After a brief rest at a rest area, we arrived at our destination in just a few minutes. Our lodging was a charming inn surrounded by mountains on all sides. The shrill chirping of cicadas and the cool breeze made me realize how far we'd come.
For lunch on the first day, we were having a barbecue. After dropping off our luggage at the inn and resting for a bit, we drove to the barbecue site, which was about ten minutes away by car.
"Well, there's not much else to do, so please feel free to grill and eat at your leisure."
"Yessir!"
Relax!
Since it was a standing meal with no assigned seats, everyone was free to move around as they pleased. Even so, the dozens of Circle members quickly divided up the tasks. I glanced at Misaki and saw that she was already moving faster than anyone else. Her spirited demeanor made me fall in love with her all over again. Kotaro also asked Hamster-senpai what he could do and immediately got to work.
Wow... This is amazing.
About twenty minutes into the event, Kotaro felt genuinely moved.
The sunlight streaming down, the cool breeze you can't feel in the city, the gentle babble of the nearby stream, the aroma of meat and vegetables sizzling on the grill. Everything was fresh and soothing. Even listening to the Circle members' lively chatter was enjoyable.
"Okay, we're running low on charcoal. I'll leave some extras here."
He quickly delivered charcoal to each group. The thanks from everyone made him happy, and before he knew it, he was prioritizing work over eating.
Misaki-senpai...
Wiping his sweat, he glanced around and spotted the petite senior moving hurriedly.
"Here you go, extra meat."
"Thanks!"
"I brought drinks. Which one would you like?"
"Then I'll have orange juice! Thanks!"
"Here you go, I'll refresh your carbonation!"
"Why does it feel like we're at a barbecue place now?"
Misaki went from place to place, her cheerful laughter trailing behind her.
Her radiant smile and the refreshing way she wiped her sweat made for a picture-perfect scene.
She's truly beautiful, Misaki-senpai... Hmm?
As I found myself falling for her all over again, my gaze suddenly drifted to her chest. Her plump breasts bounced with each little jog she took.
Oh no, I shouldn't be staring so lewdly in such a refreshing atmosphere...
Despite the thought, I stopped working and couldn't help but stare.
Oh.
Our eyes met. Her intense gaze pinned me down, making it impossible to look away. I felt completely exposed, as if she could see right through me.
Hamster-senpai, his face flushed a gentle pink, scurried over to Kotaro. He glanced around furtively, confirming no one was watching, before playfully tapping Kotaro on the head.
"You idiot."
"Sorry..."
After the playful scolding, he immediately began stroking Kotaro's hair gently. It was utterly soothing, but the lingering gaze of others forced him to stop prematurely—a bittersweet end to the moment.
"Misaki—haven't you barely touched your food?" Megumi asked, holding a plate.
"Mm, you're right. I got so caught up in work, it became fun."
"You're such a hopeless case!" Megumi teased. "Here, try this."
"Hmm? What's this?"
When Megumi brought a large piece of meat close to Misaki's mouth, Hamster-senpai eagerly took a bite and began chewing with audible smacks, clearly enjoying it.
"Mmm, delicious!"
"See?"
Misaki's small mouth worked rhythmically as she chewed, and everyone around her—regardless of gender or grade—was charmed by her cuteness. But Kotaro was struck by both her small-animal-like charm and her feminine allure.
As he watched her chew thoughtfully, their eyes suddenly met. Her pale skin flushed a soft pink, and she quickly averted her gaze. She's like a cat—so cute.
Maybe I'll take a little break...
He sat on one of the nearby benches, drinking his drink, when Misaki waddled over with a plate of meat. She sat down next to him as naturally as if they were old friends and panted, "Huff."
"Kotaro, you've been working hard."
"Someone's wonderful example just rubbed off on me."
"Who could that wonderful example be?"
"Who knows?"
They chuckled softly. The gentle babble of the brook flowing nearby was soothing.
"This is fun."
"Yeah."
"Last year was fun too, but this year is so much more fun. Why do you think that is?"
"Who knows?"
They chuckled again. The time flowing between them felt so serene, as if they could have spent hours doing nothing.
"Senior Misaki..."
"Hmm?"
"I... I want to do more things with you and go to more places."
"Really? I was thinking the same thing."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
The overwhelming happiness made his lips tingle.
"Ah, the meat's getting cold. Here, try some."
"Try some."
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Misaki offered Kotaro a bite during their conversation.
"Ah."
"Ah."
Just as they realized what they'd done, two freshman girls walked by. They'd definitely been caught. Frozen in place, unable to explain themselves, the two watched as the freshmen left with vague, lukewarm smiles.
"...Even if we got caught just now, it's not even funny..."
"U-um... I don't mind if we get caught, but this is a little too fast..."
The two of them were at a loss. The moment their little world of two dissolved, the babbling brook sounded a little louder than before.
*****
"Huh? We're running out of drinks..."
After the barbecue had been going for a while, Fukushima, who had opened the cooler from the wagon, muttered absently.
"Really? Is there a store nearby?" Misaki asked Fukushima. Kotaro, standing nearby, strained his ears. The grilled meat was delicious.
"Let's see... I think there was a small shop about a ten-minute walk from here..."
"In that case, I'll go. I've eaten my fill anyway, so I can take a break while I'm at it."
"Really? That'd be a big help. Five bottles should be enough, but it'll be tough to carry them alone. Does anyone have a car...?"
"Ah, no, it's okay. There's someone else who looks free."
Misaki glanced back at Kotaro and grinned mischievously. It seemed he'd been caught listening intently.
"Hmm, understood. The barbecue will go on for a while, and we won't run out of drinks anytime soon. Take your time."
"...Don't say unnecessary things."
Fukushima, who knew about their relationship, smiled knowingly. Misaki turned away sulkily, looking cute.
"Well then, I'll be off."
"Leave it to us. Kotaro-kun, take care."
"Yes, ma'am."
We slipped out of the boisterous barbecue and headed shopping together. As soon as we left the barbecue area, we were on a mountain path. The only sounds were the cicadas' song and the rustle of leaves in the wind.
"We're being taken care of, aren't we?"
"I wish they'd be a little more subtle about it..."
Misaki smiled wryly, stretching her arms overhead and letting out a long, "Nnn..." Her slightly visible underarm peeked out from her short sleeves, looking lustrous.
"..."
After confirming no one was around, I reached out and gave Misaki's plump buttocks a playful tap as we walked. She flinched and stopped. Staring intently at her profile, I gently rubbed her firm buttocks, squeezed uncomfortably into her hot pants.
"Kotaro, you're such a pervert."
"Not as much as you, Misaki-senpai."
We continued talking while standing still, but then Misaki suddenly started walking again, still holding her buttocks.
"Ugh...!"
Long, slender fingers smoothly reached down to my crotch. Her nails scraped upward repeatedly, sending sweet electric currents shooting through my lower abdomen.
"Kotaro, you're rock-hard."
"It's all because you're too sexy, Misaki-senpai."
Misaki didn't respond, just stared at me with soft, slightly moist, cat-like eyes. I swallowed hard.
"Want to take a break, Misaki-senpai?"
"Hmm? What should I do now...?"
Unable to resist Misaki-senpai's adorable teasing, I grabbed her surprisingly slender wrist and pulled her into the shade of a tree where no one could see.
"Ah...! Kotaro, you're such a beast sometimes, nufufu..."
Misaki seemed startled, but there was a hint of amusement in her smile.
The charm of the hardworking Hamster-senpai...
Next update: January 12th (Saturday) (^^)!
Thank you for reading as always (^^)!!