1848 Fourth Task

Time passed. Fukuda didn’t return to our cabin until it was only a few minutes before the start of the next activity. With what Hino said, he was probably afraid to be hit by reality again. Or maybe, my threat was already working. He’d become more cooperative now like Ogawa. However, that still didn’t solve his hangup with Chii. He possibly already tied it to his personality like Ogawa. Rather than accept that he lost, he’d obsess over her until it became uncontrollable.

Better give him a reality pill that would convince him to give up. I could give him the same treatment as that silent guy but it’d be a hassle to keep raising my fist against minor inconveniences. My time would be better spent on more important things like solidifying our future one step at a time.

I’ve thought it through and even though I’ve just stepped into the doorstep of Mizuki’s world, the connection I made with Hassen and Kyoka would be beneficial to us. Even if that guy was an upstart who needed help with something as small as a brainstorming plan for his baby business, with his background, he could still be successful.

Anyway, there’s a lot to do before I can truly set my feet into that world, unlike Mizuki who was born in it. And since we’re going to do it together, I just have to continue studying with her in the meantime.

“Onoda, it’s time. Let’s go!”

With the camp managers calling us outside, Hino excitedly rose to his feet as he took the lead in leaving.

I followed behind him and took a glance behind.

Ogawa was quietly following us without so much as a grumble. He meditated on his side while waiting. He probably found his inner peace.

And obviously, Fukuda was not at all amused. He had his hands in his pocket, trying to look intimidating.

It’s still useless though. In any case, there’s no reason for me to point that out to him. If he wanted to keep acting like that then so be it. I can’t waste my time talking to him when I know that it won’t really do much other than slapping his face with the truth.

Upon gathering in the open area in front of our cabins, Sawano once again became the speaker for the other camp managers. In a way, the others were just here to help him manage us.

Starting his speech by repeating the result of earlier activity where Kobayashi’s group would be exempted and their share of work would be done by the one who ranked last, Sawano then turned to his colleagues who carried large bags and set them on the ground.

“Your next task is this. These bags contained the materials for setting up a tent. You’re on a camping trip, not a vacation. So, even if we gave you cabins to sleep in, that’s not where you’re going to spend most of your time.

“The size of these tents can fit all four of you inside but depending on how well you set it up, you can either have a sufficient or a cramped place to stay in.”

“Each group will take two bags. One will be set up here and the other, you will have to carry it at all times. You might have to set that up somewhere other than here. For example, near the stream, inside the woods, or in the open area where you gathered earlier. You’ve memorized the schedule, right? You can guess where you’re going to use that.”

Sawano further explained this next task. Looks like we were only given one chance to stay in the cozy cabin with all the free time set up for us. From now on, we’re going to stay outside and only return to it during the completion of the day’s tasks or activities.

Well, it’s not bad at all. I can just go and look for Shio or Eguchi-

sensei and crash in their cabins when there’s a chance, right? Or maybe Juri and Sara too. I feel like I can get away with it as long as no one catches me exploiting my connection to them.

With his explanation ending, every group sent their representatives to get the tent bags. Hino and Ogawa stepped up for us, lining up among the others.

And due to that, Fukuda and I were left behind. I wasn’t expecting anything to happen so I just let my eyes wander.

On our left and right, I found Tadano, Sakuma, and Miyoshi. Then further to Tadano’s side was Shirai.

Likewise, their eyes seemed to wander in our direction.

Sakuma immediately sauntered closer as though he finally found someone to talk to. Shirai also did the same while the other two remained in their places.

“Onoda, how is it in your group? Are you getting along with them?”

I thought he was going to ask me about Setsuna-nee again but I guess his head was in the right place this time.

“Look at him. Tell me what you see.” I pointed at Fukuda who was scowling.

“Yeah. That says a lot.” Sakuma said, giving up on the topic.

“What happened? You disagree with each other?” Shirai interjected. He’s definitely intrigued as to why we’re not getting along. Since he’s someone from another class, he had no idea what was exactly happening.

“Something like that. But it’s fine. You can’t get along with everyone, right?”

“True. I also have some classmates I disagree with.”

“Like Umeda?”

I don’t know why that girl’s name popped up in my head. I guess I’m curious. She tried to be mischievous around me earlier, I’d get back at her when I found a chance.

Shirai hurriedly denied it though.

“Oh. No. She’s good. I told you. You can get used to her if she bugs you every day. She’s just that mischievous. And I must say, you got her good earlier. I’ve never seen her that flustered before. I should learn from you.”

“What? You never tried that out yourself? And here I thought you already had your whole class under your palm.”

“Come on. With you sitting at the top of popularity, how can I become one? Even Itou-san has been smitten by you. On top of that, Minamoto-san is also attached to you. No one dared to approach those two.”

This... So, it’s my fault, huh? Maybe it is. But it’s more likely that they’re not just as shameless as me when it comes to approaching girls. I got close to Misaki because of that PE activity. On the other hand, Maaya simply got too curious about me.

In any case, even if I told them how I did it, I doubt they could reproduce the same result. And with Shirai acting like this, I guess there are still guys who won’t live with envy. I mean, even though he put himself down like that, he can still have a pick on the girls interested in him.

Listening to our conversation at the side, Sakuma once again stepped up. He looked at Shirai and sized up the new guy. Then as though someone who was an expert about me, he said, “Nothing is impossible to this guy, Shirai.”

“Yeah. It seems to be the case.” Shirai chuckled.

Should I play along with them? I don’t have any energy. But if I wanted to kill time then there’s no other alternative.

“You two are overpraising me. I’m simply a shameless guy who doesn’t care about the hate I’m receiving.”

“Onoda, you’re not seeing it properly. If it’s as you say it’s just because you’re shameless, no one will be branded as a creep. You’re just too good at dealing with girls. We should really take a page out of your book.”

“Will Setsuna-nee appreciate me if I’m shameless? It’s probably not going to work.”

Shirai’s words made sense. However, I couldn’t be bothered to comment on that anymore. My mindset was totally different from theirs, after all. And considering their reputation, they couldn’t simply change their act.

I ignored Sakuma’s grumbling. This conversation wouldn’t go anywhere if we continued anyway so I just put on a meaningful smirk.

Soon enough, our groupmates returned with the bags and everyone started setting up the tents. There’s no reward to whoever’s going to finish first here but since there’s nothing left to do after finishing, we’ll be allowed to freely spend our time however we see fit again.

At least, until lunchtime when we’re probably going to cook for ourselves again. I was hopeful this time since they would probably pick other representatives for it.