Heading to the Forest

"Okay, then, first of all, the top five teams—"

After distributing flashlights, emergency phones, and maps, the teachers began directing the students up the mountain.

There were five paths stretching from the forest to the mountaintop. On each path, there were students acting as ghosts, who also served as patrols, acting as a second insurance after the pagers to ensure the students could descend the mountain safely.

This courage test was not as simple as "collecting tokens and completing the entire journey." There were several puzzle elements along the way, and teamwork was also required to overcome these levels. It was a carefully designed group activity by the Autumn Excursion Committee.

However, Shinichi planned to pull the two of them to act without permission, so they might not be able to experience that fun.

He looked at the dark forest road ahead of him, feeling a little regretful in his heart.

If the Thorn Club arranged everything properly, especially the checkpoint, they might not encounter ghosts along the way.

"Umh...."

The teacher leading their group looked hesitant, turning back several times and finally asking.

"Do you really want to climb the mountain like this? If you feel uncomfortable, you can go back to your room and rest. It's okay."

"No, I don't feel uncomfortable. Thank you for your concern, Sensei." Shinichi nodded with a smile, and at the same time, bumped into Rizu's back.

"Rizu, are you okay?"

"Yes, this is for safety, please forgive me, Sensei!" Rizu said stiffly, holding Shinichi's shoulder with both hands, looking around, her eyes revealing her worry, fear, and trembling.

"Uh, I understand..." The teacher didn't know what to say.

But anyway, the other party was the student council president, someone who could lead the student council and all the students forward. No matter how strange the things he did, generally, they had significance, so he didn't need to worry.

"If you really feel uncomfortable, remember to press the pager and don't force yourself."

With that warning, the teacher instructed them to enter the forest entrance, and then turned around and walked back.

"...Of course, there's nothing to worry about!"

Not sure who she was talking to, Rizu took a deep breath.

They turned on the flashlights, and their light could only illuminate about ten meters in front of them.

Shinichi carried Rizu and slowly stepped onto the paved road.

The girl on his back trembled, the scent of her hair reached his nose, her soft chest pressed against him, and the friction created a refreshing warmth.

After walking a few steps, Shinichi patted her thigh and spoke warmly.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

"I, I, I, I'm not afraid, I just don't handle darkness well. I'm afraid of falling..."

"I'm walking, what are you afraid of?"

"Meaning, if Shinichi-san falls, I'll also fall from the mountain..."

"Huh? So you're just afraid of danger, not ghosts?"

"Of course! Such unscientific things, there's nothing to be afraid of!"

"That's good. I just wanted to remind you that there seems to be a little transparent girl walking towards us on your side—"

"Ahhhh... Don't come!"

"Neck... Rizu, be gentle, my neck... uh..."

Soon after the courage test, screams echoed in the mountains and forests. The teachers at the foot of the mountain nodded in satisfaction and thumbs-up to the students who played as ghosts.

This courage test was a good start!

△

"That scream... Ricchan's?"

Fumino couldn't hold back a smile.

With Rizu's courage, the courage test must be as frightening as what she experienced a few hours ago, right?

Huh? What did she ask?

Of course, this refers to the part where [the difference between humans is revealed in blood], nothing is scarier than that.

Recalling that bad memory, Fumino silently prayed. The man should be feared by ghosts!

"Furuhashi-san, although it's a pity, but..."

Suddenly, at the intersection ahead.

Shortly after entering the forest, even without meeting the first ghost, Kashima in front of her stopped without warning.

The sound seemed to drown in the darkness around them, flowing into her ears with a chilling wind.

"We will soon part ways."

"...Eh?"

Fumino froze in place, her random thoughts turning blank, and her mind slightly stagnant.

Seeing the slender back of the short-haired girl, for some reason, a layer of fear slowly enveloped her heart.

"Why do you say that?"

She unconsciously took a step back and asked with a forced smile.

The sound of crunching leaves underfoot like broken ankle bones turned into crumbs beneath her feet.

"It's because..."

Kashima slowly turned her head, her neck as stiff as a corpse, and even her tone felt frightening.

Fumino couldn't hold her breath, the flashlight trembling on the other person's body, and her other hand grabbed the emergency call device on her waist, ready to turn around and flee while calling for help.

