𝔸ℕℕ𝕆𝕐𝕀ℕ𝔾 (Toji X OC)

10.

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3RD POV
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"I wasn’t expecting it, I swear! And I know I absolutely don’t deserve the title because...I’m not his mom but," she hesitated, "But fuck, it made me so happy..."

She let out a chuckle, but there was no mirth in it. Her eyes slowly landed on him with an hint of sadness he definitely didn't want to see here.

"My bad, Toji...I understand if you're mad and all, but I really do love this ki—hmf! ." Her words died in her throat the moment her face met his chest, confused and flustered beyond belief. Holy crap, man boobs!

They stayed like that for a while, with Colith wondering what the heck was happening, internally freaking out due to their proximity while Toji had no clue as to what he was even doing. Yet, that didn't prevent him from speaking his mind.

"Why are you making such dumb excuses? I thought you'd brag about it for days, just to piss me off like you usually do."

She she had taken a habit of exaggerating everything the squirt did, such as this time when the boy - in her words - drew her. Toji assumed it was some crap with yellow dot-like spots for eyes someone left in the toilet. Though he wouldn't be surprised if the thing was plastered somewhere in her bedroom. Not that he's ever set foot there. He was brought out of his musings by her uncertain voice.

"Huh... You're not... mad?" Dumbfounded, she pulled her head back to look at him with wide eyes.

"Ma-- where the hell did you get this idea?" He frowned.

"It's just..." She sighed, leaning her forehead against his chest. "I'm not even his real mother, but...I can't explain the happiness I felt when he said it." She paused, tone softening, "The joy of being called mom is something I've always wanted to feel. And now that I have, I don't..." She looked back at him with immense guilt. " I don't know, I just feel bad for the real mom, Toji..."

Anxiety ate at her from inside, causing her to look away in shame. She felt bad about it, despite knowing that if she were to die and leave her children behind, she would be the happiest spirit knowing that they had found good parental figures who could provide them with love and a secure future.

The room was silent, aside from the usual distant sounds of cars and human activity coming from outside, and the faint, rhythmic snores coming from the subject of their discussion, who was completely unaware of how much chaos he caused within the woman's mind.

Seeing her obvious distress, he reached for her chin, so their eyes could meet. The next words that left his lips got her utmost attention.

"Don't," he began softly, staring at the smaller woman who stiffened. "You know, the way you take care of Megumi is amazing, honestly... I've never seen someone so dedicated to the brat and you've kept him constantly happy for what, four months straight?" he snorted, still astonished by the fact that his son even had emotions, "You've done far more than I ever expected, Colith."

Her mouth fell agape as an insane amount of butterflies swirled in her stomach. Her freckled cocoa skin flushed when he uttered her name again. Toji admired her exotic features with something akin to sweet fondness that he never knew he could feel, let alone for her.