002

But Keyla only brought down a bit, because she was getting sick again. Since Keyla had at least eaten something, Kojiro didn't say anything else, he looked at the clock, it was 7 p.m

*we would have to get ready, Salva will be there in an hour* as if on cue, Keyla jumped up, rummaged in her suitcase and disappeared into the bathroom. After 30 minutes Keyla was showered, dressed and made up. Kojiro knocked cautiously, Keyla ripped open the door and looked at a startled Kojiro and had to laugh.

*I'm done, I can blow-dry my hair in the living room* Keyla knew what Kojiro wanted, because he snaked past her. Keyla turned around and stood in the doorway, Kojiro was already undressing when he realized that Keyla was still standing in the bathroom. He approached her only in boxer shorts

*Oh man, just where it gets exciting* grinning, Keyla turned around and then went towards the living room

*I have no problem with that, but I think I would get in trouble with Genzo* he yelled after her.

Keyla unplugged her phone and plugged in the hair dryer. After 10 minutes her hair was finally dry. Kojiro was showered and stood next to her with only a towel around his hips, because of the hair dryer she hadn't heard him coming into the living room.

Keyla didn't actually want to look at all, but Kojiro's well-toned body magically attracted her and her gaze stayed on his naked upper body.

*do you want to go out like that tonight?* Keyla forced herself to look him straight in the eyes

*no, I just wanted to see how far along you are* shrugging his shoulders, he turned around and was about to head towards the bedroom

*and that's why you stand half naked next to me just to see how far I've got? I can fool myself alone* Keyla smelled lies from 10 meters away and Kojiro was really trying to tease her straight. He turned to her again.

*Oh man Key, it was worth a try* grinning, he ran into the bedroom to get dressed and deliberately left the door open a bit. But not with Keyla, she stalked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She didn't want to be provoked, and certainly not by him.

A short time later, Kojiro came out of the bedroom whistling, who had expected Keyla to still be in the living room and was now looking for her, finally finding her in the kitchen.

*don't just run away* Kojiro poked her side because Keyla didn't even notice him. He was about to poke her again, but Keyla held his hands tight.

*if you do that again, I'll make a list and sue you for damages, as many bruises as I've got from you* grinning, she got up to put her shoes on

*oh Key, don't be a spoilsport* Kojiro sneaked after her

*are you calling me spoilsport?* Keyla raised an eyebrow and looked at him in disbelief

*um, no matter what I say now, I think I'll regret it* Kojiro put on his shoes in silence and got a dirty look from Keyla

Keyla was waiting at the door, Kojiro needed extra long again. But Keyla didn't really feel like it anymore, she was always sick. But if she told Kojiro, he would only worry unnecessarily.

*can we?* Kojiro was standing next to her ready to start, she didn't even notice

*What? Yes, let's go* Keyla had a guess what was going on with her, but she couldn't quite believe it, she decided to wait and see

She darted down the stairs, past Kojiro, who just looked after her in disbelief.

Once outside, Salva was already waiting for the two.

*save me* she whispered in Salva's ear as she hugged him

*oh, it can't be that bad* grinning, he broke away from her

*Do you have any idea* Keyla sighed, at that moment Kojiro was already standing behind her, he pretended to poke her, but only held his hands on Keyla's ribs, she flinched even without being poked.

*Want to?* Keyla wanted to get the evening over with and didn't even react to what Kojiro tried because he just wanted to annoy her again anyway.

On the way to the bar, Keyla thought about Genzo, who still hadn't called, but she didn't want to annoy him either. She texted Taro

*hey brother, everything ok with you?*Key

Keyla thoughtfully grabbed Salva's arm, at least he wouldn't ask her any questions, only Kojiro looked stupid.

*Key, do you have a minute?* Kojiro saw that something was bothering her and he wanted to find out what

*Does this really have to be now? Can't we talk later?* Keyla didn't see the point in talking to Kojiro about problems that actually didn't concern him. And except that he would question her, nothing would happen anyway. In the end he would hug her and she didn't need that at all.

*It's ok, you don't have to if you don't want to* Kojiro felt alienated, Keyla never reacted as extreme as now.

Even Salva looked at her more than worried, Keyla saw his gaze but didn't react to it.

10 minutes later all 3 were standing in front of the bar. They went in, but Keyla didn't dash onto the dance floor as usual, but sat down with the boys. Kojiro didn't want Keyla to be in a bad mood tonight though, so he dragged her onto the dance floor with him.

Keyla's favorite song was playing, Kojiro knew that because she kept hearing it. Keyla's good mood came back suddenly. She glared at Kojiro because he was making a fool of himself just to make her laugh and it even worked, she pulled Kojiro close and danced with him. Salva observed everything from a safe distance. Kojiro and Keyla's eyes met and both looked at Salva, who would have preferred to crawl under the table so as not to be seen. Keyla came up to him dancing, grabbed his hand and dragged him onto the dance floor.

