Chapter 175 Towards Winter Camping Daily (4)
The bag that Miki Kujo sewed for Toru Watanabe is similar to a hand-held gift bag.
Many high school students in the island country carry bags like this to school in addition to their school bags, to carry clothing and other items needed for physical education classes or clubs.
There is neither [Meiji loves Tetsu] nor [Tetsu love Meiji] embroidered on it.
Because her aesthetic standards were so high and in order to make the bag look good, there was no extra time for Kujo Miki to embroider the words.
Although they said that [Exclusive for Lady Meiji] will be added later, I don’t know when that will be.
After two more classes, the school bell rang on time.
Toru Watanabe is on duty today.
As he was carefully wiping the blackboard until it glistened, the girl who was on duty that day came over with a broom.
"Watanabe-kun."
"Hmm?" Toru Watanabe wiped the blackboard up and down with a wet and wrung-out rag.
"Will Kujo-san go to the bonfire party?" asked the girl named Shimada.
"Go ahead, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just asking. By the way, the floor is almost swept, Watanabe-kun, you should speed up and help mop the floor."
"It will be done soon." Toru Watanabe changed the rag and continued to wipe the blackboard.
After the duty was over, it was already four o'clock.
At four o'clock in mid-November, the sky was orange, yellow, and a little indigo.
A girl was lying at the window of the corridor, taking pictures of the sky. Her legs were exposed under her slightly lifted pleated skirt.
There is almost no human voice in the teaching building.
In the distant playground, the sports clubs were running and sweating under the magenta.
Stepping onto the elevated corridor leading to the club building, the pronunciation exercises of the choir and the sounds of the wind section’s instruments pushed the cheers of the sports club into the distance.
Walking through the overhead corridor, Toru Watanabe entered the Human Observation Department.
The temperature suddenly rose, and it was so warm that it made people want to sleep.
Even Watanabe Toru, who didn't feel the cold very well, breathed a sigh of relief.
Today, there are only Watanabe Toru and Kiyono Rin.
I don't know if Kujo Miki is really busy, or if she's afraid that Kiyono Rin will say, "Ah, why are you waiting here every day since the bet? Are you... afraid of me?"
Given Kujo Miki's personality, why would she agree to such a bet is also a question worth pondering.
Women are really scary, and beautiful girls are no exception.
"I really want to sleep here at night. It's too cold on the way to and from school."
"I agree with this point of view." Qing Ye Lin looked at the map, "But you should put on the open clothes first, so that it will be convincing."
"If it's not cool, I'd rather freeze to death."
In fact, the main reason is that it won’t be too cold if you leave it open, but it will feel restrictive if you button it up.
Watanabe Toru sat down on a chair and took out Remembrance of Things Past. He looked at the remaining pages and decided that he would probably use it to celebrate the New Year.
Not having to worry about what book to read next is a small happiness for him.
Just as Watanabe Toru turned the cover and was about to read, Kiyono Rin interrupted him.
"Wait a moment."
"What's the matter?" Watanabe Toru raised his head.
Qingye Rin handed over the map in her hand: "I have roughly designed some routes for the test of courage. How about you take a look from a boy's perspective?"
"What do you mean by 'boys' perspective'? When it comes to being afraid of ghosts, men and women are pretty much the same."
Toru Watanabe picked up a map with several routes drawn on it in pencil.
Kamikawa High School’s winter camping was held at a famous camping site near Tokyo.
There are hot springs, ski slopes, off-road motorcycles, open-air cooking stations, rivers, forests, wooden houses, etc.
The routes for the test of courage competitions are almost always chosen in the forest.
Watanabe Toru looked at it and said as if giving up: "How can you tell which one is more terrifying just by looking at the map?"
"This is just a planned route. I plan to go on site to investigate the specific arrangements."
"Field trip? Just because of a test of courage? Qingye-san, you are too serious."
"Do you know why this world is so annoying?"
"Um?"
"It's because most people can't do what they should do seriously, and are obsessed with boring things like stockings, legs, breasts, and paid movies all day long."
