Chapter 1516 Climbing Up The Akimitsu Hills



“Huh? I finished all of my plans for today so I can join you two. I’m the one who suggested this place, remember? No way I’ll pass up on the chance for a free tour.”

“... You say that but look at how lightly you dressed. Are you sure you can hike on a pair of sandals? And with heels at that.”

Reacting to her answer to our question about why she changed her mind halfway through, I scrutinized her choice of footwear. Not to mention, she’s also wearing some tight-fitting jeans paired with light clothes that cling to her body. Although she had something to cover her arms and shoulders, it was still pretty light that I couldn’t help but shiver for her. I mean, even if the rain had passed, the sky remained cloudy and the wind was biting cold due to the elevation of this location.

“Relax. You’re here to carry me if I tripped, right? Or will you say no to your girlfriend’s older sister?” Setsuna-nee said as she grinned in delight as though there was no way for me to say no to that suggestion.

“Well, sure. I’ll just watch out and prevent you from tripping.

“Eh? What about me? Will you also carry me if I trip?” Perhaps not wanting to get left out, Juri interjected but the way she said that was still riddled with her act. It sounded like she was just playing along with the way this conversation was going.

“Nonsense, Onoda-kun. I’ll intentionally trip over nothing to catch you off guard. And Juri, I’m sure he can carry both of us despite his slender arms, no? When that happens, I’ll call Satsu-chan and show how strong you are.”

Setsuna-nee squeezed my shoulder, forcing me to look at her. And as expected her grin remained on her face. I couldn’t help but wonder if her other reason for coming to join us was to keep teasing me.

Well, I’ll have it her way. She just gave Juri and me an excuse to get close to one another. For sure, knowing how this cool beauty changed after ripping out her propriety dogma when it comes to me, she’ll also try and do something later.

Anyway, after that conversation where I mostly conceded and acted a little agreeable for their convenience, we finally started making our way to the Akimitsu Hills.

Since it was already midday, the number of other campers going up the road toward its entrance was few and far between.

We could see a group of friends, cheering for those who were already exhausted by this initial hike on a concrete road. Then there was also a family of four with the father carrying his two children as the three of them sang a nursery rhyme. The mother was carrying a basket that was most likely filled with their packed-up food and snacks.

Obviously, there were also couples, making camping in this location their date venue.

From what I read before and the way Setsuna-nee kept on talking about it while we walked, one could rent cottages that could house six to ten people each or depending on the area.

While camping using a tent was still viable near the peak of those hills, the most well-known feature of this location as a camping trip was those cottages that could be rented for a few days or a month. In a way, it’s not really targeted at campers but those who just wanted to live on a mountain and away from society.

They also boasted a recreation area that could be used for events.

Just from hearing those, I could already foresee that Akimitsu Hills might be the one picked for our camping trip. While the Greenwood Forest was also doable, it would be hard for whoever was going to be in charge to police or look after high schoolers.

In any case, that’s just my preliminary evaluation. I still have to see what this place really has to offer.

Passing through the entrance, the three of us with Juri on the lead, went to the reception.

The same as the first location, she called for a reservation for scouting purposes. Even though it got accepted, she was still asked to pay 25% of the cost for one cottage.

It’s not a problem, anyway. They were given a budget for this. And so, instead of getting a pass, we were just given four hours to explore and scout the place while also given a cottage to use if ever our feet get tired.

This time, as we stepped out and started moving to our cottage which was located somewhere far from that admin compound, Setsuna-nee took the lead while Juri and I followed after her.

“Is this what you’re calling a hike? I can do this all day.” While sounding a little boastful, Setsuna-nee blurted that out as we were halfway through the initial path that only has a 5-degree slope. It’s not even counted as a hike since one can still easily climb that. The only thing one had to watch out for were protruded rocks or soft ground that could potentially cause an accident

“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself Setsu. Watch your steps. It rained so you might step on a puddle and slip on it.” Juri warned her.

