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Going undercover was usually such a pain in Chuuya’s eyes. He much preferred the missions when he could walk in, get his job done as soon as possible, and get out. Being undercover only forced him into a role that he didn’t have the patience to play. Thankfully, he didn’t have to do much talking this time around.
He watched Kouyou help a small girl onto a horse. The woman helped her grip the pole and waited a few seconds after to make sure she understood. Then, she started to return to Chuuya, giving him a small nod.
At the press of a few buttons, which he learned to work a few hours ago, the carousel whirred to life. Whimsical music played and the children squealed with excitement.
Chuuya stepped back and stood next to his partner in crime. He looked at her, ready to start a conversation, but paused when he noticed the fond expression on her face. Sometimes Chuuya felt a little bad for her. Anyone could tell she wanted to be a mother with how she treated children. Especially young girls — Kyouka and, at one point, Chuuya.
“Ane-san, does it ever bother you?”
“Hm? Does what bother me?” She hadn’t taken her gaze off of the ride. Many kids were smiling and waving to their parents.
“That you can’t have children of your own.”
Kouyou’s eyes widened and Chuuya immediately regretted saying it. He just hit a nerve, he knew, and the swordswoman would have his head. He really crossed some kind of boundary this time. She always told Chuuya he needed to work on thinking before he spoke, and he should’ve listened and now she was upset with h-
She burst out laughing. She slapped a hand over her mouth and doubled over. A hand was on Chuuya’s shoulder for balance, and he could feel the happy vibrations coming off in waves from it. At some point, the laughing sound stopped but the motions continued.
Kouyou sighed and cleared her throat. She stood and the stupid amusement park uniform was smoothed out by her careful hands. The hand patted Chuuya’s shoulder and returned to its owner’s front where it was linked with the other.
“Thank you. I needed that.”
“Uh… what was funny about that?” Based on the reaction, he felt stupid asking. Logically, every other person would in this situation. The confidence Kouyou had always made him second guess himself.
“I don’t want children of my own. Did someone tell you I wanted to be a mother?” She looked at him with a humorous glint in her eye.
“No, I just thought… and you were looking at them like…” He gestured to the children.
“There’s a difference between liking children and wanting them. In my mind, you were the cure for baby fever.”
It took a moment for him to understand what was being said. What used to be an empathetic warmth sparked into an annoyed ember.
“Hey, I was a joy to raise!”
“Do you remember when we first came here?”
“We’ve been here once!”
She nodded. “And once was enough.”
He gritted his teeth. “Sor- ry I was afraid of heights. It was your fault for taking me on in the first place.”
“The Ferris wheel was closed for the rest of the day, lad.” Though the words were scolding, she held him in her gaze with affection. “So, to answer your question, no.”
A timer went off. The bell rang and soon the carousel winded down into a stop. It was Chuuya’s turn to help the kids off, so he walked out of the control area and into the main one.
Most of the little ones were fine jumping off and running to the exit. A few wobbled a bit from being dizzy, which Chuuya couldn’t help but smile at. There was one, though, who wouldn’t come off her horse. In fact, she was hugging the pole and squeezing her eyes shut. Chuuya’s gaze locked onto her and he walked over.
“Hey,” he started, in a soft voice, “it’s over now. You can go back to mommy and daddy.”
The girl sniffed and shook her head. “Can’t r-reach,” she whimpered. Chuuya glanced down. Her feet only barely touched the top of the metal stirrup. Oh.
“Would you like help down?” He offered a hand and hovered the other over her back. The girl peeked one eye open and looked at his hand, then his eyes. She nodded and shakily put one of her hands on his.
He lifted her up and set her on the ground. Geez, she really was short. He held onto her for a few seconds just in case she was dizzy.
“See? Nothin’ to it!” He smiled at her.
She smiled. “Thank you!”
“Don’t mention it.” With a ruffle of her hair, the girl scampered off to her parents.
Another round of kiddos was loaded onto the carousel. Chuuya gave a thumbs up to Kouyou and he got back to the control area when it started.
“Does it bother you, lad, that you can’t have children of your own?” Kouyou teased, smirking.
Chuuya’s face turned as red as his hair.