Meraki (Aizawa and Eri x Girl! Reader Fanfic)

Chapter 10 (Part 3)

"Ah, what a day," Sakura-san sighed as she plopped down next to me.

"Indeed. The energy of the toddlers just keeps on leveling up," I extended my legs and stretched my arms. Pro-tip from me, if you want a nice cardio, just look after a bunch of rambunctious kids. It works everytime!

"Hey, at least your girl had fun."

I peeked at the bunch of napping children splayed in the middle of the room. Eri is huddled close to some of her playmates. She had been running around the daycare with the other toddlers earlier while I tend to Misa-chan. She did better than I ever expected. It didn't take her a lot of time to adjust to her surroundings. Although she plays with them, she sees to it that she acts like the older sister. She would always guide them and tell them 'no' if she has to.

"She really did. I know that she wants to have fun with kids closer to her age. Shouta and I can't be the only ones around her," I regarded. Although teenagers are a great substitute, nothing beats playing with children she can relate to.

"But you guys are doing a great job. My husband has told me how withdrawn she was. To be able to laugh freely like that means that she feels safe and comfortable," she thought out loud.

I feel like my heart is blooming with warmth as I smiled gratefully at her, "you don't know how much it means for me to hear that. It feels like I am grasping in the dark at times. I have no idea what am I doing." I sighed, confiding my constant worries.

She regarded me with kind understanding eyes, "I understand that feeling, L/N-san. I am also new to parenting and would worry my head off. I am so lucky to have my husband with me."

"Indeed, it feels reassuring knowing you are not alone. Shouta helped a lot in taking care of Eri as well as maintaining the house. If it weren't for him, I may have my head underwater a long time ago," I recounted gently with a soft smile grazing my lips.

"I'm sure Aizawa-san is also grateful to have you with him,"

I sighed, "I hope so."

"Oh, I'm sure of it! I haven't seen him look softly at someone the way he does with the two of you. It is like how my husband looks at us," she said dreamily.

I feel the redness spread from my cheeks to my entire face with her statement. I immediately looked away to hide the flush that is currently increasing. They say I am very transparent with my emotions and I know that Sakura-san has already deduced what I feel toward the shabby man I'm living with.

To prevent further embarrassment, I excused myself to throw away the garbage bags we managed to accumulate from our mini origami lesson earlier. The little snickers from Sakura-san are not missed by my hearing as I hurriedly made my way at the glass doors. Damn, why does the number of people teasing me keep on increasing?

I shook my head and continued to walk until I spotted a crouching hedgehog that is peeping on one of the windows in our center. What the hell is he doing? I decided to make my footsteps as quiet as they can be and approached him slowly. My breathing quietened down as an instinct to when I hide my presence to get intel in missions. My smirk automatically emerged the moment I am half a ruler away from him.

"BOO!"

A little bang of explosion followed by a sharp shrill of 'fuck' is heard. His eyes are open wide and he is breathing rapidly as he glared at me. Oh my gosh! He looks stupid that I can't help but to burst out laughing.

"Damn, didn't know you'll look even uglier but here you are," I said between laughs which is hard.

He looks so red from embarrassment but commented nothing. Hmm? He should be responding some insults back at me right now. What's wrong with him? Well, if he doesn't have anything to say I'd rather go. I shrugged my shoulders and walked past him.