"… If you just replace 'most people' with 'Watanabe-san', I won't have any objection."
"It's good enough that you know it yourself." Qingye Rin took back the map, put his hand on his chin, and thought seriously.
After a while, she said, "Sure enough, we still need to go for a field trip."
"Then you should be careful. Even though it's a camping site, it's probably not safe to go there because of the forest and water."
"What are you talking about?" Qing Ye Lin raised her head, her eyes without a trace of mixed colors, and looked at Watanabe Toru with a little confusion, "You don't think I'm going to that kind of place alone, do you?"
"Wait." Watanabe Toru raised his right hand, "Don't tell me I want to go too."
Qingye Rin gave him a look that said 'stop talking nonsense all day'.
“…”
In this kind of weather, go to the camping site...
Putting aside the issue .
So, he put his brain, which was getting smarter day by day, into use and came up with a good idea.
"Don't you think it would be more efficient to ask former members of the Test of Courage Committee rather than conducting on-site inspections?" said Toru Watanabe.
“That’s one way to do it.”
“And even if you want to know the actual situation of the campground, you don’t have to go there.”
"What do you mean?" asked Qingye Rin.
"There are no secrets on the Internet." Toru Watanabe tapped the beech table with his index finger.
"I see." Qing Ye Lin nodded. "Considering that restaurants can be booked through mobile phones, and even directly view the store environment and the menu of the day, there is a high probability that the camping grounds will also have the same APP or forum."
He reacts quickly and knows how to draw inferences from one instance, but he lacks the ability to keep up with trends.
In this day and age, who would run over there without knowing the actual situation? Going online to look for information is the first reaction of a normal person.
"Also," don't underestimate Watanabe Toru's lazy persistence, "Compared to the horror of the environment, the effect produced by the right props may be better."
"You are worthy of being my vice-minister." Qingye Rin stared at Watanabe Toru and said with a little bit of admiration.
"I won't mind if you just praise yourself, Minister."
"Don't be so modest. You are still a little useful." Qing Ye Lin placed her flawless hands on her chest, which was barely rising or falling. "To be recognized by me, you are already better than 99% of humans."
This is not the end yet.
She continued: "Considering that my personal proportion among the seven billion is almost insignificant, it is not an exaggeration to say that you are superior to all of humanity."
"Mr. R, I sincerely advise you: although narcissism is not a serious disease, it is best to treat it as soon as possible." Watanabe Toru gave his advice sincerely.
Qingye Rin snorted in dissatisfaction.
"Ask former members of the Test of Courage Contest for suitable props, and look for maps online," she summarized Watanabe Toru's suggestions. "All we can do now is to ask former members of the Test of Courage Contest, and we can also ask them the last two questions."
"That's right."
"Then let's go find the previous test of courage committee members now." Qingye Rin stood up.
"Slow down."
While wrapping a white scarf around herself, Kiyono Rin stared at Watanabe Toru indifferently.
After putting the scarf on, she continued to stare at Watanabe Toru motionlessly.
"Okay, okay." Watanabe Toru sighed and closed the book, "How do I find it?"
Ignoring the questions from Toru Watanabe who looked reluctant, Rin Kiyono walked out of the warm activity room.
Although the corridor was so cold that she subconsciously huddled her body, there was a slight smile on the corner of her beautiful face as she turned her back to Watanabe Toru.
Watanabe Toru closed the door and followed Kiyono Rin.
Go straight, go downstairs, go downstairs again, go straight, and the music classroom is in front of you.
After school, the wind band with the largest number of members is indeed most likely to have someone serve as a committee member of the Test of Courage Conference.
Even if there isn't one, it's convenient to ask.
Finally, to make a slightly exaggerated statement, the wind orchestra is now a subordinate club of the Human Observation Department, and it is most convenient to use.
Compared to those evil societies that secretly manipulate the student union, the Human Observation Department at least has the advantage in numbers.
How about trying to run for student council president in your second year of high school? Complete your grand plan of dominating all the women in Kamikawa, including female teachers!
