the mechanic book 3 the trial arc

chapter 15

Back to Tamaki and Nejire

We see Penelope. Watching her cartoons while Tamaki and Nejire were in the kitchen, Nejire had a cup of coffee in her hands while Tamaki was serving himself his own cup.

Nejire "He has a kid, then why did he blush?"Did I just imagine that? No, he definitely blushed. Then why did he hold my hand in such a way? Did I misinterpret the meaning? Did he just do that because we were friends or because he wanted something more? But he's married; did he expect me to have an affair with him?!"

While Nejire was having a mental panic attack, Tamaki was drinking his coffee and watching it happen with an amused smile.

Tamaki: Did I used to act like this? If I did, i am so sorry.

Nejire was taken out of her thoughts and looked at Tamaki with a slight frown.

Nejire: So, you have a child.

Tamaki: I'm 29; Neji, it's not that surprising.

Nejire: Who's... who's the mother?

Tamaki: Her name's Phoebe Papageorgiou.

Nejire glared at Tamaki, who was taking this as if it wasn't a huge deal.

Nejire: And...where is she?

*Nejire said it in a harsh tone, but then it came like a gut punch, and it almost made Nejire have a spit take.*

Penelope: Papa said Mama is in heaven looking down at me.

Nejire looked at Penelope with a surprised expression, her eyes as big as saucers.

Tamaki: Penelope, honey, this is a grown-up conversation. Why are you not seeing the cartoons?

Penelope: commercials, and I wanted a juice box

Tamaki got up and went to the fridge. He opened it and frowned.

Tamaki: Penelope What did I tell you about drinking all the apple juice and not the other flavors?

Penelope:but papaaaaaa....

Tamaki: No, but you want a juice box. You're having grape

*Penelope huffed as Tamaki gave her the dreaded grape juice box. Sulking, Penelope walked away to the loving room again as Tamaki sat back in his chairs, giving a small chuckle.*

Tamaki: Kids, am I right?

Nejire: I wouldn't know, I'm... so sorry.

Tamaki:for? I told you it's been 4 years.

Nejire: but I wasn't there for you! What kind of friend am I?!

Tamaki:a normal one? By the time Phoebe passed away, you and Mirió had stopped answering my calls years before. Besides, I wasn't alone; I had the support of my family, so it's fine.

Nejire: How can you just be fine with it?

Tamaki: Because neither you nor I can change the past, and last I checked, there still hasn't been born a child with a time travel quirk—that we know of at least. Life goes on, and I will always miss her, love her, and cherish her. But she's gone, and I need to move on for the sake of our daughter.

Nejire was in awe of this new Tamaki; it made a pit of sadness grow inside of her as she almost didn't recognize this man.

Nejire: how did she pass away?

Tamaki: The good Lord Magneto blessed us with the most wonderful child, but she didn't make it through childbirth. The only small solace I get about that is that death gave her a few extra minutes to hold our baby girl and give her a name, so that helped me sleep at night.