The residence was especially lively that evening.
The children had received no advance notice. They did not learn there would be a "press conference" until a large group of strangers arrived that afternoon. The adults carrying cameras and long lenses kept turning them on the children's classroom, then gathering in little groups to photograph the distant snow line along the mountains... Every bit of it aroused the children's curiosity, but embarrassed by their clumsy District 3 Language, they did not dare go over and ask.
During recess, Eleven pulled Kiki to a stairwell on the second floor. The two children crouched together, curiously watching the people chatting in the first-floor hall.
She could not say why, but the moment she saw them, Eleven felt uncomfortable all over. She tried to observe them, searching for a reason, only to find that she had none.
"These people all look so boring," Eleven said, propping up her chin. "What do you think they're doing?"
"Chatting," Kiki answered.
Eleven rolled her eyes. "I know they're chatting!"
Kiki immediately doubled over laughing—she had suddenly realized that her answer had been rather pointless.
"Come downstairs with me!" Eleven abruptly stood up. "I've got an idea—"
Before Eleven could finish, she had already dragged Kiki toward the stairs. Kiki hurried after her. "What are you going to do?"
"Shh!" Eleven looked back. "Be quiet. I'm going to switch the jam over there with chili sauce!"
Kiki's mouth fell open. "Why would you..."
Eleven snickered. "I want to see how they can keep acting so high and mighty after they eat chili sauce!"
The two children burst into laughter again.
Just then, a young reporter approached them and quietly asked whether there were any other restrooms in the residence besides the one on the east side.
Hearing the