The Tombs of the Star Corridor had gone quiet again.
Takeru sat on the stone ledge, waiting.
And waiting.
And waiting.
Then footsteps echoed through the ancient corridor.
Takeru looked up.
Kenjaku returned.
In his hands were two ice cream cones.
Both were loaded with rocky road.
Takeru's eyes widened.
"…You actually got them."
Kenjaku handed one to him.
"You asked."
Takeru carefully accepted the cone.
He looked at it.
Then at Kenjaku.
Then back at the ice cream.
A huge grin appeared on his face.
"Family bonding."
Kenjaku immediately looked away.
"Don't start."
Takeru took a bite.
"Family bonding."
Kenjaku took a bite of his own.
"…You're going to keep saying that, aren't you?"
"Family bonding."
"I heard you the first three times."
"Family bonding."
Kenjaku sighed.
Takeru smiled.
"This is nice."
Kenjaku glanced at him.
"…Yes."
Takeru blinked.
Kenjaku immediately looked away.
"…The ice cream is decent."
Takeru's grin widened.
"You smiled."
"I did not."
"You did."
"I didn't."
Takeru leaned closer.
"Tiny smile."
Kenjaku continued eating.
"…You're imagining things."
Takeru laughed quietly.
"Family bonding."
Kenjaku shook his head.
But despite himself…
a tiny smile appeared again.
Barely noticeable.
Just for a moment.
Takeru noticed.
Of course he noticed.
He didn't say anything this time.
He simply took another bite of his rocky road.
The ancient mastermind and the boy who had apparently decided to adopt him as a father sat together in the depths of the Tombs.
Eating ice cream.
For a few minutes…
there were no plans.
No Culling Games.
No battles.
No schemes.
Just two people sharing rocky road.
"…Family bonding," Takeru whispered.
Kenjaku quietly chuckled.