When the World Turned to Stone

A Meal to Remember: Second Day

Hanako sighed again. Some things never change.

Tsukasa, who had been silently watching at her, let out a light chuckle. "Good morning."

Hanako, still recovering from the whiplash of everything that just happened, turned to him, her face still slightly red. "Y-yeah... morning too."

That was when she noticed something.

Senku wasn't here.

She blinked and glanced around. 

"Huh? Where's Senku?" she mumbled, mostly to herself.

"He left earlier," Tsukasa replied simply.

Hanako sighed. "Figures."

Shifting in place, she winced slightly, a dull ache reminding her of her injury. She glanced down, carefully touching her ankle. It doesn't hurt as much anymore... she thought. "I should probably change the bandage."

Just as she was about to stand up, a voice interrupted her.

"Do you need help?"

She flinched slightly at Tsukasa's smooth, calm voice.

Hanako blinked at him before quickly shaking her head. "Oh—uh, no! I can do it myself! It's just a small injury, no big deal—"

Tsukasa, already sitting up, ignored her protest. "Tell me what you need, and I'll get it."

She hesitated for a moment before sighing in defeat. 

"I need fresh bandages, some clean water, and—uh—" She scanned the room before pointing. "That small pouch over there."

Tsukasa nodded and stood up, retrieving each item she pointed at with ease.

As he turned his back to her, Hanako caught a clear look at the lion hide wrapped around him.

She frowned slightly, remembering something. 'The clothes.'

Her eyes darted to the corner of the treehouse where she had placed the outfit she made for Tsukasa.

'I should give it to him now.'

Quickly, while Tsukasa was still busy gathering the last of the materials, she shifted to the side and grabbed the folded cloth. Just as Tsukasa turned back around, she hurriedly hid it behind her back.

Oblivious, Tsukasa handed her the items. "Here."

"Thanks you" She accepted them with a small smile—before hesitating slightly.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled the cloth from behind her back and held it out toward him.

"Um—this is for you."

Tsukasa blinked, taking the neatly folded clothing from her hands. He examined it for a moment before looking back at her with mild curiosity.

"The lion hide should be dried properly before wearing it," Hanako explained, shifting slightly in place. "Otherwise, it'll stay damp and make you uncomfortable."

Tsukasa glanced back down at the outfit. "You made this?"

She nodded.

A small, appreciative smile tugged at his lips. "Thank you, Hanako."

Before she could respond—

She was suddenly lifted off the ground.

"Wha—?! Tsukasa!?" He had scooped her up again, one arm supporting her back and the other under her legs.