"I help you because I want to."

Tanpopo should have expected that her attempts to hide her twisted ankle from Shade wouldn't work. It never worked in the past, and it wouldn't start working anytime soon.

Despite the enhanced healing she had in her Magical Girl form, that healing unfortunately hadn't started applying to her civilian form. Her ankle had to heal normally.

When she was out in the town, she thought she had hidden it enough from Shade. She didn't want him to worry about her… He had been looking out for her every day, after all. She didn't want to add to it.

But as soon as she got back home, the first thing she saw was Shade glaring at her.

She sighed. She then just followed along as he gestured for her to sit at the couch while he went to grab an ice pack.

"Why are you always this stubborn? At least let me know when you need help." He groaned as he alternated between holding the ice pack against her ankle and massaging it.

"I can never do much for you in return, though…"

"I help you because I want to."

She sighed and leaned back. The same as always, again.

Except, this time, he gave her that teasing smirk before saying "But if you insist, then you can just go watch a movie with me."

She jerked forward with a smile. "Deal!" She then whined, as the sudden movement made her ankle move in a bad way.

He held back a laugh, poorly, and she playfully slapped his hair. The insufferable parts of him hadn't changed from last time, for better or for worse.

But she did look forward to watching a movie with him, as soon as she could. It had been a while since they had gone out together…