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"I'll keep watch the whole night," Kaito announced.
It was a bad idea. He was already brash at best of times, Aoi didn't want to imagine him sleep deprived. And if enemies showed up through the day, they definitely needed him and Dracmon awake and well-rested, especially when they didn't know how long it'd take Falcomon to heal.
"No—"
"What's your big idea, then? We can't all go to sleep and not keep an eye peeled in case those tadpoles show up to kill us." Kaito crossed his arms and curled up his lip uglily—though, to his credit, he didn't yell.
"We'll take turns. The Professor, you and me. He said he'd cover Minoru's turn, so you'd better go to bed already. I'll take it over after your time is up."
"No," Kaito drawled.
The petulant way he echoed her nearly made her huff.
"Why not?"
"If there's anyone who needs to be in top shape, it's you. You need to keep an eye on Falcomon and Minoru. And cook. And keep us together. Possibly calm the others down. I'm no good at that stuff."
Aoi snapped her mouth open, but no retort came. She shut it down immediately. She did need to do all of that. The ordeal hindered more in convincing Kaito she could carry on even if she lost some sleep. 'I usually wake up early anyway' would be a way to lead the argument, but… Well, she usually found it hard to fall asleep. Not like Kaito necessarily knew that, but it'd definitely be rough on her.
"I'll tell you what: The Professor can take up Minoru's turn and I'll cover the rest."
That was still no good.
"Kaito, you're only human. You deserve to rest, too. And we also need you to help us through the day."
Kaito's eyes widened for a second, seemingly taken aback. "It's no big deal, they need you more."
Arguing who's more useful wasn't the way she wanted to go down about it.
"What about me, then?"
Saki's voice makes both their shoulders jolt.
“Saki?!"
Since when had she been listening?
Saki joined her hands together apologetically. "Sorry, you said you'd come tell us how Falcomon and Minoru were faring but haven't… We just went to see Minoru ourselves instead."
And then Saki had to come to check on Aoi and Kaito since they were taking so long, huh? Aoi took a deep breath. Reaching an agreement still took them too long.
"Well, at least Miu didn't have to see them doing too badly," Kaito mumbled.
Saki hummed. "Minoru put on a brave face for us, at least. And Falcomon was out cold. Floramon and I will help you guys out in their place."
Saki and Miu, being the youngest, had generally been exempted from lookout duties. Actually, it had been Minoru's idea to exempt all the girls, and Aoi hadn't protested because it made things a little easier on her. So this was why now she should be the one picking up the slack. She was the oldest, and Saki was sick. Not like she wanted to put Saki in evidence. Her usual slowness to reply made her lag behind in the conversation.
"It's better if I do it."
"Oh, yeah? I don't know if I can take you any more cranky."
"Can you even do it? You need naps even when you don't."
Now it was like a fight to see who could be blunter. Aoi wound her fingers together, thinking on what sort of statement would have enough finality to make them stop.
"I'll just take a longer nap later, easy peasy. I know my limits and how to manage them."
The pointed way she said it made something like a rock settle in the pit of Aoi's stomach. The words she needed sank with it.
"Though, if you're that worried, maybe I should split half with Miu?" Saki pressed her index on her cheek lightly.
"No way!"
The reaction was entirely so Kaito, Aoi had no recourse but to sigh.
"Have it your way if you wanna be up early that badly," he grumbled and stomped his way back to the classroom.
"Good ol' Kaito," Saki laughed and linked her arm to Aoi's. "Why don't we go get some rest too?"
Aoi moved slowly, still mulling it over.
"Saki, you don't really have to do it if it'd be too taxing for you. We could split half and—" Aoi halted abruptly, both the speaking and the walking, when she felt Saki's finger over her lips, prompting her to stop. For a moment, Saki's face had a severe air in it that wasn't usually seen, maybe even hints of anger and more, before smiling again.
"Hey, it's fine. Believe it or not, I did think it through, and it's fine, really! I didn't tell you about it so you'd fret over me even more, 'kay?"
Aoi nodded. It was only natural for her to worry, but it was clear Saki wanted her to trust her. Aoi would just have to check on her in the morning.