Chapter 25

                                    

                                          
Kuroo groaned as he woke up from his alarm ringing. He sat up slowly as he stretched his body. When he was finally awake, he grinned. It was his date with Kurumi today. He quickly got out of his bed and began to prepare for his date with her. As he was preparing, he couldn't help but hum in joy.
• • •
He bought a small flower bouquet for Kurumi before he headed in front of Kurumi's house. When he knocked on the door, he expected her to open the door, but it was an older version of her that opened the door. Kuroo could instantly tell that it was her mother.
"You must be Kuroo!" She smiled.
He smiled at her before greeting her. "That's me. Nice to meet you."
"Is that for Ume?" Her mother asked as she pointed at the small bouquet in his hand.
He nodded. "They just reminded me of her."
"That's so sweet of you," She smiled as she opened the door wider for him to enter. "Please come in while you wait for her."
"Thank you," he said.
He entered her house and her mother led him to the couch. "Do you want anything to drink?"
He shook his head. "It's fine, please don't mind me."
He then felt another presence entering the living room. He looked at the presence and saw a middle-aged man, which probably was her father. Kuroo stood up and greeted him. Her father nodded as he stared at him hard. Kuroo began to feel nervous until her mother interrupted. "Honey, stop!"
Her father pouted as he replied, "But I can't believe my princess is growing up already!"
Her mother sighed in disbelief. "She's already in her second year, honey. I'm surprised she only got a boyfriend now."
Kuroo smiled at their interaction. Now he understood why Kurumi was gentle and cute. She was exactly like her parents. He could tell that she was really loved by them.
"You better take good care of my daughter!" Her father said as he looked at him.
Kuroo nodded his head right away. "Of course, sir!"
Her father gave a satisfied nod when a door creaked open. Then soft footsteps walked towards them. "Mom? Dad?"
Kuroo smiled when he heard the voice that he loves so much.
When she finally reached the living room, she gasped in shock. "T-Tetsu?!"
He waved at her. "Hey~"
She quickly came towards him and grabbed his hand as she dragged him to the door. "Mom! Dad! I'm leaving!"
"Have fun, Ume!"
"You better bring her back home safely!"
"It was nice meeting you, ma'am, sir. And I will definitely bring her back safely!" Kuroo said as he let Kurumi drag him out.
When they exited her house, Kurumi turned to him as they began to walk to their destination. "I'm sorry about my dad."
He shook his head. "There's nothing to apologize for. They seem really nice and I know that your dad was just worried about you."
Kurumi laughed slightly with a nod. "Maybe a bit too much."
He then handed her the small bouquet he bought for her. "Here, for you."
She accepted it with a smile of joy. "Thank you... This is so pretty..."
Kuroo grinned as he stared at the expression she was making. It was the exact face he imagined her to make.
Once she saw a small card in the middle, she took it out to read it. 
• • •
Forget hydrogen, you're my number one element.
• • •
She laughed out loud at the content. "Tetsu! Seriously, I can never get enough of your pick-up lines!"
Kuroo grinned. "I still have a lot more~ Be ready to hear them all~"
She continued to giggle as she said she can't wait to hear them all. However, her laughter soon died out as she went deep into her thoughts. Kuroo waited for her patiently until she looked at him with determination. "Tetsu."
Before he was able to ask her what was it, she tiptoed and gave him a quick peck on his cheeks. Kuroo was frozen on the spot for a split second at her action but quickly snapped out of it.
"Oya Oya? Is Kitten feeling affectionate today?" Kuroo asked with a smile.
Kurumi blushed as she looked away from him. "I-I just wanted to do it."
He chuckled as he took her hand softly into his and brought it closer to his lips. He then placed a soft kiss on the back of her fingers, making her blush into a deeper shade.
"T-Tetsu!" She yelled in shyness.
"It's not my fault you're so adorable~" He said. "I love you."
She managed to look at his eyes before she said it back to him. "I-I love you, too..."