They returned to studying, but the atmosphere had shifted. Lighter. Easier. Cheon found herself explaining concepts with less rigid formality, and Mera asked questions without performing her usual I-don't-care routine.
An hour passed. Then another. The sun shifted across the windows, painting the walls in amber and gold. Somewhere around page forty-seven, Mera's stomach growled loud enough to interrupt Cheon's explanation of quadratic functions.
"Food break," Mera announced.
"We should finish this section first."
"Panda. I'm dying." Mera clutched her stomach dramatically. "Starvation is imminent."
"You just ate chips twenty minutes ago."
"That was a snack. This is actual hunger." Mera stood and pulled Cheon up by both hands. "Come on. Let's make something."
"Make something?" Cheon stared at her. "You can't cook."
"I can boil water."
"That's not cooking."
"Then you cook and I'll provide moral support."
