A/N: This is the final day of Tenmaki week, bringing with it the final one-shot. The prompt was "Free Day", allowing for anything. So I wrote tooth-rotting fluff. This piece is completely self-indulgent and I do not apologize for it. I hope you all enjoy this final one-shot! So without further ado, it's time for femslash!
Day 7: With You
Life for Tenko Chabashira and Maki Harukawa was going very well.
Ever since they moved in with each other after graduating from Hope's Peak Academy, the two of them took steps to seizing the kind of future that they wanted for themselves, and each other.
Tenko opened her Neo Aikido dojo, which at first was only open to female students. After some prodding from Shuichi, however, Tenko decided to start allowing male students as well. It didn't take long for the dojo to attract a lot of students, perhaps because of Tenko's infectiously bright personality.
At Tenko's request, Maki worked at the dojo as a trainer, teaching the students alongside her girlfriend. Maki found herself enjoying life as a dojo trainer, but also didn't want to stay as one forever.
After discussing with Tenko, Maki decided to pursue a path similar to her cover talent, and was currently going to college to become a preschool teacher. And like this, Maki and Tenko spent the days with each other. There came a time, however, when they would need to take the next step together…
"Maki, is that an orphanage?"
Maki looked where Tenko was pointing, and saw that indeed it was an orphanage. It wasn't the same orphanage where Maki grew up, but Maki still couldn't help but flinch.
"Oh, was I not supposed to point it out? I'm sorry!" Tenko exclaimed worriedly.
"Not, don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong, Tenko." Maki felt a little angry at herself- she and Tenko were both twenty-three. Maki did not like still being haunted by her past. "Go ahead, what did you want to say?"
Tenko put one of her arms around Maki's waist to comfort her. "If it's okay, can we go inside the orphanage?"
While Maki didn't know why Tenko was suddenly interested in this, she also saw no real reason to refuse her. "Sure, we can go inside."
Tenko guided Maki inside the orphanage. Once they were inside, Maki could immediately tell that it was a place that actually cared for children, unlike where she grew up: The orphanage was bright and colorful, toys were scattered all over the place, and there were caretakers all around.
"This place is… nice," Maki muttered to herself. Still, there was no hiding that it was an orphanage, where abandoned children lived- Maki could hear that more than a few of them were crying for their parents.
Tenko could hear the crying too, judging by how her eyes watered. "I hope that these children can find good homes," Tenko said, watching all the children.
"At the very least, they will get to grow up in a place like this, and they have a chance for a better life," Maki said. Now, Maki could no longer hold back her curiosity, and asked, "Why did you want to come in here, Tenko?"
"Well, I'm really happy where we are right now! But recently, I've had thoughts about our future," Tenko said, her face turning pink. "There's so much I want to experience with you, Maki! And one of those things…"
Tenko once against glanced at all the children in the orphanage. Then Tenko took a deep breath and said, "Is that I want to start a family with you!"
It took a moment for Maki to process Tenko's words. When Maki finally found her voice, she said, "So the reason you wanted to come into this orphanage is because you want to adopt a child with me?"
"Not right now, of course! But I wanted to know what you might think of it, so we can start planning," Tenko said. "Don't say you're not good with kids, Maki, because you are! All our students love you!"
"You're the one that actually makes our students smile." Still, Maki couldn't deny that she'd grown to like being around children since becoming a dojo trainer. "For the longest time, I didn't allow myself to consider something like starting a family. I always believed I didn't deserve it."
Tenko had heard this before, so she didn't interrupt Maki. Tenko did, however, grasp one of Maki's hands and give it a comforting squeeze.
"Ever since I started living with you, Tenko, I've let myself have dreams again. Because with you encouraging me, I feel I can have the life I want," Maki said, now blushing as well. "Being able to wake up with you… running the dojo together… and now working towards becoming a preschool teacher. You've been with me every step of the way."
"Of course I have! Because I love you, Maki," Tenko said, leaning in to give Maki a light kiss on the lips. "I don't ever want to be away from you!"
"I don't ever want to be away from you either. And if you want to start a family one day," Maki kissed Tenko back, before saying, "Then please know that I want it just as bad as you."
"I'm so happy to hear that! You'll make a wonderful mom, Maki!" Tenko exclaimed, now grasping both of Maki's hands in her own.
Maki was about to say that if anyone would be a wonderful mom, it was Tenko, when she suddenly heard an outburst of giggling. Maki looked towards to see that several of the children were now watching them. "We should probably go now."
It was too soon in their lives to actually start a family, but it was nice to think about it. But in the future, once Maki had settled into her career as a teacher. And Tenko, in her enthusiasm, had skipped over an entire step.
Now Maki was thinking about it. Of asking Tenko that all important question in the near future…
Five years later
Today was the happiest day of Chiharu's life.
The eight-year girl was doodling on a piece of paper, while the other children in the orphanage ran around her. Every so often, one of the children stopped by to give Chiharu a gift, like a half-eaten cookie or a hairclip for her short brown hair.
It was their way of congratulating Chiharu on this special day.
The door to the orphanage opened, letting a pair of adult women in: One dressed in a red vest and skirt, and the other dressed in a blue tracksuit. "Oh, are you the Harukawas?" One of the orphanage caretakers asked.
"We are," said the women dressed in red. "Do you have the paperwork?"
"Yes, we do, so if you'll just come this way…"
"I'll take care of this, Tenko. Why don't you go greet our daughter?"
"I will! Call if you need anything, Maki!" After a brief kiss, Maki followed the orphanage caretaker, while Tenko approached Chiharu. "Hello there again, Chiharu! What are you drawing?"
"Ima drawin' us." Chiharu showed off her drawing of three stick figures, with two being taller.
"That's so adorable! Do you mind if I draw stuff with you?" Tenko asked.
"Sure." Tenko and Chiharu spent time just drawing whatever came to mind on the paper, until they filled up every corner.
Tenko was teaching Chiharu how to draw a dog when Maki returned, with a small, but sincere smile on her face. "It's official."
"That's wonderful!" Tenko exclaimed, going up to Maki and giving her a hug.
"What's that mean?" Chiharu asked curiously.
"It means we're both going to be your mom now, Chiharu!" Tenko said, lifting up the little girl. "You're now officially Chiharu Harukawa!"
"Yay!" Chiharu didn't exactly understand what that meant, but Tenko's smile made her smile too.
"You can set her down now, Tenko," Maki said dryly.
"Oh, right!" After setting Chiharu down, Tenko offered the little girl her hand. Chiharu grasped onto one of Tenko's fingers.
From Chiharu's other side, Maki also offered her hand, which Chiharu accepted. The two of them guided their new daughter out of the orphanage, and to their new home.
A/N: Thank you for spending Tenmaki week with me! I've loved writing all of these one-shots. Tenmaki has come to mean so much for me. Fun fact: this one-shot is connected to the pieces for days 1 through 3. Now, I will return to my regular works. However, I will return to Tenmaki again in the future. So look forward to what I do next. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl and thank you for visiting my Corner of Romance!
