Time came to the third day.
With a clear route, Natsukawa Sosuke and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's efficiency was astonishing. In less than half the time, all six known strongholds had been checked in.
"It's still early."
Natsukawa Sosuke stood on a treetop, glanced at the time on his wristband, and turned to look at Ayanokoji.
"Ayanokoji, interested in taking a detour to see if there are any stragglers in another direction? Since we're already doing it, why not make it a round number and check in at all 10 strongholds?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka still had his usual calm, dead-fish-eye expression, as if discussing what to eat for lunch.
"I have no objections."
And so, the two ordinary high school students embarked on their journey once more.
Hard work paid off. Under their search, they indeed found four more strongholds in several hidden corners. However, one of them showed signs of activity, so to be safe, they didn't check in at that one.
"Tenth one. Done."
As the last electronic sound chimed, the two no longer lingered. They followed the predetermined route, heading straight towards the Class D camp… On the way back, Natsukawa Sosuke didn't expect to find ginger on this island and prepared to take it back for a certain feverish person to drink as tea.
As they passed a dense wild fruit forest, a subtle yet crisp snapping sound entered Natsukawa's keen ears.
"Crack—"
It was the sound of a dead branch being violently broken. Natsukawa Sosuke stopped, listened for a moment, and a playful smile curved his lips.
'It seems a certain Little Angel's pressure valve is about to blow.'
"Ayanokoji, you take these things back first." Natsukawa shoved everything in his hands to Ayanokoji. "I'll go check over there."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced in the direction of the sound, seeming to guess something, but he wisely didn't ask further. He just held the pile of things, nodded silently, and turned to leave.
After Ayanokoji had gone far, Natsukawa Sosuke lightened his steps, quietly approaching the source of the sound.
Under a huge fruit tree, Kushida Kikyo was standing with her back to him.
At this moment, she had completely lost her usual energetic demeanor. She was clutching a branch tightly, as if venting something, slowly and forcefully breaking it piece by piece.
"So annoying… so annoying, so annoying, so annoying!"
"That Shinohara, she needs someone to accompany her to the restroom. Is she a primary school student?!"
"And that Ibuki, who is she putting on airs for?!"
She muttered curses under her breath, fiercely snapping the branch in her hand.
Just as she was about to attack the next branch, a pair of arms suddenly reached out from behind and wrapped around her waist.
"Ah—!!!"
Kushida Kikyo let out a short, terrified shriek, instinctively trying to struggle, elbowing backward fiercely, her nails ready to claw at the attacker's face.
"Shh—it's me."
A familiar voice sounded in her ear, carrying a reassuring calmness.
Kushida Kikyo's movements instantly froze. She smelled that familiar scent. Fear receded, replaced by the shame of having her secret discovered and an inexplicable sense of grievance.
She stopped struggling, instead reaching her hand behind her and giving Natsukawa's waist a hard pinch.
"Hiss—" Natsukawa Sosuke cooperatively gasped, "Such a heavy hand? Are you trying to murder your husband?"
"You scared me!" Kushida Kikyo turned around, her eyes slightly red, glaring at him indignantly. "Don't you know that scaring people can scare them to death?!"
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at her ruffled appearance and laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Couldn't hold it in again?"
"…Not really."
Kushida Kikyo pouted, the hostility in her eyes dissipating somewhat, replaced by deep fatigue.
"Because all the girls live in one tent, we see each other all the time. Even if I want to badmouth someone, I don't dare say too much, afraid of being overheard." She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "It's just that everyone has nothing to do, so they gather together all day to chat about boring gossip. My face is almost stiff from smiling."
These past few days, as the class's good-natured person, she not only had to mediate conflicts between girls and boys but also cater to the emotions of individual girls, all while maintaining that perfect angelic image in front of everyone. This high-intensity facade was truly driving her crazy.
"So there is a bit, then."
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at her, then suddenly reached out and took her wrist.
"In that case, I'll take you to see something good."
"Eh?" Kushida Kikyo was startled. "Something good? What is it?"
"You'll know if you come with me."
Natsukawa Sosuke didn't explain, pulling her in another direction.
Kushida Kikyo looked at his broad back, her cheeks slightly flushed.
(Going somewhere deserted… to see something good…?)
(This guy, could he be thinking of… in the wild…?)
Although some strange, suggestive thoughts popped into her head, she didn't shake off Natsukawa's hand. Instead, she subconsciously kept pace with him, a faint sense of anticipation secretly rising in her heart… Ten minutes later, the two arrived at the small cabin by the cliff.
"We're here."
Natsukawa Sosuke pushed open the back door, and the vast, blue sea once again came into view.
"This is…"
Kushida Kikyo walked onto the terrace, struck by the breathtaking scenery. The sea breeze caressed her cheeks, carrying away a trace of heat and vexation.
"How is it? Nice view, right?" Natsukawa Sosuke leaned against the railing, smiling as he watched her.
"Mm… it's good."
Kushida Kikyo nodded. While a huge weight was lifted from her heart, an inevitable and strong sense of disappointment also welled up.
(So… it really was just to see the scenery.)
(What was I expecting… idiot.)
She bit her lip self-deprecatingly, her eyes dimming somewhat.
This fleeting micro-expression was accurately captured by Natsukawa Sosuke.
'Next, it's time to cast the net.'
Natsukawa Sosuke's smile gradually faded, replaced by a rare, slightly melancholic calm. He turned around, looking at the vast sea, his voice becoming somewhat low.
"Actually, I really envy you."
"Huh?" Kushida Kikyo was taken aback by the sudden remark. "Envy me? Envy me for wearing a mask and pretending to be a good person every day?"
"No." Natsukawa Sosuke shook his head, his gaze not on her, but on the distant horizon. "I envy you because you can at least find a way to vent. Even if it's destroying objects, even if it's cursing under the covers."
He paused, a barely perceptible hoarseness in his voice.
"But I can't even vent. From childhood, I've always had to be the calm, rational person, the one who must fulfill the expectations in my parents' and classmates' eyes. For this, I studied hard, trained relentlessly. All so everyone would think Natsukawa Sosuke is invincible, someone they can rely on. But no one ever asked if the real me was tired."
Kushida Kikyo was stunned.
She looked at the side profile of the man in front of her. Usually, he was always so composed, as if everything was under control. As if he could calmly handle any situation.
But at this moment, on this cliffside where only the two of them were, she seemed to see a crack appear in his hard shell.
Within that crack lay the same loneliness as hers, a desire to be understood yet a fear of being seen through.
A strong sense of resonance instantly struck her heart.
So… we are the same kind of people.