"Where are Eleven and Kiki?"
"They're playing over there." Ligo pointed toward the garden.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet." Ligo picked up her phone. "We were waiting for you to order together."
"I'll cook!" Eucali set down her backpack. "Let's have something good today—"
Ligo rose from the sofa, and Hesta turned around as well. Both of them looked curiously at the unusually energetic Eucali.
"Let's wait until the weekend, okay?" Hesta walked over. "Eucali, there's something I need to tell you..."
Eucali froze. Seeing the slightly dejected expression on Hesta's face, she felt a sense of foreboding. "Is it something very bad?"
Hesta nodded.
Eucali's breathing caught, and her gaze turned serious. "...Does it have something to do with me?"
"It concerns all of us," Hesta said. "Eleven was expelled from her new school again. She talked during class, skipped lessons openly, and threw slugs into the teacher's cabinet... Eucali?"
Eucali stood there blankly for a moment, taking several seconds to react.
"What's wrong?" Hesta stepped closer. "You seemed a little off just now. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I just..." Eucali suddenly laughed and pressed a hand hard against her face. "It's fine. We can find another school."
Ligo also got up from the sofa. "Are you really okay?"
"Let's set aside some time this weekend to buy ingredients, then go home and cook a meal together, okay?" Eucali looked at Hesta. "Just like when we were in District 14. Do you both have time?"
"Yes." Hesta and Ligo nodded at the same time. Watching Eucali suddenly run into the kitchen to sort through the empty bottles and cans, both of them sensed something unusual.
"Every problem has a solution." Eucali suddenly stopped. With both hands braced against the table, she looked at them. "Don't be anxious, and