Taimanin: The Weakest's Resolve

Extra - Hebiko and Shikanosuke

"It's good that you can start attending school again next week, Fuuma-chan!"

"You look better now. But do you still need a cane?"

On the weekend, Aishu Hebiko and Uehara Shikanosuke paid a visit to the Fuuma Estate. Still wearing their Taimanin bodysuits, the duo'd been wanting to check on Kotaro's well-being as soon as they got back from a dispatched mission.

"Pretty much. I can't walk properly without it."

Kotaro dragged out a long folded cane he often keeps by his side. Shinjou-sensei had given him a new one to improve his mobility.

"Then I guess you'll have to wake up earlier than usual." Shikanosuke commented as he looked at the stick. "You can't run to save yourself from being late."

"Thanks for the input, buddy." Kotaro shot him a half-opened stare. "I don't need to be reminded about that."

"Oh! Hebiko's got an idea!" Hebiko suddenly raised her hand, her eyes sparkled with ideas. "How about she comes here to pick up Fuuma-chan and help you walk to school?"

"Won't that cause you trouble? If I happened to stay up late and couldn't get up earlier as planned, you would be late for school."

"It's alright!" Hebiko cheerfully said. "She'll piggyback Fuuma-chan straight to the classroom!"

"No, no. That's a bad idea! Everyone will give me the weird gazes!"

"Ehhhhh~?! Why?!"

Being objected, Hebiko pouted. Shikanosuke let out a sigh before sipping the tea which Nagi brought from the kitchen.

"Hebiko, you're not supposed to give Fuuma the piggyback. Leave that to Tokiko-sensei."

"That doesn't sound any better." Kotaro quickly said.

A loud noise echoed from the next room. The trio turned their heads to look at the source. Tokiko seemed to stumble and drop a stack of books on the floor.

"Tokiko, are you okay?" A worried Saika went over to help.

"I-I'm fine." Tokiko answered and slowly stood up, the leftover books were trembling slightly in her hold.

While Kotaro watched on, Hebiko and Shikanosuke faced each other and blinked.

Did she hear what Fuuma-chan said?

Likely so, Tokiko-sensei looks shocked.

Their eyelids closed and opened a number of time, sending unvoiced messages in Hebi-Shika style. The two stopped when Kotaro's attention shifted back to the conversation.

"I'm tall and heavy. I can't afford to let Tokiko carry me around like when we were kids. Plus, she's an instructor at our school, she's busy." Kotaro explained. "Asking her to blend me a shoulder will only hinder her work. I don't want that. If anything, I can walk by myself just fine."

"Okay."

"We don't have to stop by to pick you up then."

"Eh?" Kotaro's jaw dropped at the duo's instant responds.

"We'll just wait for you by the usual spot until you show up."

"Okay, hold on! What's the point of you two coming here again?"

"Since Fuuma-chan's able to attend school again, Hebiko and Shika-chan thought they should come over to celebrate."

"Also, to enjoy Nagi-san's delicious tea." Shikanosuke added.

Kotaro raised an eyebrow. He'd never doubted them, though he would suspect the fact that they came here on emptied hands.

"Sure, thanks. But if we're talking about celebration, where're my presents?"

"Eh?!"

"Gehh?!"

Both were taken aback by the shameless demand.

"Presents?! Are you over your head, Fuuma?"

"Celebration was just a figure of speech! Isn't your speedy recovery is enough of a reward?!"

"That's different! I knew it! You two didn't actually mean it!"

The living room in the Fuuma Estate became lively just by their voices. It was one of the usual dynamics between Hebiko, Shikanosuke and Kotaro.

The following week, Kotaro officially continues his learning at Gosha Academy.