Huddled in the gym for warmth, Mash and the Remedial Class chat about all sorts of things, embracing the camp vibe.
"By the way, Trinity's aquarium is showcasing a rare Golden Tuna," Hifumi says.
"Oh, I saw that in a pamphlet! The 'phantom fish,' right?" Koharu adds.
"Phantom fish… sounds cool. You all into that stuff?" Mash asks.
"Eh, kinda?" Koharu shrugs.
"But a phantom fish does spark curiosity," Hifumi admits.
"Apparently, it was found in nearby waters, but the entry fee's steep…" Hanako sighs.
"I'll cover it," Mash offers.
"Really, Sensei!?" Hifumi gasps.
"Yup, after camp."
"That helps," Azusa nods.
"Thank you!" Hifumi beams.
"So generous, Sensei~♡" Hanako teases.
"If everyone's going…" Koharu mumbles.
"Hm, the sea… I've never been," Azusa says.
"Me neither," Mash adds.
"What!? Neither of you!?" Hifumi exclaims.
"Yeah, life's been… complicated," Mash says.
"Sensei… let's go to the sea together someday. Promise," Azusa says.
"Sounds fun. I'm in," Mash replies.
"So, Peroro-sama's charm is undeniable!" Hifumi declares.
"Uh, I don't get it…" Koharu mutters.
"You love Momo Friends, huh?" Hanako giggles.
"They're great. I get Hifumi," Azusa says.
"Who's your favorite Momo Friend, Sensei!?" Hifumi asks eagerly.
"Uh… Skullman, like I said before. (She's intense…)" Mash answers.
"We're so alike," Azusa says.
"That much!?" Koharu laughs. "Are you secretly siblings?"
"No, we're the same age, so maybe brother and sister," Hanako muses.
"Azusa Burnedead, then," Azusa says.
"Sounds cool," Mash grins.
"You two do have a similar vibe," Hifumi notes.
"Azusa-chan, you should sleep properly at night," Hanako says.
"…Sorry for oversleeping and causing trouble," Azusa mumbles.
"No, it's fine," Hifumi says.
"You never overslept before… maybe you're too comfortable here now?" Hanako suggests.
"We've been here almost a week," Hifumi agrees.
"Anyway, sleep more. Cut back on night watch," Hanako insists.
"Night watch?" Mash asks.
"I've been patrolling at night—" Azusa starts.
"I'll handle any trouble. You need rest. We're all worried," Mash says.
"Really…?" Azusa blinks.
"We're teammates," Hifumi says.
"Sorry… the patrols were an excuse. I've been setting booby traps," Azusa confesses.
"Booby traps?" Koharu echoes.
"Why?" Hifumi asks.
"Don't worry, they're only on routes for malicious intruders. Safe for daily life," Azusa explains.
"Lethal?" Mash asks.
"Non-lethal."
"Okay, but tell us next time. We worry," Hanako says.
"Got it. I don't want to cause trouble for you or Sensei," Azusa says.
"You're a kind kid, Azusa," Mash says.
"D-Don't treat me like a kid, Sensei!" Azusa protests.
Her words stop abruptly, the lively conversation halting.
"…I might betray you all someday… your trust, your hearts."
"No way that'd happen," Mash says.
"How can you be so sure?" Azusa asks.
"Just a hunch… no, you stayed up protecting us. A kid like that wouldn't betray anyone," Mash says.
Azusa falls silent.
"Exactly!" Hifumi agrees.
"Don't say scary stuff like that," Koharu adds.
"We're always on your side, Azusa-chan~♡" Hanako says.
Azusa feels warmth in her chest, like when Mash encouraged her before.
"…Everyone… I—"
The lights flicker on, cutting her off.
"Power's back," Hifumi says.
Azusa's face returns to its usual poker face, words stuck.
"Well, first swimsuit party's over. Looking forward to round two," Mash says.
"No round two! This was it!" Koharu snaps.
The holiday ends with laundry.
"That can't be the end of our day," Mash says.
"Huh?" Hifumi blinks.
"What's up?" Koharu asks.
"Oh? Sensei's unsatisfied too?" Hanako teases.
"Yup."
Laundry and showers done, but Mash isn't ready to call it quits.
"A holiday ending like that? Too lame."
"But it's late…" Hifumi says.
"Time's an issue," Koharu adds.
"Got it, Sensei," Hanako smirks.
"What're we doing?" Azusa asks.
"Camp means sneaking out. That's the real deal, right?" Hanako proposes.
"What!?" Hifumi gasps.
"Let's sneak out for a night stroll!" Hanako says.
"Exactly," Mash agrees.
The rain's cleared, and it's fully night—perfect for Hanako's thrill-seeking. Mash is hyped.
"Trinity's shopping district stays open late. We can eat, shop, have fun!" Hanako says.
"That's against school rules!" Koharu protests.
"I don't know the rules exactly, but lots of students do it. Right, Hifumi-chan?" Hanako asks.
"H-Haha… yeah…" Hifumi stammers, hiding her black market escapades.
Sneaking out is common at strict Trinity, where students crave a break.
"It's camp, though. Is this okay?" Hifumi hesitates.
"It's just nearby. Come on, Koharu-chan, it'll be fun," Hanako urges.
"I-I'm… curious, but…" Koharu wavers.
"Let's go, all of us," Mash says.
"Really!?" Koharu lights up.
"I'm ready," Azusa says, already changed.
"Azusa-chan, you changed!?" Hifumi gasps.
"I'll take responsibility if we're caught," Mash says.
"Responsibility…?" Hifumi murmurs.
"Youth needs fun. Forget studying for once," Mash says, flashing a thumbs-up.
A night outing sounds thrilling for the girls.
"Settled! ♡ Let's get ready! A midnight stroll… so exciting!" Hanako beams.
"Don't sneak in 'naked'!" Koharu snaps. "We're wearing clothes!"
Thus begins the Remedial Class's fun night adventure. Mash thinks, This is youth.
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