[Emoji]
(GIF)
Itachi: Chat...!
It was Sunday morning, and Itachi was in his backyard, going through his usual exercise routine. The rhythmic sound of his movements filled the quiet air, his focus unwavering as he worked on his form and stamina. After finishing his workout, he wiped the sweat from his brow and headed inside. In his room, he freshened up and put on his usual attire—a black shirt, black jacket, black pants, and a pair of black Jordans, keeping it simple yet sharp.
As he made his way downstairs, he saw Yana and Momo sitting in the living room, watching TV. Yana glanced up at him and smiled knowingly. "Where are you going, dear? Let me guess... is it a date?"
Itachi sighed softly, shaking his head. "It's not, mother. My friends and I decided to meet at the café and then check out the fair."
Yana laughed warmly, clearly enjoying her little tease. "I'm just playing with you, dear."
Itachi gave her a small smile, and Momo quickly chimed in, "I want to come too, brother!"
Itachi smiled, seeing the excitement in his sister's eyes. "If you want to come, then of course you can."
Momo's face lit up. "Really?"
Itachi nodded, and Momo bounced happily in her seat. "Yay!"
Yana raised an eyebrow, a playful smile still lingering on her face. "But dear, you're going with your friends, right?"
Itachi nodded, explaining, "Fuyumi is bringing her brothers, so I thought it'd be nice to bring my sister along too."
Yana smiled, clearly proud of him. "That sounds lovely. But Momo," she said, turning to her daughter, "you have to behave, okay? And don't forget, after the fun, it's back to studying."
Momo nodded eagerly. "I will, mother!"
Yana chuckled, standing up. "Come on, Momo, let's get you changed." She took Momo's hand, and they both headed to her room. Meanwhile, Itachi sat down on the sofa, pulling out his phone to check the group chat.
Group Chat:
Keigo: So, all ready?
Itachi: Yes.
Fuyumi: Yes, but is it okay if I bring my brothers too?
Itachi: Of course. I'm bringing my sister along as well.
Keigo: Momo's coming? It's been a while since I've seen her.
Itachi: Yes.
Keigo: I'm already on my way. I'll book the seats.
Fuyumi: [Thumps up emoji]
Itachi: [Thumps up emoji]
Keigo: (GIF of a girl saying seductively: "I'm waiting!")
Itachi: [Sweatdrop emoji]
Fuyumi: [Facepalm emoji]
After some time, Momo returned, wearing a soft pink dress that accentuated her bright personality. She spun around, her face glowing with excitement. "How do I look?" she asked, beaming at her brother.
Itachi smiled warmly. "Perfect."
Momo's grin grew even wider as she grabbed her small bag. Itachi stood up, turning to their mother. "We're heading out now," he said.
Yana smiled at her children, but there was a playful twinkle in her eyes as she glanced at Momo. "Okay, dear. Have fun."
Momo caught the look and winked back at her mother, and Yana returned the gesture with a wink of her own. Itachi, noticing their little exchange, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Let's go," he said, as they walked out the door. Once they were both seated in the car, Itachi turned to the driver. "Take us to McD Café."
The driver nodded, and they set off, the city scenery passing by as they headed toward their destination. Momo looked out the window, practically bouncing in her seat with excitement. Itachi, though calm on the surface, felt a quiet contentment.
As they arrived at the café, Momo looked out the window with wide eyes, taking in the lively atmosphere and the colorful signs. "Wow…!" she whispered excitedly, her face lighting up.
Itachi smiled softly at her reaction. "Shall we go inside?" he asked, and Momo nodded eagerly.
Once they stepped inside, the café was buzzing with chatter and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Itachi quickly spotted Keigo, Fuyumi, and her brother seated at a table near the window. Keigo noticed them first, waving enthusiastically. "Hey, look who's here!"
Fuyumi smiled warmly when she saw them. "Hey, Itachi," she greeted, before turning to Momo. "And look at Momo! She's adorable!"
Keigo grinned widely, his usual dramatic flair showing. "Oh my god, she looks so cute!" he exclaimed, causing Momo to blush shyly, her cheeks turning a soft pink as she looked down.
"Thank you," Momo replied quietly, her voice almost a whisper.
Itachi gave her an encouraging smile before he sat down beside Keigo, gently guiding Momo to sit next to him. He noticed Fuyumi's brother sitting across from him, his expression somewhat guarded. He had the same white hair as Fuyumi, and Itachi sensed a deeper story there.
