"Do you think it's just my imagination? Why do I feel like the rain has let up a little?"
Glancing at the two sitting beside him on the threshold, Chiba turned his gaze back to the wall of rain outside. The roar of the downpour pounding against the roof filled his ears, while the three teru teru bozu above his head swayed slightly. Unable to help himself, he spoke.
Kakashi and Hirohiko both glanced at Chiba, strange looks flashing through their eyes, but neither answered.
Has Chiba gone mad wishing for the rain to stop?
The same thought crossed both their minds.
Still, it was understandable. If this damned rain kept falling, never mind ruling out the possibility of an intrusion—they would not even be able to carry out construction. No wonder Chiba was starting to hallucinate.
They quickly decided they understood.
Then, casting Chiba sympathetic looks, they said in unison.
"Mm, it does seem a little lighter."
"Right? It's gotten lighter, hasn't it?"
Hearing them, Chiba was delighted at first. But when he saw their expressions, his face immediately fell. "But what's with those sympathetic looks?"
"N-Nothing."
Kakashi and Hirohiko hurriedly stiffened their faces, returning to their poker-faced expressions.
"You even put your poker faces back on. Don't think I didn't see it. You were sympathizing with me just now, weren't you? You were probably thinking I'd gone crazy from wanting the rain to stop, weren't you? Hey, why are you turning your heads away? Feeling guilty?"
The next second, Chiba's deeply dissatisfied voice rang out again.
Upon hearing that, Kakashi and Hirohiko, their faces still stiff and blank, immediately looked away guiltily.
Is this guy some kind of mind-reading monster? How could he know that too?
That was what they both thought.
"Hey... say something."
Chiba narrowed his