After a few minutes of Zoe fussing about Yuki, checking every part of her for any problem, big or small, she told Yuki that she will be fine and only needed to rest for about a week before she could get back into the normal flow of life. Yuki nodded patiently as Zoe spoke, knowing that staying quiet would mean that Zoe would finish faster. It also limited the chances of Zoe launching into a lecture about health and taking care of one's body.

“We’re done then,” Zoe said with a curt nod. “I’ll be back in about a week to do another check up on you, and if you’re fine then, I’ll give you the okay. I’ll leave you three alone now.”

She nodded towards Akira and Erica as she left the room and shut the door behind her. Yuki stayed in bed, slipping back into her t-shirt. Akira and Erica remained standing. No one said anything. Yuki didn’t know what to say, and she felt that the other two were much the same.

“So. Want to catch me up?” Yuki asked, trying to break the silence. “A lot must have happened the last two days.”

“Sure,” Akira nodded. She sat on the edge of Yuki’s bed and looked at Yuki. “Starting from when you were unconscious?”

“Yes,” Yuki said, her gaze dropping slightly until they landed on Akira’s lips. The kisses they shared flashed in her mind and she quickly averted her gaze hoping that the blush in her ears weren’t as obvious as they felt.

“Well. Let’s see,” Akira said as she tapped her chin.

She went into a quick summary of what happened after Yuki had fallen unconscious in Akira’s arms. She talked about how she and Erica had decided that Erica would stay behind to guide the others out while Akira fled with Yuki. How she had taken Yuki back to the base via a transporter that she had discovered inside the facility. 

“When we came back, I put you here and then waited for the rest to return,” Akira finished. “Then I asked Zoe to check on you. After that, it was just us waiting until you woke up.”

“Oh. Thank you then,” Yuki said with a small smile. “Lugging me back isn’t an easy task.”

“It was nothing,” she waved. “I know you didn’t want anyone to find out that you’re a girl, so I was only doing my part in protecting you.”

“But still, thanks.” Yuki reached out and squeezed her hand gently. Then she looked up at Erica. “How did things go on your part?”

“Well, I didn’t find a transporter. So I think you can guess how things went for me,” Erica laughed. “Without both of you, it was really hard trying to navigate our way back. Zoe saved us.”

“But you did it.”

“To be honest, Uriel did it. I called her up and she piloted the hovercraft to us once we were far enough from the mountain.”

“You did call her, so technically, you did it,” Yuki grinned. Erica returned it. 

“I like how you think.”

“So nothing major happened to anyone right?” Yuki asked, directing her question to both Akira and Erica. “Besides me going asleep for two days.”

“Yes,” Akira nodded. 

“How about world events? How did people take the fact that there is now a giant hole in Giant’s Peak?”

“Wonderfully,” Erica replied, her voice full of mirth. “I think it was the most fun I’ve had reading and watching the news in a while.”

“Mind summarizing some of them for me?” Yuki said. “I do love me some hysteria every now and again.”

“Gladly. Let’s see~.” Erica pursed her lips before snapping her fingers. “So in general, most people don’t seem to know what the hell happened. That’s led to a bunch of theories that sound like they were created by a troll. I remember one that said that the explosion could have been because of a gas leak. That was hilarious to read. I think it was a joke, but the comments underneath it were so serious.”

“That must have been a giant gas leak then,” Yuki said, her lips twitching up.

“I know right? There’s also a movement that’s gaining steam to call that new hole in the mountain, ‘The Giant’s Hole’. I personally support it,” Erica giggled. “I just want to see those super serious newscasters and scientists having to say The Giant’s Hole.”

“The Giant’s Hole. I would have expected something a bit more extra.”

“Oh, trust me. If random people were allowed to name it, then it would have been extra. But you know, have to keep it a bit subtle so that there’s a chance.”

“Of course. But I’ll still think about what could have been,” Yuki said, shaking her head. “Imagine. Someone exploring that hole. ‘We’re about to enter the Giant’s Anus.”

The two of them broke down in giggles, Yuki clutching her sides from the brief stabs of pain, and Akira stared at them before letting out a soft sigh.

“Seriously? That’s what you guys find funny?” Akira said with a raised eyebrow. 

“Yes,” Yuki replied between giggles, Erica nodding vigorously beside her. 

“Wow.” Akira shook her head, but her own lips twitched up. “Let’s get back on topic now.”

“Yes, yes,” Yuki said. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

‘What else?’

“How are things with the government and Mason Incorporated?” Yuki asked. She pushed aside her blankets and sat up, her bottom of her feet pressed together. “We did just blow up a very big project of theirs.”

“Well, for one, Mason Inc. has lost quite a bit of money,” Akira said. “They haven’t announced it yet, of course, but people will find out soon.”

“That’s not going to end well,” Yuki commented.

“Not at all. The government is in cover up mode, so they’ve stopped all access to the mess we left behind in the mountain,” she continued. “And people being people, that’s only made everyone more curious about what’s in there.”

“It would be a shame if people found out what was in there,” Yuki said. 

‘A leak would be perfect,’ she thought.

“We should wait a bit. Maybe a week before we do anything about that.”

“A week seems reasonable. It might come out before,” Yuki nodded. It wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibilities for someone within the government or Mason Inc. to tell the public about what was really going on in the mountain. “I can wait. It’ll give us some time to compile more information as well. Though, I think Uriel should have most of what we need.”

“What do you think I’ve been doing for the last two days outside of watching you?” Akira smiled. Yuki’s eyebrows rose, and a grin appeared.

“Oh? Then I have to thank you again,” Yuki said, leaning forward until she was on all fours. 

“How?” Akira asked.

“What do you want?” Yuki replied.

“Hmm.” Yuki caught her eyes flicking down towards Yuki’s lips. “I want something to eat then.”

“Are you talking about food?” Yuki asked. A coy smile curled her lips that only widened as Akira reddened. “Relax, I’m joking. Want to go out?”

“Can you cook?” 

“I can do that.”

“Then that. I haven’t eaten your cooking in so long.”

“It’s only been like four or five days,” Yuki laughed. “What do you want then? Wait, I shouldn’t ask you. You’ll just say whatever.”

“You know me too well,” Akira nodded.

“Then how about you, Erica?” Yuki said, glancing towards her. She was staring right at them.

Erica’s eyes widened, her expression changing at lightning speed, but it was just slow enough that Yuki caught the look she had in her eyes. Those bright violet eyes had dimmed for just a brief second, the corners of her lips downturned. It was a look that Yuki didn’t like. It wasn’t right on Erica.

“Erica?” Yuki asked, her voice softer now. 

“Yes?” Erica replied. Her normally cheerful voice sounded just a bit too loud. That smile looked just a bit too wide. 

“What do you want to eat?” Yuki said. 

“I don’t want anything in particular,” Erica said with a small wave of her hand. “I’m fine with whatever you make.”

Yuki stared at her.

“Are you sure?” Yuki asked, her voice low.