Did You Eat It?

Twenty minutes later, Yukina placed the last bowl and plate onto the wooden dish rack the two boys had made at some point. She turned to look at Nao, who was absorbed in her book; Chiba, who was frowning in thought and occasionally writing something on the blank scroll before him; and Hirohiko, who was intently pulling out one novel after another. Then she glanced at the neatly arranged, freshly washed dishes.

"Nao, let's go upstairs."

In the corner of Yukina's eye, she could see Chiba and Hirohiko occasionally glancing at each other. After looking over the dishes, she turned and spoke.

"Finished?"

Nao set down her book, carefully folded over a corner to mark the page, then closed it and spoke.

"Mm, all done."

Yukina nodded.

"Oh, then let's go upstairs."

Nao replied, picked up her book, and headed straight for the gray cloth curtain. By now, she was thoroughly familiar with the little cabin's layout. Even without her cane, she could walk perfectly well without worrying about bumping into anything.

Seeing Nao head toward the gray cloth curtain, Yukina followed after her.

"Then we're going to bed first. You two should get some rest soon."

As she lifted the curtain and stepped out, Yukina turned back to wish them good night.

"Mm, good night."

Watching the girls leave the kitchen, the two answered at the same time.

Then Chiba and Hirohiko watched their figures disappear beyond the gray cloth curtain. Only after they heard the footsteps on the stairs stop, followed by the click of a door opening and closing, did they both let out sighs of relief.

"Nao didn't notice."

Chiba spoke with considerable relief. Recently, Nao had seen through his excuses more than once. Although he and Hirohiko had agreed to secretly get their bodies checked