“Chapter 313: Back to Square One”
About ten more days have gone by.
I was still spending my days lying in bed, but I wasn’t lethargic anymore.
Whenever Deko and Mira went to bed, I’d go out by myself.
I could’ve joined them during the rest of the day, but I was too embarrassed to apologize.
Today’s investigation is to find out if there are any differences between day and night.
Technically, although a very weird one, this is still a whale. A living being.
It eats, sleeps, and swims. Its organs are not the same at every moment of the day.
I doubt an exit will magically appear out of nowhere, but doesn’t hurt to try.
– They’re coming back…
There was an egg in the walls of the third stomach. It’s a dark jerk about to be born.
It’s a mystery why the whale is so keen on defending the entrance to the maze.
The only thing there is a room full of explosive stones, which, to the whale, are basically excrement.
So they’re necessary to escape…
– Hm?
On my way back…
– A slime? In the second stomach?
I felt like I had stepped on something warm. When I looked under my feet, I saw a slime smaller than the ones in the third stomach.
– Did it fall from the ceiling?
I looked up and saw several slimes glued to the parts of the whale where we set the explosives.
Up until now, I thought they were meant to attack us, but they seem to have another role inside the whale…
– Takaya. (Deko)
– !? What are you two doing here?
– You weren’t in your room. We got scared. You should’ve told us.
– I was just… taking a stroll at night.
– Looks to me like you’re investigating something. (Mira)
– …The two of you work too hard during the day. I wanted to make up for my meals at least.
– Well… Listen, I appreciate the sentiment, but just tell us. We’ll work better as a group.
I should apologize. Being so mysterious in a situation like this won’t do me any good.
– I’m sorry. You two have opened my eyes. Please, I need your help to escape.
– I’m glad you’re back.