Petrified | Dr. Stone

13.

"I'm not an idiot, Senku-san."

"Kukuku... I figured that. You are ten billion times a lot smarter than those dumb ponies Hyouga brought..." the tone of his voice was rather calm and had a hint of cockiness on it despite being caught. "...but you misunderstood something..."

Inoko's mouth hung open and her eyebrows rose in question. What did she misunderstood? She blinked a few times, digging whatever knowledge she has and tried to make sense of what he is saying. Her? Not understanding something?

Her eyes were wide open, darting from one place to another, trying to find he is talking about. She grit her teeth. "Where did I go wrong?" No matter how much she thought of it, she can't find anything that Senku might be pertaining to.

She gripped the speaker tighter, bringing it closer to her face as if she is speaking to Senku face to face.

"What do you mean I misunderstood something!?"

"Oh? Are you curious?" She can hear the smirk on his voice which made her even more frustrated. "You're an enemy, why would I tell you?"

Inoko remained silent, still trying to think of what could she have possibly not understand. "What is it? It can't be his name. This person is no doubt Senku-san. What did we talk about earlier? America? Ms. Lillian? The rescue? Telephone? What?"

She looked at the speaker, hard. "I don't appreciate this nonsense, Senku-san. You're acting cocky, knowing that I am holding your life on the line."

"So what? Go ahead and tell dear old Tsukasa that the enemy managed to get past your lame ass security! Kukuku!"

Inoko's bit her lip hard. "I don't like this guy! Not even a single percent! So annoying!"

Oh how much she wanted to just drop the phone and leave. His attitude makes her want to just side with Tsukasa and tell them exactly what Senku is making her do but she stopped herself knowing that the course of action was too irrational.

She crossed her legs and looked up at the sky. There is no one around her. Ukyo was still out there, catching the three invaders, and Ukyo's skill is not to be laughed at. Inoko glanced down at the speaker.

"Still there? What's wrong? Go ahead and tell your leader!"

She did not say anything. She just held the speaker in front of her but remained silent. His teasing voice is not really helping.

She want to go already. She really wants to, but she also can't. Something still bothers her and it is too much that she probably won't be getting any rest if she didn't get answers. She grit her teeth. Senku is probably aware of this and that is exactly the reason why he is taunting her to go.

"To think that I am amazed by this person a few minutes ago!"

She sighed, trying to calm herself down. "Getting worked up over such a simple thing is childish..." she thought. "Inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale..."

After finally calming her nerves, Inoko huffed. "Senku-san... about the thing I..." she started fiddling with her toes, "... misunderstood earlier-"

"Not telling you!" He then laughed that annoying laughter of his.

"That's it! I have never felt so much irritation towards a human being! This Senku is so irritating!"

She was about to throw the speaker away and stand up when Senku continued talking on the other line.

"... In one condition."

Inoko stopped. "I knew it. He is just using my curiosity to make me do whatever he wants! Maybe me misunderstanding something was just a lie!"