Stealing Spree

With the right number of trees scattered, keeping the environment really pleasant to stay in while also admiring the view of the nearby mountain, this place lived up to Setsuna-nee’s expectations. And since Juri and I could compare it with the other two locations, it definitely proved itself to be the best location for a camping trip for at least a hundred students.

Their college department might be calling it a camping trip but according to Juri and Setsuna-nee, rather than send the students to the wilderness and sleep outside under a tent, they were looking for something like a summer camp but smaller in scale. Mostly just for giving themselves and the students the experience of living outside their own comfort.

A large location like this Akimitsu Hills where they could rent out an area for that was the most ideal one.

While we probably couldn’t do much like fishing on a river or picking up mushrooms and other edible plants beneath the bushes of plants and trees, they could arrange for activities that would be perfect for a small group of students, a chance to get the whole class in the same page, or having everyone interact without the worry of academics or other such mundane problems.

But then again, it would still be the decision of whoever’s in charge to make it happen. The three of us were just here to scout and see if it would be ideal.

Anyway, when we arrived at the location of the cottage, Juri and Setsuna-nee, whose feet were probably tired from the last set of steep steps to reach this area, immediately zoomed in at what looked like a long couch placed near the back window of the cottage, overlooking the mountain nearby.

I did mention that this was near that mountain Miwa-nee and I climbed recently. But with this being a hill, you still have to raise your head to try and catch a glimpse of the peak. And because of the rain and the remaining thick clouds barring the blue sky, it’s impossible to see it. Nonetheless, the view was still a sight to behold.

The two women even exhaled in amazement when their eyes got drawn to it.

For sure, if someone was here to just relax while enjoying nature, they could really get the value for their money even if they stayed in their cottage the whole time.

Obviously, there’s a lot more to do here than just admire that. And with four hours on our hands, stopping by this cottage was just for them to catch their breath.

“Ruki, come here and join us.”

While I was trying to take in the interior of the cottage which was pretty much just a polished log cabin with a proper restroom, a small kitchen, and running water, Juri called out to me.

“Well, is it fine? Look at Setsuna-nee, there’s a possibility that she’ll bite if I even get close to her.”

I pointed at her best friend who also turned her eyes on me. Although I eventually apologized earlier with my shameless response, she didn’t appear to acknowledge it and simply became silent.

Either she’s not convinced with my apology or she’s just like that when it comes to me. The only time we were agreeable to each other was probably whenever it concerned Satsuki. Outside of that, she’s been mostly grumpy or someone who kept on using her ‘older sister’ card to bend me to her will – which ended up not being amusing for her most of the time.

Because even if I would eventually cater to her whims, I always annoyed her first with my shamelessness or just answering back at her. Whether it was through messages or calls.

Our conversation this morning was probably the most civilized I’ve seen of her.

“What do you think I am, a rabid dog? No one’s forcing you to sit here with us. You can say no.” Although that didn’t sound as aggressive as before, Setsuna-nee still tried to keep her held high.

In a way, I could interpret that as the woman refusing to appear like she’s laying off with antagonizing me. Since she’s older than me, she probably wanted to continue acting like one. It’s not working on me though.

The only reason I continue to call her with honorifics and put up with her annoying antics was because she’s Satsuki’s sister. If she didn’t have that identity, I’d probably ignore her and solely focus on Juri.

“Are you still grumpy for earlier? Should I apologize again?” I asked as I dropped my bag next to theirs and started closing our distance.

While Setsuna-nee averted her gaze as though she didn’t want to answer my question, Juri kept her eyes on me.

It’s hidden from Setsuna-nee but I could easily notice how her lips were drawn into a beautiful arc. For sure, she’s pleased to have another reason for me to be in a situation where there’s no distance between us. If not for her best friend being with us, we’d probably be in the same situation as earlier; acting like a couple.

“Apologize, you say? Have you ever seen someone apologizing while looking amused? No, right? Because that’s you… I don’t need another apology, just stop acting so shameless. Satsu-chan only has positive words about you but I’ve never seen one of those traits she has been praising.”

Alright… I’m guilty of that. My apology was truly half-hearted. But that second part… Satsuki was probably trying to convince her as well.

“Setsu. Aren’t you being harsh on him? He’s been mostly respectful to us… Uh, although that last one was really inappropriate, I’m certain he's just trying to lighten up the mood.”

“You… You’re really defending him, huh? He can lighten our mood without acting shameless, Juri.”

Juri interjected to perhaps, defend me from Setsuna-nee’s prejudice but that only resulted in the woman looking at her as if she didn’t expect her to do that. It’s becoming obvious that she’s also biased in favor of me.

At this point, I finally reached their position, and looking at how they were taking the corner, leaving a space in between them, I first glanced at the two before sitting down.

While Juri almost immediately leaned closer to me, Setsuna-nee fidgeted and tried to push me by nudging my shoulder. Of course, that’s unsuccessful, resulting in another grumpy look from her.

In any case, I paid no attention to that. Instead, I put myself back in the conversation.

I inhaled and put my mind on crafting the best words to use before delivering it while packaged with sincerity.

“Setsuna-nee… I don’t know if you’re going to believe me but I’m acting this way because I don’t want to put a false pretense in front of you. You’re Satsuki’s older sister and someone very important to her. Won’t it be better if I stay true to myself rather than act according to your ideal image? We’ll disagree at times but even if I’m like this, I respect you a lot.”

A lot might be pushing it. In truth, I could probably only say that whenever she’s not being annoying – and that’s rare.

Since Juri also heard that, I could feel her hand squeezing my arm as though she was showing her support to me through it. On the other hand, Setsuna-nee stared at me for a while without any change in expression. Most likely, trying to process how she would react to what I said.

Eventually, she lowered her head and answered in a murmur, “Suit yourself… I know I’m being a jerk to you and I… I don’t like it one bit since Satsuki looks like she really loves you just that… I can do nothing with my trust issue.”

She paused there to raise her head and look at me. But not even five seconds later, she averted her gaze again as though she couldn’t stand it.

Well, she’s probably not repulsed but trying to avoid acting really grumpy again.

A few seconds of silence later, she opened up her mouth again, steering our conversation away from it.

“Alright. Let’s drop that, okay? You two can continue to scout this place together after we finish resting here.”

Upon hearing that, Juri couldn’t help but react to it, “Huh? What about you? I thought you were joining us.”

Setsuna-nee shook her head, “I changed my mind. I can seriously ruin the mood with my grumpiness, right? It’s better that way, I will have the chance to enjoy going around by myself.”

This woman… Did I flip a switch somewhere? I can’t recognize her like this.