Chapter 17: Gift

Toji was in his room, lying on the bed with a smile on his face. He hadn't expected that approving this would feel so good. For the first time in a long while, he felt like his efforts had been worth it. He sighed with relief, pulled his phone out of his pocket, and without thinking much, typed a short message: "Call me." After sending it, he let himself fall completely onto the mattress, closing his eyes. Minutes passed slowly until the sound of the phone broke the silence.

Without bothering to open his eyes, he slid his finger across the screen and answered in his usual tone, slightly annoyed:

"You took your time."

"Huh? Oh, sorry, I was showering," replied Momo, her voice a bit breathless. "So... what's up?"

Toji yawned, trying to sound indifferent. "Nothing major. You said you wanted to be the first to know if I got the U.A. letter."

There was a brief silence on the line before Momo gasped. "R-right... the letter! How did it go? Did you get in?"

Toji didn't reply immediately. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, letting the silence do its work.

Momo, not hearing an answer, tried to console him, her voice laced with evident nervousness. "I-I see... well, at least you tried, Toji-kun. I'm sorry if I pressured you so much about this... Y-you know, if you want, I could transfer to another school to be closer to you. You don't have to—"

Before she could finish, Toji let out a laugh that caught her by surprise. "Wow, you really have faith in me, huh?"

"Huh?" Momo was left speechless.

"Actually, I passed," he finally said. His tone, though relaxed, couldn't hide the pride. "I was the best in the practical test, and I did pretty well on the written one. So yeah, I got in."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Toji raised an eyebrow, confused by the lack of response. "Did you hang up?"

Suddenly, a sharp, ear-piercing scream came through the phone. "KYAAA! YOU PASSED! YOU PASSED!"

Toji groaned, pulling the phone away to avoid going deaf. Momo kept screaming in excitement, and her enthusiasm was so contagious that even he couldn't help but smile.

"We have to celebrate, Toji-kun. We need to do something big to make up for your hard work!" Momo exclaimed, her voice still full of joy.

Toji shifted on the bed, feeling a bit awkward. "Is that really necessary?" he muttered with a hint of reluctance.

"Of course it is!" Momo replied, this time with a firmer, almost commanding tone. "We'll meet on Saturday, and I won't take no for an answer."

Toji sighed, knowing he couldn't escape. "Fine, fine... By the way, since we're at it, how did you do?"

There was a moment of hesitation on the other end. Momo knew this was her chance to confirm if all those long hours of tutoring had paid off.

"Ah... I scored 81 on the exam and 210 on the practical..." Toji admitted, trying to sound nonchalant, though deep down, he was somewhat proud.

Momo's eyes widened. "An 81...? That's amazing, Toji-kun! I'm so happy for you," she said with a smile that seemed to travel through the phone. But then she processed the next number. "210? That's... impressive!"

"Thanks," Toji said, relaxed. "Though honestly, it was thanks to the weapon you gave me. It was really useful. I think I would've been much slower without it."

Momo couldn't help but smile upon hearing that. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Actually, I made some upgrades," she said proudly. "I'm not an expert in mechanics or engineering, but I managed to make the base form a bracelet. I wanted it to be a ring, but I couldn't quite pull it off... yet. When we meet on Saturday, I'll give it to you."

Toji nodded to himself, impressed by all the effort Momo was putting into helping him. "Thanks for everything, really. Not just for the weapon, but for everything you've done for me... I really appreciate it."

On the other end of the line, Momo felt her face flush. She wasn't used to hearing such sincere words from Toji. "Y-you're welcome," she stammered, trying to sound natural. "We'll meet on Saturday, and again... congratulations! I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks," Toji replied with a smile, and the call ended.

It was Saturday, and Toji was sitting on a park bench, waiting for Momo. He leaned back against the bench, arms crossed and frowning. He glanced at his phone every few minutes, noting how time was passing.

"Why is she taking so long?" he muttered, clearly annoyed.

Just as he was about to call her, he heard her voice. "Sorry for the delay! Did I make you wait too long?" Momo said, approaching quickly, looking slightly nervous.

Toji looked up and replied bluntly, "Yeah, you took forever."

Momo pouted, surprised by his straightforwardness. She had prepared herself to hear something kinder. "S-sorry... how do I look?" she asked, spinning around so he could see her fully.

