It's became a routine for Kenma to tuck Suki in to bed every night, as much as he can and when he isn't busy at least.

And he also does this so he can monitor Suki's time in playing with her tablet. His mother did warn him not to let Suki play too much with electronic devices and to let her play games other than the ones on her computer or tablet. If possible, at least let her play outside with other kids, but Kenma dislikes crowds and socializing with other people.

"Did you enjoy the game with Y/n-san earlier?" Kenma asked while he sat on the edge of Suki's bed.

"Yep," Suki answered, leaning instinctively to the warmth of Kenma's palm brushing on her head. "I like Ms. Y/n."

She closed her eyes and Kenma brushed a few strands of her hair away from her face. "She's very kind."

"She is," Kenma said, remembering that time when you stood up for him, now that he remembers it, he didn't have the chance to thank you for that.

"Hmm," Suki scooted closer to the warmth her bed offered her. "I can't wait until Sunday."

"Until she comes back, you should eat your meals properly."

Suki nodded her head, her eyes still close. Kenma sat there for a while, just letting the silence and Suki's soft breathing lull him to alleviation. And when he thought Suki had already fallen asleep, Kenma asked that question.

"Suki, do you want her to be your mother?"

Because Kenma cannot give Suki her real mother, it wouldn't hurt to have someone act as one for a while.

Kenma was about to leave the room, he already stood up and was about to take a step when a small hand grabbed his hand, small fingers wrapping around his pointer finger and Kenma stopped before he looked back at Suki, eyes half-lidded as she stare back at him.

"Daddy," she muttered. "I want her to be Suki's mommy."

It's concerning how children can trust easily, how they can attach themselves to other people. But Kenma knew it wasn't the case with you. It was just that, you were naturally kind and would naturally attract people towards you, children especially.

And children can sense the good in a person, they wouldn't get attached to strangers right away, but if they're a good person then perhaps there is a chance to get attached easily.

Kenma didn't say anything, and Suki's eyelids have gone heavier as she closed them, slowly falling into a dreamless slumber.

---

Days passed by and before Suki knew it, it's Sunday already and you came back to visit her again, just as promised.

"Suki slept early so Sunday came quickly!" she said the moment you entered the unit.

You smiled at Suki, although Kenma noticed your smile is not quite the same as the smile you had prior. Or maybe it was just him thinking too much about it.

"Grandma sent us onigiri! Let's play Shiritori again."

You chuckled and let Suki led you to the kitchen again, while Kenma followed you two.

The game started and you noticed how Suki improved from last time you played this game. But that doesn't mean you'll lose. You won every round until the last one and you lost again, much like last time.

And Kenma concluded that you did lose on purpose, as to your reason, Kenma still couldn't tell.

Perhaps for the joy of it?

"Now Suki-chan, time to make your wish."

Suki was silent for a second, thinking about it for a while until she spoke.

"I'll save the wish for later!"

Afterwards, she left and run back to her room and you watched her retreating figure before you stood up.

Or at least you were about to, if not for Kenma leaning in to take Suki's plate and you fell back on the chair.

"Have you had breakfast?" Kenma asked, putting the bowl in the sink.

"I already had, since breakfast is the most important meal of the day."

"Then coffee?" he asked again.

"Kozume-kun, I don't drink coffee."

He was about to take the granules from the cupboard but stopped when you said that you don't drink coffee.

"Milk?" he asked again and you turned to him.

"If you wanted to ask if I have time to spare, I do actually. I still have more than half an hour of free time."

It's not that Kenma doesn't want you to stay, he just doesn't know how to properly ask.

But since you caught on that fact quite quickly, judging by how he kept on asking you if you had breakfast or if you want coffee or milk, you decided to tell him that you do have a spare time.

Kenma proceeded to get two glasses of orange juice from the fridge and a plate of onigiri since his mother brought quite a lot for him and Suki.

"Thank you," you said.

"No, I should be thanking you."

You suddenly stopped and looked at Kenma. "Ah, no. It's my job to take care of children's diet so you don't really need to thank me."

"No," Kenma said again. "I wasn't able to thank you properly for what you did six years ago."

You didn't say anything for a moment, thinking about what he was referring to until he continued. "Back when I was still a freshman in college."

You remembered that time. Even if it wasn't him, even if it was anyone else, you would have done the same. You loathed those kinds of people who oppress other people and think they're all better than everyone.

"It's nothing," you said. "I'm just glad it wasn't the reason why you dropped out of college."

"You knew the reason?" Kenma asked and you stopped, feeling your face heating up in embarrassment.

"Oh I—I kind of just...assumed, sorry..." you muttered, hiding your flustered face behind the glass as you took a sip of the orange juice.

