Stealing Spree

Before separating from me, Sara brought me somewhere we could be alone to sit down and just pass the time together. Although we already discussed the more important things, she admitted wanting to spend time with me – just like yesterday. Given that there was also not much time left in my free time, I thought it would be a good idea to just wait for the time with her.

From what I could gather, even if she was guilty of being drawn to me, she also didn’t want to miss the opportunity to get to know me more. She’s like Shiina in this regard.

Anyway, that’s the extent of our time together. I saw her off returning to the girl’s area before going back to our camp.

When I returned, our last group activity this morning commenced. It’s another competitive one where we’d be given a reward if we came in first and a penalty if we’re last.

I couldn’t care less about taking the first place this time so I let Hino take the lead. Fukuda was also more prone to listening to him than me, after all.

All I had to do was follow the instructions and do my part. The same goes for Ogawa who looked like he was not enjoying this camping trip at all. He would occasionally go to Tadano since he’s probably the only one he could get along with.

Anyway, Sakuma’s group won 1st place in that activity with the guy really stepping up his game. I saw him looking at me with a competitive spirit in his eyes as if telling me that he could also win Setsuna-nee just like in that activity.

It’s quite funny so I didn’t pop his bubble. I’ll hand it to him that he’s changing himself. That’s one less headache for me.

Following that, waiting for lunch to commence got me another chance to hover around Shio and Eguchi-sensei. And somehow, Orimura-sensei visited from the other hill. She specifically went to bring something for the dean before checking in on Eguchi-sensei.

When she saw me near them, Orimura-sensei stopped in her steps for a few seconds. Whatever was running in her head, it would surely be related to what happened the other day.

Thinking about it, I hadn't seen her at all when I went to the other hill yesterday. Maybe she was out busying herself with the task of supervising the students.

In any case, her pause was only momentary before deciding to ignore my presence. She went over to Eguchi-sensei and stayed there for a few minutes before leaving again.

That’s kinda cute of her, no? She’s pretending to not notice me but given how close I am to them, Shio and Eguchi-sensei awkwardly shook their heads, maybe lamenting how obvious Orimura-sensei was acting.

If she’s going to be like this, it makes me wonder how she’s going to correct my ways starting next week. But then again, she probably needs more time to come to terms with what happened between us. I better just leave her alone too and just wait until she approaches me again.

After she left, I got teased by Shio while Eguchi-sensei sincerely voiced her concern for her friend.

“Onoda-kun, can I entrust Sanae to you?”

“I won’t make a promise but whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility for it. No matter what she thinks about it, half of it is still my fault.”

Yeah. It’s not like I’m unable to resist her back then. I also let it happen so even if she’s the one who pushed for it, I’m not blameless.

“Haa... Ruru, just don’t make it too difficult for both of you. And you too, Eguchi. You also shouldn’t hold back your own feelings for it. Scold Ruru.”

Perhaps finding our situation a little too strained and more awkward, Shio sighed and also gave her own insight.

She then had me sit between them where I truly got scolded by them. Well, it’s not that severe and it’s just Eguchi-sensei voicing the negative feelings she buried in her chest.

As she’s not used to the dynamic of our complex relationship yet, she probably believed that it was better to forget it. Little did she know, it was going to eat away at her slowly.

Thankfully, Shio noticed it right away. As I always pointed out, I could be insensitive or oblivious at times as well. I could miss things especially if they’re intentionally hiding it from me.

And when they finished scolding me, they then switched it up and spoiled me until it was time for me to rejoin the other students and my girls for lunch.

As much as I wanted to stay with them, it would just be too conspicuous if the other teachers and professors took notice of us.

“You’re all here... As you all already know, this camp will be ending before nightfall. Our activities might’ve been lacking but I believe that you all learned a thing or two.”

“Don’t worry. Even if your evaluation is low, it doesn’t mean you’re terrible. It just meant that there’s still a lot more room for improvement.”

Right after lunch, everyone wasn’t sent back to our respective areas. Instead, Sawano, Shiina and the rest of the Camp Managers had us line up again in groups.

This should be our last gathering before the end and most likely, the last activity for our camp. And if I’m not wrong, this would be the activity where we’d be paired up with the girls.

I met with Shiina who was standing next to Sawano. She put on a meaningful smile before winking. I don’t know if someone else picked that up but the boys around me stopped paying attention to what Sawano was saying as they all claimed to be the one Shiina was winking at.

Really, how delusional can they be? But well, they’re acting like their age so this is normal.

As Sawano continued with his speech, I noticed professorsManagers, teachers and professor slowly filing out of the area.

As for where they’re going... I have no idea.

Fortunately, the answer was given to me soon after.

“The last activity. This will be the biggest and most complex one that we prepared. Are you ready?”

After his long speech, Sawano started trying to hype up the crowd but he failed miserably. A lot was already bored of his speech, after all.

In any case, since he helped me out a few times and his obliviousness worked in my favor, I led the others to answer to his attempt. My girls naturally copied what I did and soon, cheers covered the whole aura.

Shiina couldn’t help but laugh at that while Sawano stared at me favorably.

Shortly after, they announced the details of the activity.

It will be a series of tasks that we have to complete alongside another group. The task will be given by the Camp Managers, professors, or teachers scattered around the hill. We have to look for them. We will be given an initial clue we have to follow.

As for joining up with another group, it'll be up to us whether to mix in and cooperate or split the tasks equally. They gave us the liberty to decide.

And lastly, while Shiina and Sawano already decided on the pairings of the groups, we were given a chance to step up and request a switch. However, the two pairs or four groups have to come together for it. If not, then they’ll have to stick with what the Camp Managers decided.

Well, since we’re probably going to be paired with a group from the same class, it’s already a certainty that I would be able to join up with one or more of my girls.

Before long, after Sawano dried his throat explaining more details about the activity, Shiina soon stepped up to announce the pairings.

As though she's been waiting for this since earlier, the woman excitedly opened a rolled-up paper like an old scroll.

While sporting a grin, her eyes focused on me.

“Onoda-kun, please step up with your group. You will be paired with... Chizuru-chan’s group from your class.”