The night was deep and dark.
The glow from the streetlights outside the orphanage streamed through the windows in the side wall and spilled into the corridors. The dim corridor was utterly quiet, as though the noise of the day had never happened. A reassuring calm filled the night.
Little Red Riding Hood slowly made her way down the corridor, passing one door after another. She paused briefly in front of each one and glanced through the observation window to check the room. Only after confirming there was nothing unusual would she relax and continue onward.
The "parent" on duty during the first half of the night had to make two rounds like this, while the "parent" on duty during the second half had to make three, continuing until the sun rose and the darkness faded.
Footsteps came from ahead. Little Red Riding Hood raised her head and saw a petite figure slowly approaching through the night. The girl was short and had a bob cut reaching her ears. She looked two years younger than Little Red Riding Hood—the girl who had spoken to her during dinner.
"Snow White?" Little Red Riding Hood was somewhat surprised. "You're not on duty today. Why aren't you asleep?"
"I couldn't sleep, so I got up for a walk," the thin, short-haired girl said casually. "Then I remembered that you should be patrolling around the East Building, so I came by to see you."
"Mm." Little Red Riding Hood nodded without saying anything else. She simply continued forward in silence alongside Snow White.
According to the organization's rules, ten o'clock at night was the time when everyone had to return to their rooms and sleep. However, this restriction only applied to children under fourteen or those who had not yet "awakened." Snow White was