Convinced by me, Sachi waited for a while until the path was clear before carefully returning to their camp. The girl kept glancing back at me, confirming that I hadn’t left yet.

I guess she’s still not convinced that I would stay and wait for her. I just have to prove her wrong later, right?

Anyway, she managed to return safely without being caught. She then returned to Rae’s group. I saw her whispering to my girl. Moments later, Rae turned in my direction, her glasses-adorned eyes locking onto my location.

However, given the distance, she couldn’t see me properly. It still brought a smile to her face though. At her side, Sachi was sending me a thumbs up, acting like she did me a service for that.

Well, she really did so but what is she thinking there? Isn’t she worried that I will prioritize my girls? What if Rae beat her in coming here to meet me?

She’s making it difficult for herself.

Anyway, they soon focused their attention back on their activity, it would just be bad if they kept looking at me, after all. Likewise, I hid myself behind the tree just in case.

While waiting for Sachi’s return, I carefully ventured further around this area, silently making a trail that we could use and clearing anything that could hurt us like bugs, pointed stones, or branches sticking out.

Still, I didn’t manage to go further since there was not that much time to spare. I returned to the same tree and continued waiting.

Listening to the sound of activity from their camp, I could somehow make out both liveliness and boredom from the girls.

They’re enjoying this but given that it’s pretty much standard camping activities, they’re also getting bored by it. That’s probably why Shiina didn’t hesitate to bring me in earlier to spice things up for them. Unfortunately, the effect of it has already worn off.

Eventually, Sara announced the end of the activity. That alleviated their boredom a bit, boosting their lively mood.

When they returned to their tents, some girls started preparing to leave to spend their free time outside. Like us, they’re also going to line up at the entrance to get permission to leave.

In any case, my attention focused more on my girls. I already memorized the location of their tents, after all. Just that, it’s pretty hard to locate all of them given the distance and the other obstructions.

A while later, I saw Aya with Wakaba and Kashiwagi. Satsuki, Misumi, and Shimura also tagged along with them. Then, Hana, Chii, and the two gyarus also left their tent with the intention of wandering outside. I couldn’t hear their conversation from afar, of course.

Thinking about it, this is better for them. Go out and walk around to experience more of this hill than cage themselves in this place.

I failed to sneak in, after all. And even if I did succeed, it’s simply impossible for me to stay with all of them at the same time. They should enjoy what this place has to offer with or without me. And in fact, we could use that as a topic of conversation. I can’t wait to hear Aya’s exciting tales or Chii’s clumsy antics.

Anyway, the other girls unrelated to me are mostly going to do the same or if not that, they’re also going to hope for an encounter with some of the other popular boys.

Of course, their attention and interest aren’t exclusive to me. Those higher in the popularity ranking are also getting a lot of attention from the girls.

It’s just natural to be attracted to or interested in an attractive person. It’s a universal fact.

I’m not a deluded idiot who’ll find it hateful that I’m not the only guy they’re interested in. That’s something only Ogawa could pull, no? Besides, I don’t even like to be put on everyone’s radar. Someone should really step up and pull that away from me.

But well, it’s probably impossible by now.

As the girls started lining up, I saw that the two female supervisors really stayed there. One is a teacher from our school and the other is a professor. Most likely, they didn’t want to walk back to their cabins only to return here for the next activity.

With the sun about to set in around two hours, only one activity is left before that long break. The one where it’ll be their turn to prepare dinner for all of us. and maybe a campfire gathering.

They’re saving themselves from the hassle which in turn limited my chances to sneak in through the entrance with the help of either Shiina or Sara.

Five minutes later, Shiina finally returned. She kept looking to her left and right, perhaps trying to find if I was around.

Sara spotted her right away and ran to her.

Since they’re closer to me than my girls, I managed to read the woman’s lips as she seemingly replied to Shiina’s questions.

“Onoda-kun? No. I haven’t seen him around. Why?”

“What? You’re going to sneak him in? Are you crazy? How is that possible?”

“That happened earlier... I should’ve known...”

Unsurprisingly, their topic was truly related to me. Shiina was looking for me and then Sara was just reacting to her friend’s plans. And from that sullen reaction at the end, Sara had just been informed by Shiina about what happened earlier.

Following that, Sara also started looking around the place, searching for my figure.

At this point, I could’ve shown myself to them but the problem still exists. They won’t be able to sneak me in if there are supervisors around.

Thankfully it was at this point that my ears picked up the unhurried footsteps coming in my direction. Even without glancing behind me, it should only be the girl whom I made a promise with.

If it was Rae, her footsteps wouldn’t be that heavy.

Before long I felt a tap on my shoulder before the girl sat down next to me.

“You’re still here.” Sachi started.

I glanced at her side frame and saw how she was about to gush out how happy she was to see me.

Using her hand, she wiped the sweat off her forehead.

Upon seeing that, I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped the hand she used before swiping it on her forehead once again, cleaning It all at once.

The girl’s lips crooked to an embarrassed smile before using her fringe to cover that part.

Look at her, isn’t she acting more girly right now? No. She’s a girl... I guess I just really haven’t paid that much attention to her that I’m finding even that small detail as something new.

“I promised. Of course, I will be here.”

Sachi covered her face again, perhaps finding it more ashamed that her question sounded like she was doubting me.

I placed my hand on top of her head and patted it before saying, “I’m a fool, you know? Have you seen them? Some of my girls are lined up among those who want to spend their free time outside. I could’ve waited out there and we’d be able to spend time together but I chose to try and sneak in.”

“Still, I don’t regret it. They also deserved to enjoy their time here. Likewise, since I promised to hang out with you, I won’t simply break that without proper reason.” I continued before letting my hand slide to the back of her head, combing her hair.

At this point, Sachi raised her head to look up at me, perhaps wondering if I was being truthful with my words.

“You really have a way with your words but Onoda-kun. You’ll be criticized if you say these lines to someone else. Who in their right mind will prioritize another girl over their girlfriend?”

“I guess I’m a crazy one. But that’s just how it is. It’s not like I won’t be able to spend time with them after this. Watch me. I’ll be sneaking into their tent later.”

“How bold. Make sure not to get caught. We’ll be saddened.”

“Worried for me?”

“Of course! Anyway... thank you, Onoda-kun. I really thought you wouldn’t be here. But Fujii-san assured me earlier that since you promised, you’re going to fulfill it.”

I see. So that’s why Rae didn’t come. She already understood what was happening and she was giving this girl her own chance to spend time with me.

“That’s Rae, alright. Anyway, what will we do then? Shall we change location? Look, I made a trail we can follow.”

Upon saying that, I pointed in front of us which would lead us further to where I wandered earlier. It’s not that far, of course. It’s just going to bring us somewhere we can truly be alone. Unless someone else accidentally wandered to it.