1st POV

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The next day I decided to take Megumi out with me for a walk. I, of course, left a note to notify Toji about it since he was still sleeping like a log in his room when I went to check on the baby. It was pretty cold outside so I dressed the lil guy warmly and even made sure to cover his pudgy little hands with cute cotton mittens!

He was adorable!!!

Closing the door of the apartment, I turned and greeted a few neighbors who at this point were used to my presence and even befriended me, and started strolling in the neighborhood with Gumi strapped around me. He kept making cute baby noises, his pacifier in the mouth while I was lost in thought, wondering what I was gonna do before settling for a baby themed shopping spree, ergo, Gumi might end up flooded with toys– don't get me wrong! I could easily create them myself but I just needed a reason to go out actually. Yesterday's events were still playing in my head on loop and I was quite embarrassed about it! God, I can still feel his lips against mi–

I made a strange sound that caused passerby to glance at me weirdly.

The walk was actually just a way to distract myself from what happened and I guess it was for naught since I couldn't stop thinking about it! Infuriating! And I know that as soon as I step foot home– Home huh...– Toji , that jackass won't probably let me live it down! I'm in no way ready to face whatever horny bullshit he might try to pull again because I'm sure the guy is probably the relentless type! Or i'm just finding excuses and I'm just a coward.

Probably.

"Ayo...this is so cringe...", I muttered before jolting in surprise upon feeling Megumi tug on my sweater which prompted me look into big green eyes. I cooed, "I didn't forget 'bout you, honey. I'll spoil you so much today, no worries champ!", The boy beamed even if I doubt he understood anything I just said.

We entered several stores, mostly the ones related to babies and proceeded to buy plenty of toys. I solely focused on chewing toys since the boy started teething and it would help with it. Whenever I entered a store, the mothers there would look at us in surprise and start whispering among themselves. I didn't particularly feel bothered buy the attention and pretended not to notice as we changed stores. Might have something to do with our odd combination and the fact that I must've looked intimidating to approach. I would simply glance at them, which mostly startled them into looking away and shot them polite smiles that would either earn me ones in return or scrambling mothers. A tactic I used in the few stores I came across until two mothers got curious or ballsy? enough to start a conversation with me.

"What a cute boy you have here, ma'am! Are you his nanny?" one of them, a brown-haired woman with eyes of the same colors inquired politely.

"Yes! I've been taking care of him since August, a real sweetheart if I can say." I chuckled while squeezing Megumi's little hand in mine as he barely looked at the moms. Never thought I'd converse with moms as if I was one in the first place, heh. "He still got his dad's deadpan face though."

They laughed along with me as the other one, a strangely familiar woman cooed gently at Megumi who wasn't fazed the slightest. I squinted a bit, trying to remember where I saw her before, but quickly stopped when she looked at me with brown beaming eyes.

"Your Japanese is pretty good! Sorry if we made you uncomfortable with our glances but...well, none of us speak english, so we had no idea how to communicate properly," She looked at her friend who nodded, "How long have you been here? Or were you born here to be so fluent? " the black-haired woman asked, adjusting her stuff and the stroller where a one year-old boy was sleeping soundly.

"No worries, I understand. Since August actually but I learned some before coming here so it wasn't that big deal." I curtly replied making them hum in understanding. They were kinda nice to talk to.

"Impressive! You're quite good!" the familiar woman laughed good-heartedly. Okay, I really think I know this woman.

"Say, what's your names? I'm Tobe Colith and this is Fushiguro Megumi, my lovely child!" I pinched the grumpy baby's cheek who made an annoyed noise, "Nice to meet you." I slightly tilted my head forward since bowing was out of question with Megumi strapped around my chest.

They seemed to realize that they forgot to introduce themselves and chuckled in embarrassment before quickly doing so.

"I am Matsuru Haiko", the brown-haired woman quickly said before motioning to her baby in the stroller, "And this Fuki, she's two!" I nodded, smiling gently before looking at the other one expectantly.

