If there’s one thing that I had to commend in this lake park, it’s none other than the lake itself.

Well, it’s obvious, right? It’s their main selling point.

Campers set up their tents around it. They have the option to fish on the bountiful side of the lake where freshwater fishes are thriving. It has a deep water spot that’s connected to a river underground. While the middle of the lake appeared as though it was still water, the lake had a stream and river connected to it. The one providing inflow was a number of streams flowing down from a higher elevation while the river underground served as its drain.

Anyway, campers can also set up their barbecue grills and party in their area while enjoying the calm nature.

And lastly, while not encouraged, they could also take a dip or play at the clear, shallow side of the lake along with their companions.

It was an ideal camping spot, true. I couldn’t deny that. However, for a large group of students – Juri and Setsuna-nee confirmed that the camping trip was for 1st and 2nd years – I’ll sadly not put my coin for this location.

But well, it’s Juri and their department’s choice so while we’re walking around the lake park, I told her my evaluation.

Twenty minutes later, Juri and I found an unoccupied area of the lake and walked toward it. When I asked her what we were going to do, she simply showed a meaningful and playful smile.

Well, since I didn’t want her to go alone and we never really let go of each other, I followed her while warding off the other campers who might or might not have the intention to approach her.

Uh. Maybe I was just acting too protective of her but it’s better like that than dealing with them face-to-face, right? That way, Juri didn’t need to be bothered by them.

“You know what, I agree with you. While this seems a very ideal camping spot, it’s unfortunately not for a large group. Imagine you and your class setting up tents and going around this place to search for resources. It’s not a great image, am I right?”

As we reached the edge of the lake where ankle-height grass and other floras grew relatively well, Juri stopped her steps and turned to me as she responded to my evaluation of the place.

“Well, it is, in a way. But I doubt it will be an enjoyable camp for everyone.” I answered before also coming up with a different situation to imagine.

Classes could be divided into different areas and they could set up an activity where they either have to compete or cooperate.

In general, that’s normal when it comes to camping trips but will that be satisfactory? I don’t know.

Besides, what was their department’s goal for this trip? They’re all Fine Arts students, how is that related to camping?

Uh. I guess I’ll ask Juri about that later. For now, there’s nothing better to do but to enjoy our time together.

“I think we’re done scouting here, Juri. What do you think about giving this a trial? I didn’t bring a tent but… I packed this.”

Tugging us back to reality, I raised a suggestion as I pulled out a folded fabric close to a picnic rug from the small duffel bag that I had brought with me for this trip.

Although she told me not to really pack too heavily for this trip, Akane, Shio, Rae, and even Miwa-nee, who I also informed about this, told me to bring something that we could use on the camping grounds.

Apart from that picnic rug that I immediately spread out on the ground, I also packed other things such as an umbrella for sudden rainfall, and two flasks filled with tea – not the miraculous one – and coffee.

I also went out of my way to pack a sandwich that we could munch on while taking a break.

Juri, who probably didn’t expect this from me, was speechless. Since I had to let go of her hand, she remained standing there, watching me smoothly prepare everything.

By the time I poured a cup of tea for her, Juri was already fidgeting, not knowing how to properly react.

Seeing that, I reached for her hand, pulling her next to me.

“First time I see you this surprised, Juri.”

“Ruki… You’re really…” Although her sentence was incomplete, it’s easy to understand how baffled and amazed she is from her current expression. She even shook her head as she released a resigned sigh.

After a few seconds, she recovered from it and carefully grabbed the cup from me.

As she took a sip, her small, flattered voice reached my ears, “I never considered resting like this here… But you… You’re more prepared than me, Ruki. I’m ashamed.”

“Eh? Honestly, me too. However, I was reminded to bring all these. For our convenience.” I replied as I also poured myself a cup. Following that, I scooted closer to her up to the point that we were both facing the calm lake in front of us.

“Still, the plan Setsu and I drew was pretty simple. Go in. Scout. Then leave. Yet you… You thought this far ahead…”

“Not really. That plan was actually satisfactory, to say the least. We have three locations to visit and scout so doing this is eating up on our set schedule. But I’ll insist on doing this because…” I trailed my voice here and slowly but surely, I stretched my arm from her back, hooking it around her waist. “… it’s such a waste to let go of this opportunity to relax, right?”

Juri squirmed a little and glanced down at my hand but she made no move to remove it. Instead, her head moved up and down, agreeing to my words before gently leaning to my side as she laid it down on my shoulder. “… Yeah. It is a waste. Ruki, forgive me for my lack of propriety.”

This woman… Did she really need to apologize? Well, for all I know, her mind was already in conflict. On one hand, she’s aware that I’m Satsuki’s boyfriend and on the other, she cannot hold herself back from getting close to me.

We’re having our moment here and… even though she might feel guilty, she couldn’t stop herself when I was pushing us to be this intimate with each other.

“Why don’t we forget about propriety for a moment? Juri, you’ll probably find me hateful but I love this. Being with you and creating a memory for this trip.”

“That...” Juri’s mouth opened and closed, possibly weighing the words she wanted to say. In the end, her words stopped there as a complicated look flashed past her face.

Sensing the awkward mood that was building up, I removed my arm from her side and copied what she did for me earlier on the bus; caressing her head and candidly combing her hair with my fingers.

After doing that for a while, I broke the awkward silence and said in a rather cheerful voice, bereft of any form of guilt. “Alright, let’s down this cup of tea and… let’s dip our legs in the lake.”

With that suggestion and the way, I somewhat forced the awkwardness to go away, Juri followed suit while giggling in satisfaction.

And so, after we finished drinking our cup of tea, we helped each other by taking off each other’s shoes and rolling our pants up to our knees before edging closer to the lake.

We once again sat down next to each other before dipping our naked feet into the cool body of water.

For the next ten minutes or so, we simply waddled our legs in the water while making a commentary about this park and moving away from our earlier conversation.

When we called it enough for our relaxation in this lake camp, Juri hooked her arm around mine as she whispered in a voice as sweet as the tea we just drank, “Ruki, I also love this. I know this is inappropriate but, if it’s with you, I feel that everything sits right.”