Nine Lives

23. Feelings

There's a knock at the door not long after Kuroko finishes his lunch. It's soft, almost hesitant.

"You should answer that." Sei says from the kitchen where he's doing the dishes.

Kuroko looks at him in confusion but Sei doesn't explain. So Kuroko stands from the couch, glad to find he isn't dizzy anymore after eating, and goes to answer the door. He raises his eyebrows at the pink haired girl standing there, eyes downcast and clutching a notebook in her hands nervously. She looks up at him when the door opens and her shoulders sag in relief.

"Momoi? What is it?"

"Oh, um, I just wanted to see how you were doing...?"

"I'm fine... Why?"

"Um... Last night... You probably don't remember, but I came by when you woke up screaming..."

Kuroko's eyes widen in surprise. He hadn't noticed her at all yesterday.

"I'm so sorry." Kuroko says. Momoi shakes her head.

"No, no! It's okay! I was just worried and came in without thinking... But I wanted to talk with you..." She glances around the door, as if to look for Sei. "Privately..."

Kuroko nods to her, stepping out into the hallway and closing the door behind him. He doesn't really want Sei hearing them talking anyway. Even though Sei is back to normal and promised not to get distant again, Kuroko knows Momoi is still a sore subject.

He expects Momoi to take him to her apartment but she just steps farther into the hallway, wringing the book in her hands slightly. Kuroko glances down towards the stairs to make sure no one will overhear them, but as usual there isn't anyone around.

"Um..." Momoi starts, drawing Kuroko's attention. "I just wanted to say that you don't have to have children with me if you don't want to. I know that Shirogane said it was important, but it's okay for you to refuse."

Kuroko looks at the pink haired girl in surprise. "What are you talking about? I've already agreed to keep my family going with you."

"I know, but... Last night, I kinda realized what Dai-kun meant about me not being your type... and about Akashi-san." Momoi smiles awkwardly and laughs to herself. Kuroko looks away from her, embarrassed. He doesn't know exactly what she saw or heard, but all of what he remembers from yesterday was embarrassing.

"I didn't hear much, but from what I could tell, Akashi really loves you." Momoi says with a small smile. "And you looked like you felt the same."

"... I don't..." Kuroko mutters, but he must not be convincing enough for Momoi. She gives him a smile that tells him no matter what he says it's not going to change her mind.

"It's okay to be a little selfish sometimes, Tetsu-kun."

Kuroko is quiet for a moment, not meeting Momoi's eyes. "It's better for the Coven if my family continues."

"Forget about the Coven." Momoi says firmly. Kuroko raises his eyebrows at her. She looks at Kuroko seriously. "Do what you want to do, because it's your choice. Shirogane and everyone in the Coven, none of them should get to choose for you."

Kuroko meets Momoi's eyes in surprise for a moment before his face softens in a smile. "You sound like Sei."

Momoi smiles brightly. "Because he's right!" She holds out the notebook in her hands to Kuroko. "Here. This is yours. Ki-kun brought it to me."

Kuroko looks down at the book and takes it from her. He flips it open curiously and realizes it's the notes from the classes he missed today. "Oh!"