Human - Tao X OC

May

Snippet of Chiyo and Tao's life, two years after Carol and Tuesday's "Mother" release.

-

Tao and I had talked about having kids once before. It was last May, when my period was late. And by late I mean like two weeks - scary late, and usually I wouldn't bother, but the idea of being pregnant put me off so much I actually felt sick to my stomach.

I got my period the day after, though~

Either way, Tao and I sat down and talked about it. He wasn't really interested in children, especially not with pregnancy.
"To be pregnant is quiet a hindrance." He said, "I'd be constantly worried about you if you were."

To be honest, I'd be constantly worried about myself too. Maybe it was something about being so vulnerable for so long, or just the fact that I didn't want to bring another child into this already tarnished world.

Also, being pregnant is just... ew.

But the kid that came and begged for curry kept coming and begging for more stuff. Always one specific thing. He'd always eat, tell me something about himself, and then leave respectfully.

At first, Tao was a little weirded out and glared at me when he realized my weakness was this kids pretty, glowing eyes when he asked me for things, but he let it slide since he seemed pretty polite.

Nobu came every few days, and after about his fifth visit I started to study him a bit. I had no files or special computers, just my eyes. When he first came, I could have sworn he was a bit of a chubby kid. Born that way kind - big cheeks and thick feet. Meant he was gonna grow big and strong...

But around the seventh visit, he looked a lot smaller.

"Hey, Nobu?" I asked, watching him shove another rice ball in his mouth, "What's your moms name?"

He hummed for a moment, "Moms name is mom."
Oh, of course. Shouldn't have thought any different, the kids literally only five.

"Right. So, do you know where she works?"
He shook his head, "Mom sleeps."

I sat there and just looked at him. And then I felt Tao looking at me. Eventually I was literally just staring off into space, imagining every scenario that might possibly mean. Is his mom a drunk? Sick? Dead? Work the night shift?

I really wish I had a computer now.
"Chiyo." Tao slid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed.

That night in May when I looked up at him, I wondered when we had let this kid become a part of our little partnership. Because that look in Tao's eyes meant only one thing.
He wishes he had a computer too.

"I'm going out."
"I can go instead."
"No."

I rolled my eyes. Says the one who doesn't know jujitsu and doesn't know how to use a knife for fighting... whatever. No ones ever bothered to mess with Tao before because he's always helped out the elderly and single mothers and even fathers of the town, cleaning.

Ever since we came, as every year passed I'd always remind myself. We could have a little bit more faith, in ourselves and in the world. Just a little bit.

"Where's mister Tao going?" Nobu asked, rice all over his cheeks.
I stood up to get a cloth, "Just to run some errands. Want anything else, Nobu?"
"Juice box!"

Cute... I thought, handing him the juice from the fridge before taking a glance at the door as it shut behind Tao.
After two years, in this month of spring, were we really going to decide together to take Nobu under our wings?