When the World Turned to Stone

Tsukasa stood nearby, arms crossed as he observed the situation with mild amusement. "So, just to be clear... all of that screaming was over a non-venomous snake?"

"YES!" Taiju suddenly shot up, pointing at Shiro with teary, betrayed eyes. "BUT IT BIT ME! TWICE!"

Hanako sighed, dabbing at the small bite marks on Taiju's cheek and arm with a damp cloth. "Honestly, Taiju, you're making a big deal out of this."

"It bit me, Hanako! And Senku just let it happen!"

Senku rolled his eyes. "Not my fault you cuddled it in your sleep."

Tsukasa raised a brow. "Wait. He what?"

Hanako blinked, then turned to Taiju, her lips twitching. "Taiju... you hugged Shiro?"

"I WAS ASLEEP!" Taiju wailed, his face red with embarrassment. "I THOUGHT HE WAS A PILLOW!"

Hanako clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. Tsukasa smirked. Even Senku looked mildly entertained.

After a moment, Hanako finally composed herself and turned back to Senku with a questioning look. "But really, how did Shiro even end up with Taiju? You were supposed to watch him."

Senku cracked his neck, looking entirely unbothered. "Not my fault. Shiro's as sneaky as a fox. One moment he was napping, the next, he was gone."

Hanako groaned. "Of course, he was."

Taiju pouted. "So you mean he found me?"

"More like you found him in your sleep," Senku deadpanned.

Taiju sulked. "Shiro... I thought we were friends..."

Shiro flicked his tongue in response, seemingly unbothered.

Hanako giggled before gently scooping Shiro up from Senku's wrist. "Sorry, buddy, you must've been scared when Taiju suddenly hugged you." She cradled the snake, stroking its small head.

"How about me? Are you not feeling sorry? taiju said

Hanako blinked at Taiju's words, then turned to look at him. He was still sulking, rubbing the bite mark on his cheek like it was a fatal wound. His eyes were filled with exaggerated betrayal.

She tilted her head, suppressing a smile. "Hmmm... Nope."

"WHAT?!" Taiju cried, looking utterly devastated. "Hanako! I almost died! Your snake tried to eat me!"

Senku let out a tired sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "For the last time, Shiro is not venomous, and he is way too small to eat you."

"Then why did he bite me?!"

"Because you hugged him in your sleep, you big oaf," Senku deadpanned.

Tsukasa, who had been quietly observing, finally let out a small chuckle. "It's simple, Taiju. To Shiro, you were the one attacking first."

"I WAS ASLEEP!" Taiju protested dramatically.

Hanako giggled again and held Shiro up to Taiju's face, much to his horror. "See? He's just a tiny guy. Look how innocent he is!"

Taiju flinched back, waving his hands. "Innocent?! He bit me!"

Shiro flicked his tongue lazily, clearly unbothered by Taiju's dramatics.

Hanako smiled and nuzzled the small snake against her cheek. "Aww, you were just scared, weren't you?"

"I was the one who got scared" Taiju whined, still dramatically rubbing his 'wound.' "I can't believe this... My life was almost taken by a tiny noodle..."