With a calm smile, Itachi asked, "This must be your brother?"
Fuyumi nodded, her expression a bit hesitant. "Yes, I have another brother, but…" She trailed off as he scoffed, clearly annoyed by the mention of their other sibling.
Itachi, reading the tension, nodded in understanding. "I see."
Keigo, always the one to break awkward silences, clapped his hands together. "Alright, now that everyone's here and we've got some new faces, let's order something!" He glanced over at Itachi. "So, Premium Roast Coffee for you?"
Itachi nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good."
Keigo turned to Fuyumi, who was scanning the menu. "What about you, Fuyumi?"
"I'll have an Iced Caramel Latte," she replied, smiling.
Keigo tapped his chin. "Hmm, I think I'll go for a Mocha Frappé." He turned to Momo and Fuyumi's brother next. "And what about you two?"
He barely looked at the menu before saying, "Chocolate Shake."
Momo, with a bit more enthusiasm, chimed in, "I'll have a McFlurry with OREO Cookies!"
Keigo grinned as he stood up. "Alright, I'll go place the order!" With a playful salute, he walked off to the counter.
Itachi turned back to Him, his gaze steady but friendly. "We didn't get to ask your name earlier," he said, his voice calm and respectful.
He glanced at him briefly before answering, "Natsuo Todoroki."
"It's nice to meet you, Todoroki," Itachi replied. "I'm Itachi Yaoyorozu. A pleasure."
Natsuo nodded slightly, the stiffness in his posture relaxing a bit. There was a silent understanding between them as if Itachi's calm demeanor was reassuring. The quiet tension started to lift, replaced by the subtle beginnings of camaraderie. He said, "Natsuo is fine." Itachi Hearing this nodded with a small smile.
Fuyumi, watching the interaction, smiled softly.
Itachi smiled at Momo, his little sister's happiness infectious, while Keigo settled back into his seat after placing their orders. Momo, with a playful smirk, glanced at Natsuo, who seemed more relaxed now, and turned her attention back to her brother. Keigo plopped down next to them, stretching his arms.
"So," Keigo started, "what should we do after this?"
Fuyumi raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we decide to go to the fair?" she asked, her tone teasing.
Keigo blinked and then let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Oh yeah... I totally forgot."
Itachi sighed and shook his head. "You really did forget, didn't you?"
Keigo laughed sheepishly. "Yeah…," he admitted, rubbing his neck.
Momo, giggling at the exchange, chimed in, "You're funny, like a joker!"
Keigo froze in place, pretending to be struck by her words, while Fuyumi tried to hold back her laughter. Itachi let out a small smile. "Momo, that's not very nice. He's older than you," he gently reprimanded, though the amusement in his tone was clear.
Keigo, with fake tears welling up in his eyes, turned to Itachi dramatically. "My friend… my bro…" he whimpered, but before he could say more, Itachi added with a smirk, "Even if you're right."
Keigo's face fell, and the entire table burst into laughter. Keigo sighed in mock defeat. "Alright, alright, have your fun this time. But I feel something brewing here…"
Itachi, still smiling, took a sip of his coffee. For a brief moment, his smile faded, replaced by a quiet, reflective expression. He thought to himself, It's good, but not as good as the coffee I used to drink… The taste, though pleasant, stirred memories of something distant yet familiar.
Meanwhile, Momo was happily eating her McFlurry, her eyes lighting up with joy. "Wow! This is so good!" she exclaimed with pure excitement.
Itachi turned to her, his mood brightening again as he patted her head. "I'm glad you like it."
Momo beamed up at him, her smile wide and bright. Fuyumi, observing the gentle exchange, glanced at Itachi thoughtfully. "You're really different when you're with your sister," she remarked softly.
Itachi's gaze softened as he looked at Momo, then back at Fuyumi. "Yeah," he agreed, his voice quiet. "She's important to me."
Keigo, now recovered from the earlier teasing, grinned at Itachi. There was something about his friend's calm yet caring nature that made moments like this feel meaningful. They all sat together, finishing their drinks in comfortable silence, the bond between them growing a little stronger with each passing minute.
As they polished off their food, Keigo stretched again. "Alright, are we ready for the fair?" he asked, his excitement returning.
Fuyumi nodded, smiling. "Yeah, let's go."