As for me, I decided not to say anything and just keep an eye out in case one of them trips. Well, most of my attention was on Juri and I made sure to close our distance while not being too obvious.

With Setsuna-nee’s eyes focused at the front, we were stealthily being intimate with each other – although mostly it’s just us holding each other’s hands. Even if she caught us, we could just make an excuse that I offered my help to her to prevent her from tripping.

“Relax. I told you, I got this. Even if I’ve never been here before, I’ve seen videos of a vlogger staying in this place. She gave useful tips on how to navigate and have fun in this place.”

Vlogger, huh? So, she’s the type to watch those people on the internet. While most of them were just there for the clout and content, there’s no doubt that some were really helpful. Not that I finished one myself but they’re the rave these days – I only watch Yue’s videos nowadays, mostly her singing or her interviews in some news pages.

“Really, now? Alright. Then you don’t need Ruki to save you if you trip, right?”

For Juri to add that there, she’s probably probing Setsuna-nee. She’s aware of how worked up her best friend is when it comes to me.

“Of course, I still need that. But wait, I noticed something. Since when did you start calling him by his name? I remember you’re still calling him ‘Onoda-kun’ when I called you.” Stopping in her steps, Setsuna-nee twisted her body a bit to look at us with suspicion in her eyes.

Alright. That probing didn’t go well. And Juri probably got too used to calling me that way or she just wanted to do it regardless of Setsuna-nee hearing it.

“What’s wrong with it? He’s Onoda-kun and he’s Ruki. I’m trying it out. It’s shorter and easier to say.”

“Is that all? What about you?” Setsuna-nee, seemingly not convinced at Juri’s answer, turned her gaze to me.

How should I answer that? Let’s see...

“Well, I don’t mind calling her Juri as well. I mean, I’m calling you Setsuna-nee-san. It’s a mouthful.”

Upon hearing that, Setsuna-nee clicked her tongue. “Huh? You need to show respect to your seniors. Don’t forget that. Anyway, why Juri and not Juri-nee?”

So, she’s not going to drop that...

“Hmm... Why, huh...?” I tilted my head and answered like I haven’t thought about it yet when in fact, I have a clear reason why I’m calling her Juri and not attaching an honorific like the way I called her Koizumi-san before.

“Come on, Setsu. I’m not Satsuki-chan’s older sister and I don’t see Ruki as a little brother. I told you how I’m trying to recruit him as a model, right? He looks so mature that other high schoolers look like children compared to him.”

“I say, you’re exaggerating it. Onoda-kun look mature? Nope, he looks like he still has milk on his lips.”

This girl... While Juri was really pushing that, I’m some baby-faced idiot, you know? Even if she asks all my girls, they will only call me cute but they never see me looking childish.

A second later, I put a hand on my chin and spoke out before Juri could reply. “Satsuki doesn’t produce milk yet so... that’s false.”

Because I said that like I was talking about a normal topic, not only Setsuna-nee but also Juri stared at me, speechless.

It took them a while to process it as both of their faces got occupied and visited by a crimson color. Then at almost the same time, they blurted out,

“You pervert! That’s not what I meant!”

“Ruki, that’s inappropriate!”

Expecting that kind of reaction, I raised my hands as I answered in the same, unbothered tone.

“Oh. My bad.”

As soon as I finished that, Juri grabbed my arm and squeezed it with all her strength. It’s not even hurting me and seeing her embarrassed expression like this was always a bliss.

As for Setsuna-nee, she descended and hooked her arm around my head, trying to choke me once again. However, the same as the last time, it’s more of pushing my face to her voluptuous chest than choking me.

Right... Should I tell her to put more force into it?

Anyway, even though we had yet to start scouting this place, having Setsuna-nee here wasn’t really that bad. It won’t be hard to control her behavior. I just have to be as shameless as I can while occasionally acting obediently around her.