After that little interlude.
Kitagawa Kai and the others strolled along the path, their conversation shifting with the animals they passed.
They chatted and laughed along the way. Whenever anyone spotted something interesting, they called for everyone to stop and watch a little longer.
As they passed the zebra enclosure, a zebra suddenly folded its legs and lay down, rolling back and forth in the sand.
The little zebra beside it watched for a while, then lay down too. It struggled several times but failed to roll over, so it had to kick its legs and stand back up.
Kitagawa Kai couldn't help laughing aloud.
Sakura Airi earnestly defended it. "It's still just a baby. Of course it hasn't got the movements down yet."
"I didn't say anything."
"But you laughed the loudest just now, Kai-kun."
Shiranami Chihiro immediately nodded in confirmation, while Tachibana Akane and Asahina Nazuna chimed in too.
The boy was about to offer a few words in his defense when he looked up and saw the little zebra lying down again. He hurriedly gestured for them to watch.
This time, it finally managed to roll over.
Kitagawa Kai put on a credit-seeking expression and nodded repeatedly. "Looks like that earlier setback didn't defeat it. With my encouragement, it finally got back on its feet."
"Quit taking all the credit, junior. It wasn't even paying attention to you."
Asahina Nazuna laughed and pulled him onward. Airi and Chihiro followed beside them, and as they talked about the way the little zebra had kicked its legs, they couldn't help laughing again.
At the monkey enclosure, they saw a monkey leaning against a tree trunk, letting its companion pick through the fur on its belly.
The other monkey inspected it very carefully, parting the fur to examine one spot