Itachi stood, helping Momo up as she bounced in excitement. "Definitely," he said with a calm smile, while Momo chirped, "Yeah! I can't wait!"
Natsuo, quieter than the others but more relaxed now, also nodded with a small smile. "Let's do it."
As they stepped outside, the group walked toward the fair. Momo clutched Itachi's hand, her small fingers wrapped around his as they strolled along the busy street. When they finally arrived, the fair sprawled before them with its colorful lights and attractions.
"Wow! Look at the Ferris wheel!" Momo and Keigo exclaimed simultaneously, their eyes wide with excitement.
Itachi, with a small sweatdrop forming on his forehead, glanced between Keigo and Momo, amused. "I thought Momo and Natsuo would be the children here, but look at him," he muttered, shaking his head.
Turning to Momo, he smiled warmly. "It'll be fun, right?"
Momo bounced on her feet, excitement evident in her sparkling eyes. "Right!"
Just then, Fuyumi pointed ahead. "Guys, look there."
Itachi followed her gaze to see a towering roller coaster twisting through the sky, its tracks looping and diving. Keigo and Momo, as if on cue, gasped again.
"Wow, so cool!" they shouted in unison.
Itachi chuckled softly and knelt down beside Momo. "So, where do you want to go first?" he asked.
Momo, suddenly putting a hand to her stomach, pouted a little. "Brother… I'm still hungry."
Itachi smiled affectionately at her. "Alright, I'll get you something to eat."
Turning to Natsuo and Fuyumi, he asked, "Would you like anything?"
Natsuo shook his head with a polite, "No, I'm good."
Fuyumi waved her hands dismissively. "No, no, I'm full, thank you."
Itachi nodded. "You all can head toward the roller coaster. We'll catch up in a bit."
Keigo, already bubbling with excitement, grinned. "Don't forget the way, okay?" he teased, as if they could get lost.
Itachi sweatdropped again, smiling as he took Momo's hand and led her toward the food stalls. Momo's eyes darted around, taking in the vibrant displays of snacks and treats. "Wow, look, brother! That food looks so good!" she exclaimed, her gaze settling on a donut stand.
Itachi smiled, following her line of sight. "You want some donuts?" he asked gently.
Momo nodded enthusiastically, and they approached the stand. The man behind the counter greeted them with a friendly smile. "Hello, young one! What would you like?" he asked.
Momo's eyes twinkled as she excitedly ordered, "I want a chocolate donut, a caramel one, a vanilla one, and one with peanut butter!"
The owner chuckled, amused by her eagerness. "Coming right up!" he said, packing the donuts into a small box.
As the man handed the box over, Itachi stepped forward and asked, "How much?"
"600 yen," the owner replied, and Itachi quickly handed him the money. Momo wasted no time digging into the donuts, her face lighting up as she enjoyed every bite. Within moments, she had finished all the treats, her cheeks and lips covered in chocolate and vanilla smudges.
Itachi, watching her with a fond smile, took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her face. "You really enjoyed those, huh?" he said with a chuckle.
Momo nodded happily. "They were so yummy, brother!"
"Good," Itachi replied, standing up. "Now, let's head to the roller coaster, shall we?"
Momo nodded excitedly, bouncing on her feet once more. Together, they made their way toward the roller coaster, hand in hand
As they were making their way to the roller coaster, Itachi and Momo spotted Keigo, Fuyumi, and Natsuo standing nearby, waiting for them.
"So, you finally made it!" Keigo called out with a grin.
Fuyumi smiled warmly and looked down at Momo. "Is your tummy full?" she asked, her voice soft and kind.
Momo nodded with a bright smile, and Fuyumi couldn't help but think how adorable she looked. "She's the same age as Shoto, right?" Natsuo asked, glancing at his sister.
Fuyumi nodded. "Yes, around the same age," she replied, smiling back at Momo.
Natsuo smiled faintly as he watched the little girl. Meanwhile, Keigo clapped his hands together. "Alright, now that everyone's here, it's time for the real fun! Let's get on this roller coaster."
They all boarded the ride together—Keigo, Itachi, and Momo in one car, while Fuyumi and Natsuo took the one behind them. As the roller coaster slowly began its climb, Momo and Keigo were buzzing with excitement, their eyes wide with anticipation. Fuyumi, on the other hand, already looked nervous.
