CH 32

Episode 32 Childhood Friend and Forest Training Camp ②

Kotoha and Ichijo glare at each other. There isn’t that much time until the… departure time, and more than anything, the stares from the surroundings hurt, so please stop.

That’s what I think and I try to speak up.

“Well, you two, we don’t have much time and you’re getting a lot of attention. I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from fighting unnecessarily.”

But…

“Useless? Tsuzuri-kun, did you just say useless? This is an important exchange to crush this lowly thieving cat! There are some battles a woman can’t lose!”

My modest words were obliterated by a fierce protest from Kotoha.

Yeah, I mean, Kotoha is either careless or unaware. That’s like saying you like me, right?

If this happens, I expect the other side to solve it for me. But Ichijo, on the other hand, is a—

“Yeah. If I don’t crush this vixen here, it will be inconvenient for me as well.”

She seemed to agree with Kotoha’s opinion. I’m not sure what to make of that.

This statement clearly made the sparks between the two of them feel even bigger.

I wanted to hold my head in my hands. Why are there so many trials and turbulence waiting for us on our path!

I poisoned myself with despair at the uncontrollable situation. Then…

“Hey, you three! Stop talking and get on the bus!”

Our savior, Matsue-sensei, showed up.

I don’t know why he always comes at such a good time, but he does.

“…-sensei!”

I don’t care about timing! I looked at him hopefully, hoping that he would bring the situation to an end. But.

“Oh,…what a bother.”

The teacher muttered something very direct and looked at me with troublesome eyes. Hey, Matsue-sensei. Give me back my excitement.

“…Haah.”

Hey! Matsue-sensei! Please don’t sigh like that!

Well, let’s put aside your true feelings. This can be a lifesaver.

I opened my mouth to force the situation to an end.

“Oops, you’re right, I should hurry up. I also want to sit with Kotoha. See you later.”

But as soon as I said that and was about to get on the bus with Kotoha…

“Could you please wait a moment?”

A little unexpectedly, Ichijo stood right in front of us.

“No, we don’t have time. You heard what the teacher said.”

I’ve said it many times, but we don’t have time. She can’t keep other students waiting, so she treats her with salt, but she still has an eerie smile. and,

“I see. But Shirayuki-san is always following him around, at least on the bus ——.”

I tried to say something again. But my words were cut off.

“Please! I’m really leaving you behind!”

And here we are, with yet another intervention from the Saviors! Thank you, Savior Matsue!

But he was pretty pissed off, and there was a blue streak on his forehead.

…Wow. I’ve never seen a teacher with such a scary face before.

“That’s what I’m talking about! See you later, Ichijo.”

I was slightly terrified by that.

“Ah! Please wait a minute!”

After saying that, he hurriedly took Kotoha and entered the bus.

So I didn’t notice it.

“Ku …!”

She regretfully turned her gaze toward Kotoha with a strong hostility that seemed to attack her at any moment.

After that, Kotoha, who had successfully won the “right to sit next to me,” was in a pretty good mood.

“Hmm Hmm Hmm ♪ …Seat with Tsuzuri-kun, Seat with Tsuzuri-kun …!”

…I can hear you on that. What’s wrong with you, Kotoha?.

It’s too embarrassing to continue like this… So I thought and fearfully spoke to her.

“Uh, Kotoha?”

“Hiya! Tsuzuri-kun! Did I mutter something just now?

She was really freaked out. No, seriously, don’t you realize that…

“What happened? You didn’t say anything?”

But I dared to play dumb. I’ve just talked about this topic this morning, and if Kotoha raises her guard and I can’t see the “dere” it would be bad.

“Huh, I see.”

Kotoha says with relief. I feel a little guilty, but I can’t help it.

Before I know it, the bleak and awkward atmosphere you were in earlier has fizzled out and a different, peaceful atmosphere has begun to take hold.

When we noticed this, we both let out a sigh of relief.

After that, Kotoha and I enjoyed chatting for a while.

“…Tsuzuri-kun, I’m getting sleepy.”

In the bus that was blooming with chit-chat, Kotoha says to me. Well, it can’t be helped that you looked very sleepy from this morning.

“Hmm, you want to go to sleep?”

I asked her, and she looked worried and said reservedly.

“Are you sure? Well, you know, …… since it’s a training camp, you want to talk on the bus or something.”

I guess that was her way of being considerate. I almost laughed at her awkwardness.

It wasn’t a sneer. It’s a warm laugh, like watching over a pure child.

“Kotoha, you don’t have to push yourself. Just being with Kotoha like this is enough for me.”

I spoke softly to her to reassure her. Then.

“Oh, I see. Then I’ll take your word for it”

Kotoha puts her head on my shoulder. At the same time, her slightly sweet scent tickled my nostrils.

I’m a little nervous about her behavior, which is not normal like her. I also reached out to pat her head, but…

But then one important fact came to my mind. Yes, we’re on a bus! Is it safe to make out here?

“Kotoha, we’re on a bus, remember? I’m a little embarrassed to be …… flirting here, or rather, ……”

I was going to tell that to Kotoha, but—

“Suu …… suu …….”

I’m not sure if she’s already dreaming or not, but she’s breathing regularly.

“Pufuu … I’m sleeping”

I love Kotoha so much. I was so happy that she was so close to me.

With a sense of euphoria, I wished for azure skies.

I hope that this forest camp will be a lifetime memory for me and Kotoha.

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