Chapter 9: Friends?

Toji was sitting at a low table in the main hall of the mansion, scanning the place without much interest. Across from him, Reika observed him with a calculated smile, like someone trying to decipher a complex puzzle. Beside her, Momo cast nervous glances between her mother and Toji, probably worried about the impression he might leave.

"Why so much space? Do a lot of people live here?" Toji asked, looking around with curiosity. His eyes roamed from one piece of furniture to another, as if he were analyzing escape routes rather than the decor.

"It's for when we have many guests... and to make the space feel well utilized," Reika replied calmly, maintaining her smile. "Would you like something to drink? Tea or juice?"

Toji shrugged. "I don't know... tea, I guess." For him, the drink didn't matter, and his nonchalant tone made it clear that, if he were somewhere else, he probably wouldn't have accepted anything.

Nodding naturally, Reika gave a quick glance to a maid standing near the door, waiting attentively for her orders. "Bring us tea and cookies." The maid nodded with a slight bow and left with light steps, leaving the three in a brief but awkward pause.

"So, Toji-kun, what's this about you having a Quirk?" Reika fixed her eyes on him with interest, as if trying to gauge his every gesture. For his part, he merely raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

"I don't know, I've just been training since I was little. I guess that's the explanation." Without saying more, Toji avoided delving into the details; it wasn't a topic he cared to discuss.

Reika nodded slowly, processing his response thoughtfully. "Maybe... But anyway, it doesn't matter much right now. If you don't mind, I'd like to know a bit more about you."

Momo, hearing her mother's tone, felt this was more an interrogation than a friendly conversation. She sighed, preparing herself, knowing her mother's interest wouldn't wane anytime soon. "Sure, no problem," Toji replied without enthusiasm, just as the maid returned with a silver tray. With meticulous movements, she placed a plate with various types of cookies and served a cup of tea for each of them, paying attention to every detail of the ceremony.

"Thank you," Reika said with a slight nod of her head. The maid responded with a bow before retreating to her post near the door. Toji, without much ceremony, grabbed a cookie and took a bite, evaluating its taste without comment.

"So... I know it's a bit early, but do you have any plans for what you'll study in the future?" Reika attempted to steer the conversation toward a more amicable tone.

Toji, still chewing, replied unhurriedly, "Nah..."

Momo felt a pang of discomfort. She was already used to Toji's carefree attitude, but she knew her mother didn't share the same tolerance for a lack of ambition.

"I see... Do you have any skills or something you're particularly good at?" Reika persisted, maintaining her composure.

Toji finished chewing and shrugged again. "Mmh... I know how to fight. I don't know, it's not that complicated."

Reika let out a brief laugh, with a hint of nervousness. "... So, is there really nothing that interests you in life?"

Without much interest, Toji picked up the teacup, observing the dark liquid before replying. "The only thing I care about is making money... I don't know, I'll do whatever gives me a good amount with the least effort possible."

Momo shifted in her seat. She knew Toji could be brutally honest, but she had hoped that, at least in front of her mother, he would try to mask his lack of ambition. However, Toji didn't seem remotely concerned about hiding anything.

"I see you're very honest," murmured Reika, continuing to look at him with slight interest. "Tell me, Toji-kun... would you do something terrible for money, even if it meant harming others?" Her tone was serious, and her eyes scrutinized him as if trying to see beyond his answer.

Momo held her breath, not expecting that kind of question. She looked at Toji, anxious to see how he would respond. He smiled, but it was a mocking, almost defiant smile. "Well, of cou..." However, at the last second, images from his past life flashed through his mind: the girl, the Star Plasma Vessel, the boy who had looked at him in his final moments. His smile vanished, and his expression turned cold. "No," he said in a dry, definitive tone before taking another cookie.

Reika observed him silently, catching every change in his expression. Something in her eyes seemed satisfied, and she nodded with a faint smile. "I understand."

The conversation continued superficially, discussing trivial topics, until later, when it was already night, Toji got ready to leave. Momo walked him to the entrance. "Sorry about all that," Momo apologized with an embarrassed smile. "My mom can be a bit... intense."