*I like you a lot better that way* Kojiro smiled gently at her

*sorry for being so absent and grumpy earlier* Keyla sheepishly apologized because there was nothing she hated more than apologizing just when she realized she had made the mistakes.

Keyla ran to the bar dancing and ordered the first round of beers. The boys were already sneaking towards the table, Keyla followed them.

She felt much better now than half an hour ago.

The 3 had a very fun evening, lots of alcohol was flowing so she had to support Kojiro and Salva. They dropped off Salva on the way back and Keyla struggled to get to him with Kojiro in her arms.

When he got there, she put him to bed straight away, he almost fell asleep on the way. She had barely kept him awake. Keyla struggled onto the couch with the last of her strength and was gone immediately.

Her alarm clock woke her up again only 4 hours later, her head was pounding. Keyla took a shower first, made coffee and threw herself an aspirin. She was getting better. Kojiro was still asleep, so she wrote him a note, put a glass of water next to it, and put down an aspirin. Keyla grabbed her bag and headed into town, she knew from Kojiro that there were 3 bridal shops. Now she wanted to go through them one by one.

Number 1 was a complete failure because Keyla saw at first glance that they didn't have what she was looking for. She didn't even know what she was looking for herself, but her gut told her that she wouldn't find her dress there and so far she could rely on her gut. Arrived at the 2nd store, she saw it from afar.

A beautiful strapless wedding dress with dark red roses, a wide gathered skirt and a long train. It was tied at the sides with rose-red ribbons and a vine pattern ran up from the waist to the chest, also the deep red of the roses.

That was her dress from the dream. She tried it on and it fit like it was made for her. She wanted this dress and nothing else.

*I would like to buy the dress* Keyla beamed, the saleswoman rarely had such an easy customer and packed the dress. She handed it to Keyla, who then paid and made her way back to Kojiro. The whole thing had only lasted an hour. Beaming with joy, she entered Kojiro's apartment, but he still seemed to be asleep. She hung the garment bag on the living room door and decided to go again. Kojiro wouldn't get up before 12 and she didn't want to sit around at home either.

Keyla strolled through town, her eyes fell on a pet store, she walked through the store and stopped in front of a television. There was a documentary about llamas. The reporter told about a lama named Rajiv. Keyla couldn't get on anymore, because they just showed how the llama spat on this reporter, who now stood there like a drowned poodle.

Keyla had to move away from the TV as it could have been embarrassing as some viewers were already turning to look at her. She slowly crept out and strolled on.

She stopped in front of a café and sat down outside, the waitress promptly came to her.

*a latte please* said Keyla, whereupon the waitress disappeared and a short time later put the desired drink in front of her. Keyla sipped this and watched the people. She had to admit that one could bear it in Piedmont and she also understood Kojiro, because he didn't want to leave here.

But one thing bothered her, neither Genzo nor Taro had contacted her. Keyla grabbed her cell phone and called Genzo first, but he didn't answer, so she tried Taro

*hello brother

...did I just interrupt you at something?

…Oh so ok

...tell me, didn't you two forget something?

... maybe contact me? Anyway, I've already written to both of you

...where is Genzo actually?

...and I should believe you now?

...I hope he's alone?

...he should call me when he's awake

…do that

...bye

Keyla was angry, she woke up Taro and Genzo was still asleep. And apparently neither of them had noticed that she had called.

*Who believes it...* Keyla grumbled, that really couldn't be true and she hoped for Genzo that he would get in touch as soon as possible, because otherwise she couldn't guarantee anything.

But half an hour later neither Taro nor Genzo answered. I paid Keyla and went to the supermarket.

She wanted to cook for Kojiro and shopped for lunch.

On the way to him, Keyla received a text message, but it was only from Salva. Keyla sighed

*Hey sweetie how are you? What are you doing tonight?*Salva

*I still have no idea, why are you asking?*Key

*Are you coming to the game today?*Salva

*I think so* key

Keyla arrived at Kojiro's devastated, it was almost 12 but he was apparently still asleep. Keyla retreated to the kitchen and cooked, at least she was distracted and didn't think much about her fiancé. But she had to admit that she regretted buying the dress a little now that he didn't get in touch.

Around 1 the food was ready and Kojiro was still nowhere in sight. Keyla decided to wake him up. But he didn't react to that.

*is everything going wrong today?* Keyla was already fed up

Armed with a cup of coffee, she sat down in the living room and flipped through the TV program, but there wasn't anything appealing, Keyla sat down depressed in the kitchen and stared out the window, but after the 2nd coffee she was fed up and called Salva.

*hey

…what are you doing right now?

…can I come over?

…okay, see you in a bit

Keyla wrote a second note, Kojiro could cross them now. She grabbed her bag and ran to Salva. He was already waiting for her and saw immediately that something was bothering her.

