The return trip to the US was far better than Ken had expected. After popping the question and celebrating with all of his old friends, he left with a renewed sense of enthusiasm to start the new academic year at Columbia.
Despite knowing that he would not be able to compete for a while, Ken had kept up with his training, not wanting his fitness level to drop due to laziness. It was always easier to stay in shape then get into shape.
Ai and Ken had decided to spend a week in Austin with his parents before the new semester began. When they arrived at the airport, a red Silverado was waiting for them.
"Well if it isn't the two lovebirds!" Steve said with his usual mischievous grin painted on his face.
"It's good to see you bro." Ken said, unable to control the smile on his face. Despite the long flight, he was in a genuinely good mood.
"Congrats on your engagement by the way. I would have loved to be there." Steve added.
"Eh? Who told you?" Ken asked, wearing a mystified expression.
"Yuki, of course. I visited your parents every few days to check up on them since you left them to go to Japan." Steve winked.
Ken's eyes narrowed, "You liar. The only reason you come to my house is for my mom's cooking."
Steve gasped, holding his heart as if he had been wounded by such words. "Kenneth, Is that how little you think of me?"
"Kenneth?"
Ai began to giggle, clutching the sides of her stomach as she listened to the back and forth of the two. The laugh was infectious and the two quickly forgot about what they were bickering about.
In the car, Steve began to ask questions, wanting all the details.
"I'll tell you when we get there, otherwise I'll have to repeat myself." Ken said, rolling his eyes. He couldn't blame the guy for being excited, but he was still a little fatigued from the trip.
When they arrived, Steve was the first in the door, acting as if he owned the place. "I'm home~"
Ken sent a swift kick to his backside, causing him to fall forward. "Mom, Dad, we're home." He said, ignoring his friend who was now glaring at him.
"There you are!" Yuki exclaimed, holding her arms out.
Ken smiled, feeling warm. He moved forward to hug her, but froze after she blew right past him, taking Ai into a warm hug.
"Eh?"
"PFFT."
Steve's hand shot up to his mouth to stop himself from laughing, but Ken saw it and sent him a stern look. He turned to see his mother chatting away with Ai, almost as if he didn't exist.
"Ahem… Mom, I'm home." He said.
"Yes yes, welcome home." She replied dismissively before taking Ai into the dining room.
His father appeared, a knowing look painted on his face. The guy moved forward and held Ken by the shoulders, "Welcome home Ken, and congratulations." He said with a grin.
"Thanks Dad."
The two embraced and Ken felt a little better.
"Don't worry, she'll remember about you soon enough. When you were born, your mother didn't give me any attention for months." He said with a chuckle.
Soon enough, everyone sat down for a meal. It was already dusk and Ken was starving. The food on the flight was subpar to say the least, so having his mother's cooking was like the difference between Heaven and Earth.
Ken told the story of how he had proposed and had even been able to get footage of the game, saving it on his phone. Yuki had tears in her eyes and his father gave him a proud look afterwards.
"So, have you thought about the wedding yet?" His mother asked with enthusiasm.
Ken felt a little embarrassed and he turned to Ai. Thankfully she also seemed unsure, making him feel a little better.
"We haven't talked that far yet." Ai admitted.
Yuki was about to say more, but Chris placed his hand on her arm. "They're still young honey, and both are attending College. How about we talk about this after they graduate?"
"But that's like 3 years away!" Yuki exclaimed.
"Let's just think about it for a while okay Mom? We haven't even decided where we'll be getting married yet." He admitted.
Ai turned her head and looked at him oddly, "Well, we'd have to get married in Japan right?"
At these words, Yuki's face dropped a little. Seeing this, Ken felt that he was about to get in the middle of something that he didn't want to be in right now.
"H—How about we talk about this another time?"
"Excellent idea." Chris interjected. "Honey, why don't you bring out that cheesecake you made earlier today." He said, steering the conversation away from the sensitive topic.
"Cheesecake!? Damn Yuki, you're the best." Steve exclaimed with excitement.
Amidst this, Ai sent him a questioning gaze, prompting Ken to pat the back of her hand. He wordlessly conveyed that they would talk about this later.
Once dessert had been served, Ken and Ai said goodnight and headed to bed. They were still rather jetlagged from the flight and could do with some good rest.
"What was up with Yuki when I mentioned having our wedding in Japan?" Ai asked softly.
Ken shook his head. "I'm not sure. She hasn't been back since we moved here more than a year and a half ago. Maybe she's afraid that if she goes, she won't want to come back?"
Surprisingly, Ken had guessed the exact reason. Despite settling into her new life, Yuki was extremely homesick. It wasn't just the social aspect, but the culture as well.
She had tried to be strong for her husband, but it felt like she had left a big part of herself in Japan, her home country. Perhaps she was overreacting, but the thought of heading back to Japan scared her, much more than she would dare to admit.