1843 Accompanying Sara

Faced with those questions, the first thing I did was to put on a smile and wait for her to calm down with her barrage of questions.

I put a hand in front of her and said, “Are you that interested, Sara-san? Have you not heard anything from the girls? I think I have quite a reputation in our school.”

“I did hear about it. They said you’re the most popular boy. But Onoda-kun, that doesn’t answer everything. Miwa-san and the kid with you... Are they actually your m-mother and brother?”

This woman. She’s not holding back with her curiosity, huh?

“I’m sorry. I cannot answer that. It’s confidential.”

“Eh? But that will just make me think that it’s true.”

“Well, it’s up to your interpretation Sara-san. Still, I will say one thing though. I love that mother and son a lot.”

As though she was hit by a stone coming down from a waterfall, Sara wobbled on her steps. She was hit by a great deal of confusion. She’s trying to make sense of it. However, she also couldn’t bring herself to make assumptions.

And seeing how she was about to fall over, I closed in and supported her until she recovered.

Upon realizing that, the woman immediately became flustered before she started apologizing to me again. Of course, I stopped that before telling her that we should start walking to her destination. We’ve been stalled for too long. Someone could show up and find us talking here.

Sara timidly nodded again and followed my words. Although she was supposed to take the lead to guide me to their cabin area, she somehow became stuck at occasionally glancing at me. Most likely, she’s still waiting for me to answer the questions she presented.

Her curiosity was getting in her way.

Unfortunately for her, I decided to keep it vague for now. I was also curious why she was still with her boyfriend. However, there’s no way I would bring that up myself. That would make her feel like I wasn’t interested in her in any way.

Truthfully, there’s only curiosity so it still fits. If she’s going to talk about it then I’ll listen to her.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the open area where we gathered, cooked, and ate our breakfast.

This should be like the crossroad for those who are going to the cabin areas on this side of the hill. Then, there’s another path that should lead towards the peak which we climbed back during our scouting trip.

Anyway, with neither of us talking, it became a rather awkward stroll that felt a little suffocating. Nevertheless, I kept up with my act which slowly frustrated the woman walking beside me.

“Onoda-kun, I was only curious. I hope you didn’t feel offended by it.”

As we took a turn to another path which would probably lead us to another cabin area, Sara opened her mouth again. That’s probably all she could muster after thinking for a while. Since I showed her that I wasn’t willing to talk about myself openly, she realized that she could only take a step back from it.

“It’s fine. I understand why you’re curious. But Sara-san, that’s too personal, right? I believe you also won’t like it if I ask you those questions.”

“... Yes. I apologize.”

“That’s enough. Let’s leave that topic behind. You don’t need to apologize too. Even though I said I was going to accompany you, it seems that I made the situation awkward for us. Should I just wander somewhere else?”

Since I already know the general direction of where I might find Shio, Eguchi-sensei, and Juri, there’s no point in me staying with Sara anymore.

Things might even get more complicated if her boyfriend suddenly showed up. It will be a lot better for me if he continues to not connect me with the guy who carried his girlfriend. That way, he won’t be able to mess with me during our next Tasks. He looked like a petty guy who would take offense over it, after all.

“Eh? No. I’ll feel bad if you leave. I’ve been too nosy. I should be the one reflecting on how I acted.”

Perhaps as a reflex to what I said, Sara grabbed onto my arm, preventing me from even taking a step away from her.

Upon realizing what she did, she got flustered once again before saying, “I mean, let’s clear things up. You’re in your free time, am I right? You have nowhere to go so why don’t I show you to our cabin?”

This. What kind of suggestion is that? This is probably her attempt to change the topic and clear the air. But really, she couldn’t think of anything else, huh?

“Alright. If Sara-san insists on it then I’ll be the one feeling bad for turning you down... Anyway, will it be fine? I’m a student while you’re one of the camp managers. Won’t the teachers question us?”

“Oh. You’re right... Uh... I’ll think about it. I’m going back to the cabin to rest while the girls are doing their Third Tasks. Someone replaced me in guarding the entrance. I’ll make an excuse for you to be here.”

She’s going to rest? Then by bringing me to their cabin, is she going to have me stay with her? Wait. No. She possibly just brought that up since she couldn’t think of any other reason to make me stay. And since she’s repenting for being too nosy, she couldn’t take it back anymore.

“Sara-san, won’t this trouble you? You know I can leave after I escorted you to your cabin.”

“... I insist, Onoda-kun.”

With a slight pause, the woman reaffirmed herself before a stubborn expression showed on her face.

Yep. At this point, she’s now forcing this.

She realized that she truly could get in trouble but she’s doing this to make it up to me. How is she this dedicated and remains with her boyfriend?

Ugh... Anyways... I could probably slinked away without any repercussions even if the teachers called me out for being there. And isn’t this my opportunity? I can probe for information from this woman.

“You reminded me of the girls around me, Sara-san. You’re quite stubborn.”

Maybe I misspoke but hearing that from me seemingly energized her, “Girls? So, you’re that close to them. I’m still curious, Onoda-kun but I won’t force you to answer anymore.”

“That’s a slip of my tongue. My bad.”

“Pfft. No problem. I think it’s quite normal if it’s you.”

“You think?”

“Yeah. You’re a natural charmer. I remembered when I first saw you, Shiina and I gasped at your dashing appearance.”

“Come on, Sara-san, you’re teasing me, aren’t you? But I appreciate the compliment.”

Shaking her head at my response, Sara willfully laughed. Somehow, her mood easily swung in that direction. The somewhat timid and low-spirited aura around her was instantly dispersed.

“Truly, you’re kind of extraordinary.”

“Stop. I can only thank you for one compliment. Another more and I don’t know what to say anymore.”

“Hmm? You should just silently accept it then, Onoda-kun. That’s the way.”

“Is it? Then is it also fine to throw compliments back to you?”

“No? I don’t think so. You don’t have anything to compliment me for.”

“But I do. You’re pretty, Sara-san. I think some of the boys are checking you out.”

“Pfft. Those immature brats aren’t worth it. But do you think so, as well?”

Immature brats? So that’s how she sees them. And I’m different? This woman... she knew how to handle her priorities.

“Of course. Otherwise, I won’t bring it up.” I shrugged and repeated it to her, this time, I closed in and whispered into her ear. “You’re pretty, Sara-san.”

Almost instantly, Sara’s whole body visibly shuddered. Her laughter stopped and her flustered expression deepened. Before long, the notorious streak of red started decorating her face.

“That’s a foul move, Onoda-kun. You shouldn’t suddenly whisper close to a girl’s ear!” She adorably stomped her feet and sprinted ahead of me.

However, a few steps later, she stopped and glanced behind as though waiting for me to catch up, “L-let’s stop with the compliments. Hurry up, Onoda-kun.”

She’s quick to raise a white flag. In any case, it was fun while it lasted.