As the ride kicked into gear, everyone reacted differently—Fuyumi screamed in terror, clutching the safety bar with white knuckles, while Momo and Keigo shouted in excitement. Itachi and Natsuo, ever composed, remained silent, their expressions calm despite the roller coaster's wild twists and turns.
When the ride finally came to a stop and everyone stepped off, Fuyumi wobbled unsteadily before running to the side, feeling sick. Itachi, always attentive, immediately went to her, gently placing a hand on her back. "Are you alright?"
Fuyumi nodded weakly, taking a deep breath. "I'll be fine... it's just that ride was a little rough for me."
Itachi gave her a small smile. "Take your time. No rush."
Keigo, ever the jokester, chimed in. "Alright, how about something a little less... intense? How about the Ferris wheel?"
Fuyumi's eyes lit up, her face regaining its color. "Yes, that sounds much better."
Itachi nodded in agreement, and even Momo seemed excited at the idea. "Yes, let's go!"
They made their way to the Ferris wheel and climbed into one of the large, slow-moving cars. As the ride gently lifted them into the air, Momo, sitting on Itachi's lap, pressed her face against the window. "Brother, look! You can see the whole city from here!"
Itachi smiled softly, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Yes, it's a beautiful view, isn't it?"
Keigo, sitting across from them, sighed dramatically. "It's so slow..."
Fuyumi, clearly relieved, leaned back and smiled. "That's the point. Sometimes slow is good."
Keigo rolled his eyes playfully. "Okay, okay," he muttered, though there was a faint smile on his lips.
Itachi watched them all interact, his heart feeling lighter. The moment was peaceful, filled with laughter and the simplicity of shared joy. Momo, sensing his gaze, looked up at him from his lap and smiled. Itachi smiled back, gently ruffling her hair.
When the ride came to an end, they exited the Ferris wheel and began to wander through the fair once more. As they passed a small bookstore tucked away in the corner, Fuyumi's eyes lit up.
"Look, Itachi! A bookstore!" she said excitedly, pointing at the shop.
Itachi turned to look, noticing the small, cozy shop. Momo's eyes brightened as well. "Brother, can we go? I need to get some books too!"
Itachi smiled and nodded. "Of course."
Keigo groaned dramatically. "A bookstore? We came here for fun, not for studying!"
Fuyumi rolled her eyes playfully. "They have manga too, you know."
Keigo perked up immediately. "Now you're speaking my language. Let's go!"
Even Natsuo's interest was piqued as they all headed inside. Itachi, shaking his head with a small smile, followed them in. As they entered the shop, Itachi turned to Momo. "So, what book do you want?"
Momo looked around thoughtfully before answering, "I need a chemistry book."
Itachi blinked in surprise but quickly smiled. "Chemistry, huh? Alright." He thought for a moment, realizing it was likely related to her quirk and her desire to improve it.
They made their way to the appropriate section, and Momo, clinging to Itachi's arm, pointed up at a book on the shelf. "That one, brother!"
Itachi reached up and grabbed the book she pointed to, glancing at the cover. "This one?" he asked, skimming through the pages briefly.
Momo nodded eagerly. "Yes!"
He smiled, satisfied with her choice, and handed it to her. "Alright, let's get it." As they began to browse more, Itachi decided to find something for himself. He wandered over to a section that intrigued him—history, specifically the history of wars. He pulled out a book and read a few lines, but sighed softly. "I already know most of this..."
As he placed the book back, something else caught his eye. A book titled The Illusion of Reality rested on the shelf nearby, piquing his interest. Just as he reached out to grab it, someone else's hand touched the spine of the book at the same time.
Itachi reached for the book at the same time as someone else. Surprised, he glanced up to see Kaina Tsutsumi, the student council president. She looked equally surprised and greeted him with a soft smile.
"Yaoyorozu-kun... what a coincidence," Kaina said, her voice warm.
Itachi nodded, "Yeah, it is."
Her eyes drifted to the little girl in his arms, and her smile deepened. "She's your sister? How cute," Kaina said.
Momo, blushing at the compliment, looked up shyly. "Thank you, miss."
Kaina chuckled softly and crouched down to Momo's eye level. "My name is Kaina Tsutsumi."
Momo smiled, her shyness easing. "Thank you, Tsutsumi-san. You're also very beautiful."
