The bus rumbled steadily along the narrow road leading to the camp. The morning sun streamed in through the windows, casting warm patterns across the rows of sleepy faces. I sat quietly near the front, Miyuki beside me, her hair brushing against my arm whenever she shifted.
I looked outside, but my mind wasn't on the passing trees. For a full week, memories had been spilling into my mind like a broken jar. Forests, hidden touches, stolen glances. Every fragment of Miyuki and Souta together had been laid bare before me. I had replayed each scene, sharpened it in my memory, and now I had a map of every hidden place they thought safe.
I have to be perfect in front of everyone, I told myself. The best boyfriend Haruto can be. If Miyuki trusts me openly, if I charm everyone else, then when the truth is exposed… their humiliation will be complete.
Miyuki leaned slightly closer, murmuring something about the scenery. "It's so green here… feels like another world."
I smiled faintly. "Yeah… different from the city, isn't it?"
She nodded, then hesitated. "I… I'm glad you're back, Haruto. I didn't… I didn't realize how much I missed this."
Good. She's showing affection in front of others. Keep it going, I thought, letting a soft grin brush my face.
The bus turned sharply, and the driver honked at a stray dog darting across the road. A few classmates laughed, breaking the quiet. I looked at Miyuki, her fingers fiddling with the strap of her bag. Careful, I reminded myself. Stay attentive. Protect the image… but watch them closely.
The camp was set against a forested hillside, a wide, open meadow dotted with cabins, a waterfall cascading in the distance, and a river snaking through the trees. Students disembarked with chatter and laughter, teachers calling out instructions.
"Alright, everyone," Mr. Takahashi said, clapping his hands. "We'll be dividing you into teams. Cooking, gathering, cleaning, and supervision. Let's make sure everyone participates!"
Hands shot up for cooking duty. Miyuki, of course, was nominated immediately. "Miyuki, Haruto, and a few others will take charge of cooking," the teacher announced. "Souta and the rest, you'll be gathering fish and fruits."
I glanced at Souta. His grin was smug, eyes already calculating. He thinks this trip is his advantage, I thought. Let's see how it ends for him.
Miyuki looked at me, bright and eager. "Cooking with you… it'll be fun!"
"Yeah," I said, keeping my tone light, as if this were just a normal day. "I'll help with anything. You just tell me what to do."
She laughed softly. "You're already acting like the perfect boyfriend."
Exactly, I thought. Let her see it. Let everyone see it.
We moved toward the kitchen tent, grabbing aprons and utensils. As we chopped vegetables and prepared ingredients, Miyuki kept chatting, her voice soft and carefree. "Remember last year's camp? I burned the rice… everyone still teased me about it."
I chuckled. "This time, no mistakes. I've got your back."
She smiled, leaning closer to pass me a knife. "Good. I want to enjoy this camp without worrying about anything."
She wants security… she wants me to be there. Perfect. I tightened my grip on the knife, smiling quietly. And she'll get it, while Souta has no clue what's coming.
Far behind, near the river and trees, Souta whispered to Miyuki as they crouched behind a large rock near the waterfall.
"I told you," he murmured, grinning, "this is the perfect spot. Nobody will see us here."
Miyuki scowled, but there was a flutter of excitement in her chest. "You really think hiding behind a rock is romantic?"
Souta leaned closer, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "It's private. That's what makes it romantic."
She rolled her eyes but didn't move away. "Haruto… he's right here, you know."
Souta shrugged, as if it didn't matter. "Doesn't matter. Here, it's just us."
Miyuki hesitated, her thoughts wavering. I'm doing this to gain experience. Haruto… he's so cool now… She pushed the guilt aside, letting herself be swept into the moment. "Fine," she said softly. "But don't think this changes anything."
Souta laughed, a low, teasing sound. "Sure. Whatever you say, princess."
Their hands brushed, and a small spark of tension passed between them. They whispered, laughed quietly, and flirted shamelessly under the cover of the trees.
From my hidden spot behind a cluster of thick bushes, I watched, heart calm, mind sharp. I had already set up my camera in advance, hidden perfectly so it could capture every angle.
A small grin spread across my face. Perfect. Every glance, every move, every touch—captured. This was the raw material I needed. Soon, everyone will see what they think is private.
I stayed until they moved back toward camp, whispering and laughing, and then stepped back, taking one last shot with my phone.
Back at the cooking area, I waited, checking on the rest of the students, pretending to focus on stirring the pot. Miyuki returned first, face flushed from wandering.
"Haruto…" she said softly, and before I could react, I hugged her. "Where have you been? I told you not to leave the camp."
Her eyes widened, and she froze for a second. "I… I was just wandering a bit, exploring. I didn't go far."
"Never leave the camp again!" I shouted, loud enough for a few nearby students to turn. My voice carried anger, not for show, but for effect. Miyuki's face paled slightly, her hands reaching for my arms.
"What if something happened to me?" she whispered.
"Exactly," I said, releasing her and placing a hand on her shoulder, lowering my voice. "I won't forgive you if you wander off like that."
Some students murmured, clapping lightly. A few giggled, impressed. Miyuki's cheeks burned.
At that moment, Souta appeared from behind a tree, a small smirk on his face. He froze when he saw us. My arm around Miyuki, her head resting lightly against my chest, her flustered expression…
Exactly as planned. I thought, a small, cold grin forming.
Later, I caught Souta pulling Miyuki aside, pretending to speak casually.
"Hey," he said smoothly, "we should hang out after camp tonight. Just us."
Miyuki's eyes flicked nervously. "No. Haruto… he's… I mean, we're… you can't…"
Souta's hand brushed hers lightly, insistently. "Come on. It's only two days. Trust me. It'll be fine."
She shook her head. "I… I'm not doing anything. I'm just trying to learn how to… survive the camp. You… forget what happened."
He caught her hands gently, leaning closer. "You don't need to hide from me. I know you want this. And you'll thank me later."
Miyuki's lips parted, conflicted, then she pushed him lightly, firm. "No! You don't get to"
I was still partially hidden behind a wall, watching everything, heart calm but fierce. They think they can hide it from me. Let them. I pulled out my phone discreetly, capturing the moment. This is the proof. Their arrogance will be their downfall.
I returned to the main camp, checking on students casually, pretending to focus on duties. Miyuki returned a few minutes later, looking around nervously.
"Haruto," she said, walking toward me.
I hugged her quickly, ignoring the curious stares. "Where did you go?"
"I… just wandered around," she whispered, face flushed.
"You're going to stay here," I said firmly. "No more sneaking off. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she muttered.
Some students clapped quietly. Others whispered. The effect was perfect her embarrassment, my authority, the illusion of care and control.
Souta's eyes burned as he finally approached, a small, forced smile on his lips. "Everything okay?"
I nodded slowly, still holding Miyuki. "Yes. Everything's fine."
He glanced between us, calculating, and finally nodded. "Right."
I released Miyuki slightly, giving her one last sharp look. Learn your lesson.
I stepped back, watching the pair. Souta, for all his charm, was a pawn now. Miyuki was embarrassed, yes, but I'd made sure to secure the image of control, of trust. Every whisper, every touch, every glance all recorded, all ready to be used.
The forest, the camp, the waterfall they thought these were their private playgrounds. They didn't know I'd seen everything. They didn't know the storm was already gathering.
This is only the beginning.
The sun was high, the camp bustling with activity. But beneath the laughter and chores, beneath the camaraderie and casual chatter, I was already three steps ahead.
And soon, the truth would fracture their world completely.