"Chiba! Chiba!"
Zong Mi's booming voice, accompanied by a rapid series of thudding footsteps, rang out from the front of the house all the way inside. The urgency in his voice made it sound as if Chiba's life were in danger.
Just hearing it gave the impression that he was rushing in desperately.
"If you're all right, at least say something!"
Then Yu Ze's voice rang out. Though calm, it could not conceal its urgency.
"Chiba! Your arm!"
After that, following the footsteps and Zong Mi and Yu Ze's voices, came a startled cry that was almost shrill.
He Yin's nearly terrified voice carried far into the distance.
"Brother Chiba!"
Then came the children's screams, filled with worry and terror, no less intense than hers.
"Hm?"
At that moment, Chiba tilted his head slightly as he watched everyone rush in, seeming to shift his attention away from something and onto them.
"Oh... it's fine!"
Then, hearing the voices of the three of them and the children's screams, Chiba quickly understood what was happening. Still holding up his hand, he spoke in an exceptionally calm tone, indicating that he was fine.
"F-Fine?!!!"
Seeing Chiba's indifferent reaction and the contrast with his current appearance, everyone froze. Their momentum of lunging forward came to an abrupt halt, and they all widened their eyes, blurting out a question in voices raised so high they were nearly screaming.
"Yeah, I'm fine!"
Chiba blinked at that, seeming somewhat baffled and confused.
"This... you... you... this is fine?!!"
Zong Mi answered with an even louder question. At the same time, his hand was already pointing at Chiba's arm, his eyes round with disbelief. No—he absolutely could not believe it!
Yet, looking at Chiba's calm expression and tone, as though he felt nothing at all, Zong Mi could