Chapter 434

Lila felt a pang of sadness at Ash's words. She broke the bread in half and handed a piece to him. "I can't finish it all. Will you help me eat half of it?" Ash shook his head. "Grandma said one for each of us. I can't take yours, Lila," he said earnestly. His eyes suddenly caught sight of the man in the military coat, and his face lit up with a cheerful smile. "Mr. Mapleford!" Said man looked up briefly. He had taken off his mask, but his long hair and lowered head still obscured most of his face. When he heard Ash calling, he gave a low grunt in acknowledgment without looking up further. Lila hadn't heard James speak when she met him, so she didn't recognize his voice. After finishing his meal, the man in the military coat quickly put his mask back on, as though afraid someone might see his face. Lila asked Ash, "Have you ever seen what Mr. Mapleford looks like? Why does he always wear a mask?" "Because he's not handsome," Ash replied with a child's bluntness. "I asked him o