Stealing Spree

1847 Hino the Mediator

On my return, Sawano was nowhere to be found. The one guarding the entrance to our cabin area was none other than Sara’s boyfriend, Arai.

Upon seeing me his eyebrows curled instantly but it’s not because he’s displeased or something. Most likely, he still couldn’t put a name to my face. Too bad for him, he’d have to think harder. If I gave him a clue, he’d surely get it right away but I’m not that generous.

Besides, if he found out that I spent my free time with her girlfriend and alone with her in their cabin, he’d definitely go out of his way to make things difficult for me.

Well, I even did him a favor. He was about to be written off by her judging by the way our conversation was going earlier. Now, if ever he starts getting on my nerves, I may not be so kind next time.

I’m confident to steal Sara’s affection just based on the time I spent with her. I mean, she already let me touch her face intimately. What’s holding her back from letting me do more?

But then again, I may have been vindictive towards guys but after my change, I am always respectful for the women especially now that I care and love a lot of them.

It’s not fair for Sara to be used by me just because this guy pissed me off.

Wait. That’s contradicting my threat to Fukuda, no? Nonetheless, I only said that to him to scare him. Not like I will go out of my way to find his sister and childhood friend. I'd rather put my focus on Kazuha-nee than start terrorizing the wannabe delinquent.

“Yo, how’s your trip? Have you been allowed inside the girl’s area?”

As I passed by him, the guy called out to me. Honestly, it wasn’t that hard to understand why he did so.

Judging from his smirk, he’s already expecting to say no or make up a lie just to keep up face.

“No. I heard they’re not there so... there’s no reason for me to go in. Someone guided me somewhere though.”

“Oh really? Too bad, huh?”

“Yes. I’ll try again next time.”

“Heh. I like your persistence. Anyway, I still can’t let it go. Are you sure I haven’t seen you somewhere before?”

“Sir, you’re possibly mistaking me for someone else. Today is the first time I saw you.”

“Really? But Sawano said Shiina recognized you. You’ve met her before here.”

That guy’s blabbermouth. Well, there’s no point blaming him. He’s possibly just as curious as this guy. I mean, if I’m in his position, I’ll also be curious about me. He’s interested in Shiina. Even if he considers me as a high school kid, with the popularity and maturity I’ve shown, I’m already a possible threat. Not to mention, Shiina kept on following me earlier.

That’s all justified.

“Oh. That... I did meet her before along with her friend, Sara. I just had no idea they would recognize me here. I pretended to be someone older back then, after all.”

“Huh? Sara knows you too?”

At the mention of his girlfriend’s name, the guy almost rose to his feet. However, no matter how much he racked his head, he couldn’t remember where he’d seen me.

Considering how he’s like an immature brat back in that mountain and how he left us halfway to get some help at the foot, he definitely already erased me in his head. The only thing he could remember from that moment of incompetency was possibly Miwa-nee.

“Yes. I helped them out at that time and then separated again. I had no idea they still remembered me to this day.”

“I see.”

Look at that. Even when I already put a lot of clues in my answers, he couldn’t pinpoint me to be the guy who carried Sara.

It’s not my fault anymore that he couldn’t remember.

With his questions stopping, I continued on my way and returned to our cabin.

Ogawa, Hino, and Fukuda were already there and with my presence, a tense atmosphere was instantly generated.

Fukuda hatefully glared at me while Ogawa turned his head the other way.

Only Hino was pleased upon seeing me.

“Yo, Onoda. I heard you went to see the girls’ area. Did you manage to slip inside?”

This dude. He’s great at setting up the topic, huh? In any case, I already expected him to do this. I didn’t even try to hide my intention earlier, after all.

And sure enough, the two cucks were curious about my answer.

“Yeah. I did. I failed to get past the entrance though.” I answered while acting disappointed.

“You got denied? Man, that sucks.”

Hino picked up on that and immediately sympathized with me. On the other hand, Fukuda smirked and Ogawa remained expressionless.

“No. I didn’t say I got denied. They’re not in their cabins so I turned around to leave instead.”

“Oh! So, you mean if they are there, you’re confident in being able to enter?”

“Yeah. Possibly. I got some connection.”

I put on a meaningful smirk that made the guy immediately excited.

“What the hell man, let me in with that. You said you’ll help me check out Yoneda.”

Sure enough, his next words were as I expected. Unfortunately for him, I wouldn’t take him even if I wanted to.

“Ah. It might be bad if I bring someone else. You know. They’re strict about it. Maybe if they come visit us instead...”

“Hmm? You got something there. Is that possible? They’re allowed to visit us but not the other way around?”

“That’s just how it is. Their area is sacred grounds while ours isn’t. Haven’t you been on other camping trips before?”

“Ah... No, you’re right. It’s always been this way. They cannot trust us horny monkeys.”

Yep. It’s always the girls getting that much convenience but then again, we couldn’t blame them for that when boys were always troublesome. They’re only siding on the weak side. Still, even if they’re favored, someone would always stand up within them to repel the boys. Or at least, that’s how it happened during the previous camping trips that I went to.

I couldn’t be bothered back then since I had my own plans of sneaking into my girls’ tents or meeting them somewhere unpopulated.

“Dude. I won’t count myself as a monkey. Horny sure but not monkey.”

“Pfft. Onoda, you sure have your priorities straight.”

“Have I? But isn’t this normal? I mean, you have to get this kind of mentality if you don’t want your girls stolen by someone else. Never falter with building your confidence.”

However, I wouldn’t say that was applicable to everyone. Only to myself.

“Is that another golden advice from you?”

“If you take it that way, sure. I don’t mind. But remember, Hino. Even if it works for me, it doesn’t mean it will work for you. Every human is unique on their own. You won’t get anywhere close if you just copy someone else. Try and think how you can sell yourself better.”

“Wise words, man. I’m thoroughly impressed.” Acting like he had just heard the best advice in the century, the guy exaggeratedly clapped his hands.

Following that, he turned to the other two.

“Hey Fukuda, Ogawa. You agree, right? I know you three are in conflict but man... Can’t we get along just for this trip?”

This guy... He’s now mediating for us, huh?

“Shut up, Hino. You shouldn’t trust that guy too much.” Fukuda snapped at him before walking towards the door.

“Man, there’s a lot of girls interested in you. Chizuru-chan rejecting you shouldn’t be the end of your world.”

Seeing his back, Hino launched a counter, and judging from how he said it, he was not being malicious. He’s just presenting Fukuda with the reality of his situation.

However, Fukuda still dismissed it. Without saying anything else, he left the cabin, leaving us three alone.

“Man, understand him for a bit. He’s been crushing over Chizuru-chan for two years. He can’t accept that she’ll fall for you instead.”

“I see. Chii and I go way back. He didn’t know about that.” I shrugged, before continuing to my side of the cabin.

I appreciate this guy’s attempt to mediate between us but I couldn't care less about Fukuda’s hostility towards me. I already laid down my threat anyway. It’s up to him whether to continue being a pain in the ass around me.

As for Ogawa... He’s good. He’s not going to do anything because of my promise to not visit Kazuha-nee if he cooperated.