When the World Turned to Stone

The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds signaled the start of a new day. Tsukasa slowly opened his eyes, staring at the wooden ceiling above him. He took a deep breath, letting the fresh morning air fill his lungs as he lay still, deep in thought. The faint snoring nearby blended with the sounds of the forest, creating a strange yet oddly peaceful harmony.

Now fully awake, he took a moment to register his surroundings. The makeshift treehouse was still and quiet—except for the occasional snore from Taiju.

But then, he heard something else. 

A soft mumble.

Curious, he turned his head to the right.

There, curled up in her spot, was Hanako, her face snuggled into a pillow as she hugged it tightly. She mumbled incoherently, her expression peaceful, completely lost in whatever dream she was having.

'This scene reminds me of Mirai.'

Tsukasa's expression softened. His little sister used to sleep the same way when she was a baby—clinging onto anything soft, murmuring in her sleep.

But the more he looked, the more another thought crossed his mind.

'Hanako wasn't just like Mirai.'

'She was also like... a cat'

Tucked into herself, mumbling, snuggling her pillow—definitely cat-like.

Tsukasa hadn't even realized how long he had been staring at her until—

SMACK.

A sudden slap landed right on the back of Hanako's head.

"Guh—!"

She groaned, stirring from her sleep, her hand sluggishly moving to lower the pillow covering her face. Her eyes blinked open, still hazy with drowsiness, only to be met with a very familiar face.

Brown eyes. Calm. Unwavering.

Her foggy brain struggled for a moment before the realization slammed into her at full force.

Tsukasa. Close. Too close.

'Oh shit.' Her entire body reacted on instinct.

She bolted upright—completely forgetting that Taiju was sleeping right behind her.

WHAM.

"GAH—!!"

Her head collided with something solid. Or rather, someone.

Hanako turned around in horror, only to be greeted by a completely knocked-out Taiju who had not only tanked her accidental headbutt but hadn't even woken up from it.

Instead, he let out a deep snore, shifting slightly in his sleep.

...With his feet on her pillow.

Hanako let out a long, tired sigh. 

"Ugh—Taiju..." she muttered, shoving his leg off her pillow.

This wasn't the first time he'd done something like this.

One time, she had woken up in the middle of the night because of some noise. She glanced over to see Senku struggling under Taiju's massive legs, practically suffocating, trying to shove them off his stomach.

"Taiju—GET OFF ME, YOU BIG OAF!" Senku had growled, kicking at his leg. But Taiju had been completely oblivious, snoring through the entire ordeal.