Kiyo: "???"
Holding the food, Kiyo blinked, not daring to speak.
Just as the two reached a stalemate, Kamiki Aoi suddenly rushed in from upstairs. "There's news of Lord Su Chen!"
Clack!
Shinobu Kocho snatched the rice ball from Kiyo's hands and immediately dug in. In mere moments, she polished off the hefty, generously sized rice ball!
As she wolfed down the food, Shinobu Kocho stared ravenously at Aoi Kanzaki. "Keep talking!!"
Aoi Kanzaki froze, then gave an "oh." "Oh, Murata mentioned it in the ward just now!"
"He said Lord Sound Hashira's Dish Crow received the news! They know where Lord Su Chen is! I just heard Lord Shinazugawa has already set out!"
"Mmph~" Shinobu Kocho said, choking on her food. "Does Kanao know?"
Aoi Kanzaki shook her head. "No."
Just then, Kiyo handed her a cup of tea. Only after Shinobu Kocho drank it did her throat feel a little better.
Despite her petite frame, she ate all three rice balls without leaving a crumb. Only then did a trace of vitality slowly begin to stir within her.
Shinobu Kocho said solemnly, "Don't tell Kanao. Just say her master went out on a mission. Don't let that girl worry!"
Just then, Sumi came rushing in from outside the Laboratory.
Her voice was excited. "Kanao has started eating too!"
Hearing that, Shinobu Kocho dashed out without even washing her face!
Kiyo blinked. "I keep feeling there's something strange about Lady Kocho, but I can't put my finger on it."
Sumi nodded. "Agreed."
Inside the room, Aoi Kanzaki silently watched Shinobu Kocho's retreating figure, her eyes suddenly widening.
Her expression turned frantic. "Lady Shinobu! Don't rush off! I haven't told you where it is yet!"
The Ubuyashiki Residence.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki lay weak and sickly in bed.
Beside him was