"Hao, do you have a minute?"
"Yes? Is something wrong, President?"
The next morning, as the Cooking Club members assembled on schedule, Presia’s sudden call made Hao turn toward her with a start of nerves.
Her usual gentle aura was replaced by a more serious expression as she spoke to him with a grave look.
"Actually, Yugo just asked if he could look for that missing boy while the rest of us are busy with Ingredient Gathering. I’ve been worried about the child myself, so I’d like to let him, but..."
"I-is that so? Well, I suppose that’s fine then."
Hao swallowed his true feelings, finding it impossible to believe that the infamous Scum Yugo actually cared about some kid. He remained on high alert, suspecting Yugo was merely trying to manipulate the kind-hearted President to raise his Affection Level. But before he could say more, others cut into the conversation.
"I see! A noble sentiment indeed! You’d expect nothing less from the Former Eldest Son of a Prestigious Noble House. Even disowned, he hasn't forgotten his pride!"
"In that case, we should let him focus entirely on the Search for the Child! That's the best way!"
"C-Cyan? Egos?"
Hao was stunned by the bizarre, high-tension energy radiating from Cyan and Egos as they forced their way into the discussion. As he watched the conversation veer in an unexpected direction, his sense of dread deepened.
"Do you two agree? In that case, maybe Yugo and I should handle the search together."
"What?! President, you’re going into the woods alone with that man?!"
"Yes, that’s the idea. It would be hard for Yugo to manage alone if something went wrong, and since I’ve already studied the local geography, I thought it best to go with him. Hao, I came to ask you to look after the Cooking Club while I’m away."
"That’s a terrible idea! Being alone with Yugo is—!"
"I see, I see! If that’s the case, leave the rest to us! We’ll support Hao and keep every member of the Cooking Club safe!"
"Oh, what a relief! Cyan, I’m counting on you to look after Hao and the others!"
Hao opened his mouth to warn Presia that being alone in the woods with Scum Yugo—a man notorious for his lecherous ways—was suicide. But Cyan’s aggressive interruptions cut him off before he could get a word out. Shocked that Cyan had unilaterally decided Yugo and Presia should pair up, Hao turned to protest to Egos, who was currently steering him away from the conversation.
"Egos, this isn't what we agreed on! There was no point in involving you two if the President is just going to be left alone with Yugo!"
"It’s fine! Just trust us! You’ve got nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about? How can you say—"
As Hao prepared to rail against Egos’s irresponsibility, he caught a clear glimpse of the man’s face and sucked in a breath. Masked by his manic energy and wide smirk, Egos looked deathly ill.
"Relax. I’ll suggest the President bring Yugo's Younger Brother, Fee, along with them. That way they won't be alone. Even Yugo wouldn’t try anything with his own brother watching, right?"
"I... I guess."
Egos seemed oblivious, but his skin was sallow and deep, dark circles hung under his eyes. His gaze was bloodshot, and his entire complexion was sickly. Hao looked over at Cyan and realized he was in the exact same state.
It was too severe to be simple exhaustion from travel. They had been fine the night before, and the rest of the club had trekked the same distance without looking like walking corpses. Most disturbing of all was their complete lack of awareness regarding their own condition.
Hao tried to tell himself he was overthinking it. Maybe they were just feeling a bit under the weather. After all, they were acting energetic enough. Despite his attempts at rationalization, his anxiety wouldn't fade. He spoke up hesitantly.
"Um, Egos? You... you’re doing okay, right?"
"You’re such a worrywart, Hao. Don’t sweat it. Just trust us!"
Egos didn't even realize Hao was asking about his health rather than Presia's safety. Hao tried to convince himself that if they were this oblivious, maybe there really wasn't a problem. But as the reality set in—that Yugo and Presia were now destined to head off alone—his expression crumbled into utter despair.