Not because you can’t wait to try this theory out or anything.
Definitely not because of that.
Okay, maybe alittlebecause of that.
You blush, burying your face in your pillow.
What are you thinking!? How are you going to bring this up to Ziros?
Well.
That’s a problem for another day.
Ziros
—The Next Day—
We’re finally back at my human’s apartment.
Sure took us long enough.
And she’s way too damn forgiving.
“I still say you weren’t hard enough on them,” I grumble from where I lean against the wall, watching her cook.
And it’s an oddly comforting sight.
Sure,Ican cook, but seeing her do it…it’s nice.
I don’t know what this feeling is.
I’m not used to having other people do things for me.
“Eat this,” she says, pushing a bowl of noodle soup into my hands.Ramen, according to the word that pops into my head. “Then you can have the shower first.”
It’s good, these noodles.
Instant food really is an amazing invention. So maybe modern times aren’t so bad, after all.
* * *
Is it my damn imagination, or has she been…offsince we got back?
No, since before that.
She drove us back in a rental car after the cult sorceress and her broody, teenage grandkid dropped us off in the nearest city.
It’s been a long day.
I stand in the shower, letting the water run over my shoulders.
I should be relaxing. Instead, I can’t get my stupid brain to shut the hell up.
Maybe it’s all that damn Eli kid’s fault.
I keep hearing his voice in my head, telling me to just tell her how I feel already.
But I can’t do that.