Although she didn't know what would happen, when she felt uncomfortable, it was always right to ensure she could escape first.

And the next moment, Kashima faced her along with her body!

"...According to Asada-san's instructions, I will escort you to meet him next, then I will wait for you at the finish line alone."

Kashima put on a sad face.

Her expression was full of disappointment, but she could still maintain the attitude of a young woman, sighing gracefully.

"I missed the opportunity to take the courage test with Furuhashi-san. How could I not feel regret... Ah, I guess I made the wrong choice when I bet with him..."

"..."

What's going on?

Fumino's cheeks twitched, staring at Kashima who began to pity herself, holding back something in her mouth, and her chest felt uncomfortable.

It's a shame, but was it necessary to deliberately create such a frightening atmosphere?

"...Seriously, don't scare me."

She sighed with relief and complained at the same time. She walked back to Kashima, and without asking anything, she let her lead her to the unspecified route.

Shinichi will still explain it, so just ask him again.

"By the way, Kashima-san." Thinking about what she said earlier, Fumino asked, "What kind of bet did you make with Asada-san? It must be related to me, right?"

"Yes, there were specifically two bets." Kashima didn't hesitate and explained as she led, "During the cold war between Furuhashi-san and Asada-san, I met him privately to understand his situation... Ah, I'm intervening here, I'm really sorry."

"I've been used to it for a long time." Before Kashima lowered her head again, Fumino waved her hand.

"I'll blame Asada-san for all his mistakes!"

"OK."

Kashima couldn't hold back her laughter.

The intimacy revealed through words and actions was truly commendable...

Of course, what made her jealous was Shinichi.

"At that time, he promised me that he values you as much as he values other girls. You are also an irreplaceable and important existence for him. So before the autumn excursion ends, he will definitely reconcile with you and Ogata-san. Bringing back your usual smile and no longer being sad."

Kashima glanced at Fumino.

"W-what is this person really... Oh, no matter who he's talking to, he always talks nonsense, which makes me feel embarrassed. No, I'm embarrassed."

After grumbling dissatisfiedly, Fumino patted her warm cheek, unsure if she was really angry or not.

"I'm sorry, Kashima-san, Asada-san is really stupid... Sorry you didn't hit him after hearing such words."

"I fought."

"???"

As she turned around in surprise, Kashima sighed helplessly.

"It's just that his skills were better than I thought. Although he's not good at counterattacks, his watertight blocking is extremely abnormal. Not only could I not inflict any damage, he could even exploit it..."

As she spoke the last part, Kashima's voice became muffled, and she ran her hand through her hair.

"Don't worry, he might be a prideful student of a certain old teacher. I haven't been able to face him yet."

"Teacher..." Her attention was diverted by this word, and instead of being surprised by Kashima's subtle reaction, Fumino suddenly understood.

So Yotsuba not only taught Shinichi how to run but also how to fight and defend...

"It's also because I was so excited that day that I was persuaded to accept the bet under his defense."

"Hahaha, I always feel like the process is somewhat inexplicable..." She couldn't help but laugh a few times.

"In that case, here's the second bet." Kashima thought for a moment and then said, "In short, during this autumn excursion, I will find opportunities to make him stumble, not too many, but enough to make him stumble... If he can avoid it, he wins, and if he can't, I lose."

"Why do you want to bet on this?" Fumino asked.

Are these two children? Especially making such bets behind the involved parties, she really didn't know what to say to them...

"I was too impulsive at that time... I lost, and now it's too late to regret."

Mocking herself a little, Kashima turned and looked into Fumino's eyes.

After a few moments, she smiled, and her dull look disappeared, becoming brighter.

"Hah? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

As they chatted, they had already taken an uphill path not designated by the teacher, traversing winding roads and ups and downs.

Fumino looked around and could only sigh.

"The road is very quiet. No one's coming to scare us... and there are no students patrolling."

Kashima waved her fan, like a strategic expert devising strategies, and gently fanned the smile on her face.

"The Thorn Club will arrange everything, and of course, nothing will show up!"

The confidence and dominating tone contained in her voice made Fumino speechless with admiration, but at the same time, she felt that her fan club was too scary.

At the intersection ahead, the figure of a young man carrying a girl on his back and waiting silently gradually became clear.