiro's guts then after a few months, she confessed to me that they are dating and such, and that took me by utter surprise. She even begged me to attend to their wedding which was close to impossible due to my really hectic schedule. She didn't answer any of my calls and messages for a whole week. It was such a miracle how a quiet person like Chihiro would like a noisy fangirl like Erika.

And speaking of miracles...

"Guys, group hug!" Kotaro exclaimed and we all shared a long, happy hug full of laughter.

After we had pulled away, I returned Subaru-kun to Eri and looked around. And they seem to notice or know what's been running through my mind.

"Is there something wrong, Yuri-chan?" Reo asked me, his voice was plastered with concern although he was still smiling. That kind of smile of amusement that indicate that he knows something I was oblivious about.

"You're looking for Akashi, right?" Kotaro guessed with a grin, wiggling his eyebrows.

I smiled and bit my lower lip, nodding meekly.

"It's about time you ask that!" Eikichi added and they laughed.

"Do you guys know where he is?" I asked, a little uneasy.

"I think you have forgotten something, Yuri-chan." Reo told me.

My forehead creased in confusion. "What?" I asked.

"Today is his mom's death anniversary." He stated and that made me wide my eyes in absolute shock.

Of course! How could I ever forget that? I'm so sorry, Mrs. Akashi! It completely slipped out of my mind! I'm such a horrible person!

"Don't feel guilty, Yurika." Yukari affirmed and that made me feel guilty even more. I looked back at her with worried eyes and sighed.

"But--"

"I'm sure she'll understand." Reo cut me off with a smile, those words of reassurance made me feel slightly better however the guilt was still there.

"Anyway, I think you know where he is at the moment, right?" Reo asked me with a knowing tone, and I smiled as I nodded my head.

"Then what the heck are you waiting for?" Eikichi asked me.

I laughed. "Right, right," I agreed with a dismissive wave of my hand. I turned my attention to my mother, who was busy with her phone. I walked towards her and kissed her cheek, taking her by surprise. She looked at me with questioning eyes as I whispered to her. "I'm going out for a while."

"Aren't you still jet lagged from the flight?" She asked with a worried tone.

"A little. But I can manage." I gave her a reassuring smile and gave my friends one last glance. I gave them a nod and a smile, which they gladly returned. I started walking to the front door when a voice stopped me.

"Yuri-chan," Reo called out which made me stop on my tracks and peer over my shoulder to take a look at him. He just smiled at me. "Good luck."

I took the car and drove straight to the cemetery. It was such a relief that I still quite remember the directions but before entering the cemetery, I bought a bouquet of flowers as an offering.

Flowers surrounded her gravestone, which was a sign that someone had recently visited. A gentle smile crept to my lips as I lied the flowers among the rest. I took the advantage of the peaceful silence and offered a short prayer.

"Hi Mrs. Akashi..." I mumbled as I sat against the gravestone, as if she was really in front of me. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?" I wondered aloud then looked at the blue sky. "Yes... it's been 7 years since my last visit." I said then tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "How are you? I hope you're doing well. And... I'm not going to ask how your son is because I already know that he's been doing very well. He'd done his very best, it's evident on the news all over the world. He has become pretty well-known and I'm sure you're smiling right now because you're very proud of him. He's become a really great man." I sighed, exasperated. "Which made me feel like I no longer deserve him. He's really out of anyone's league." And that made my heart sank at the pit of my stomach.

"I tried forgetting him. I really did. Because I thought that he no longer have a reason to take me back in his life. I thought that he no longer loves me. I mean, 7 whole years without any contact with each other, right?" I laughed like a fool but then the bitterness was evident in my voice. "Well, unfortunately, I can't teach my heart to love someone else. And Mrs. Akashi, I still love your son. My feelings didn't changed a tad bit. After all these years, my heart is still yearning for him."

I stayed there for a few minutes, feeling the cold wind caress my face, blowing my red hair once in a while. I decided to take a walk around the streets of Kyoto and suddenly passed by a very familiar park.

I can clearly remember that rainy day, where he confessed his love to me and claimed my first kiss. That was also one of the reasons as to why I couldn't forget him. Because forgetting a person who gave you so much to remember is easier said than done. Almost close to impossible.

But then my eyes caught a familiar shade of red at the street basketball court. It was a certain man who was teaching a group of children the basics of basketball. I don't know why but my feet suddenly functioned by itself, I started walking towards the court and stopped by a few feet away from them.