Kaina laughed softly, touched by Momo's sincerity. "Well, thank you, Momo-chan. You're quite the sweetheart." She stood up and exchanged a glance with Itachi, who was watching the exchange with a gentle smile on his face.
Kaina raised an eyebrow playfully. "I didn't know you could smile, Yaoyorozu-kun."
Itachi gave a small smirk. "Of course, I can smile."
She chuckled. "I'm just teasing. Relax." Her eyes returned to the book they both had reached for earlier. "You can have it if you want."
Itachi shook his head. "It's fine. You take it. I can always get it later."
Kaina hesitated but smiled in appreciation. "Thank you. If you want, I can give it to you once I'm done."
Itachi waved it off with a small smile. "That's alright. You don't have to."
Kaina seemed genuinely touched by his kindness. "Thank you," she said, looking at him a little more thoughtfully.
After a pause, Kaina glanced around. "Are you both alone?" she asked curiously.
"No, my friends are here," Itachi replied.
She smiled knowingly. "Takami-kun and Todoroki-san, right?"
Itachi nodded, and Kaina chuckled. "Well, enjoy your time together."
She turned to leave, but after a few steps, she stopped and looked back over her shoulder. "By the way, how about we exchange contact information? I have a feeling you might need it in the future."
Itachi blinked in surprise but nodded. "Sure." They exchanged numbers, and Kaina smiled once more.
"Alright then. Take care. Enjoy the fair," she said, waving as she walked off.
Itachi gave a slight nod and waved back. As she disappeared into the crowd, Momo looked up at him with wide eyes. "She's nice, isn't she, brother?"
Itachi smiled softly, patting her head. "Yes, she is."
As Kaina walked away, Keigo, Fuyumi, and Natsuo approached, their footsteps breaking Itachi from his thoughts.
"Shall we go now?" Keigo groaned, stretching his arms. "I'm bored here."
Itachi sighed, nodding in agreement. Fuyumi tilted her head thoughtfully. "Am I imagining things, or did I just see the student council president here?"
Keigo's ears perked up immediately. "Where? Where?" He spun around, searching the crowd.
Itachi, rubbing the back of his neck, said casually, "Yeah, I talked to her for a little while."
Keigo froze, his face twisting into a look of exaggerated heartbreak. "You lucky bastard!" he exclaimed, dropping to his knees dramatically.
Momo smirked, clearly amused, and thought to herself, Mother, I've learned something interesting today.
Itachi sighed again, his expression one of calm exasperation. "It was just a talk, Keigo. Nothing more."
Momo, still grinning mischievously, added, "She's very sweet. But she looks quite different—her hair and her eyes are purple."
Itachi nodded, remembering the encounter. "Yeah, she is... a little different."
Keigo and Fuyumi exchanged wide-eyed glances, their curiosity piqued even further. Momo's smirk only deepened, enjoying how her teasing was escalating the situation.
"It's nothing like that," Itachi insisted firmly, shaking his head. "Don't get any ideas."
But Momo wasn't finished. "She even exchanged numbers with him," she said with a playful lilt in her voice.
Keigo fell to the ground, clutching his chest in mock despair. "My dreams... shattered!"
Itachi sighed heavily this time. "She asked for it herself," he explained calmly. "She said I might need it in the future, so I gave her mine."
Fuyumi chuckled softly, shaking her head at Keigo's theatrics. "Keigo, it's okay. There are plenty of third-year girls too, you know."
Keigo, rising to his feet, beamed at her. "Fuyumi, you're too sweet."
Fuyumi smiled gently. "Shall we head out now? It's already nighttime, and we should get home."
Itachi and Keigo both nodded, and they made their way outside. The cool night air brushed past them as Itachi led them to his car.
"I'll drop you all off," Itachi said, noting the late hour.
They all nodded in appreciation. One by one, Itachi drove his friends home, the car quiet as the exhaustion of the day settled in. Keigo, being the last to be dropped off, leaned out of the car with a grin.
"Bye, bro. Thanks for today," Keigo said with a lazy wave.
Itachi gave him a nod. "Take care, Keigo."
Once Keigo was gone, Itachi glanced down at Momo, who had fallen asleep in his arms, her small hands still clutching the hem of his shirt. A soft smile crept onto his face as he drove towards their mansion.
He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, feeling a warm sense of contentment. Today was fun, he thought, his mind lingering on the moments of laughter and companionship.