*what's wrong Key?* he put an arm around her shoulder and looked at her worried

*except that Genzo doesn't get in touch with me, Taro turned me off, I cooked food for Kojiro and myself and the gentleman made no move to get up, nothing, everything's fine* Keyla was glad that at least Salva had time for her, by Kojiro would probably have fallen on her head at some point

*so the whole world is conspiring against you?* Salva grinned at Keyla

*that's not funny at all* pouting, Keyla turned away

*well I think so, otherwise you wouldn't have honored me with your visit* Salva pulled her back into his arms and looked at her sideways

*great, now it comes across as if you were my emergency solution. That's no better.* grumbling, Keyla bowed her head

*Oh nonsense, I'm glad you're here* Salva gave her a kiss on the temple, then both went in. Salva immediately put Keyla on the couch.

*do you want a drink?* Salva was still standing in the middle of the room

*if you have coffee* Keyla had to grin. Salva would find out soon enough that she was addicted to coffee

Salva brought her a cup of fresh coffee and then sat down next to her when her phone rang. Keyla looked up but threw it straight back into her pocket.

*Now he doesn't need to contact me either* she mocked and sipped her coffee, but promptly burned her mouth

*damn crap*

*hey Key, calm down. Judging by your reaction, Genzo just called?* Salva cautiously asked when her cell phone rang again

*no, he's still calling* she pushed Genzo away, he hadn't called since yesterday, why should she jump now when he called. Since Genzo should actually know her, he should have expected such a reaction.

*I should probably warn you* Salva giggled

*before what?* Keyla raised an eyebrow and looked at him sideways

*my mother is coming soon, or she always comes for coffee on Saturdays* Salva now put his head to the side and looked at her

*um, do you think she remembers who I am?* Keyla looked at him questioningly

*Yes, of course she still remembers that, I kept talking about you back then and she also knows that we are in contact again* Salva looked at a surprised face

*Time to flee?* Keyla laughed, Salva's mother was the kind of mother who liked to set her son up, she had already liked doing that back then

*Oh nonsense, it can be embarrassing for both of us at best, but that's about it* Salva got up and went to the kitchen to make more coffee, because in the next half hour his mother would be here.

Keyla was nervous but didn't really know why. Salva's mother knew her, but since she didn't know what to expect, she was terrified. Keyla was literally clutching her cup.

*Man Key, don't worry. You know my mother, you know that she is normally easygoing* Salva tried to calm her down

*that's probably the problem, I'm not the norm* grinning Keyla stood up

*erm, would you like to tell me where your bathroom is?* Keyla wanted to freshen up, so she couldn't possibly face Salva's mother

*in the hallway, the 2nd door on the right* Salva could understand her, but Keyla had changed, she wasn't the shy girl from before for a long time.

Keyla was still trying to get her hair in shape, but it didn't want to be like her. After countless attempts, they finally lay the way Keyla imagined. Just on the way to the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Keyla had to take a deep breath, and she wasn't even with Salva, there was really no reason to panic.

Keyla sat down in the kitchen while Salva opened the door.

*hey mom, nice to see you* Salva greeted his mother

Salva brought his mother into the kitchen, who remained surprised in the doorway

*Keyla? Is it really you?* Still surprised, Salva's mother greeted Keyla

*yes Ms. Gentile it really is me* Keyla smiled

*Mother finally sit down* Salva pushed his mother in the direction of the chair, who now sat down opposite Keyla. In the meantime, Salva made the coffee and put it on the table.

*it must be 7 or 8 years since I last saw you* Salva's mother apparently had to digest that first

*there are now 8* Keyla clung to her cup again, because how long ago it was she would never forget, she would also never forget the day Salva left and she found out.

*May I ask what brought you here?* Salva's mother was pretty curious

*I wanted to visit Salva and one of his teammates* Keyla still looked totally shy. She noticed under the table, a hand on her thigh and Salva smiled at her encouragingly.

*Mother don't ask her directly* Salva tried to help Keyla, who saw that she felt uncomfortable

*I'll probably be allowed to ask* she looked at Salva seriously before she looked back at Keyla

*Salva still talks about you often, I don't think he has gotten over it to this day that he left you back in Germany* thoughtfully she looked back and forth between Keyla and Salva. Salva was now staring at his mother as if to tell her to shut up.

*I haven't forgotten him all this time either, otherwise I wouldn't be here now* Keyla smiled encouragingly at Salva. He had expected everything but this answer.

*How long are you staying?* Salva's mother was more than curious as Keyla found

*I'm flying back to Germany tomorrow afternoon*, but she still answered the questions politely

*And what do you do for a living?* Ms Gentile looked at her expectantly, Keyla would have preferred to give her a piece of paper and a pen so that she could write down the questions and Keyla could answer the questionnaire in writing.

*I am a sports doctor, work for Grünwald and for the Japanese national team. And before the question comes, I also play volleyball for Germany* Keyla tried to take the wind out of Salva's mother's sails, but knowing her, the next question would not be long in coming. But Keyla's phone saved her.

*excuse me* Keyla stood up and rummaged in her bag

*oh the gentleman already awake?

...by Salva, you just saved me

...no his mother

...erm I tried to wake you up, but I didn't have a chance

…Salva asked if I would come to the game afterwards

…naturally

...yes, eat in peace, I'll wait here for you

…see you later