Kaya narrowed her eyes at him.
"How?" she asked flatly.
The sparrow shifted uncomfortably, glancing everywhere but her face. "By… cheering you on?" he offered in a slightly unsure tone, raising a hand as if that would make it sound convincing.
Kaya's fist clenched. She lifted her arm again.
"No thank you. I can just cook you instead."
He flinched, throwing up both hands. "Please, please, please! I'll really help you—just say whatever you want!"
Kaya's hand froze. She gave him a long, slow look, her gaze dragging from his head down to his chest. "Anything, huh?"
Cold sweat prickled down his neck, but he still nodded quickly. "Uh… yeah."
Without another word, Kaya dug into her bag and pulled out a rope. She stepped forward and, to his utter confusion, tied it firmly around his waist.
"Wait—what is this?" he asked, staring down at the knot.
Kaya straightened, her expression calm, almost smug. Then she turned toward the narrow, crumbling stone path.
