After the costume shop—
They entered a restaurant.
Warm.
Small.
Yellow lights.
The smell of noodles filled the air.
Comforting.
Safe.
A waitress led them to a booth.
Mochi moved first.
Habit.
She slid toward the far end.
Alone.
Always alone.
But—
Laddu sat down.
Right beside her.
Not across.
Beside.
Mochi froze.
Completely.
Her tall body locked.
Straight.
Wooden.
Bunny-gloved hands pressed together in her lap.
Cheeks pink.
Instant.
Across from them—
Maya.Candy.
Menus up.
Eyes sharp.
Watching everything.
Hawks.
Mochi swallowed.
Hard.
Her voice came out small.
Shaky.
Brave enough to try.
"H–how…""H–how are you f–feeling…?"
Eyes glued to the table.
Couldn't look at him.
Laddu turned slowly.
Serious.
Too serious.
"I'm feeling scared," he said.
Mochi snapped her head up.
"Eh?!""W–why?!"
He tapped his head.
Dramatic.
"You nearly broke it today."
Silence.
Mochi's soul left her body.
"I–I–I WHAT?!"
He nodded.
Confident.
"When you fell off the bench," he said,"you almost hit me."
Pause.
"I thought I died."
Mochi covered her face.
Both hands.
A tiny sound escaped.
"I–I'm s–so sorryyyyy…"
Her long legs curled inward.
Shoulders shrank.
A guilty giant rabbit.
Across the table—
Maya snorted.
"He deserves it."
Candy nodded.
"Unnie should hit him again if he lies."
Laddu clutched his chest.
Offended.
"I'm a victim!"
Mochi panicked harder.
"N–no! I didn't mean to—""I'm sorry—""I— I—"
Then—
Laddu laughed.
Soft.
Warm.
"I'm joking."
Mochi froze.
Brain buffering.
Eyes wide.
Confused.
Laddu leaned closer.
Tapped her forehead.
Light.
Gentle.
"You're too cute when you panic."
Something short-circuited.
Mochi melted.
Pink.
Flustered.
Embarrassed.
Right there.
In the booth.
And Maya leaned back.
Satisfied.
Candy whispered.
"She is finished."