1841 Permission to visit the Girls' Area

Once the clamor died down, Sawano and the rest of the camp managers asked us if someone was injured during the activity. As expected, there were some who got injured by brushes, thistles, or just by being careless. They were taken away to be treated somewhere and returned a few minutes later.

I guess, they’re careful about that or the students might get some kind of infection if they didn’t treat them right away.

I wonder, should I purposely get myself injured later? Well, there could be an angle there to be used for slipping away. But considering they didn’t even spend that much time being taken away, it’s probably a quick patch-up.

Anyway, nothing much happened afterward. Kobayashi’s group was the one who got the privilege. He’s surprisingly a good leader, or is he? From what I heard, he’s still like a pushover who always follows his classmates’ urgings. But because he’d taken the lead, they efficiently managed their time to bring back a lot of firewood.

On the other hand, it’s a group from Class 2 who saved us from their fate of being given twice the quota for the next Task. Apparently, they fought against each other. There’s a domineering idiot in that group who thought he would have the other three work for his share while he lazily stayed inside the woods to pass the time.

Sawano reprimanded the guy and the rare sighting of a teacher from our school had been called. It’s not Shio or Eguchi-sensei but the Mathematics Teacher who’s in charge of Class 2.

Ah. Now that I think about it. Shouldn’t they be here to supervise us? I thought I could at least see Shio after our trip into the woods but until now, it’s all the college male students and us. Maybe they’re on standby somewhere? I guess I’ll find that out later.

In the end, the guy from Class 2 remained unrepentant. He even claimed that the three isolated him instead of the accusations lodged upon him.

If Fukuda could only form a small clique of followers around him, that guy seemed to be a reckless idiot who didn’t care too much about hierarchy.

I haven’t encountered him personally but I surely saw him inside their classroom back then. Just that, he’s someone who probably knew how to pick his fights since he didn’t even throw me a hint of hostility. But against his three groupmates, he was confident that they wouldn’t be able to defy him.

That guy was smart, I guess? No. In this case, he’s an idiot. He had no idea that his behavior had been marked. If he continues with his antics then he might get disciplined at some point.

Or at least, that’s part of my assumption. I tend to look at things too deeply even if they look simple enough. But we’ll see.

Anyway, if I was in the position of those three, I’d completely disregard his presence. What can he do anyway? His behavior is problematic and the camp managers were already aware of it. Unfortunately, the three were afraid of him. Hence, their troubling situation. It’s up to them to find the courage to stand up for themselves as part of their development in this camp.

A while later, Sawano and the rest announced our free time. We were told to return to our cabins first to change or clean ourselves after going into the woods.

At this point, it was already past 9 o’clock and the sun was already up high in the sky. The cold atmosphere at this height of the hill somehow subsided to almost bearable.

With everyone possibly thinking the same thing, I found a lot of boys lining up to ask for permission to leave our area. With close to an hour of free time, everyone has their own plans.

Of course, most of them were possibly thinking of meeting up with the girls in their class to tour this place. While we might be limited on where we could go, it’s probably not prohibited as long as we don’t intrude in the girls’ area.

However, everyone’s hopes were crushed when Sawano announced something.

“Listen up! We do not own this place so even if we allowed you to leave to spend your free time, you’re not allowed to wander freely. There are other guests on this hill. If you cause trouble, it won’t be impossible for you to be kicked out. Furthermore, if you’re thinking of checking out the girls, you’re prohibited from coming into their area, and at this moment, they’re still in the middle of their activity. They have a separate schedule from you.”

As soon as he finished with that announcement, a noticeable number of boys left the line and walked back to their cabins. Yeah. They’re the ones who would probably like to check out the girls or those who think they could explore the place.

In any case, more than half remained in line, and naturally, that included me.

“Yo, Onoda, you’re going out? Suddenly popping out from somewhere, Sakuma lined up behind me.

“Yeah.” A one-word answer. I didn’t have the energy to tell him my plans. It’s already bad enough that he approached me like this. This guy is still thinking I’m his best bud.

Ah. At least, Hino left my side. He’s one of those who got discouraged upon hearing Sawano’s announcement.

“Do you know where Setsuna-nee might be staying?”

Ah... So, this is why he approached me. Alright. I’ll give him that. He’s being more proactive.

However, I’m not some clairvoyant who can see where they’re staying in this big place. I can follow the college students but I doubt they’re also going to the same destination.

“How would I know? I haven’t seen them ever since we entered this hill. Looks like that’s your reason for lining up.”

“O-of course. It’s my chance, right?”

“Sure. Good luck.”

“Wait. What about you? Didn’t you hear what he said?”

“I did. I don’t care though. I have my ways.”

Putting on a smirk at the end of that sentence, I left Sakuma wondering. Naturally, he’s going to assume that I wasn’t bluffing. I’ve proven myself a lot of times already. He’s not going to doubt that despite the prohibition, I will still find my way into the girls’ area to see my girls.

Before long, the line continued to dwindle and finally, I reached the top of it.

Faced with Sawano and Sara's boyfriend, I greeted them with my usual, amiable smile.

“Impressive, Onoda. Why are you here? Didn’t you hear what I said?” Repeating Sakuma’s words earlier, he looked at me as though he was looking at a funny guy trying to weasel my way out of awkwardness.

“Oh. I heard you loud and clear, sir. I’m going to take a walk.”

“Wait. You. Have I seen you somewhere before?” Suddenly, Sara’s boyfriend interjected. From how he creased his forehead, he’s surely finding me familiar. Looks like Sara and Shiina haven’t told him about me yet. Since he was acting like a clown back on that mountain, he probably dismissed my presence even if I was the one who carried his girlfriend on my back.

In any case, because of his sudden interjection, Sawano’s curiosity was also piqued.

“You know him, Arai?”

“I’m not sure. He looks familiar.”

“I see. So, Onoda, how will you answer?”

“Hmm? You must have mistaken me for someone else. Today is my first time meeting you, seniors.” I answered without any change in my expression.

The crease on their eyebrows became more pronounced and Sara’s boyfriend looked like he was digging through his memories. On the other hand, Sawano’s reaction was possibly born from seeing Shiina’s interest in me during that Second Task when she found out about my identity.

A minute later, with Sara’s boyfriend failing to connect my face to someone from his memory, Sawano dropped his interrogative stance and sighed, “Alright. He possibly mistook you for somebody else. Go on. Return before the next task. Don’t be late and remember, do not approach the girls’ area.”

“Understood. But sir, what if I asked for permission to check on my girl?”

“You’re still on with that?! You’re something else... If you can convince them then go ahead. Don’t make trouble.” While shaking her head and laughing, Sawano waved his hand as though dismissing the possibility of me succeeding in it.

“Thank you! I’ll remember that.” I bowed my head slightly and walked past them.

Behind me, Sakuma and the other boys still in the line were left speechless.

A few seconds later, when it was his turn next, I heard the idiot exclaiming to Sawano. “Sir, you permitted him to try? That guy will definitely succeed!”

However, he was met by the guy’s laughter saying that it was impossible.

I don’t like the feeling of being underestimated but in this case, I can’t help but laugh at the situation. Have I not shown enough to gain their approval yet? Possibly.

In any case, it’s not my fault that they’re that gullible. They're making things easy for me, after all.