1839 Third Task

Eventually, after staying twenty minutes inside the cabin to settle down, the camp managers knocked on our door calling us out for our Third Task.

This time, it’s within our expectation that it would be a boys-

exclusive Task. The girls would probably have a different Task from us and with their area of activity also separated from us.

As for the contents of the task, it’s simple. Picking up broken branches or logs inside the woods to be used as firewood.

It’s a group activity where it’s decided that we’re grouped by the students staying in the same cabin.

A set quota was given to us. Naturally, the cabins with fewer people will have a lower quota compared to the ones with four just to make it fair. However, the difference wasn’t that huge.

It caused a bit of a commotion saying that it was not fair but they got handed a closed fist by the camp managers, saying they also considered that they adjusted it considering they have more space for themselves inside those cabins.

It sounded a bit unfair since they didn’t choose to have fewer people but it's undeniable that they’re faring better than the others considering they’re not going to share the bathroom with three other boys apart from themselves. It’s more convenient.

Anyway, there’s also a reward and a penalty for the top and worst performing group.

The group that can gather the most firewood will be given the privilege to sit out the next activity.

The group that can gather the least firewood will be given the penalty of taking the share of that exempted group for the next activity.

Such a distinction received mixed reactions. There are those encouraged by the competition while there are also some who are discouraged by it. I mean, it’s inevitable to have those who only wanted to cruise over this camping trip without exerting themselves too much. They already exhausted themselves earlier from running up the hill, they probably believed that it was enough

Still, with more than fifty boys, the majority remained to be those who were competitive. They got their eyes ignited with the desire to get that privilege.

Looking at our group, only Hino has that same energy.

“Hey! We should get that top place!”

“It’s too troublesome,” Fukuda answered while picking his ear with his pinky finger.

“I don’t see any point why that is a privilege. We’re here not to slack off.” Ogawa sounded like an edgy main character who always put importance on the meaning of every activity.

“Sure. Let’s do that. Maybe I can ask for permission to leave and visit my girls during the next activity.” I shrugged while once again bringing up what most thought of as a joke.

Hino grinned and gave me a thumbs-up. “Oh! You’re right! We can look at how the girls are faring. Good. Let’s do this, Onoda!”

Fukuda clicked his tongue, looking more annoyed by the second while Ogawa didn’t say anything else. I guess the delusional guy will be a bit more reliable in this activity than Fukuda who had no motivation.

Before moving out, I decided to give Ogawa a clear motivation to take the top spot, “Hey. Is Kazuha-nee doing well? I’m thinking of visiting her tomorrow after we’re finished with this camp.”

“You...! Stay away from my sister.”

“Why? I’m also her little brother. I’m sure she’ll be overjoyed to see me again. It’s been a week since that night.”

I meaningfully emphasized that last sentence, triggering his memory of that day. Even though he didn’t see anything past the point of Kazuha-nee’s hand stroking me alongside Hina, his wild imagination had definitely recreated a scene more explicit than that in his head.

“Shut up! Leave her alone, Onoda. I’ll do what you want.”

“Oh? Are you willing to set aside our differences for your sister? I can’t say I’m not impressed. I’m sure Kazuha-nee will be too if she hears it. You’re growing up, ‘little brother’.”

I tapped his shoulder which immediately twisted his face to an ugly frown.

As though all his fury broke out, he grabbed my wrist and gripped it the best he could using all of his strength.

Unfortunately for him, he’s not strong enough to inflict pain on me.

I maintained a smug expression on my face before continuing, “Alright. Since you’re so eager, help me out in this camp by taking the wins and covering up for me whenever I sneak out. I won’t visit her if you do that.”

That sounded like a good proposal on his end, didn't it? Unfortunately, I just played with my words. There’s a loophole for it. If I visit Hina and see Kazuha-nee while doing so. Doesn’t that mean I’m not visiting her specifically? It just so happens that I encountered her while visiting my girl.

Let’s see if he can catch that.

As the other groups already started going into the woods, Hino and Fukuda looked at us who remained standing at our place.

Fukuda was frowning, possibly thinking that I was messing up with Ogawa’s head considering his fury-filled expression. As for Hino, he had no idea whether to call me or not.

Slowly, Ogawa finished contemplating his answer.

“Will you follow your words if I help you? I cannot trust you.”

“Should I swear in front of Nami for you to trust me? Besides, I’m not expecting much from you. I just want you to be motivated. I’ll remove the condition that we have to take all the wins. Just cover up for me when I sneak out and do your best in every activity.”

“.You... Fine. As long as you leave my sister alone.”

“Oh. Great. We have a deal then. By the way, I’ll give you a bonus.”

“What?”

“Mami-chan, she’s overwhelmed by you. Next time, confess after thinking it through. Don’t make a girl who admires you to be your rebound. That’s disgusting.”

Upon saying that, I tapped his shoulders again and this time, I put some force into it that made him almost topple over.

Leaving him looking like he had just eaten a bitter pill, I walked to Hino and disappeared into the woods.

Fukuda stayed for a while to stare at Ogawa. However, considering they’re not friends at all but only fellow cucks, he didn’t stay behind to comfort him.

“Onoda, you’re one devious bastard,” Fukuda remarked after catching up with us.

“Am I? Maybe. But that’s just me making a deal with him.” I didn’t even throw him a glance and just continued to walk through the woods.

Naturally, the area was already swept clean by the first group so we had to venture deeper to find some firewood.

“Making a deal? What? Are you going to steal someone from him again?”

“Come on. You don’t have to point your finger at me like that. I’ve only stolen Nami from him. The rest... I courted them and made them fall in love with me.”

I didn’t need to tell him the truth anyway. But I still tried to court most of them, except Saki. That girl did it the other way around. She made me so interested in her.

“Lies.” He spat but he didn’t have any other argument aside from that.

I dismissively waved at him. There’s no point explaining it to him, after all. Besides, he’s unrelated to us.

“I don’t need you to believe me. Right, Hino?”

The lackey looked so surprised by what he heard. However, he already looked convinced. Maybe seeing Kanzaki being all over me earlier was already enough evidence for him.

“Eh? Is that true? Everyone is in love with you? How is that possible?”

“That’s a secret,” I smirked while gesturing with a finger pressed against my lips.

Hino gulped down before his eyes shone in delightful admiration. “That’s cool, Onoda!”

Upon hearing that, Fukuda could only click his tongue again before going on his own way.

Hino tried calling for him to return but he didn’t even look back.

Well, it’s fine. As long as we’re not in last place, there’s nothing to worry about.