Stealing Spree

1830 Arriving at the Camp Site

Around half an hour later, the bus arrived at the vicinity of the Akimitsu Hills. With the vehicle needing to climb a short steep section of the road, we experienced a tilt that one would feel when the roller coaster ride was about to reach its highest point.

Everyone looked outside their windows, finding the breathtaking scenery of the mountain peaks not far from where we were and the urban city that spread out below.

Kanzaki and I also did the same, of course. But she remained cuddled at my side, enjoying the rest of our time together.

As the bus gradually slowed down before the entrance of the camping venue, Kanzaki stood up to help Shio out by reminding us of the guidelines once again.

Mhm. She’s now more enthusiastic to do her job as our Class President. And those paying attention noticed a small or maybe significant change about her.

The usually strict and diligent Class President who would not hesitate to criticize or scold someone if they didn’t do their assigned task had a bright expression. Her mood was so pleasant flowers could probably bloom around her. Moreover, with the lack of stiffness in her voice, the explanation flowed more naturally. Shio let her handle the reminders by then while our lovely teacher sat down and only provided additional information that Kanzaki missed.

Still, she maintained a straight and serious expression. Her smile remained reserved. And having seen her smile a lot while we were next to each other, I naturally felt how lucky I am.

“Alright, class. Do not rush. Climb down and go out one by one. Follow the Class President and line up according to your student number.”

Soon enough, the bus stopped at the parking lot. Following Shio’s instructions, those at the front followed Kanzaki as soon as the door opened.

I’d be carrying her bag so she didn’t have to worry about it.

And while I was at it, I also carried Aya’s bag and followed after her, barring Sakuma and Tadano’s way.

Ah. I also cut through Satsuki which earned me a bite on the back of my neck as she put herself behind me.

Aya giggled at the sight. She then scolded me for ignoring the established order to help her out.

In my defense, I couldn’t help it. When I saw her having trouble lifting her bag, it triggered my protective instinct for her.

Truthfully, it wasn’t really heavy for her. She already carried it up earlier, after all. It simply got stuck under her seat. Hence the trouble.

But since I’d already stood up and helped out, I just pushed through it.

Understanding what happened, Satsuki chanted ‘idiot’ a few times behind me. And before we got out, she slipped in a hug even with the obstruction of the bags slung around my shoulder.

Isn’t she adorable?

Anyway, once we climbed off the bus, I handed Aya her bag and watched the two of them walk toward their designated spots.

I waited for a bit for Chii and Hana before walking alongside them. With Kanzaki’s bag as my excuse, I managed to cut into the girls’ line to hand it to her.

Thanks to that, I got the opportunity to check on my other girls Nami, Hina and Saki.

I got called out by Shio and dragged to where I should be standing with the boys.

Yep. That also became a chance for me to have a little moment with her.

Ten minutes later, with Eguchi and Orimura-sensei staring down at us like hawks to their prey to maintain order, all the students from Year 1 and 2 finished lining up according to our class and student numbers.

Soon after that, the college students filed out from inside the venue. Most of them surely looked not that much older than us but it’s undeniable that compared to the majority, they all looked mature as though they’d already seen the harshness of society.

Some put on a friendly smile while others maintained a rather indifferent attitude.

Among them, I immediately spotted Setsuna-nee and Juri who both gathered attention because of how they looked. They’re dressed differently than the others as though they’re here for a vacation rather than become one of the camp managers.

Well, they’re technically here on free vacation but since they’re probably going to be handed a task later, they still came to check us out.

Or maybe they just wanted to see us, right? No. That’s already a certainty. It only took a few seconds before Juri searched for my figure and once she located me, her face instantly lit up.

The same as her, Setsuna-nee possibly found her little sister and it immediately improved her grumpy mood.

In any case, unlike the other students they stayed behind just outside the entrance and near a few older figures. They’re most likely the Professors of their department. Maybe one of them was the current Dean who proposed this camping trip to our high school.

Anyway, they immediately started with their speeches about the purpose of this camping trip and how it would help all of us in building connections that would lead to cooperation.

I listened to them intently but I could not help but get distracted when I noticed other familiar faces among the college students.

One of them approached our class and linked up with Shio, introducing herself as one of the two camp managers for Year 1 Class 1.

Who is it?

One of the girls Miwa-nee and I encountered on our hiking trip to the mountain. The friend of the injured girl Shiina.

Of course, if she’s here, her friend Sarah and that girl’s bastard boyfriend are also among the college students tasked to be camp managers.

Sarah is probably assigned to Year 1 Class 4 along with her boyfriend.

I should be careful not to be recognized by them. I mean, I introduced myself as Miwa-nee’s husband. They’re going to be confused why I’m here as a high school student.

“Woah. Is she going to be our camp manager? She’s pretty hot.”

I heard Hino muttering on my left. Surprisingly, our student numbers are next to each other. As for the one on my right, it’s the delusional boy, Ogawa.

Anyway, this guy started talking to me. He probably thought that his attitude earlier erased the number of times I found him an eyesore.

But then again, I was never truly bothered by his nasty expression whenever he was around Fukuda.

With his newfound admiration for me, he’s possibly trying to get into my good books. If he’s like Fukuda who’s acting like a delinquent, he probably heard about me from Uchiyama.

Ah. No. I’m just overthinking this. He’s nothing more than an annoying classmate who likes to flap his mouth.

“Keep your thoughts to yourself, Hino. She’s out of your league.”

Someone else snickered and commented on his ramblings. It was Fukuda who was standing on the other side.

Looks like if the rooms became decided with our student number, I might be grouped with these three.

That’s not so bad, no? Two cucks, together, strong. I should expect the two of them working together to screw me in one way or another.

Then, I should do the honors and initiate a preemptive strike.

“Hmm? What’s that about, Fukuda? Hino isn’t half-bad. If he can put his mind to it, no girl will be unconquerable.”

“Wow really? Thanks, dude!” Hino was overjoyed.

Yeah. In your dreams.

In any case, I couldn’t care less what he’d do about it. It’s not even sound advice. I was only taking a jab at Fukuda who expectedly didn’t find my words pleasant.

“Yeah, right. But you have to be a bastard to go after everyone.”

“That’s true. Only a bastard will have a face thick enough to accomplish that.” I shamelessly replied, stumping both of them.

At this point, Shio, who probably caught our chattering, turned around to throw us a reprimanding gaze.

I put on an embarrassed smile and didn’t say anything more. As for the other two, Hino quietly snickered while Fukuda probably bottled up his resentment.

Anyway, the speeches soon ended and Shiina along with another college student took over. After explaining that our teachers would be handling our registrations at the front desk of the venue, they handed out our first task:

To run up the hill while carrying our bags. With the two of them leading the way, they’re going to lead us to the location of our cabins.