“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.