There was a muffled thud.
The barrel landed securely on the stack in the corner.
Lunoire straightened up, dusted off her hands, and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Chloe was spinning a tray in her hand, making the round wooden platter whirl rapidly on her fingertip like a juggling act.
Her gleaming green eyes swept around the hall.
Finally.
They settled unerringly on the long table in the corner, which was still bustling with activity.
That was Haimo's table.
Although most of the food had been devoured, leaving only a towering mountain of bones and empty plates.
The atmosphere there remained lively.
Especially that little orange-red girl-Enju Aihara.
She was holding a glass of juice bigger than her face, filled to the brim with orange liquid, the ice clinking crisply against the glass.
"Buuurp-"
A loud belch rang out.
Enju Aihara rubbed her round little belly with a satisfied expression.
"Oh my."
"These newcomers sure can eat, meow."
Anya raised her head, her chin resting on the table, glanced at the mountain of plates over there, and couldn't help commenting.
"Especially that tiny one."
"Is her stomach a bottomless pit, meow? She actually ate two whole chickens... she can eat even more than Anya!"
"That's not important, you idiot, Anya."
"Look at Ryu."
Chloe rolled her eyes at Anya irritably, tucked the tray under her arm, then leaned forward and lowered her voice, gesturing that way with her lips.
At that, Anya followed Chloe's gaze.
There she was.
At the entrance to the passage connecting the kitchen and the hall.
That green figure stood in the shadows.
At that moment.
Ryu was pacing back and forth, clutching an empty tray.
Two steps forward, then a stop.
Back again.
Then another two steps.
And her gaze kept drifting furtively toward