Like Setsuna-nee declared, she left the cottage ahead of us when we finished discussing what we should look out for.

And yep, I didn’t try to dissuade her from that decision.

I mean, with Setsuna-nee sounding like a switch got flipped causing her to start reflecting, I don’t think she needed to be comforted for it.

What good will it do anyway? Sometimes, it’s better to reflect alone than have someone comforting you on the side – especially since I’m the one receiving her unreasonable grumpiness.

Maybe later if we congregate back to the cottage, she’d be a different person. Hopefully.

In any case, I could tolerate being teased by my girls since most of the time, they’re just doing it to get back at me. But Setsuna-nee was being intentionally obnoxious. I even thought she might be trying to get me to dislike her so I would leave Satsuki – but that’s a foolish assumption.

When she stepped out, it did look like she was running away given that she didn’t even glance back at us while also ignoring Juri who was trying to convince her to not separate from us.

I could understand why Juri did that though. Even if this could give us a chance to be alone together, she’s not awful enough to leave behind her best friend that’s clearly not in her best state. Also, she admitted that it was the first time she heard Setsuna-nee acting that way, unenergetic and remorseful. She’s worried for her.

Unfortunately, even when she dashed to the door to run after her, she failed to catch up to her.

In the end, we stood by the door, watching the woman’s back as she started shuffling toward the direction she picked.

“I’m sorry to have you come with me, Ruki. I just can’t leave Setsu behind.”

“It’s cool. I foresaw that this was going to happen. Maybe I should be the one to apologize for not even trying to dissuade her earlier.”

Right. When it was our turn to leave, Juri asked me if we could follow Setsuna-nee instead. I agreed. It’s not worth it for us to use this as a chance to further our still-vague relationship when she’s this concerned over her best friend.

Juri might’ve broken her rule of propriety when it comes to me but that doesn't mean I’ve become the center of her life.

“Geez. That’s what I thought too. Given how you’re always acting considerate, I’m surprised you didn’t say anything there. Is it because she’s not someone you’re interested in?”

“No. That's not it. Setsuna-nee doesn’t need me intervening with her decision. If that’s how she reacted when I told her that I’m just being true to myself in front of her then she must’ve thought that I’m putting up with her acting unreasonable.”

Well, that’s a valid guess considering how I revealed a part of my true nature to her but that’s really not it.

In any case, after seeing me shaking my head and providing that information, Juri didn’t raise an argument.

She stared up ahead, perhaps trying to catch the shadow of Setuna-nee, as we walked in the general direction that woman took.

After a while, she said, “If you put it that way... it makes sense. You see. For the years that we’re together, I haven’t seen that look of defeat on her face before. Even when she’s talking about Sakuma-kun, she remains the same, albeit a little more energetic than usual.”

“Yeah. I’m also caught a little off-guard there. I never imagined her to be the type to act remorseful or self-deprecate like that. Anyway, now that you mention it... what does she think of Sakuma?”

Remained the same, huh? So, is she not serious about that fellow? So much for the advice I gave him. But then again, this was just Juri’s observation.

“I’m not sure. But she certainly sees her more of a little brother she can be comfortable with as he’s the only guy outside her family she considers trustworthy.”

“I see.”

So, he’s still a little brother? Damn. I’ll light up a candle for you, Sakuma.

Thinking about it, after dealing with Setsuna-nee on multiple occasions, I really doubt Sakuma’s chances if he doesn’t man up or at least show her how serious he is about her. You know, like shut her down if ever she tries to deflect his advances.

“But Ruki, she also talks about you a lot. She’s complaining most of the time though. And when she’s on the phone with Satsuki-chan, she keeps on badmouthing you... Uhm. Not really a harsh one but more on the lighter side like... ‘Why is he not walking you home?’ or ‘Why is he not picking you up every morning?’. She has this huge expectation towards you.”

Juri added as she tried to say those while imitating Setsuna-nee’s voice. By the end of it, she couldn’t help but turn her gaze away to prevent me from seeing how embarrassed she was.

This girl... Well, I let that pass and simply put on a wry smile.

“Expectation, huh? Granted, I really can’t do that. At least, not every day. But if Satsuki so wished, I won’t hesitate to commit myself to picking her up and taking her home.”

Usually, it shouldn’t be like that where I was waiting for them to wish for it. And while the idea popped up in my head most of the time, it would always end in choosing one of them. It’s awful for all of us but there’s no way around it when I only have one body. It’s their understanding and consideration that’s really making all of this work.

“For you to say that while looking like you took a bitter pill, it must’ve been hard for you, huh? It’s easy to give an acceptable lie yet here you are, still spouting your honest thoughts.” Juri lightly sighed before squeezing my cheek as though she was trying to correct my expression.

“Well, if Setsuna-nee is in front of us then I might refrain from being too honest with my thoughts. I already opened up to you, even though it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m not going to take that back and build up a lie. Whether or not that’s going to work out in or against my favor, it’s for you to decide.”

Upon saying that, I removed her hand from my cheek and locked it with mine. Juri shook her head as a reaction to it but allowed me to hold her hand for at least a few seconds before taking it back. Surely, she didn’t want Setsuna-nee to have another reason to suspect what was happening between us.

She also didn’t mutter a response to what I said and simply continued walking alongside me. Taking a glance at her and seeing how she had this contemplative gaze, she’s definitely trying to digest that. Nonetheless, she kept to her word of putting that off until that aforementioned date that she was going to set for us.

Just like this, it took us around five minutes before finding ourselves in front of another slope. Reading the sign before it, it’s the path towards the peak of this hill.

There were other campers or just regular visitors at this part of the hill so the search for Setsuna-nee had just gone up in difficulty.

While most of them didn’t pay attention to us and went on their own way whether uphill or downhill, it’s still a task to get away from being spoken to. Thankfully, most of them were friendly and when we asked them if they saw Setsuna-nee by describing her features, those who saw her positively claimed that she was up there at the peak.

Really, what about scouting the place, huh? She’s really just enjoying the limited time we have here.

Five minutes later, with Juri looking a little tired, we finally reached the peak.

It’s not an open space but there’s a roofed structure there that’s probably for viewing or just a place for people to gather. Even from afar, we could see people moving about or staying in one place, gazing at the sky or at what they could see down below. However, there’s no Setsuna-nee in sight.

And so, we continued and entered it to search for her.

We hadn't been five steps in when suddenly, we heard her familiar voice from behind us.

“You two... Did you follow me here? Wait. Let me guess... Are you worried that I’m going to wallow in despair and trip myself up? Hey, I’m not that clumsy. And I'm here to clear my mind....”

Before we could turn around to see her, Setsuna-nee hooked her arms around our shoulders as she put herself between us.