"They're plans.." Takumi corrected. "This is structural layout. This is the foundation. This right here is where the platform connects. And this is the roof slope."
Kiko stared.
"Looks like chicken scratches to me."
"That's because you have no architectural vision."
She lightly smacked the back of his head with her tail.
He swatted her tail away.
"Stop that! I am performing calculations."
"Then calculate faster.." she grumbled. "I'm not hauling twenty logs without knowing how many you actually need."
Takumi exhaled slowly, recalculating.
Again who was teaching teach people their grammer? It's too good for such primitive times.
"Okay. For a medium-sized treehouse, raised platform, one room for sleeping and storage, early-stage design… I need:
—Eight long support beams.
—Four medium beams for the flooring.
—Several planks for the walls.
—Thatching materials for the roof…"
Kiko nodded.
"Eight beams. Got it."
Then she casually walked to the next tree like cutting down giant lumber was the same as plucking berries.
Takumi watched her go, a strange mix of awe and fear running through him.
"…She's really going to cut them all, isn't she."
She did.
Within minutes, another CRACK echoed.
Takumi sighed, picked up the herbs he'd gathered, and continued sketching in the dirt.
This was good.
Very good.
By the end of the day, he'd have enough wood and his hut would be in progress.
And tonight?
Tonight he wouldn't be freezing under a collapsing hut.
Because today, he would build the beginning of their home.
A real home.
For him.
For Mio.
And absolutely not for Kiko, who was currently yelling:
"Rabbit! Quit smelling leaves and help me carry this!"
Takumi groaned.
"…And here I thought architects had dignity."
But he stood, brushed off his hands, and went to help.
The hut was officially in progress.
By the time Takumi reached Kiko, she was already wrestling one of the massive logs into place like it weighed nothing.
He put his hands on the log and attempted to help.
Attempted.
His fingers slipped right off the slick bark.
"…Is this thing coated in oil?" Takumi muttered, trying again with both hands.
"It's just heavy.." Kiko said, her eyebrow raised in judgment. "Use your arms."
"These are my arms."
"No, use your real arms."
"I am. This is all I have!"
She stared at him like he was the weakest creature she'd ever encountered.
Which, technically, he was.
Rabbit beastmen were known for speed, agility, high reproduction…
Not strength.
He tugged harder.
The log didn't move.
Not even one millimeter.
Kiko sighed dramatically and picked it up herself.
"With this strength, how were you planning to build a hut?"
"With brains.." Takumi snapped. "Something you clearly don't use often."
Her tail slapped the back of his head.
"HEY!"
"If you're gonna insult me.." she huffed, "don't be so weak you can't dodge it."
Takumi rubbed his head.
This woman… was the living embodiment of a headache.
"Look.." Kiko said, lifting the giant log onto her shoulder like it was a backpack. "I'll carry the big ones. You gather vines. Lots of them. Tough ones."
"For tying the beams?"
"For keeping you from blowing away in the wind."
"Kiko."
She grinned.
Takumi clicked his tongue but marched off anyway.
He had a hut to build.
The vine hunt was considerably easier.
Takumi knew exactly what to look for: long, flexible vines with a strong inner fiber. He tugged on one, testing its resilience.
It was perfect.
This could bind beams, secure roofing, even reinforce the ladder later.
He coiled up a bundle and moved on.
And the deeper he went…
The more herbs he found.
"…Lavender?" He blinked. "In a place like this? You've gotta be kidding me."
He collected a handful.
These would help with sleep, calming nerves, or warding off insects.
A few steps later—
"…Wild scallions."
A little further—
"…Holy! Turmeric?"
At this rate, he'd have a fully functional kitchen before he even had a roof.
He returned to Kiko with an armful of vines and herbs.
She stared.
"Why do you look so proud of grass?"
"These.." Takumi corrected, lifting a ginger root like it was a trophy, "are civilization."
"Uh-huh.." she said, unamused. "Grab the planks you can lift. I'll carry the heavy ones."
Takumi crouched beside a pile of wood she had already stripped and cut.
He selected pieces he could manage without breaking his spine.
Small ones.
Light ones.
Children's-sized ones, really.
He sighed.
"Can I ask a question?" Kiko said.
Takumi assumed she was going to ask about construction.
"Sure."
"…Are all rabbits this wimpy?"
Takumi inhaled sharply.
"One more word," he said, holding up a finger, "ONE more."
"Pfft!" Kiko laughed as she carried on.
After gathering everything they could carry (or rather, everything Kiko could carry and everything Takumi could balance without toppling), they began the trek back toward the settlement.
By the time the huts came into view, Takumi's arms felt like noodles.
He dropped the wood with a soft thud.
"…That was only half of what we need.." he admitted reluctantly.
"Half?" Kiko cracked her neck. "Good. Then we'll go again."
He stared at her.
Horrified.
"Again? As in today again?"
"Yes.." she said. "You want a hut ready before nightfall, don't you?"
Takumi wanted to deny it.
He wanted to complain.
He wanted to curse Truck-kun, this world, and his fragile rabbit arms.
But he thought of last night.
Of Mio's cold fingers.
Her shivering breaths.
Her tiny voice whispering, "Papa… cold…"
He stood straighter.
"Right. We go again."
Kiko grinned.
"Good."
She punched his shoulder, gently for her, painful for him.
"You're tougher than you look, Rabbit."
Takumi rubbed his bruised arm, hissing lightly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't."
"…I'll still take it."
But before they could head back into the forest.
"Papaaa!"
Mio barreled toward them, Ayame behind her with a patient smile.
Takumi knelt just in time to catch the girl as she threw herself into his arms.
She sniffed his shirt.
"Papa smells like grass and mud."
"…I've been working." he sighed.
Mio pulled back, ears perked.
"Build house?"
Takumi nodded. "Yeah. Papa's gonna build our home."
Mio hugged him tighter.
And with her warmth against his chest,Takumi felt his determination sharpen.
Tonight…
They would not freeze.
"Alright.." Takumi said, rising with Mio in his arms. "Break time is over. We're going again."