Setting Yuika-senpai aside, who probably wouldn’t warm up to me at all, Haruko, Himeko and Mina expressed their reluctance to let me go as they seemingly played a tug-of-war with Juri while I played the role of the rope.

It was quite a scene that at the end of it, all four girls let out a peal of hearty laughter, deciding to call it quits after asking for another kiss and hug from me. Maybe if we had a bit more time to spare, I’d be pulled by the three girls behind the woods to do more than just a kiss.

Their desire to feel a more intimate connection with me was close to overflowing. Likewise, given that I spent the whole day away from school yesterday, I miss them just as they miss me.

Even if it’s close to impossible to accomplish in this camp, I’ll keep trying to find ways to spend more private time with them. I know they’re also of the same mind so I guess that will be a race between us.

Before separating from them, I once again tried conversing with Yuika-senpai. Not because I wanted to start wooing her but simply because I feel bad for putting her on the sidelines. Even if she was here of her own volition, my presence alone put her in an awkward position.

Am I being too considerate again? Perhaps. I can’t help it though... She’s not a stranger to me anymore. As much as possible I still wanted to accomplish my goal of helping her out with her problem even if she just straight-up disdains interacting with the opposite gender.

Like earlier, all I got as a response from her was one line, “You don’t have to try this hard for me.”

Whatever she meant by that, I could see that as a small progress as well as a glimpse of what’s in her head.

Anyway, Haruko’s group went in the direction of the open area. They’re probably going to wait for the dinner there or they’re also going to take a walk while there’s still time.

On the other hand, Juri led me further into this path. This path was actually not one that could lead us to one of the cabin areas, it was just a simple fork that was probably leading to some other place on this hill. Seeing that there’s little to no foot traffic here... I could only think of one thing. It’s an unpopular spot like that small shrine that didn’t have any signs of being worshiped recently.

“Ruki, I heard the place at the end of this path is considered a haunted spot. The hill management used to prohibit going there because of the reported sightings.” Seemingly being able to read my mind again, Juri answered the question that was just about to pop up in my head.

How is she doing that? Am I really that easy to read for her? Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

Anyway... what she said got my interest.

A haunted spot.

Then why are my girls waiting here? Are they that brave to ignore that hearsay?

Well, I’m not one to believe in the occult. However, facing the unknown is also a bit of a terrifying thought.

“I see... Are Shizu and the other two aware of that tidbit?”

Seeing that I’ve taken an interest in her trivia, Juri became more energized.

“Yes, they should be aware! I’m the one who told Shizu-chan about this place. Also, Haruko-chan is scared of this. That’s why she chose that shrine area – She thought evil spirits would be afraid of trespassing into the place where a deity resides.”

Well, that’s Haruko, alright. She’s not afraid of people but those imaginative beings could make her tremble in fright. She even banned the discussion of Seven Mysteries in our middle school during her term as the Student Council President.

As for the excuse she used, she forged fake evidence and used it to prove they were not real.

Yeah... she deceived the whole school body just because she was afraid to tackle whatever mysteries there were.

I only caught that side of her when she turned off the horror movie that we were supposed to watch at the first jump scare. She’s trembling in fear that I had to switch the movie to a comedy one.

Ah... That takes me back...

For sure, she didn’t tell the other girls about this path that could lead to a ‘haunted spot’. She brought them to that shrine area with her with the premise of meeting up with me.

In any case, she’s not really keeping that she’s a scaredy cat a secret when it comes to ghosts and the like. Just that she’d rather not talk about it openly.

Maybe that’s why Juri also noticed it.

“Mhm. Haruko’s not good at that. She’d rather watch a slasher movie than a horror one. What about you, Juri? You’re not scared of ghosts?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen one yet. Maybe I will be if I encounter a ghost here. You’ll save me, right?”

“What if I also get scared?”

“Then we’ll run away together?”

Juri’s eyes shone in delight. Most likely, she’s expecting me to say that I’ll protect her from ghosts. I did give Minoru that kind of advice but well, can I punch and knock out something incorporeal? If not then... I’d rather not deal with them.

“Hmm. Or we’ll hide behind Shizu and the other two. They’re not afraid given that they’ve been waiting there for so long.”

“Pfft. I didn’t know I could hear those words from you, Ruki. I understand. You’re not invincible and surely, you never claimed to be one. How should I word this... I’m loving the fact that you’re not as perfect as everyone thought you’d be.”

Who’s everyone, I wonder? But then again, it’s not wrong to think about that. I mean, it’s not uncommon for people to assume something about someone.

“Mhm. No one is perfect. I know I have a lot of flaws and I will never seek perfection from any of you too. But then again, in my eyes, you’re all perfect no matter the flaws you possess.”

“There goes your glib tongue. I’ll take a bite of that later.” Although she said that, Juri visibly reddened as she immediately changed her position. From simply hugging my arm, she eventually hugged me from the inside and started acting like Himeko who didn’t want to let go of me.

And this continued until we reached the end of the path.

What welcomed us was like an abandoned manor. There were weeds all around and the atmosphere was truly a bit spooky despite the lampposts illuminating the place.

I looked around the place to find where Shizu and the others should be.

But they’re nowhere in sight

At this point, Juri sensed my sudden silence and lifted her head.

And then, she pointed in front of us. Or rather, at the door of the manor.

From there, sounds of footsteps could be heard before the seemingly old and creaky door rattled.

If I were someone who’s going ghost hunting, I’d surely mistake that rattling as a ghost activity...

No... it’s not.

Because a few seconds later, the door opened and the light coming from the flashlight one of the girls was holding shone at us.

“Ah! Ruki! Why are you standing that far away? Are you afraid?”

Even though it’s hard to see her face due to the flashlight, I could already imagine the owner of that voice with a playful grin. Arisa was having fun exploring that manor.

“Tsk. He’s here with another girl. Why did I think he won’t be?”

There’s another familiar voice. Just from her disappointed voice, I bet she’s frowning. Typical Izumi.

“Arisa, turn off the light. They can’t see us...”

And lastly, the one who brought them here informed the playful girl at the front. I was quite worried that she’d be hurting from all of the activities but it seems like she took it in stride even though she should still feel a little sore down there...

Anyway, I’ll use this chance to check on all three of them... Like with the girls from earlier... I could already feel the excitement and the sense of longing being relieved as I made my way to them with Juri at my side.