"I dropped out because of Suki," he said. Judging by your silence, Kenma knew it was what you assumed. "But I didn't blame her for that, college was just boring."

You chuckled a bit, that you can totally relate. If it wasn't for that fact that you wanted to give your parents a better life than what they had at the province in Hyogo, you might have dropped as well and started working different jobs.

Since continuing your studies would require more effort and money, dropping out would be more convenient. And you'd be lying if you said you didn't think of dropping out as well a few times before. But your reasons for continuing outweighed your reasons for stopping.

"At least you have a lot of money now. I heard from Kuroo that you're now a famous streamer?" you asked. "I'm not really into videogames and streaming and all so I didn't recognize your online handle when Kuroo mentioned it."

You still remember how he gushed and asked you how you didn't know the kodzuken. And you asked Kuroo if you're required to know him, to which he said no, he was just simply surprise at your lack of interest in one of the most famous streamers in Tokyo Metropolis.

"And Kuroo also mentioned how you founded your own company."

"That talkative son of a—" Kenma cut himself off before he can insult Kuroo's mother who had been very kind to Kenma since way back when he was a kid.

You chuckled lightly and took a sip of the orange juice again, savoring the sweet taste that glides softly down your throat.

"Earlier," Kenma started after a while. "And last time too, why did you lose on purpose?"

You put the glass down and composed yourself before you answered.

"You see, Kozume-kun, when we lose all the time, we would also lose motivation to continue playing. So by losing that last round, I gave Suki-chan hope."

You looked at Kenma and gave him a smile. "So whenever you feel like using that method on her if she refuses to eat again, Suki-chan would be more willing to play since I didn't extinguish her hope to win."

Now Kenma understood it, why you lost on purpose twice. And the fact that you just kind of manipulated his daughter. But it's not like it was ever a bad thing, since it was done out of good faith.

"And Suki-chan finished the soup last time and the onigiri this time, so I ought to give her a reward."

Reward, Kenma had given her anything. "But what if she asks for something else this time?"

"Like what?" you asked, taking another sip of the juice.

"What if she asked you to become her mother?"

Suddenly you coughed, taken aback by the sudden statement.

"Why would Suki..." you trailed off, taking the glass of orange juice as you downed the remaining content. "Why would Suki-chan ask that? What about her real mother?"

"She is..." Kenma started but quickly stopped and rephrase his statement.

"Actually, the reason why Suki started to refuse to eat her meals was because she asked for something I can't give her."

"And that is?" you asked.

Is there possibly anything this guy can't give his daughter when he clearly has more than enough money? That was what you thought. The fact that he can afford this spacious unit in one of Tokyo's wealthiest neighborhood no less, means that he earns more than enough.

"A mother..." you muttered.

You were taken aback for a second. Suki wants a mother and Kenma can't give Suki her mother, you only concluded something.

"Then how about you try to meet with Suki's mom and maybe that'll also help her eat her meals."

And that's a lot better than playing games and trying to outwit her.

But then again, you thought that perhaps Kenma and Suki's mother are not together nor are they on good terms, otherwise she would have been here to complete this family. And she and Kenma were young so you couldn't exactly blame them.

"No," Kenma said. "Suki's mother is..."

"Is what?" you asked slowly but quickly added, "Ah no, you don't have to say! I shouldn't pry too much with your personal life."

You looked down, lowering your head as you felt your face heating up from embarrassment. It's not your place to ask something so personal after all.

You were about to stand up when you noticed Kenma in front of you, a little closer than earlier.

"So, what if Suki's wish this time is for you to become her mother?" Kenma asked, since he knew his daughter more than anyone else, and the fact that she didn't tell her wish right away must have meant that she's taking her time to think when to use that wish.

He knew she's smart, something she inherited from Kenma.

"Will you refuse her, Y/n?"

You couldn't say anything, for some reason you felt pressured. He was so close to you that you feel the urge to lean back but as odd as it may sound you were too mesmerize by his amber eyes to even move an inch.

"I..." you trailed off before you went back to your senses and shook your head. "I think I have to go."

You took your bag and stood up, ready to leave. But you haven't taken four steps at most when Kenma spoke again.

"If you're so good with kids, why don't you help me raise my daughter?"

And out of all the luck in this world, Suki had to overhear the last few bits of conversation you and Kenma had. And now, it's her turn to make use of her wish.

"Ms. Y/n," she called, making you flinch and you slowly turned around. "My wish, can Ms. Y/n become Suki's mommy?"

And since you can't refuse such an innocent wish of a little girl longing for a mother, you found yourself saying yes.