[Alert!!]

.

[-Continuation-]

[-After One Hour-]

.

[Hachiman's POV]

After that, Ms. Hiratsuka announced today's tasks(:schedule) for conducting events - [Test of Courage] and [Campfire].

We first decided to prepare the most labrous work of building up campfire stacks.

Taking the lead, Ms. Hiratsuka gave the boys, us, a lecture on how we needed to put [Trait- Genetically Blessed Muscles] to work.

As for what the girls are doing? Don't ask me, because I have no idea either.

To complete the [Quest - Setting Up The Campfire], we, the guys' party consisting of five members - Me, Ryota, Hayama, Tousta, and Tobe - are assigned the following tasks:

[Mission: Setting Up The Campfire]

The mission can further be divided into two different tasks.

[Task - 1 : Cutting the Firewood] - which is essential to light up the campfire.

Boys Assigned : Tobe, Tousta, and Hikigaya.

Tobe is responsible for cutting the firewood, while Tousta simply assists the other in cutting and carrying it. Wishlist, the task is being conducted somewhere safe with every possible safety measurement.

[Task - 2 : Build the Campfire by Arranging the Logs Properly] - which is essential to creating a warm fire started by firewood that burns much slower.

Boys Assigned : Ryota, Hayama, and Hikigaya.

Ryota was to carry the logs from the garage to the ground where the campfire is being held.

Hayama will arrange those logs and build the campfire.

As for me, I dilly dallied in between taking up Tobe's, Hayama's, and Ryota's work whenever they were completely out of breath, needed some rest, or even simply assisted them.

Oh, trust me, I didn't slack off.

Speaking of facts, I was the one who did the most work, next to Ryota. Yah, that guy is a monster of stamina. That body isn't just for showing off.

.

.

"Hah, that's the last one." I passed the log to Hayama, who arranged it and completed the last campfire.

Somehow we were the only ones left as others completed all tasks.

Anyway, after an hour of physical labour under the damn hot sun, we have finally built a handful of campfires.

I wiped the dripping sweat from my brow, grumbling. "This heat is killing me."

I sat comfortably on the ground, unconcerned about the dirt sticking to my pants. In this scorching heat, the ground was as dry as a desert, so a few pats on the back to dust it off would suffice, I hoped.

I was not expecting any response, as I was lost in my thoughts, contemplating the weight of the world.

"Totally…" Hayama agreed and stood in front of me.

His position cast a shadow directly over my head, providing an extra layer of protection over the cowboy hat I wore against the scorching sun.

Though it was merely an unintentional gesture, I felt grateful to him nonetheless.

So yeah, I guess I owe him a favour now.

For a moment, I relished the cool relief of the shade with my eyes closed.

Little did I know that I would soon have the opportunity to repay him, in fact, it was a little too soon.

"Hikatani…" Hayama's voice trailed off as he began.

And I no longer cared about him wantedly 'mispronouncing' my name.

"Why are you hesitating….. like you're proposing to someone?"

I continued, then quickly added. "Wait, that's not right, is it?"

I put my hands on the ground, as if preparing to run away, the moment he said 'yes'.

"....." But he simply stared at my unsuccessful attempt at humour.

"..." And I replicated his gaze, staring back at him. It was challenging, he stood tall like a statue, and the sun above his head wasn't helping at all.

The staring contest didn't last long, as I broke eye contact soon after.

"That wasn't funny." He said, breaking the silence.

Why does everyone seem to have a problem with my sense of humour… I mean, I think my jokes have pretty high standards compared to many out there.

"Right? So is that all you want to say?" I said, looking at the ground.

He kept staring at me for a while, making me feel uneasy.

He did the same while we were setting up the campfire. Yeah, that early joke about him proposing wasn't made up on the spot. It was the result of his actions, so he's pretty much responsible for it.

"Is there something going on between you and Yukinoshita?" He finally asked, his words catching me off guard.

[Alert !!!] [Alert !!!] [Alert !!!] [Alert !!!] 

 [Alert !!!] [Alert !!!] [Alert !!!]

"Why do you ask?" I responded calmly, though the vigilantism in my tone was unmistakable.

He did say his crush's name begins with 'Y' in the series, right?

No, there are a lot of girls whose names start with 'Y'.

And something like this never happened, as far as I remember.

Is it possible that he believed it was impossible for the previous version of me to win the heart of a girl like Yukinoshita?

"Well, you seem to be on bad terms with her…" He continued, his words hinting at an underlying concern.

When did that happen?

But before that, this idiot scared the shirt out of me for no reason.

All my hypotheses are wrong.

Maybe from an outer perspective, it looks like that.

"What does it have to do with you?" I shot back, feeling defensive and unsure of his intentions.

"Is it about the accident?" He questioned, throwing me another unexpected curveball.

Fucking hell, this guy is giving me one twist after another.

"So, she did tell you the truth." He concluded without waiting for my response.

"More than that, how do you know about the accident?" I demanded, taken aback by his knowledge.

"Did I ever say my dad is a civil adviser?"

"Are you bragging about your family now…?" I replied sarcastically, feeling a surge of annoyance.

He gave me a pleading look in response to my comment, as if silently asking me to understand.

That's it, he had used up my 'favour'.

As I was also curious about the details, I reluctantly complied with his request.

"No, you didn't, but I do know that much about your family." I responded, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Even if I didn't want to hear it, the rumours circulating wouldn't let me ignore it.

"My dad happens to be a family friend with the Yukinoshita family, and he's the one who managed the legal details of that incident, so now you get…" He explained.

Yeah, I totally get it…

Okay, first thing, there seems to be a misunderstanding going on.

We are not on bad terms - though I didn't see the need to clarify that.

But that wasn't the main issue here.

The main question was - why are you worried about this?

"I know her sister pretty well, so she told me to look after her." He explained.

So that's how it is, huh?

At that moment, I seriously wanted to ask a question- 'Are you sure, dude, you don't like Yukinoshita?'

But I restrained myself.

Even the thought of that didn't sit right with me…

"Yukinoshita was really no–!"

"Stop it, dude." I interrupted.

He was showing me the already finished drama for the tenth time, and honestly, I was getting bored.

"There is nothing going on between me and Yukinoshita…..yet." I clarified, emphasising the word 'yet' to make my point clear.

Then someone came from behind.

"Good job." Ms. Hiratsuka, who had come to observe our completed work, passed us two juice cans.

I appreciated her consideration. "Thanks…"

"Mhm, the others have already finished work. All you have to do is prepare for the test of courage in the evening. You've got free time now."

"We are planning on going for a swim in the river, so what about you, Hikitani?"

Hold on, swimming???!! Is it time for 'that' Legendary Episode?

"I am in too…" I started, but then a thought dawned on me.

After that, I headed back to our accommodation with Hayama.

.

[To be continued….]

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

[Author Reminder : 14+chapters advance in Patreon.]

-->patreon.com/WrightBrothers