TPMITWON Chapter 52: Aren't You Leaving?

Chikano closed the cabinet with a light motion, then walked back towards Souta and handed him the bag. "Just put it in this bag, and could you help me throw it in the trash bin next to the building?" Chikano asked with a friendly smile.

Souta took the bag and felt its slightly rough texture in his hands. "No problem, just leave it to me," Souta said with a slight nod.

"Alright, then I'll be off. See you tomorrow." Chikano smiled faintly, then turned and walked out of the room. Chikano's footsteps faded softly, blending with the calm atmosphere in the building.

Souta watched Chikano disappear behind the door before letting out a small sigh and starting to put all the papers into the bag one by one. The papers felt light, but some were slightly crumpled and torn. After making sure everything was collected, Souta closed the bag neatly and walked towards the exit of the room.

As Souta stepped outside, the long corridor he had just walked through welcomed him again. The light from the wall lantern cast a soft golden glow, creating long shadows on the stone floor. The temperature inside the building felt warmer compared to the cool night air outside, which was beginning to chill.

Souta glanced left and right, ensuring no one was around before carefully closing the door. The sound of the door scraping was faint as it shut completely.

With the bag in one hand, Souta began walking down the long corridor made entirely of compacted sand. The walls had simple carvings that seemed to have been worn down by time.

As he reached the main hall, Souta slowed his pace. The hall was quite spacious, with several large pillars supporting the high ceiling. The air inside felt slightly humid, mixed with the aroma of wood and old fabric from various theater supplies.

When Souta was almost at the exit, he noticed a few people emerging from one of the corridors on the left side of the hall. They were speaking in low voices, but their conversation was still clear to Souta's ears.

"Hm? Is there a child?" one of them asked, the man's tone sounding a bit surprised.

"Oh... Could there be another child besides that one who was also hired here?" another replied in a lower voice.

"I think so. Just ignore it; we still have a lot of work to do. Besides, this place is really short on manpower. Even if they hire a child, as long as they can work well, it doesn't matter," someone said nonchalantly.

Souta, who overheard the conversation, raised an eyebrow slightly. Curiosity began to tickle his mind. Why was the Puppet Arts Theater so short on labor? What was really happening in this place?

However, Souta dismissed his curiosity. It wasn't his concern. As long as he could benefit from working here, he didn't care about the reasons behind it.

With steady steps, Souta continued walking towards the exit. As soon as he passed through the large door, the cold evening air swept across his face, bringing a faint scent of sand from afar.

Once Souta's eyes adjusted to the darkness outside, he immediately spotted two familiar figures standing not far from the door. Pakura and Makima.

"Hey? You guys haven't left? Why are you still here?" Souta asked with a confused expression, a bit surprised to see them still waiting for him.

Makima let out a long sigh before pouting, "I told Pakura-chan! But this girl wouldn't listen to me!"