Chapter 5 Part II

I will repeat myself over and over again, but a guy named Yousuke Hirata was a cool guy. Not because of his outstanding looks, but because of his ideals of how actions ought to be. An ordinary human being takes the initiative to be responsible for troublesome, unpleasant matters while responding uppermost to the others. Cooperating with the girls, he was setting up 2 tents to keep them at a distance from the boys.

I, who was on the other side, had a fixed role of hammering pegs of carrying tents to the ground. At the beginning I immediately struggled to be completely omitted, but as soon as I got the hang of it, I had a fixed position in the first tent. It was unexpectedly easy. Right now I was nailing the peg of the second tent with a hammer while wiping my sweat. Our link Hirata assisted me with spreading the rope and hammering the peg.

"Sorry for giving you a hard time."

The other boys were playing outside or trying to store some food with fishing.

"Oh – no, you don't have to apologize. It would be bad leaving it to you."

"It's not bad. I'm doing it as much as I like."

The existence of his refreshing smile was a big factor in the coolness of this guy.

"It might come off as weird, but why are you working so hard?"

"Working hard? I don't tend to work hard. I'm only doing what has to be done."

Without meaning to sound boastful, he wiped dripping sweat with a towel that was hanging on his neck.

"I think this special trial isn't a battle, but an important opportunity for everyone to become closer. That's why I want to cherish this very moment. I will gladly work if that's necessary for it."

I wonder if an ordinary person can be full of good intentions as much as Hirata without being two-faced. Wanting to be liked by people, wanting to attract attention – it's normal to have such a mindset. But I couldn't get such an impression from Hirata. I had strong feelings that he just wanted to be good to everyone.

"Alright, about half is left. Let's end this quickly."

The two of us went to the opposite side of the tent in order to hammer the remaining pegs.

"Hirata-kuun! Come here for a moment!" Karuizawa and the other girls were calling Hirata. In a flash they surrounded Hirata and were pulling his arms forcefully.

"C'mon, c'mon, come here!"

"Ah, I still have things to do…"

"Can't you leave it to Ayanokouji-kun? Can't you?" They said while pulling him with all strength.

Looking at Hirata and his worried face, I answered while thinking they're a bother: "… I'll do this, go."

"But, it's hard to do it alone ——–"

"It's alright, only a few things left."

"So-sorry. Thank you. I'll be right back."

It was rather an imprudent request that seemed profitable to the girls, but as if my words didn't reach them, they continued pulling him in the direction of the woods. Maybe they'll come back soon.

I took the hammer once again, as I was dejectedly watching Hirata leaving the flag behind. I continued with the work and finally completed everything by myself before Hirata returned.

"It took me more time than I thought, being alone…"

I had to pay attention to the direction of the tent and pegs while stretching the rope many times.

It was after 10 o'clock. What should I do now? I couldn't make a mistake in the process now when it started moving. But before that I restored my physical strength. Working under the blazing sun was too exhausting.

"May I have a word with you?"

Since I completed the first stage I thought I'd rest for a while when Ibuki called.

"The discussion about the underwear thief this morning looked very serious. I mean, D class isn't monolithic."

"Hmm, could be. We can't stand various hardships."

"Whatever the reason, as a woman stealing the girls' underwear is unforgivable."

That's right. But why was she telling me this? It wasn't me who was protecting Ibuki but Yamauchi as he was looking after Kushida's group. Since we had a discussion there shouldn't be any special entwined concern…

"Are you doubting me?"

It looked like Ibuki saw my treatment of being a culprit from Shinohara and the others this morning from far away as well.

"Are you the culprit?"

"No, that's not the case."

"Then it's fine. Well, it's not like I have specific proof. It looked like some girls trust you and that boy Hirata. I think the chance of you being the culprit is low."

She had such a conclusion after hearing the argument between Karuizawa and Horikita.

"You have no clue about the culprit?"

"Right now, not at all. I don't want to doubt the guys as much as possible."

"So, who do you think is the culprit?"

Her inquiry was as if she was testing me. I was side glancing Ibuki who was standing right beside me, but she was waiting for the response without facing me. Even so, she continued without an answer:

"If the guys aren't the culprit as you're saying, then the next one who is suspicious is me, a stranger. Someone is certainly doubting me. I might be pretending as if the guys have stolen the underwear. Am I right?"

She said so in self-mockery as if being fully aware that she herself is a suspect. I replied to her in a moment full of feelings:

"I wonder if you at least trust me. I don't think you're the culprit."

I answered this to Ibuki without hesitation. She looked at me a bit surprised as if wanting to make sure that this is true. When my eyes matched hers, she looked away.

"… Thank you. I didn't think you'd be so kind."

"It's just an honest answer."

The reason I could answer so honestly is because I trusted her only by looking at her sincere eyes.

Therefore, I thoughtlessly made a conclusion. The culprit who stole the underwear from Karuizawa and hid them in Ike's bag was Ibuki.