Epilogue [End]

5 years later...

At a high school somewhere in America, a man in his early thirties smiles he watches the boy's basketball team practice.

"Angle it more upward. Your arms are strong enough to make the throw, just get the angle right," the man barked.

This man... is me. Following the success of Basketball Babes, I decided to try and get back to the court. At Chika's suggestion, I opted for coaching, and managed to do surprisingly well, already having won some national championships. Now colleges and pro teams are trying to scout me, but to be honest, I don't mind the modest life.

Speaking of which, I've married Chika as well as change my last name to my mother's maiden one. This means I now go by Zane Harowitz. The confession came on my final day in Japan all those years ago, with Chika accepting my proposal by hopping on the flight back to America with me. Once she was fully settled, she made the public announcement that she had moved to America and married, reigniting some vestiges of the old rumors, but not at a large enough volume to cause any major outrage. She's still able to continue voice work through a remote studio at our place.

Turning as the doors of the gym opened, in stepped Chika herself, garbed in a sleeveless yellow bra top, capri jeans, and white sneakers. A few years back, she had decided to try growing her hair out, which I didn't mind in the slightest, and now had long auburn hair, reaching down to her midriff. That being said, she only wanted to grow her hair out for a very specific reason.

"Alright, boys! Practice is over. Clean up, than vamoose!" I barked.

Once it was just me and Chika alone, I tossed a basketball to her. "Same rules as always?" I smiled.

"But of course. Ah, but this time we have a ref," Chika smiled as the doors opened once more.

"Brr! Chika, ain't no way you'll win with how skimpily you're clad," Mariya shivered as she walked in bundled up in a long black overcoat and grey sneakers.

Just like Chika, she had grown her hair out, so long it reached past her waist. As a result, she had braided it before wrapping it all up tightly in a bun. It was now dyed blonde with orange highlights, invoking memories of her predominant style from when I first went to Japan.

"You get used to the cold here in upstate New York after a year or two," Chika smiled as she got in position with me.

"You said I'd ref, but I don't know how to. Ah, how about whoever can get all their cart of basketballs into the hoop first?"

Agreeing to the proposal, Chika and I wheeled two cards to the center of the court. Though Chika put up an admirable fight, my touch remained and I beat her soundly. And once everything was cleaned up, it was off to the local barbers where Chika was subjected to her batsu, the same hair removal makeover she got all those years ago, with the exception of the eyelash removal.

"Mm, mm, mm, think that this time for sure, it's bald n' browless for life. Hair's such a pain to care for, plus I can have you shave me each day," Chika giggled as she rubbed her now smooth bald head.

"You pulled off long hair well, but you're at your hottest when bald and browless," I smiled as I kissed Chika on the lips.

"Uh, still here, just so you know," Mariya grumbled.

"You're married too now, right?" Chika smiled.

"Yeah, and already have kids. Ugh, they're so rowdy. I'm gonna go grey to the point where I'll be dying my hair everyday, increasing the chances I actually have to shave it off due to damaging it!"

"Want to get ahead of it?"

"Nope, nah ah, never going bald again. That's your thing, now go make babies."

Chika looked at me warmly.

"Well, guess we've had our fun as just the two of us. Bubbi's getting old too, so let's see if we can give her a great grandson," I smiled.

"She won't be the one raising him, assuming we get a boy," Chika smiled as we began to head out.

"True. But you've already got the milfy look going, and my job's an afternoon gig. We'll be able to raise the little one just fine."

"Then get baby making! I wanna get back to my hotel!" Mariya shivered.

"Don't want to come to our place?"

"It warm?"

"Yes."

"Not sure what you two consider "warm", but I'll go for it. Don't get the chance to come out this way much anyway."

When I first got the notification my novel had won, I never would have imagined it would lead to all this. There were bumps, pot holes, but the road quickly evened out to lead to a calm and serene future. But while winning was the catalyst, meeting Chika and falling in love was the true recipe to this paradise. If not for meeting a woman as wonderful as her, I doubt the success of Basketball Babes alone would have gotten me to the happiness I feel now.

"Chika, I love you more than basketball."

Chika stopped and smiled, wiping away her tears as she gave me another kiss. "And I love you more than anything."

[End]