Chapter 20: Momo’s Captivity

Haruka stared at the ceiling, her mind a swirl of chaotic thoughts.

It was 2:00 PM.

She hadn't slept. Not really. Her body had shut down the moment she saw a pillow, but her brain had stayed wide awake, playing a horror movie on loop:

Momo running away

Momo forgetting her

Momo… wearing a tiny matching hoodie and choosing him.

She groaned, rolling over on Yuki's couch, cookie crumbs clinging to her cheek like a shameful tattoo.

"I can't do this," she muttered, her voice hoarse and defeated.

Yuki didn't even lift her head from her pillow on the floor. "You say that every time you run out of cheese."

"This is different. This is my child."

Haruka sat up, blanket tangled around her legs like emotional seaweed. She grabbed her phone with trembling hands, feeling like a bomb disposal expert about to cut the wrong wire.

Haruka:

I can't do this.

I can't live without him.

Please. I need Momo.

I'll do anything. I'll bring snacks. Or bribes. Or coffee. I'll even behave.

Kaito replied almost instantly.

Kaito:

Meet me at the café at four. I'll take you to the little traitor.

Ryo's still asleep. You can steal him back before he notices.

Haruka's knees gave out in relief. She clutched her phone like it was her lifeline.

Yuki, munching on a toast, raised an eyebrow. "So? What's the verdict? Did Kaito agree to a hostage negotiation?"

Haruka sniffled dramatically. "He's agreed to a prisoner transfer. We're meeting at the café."

Yuki stood. "Well, I can't miss that."

"You don't have to come—"

"Oh, I do," she said, pulling on her jacket. "You're emotional. I'm entertained. It's a win-win."

---

They met Kaito outside the café ten minutes later.

He was casually leaning against a pillar, sipping from a takeaway cup like he hadn't just been dragged into a melodramatic custody battle.

Haruka didn't even greet him. She burst out, "Is Momo okay? Did he eat? Did he bark in his sleep? Did he—"

"Relax, he's fine," Kaito said, patting her head like she was the dog. "He was asleep with Ryo when I got home. Didn't have the heart to wake them."

Haruka blinked. "He fell asleep… with Ryo?"

Kaito nodded, unfazed. "Yeah, more like on him."

Yuki let out a low whistle. "Oh ho. Hoodie Guy's got a soft side."

Haruka's brain malfunctioned. "W-what if Momo bonded with him? What if I walk in and he doesn't even recognize me?! What if—"

"Come on," Kaito said, already walking. "You'll see for yourself."

---

They reached the apartment, and Kaito unlocked the door with a casual flick, like Haruka wasn't about to walk into the scene of her emotional breakdown.

She crept inside, Yuki close behind.

Kaito stayed near the entrance, gesturing silently toward Ryo's room.

Haruka peeked around the corner, taking in the overwhelming amount of gaming equipment. "What is he, a game freak?" she mumbled.

Then, her heart came to a screeching halt.

There he was.

Momo.

Fast asleep.

Curled up in a perfect fluffball, legs twitching slightly.

Pressed against Ryo's side on the bed—no, not just pressed. Snuggled. Ryo's arm was loosely draped over him, and his head tilted slightly, hoodie rumpled, hair a mess. His face was unguarded, peaceful, far softer than she'd ever seen it.

Haruka let out a strangled squeak.

Kaito grinned, leaning in like it was the funniest thing he'd seen all week. "Told you. Cutest bonding moment I've ever seen. Momo growled at me when I tried to move him."

Haruka pressed a hand to her mouth, her eyes already welling up with tears.

Yuki, beside her, whispered, "Okay, I was ready to laugh—but that's actually heart-melting. Who knew Hoodie Guy had human settings?"

"They're cuddling," Haruka gasped, voice cracking. "He's cuddling with my son."

Kaito smirked. "Jealous?"

"YES!" Haruka hissed under her breath, not caring if she sounded like a madwoman.

Momo gave a tiny sigh in his sleep and snuggled deeper into Ryo's hoodie like it was his new favorite blanket.

Haruka was officially not okay.

"I feel like I'm watching my ex move on with someone better," she whimpered.

Kaito crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "You could always wait until they wake up naturally…"

Yuki snorted. "Or Haruka could dramatically wake Ryo up and pretend it's his fault for being too snuggly."

Haruka's eyes lit up with dangerous purpose. "Genius," she whispered, her voice the exact tone villains use right before pushing a giant red button.

Yuki's grin widened. "Oh wait—I was joking."

"It's too late," Haruka said, already tiptoeing forward like a gremlin with a caffeine addiction and too many feelings. "You've ignited the fire."

Kaito smirked. "Now this is what I'm here for."

Haruka inched closer to the bed. Momo's tail gave a lazy flick, but he didn't stir. Ryo, meanwhile, was like a statue carved from sleep and sarcasm—peaceful, sure, but probably dreaming about banning people in his stream chat.

She hovered her hand above Momo's fur.

One tug. That's all she needed. Just a gentle extraction.

But her fingers brushed Ryo's shoulder instead. Static snapped. Momo twitched.

Ryo shifted.

Haruka froze, hand mid-air like a kid caught in the act of stealing cookies.

His brows furrowed. His lips parted slightly. And then—

"…five more minutes…" he mumbled, pulling Momo closer.

Haruka gasped in horror. Still trying to get her fluffy son, sat on the side of the bed. Her breath was shallow, her heart pounding. She reached out, fingers almost brushing Momo's fur.

Her dog stirred, tail wagging gently in recognition. His eyes blinked open.

And then Ryo shifted.

Haruka's breath hitched.

His brow twitched. A low sigh escaped him—rough, sleepy.

And then, his arm tightened.

Not around Momo.

Around her wrist.

Haruka stopped breathing.

Ryo's fingers, warm and somehow confident, wrapped around her like it was instinct. Tugged her just close enough that the air thickened.

Haruka's heart stopped.

Momo, blissfully unaware of the rising tension, shifted again, curling deeper into Ryo's side.

Haruka's brain was short-circuiting. Her face burned. Her heart thundered. She should pull away.

She should scream.

She absolutely should not be wondering what Ryo's shampoo smells like.

"I—wait—what are you—" she stammered, fully red, fully panicking.

Ryo, still unconscious, pulled her in before she could blink..

Yuki snorted from behind the wall, barely keeping it together.

Kaito slapped a hand over his mouth, struggling to contain a laugh-sneeze hybrid.

Yuki elbowed Kaito, nodding toward the kitchen. "Let's give them some privacy."

"Fine then," Kaito muttered. "But I'm watching the replay later."

They left, barely containing their giggles.

"Think she'll pass out?" Yuki asked.

"I'll give it a minute," Kaito replied. "Top."