He didn't changed a bit, he is still gorgeous. If ever, he looked even more handsome now than he was before. I can't help but remember our first interaction at Rakuzan's front gate, where my feet felt like it had stepped on glue - I couldn't move. That's what I was feeling at the moment.

The children were dismissed and he was left alone at the middle of the court, I watched him as he shot a three, the ball sinking perfectly onto the hoop. He was still perfect as ever.

I felt something touch my foot and I looked down to see the ball on the ground. I bent down to reach it then shifted my gaze towards the redhead, who was now staring intently at me.

My heart started beating abnormally fast and I kind of liked the feeling of it. My heart hasn't beaten so fast for a very long time. And I liked the fact that he was the only one capable of doing it.

I started walking towards him and he watched me do so. I stopped just as I was in front of him, creating a space between us. I swallowed and played the ball on my hands.

"Hi, Akashi-kun." I mustered up another batch of courage to greet him and offer a small smile.

Akashi-kun arched an eyebrow and let out a smile of his own. "You're back." He stated instead.

I scratched my head and nodded. "Yeah, just a few hours ago. I already visited your mom." I informed him and swallowed, suddenly feeling how dry my throat was.

"Is that so?" He asked and took the time to look at me from head to toe. It immediately made me feel self-conscious. "You've changed a lot."

"Oh, really?" I just found myself completely speechless and the awkward silence that was starting to devour the atmosphere was enough to drive me crazy.

I bit my lower lip and mustered up all of my courage to ask him the thing I've wanted to ask him after all these years.

"A-Akashi-kun..." I mumbled and looked down at the ball on my hands, still biting on my lips.

"What?"

"Do... Do you still love me?"

He didn't answer and it made me feel even more nervous than I already was. I can't look up and see the expression he was wearing. I was scared.

So, please... say something.

"Lift your head, Yurika." He ordered me and I instinctively obeyed. I stared into those endless crimson eyes that had its usual mischievous glint. "Well, do you think I still do?"

I was completely at loss for words. "Um... I..."

"Shoot."

I frowned in confusion. "What?"

"Shoot the ball and I'll think about it." He smirked at me and now I know the meaning behind the mischievous glint in his eyes.

I frowned widened. "But what if I missed?"

He just answered me a wordless smile and shifted his gaze at the hoop a few feet away from us. And from this distance, this shot would be a three. And the percentage of me able to sink this shot was close to zero.

"You should practice believing yourself." Akashi-kun told me then returned his gaze at me.

I succumbed to his challenge. I took a deep breath then took the time to get the stance I'm comfortable with.

You better be thankful that I still love you.

After a few moments, I entered my shooting motion and everything came back to me. Every moments that we shared together. Every laugh, fights, jealousy and tears that we shared...

My shot missed.

By the time that registered in my brain, my eyes were already filled with tears.

He chuckled and that made me pout. "Didn't I already told you this before?" He took a step forward and closed the gap between us, we were dangerously close. "I told you to stop calling me by my surname," He smiled then fished something from his pocket. He held my left hand and pushed something on my ring finger. "Because I'm going to give it to you."

I looked at my hand and to the beautiful diamond ring, which probably costed quite a fortune then back at Seijuro, who was giving me a smile. A smile that welcomes me back in his life.

My tears finally escaped from my eyes and punched his chest. "You jerk! You scared me!" I exclaimed as I continued to punch him but then I stopped just as his warm hands met mine.

"I just tested if your shooting skills improved," He stated his famous nonchalant tone. "And you're still gravely bad at it."

I pouted then wrenched myself away from him, wiping my tears away and folding my arms across my chest. "I hate you."

"We all know you don't."

"You haven't even answered my question yet."

"How long has it's been? 7 years? That's nothing compared to the years we're going to make up not having any contact with each other. And let's start today, shall we?"

"What?" I asked, confused.

"I order you to spend the rest of your life with me. And to answer your question," He trailed off and claimed my lips in a deep passionate kiss that made my knees weak. "Yes, I still do love you, Yurika Sendo." He rested his forehead on mine as he whispered those words so sensually.

"And?" My lips slowly curled up into a smile in anticipation. I waited for him to propose marriage to me but the words that escaped his mouth was the one I expected from an emperor.

He matched my smile then pulled away. "Marry me or I'll cut you."

--

Seijuro Akashi - a redheaded man who was an epitome of perfection and glory. An extremely intimidating man who makes everyone subservient and submit to him wholeheartedly. He doesn't have any interest in romance whatsoever and even though he has an incredible cold personality, he still managed to make girls fall head over heels on him. Though he'd reject them on the worst way possible, there was this girl that had something that sparked interest in him.

