Chapter Text
The moment we were born we felt like polar opposites. I watched you radiate as bright as the sun uplifting the spirits of all those around you. Unknowing of how the saddest people smile the brightest. Whereas you saw me as the moon only displaying one side of myself, keeping the other in the dark. What you don't know is no matter what I do, people will always question my judgement.
From a young age we became separated hundreds of miles, living lives of different meanings with hidden struggles the other doesn't know. I watched you come and go like the tides of the ocean controlled by the moon. As the years have passed I've looked out for you from afar, and I've learned hard work doesn't always guarantee success. You have no idea how much I wish that weren't the case for you. The world of volleyball orbits around me, but I know yours is vice versa, believing this is the only way to remain a part of my world. Chasing after the promise we made when we were five. I know there's no convincing you once your mind is set so until the final solar eclipse.
This is the journey of how the sun and moon were pulled into Earth's gravitational pull destined to meet on the big stage.
Ever since Kita Yuzuki found out she was pregnant, her mother Kita Yumie insisted she move back in until the end of her pregnancy to keep a close eye. Since her husband and two daughters would be busy with work, school, and daycare, only able to drop by later in the day for a few hours and weekends.
Awoken by the small human movements inside her stomach, Yuzuki left her room sitting on the engawa of her mother's house. Feeling the summer breeze, she stared at the surrounding miles of rice fields as golden rays of light illuminated the night sky with colors of orange and pink.
After appreciating the nature around her for what felt like forever, she could see in the distance her husband, Bokuto Kansuke, and their two daughters, Bokuto Kimie and Kita Shiori, making their way up the road from their nearby house.
Approaching Grandma Yumie's house, the family greeted one another.
Bokuto Kansuke: Good morning, Yuzu.
Kita Yuzuki: Good morning, Kansu.
Bokuto Kansuke: From our balcony I noticed you were up as early as 6 AM sitting out here. The kids and I came over to check up on you. Were the little ones giving you a hard time last night and that's why you're outside?
Kita Yuzuki: Yes, one of them could not keep still. They kept kicking for attention, but they calmed down once I moved around and fully woke up.
Bokuto Kansuke: That's good. They'll be coming anytime now.
Bokuto Kimie and Kita Shiori: Good morning, Mama.
Kita Yuzuki: Ah good morning my beautiful girls. Have y'all been behaving for Papa when Mama isn't around?
Bokuto Kimie and Kita Shiori: Yes, Mama.
Kita Yuzuki: Good job.
Bokuto Kansuke: Okay girls. Here, Kimie–chan, grab your sister because it's starting to get warmer with the summer heat. Why don't you two go inside and find grandma while I help Mama get into the house.
Bokuto Kimie and Kita Shiori: Okay.
Inside the house, small quick footsteps could be heard with a purpose.
Bokuto Kimie: Grandma, Grandma, where are you?
Kita Shiori: Grandma, wake up it's morning time!
Grandma Yumie: Oh, who do we have here? If it isn't my sweet Kimie–chan and sweet Shiori–chan. Come give grandma a big hug.
Bokuto Kimie and Kita Shiori: Good morning grandma.
Grandma Yumie: Kimie–chan, where are you parents?
Bokuto Kimie: Mama was on the engawa when we came so Papa is helping her inside.
Grandma Yumie: Ah I see. Well, why don't we make our way into the kitchen to make breakfast. How does that sound to you two?
Bokuto Kimie and Kita Shiori: Yay!
Hearing the commotion from the kitchen, Yuzuki and Kansuke made their way as fast as a heavily pregnant woman could move around.
Kita Yuzuki: Good morning, mom...Where's dad?
Bokuto Kansuke: Good morning, mother.
Grandma Yumie: Good morning. Yuzuki–chan, you know your father, as soon as light peaked through the blinds he got up and went outside to tend to the fields. Why don't you sit at the table with the girls while I prepare breakfast for us? Okay.
Bokuto Kansuke: Oh, no mother let me prepare breakfast while you sit down with Yuzu and the kids.
Grandma Yumie: No, we've already discussed this. No matter how old you are, you're all my kids and all under my supervision. I'll be the one to cook as long as we're under the roof of this house..
Kita Yuzuki: How about you both help prepare breakfast? Isn't that a great idea, I wonder who came up with it, oh me.
Bokuto Kansuke: Mother...you heard the lady.
Grandma Yumie: Fine, but I'm handling the main dish, you do the sides.
Bokuto Kansuke: Yes, ma'am.
Grandma Yumie and Kansuke stayed in the kitchen getting to work on preparing breakfast. Not far away, Yuzuki made her way to the table where her daughters were sitting patiently in a comfortable silence. Sitting down, she directed her attention to Kimie, asking her about school and any interest in sports.
