YAKO ISN'T CLAY.

She isn't easily molded, shaped, into however people want her to be, she's a force that's confident in how she is and doesn't care about anyone else, like a hurricane whirling past people who just stare at her—they're both nervous and in awe; there's never in between. There wasn't meant to be something in between.

Tsuchigomori was the one in between.

Yako knew the moment she first saw him that Tsuchigomori is a threat to her reputation, a sharp tongue that's as witty as hers, cold eyes that could glare anyone to death, and words that can easily manipulate or scare people—Tsuchigomori is the person Yako hides to be; hates to be.

On the surface, Yako is a charming girl with a brave heart, popular and kind—she's built her persona to hide the person that no one likes, which is ironic because Yako swore she isn't supposed to be clay. Yako is not this sassy lady who isn't afraid to speak what's on her mind without thinking twice.

She hates Tsuchigomori—

—with a fiery passion, and she knew that he felt the same way. How sweet, isn't it? The feeling is completely mutual, Yako had sweetly said to Tsuchigomori once when he blurted his hatred. His right eye twitched before he rolled his eyes and walked away, a mischievous glint in those dark eyes of his that didn't settle right with Yako.

Another surprising reason to hate Tsuchigomori is that he somehow managed to make her babysit a child from a friend of his named Hana or something. ( Yako didn't care. ) He twisted her words and did it so effortlessly that it pissed Yako to her very core—no one has the right to make Yako pliant in his grasp. Absolutely no one.

"You want me to babysit a child?" Yako incredulously asked, scrunching her nose as she glared at the tall man in front of her. "Do you even know what you're talking about? Are you serious?" She studied Tsuchigomori's expressions—every minor detail that can help her—and sees nothing but amusement and she doesn't trust it.

"Yes, I am," Tsuchigomori said, in a monotone voice with his stupidly deep voice as always. Yako clicked her tongue and almost growled at his way of speaking in a roundabout way. "Why?" He mused, tilting his chin upwards to mock Yako's height in comparison to his. "Don't tell me that you even scare children away?"

Yako tried to deepen her glare to show her obvious irritation, but it's already as far as it goes. "No. Why would you even think that? I don't scare anyone away." She snapped.

"Oh, but you do," Tsuchigomori continued. "You're like a feral puppy, do you know that?" Yako just kept on scowling at him before he finally laughed. "I'll pay you the right amount of money you want, what's so bad about taking care of a baby?" He asked, though he fully knew that the babysitting part wasn't wrong, but the fact that Tsuchigomori wants Yako of all people to trust a child in her own hands.

Not that Yako would do anything to the child. She has taken care of small kids back then with her ex, Misaki, who was a teacher. She didn't like kids but kids seem to like her.

Yako's face fell remembering the man she still loves to this day and she can't ever see again. A tragic accident that completely changed Yako to the person she is right now. A shaky sigh leaves her lips as she bites it, trying to hold off the trembling. Stupid, don't do this now! Yako scolded herself. You're embarrassing yourself.

Tsuchigomori arched a brow at her sudden change in emotion and opens his mouth to speak, but Yako promptly cuts him off and clears her throat. "How did— how did you know I needed the money anyway?" She asked him softly, catching Tsuchigomori off guard.

"I didn't, but that's nice to know," Tsuchigomori said, his tone surprisingly gentle compared to earlier where it felt like he was slinging fire at her. Did he notice Yako's mood drop? "Would you take the offer or not? I would pay you twice the amount if you want, and I promise Amane's a good child."

Tsuchigomori stared at her expectantly, making Yako nervously avert eyes. She gulped down her nervousness and stared back, a determined look on her face. "Deal. Pick me up tomorrow after breakfast. You said your shift starts around 10, right? This child better be worth my time," Yako added for good measure. "This will be a one-time thing, okay? Don't expect me to come crawling back to you again.

Tsuchigomori smirked. "We'll see."

Yako just realized Tsuchigomori had once again made her act as he pleased.

—

Yako thought that Tsuchigomori's house would be more underwhelming, she never thought that she would step into such a humble abode, decorated with expensive furniture. Her jaw almost dropped, really, seeing such a huge home with spacious rooms. Her eyes traveled and saw a child seated on the floor, staring intently at the playing TV screen.

Dark hair and sparkling eyes, Yako thought he was an adorable child, but could've sworn he has seen him before. Wasn't he the child that Tsuchigomori secretly brought one day? Yako was pretty sure there were two of them.

"That is Amane," Tsuchigomori said suddenly from behind Yako, startling the light blonde. "Tsukasa, his twin, is babysitting by Hana's sister because they're afraid that something will happen if they're together. And they're the parents, they should know. Trust me, it's never pretty."

Yako blinked. "Oh, okay."

Yako turned back and noticed Amane was now staring at her curiously. Yako smiled at him and he busted into a fit of delighted giggles, clapping his hands as if reaching out to Yako. Her smile softened for a split second before she cleared her throat and forced herself to keep her face blank again.

Yako walked over to Amane and picked him up, the boy happy in her arms. Tsuchigomori kept on staring, unnerving Yako just a bit.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yako sputtered while Amane plays with the hair that fell in front of her ears. She blushed when he smirked, embarrassed for no reason.

"You look stupid," Tsuchigomori snickered. Yako's face fell, twisting into a scowl as Tsuchigomori started lightly laughing even more.

Amane just giggled.

—

Unedited, sorry for the typos if there are any 💔

Hi guys did you miss me huwhsuahw

Slow updates sorry :( the latest chapter rlly messed me up.