"Gulp, gulp..." The bowl tipped over, and the food was devoured in one go. "Ha! I'm starving."
Mirai set down the rough stone bowl he had scraped clean. Only a little broth remained inside. After Kurenai's friend woke up, taking his special circumstances into account, they had deliberately gathered wild mushrooms and vegetables to make soup for him—barely enough to count as half a meal. After being unconscious for three days, Mirai had eaten four bowls. That was only because Mirai had refused to let him eat more. He had been injured and starving for too long; suddenly stuffing himself would do his health no good. Mirai's experienced companions had naturally considered that carefully.
Perhaps drawn by the scent, the person who had been sleeping beside Takumi also showed signs of waking. Sure enough, a few minutes after his fingers moved for the first time, he slowly opened his eyes as well.
With the foolish boy awake, Kurenai's friend could only helplessly put down the rabbit meat that was quickly going cold and get up to look for ingredients, while Zuo Wei stayed behind to stand guard.
During this brief respite, while he had yet to wake up, Mirai and Zuo Wei had already remained here for three days. Having only just escaped danger, with several team members seriously injured, even Mirai—usually so demanding—had no choice but to put their duties as ninja aside and rest for a while.
After burping, Mirai, who had slept for three days, could not possibly lie down and sleep again at this hour of the night. With nothing to do in his free time, he could only start spacing out. His thoughts drifted aimlessly amid the flickering firelight. Then he suddenly recalled the two voices he had heard when he passed out during the