She was wearing a sleeveless blouse in a pastel shade that complemented her fair skin and a red skirt that reached just above her knees. White sandals adorned her feet, matching the small red bag slung over her shoulder. Her hair, loose, fell softly down her back, decorated with a small braid in the center and carefully styled bangs.

Toji raised an eyebrow, evaluating her without much emotion. "You look good. The loose hair suits you better," he commented simply but honestly.

Momo blushed, lowering her gaze with a shy smile. "T-thanks..." she murmured before trying to divert attention to him. "And you... well, you look very... you."

Toji wore his typical outfit: dark sweatpants, a black t-shirt, and a gray jacket. He looked as carefree as ever.

"What's wrong with it? It's comfortable," he replied with a shrug, a faintly sarcastic smile on his face.

Momo couldn't help but chuckle softly. That relaxed and carefree side of him was something she liked. "Oh, right, take this," she said suddenly, rummaging through her bag. She pulled out a silver bracelet and handed it to him.

"What's this?" Toji asked curiously, examining the object.

"It's the new version of the cube. Now it has voice commands. You just need to say the weapon you want, and it'll take that form. It doesn't have many options, but I added the cutting weapon you wanted. Oh, and don't kill anyone with it, okay?" Momo explained, her tone slightly worried.

Toji took the bracelet and muttered, "Katana."

Immediately, the bracelet transformed into a long katana, its metallic shine reflecting the sunlight.

"Hey, don't use it here! Carrying weapons on the street is forbidden!" Momo exclaimed, waving her hands in alarm.

Toji, with an amused smile, deactivated the katana, which returned to its original bracelet form. "How many uses does it have now?" he asked.

"Twenty-five uses. After that, it needs to rest and recharges itself," Momo explained, crossing her arms.

Toji nodded, slightly surprised. "Thanks," he said sincerely as he adjusted the bracelet on his wrist.

Momo just smiled.

Toji glanced at her sideways but didn't comment further. "So, where are we going?" he finally asked.

"We're going to eat somewhere! I'm hungry," Momo said cheerfully.

"By the way, you're paying," Toji added matter-of-factly, as if it were obvious.

Momo rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "I knew you'd say that."

They went to eat together, enjoying their time with laughter and conversation. Later, Momo insisted on strolling through the park and visiting some stores, though Toji complained every few minutes, saying it was all a waste of time. Despite that, he ended up tagging along.

When it was already late and they were about to part ways, Momo smiled with satisfaction. "It was a good day, don't you think?"

Toji grunted in response, but she was used to his sparse words.

"Oh, right. This is my gift for you," she said suddenly, holding out a carefully wrapped box.

Toji took it, raising an eyebrow, and opened it. Inside was a modern phone, one of the most expensive on the market. His eyes narrowed as he looked at it. "Why this?" he asked suspiciously.

Momo puffed out her cheeks, slightly frustrated. "I always have to send files or pictures to your mom because you use that ancient phone! So I decided to get you the latest model. And I won't take 'no' for an answer."

Toji looked at the phone and then smiled slightly. "Don't worry, I'll keep it."

"Huh?" Momo blinked, confused. "B-but your mom told me you always refuse new phones."

Toji slipped the phone into his pocket. "She's different."

Momo sighed, exasperated but amused. "So, if I give you more things, will you accept them?"

"Of course," he replied without hesitation.

She thought for a moment. She always gave him simple gifts, thinking he hated expensive things. But now, with a smile on her lips, she said, "Then, from now on, I'll give you the best things."

"Suit yourself," Toji replied with a shrug. "Oh, I have something for you too," he added, pulling something out of his pocket.

It was a small hair clip, with a cat figure in the center.

Momo looked at it, surprised. "Did you buy this... for me?"

Toji frowned, sarcastic. "No, it's for me. I thought it'd look good on me."

She laughed softly, taking the clip carefully. "Thank you... I really like it."

"Are you going to cry over that?" he asked, rolling his eyes.

"S-shut up," Momo replied, blushing.

Finally, they said goodbye. Momo got into her chauffeur's car, insisting on taking Toji home, but he refused, saying he didn't want to ruin his day by seeing "Mr. Mustache."