And that girl was me.

Up to this point, I still couldn't think of a reason as to why he fell in love with me. But then I realized, you don't need a reason to fall in love. It comes naturally, whether you like it or not. It's beyond your power. Once your heart beat for someone, you have no choice but to follow it.

I wore a simple yet elegant off shoulder wedding dress. My hair is tied up in an elegant bun followed by a precious necklace my mother gave me. It was my grandmother's. And when the time comes for my child's turn to get married, I'll pass this necklace on to my daughter or in law.

My father talked to me before my wedding. And I almost smeared my makeup because he was finally a changed man. He apologized and told me that he was proud of me right from the start. I never thought that my father was wearing his Kuudere mask all along. I chuckled at the thought.

While my father and I were walking on the aisle, the piano piece I composed for Seijuro started playing. He stood by the edge, waiting for me and I smiled at him.

I had an accident. Fell into a coma for 6 months. Had a fiance. Made me fall in love with him all over again. And after 7 years of being apart from each other... we've been through a lot and here we are, we still ended up with each other.

And it was because of him... he never gave up on me.

"Take good care of my daughter, Seijuro." My father told him as he gave my hand to my groom.

"I will handle her with care." Seijuro assured my father then looked at me and smirked. "With so much care."

As we were reciting our wedding vows, I can't help but to take a look at the crowd. Of course, the Uncrowned Kings were there, Chihiro, Erika and Yukari and some of my schoolmates from high school. My father's friends and some from Seijuro's father as well. His Skittle teammates were also there, the Generation of Miracles.

I just realized that this ceremony will only legit that I'm married to him. But his words were still so fresh in my memory it felt like he had only said that yesterday. That marriage is just a piece of paper... because even right from the start... I knew... that I'm already married to him.

--

"This looks like a good movie, don't you think?" I asked my husband as I held out a movie on my hands.

"I think so." He smiled at me.

I wanted to watch a movie, and it was a coincidence that Yukari lent me some.

"Let's watch it!" I told him, excitingly.

About halfway through the movie, I know that I'm already putting the tomatoes to shame by now.

"Why, won't you look at that?" Seijuro smirked, amused. His eyes were shamelessly focused on the scene in front of us, which is... um... a bed scene.

I shifted my gaze towards the movie cover and read the title slowly. "Fifty... Fifty Shades of Grey..."

"That looks interesting, right Yurika?" Seijuro asked me then inched himself closer to me. I gulped and moved away until I hit the end of the sofa. He closed the gap between us. "Would you like our own version of Fifty Shades of Grey?"

I quickly stood up. "Um... I-I need to go to the bathroom." I stuttered and he chuckled.

"Alright. But be sure to make haste, I don't like waiting."

I nodded then practically ran out of the room then to our room. I locked myself on the bathroom and heaved a sigh of relief. Oh, God... what was he trying to do? Does he want us to... oh, my God.

I looked at myself on the mirror then messed up my hair. "Argh!" I groaned then sighed.

I'm afraid that I won't satisfy him...

I stayed there for 2 hours, pacing back and forth. Then I finally decided to come out and was surprised to see Seijuro already fast asleep on the bed. I slowly made my way to him and stared at his handsome sleeping feature then smiled. Some of his red hair was covering his forehead and my hand went to brush it off his face but then my motion stopped when my wrist was grabbed and I squealed in shock as I was pulled on the bed.

He pinned my hands above my head as his crimson eyes stared deadly into my hazel ones.

"Se-Sei..." I managed to utter.

His lips curled up into a sly smile. "You disobeyed me, Yurika," He muttered as his breath brushed on my face. "Don't you think you deserve a punishment?"

"U-Um... what did I do wrong?" I asked innocently.

"You made me wait for 2 hours. 2 straight hours." He deadpanned.

I gulped. "I'm so-sorry..."

His smile changed into a smirk. "Too late for that..." He whispered just as he closed the gap between our bodies.

But before he kissed me, I smiled nervously as I managed to whisper back. "I love you, please don't kill me, Seijuro."

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I can't write lemons. It's not that I can't... I mean I never tried. It's too life risking. XD

So what do you think of the absolute finale? Yay or nay? :'3

Epilogue will be posted some time next week. I have exams. //cries

I created a Midorima Fanfiction. It's called "Everything Has Changed"

Well, I have a lot of things that I want to say... but I'll just tell it on the final author's note after the epilogue. I'm going to mark this as complete even though the epilogue will be delayed for a few days. XD

Thank you for reading! :D