She keeps on texting me do i like her no definitely~ Rin Itoshi x f!Reader ~

Chapter 24

The excitement was palpable that Saturday morning. You and Rin had been planning a special date for the two of you—just the two of you. A quiet day to reconnect, enjoy each other's company, and maybe share a few laughs in the process. The plan was simple: a trip to a nearby botanical garden, a little lunch at a cozy cafe, and then maybe a stop by a local art exhibit if the mood struck.

But, as always, life had a way of throwing in a curveball.

Your sister had called you earlier that week with a favor. She had an important work event that she couldn't get out of and needed a last-minute babysitter. Normally, you would have declined, but when she mentioned that Rin would be spending the day with you, a different idea popped into your head.

"What do you think?" you asked Rin, looking at him over the phone as you sat on the couch, the morning sun filtering through the window. "I mean, I know we planned for a date today, but... we could take my niece to the zoo. It might be fun. And it's just one kid, right?"

Rin raised an eyebrow, glancing at you with a hesitant but intrigued expression. "You're asking if I want to babysit instead of going on a date?" he teased, but his voice held no real objection.

You smiled sweetly. "It's for family. And who knows? We can still make it fun. Plus, my niece will be over the moon about the zoo."

After a brief pause, Rin sighed, rubbing his temples. "I guess we can do that. It's not exactly the romantic date I had in mind, but... alright. It'll be an adventure, at least."

By the time your niece was dropped off at your house, it was nearly noon. Rin and you were already prepared, packed, and ready to go—except for the little detail that your niece was so excited she was practically bouncing off the walls. She had been waiting for this trip all week, and there was no way you were going to let her down.

"She's all yours," you joked as you handed Rin a small bag filled with snacks and toys to entertain your niece on the way. "I'll keep an eye on her, but you're in charge of making sure she doesn't run off."

Rin gave you a playful glare. "What happened to the date plan, huh?" he asked, clearly amused by the shift in your plans.

"Change of plans, remember?" you said with a grin, getting into the back seat as your niece eagerly climbed into the car beside you, holding her stuffed toy tight in her arms. "Besides, we're still together. Just with a little extra company."

Rin rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips. "This is going to be something else."

As you made your way to the zoo, you noticed the little moments—Rin helping your niece get settled in the backseat, her excited chatter filling the car as she asked about every animal she could think of. Your heart warmed at the sight of Rin being so patient with her, his usual stoic expression softening as he answered her endless stream of questions. He might not have planned for this, but it was clear he was doing his best to make it fun.

The zoo was bustling with families, and your niece was practically vibrating with excitement as you entered. She immediately grabbed Rin's hand, pulling him toward the first exhibit she saw. "Look, look! A lion!" she shouted.

Rin couldn't help but laugh softly, following her with a fond smile. "Slow down, we've got time to see everything."

You and Rin were both in charge of keeping an eye on her, but you had to admit—it was a little different from your usual dates. This wasn't the quiet, intimate atmosphere you were used to. Instead, it was filled with the sound of your niece's laughter, Rin's gentle teasing, and the occasional outburst of excitement as she spotted her favorite animals.

You spent the day wandering from exhibit to exhibit—giraffes, elephants, monkeys, and even a few playful penguins that made everyone laugh with their waddle. Rin was enjoying himself more than he'd expected, and you caught him smiling more than once as your niece giggled at the antics of the animals.

"Okay, what animal do you want to see next?" you asked your niece as you stopped by a bench to take a break.

She thought for a moment before her eyes lit up. "I want to see the tigers! They're so strong! Just like Rin!" she said excitedly.

Rin blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Like me? How?"

She shrugged innocently. "You're strong, like a tiger. And you're tall!"

You and Rin both chuckled at her observation. He scratched the back of his head, clearly a little flustered but amused. "Well, I guess I can't argue with that."

The day passed in a flurry of laughter, animal sightings, and even a few ice cream breaks. You were still in awe at how well Rin handled being a "parent" for the day—he was patient, attentive, and actually seemed to enjoy spending time with your niece. It was different from how he was on the field, but in its own way, it was just as endearing.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, you and Rin were exhausted, but there was still a sense of contentment that hung in the air. Your niece had been a joy, and though this wasn't the date either of you had envisioned, it felt like a perfect family outing in its own right.

After all, you had spent the day together—laughing, teasing, and creating memories. And when your niece's little hand found Rin's, tugging him along to the exit, you couldn't help but notice how natural it all felt.

"Rin," you said, glancing over at him as he helped your niece hold her stuffed animal and manage the small toy bag she insisted on carrying. "You did great today. I'm impressed."

Rin smirked, his usual confidence returning. "I think I'm a natural, honestly."

You laughed, nudging him with your elbow. "I don't know about that, but you were definitely a pro today. You were like... an actual dad or something."

Rin gave you a sideways glance, his expression softening as he caught the meaning behind your words. "You really think so?"

"I mean, it felt like we were a family, didn't it?" you asked, smiling at him. "Just like how we've been joking about it. The pets, the cooking, today at the zoo... it all kind of feels right."

He hesitated for a moment, and then a soft, genuine smile broke out on his face. "Yeah, I guess it does." He looked over at your niece, who was still clutching her stuffed toy, eyes wide with wonder. "It's fun. In its own weird way."

As you walked hand in hand with Rin, watching your niece skip ahead, you felt the weight of his words settle in. You weren't sure what the future held, but today was enough.

And for now, you were happy—this little "family" of yours was perfect, in every unpredictable, joyful way.

As you reached the car, your niece climbed into the backseat, exhausted from the long day of excitement. She barely managed to keep her eyes open as she mumbled about all the animals she'd seen. You and Rin exchanged a look, both of you laughing softly at how much energy she'd had just a few hours ago.

"Looks like our kids all tuckered out," you joked.

Rin raised an eyebrow. "I'm telling you, we make a pretty good team." He leaned back against the car, crossing his arms, and then gave you a teasing smile. "Who knows? Maybe one day, we'll actually be parents."

The thought hit you unexpectedly, and you couldn't help but smile softly. "Maybe one day," you repeated.

For now, though, you were content. The zoo trip, the laughter, and the quiet moments shared with Rin and your niece felt like a perfect reminder that you didn't need a grand plan to feel like a family—you just needed the people who made you feel at home.