CH 23

Arc-2 Chapter-5: What is "Survival"?

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Yui was unresponsive for a while, and since it's pitch-black, I can't tell what kind of expression she has on her face.

"Um, Yui-san, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to overstep..."

"What's with that line? It's like a line from a cheesy romantic drama."

Yui stands up. She put her hand on my chest and pushed me away as hard as she could.

"I feel like an idiot. Only women in dramas would be moved by a line like that. It's beyond creepy, you know."

As I fall on my butt, Yui walks next to me.

(This b❄tch... is crazy)

But I can't say that out loud. It's what it means to be in the entertainment industry, and what work is all about. I'm not as good as Yukiho, but I do have a bit of professionalism.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention--"

Yui turns around.

"--Don't tell anyone about this."

"Of course..."

"And I know you don't have a good impressing of me anymore, but don't act like it on TV. You are no longer an amateur, you know. I'll behave the same as I always have."

"I know..."

"I hope so."

Yui strolled away. I stood up and followed her.

"Yoshikawa-kun, there it is, the emergency lantern!"

Yui said to me as we reached the back. She was already back to being a celebrity from a demon. When I looked closely, I saw that she was wearing an camera.

"In times like these, you have to rely on lanterns."

"Mm-hmm. This is an emergency after all."

We carry on a conversation as if nothing had happened.

"Here, this is your camera, Yoshikawa-kun!"

"Oh, thank you very much."

❄

Since then, Yui no longer tried to seduce me. Bedtime, which I had been worried about, was over easily. And the next day. The torrential down pour continued.

We spend our time holed up in the cave, consuming preserved food and drinking water bit by bit.

The drinking water was boiled as a precaution. It tasted worse than yesterday, probably because of the time that had passed. In this environment, I didn't want to get sick to my stomach. It would be quite problematic.

"Yoshikawa-kun, can I ask you a question?" Yui was leaning against the wall, playing with her phone.

"Sure, what is it?"

I sat by the fire and watched the sun go down. I don't want to touch my phone too much. Even though I have a mobile battery, I want to keep it charged.

"Yoshikawa-kun, your grandfather's desert island doesn't have a working phone, right?"

"All phones, or rather, anything phone-related, is impossible.  Since there's no signal going through there."

"But we can use it on this island, right?"

"Yes."

"Why is that?"

"Either the TV station did the work when they bought the island, or it was within range from the start. I think it's probably the latter."

"How can it be within range when it's uninhabited?"

"That's the norm these days. It's rather strange on Grandpa's island. It's not that far from the mainland, but there's no signal at all."

"Oh, so that's how it is."

It was an idle chit-chat. As long as we were talking like this, Yui was a decent person.

❄

The rain stopped on the morning of the third day. It was earlier than I expected.

However, because of the torrential downpour on the mainland, we were not picked up until that night. For some reason, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces came to the rescue, instead of the TV station.

"I'm very sorry for the trouble I've caused you."

"Don't worry about it, we're enjoying the show! If you don't mind, I'd like to take a picture with you later."

"Of course, it's a small price to pay."

The crew led me to the ship. It was their first time on this island, but they were more used to moving around than I was. I was keenly aware of the difference between a mere survivalist and a hardened professional.

❄

After returning to the mainland, Yui and I were hospitalized for tests. A thorough examination that's like a physical examination.

The results were clear. 

Aside from the obvious external injuries, there were no problems found in the body.

The main focus of the test is on bacteria. Especially for food poisoning, but also for parasites.

These are not visible to the eye. So, no matter how many times I have the test, I always feel uneasy when I hear the results. Fortunately, there were no problems, so I was discharged immediately.

❄

"I'm so glad you're okay!"

"I'm sorry I made you worried about me."

"No need! I'm just glad Daikichi-kun is well!"

It was after I was released from the hospital that I had a chance to talk to Yukiho. She greeted me and Yui warmly when we came out of the hospital.

"I'm glad you're okay too, Yui-san!" (Yukiho...)

"Mmm, thank you."

"Did my Daikichi-kun  cause you any troubles?"

"Yeah..." Yui smiles bewitchingly.

"Not particularly. He was such a gentleman."

"Oh! Daikichi-kun, you're doing well!"

Yukiho pats me on the head. I chuckled, "Don't do that, it's embarrassing." In my heart, I was relieved. I was worried that Yui would go out of control out of spite.

"I have to go to my next job, so I'll leave you now. Thank you, Yoshikawa-kun and Takamine san for letting me participate in this program. It was a very valuable experience."

"Thank you for being on the show as well!"

Yukiho bowed deeply. A little later, I also bowed my head and said, "Thank you very much."

"Let's have sushi today to celebrate Daikichi-kun's safety!"

"The doctor told me to avoid raw food for a few days."

"Then meat! We'll eat meat! Let's go eat meat!" (Yukiho-Puppy~)

"Haha, yes, lets."

Soon after, the manager arrived and took Yukiho and me home in his car.

Thus ended the recording of the special episode.

Yui didn't go off on any particular rampage, and the night she turned into a demon disappeared into the darkness.

I didn't even tell Yukiho about the incident with Yui. It was awkward to keep something from her, but I thought it would be better not to tell her.

If I told her, it would interfere with Yukiho's work. I had to avoid that at all costs. I didn't want to get in her way just because I wanted to be comfortable.

After that, he went about his business without a care in the world.

--It was supposed to be that way, but it wasn't.