Stealing Spree

Back in our cabin area, everyone looked forward to what was to come next. Although I said, the day’s camp activities were officially over, there was one last thing that we had to do. And it was something that required the cooperation of the whole group.

Yep. I guess that was the correct way to see it.

An activity we had to accomplish if we desired to have a good night’s sleep.

What was it?

Simple. To take a shower and change into a new set of cleaner outfits.

I mean, with all of us having spent most of our day outdoors wherein we accumulated sweat and dirt in our bodies from the various activities, most, if not all, students should be feeling sticky and stinky already.

However, because the Camp Managers only allotted a specific time for everyone – one hour for a group of four or less than that for groups with fewer members – it became up to us, as a group, to decide how to split it.

Of course, everyone could just be fair to each other and split it equally. But that’s where the connotation of ‘group activity’ would come into play.

They left it to our judgement because, at the end of the day, there were still groups wherein the power balance was heavier on one side.

It’s up to us whether we want to be fair with each other and split it equally or be unfair to our group mates.

In a way, this could be seen as something like a test on whether we built some camaraderie in our respective groups or not. But well, no one was possibly going to grade us on this.

For sure, some would try to take as much time as they could but that’s irrelevant to me.

Because in our group, as soon as we entered our cabin, I had Ogawa and Fukuda agree to not make it more complicated for us and simply split our time equally.

Hino backed me up so all Fukuda could do was to express his dissatisfaction with a grunt and a click of his tongue. Ogawa also timidly agreed. My threat was still in effect.

It’s better like this since it’s pretty pointless for me to start something with them. I was planning on sneaking out. Rather than fight with them over something I could easily win, I’d put my remaining energy into thinking about how to perfectly accomplish my plan.

Also, even though I’ve already taken a shower with Satsuki earlier, it’s a waste to throw away another opportunity to take refuge under the drizzle of warm water. Given that I’d danced for close to two hours – no matter how simple those steps were – it was inevitable for me to sweat again. And with everything that happened today, I could say that I already exhausted myself enough.

It might not be reflective on my face but my whole body has been screaming for me to take a rest. The allotted time for this ‘last activity’ would become the perfect opportunity to listen to that.

Upon getting their agreement, I volunteered to take the last turn and let them decide for themselves on which one to take a shower first.

In the end, they decided for Hino to go first, Fukuda second, and Ogawa third.

“Well then. I’ll go in first. Tell me, you’re not going to throw fists at each other, right?”

After picking up his things and strutting to the door of the bathroom, Hino stopped for a moment to check on us who would be left behind in this spacious cabin. With the futons and our bags left in our tents, it’s pretty empty.

We had no choice but to take a corner and sit on the ground.

In any case, the guy’s concern was valid. However, that’s only true if the two would be able to grow some balls and confront me.

Ogawa was already out of the question. As for Fukuda...? Heh...

“If someone’s gonna start something, it won’t be me,” I said with a shrug.

That immediately drew some reaction from the two. But like I thought, they didn’t even try to refute me. They settled in just glaring at me.

Then Fukuda opened his mouth and snarled at Hino, “Stop saying shit, idiot. Hurry up. You’re not the only one who needed a shower.”

“Alright. Don’t be mad, man. I’m going.” Hino shook his head and looked at me as though he was begging me not to provoke Fukuda before continuing inside the bathroom.

Like I said, if someone’s gonna start something, it’s not going to be me so I disregarded that right away.

In any case, I doubt these fifteen minutes of waiting would be silent. I mean, I should still get them on board with my plan, right? If they tattle on me when I sneak out earlier, everything would be ruined.

That’s why, after waiting for a minute or two, I looked at the two who were most likely feeling the situation out.

The three of us were all sitting at the same spot from earlier this morning so there’s a considerable distance between us. Nonetheless, it’s still pretty close to hold a conversation.

“So, are the two of you not going to say anything? Are you sure you don’t want to curse at me?”

“Huh? What’s the point?” Ogawa replied while huffing through his nose. He’s not really pissed but he surely didn’t want to talk to me at all. Which is supposed to be normal, no?

He’s utterly defeated already that he’s only trying to preserve and protect his Aneki out of my clutches.

“Dude, stop gloating with that annoying face of yours.”

And that’s Fukuda’s response. He also couldn’t bear to look at me even though he had just been glaring a while ago. These idiots and their lack of balls.

But then again, opening up the conversation like that was pretty bad, no? Too bad, I’m only used to striking up a conversation out of any topic to a girl.

“Do I look like I’m gloating? Well, whatever. Looks like you two still have your tongue. Why don’t we talk man to man? Ogawa can opt-out and just listen since he pretty much conceded already. But you, Fukuda... Are you sure you’re going to continue acting like this?”

“Oi. I didn’t concede to you! I just... accepted the reality.” Although Ogawa tried to refute it, the way he looked down in the end showed that he realized that it was the same thing.

At least, he didn’t act embarrassed by that. That’s not going to be pleasant to look at.

“I know. It took a while but I’m glad we’re already on the same page.”

Of course, that’s another bullshit reply from me. Even though he’s holding onto my promise not to visit Kazuha-nee, it’s not within my plan to give up on taking my chances on stealing her.

Looking at Fukuda who was probably trying to discern what we were talking about, I smirked at him to provoke him in answering him.

And that was effective.

“What do you mean ‘acting like this’? Are you bothered that I’m pissed at you?”

“Nope. You can be pissed all you want. I’m talking about your belief that you still have a chance with Chii. Sorry, but I suggest you give up already. She won’t ever look at you the same way she does to me.”

“... Do you think I don’t know that?”

“Oh. You do. But you’re not accepting that truth, right?”

Fukuda bitterly frowned as he couldn’t really deny that. He closed his mouth and most likely decided that it was best not to respond to me anymore.

Unfortunately for him, I won’t let this end here.

“It’s fine. I know it’s hard to accept, especially when you’re pinning for her even before my appearance. But dude, I’m trying to do you a favor here. Just give up. All this hostility you’re throwing at me is useless. If you truly care for her, you’ll be happy with her choice, am I right?”

I know. Trying to convince him to give up using words is like throwing an egg to a wall. But well, that wall is probably made of paper. Sooner or later, it’ll be torn because of how shallow his reasoning is.

“Anyway, enough about this. You know yourself better anyway. Trying to convince you will not go anywhere. What I want to say is... I’ll be sneaking out later. If you’re going to tattle on me, you have my go-ahead. I won’t stop you...” I paused for a moment there to build up tension. Then, while looking at him with my eyes narrowing down, I continued, “However, I’m a petty guy. You better prepare for what I can do if you ruin this night for me.”

“And if you don’t believe what I’m capable of, Ogawa here can tell you about some of it.” I swiftly added before looking at the formerly delusional guy who immediately flinched at the mention of his name.