Petrified | Dr. Stone

18.

"Where did he go!?"

Inoko walked in circles. "Where did Ukyo-san go? How come I didn't notice him leave?" She gasped. "Could it be that he noticed that I'm here!? It is possible, with his hearing and all..." She pulled her hair, gnawing at her bottom lip as she groaned. "He must think I'm a creepy stalker now!"

It was silent on the whole place as it was only her on there. Inoko remained standing without saying anything for a few minutes, unsure of what she should do next. "Should I go and find Ukyo-san? Or should I go back to the graveyard?"

She gave it a thought for a while, then as if something clicked, she smacked her head. "Why would I go and find Ukyo-san now? It's not like he's going to be a problem, right?"

Her lips formed into a line. "Will you stop thinking about Ukyo-san? Geez..."

_____

"Inoko!"

The said girl turned her head to face the person who called her name. It was Taiju, waving at her as he ran with Yuzuriha trailing just behind him. Inoko unknowingly raised her eyebrows at them. Did they already finished convincing people to side with them? If so, it's surprisingly fast.

"Taiju-san. Yuzuriha-san." she greeted them with a small bow as soon as they reached her.

The two took their time to breathe normally again after running. It's a good thing that Inoko is patient, especially to the two of them. What is it that they have to rush over to her?

"We have a favor to ask, Inoko-san." Yuzuriha said, voice laced with seriousness that Inoko feared what her friend will say next. The eye contact between her and Taiju also did not go unnoticed to Inoko.

She gulped, fearing the worst. "What is it?" "Did something go wrong? Did someone find out? We're we busted? Are we in trouble?" was left unasked.

"Can you cover for us while we go to Senku-kun's place?"

....

"...excuse me?"

"We're going to go to Senku-kun and his village, can you cover for us?" Yuzuriha repeated.

It was truly unexpected. Inoko's mouth hung open as her mind finally registered the favor that was being asked to her after

"...why?" her eyes were wide in disbelief. "Why, Yuzuriha-san? Taiju-san? It's too dangerous, especially now that the majority is suspicious of you both!"

Inoko gave them a look, ignoring the way they winced at her response. "What are they thinking!?" She gnashed her teeth. "Have they already forgotten the number of people in this place?! They will be dead if someone saw them leave!"

However, the two did not falter.

"Inoko. Please." Taiju pleaded. "Don't worry about it. We just need someone to cover us from Tsukasa..."

"Why would I do that? You'll be dead if you returned here!" She gave them a glare. The two met hers with no hesitation. Her glare hardened, giving them a look that tells them not to continue whatever they are planning.

Yuzuriha stepped forward and Inoko's gaze zeroed in on her. "Trust us... Inoko-san."

"Believe in us."

They did not break their stare. Yuzuriha still had that determined look on her face and Inoko still had that glare directed to them. This continued for a while before Inoko slowly looked away, facing her back to them.

"... why does it have to be the two of you?"

She sighed, admitting defeat. "Fine. Fine. Then? When are you planning to do it?"