"It's fine," Toji replied, yawning without much interest. "I'm used to it."

"Thanks for coming... I'm glad you're my friend," Momo said in a barely audible tone, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"Huh? What did you say?" Toji asked, raising an eyebrow, somewhat confused.

"Nothing, nothing. Just go; don't keep the driver waiting."

"Is it the mustache guy again?" Toji muttered, casting a disdainful glance at the driver, who looked at him with a similar expression.

"See you tomorrow. Don't forget to do your homework."

Toji waved dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Thanks for the food," he said as he got into the car without looking back.

Momo watched the car drive off until it disappeared in the distance, but just as she was about to go back inside the mansion, she heard her mother's voice behind her. "He's not a bad kid..."

Momo turned, somewhat surprised. "What do you mean by that?"

"At first, I thought he was a bit... simple. But he's not a bad person. Maybe not the best match, but if he makes you happy..."

Momo frowned, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "What are you talking about?"

Reika let out a light laugh. "Come on, don't play dumb. I saw the way you looked at him."

"W-what look! That's how I always look!" Momo replied, trying to sound indifferent, though the blush on her face betrayed her.

"Sure, sure," Reika said with a sly smile as they both returned inside the mansion.

Toji got out of the vehicle, throwing one last disdainful glance at the driver before flipping him off. Surprisingly, the driver returned the gesture with an equally annoyed expression, which managed to draw a mocking grin from Toji. He climbed the stairs to his apartment, searching for his keys in his pocket, but before he could open the door, it swung open abruptly, and a firm hand grabbed him by the collar, dragging him inside.

"Where the hell were you, kid?" his mother, Yaeko, snapped, her brows furrowed and her eyes filled with worry. Her voice carried a mix of anger and panic. Before Toji could answer, she let him go and started running her hands through her hair. "No, don't tell me... You're into drugs already, aren't you?! Oh, God, what did I do to deserve this?" Yaeko's voice cracked, and against all odds, she pulled him into a tight hug, trying to hold back her tears. "I know you had a rough childhood, but this isn't the way, Toji. This won't lead to anything good," she murmured, attempting to keep him in the embrace.

"Calm down, woman," he replied, pulling away from the hug with irritation. "I just went to a friend's house to eat."

Yaeko blinked, clearly incredulous. "You? A friend? And a girl, no less?"

Toji frowned, crossing his arms impatiently. "Yeah, any problem with that?"

She stared at him, clearly shocked, as if the mere idea that her son had friends, let alone a female friend, was utterly unexpected. "Toji... with friends?" Her words sounded almost mocking, but there was a trace of genuine disbelief. "I never thought I'd hear those words together." Then, narrowing her eyes, she gave him a suspicious look. "Are you really on drugs? Or are you hallucinating that you have friends?"

Toji let out an annoyed snort, clicking his tongue, just as Yaeko's phone rang. She gave the device a worried glance, as if afraid of it. "It must be the police..." she muttered, pressing a hand to her forehead.

"You called the police?" Toji looked at her in disbelief, stunned that his mother had gone so far in her worry.

"I had to make sure!" she retorted, placing a hand over her chest. "I already imagined you lying unconscious on some sidewalk."

Toji stared at her with resignation. "Do you really think I could sink that low?"

"Yes," Yaeko answered without hesitation. At her blunt response, Toji sighed, running a hand over his forehead and shaking his head before turning to head toward his room.

As he walked away, Yaeko called out to him again, this time in a somewhat softer tone. "...Toji."

"What now?" He leaned into the hallway, slowly unbuttoning his uniform and looking at her with a hint of irritation.

"Are you saying you went to my boss's house...? And this 'imaginary friend' of yours happens to be her daughter?" Yaeko looked at him, incredulous, with a mix of surprise and confusion.

Toji merely raised an eyebrow, as if he couldn't understand why she was making such a fuss. Without another word, he turned and slammed his bedroom door shut, unwilling to prolong the conversation.

"Answer me! Why didn't you ever tell me you were friends with her? Toji!" Yaeko banged on the door, but the only response was silence from the other side.