She hurried over to Tetsu no Sosuke and took his hand to examine it.
But Tetsu no Sosuke shook her hand off and took off running.
Shinobu Kocho's face alternated between livid and pale. Finally, she stood up indignantly and stamped her foot hard. "You big baby!"
"Catch me if you can," Tetsu no Sosuke taunted from up ahead.
Shinobu Kocho let out an angry yell, pumped her legs, and charged after Tetsu no Sosuke. "Then stop running!!!"
With Tetsu no Sosuke teasing Shinobu Kocho along the way, the journey passed without incident.
A few days later, the two parted ways at a fork in the road.
Shinobu Kocho headed back to the Butterfly Estate, while Tetsu no Sosuke returned to the Hammer Hut.
Before they parted, Shinobu Kocho handed Tetsu no Sosuke a prescription and told him to give it to Kanae.
She also gave him a small black bottle containing something he could not identify, which was likewise meant for Kanae.
But after handing the items to Tetsu no Sosuke, she did not leave right away. She looked at him, hesitating to speak.
Tetsu no Sosuke was puzzled. "If you have something to say, just say it. I'm practically your own brother. Why are you being so hesitant?"
Shinobu Kocho took a deep breath. "Could you stop getting yourself covered in injuries every single time you do something?"
"Huh?"
"My sister is carrying a baby, you know. The pregnancy has already weakened her a little. While she's having such a hard time, could you please stop making her worry about you and wear herself out looking after you?"
Shinobu Kocho looked at Tetsu no Sosuke in all seriousness.
Tetsu no Sosuke's expression grew solemn as well. "I'll do everything I can."
Shinobu Kocho frowned slightly.
*Everything he could...