"The names Yoshino Nagi! And this is little Junpei!" My eyes widened, breath catching in my throat but quickly regained my composure before they could notice, "he cries a lot but he's a sweetheart!" she chirped, smiling tenderly at her sleeping son while my heart sank a bit.

'Junpei...'

I watched the sleeping boy in sorrow, fully knowing what would happen to him and his mom in the future. Nagi did not understand why I had such a sad look while eying her kid but decided not to ask.

We ended up parting ways after giving each other's contacts first, mostly me since they already knew each other. I told Nagi and her friend that we should meet again one of these days which they happily agreed to, hoping to learn more about me.

Checking my phone and seeing that it was time to feed Gumi, I walked to a bench where tiny bits of snow were covering it– which I swiftly cleaned with a flick of the hand- before sitting on it, placing Megumi on my lap and began feeding him.

He greedily drank the warm formula I had previously warmed a bit with my powers so it was pleasant for him and I was rewarded with satisfied humming noises. Some passerby threw us curious glances. I mean, a black woman taking care of an Asian baby as if he was hers must be surprising and uncommon for 2004. Sure, he might not be mine but that in no way doesn't mean that I don't love him. I've recently noticed these maternal instincts kicking in whenever I was around my beans, so I ain't surprised it's happening here as well.

'Not that strange, I've always been like this.'

I glanced at the sky, wondering how my life would've turned out if I hadn't died so prematurely. Would I have found love? I knew I wanted a husband and a couple of kids in the future. The idea of being a stay-at-home mom was rather appealing, even though I still think I could have worked from home, being an artist and stuff.

'At least, the pandemic made me realize that working from home was possible, so it might have worked.' I pondered, 'Mah, there's no point in dwelling on it' I shook my head then smiled fondly at the cherub in my arms.

"Your dad's an idiot you know that?"

Megumi simply blinked, still drinking his formula without a care in the world. I continued.

"Heard me right! He's an idiot but, a handsome idiot...and I know you'll be handsome too once you grow up."

I booped his nose, causing him to slightly close his eyes since my hand neared his face. Typical baby behavior yeah.

"You know... I have no idea what to do. I may or may not disappear one day, leaving you and your dad behind because...I miss my beans so much." I stroked his chubby cheek softly while a strained expression morphed on my face. "But you guys sorta grew on me and now...I don't know if I want to go back... If I'll ever go back that is..."

I looked at the babe in my arms with so much love and affection as if he was my own just as he stared at me with his big grassy eyes. He was done which prompted me to make him burp. He had long passed the stage of regurgitating his food but better be safe than sorry. After hearing a cute burp, I praised him by pecking his cheek which made him gurgle in glee.

"You're such a sweetheart, Gumi! I love you so so much!" He chirped happily. I began playing with him, too entranced that I nearly missed the moment he giggled and said—

"Mmmamma!"

—mirth, effectively freezing me in my spot as my mouth opened and closed in shock.

Huh...?

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3rd POV

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It was currently 11 AM when Toji slowly woke up after a long night of sleep he quite found strange. He knew full well that he wasn't the type to fall asleep easily, much less without remembering how he got into bed. Sure he had a high tolerence but still, he rarely got wasted to the point of blacking out. He blinked several times, staring drowsily at the ceiling of his room...?

'The fuck...?'

He slowly straightened up with a grunt and started glancing around. He has no idea how the hell he got there, let alone how he fell asleep yesterday... and the lack of booze smell was enough for him to understand that he didn't, in fact, drink.

His face scrunched up in concentration as he tried to remember what happened for him to find himself in his bed until yesterday's events came back to him like a punch to the gut. his eyes widened before a long suffering groan left his lips.

"fuck"

What a colorful vocabulary to start the day! Then again, he just remembered his weird-ass behavior towards Colith and the strong urge, which literally came out of nowhere, to go further than mere languid kisses. He massaged his temples in hope of getting those unholy thoughts off of his head before sighing.

'She must've panicked and knocked me out.'

He snorted.

'Don't even know what got into me yesterday, wouldn't be surprised if she got creeped out...'

He softly hummed then decided to get up to brush his teeth before he noticed the different set of clothes he was currently wearing.

