As time passed, the tent-building work gradually drew to a close.
"Suzuki, it's getting late. How should everyone handle dinner?"
Although he did not want to intrude on them so abruptly, Hirata still braced himself and stepped forward to ask.
Seeing the embarrassed look on Hirata's face, Suzuki Tsubame thought for a moment.
They had landed on the island at noon.
It was now around two thirty in the afternoon, with five hours left before sunset.
The time might have seemed plentiful, but there were thirty-nine mouths to feed.
"Let everyone decide together. Whether we spend points to buy the school-provided meal sets directly, buy raw ingredients and cook for ourselves, or just buy seasonings... we should see what everyone thinks."
It was hard to please everyone.
Suzuki Tsubame was no tyrant, so he still had to hear everyone's opinions.
"Okay." Hirata smiled happily. Suzuki's thoughts happened to align with his own.
"Mm..."
The sleepy girl unconsciously shifted her head, seeming about to be awakened by the noise outside.
Suzuki Tsubame quickly signaled Hirata with his eyes, telling him to move farther away.
Hirata nodded awkwardly with a polite smile, then carefully backed away.
His movements had already been cautious enough, but Horikita still woke up.
She had always been a light sleeper. The only reason she had managed to rest briefly in his arms this time was because of her cold.
Suzuki Tsubame reached out again and pressed the back of his hand to the girl's smooth forehead.
"Hmm?"
He raised his hand and checked his own forehead. Strange... why did Horikita seem even worse than she had been an hour ago?
"Suzune, sit here and don't move. I'll get you some water."
After helping Horikita sit properly again, Suzuki Tsubame looked toward the iron pot.
Ever since