Still, We Press On (2)

After that, Merry—mysteriously brimming with enthusiasm—led them past the Resistance headquarters and into the city. As soon as she arrived with the large pot, excited murmurs began rising from all over the streets, as if everyone had been waiting for her.

“Are you making food for... everyone living in Noa?”

Seeing children hiding in the shadows of buildings, fingers in their mouths as they gazed at them longingly, Kururu asked the question that had occurred to her.

“That’s right. The Resistance manages the food supplies. It’s not like we make enough for everyone all by ourselves, of course, but we’re responsible for this area, at least.”

“But... even so, isn’t that too little to feed everyone in this area?”

“Hm? Oh, there’s a proper place for cooking farther in, by the residential area, and the ingredients are stored there. Don’t worry. We’re not going to cook in the middle of the road like this. There’s no fire, for one thing.”

Hearing that, Kururu seemed relieved. She let out a breath and placed a hand on her chest.

“I’m glad. I was worried you were so short on food that you had to make do with that little.”

“No, food is scarce. That’s why we ration it so everyone gets enough to survive each day. We do have more than what I’m carrying here, though.”

At Merry’s matter-of-fact reply, Kururu’s expression fell. “I see...” She’d suspected as much, but now she understood plainly that the people of Earth lived in greater poverty and with less freedom than those in Earthclear...