Everyone Loves Touko ♥︎

A Child's Words || Midorikawa x Touko

  Midorikawa Ryuuji has heard children say many things; girls will become princesses and find their Prince Charmings, boys will become superheroes and always save the day. The occasional girl wanting to take over the world, the occasional boy wanting to be the richest man alive.
  And yet, only the words of one child did he ever take seriously.
  "Have you found happiness?"

It was another lively afternoon at the Sun Garden orphanage, rowdy chatter and playful banter in the air. However, an unfortunate afternoon for Midorikawa Ryuuji.
  "What's wrong, Nina-Chan?" he asked a hazel haired girl, who was sniffling.
  "T-Tanaka said my essay was dumb and I'll never be able to b-be prime minister..." she wept, small hands trembling as she held her paper. Midorikawa turned to the rowdy redhead, whose eyes were already turning away in guilt.
  "Tanaka," he said firmly, making the boy quiver. "What have I said about teasing other people's dreams?!"
  "But Ryuu-Nii!! It's true! How can she even— OUCH!!" he yelped as Midorikawa pinched his cheek.
  "That's no excuse, you wouldn't like it if Nina-Chan told you that your dream to be an astronaut was impossible, now would you?" he asked sternly, and sure enough, the boy gave in, realizing his mistake.
  "Time for lunch! Midorikawa, come help out," Kira Hitomiko announced, and all the kids made their ways to the dining hall and Midorikawa to the food counter.
  Hitomiko took a quick glance at him and passed over a rice scoop before speaking. "We have a volunteer for the place. You're training her for today."
  "Training?" Midorikawa queried, scooping out rice portions.
  "To get used to the place of course," she replied, with a chuckle. "I think it'll be awkward for a grown woman to learn these types of things from her old coach."
  "Huh?"

  Midorikawa made his way to the front, and was met by a certain pinkette looking out at the garden.
  "So you're our new volunteer, huh, Zaizen-San?" Midorikawa raised an eyebrow as he queried.
  Zaizen Touko turned around and smiled upon seeing Midorikawa. "You know any friend of mine doesn't call me that."
  Touko's hair had grown longer since middle school and it was no longer covered by her trademark blue hat. Instead of her SP Fixers uniform of a suit, she wore a white blouse and a sky blue cardigan with its sleeves folded up to her elbow. She switched pants with a long white skirt that reached her knees and sport sneakers with elegant low heels. She had grown a few centimeters too, but it was nothing compared to Midorikawa's towering 186 centimeters.
  "Glad to know it's been acknowledged we're friends," Midorikawa chuckled and made his way to Touko's side. "So how are things with you?"
  "Oh nothing much, just accompanying Papa in his meetings and watching soccer matches with him. He's helping me get into the government too," she sighed. "What about you? Day off?"
  It was easy to tell why she had assumed that. Midorikawa's matcha green hair was in a low ponytail and he wore an olive green sweater and grey sweatpants. It was much too casual for a day at work.
  "Yeah, I always spend my free days helping at the orphanage. It's the least I could do to help Nee-Chan," he replied and then snapped back to the main topic. "So why volunteer here all of a sudden?"
  Her cheeks became tinted by a light shade of pink, embarrassed. "Ahhh, ahahaha," she chuckled nervously and scratched the back of her head. The male crooked his head in confusion, wondering why she was acting so nervously. "I wanted to work with children for once..." she mumbled softly.
  Midorikawa blinked several times before fully comprehending the sentence. He tried to stifle his amusement but a chuckle escaped.
  "I just never got to hang around younger children, you see! I want to get to know them better!" Touko defended herself, face flushing to a bright red.
  It amazed Midorikawa to see such a passionate person. Most people's opinions on children were often negative due to their limitless energy and mischief. Some people in the company even seemed to be allergic to children!
  "Alright, I'll help you out. You'll handle these children like a pro in no time. Like the saying goes, 'Two heads are better than one.'" he grinned with a wink.
  The pinkette laughed. "Let's work well together, Midorikawa!"