"Neither of them is willing to say anything... Why, I wonder?" Fujiwara Chika rested her chin on her right hand, a doubtful look on her face. Then her eyes shifted, and she looked over at Amamiya Natsuki. "Natsuki-classmate, you know, don't you?"
Amamiya Natsuki nodded.
"Of course I do..."
"Stare—"
Kaguya and Yukino turned their heads in unison, their sharp gazes fixed on him.
If Amamiya Natsuki dared say something he shouldn't, they would sew his mouth shut at once, making sure he could never speak again.
Amamiya Natsuki's expression turned solemn. He raised both hands and continued:
"But that's personal. Even if you beat me to death, I won't tell."
Fujiwara Chika leaned forward.
"Natsuki-classmate, you're suddenly acting really suspicious."
Thump~
Amamiya Natsuki raised a hand and tapped Chika on the head, then turned and walked out of the cave.
"Don't be so curious. Your mushroom isn't like Yukino's or Kaguya's."
"That's so mean! Tapping my head will stunt my growth, won't it?"
Fujiwara Chika covered the top of her head with both hands, puffing out her cheeks as she followed him.
The two of them walked out of the cave.
The air was cold and damp.
The sky held only a dim glow.
The entire island seemed silent and lifeless.
They hadn't really noticed while they were in the cave. There were lots of people there, and the firelight made it warm and reassuring. But now that they were outside, the fear of being stranded on a deserted island quickly swept over them, threatening to drown and consume them.
Fujiwara Chika tensed involuntarily. She hurried forward a couple of steps, wanting to hold on to the hem of Amamiya Natsuki's clothes.
Smack.
Amamiya Natsuki reached out and took Chika's delicate hand.
"Huh?" Fujiwara Chika blushed, her gaze drifting