1853 No other choice but to hide

A few seconds later, a panicking Kushii peeked her head inside the tent, perhaps to inform us of what was happening.

However, upon witnessing us in our current position where it wouldn’t be at all weird to call us out for being shameless, her words got caught in her throat as she froze there.

She’s really making some adorable reactions lately, huh? But then again, I wouldn’t blame her for that. This should be her first time seeing us like this, after all.

Shortly after, another set of footsteps approached the entrance and soon enough, another girl’s head peeked inside the tent, noticing our situation right away.

“I knew it. You really won’t miss a chance. But Onoda-kun… slow down first, okay?”

Obviously, it was Shiina with her lips curved into a knowing smirk.

Unlike Kushii, seeing us like this didn’t put her in the same state. However, that’s probably because she was more concerned about other things. Her face was currently overwhelmed with a sense of urgency.

It wouldn’t be correct to say that she was panicking. It’s more like she’s thinking that it'll definitely be bad for me to be caught here by the newcomers.

Moreover, because she insisted and broke the rule that they set by letting me in and allowing me to mingle with the girls, she’d be in bigger trouble. But that will be if they find me here or someone rats her out.

Given that everyone agreed with her suggestion earlier, even those initially unconvinced, the chances are probably low. However, we cannot be too sure, right?

I nodded at her and moved myself off of Chii, taking the space on her side.

When I faced her again, Shiina’s eyes locked on me as she explained the situation outside, “Ugh… I won’t comment on what you’re trying to do here but this is more urgent. Listen to me, Onoda-kun. Until I return, do not go out of this tent. Close the entrance if you can but it’s possibly better to keep it open first. Some of our professors arrived to check the progress of our activity. They won’t appreciate seeing you here so… in the meantime, you’ll be your girl’s guest.”

“I understand.”

There’s no other choice, right? Actually, there’s one. That is to sneak out of this area by navigating through the woods. In one way or another, it will lead me somewhere out here.

However, the chances of being spotted while I traversed the distance between our location and the edge of the woods would probably be the same if I stayed here.

That’s why staying here is the most optimal solution.

As long as they don’t specifically check each group’s tent thoroughly, I’ll be fine. They can cover me up with anything like piling their bags, futons, pillows, and blankets on top of me, I’ll do my utmost to act like a lifeless object.

Upon getting my agreement, her eyes then landed on Chii as well as on the speechless Kushii who was just about to recover, instructing them on what to do. “You don’t want him to be caught here, right? Act natural. Start bringing your things inside and let him sit in one corner. Once you’re done, you can join him inside and wait until they leave.”

Without waiting for our response, Shiina retracted her head and walked away from the tent.

Before long, Shiina’s voice welcoming their professors reached my ears.

This was incredibly risky but if everyone in the camp cooperated, I will definitely consider that as owing them a favor.

Shortly after, I moved to the side and Chii crawled out of the tent. Dragging Kushii with her, they went to inform Hana and An-rin as well.

A minute quickly passed. I perked my ears to properly hear if someone was approaching while Chii and the girls started bringing in their things from the cabin.

The first one to enter, An-rin crawled to my side and placed her bag down in front of me She then looked at me and teasingly smirked

“Onoda-shi, you’re in a bind, ya?”

“Yeah. Help me out?”

“Seriously, we totally do not have a choice, no? Tell me, Onoda-

shi. Are you totally unlucky? You passed the first three groups without any problems. But once you began approaching those close to you, someone immediately arrived to disrupt your fun.”

My fun, huh? Is that how she sees my objective for coming here?

“Maybe both? I’m lucky to be here, no?”

“Aiyaa~ you’re totally correct.” An-rin then tapped my leg as though passing encouragement to me before she crawled back out of the tent.

Following her, Kushii crawled in and paused for a moment to look at me. Without daring to prolong our eye contact, she also moved to my side, picking up An-rin’s bag and placing it to the side along with hers.

As her eyes landed back on me, she muttered in slight annoyance, “Shameless guy, don’t hog all the space. We have more to bring in.”

“Sorry.” I swiftly replied which put her in a stump. Kushii then clicked her tongue as she began turning her body to leave.

However, she accidentally got her toe tangled at her bag’s handle causing her to drag it with her and also slip forward. I had no idea if she was being careless or not but my body quickly reacted to prevent her from being hurt.

I stretched my leg out to have her upper body land on my thigh. Then I slowed her down by holding her arm before removing the tangled bag on her foot.

Almost instantly, I could feel the softness of her chest being squeezed against my leg. Her hand desperately tried to grasp onto something but to no avail.

There’s nothing to grab onto except me.

Due to that, her right hand dangerously landed near my groin as she tightened her grip on it to support herself. That was close…

Upon realizing her situation, she closed her eyes as she doggedly attempted to prevent her face from being flustered.

“Are you alright? Kunieda-san?” I asked as I successfully halted her descent by extending my arm beneath her, my fingers lodged on her soft skin near her waist. The way she lifted her arms in an attempt to grab onto something pulled her shirt up, opening that small window on her navel.

She failed to reply right away but with her body partly pressed against me, I could sense how her heart started beating quickly from tension. Her body heat also jumped a little and beads of sweat started to form from her forehead.

“… I-I’m fine… You caught me. T-thank you.” Perhaps deliberating whether to look at me or not, her head moved erratically.

Seeing that from my perspective, a chuckle involuntarily escaped my mouth, “Kunieda-san, you don’t seem to be fine to me.”

“Shut up… Help me get up before they see me this close to you.”

“Why? Are you worried?”

“Of course, I am. You’re Chii… No. I shouldn’t even be this conscious of you.”

“You’re right, you shouldn’t. But you are. It’s too obvious. It’s my fault, right?”

“If you know, don’t say anything anymore. Ugh.” As she spat that response as though she was trying to run away, her face scrunched up to a pained expression.

I quickly looked at her foot and sure enough, that accident also twisted her ankle. However, it wasn’t dislocated or anything, she just twisted it a bit, causing a swift rush of pain to her senses.

“And here I thought Chii is the queen of clumsiness. Kunieda-

san, you’re out of commission, stay here instead.”

“W-what? No.”

“I insist, I’m sure Chii will also say the same. Right?”

As I said that, I gestured with my head and turned my eyes to the girl watching at the entrance.

“Huh? Wait…” Kushii mouthed in panic but Chii’s giggling drowned that out.

“I see. That’s what happened. I thought Kushii was finally taking matters into her hands but it’s an accident, huh?” With a teasing smile blooming on her lips, Chii shook her head.

The girl then dropped her bag and pushed it inside the tent as she crawled forward to reach our side. Not long after, Hana as well as An-rin who already made a return trip from their cabin also showed up, staring in wonder at what was happening.

With Kushii’s ability to move impeded by her hurting ankle, I bent forward to prop her up and drag her to my side. Although she tried protesting at first, she succumbed to her fate soon afterward upon noticing that I wasn’t being rough with her.

I had her lean on my left shoulder to support her back while allowing her feet to stretch forward. Naturally, I stretched my arm to her other side to also prevent her from sliding off. In a way, the scene probably looked like I was holding her close to me.

Chii was mischievously smiling but at the same time pouting. Most likely, she’s a little jealous of Kushii’s position. Hana facepalmed, understanding that this was once again a display of my overwhelming consideration. And lastly, An-rin had her hands pressed together with her fingers slowly clapping.

Not knowing where to hide from the gazes of the three girls, Kushii used her hand to cover her face as she dispiritedly grumbled, “I’m sorry for this embarrassing display.”