The canteen closed unusually early that day.
Even the night school and the Community Hospital had closed, and everyone had been sent home.
"There won't be any classes tonight... yes, the hospital is closed too. No gathering. Go home and rest."
Vanessa sent the last believer home, then turned to look at the others in the room.
Dorothea was checking her pistol. Allen hid in the shadows, the cold gleam of a blade flashing now and then. Flora stood before the cooking pot, deep in thought.
"Are you all ready? There may well be a fight tonight."
Dorothea raised her head. "What's going on, Vanessa? This is rather sudden. Has the Fog Whistle set its sights on us?"
"No, it's another being. I don't know the details either. In any case, it's very likely to make a move. We need to be ready." "Is it targeting someone in particular, or our society?"
Vanessa had wanted to say someone in particular. After all, the description [The Hungry It] sounded very much like a monster preparing to hunt.
But...
"Considering that our secret society is a canteen, it could also be a hungry customer coming for dinner." Vanessa rubbed her chin. Dorothea's face twitched, and she took a deep breath. "Could you switch to that reliable personality?"
Then she turned to Flora. "Miss Elegy, about this... Miss Elegy?"
Flora was staring blankly at the pot, muttering to herself. "How strange. I clearly watched her cook it step by step, so how did it suddenly turn out so awful? Is this some sort of supernatural power?"
Dorothea nearly lost her composure. "Ahem, weren't we supposed to be having a strategy meeting? Could you all take this seriously?"
"You're too tense, Dorothea." Vanessa waved a hand. "Relax. We're prepared in advance this time, and