Hirohiko...
He was eating so much less...
Under the moonlit night sky, atop the Second Hokage Rock Statue, the boy pulled the girl to a gradual stop and slowly lowered the bamboo cane in his hand. A thought flashed through his mind.
From the weight of the lunch box in his right hand, he could tell that it did not contain the amount Hirohiko usually ate. By ordinary standards, Hirohiko had quite a large appetite, yet this lunch box was much lighter.
So, what should he do next? Looking at the pitch-black entrance to the confinement room ahead, Chiba frowned slightly.
Though he had thought over many things and prepared plenty of encouraging words for Hirohiko, now that he was truly here, looking at the place where Hirohiko was being held and thinking of Nao's death, Chiba found himself at a loss over what to do.
"What's wrong?"
At that moment, sensing Chiba loosen his grip, Yukina's sweet, uncontrollable smile slowly faded from her face. A blush quietly crept over her cheeks, and seeming to notice his hesitation, she stepped forward and asked.
"No, it's just a little..."
Hearing Yukina's words, Chiba pressed his lips together and shook his head. He had intended to say something reassuring, but halfway through, he found himself unable to continue.
"Then let me go in first."
As soon as she said this, Yukina bent slightly. Without saying or asking anything more, she directly took the lunch box from Chiba's hand.
"Mm..."
Feeling the soft touch brush past his hand, Chiba loosened his grip almost instinctively. The instant he did, his hand felt lighter—the lunch box had already been taken by Yukina. Hearing her voice, he could only nod and give a soft response, indicating his agreement.
He still needed to make some preparations.
To