"Doctor Watanabe, go on ahead. I have something to take care of. I'll be there shortly."
Without even turning around, Chiba's expression abruptly became solemn at those words, then suddenly returned to its previous ease as he spoke to Doctor Watanabe, who had already walked some distance ahead.
"Oh, remember to eat on time."
Doctor Watanabe was not particularly surprised by Chiba's abrupt call. After turning back for a glance, he waved and called out loudly.
After reminding Chiba to eat on time, he turned and headed toward the cafeteria.
During this period, the camp had acquired a dedicated cafeteria capable of accommodating more than three hundred people. It was located behind the two rows of houses, beside the shower room.
"Then..."
Hearing that, Chiba smiled faintly, then turned around and looked into the house.
In the instant he turned, Chiba's expression had become deeply solemn, even somewhat grim.
"Has it been completed?"
Once he had fully turned around, his face clouded with sternness, Chiba spoke in a low voice.
"Yeah. It took quite some effort."
At Chiba's low, grave words, the scarlet glow in the eyes of the youth inside the house who had called out to him slowly faded. A trace of relief and relaxation appeared on his poker face as he spoke.
It was Hirohiko, looking somewhat travel-worn. "Whew! You really worked hard!"
Hearing this, Chiba stepped into the house and walked toward Hirohiko. The gloom on his face slowly faded as well, replaced by the same relief and relaxation visible on that poker face.
"It was nothing."
Hirohiko shook his head. If what had just passed him by was for the sake of carrying out Chiba's plan, then there was no question of whether it had been hard or not.
On the contrary, the one who