"How did I..." he trailed off then shrugged. He might have no recollection of him changing clothes, though had a feeling it was her doing. Beats him. He shook his head then walked out.

After cleaning up, he went to check on Megumi but halted when his eyes caught sight of a note glued on the door. He squinted, still half awake then cautiously took the paper that said:

-Hey! Just letting you know that I took Gumi with me for a walk so you don't freak out like last time-

His eye twitched in slight irritation. He knew she had a point but nonetheless appreciated the fact that she took the time to warn him. Sighing in relief because he had no flipping idea how to confront her about...yesterday, he headed to the kitchen to grab something to eat. Entering the living room to get there, his heart nearly stopped upon seeing Colith's figure sitting on the couch. Next to her, his son's sleeping form she was gently patting on the bum.

'Shi-'

He was about to turn back but halted, scowling. Why was he even beating himself for some silly shit? Scoffing, he walked back in. It would've been fine if only he didn't see her face.

"Colith?"

He was immediately in front of her, a disgruntled expression visible on his face.

"What's wrong? Is this my fault? Fuck‐Sorry, I didn't mean to–"

She blinked into focus, noticing his usually aloof face now morphed into worry as he cupped her face. Puzzled, she placed a finger on his mouth, silencing him.

"Oh hey...did you sleep well?" she asked softly, removing her finger from his lips as his face scrunched in confusion.

"What the— the fuck are you crying for?" He managed quietly, clearing her eyes from any stray tears.

Colith tilted her head to the side, still puzzled by Toji's odd behavior before reassuring him.

"I was just surprised...I don't even know why I was crying, bwaha!" she laughed, patting his hand which made him scowl, having easily seen through her lie.

"Cut the crap, would you ?"

His tone was stern but still held some slight hesitation since he didn't know if it was due to what he...almost did. As sappy as it sounded, he hoped it was not his fault even though that's all he could think of at the moment. Unless it was something serious, her crying for shits and giggles was something he couldn't fathom.

Closing his eyes for a moment to calm down, he finally asked in a low voice, "Is it...because of last night?"

Her eyes widened at the look in his eyes before she clumsily tried to reassure him, having sorta forgotten about...this, which caused a blush to color her cheeks.

"N-no! Not at all, dumbass! I wasn't even thinking about that! It's just..." she heaved out a sigh, looking down at her lap, "Megumi surprised me today...and I have no clue what to do..."

His brows furrowed as he sat next to her, having released her face, and watched her fumble with her fingers for a while, noticing the hesitations and guilt..? radiating from her being. She seemed nervous about whatever Megumi did or...mostly his reaction to the matter though he didn't know that.

She was slightly wary of how he would react if she told her that her son thought she was his mother.

Maybe he'd insult her as usual or ignore her like the last time. She has no idea alright? She knew how important it was for some parents to hear their child's first words and Toji was no exception...she thinks...Dammit, this guy is so unpredictable.

She sighed because, heck why was she even scared of his reaction? He'd probably shrug it off since they weren't together in the first place!... Hopefully. She just felt bad for the real mom who rightfully deserved to be called that!

Toji carefully watched her while she was in thought, he had trouble comprehending the emotions passing on Colith's face at the moment, she didn't seem sad but rather...surprised and guilty about something. He watched her beautiful features while her lips slightly quivered but his curiosity got the best of him though.

"What did he do?" he asks gently looking at the woman he inevitably learned to...like? Was that what he really felt or was it just some type of attraction caused by her presence?

He felt a headache coming a kilometer away just thinking about it, but he'd be lying if he said there was nothing fishy going on in his heart every time he sees her. The feeling of pure unyielding fury he felt all of a sudden upon seeing these damned tears made him want to go out on a rampage and find out what caused this to her.

Just the thought of it made him scowl. His attention returned to her as she slowly lifted her head, their eyes meeting and she parted her lips.

The next thing she said stunned him.

"Megumi said his first words...You know what the hell he said?" Her lips quivered slightly as a smile tugged them upward, puzzling him. "He called me mama!"

Toji inhaled sharply upon processing her words.