Chapter Text
“I think you’re lying, Momo. You like Okarun so much, you’re even helping him find his balls.”
Driving her words home, Seiko taps her cigarette, dropping the ash in the tray as if to say touché, as Momo’s face reddens across the dinner table. Voice shaking with embarrassment, Momo drops her chopsticks in her ramen.
“Ugh, you just have to make this weird, don’t you, Grandma! I’ll say it again, we’re just friends! And I definitely won't stand by and do nothing when my friend's clearly in need!”
To that, Seiko takes another drag of her cigarette, letting the heat simmer in her chest, before blowing another smoke ring. Her face, seemingly stoic, betrays none of the sheer joy that she feels from teasing Momo like this. Her granddaughter has finally found a good potential love interest. And Seiko plans on thoroughly teasing her about it.
“Well, frankly,” Seiko continues, “I don’t really think he's in need. If I remember correctly, he didn’t even notice his balls were missing at first. What kind of man doesn’t even notice his balls are missing?”
That last bit makes Momo’s eyes pop open. Clutching her gut, she splutters with laughter.
“Grandma, stop! Why are you so hung up on Okarun’s balls? And let’s stop calling them balls. They are kintama. K-i-n-t-a-m-a!”
“Which means golden balls,” Seiko murmurs, loving the way Momo squirms. “But at least now I know why you’re concerned about them. They’ll definitely fetch a small fortune at a pawn shop, if you don’t find them first. And you’ll definitely want to find them first...you know, if you end up with a crush on him someday."
At this point, Momo doesn’t know if she can finish her ramen. Beyond flustered, she throws her hands up.
“That’s enough! Listen, I don’t have a crush on him! After all, he’s not Ken–”
“But he is,” Seiko retorts, cutting her off with a teasing giggle. “Before Okarun went home, he told me his real name. Ken Takakura.”
Momo can’t help the way her face instinctively lights up. Catching herself, she tries hiding her face in her hands...but it’s too late.
Like a shark in the water, Seiko tastes blood. She then finishes her granddaughter off with a slow shake of her head, and a deadpan murmur.
“See? I mention his name and suddenly you’re as red as a ripe tomato. I’m certain this is the beginning of young love. I envy you, Momo. But even so, I’ll support you...and your crush, of course. Let’s do our best to find his balls, shall we?”
Momo knows that if she keeps sitting there, Seiko is going to tease her right into an early grave.
Her best bet is to flee to her bedroom, and fast.
She jumps up from the table. Seiko jumps up too.
“Where are you going?” Seiko roars. “I’m not done with you yet!”
Momo roars back, as she hightails it up the stairs.
“Grandma, leave me alone!”