Sports were a big topic of interest in the Kita/Bokuto household. Back in the day Grandma Yumie played the libero position at Fueneku High School. After high school, she decided not to further her volleyball career, opting to settle down with her high school sweetheart, Kita Shinsaku, who comes from a long line of rice farmers. Together they stayed in Hyogo, inheriting and running the Kita family farm. Every now and then Grandma Yumie looks at the old photos she has around the house, reminiscing about the good old days and wondering what could have been. But in the end she's content with the way her life has turned out.
Eventually they had Yuzuki and no other children. Being an only child, it was expected Yuzuki would inherit the farm, but her passion lies elsewhere. Following in her mother's footsteps, she went to the same high school and played the same position. She received a sports scholarship going on to higher education, where she met her husband, who was studying astronomy.
When the two of them graduated, Kansuke worked on research projects and became a part-time professor at the highest ranked university in Hyogo. Yuzuki, no longer wanting to play volleyball, remained active in the sports world by being a sports public relations manager for the Division 1 women's volleyball team in Hyogo, where she maintained and expanded the relationships she developed in college.
Realizing their only child had no interest in inheriting the family farm, Shinsaku and Yumie continued running it in hopes one of their future grandchildren would want to. It would be devastating to them if they had to give away the rice farm that's been around for generations.
After a few seconds of contemplating Kimie gave her response.
Bokuto Kimie: I don't want to play sports. Sorry, Mama. I want to be like Papa and learn about space.
Kita Yuzuki: Oh, what's there to be sorry about. Is it because Grandma Yumie and Mama both played volleyball when we were younger? Sure, we'd be happy if you played but we'll be just as happy watching you do whatever you want to do. We'll support you however we can Kimie–chan, RIGHT KANSU?
Bokuto Kansuke: YES!
Bokuto Kimie: PAPA YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT MAMA AND I ARE TALKING ABOUT!
Bokuto Kansuke: ALL I HEARD WAS "SUPPORT" AND "KIMIE–CHAN". THE ANSWER WILL ALWAYS BE YES!
Bokuto Kimie: Silly Papa.
Kita Yuzuki: Yes, silly Papa.
A couple minutes before breakfast was finished, Grandpa Shinsaku, came back from his morning field work.
Grandpa Shinsaku: Ah what a lovely sight to see in the morning. Good morning everyone.
Bokuto Kimie and Kita Shiori: Good morning, Grandpa.
Kita Yuzuki: Good morning, dad.
Grandpa Shinsaku: Ohh what do we have cooking over here?
Bokuto Kansuke: Good morning, father.
Grandma Yumie: Good morning, Shin...Hey stop that! Go sit down with the girls instead of coming in here and sneaking bites.
Grandpa Shinsaku: Oops, couldn't help myself knowing you're the cook.
Grandpa Yumie: Oh, don't you sweet talk me. Shoo, go sit.
Kita Yuzuki: Mom kicked you out of the kitchen again?
Grandpa Shinsaku: Yup.
Kita Yuzuki: Well, nothing new there.
When the food was finally done, Grandma Yumie and Kansuke brought out the dishes, placing them in the center of the table. Everyone grabbed a share enjoying the delicious flavors and company. Once breakfast was over the entire family moved to the living room to watch television or have space to play or read.
Around twelve o'clock Yuzuki felt a sharp pain in her stomach, slightly curling into herself. Seeing this Kansuke got up from his spot playing with Shiori rushing to her side.
Bokuto Kansuke: Yuzu, what's wrong?
Kita Yuzuki: I just felt this sharp pain unlike the previous pregnancies.
Grandma Yumie: Oh Kansuke–kun, look down Yuzuki–chan's water broke. We need to grab our things and head over to the hospital. Where's the hospital bag you packed?
Kita Yuzuki: It's in my room right next to the door.
Grandma Yumie: Shin!
Grandpa Shinsaku: I'm already on it! Here's the bag!
Grandma Yumie: Shin, Kansuke–kun, both of you get Yuzuki–chan into the car and go to the hospital. I'll handle the girls until you get her situated. I'll drive over with them, or you could come back and pick us up. Just get a move on now.
Bokuto Kansuke: Okay. Kimie–chan grab your sister and go sit with grandma. The two of you will be staying here until grandpa comes back to pick all of you up. Mama and I are going to the hospital. Seems like your brothers chose today to be born.
Bokuto Kimie: Okay.
Kita Shiori: Yay! Brothers are coming!
Getting into the car, Yuzuki, Kansuke, and Grandpa Shinsaku made their way to the hospital. In front of the hospital, Grandpa Shinsaku dropped the two off where a nurse was coming over with a wheelchair. Seeing they would be taken care of, he made his way back to the house picking up Grandma Yumie, Kimie, and Shiori then returning.