Ayame's eyes immediately softened.
"That's wonderful, Takumi. If you need anything.."
But Kiko cut in with a sharp snort.
"About time.." she muttered, arms crossed. "You've lived here how long? And you still don't even have a proper roof? A father should at least..."
Takumi turned to her slowly.
"Okay, enough."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was firm in a way neither of them expected.
Ayame blinked while Kiko's eyebrows shot up.
"I don't need you.." Takumi said plainly, "to tell me whether I'm a good father or not. You're not living my life. You don't know what I've gone through. So keep your judgments to yourself."
Kiko froze.
Her mouth opened, then closed, caught fully off guard.
For once, she had nothing to say.
Ayame let out a tiny gasp. Even Mio stared with wide eyes like Papa said a bad word but for adults.
Takumi exhaled and turned to Ayame instead.
"Ayame.." he said gently, "can you watch Mio for a few hours? I want to head into the forest and cut wood before the ground gets too muddy."
Ayame instantly brightened.
"Of course! I'd love to. Hina and Riku will be happy to have Mio over, they've been asking about her since yesterday."
Mio clapped excitedly. "Hina! Riku!"
Takumi smiled, brushing a thumb over her cheek.
"Be good, okay? If you behave, Papa will give you a sweet treat when I get back."
"Sweet treat!! Mio will be very good!"
Ayame laughed as she scooped Mio up.
Takumi gave a small wave and turned to leave,only to feel eyes burning into his back.
He didn't even have to turn to know who it was.
He sighed, stopping mid-step, "Why are you following me?"
Kiko crossed her arms like a stubborn bull refusing to move.
"I'm coming with you.." she said flatly.
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
Takumi pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What do you want?"
"To help.." she snapped, almost defensive. "I have tools. I can carry heavy wood. Rabbits aren't known for strength. You'd be out there all day if you go alone."
Her tone was rough, but there was something underneath it, something vaguely resembling concern, even if she would rather die than admit it.
Takumi didn't trust her.
He didn't even like her.
But… he wasn't stupid.
"Fine.." he muttered. "But don't slow me down."
Kiko smirked, proud. "I should be saying that to you."
They walked to her hut, and Takumi nearly choked.
The structure was massive. Solid wooden beams, thick walls, a roof that actually looked like a roof.
Her tools, lined neatly along the side, were equally impressive.
"Pick whichever you want.." she said, gesturing at tools taller than Takumi.
Takumi reached for a large axe
and almost fell sideways trying to lift it.
Kiko stared at him blankly.
"…Are you serious?"
Takumi glared back. "It's heavier than it looks."
"That's because it's meant for warriors, not twigs."
She rummaged through a chest and pulled out a much smaller axe. Way smaller.
She held it up with a straight face.
"This one is for children.." she said.
-_-
Takumi wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.
"You're giving me the kid axe?!"
"You can actually lift it.." Kiko shrugged. "Be grateful."
Takumi grumbled under his breath but took it.
It was the only thing he could lift without dying.
With tools finally sorted, Kiko slung a giant axe over her shoulder like it weighed nothing, and Takumi followed with the child-sized version.
"Alright.." Kiko said, stepping forward with a confident grin, "let's go chop some wood."
Takumi rolled his eyes.
But fine.
With her brute strength?
Collecting wood just got a whole lot easier.
Into the forest they went.
Kiko led the way with confident, heavy strides, her tail swishing behind her.
Each step she took left deep prints in the damp soil, while Takumi's light footsteps barely disturbed the leaves.
"This place has the best wood.." she said, pushing aside a thick branch like it was nothing. "Straight trunks, strong roots, no rotting. Perfect for building."
Takumi raised a brow.
For someone with a mouth that sharp, she actually knew what she was talking about.
And she was right.
The deeper they went, the clearer the difference became.
The trees here were tall, thick, with smooth bark and little warping, exactly the kind of quality material he needed.
But what really made Takumi's eyes shine weren't the trees.
It was the plants.
"Ooh, hold up."
He jogged toward a patch of green, crouching down.
Kiko paused mid-step. "What now?"
"Mint.." he said, plucking a leaf. "It's extremely useful. Tea for colds, flavor for cooking, insect repellent if crushed and rubbed."
He spotted another plant and nearly gasped.
"…Ginger root too? You've got to be kidding me. Do you have any idea how valuable this stuff is?!"
Kiko blinked.
"Is it… edible?"
-_-
Takumi stared at her like she had committed sacrilege.
"It's essential."
She shrugged. "If you say so."
He pocketed a few roots and leaves carefully, treating them like treasure.
Then, a few steps later—
"Oh my god, mugwort too?!"
He crouched again.
"This place is a goldmine."
Kiko pinched the bridge of her nose.
"At this rate, I'll finish cutting a whole tree before you're done fangirling over plants."
"Botanical appreciation is important.." Takumi said solemnly.
Kiko rolled her eyes but started chopping anyway.
And good god—
Watching her work was terrifying.
The moment she lifted her axe, Takumi realized the size difference wasn't just for show. She swung with the kind of force that shook the ground.
CRACK.
The tree trembled.
CRACK—
And fell with one more clean strike.
Takumi blinked.
"…You cut down an entire tree in two swings!."
"I'm a warrior.." she said like it was obvious. "This is nothing."
"You could've warned me so I didn't get a heart attack."
Kiko huffed. "Why? You're not standing under it."
Takumi just shook his head and focused on his own task.
Now that the wood was coming in, he needed calculations.
He crouched and drew in the soft dirt with a stick.
"Alright… treehouse design. Needs a stable platform, weather resistance, proper drainage…"
Kiko peered over his shoulder.
"Is that… scribbles?"