"...Yes, Chief."
Kai slowly entered.
The room was surprisingly quiet.
The first thing he saw—
Andrew.
Standing.
Fast asleep.
His scythe rested beside him.
His head occasionally nodded forward before jerking back upright.
"..."
"...How is he sleeping while standing?"
A loud snore answered the question.
Kai couldn't help but laugh.
Then—
He looked farther inside.
Taai sat on a reinforced hospital bed.
Or rather—
A mountain of bandages shaped vaguely like Taai sat on the bed.
Only his eyes and part of his mouth were visible.
"..."
"...You look..."
Taai raised one finger.
"Don't."
Kai immediately closed his mouth.
Taai let out a tired laugh.
"Smart choice."
Then—
Kai noticed someone else.
Sitting quietly on a wooden stool beside Taai's bed.
Head lowered.
Hands resting together.
Chocomint.
Kai stopped walking.
"..."
Silence filled the room.
Chocomint slowly looked up.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
The room suddenly felt much smaller.
And much quieter.