The Wise Child (Hiatus!!)

38.Clean

Momo yaoyorozu lived as red in my mind. Vibrant. The first color to be perceived on any given day. But she seemed to be inhabited in white. I waited patiently standing on the inside of her home, wondering bleakly if the dirt from the long day would sully such a pure place. No not pure, I thought, looking at the furrow of her brows, and the way she anxiously played with the hem of her elastic turtleneck. But rather built with an expectation of something I couldn't quite place.

Footsteps stormed down her double staircase as a woman - with long black hair and sharp features, cheekbones that looked so high and prominent that they belonged to an actress - emerged, her eyes narrowed as she took in the appearance of Momo.

"My god what happened to you? You look like death! I was so worried, please tell me you didn't get involved in the attack! Did you? You must have that's the only explanation! And who is this? A friend? Did you mention her? You're that Todoroki girl I saw on television. Momo certainly hasn't mentioned you."

"No, Ma!" Momo took a steadying breath, looking around for assistance as a man stumbled down the stairs, tall and quite muscular.

"Settle down Komi, she just got home, let her explain herself. I thought you weren't supposed to be home from your internship until next Monday."

"Yes we were, my friend, Yae, just had to visit her brother in the hospital, our house is closer so I was hoping we could stay here for the night. Miss Uwabami agreed."

"Oh god what happened to him? Were you there when he got injured? Please tell me everyone is alright. Yae was it? You're not injured are you?"

"Ma, everyone is fine. We just got caught in a bit of the aftermath, her brother is fine, steady condition and everything."

"What does that mean? The aftermath? It couldn't have been good, you're covered in soot! And, oh my god is that blood! That looks like blood!"

"Ma! It's just a cut. Can I please just get washed up and show Yae to my room?"

"Only once you receive medical attention for this right this instance!"

"It's barely the size of my thumb, I can patch it up myself."

"But-"

"Let her do this, you're embarrassing her. I'm so sorry Yae, can I call you that? No, I'm sure it's proper to call you by your last name. Forgive me, I grew up in the States."

"Whichever you would like." I mumbled, unsure of what to say, it already felt like I was ruining Momo's home just by standing in it. Would the air from my breath permanently turn it gray? Would her parents realize and blame me?

"Right, then I'll call you Yae. I remember you placed well in the sports festival! You'll excuse my wife, she was just so worried. We both were. But I can see you two are safe, feel free to make this place your home. We can tidy up! We'll be here if you need it! Our staff returned home for the night but I'm sure we can help with anything."

"Thank you, Sir - or um - Mr. Yaoyorozu?"

He grinned and nodded, "Momo feel free to take her to the bathroom, the two of you can freshen up and everything."

"Come on," she said, motioning me to follow her as she walked up the staircase not accompanied by her parents, and turned towards a large room. There sat a bed in the center that looked better suited for a princess.

As I was looking around she disappeared to a room to the right, and I listened as the tap water began to play in the otherwise quiet home.

She appeared once again after a moment, face wet, but finally clear of soot. A smile was patched onto her face, like when a light blue pair of jeans has a random scrap of fabric sewn to the pockets.