Thinking about all sorts of things, Toru Watanabe pushed open the heavy soundproof door.
At this point, Lord Seino, who is polite to everyone, will never say thank you to Watanabe Toru.
She took it for granted that Watanabe Toru would open the door, and walked into the music classroom with her arms folded and a stern step.
One of them was beautiful, the other handsome. As soon as they walked in, the music classroom fell silent.
"Kiyono-san? Watanabe-san?" Hayami Fumio, who was promoted to department head, walked forward.
"Hello, Senior." After greeting, Qing Ye Lin immediately got to the point, "Can I bother you for a moment?"
"Sure." Hayami Kaoru nodded gently, "What's the matter?"
Kiyono Rin glanced at Watanabe Toru.
Watanabe Toru glanced back at her.
'Why are you looking at me? I'm not your translator.'
'Stop talking nonsense and hurry up.'
So fierce and scary.
"Hayato-senpai, this is what happened..." Toru Watanabe recounted the story of the test of courage competition.
"In other words, you are here to find the first-year students who served as committee members of the Test of Courage Conference?" Hayami Xun confirmed.
"I won't let the wind band help in vain," Qing Ye Lin said, "I can serve as a judge in the audition next year."
"Selection meeting?" Hayami Xun didn't react.
Qingye Rin frowned slightly: "Hayami-senpai, aren't you going to select the members of Group A through audition next year?"
She herself may not have noticed that from Toru Watanabe's perspective, she was not asking questions at all, but questioning and interrogating!
"No, that's not the case. Strength is definitely what matters." Hayami Kaoru answered subconsciously.
Qingye Rin nodded with satisfaction.
You see, everyone, there is irrefutable evidence that the Wind Ensemble is a subordinate club of the Human Observation Department.
"Then please help us ask, senior." said Toru Watanabe.
"Okay." Hayami Xun walked up to the podium and raised his voice slightly. "Everyone, has anyone ever served as a committee member of the Test of Courage Conference?"
There was some discussion below, but no one stood up.
"It would also be nice to know who has held the position before," Toru Watanabe reminded.
"Ah, I know!" Many people raised their hands.
"Ikeda from our class!"
"It seems that Tsumura from our class used to do the same thing!"
"Oh, I remember that Mai Asu-senpai also served as one of them! And it is said that the courage test that year was particularly scary. Many people were afraid to go to the toilet alone at night!"
"As for Senior Mai, it's in the small classroom for the bass section next door," said Hayami Kaoru.
"Asuta Mai." Kiyono Rin chewed on the name.
"..." Watanabe Toru whispered to her, "Senior has to prepare for the entrance exam tomorrow, so let's not disturb her."
Qing Ye Lin turned her head and asked him, "Morning Senior got the recommendation for admission to the University of Tokyo. Does Watanabe remember this?"
Toru Watanabe whistled the tune of "March to Endless Dreams".
"Thank you for your trouble." Qing Ye Lin said to Hayami Kaoru, and then called Watanabe Toru: "Let's go, Watanabe Toru-san."
The two left the music classroom and turned into the small classroom for the bass section.
Asako Hanada, whose entire body is blocked by the double bass, Aoi Ikki, who pushes the piston of the euphonium, two tuba players whose only known names are known, and Mai Asuka, who guides them.
"Excuse me." Qing Ye Lin greeted, "Mingri-senpai, can I discuss something with you?"
Asu Mai looked at Kiyono Rin... and Watanabe Toru behind her, and nodded: "...Okay."
Ikki Aoi gripped the bowstring tightly in his hand and watched the three people leave.
At this time, the sky has turned dark blue, and it will be dark soon.
There was no wind in the corridor, but it was still too cold for the high school girl wearing only stockings.
The three returned to the activity classroom of the Human Observation Department.
Qingye Rin finally let go of her arms and showed a relaxed and comfortable expression.
When she took off the scarf from her neck, she habitually lifted her long hair.
A faint scent of hair reached Watanabe Toru's nose.
"Mingri-senpai, we are looking for you for the courage test. In order to make the courage test more effective, I am preparing..."
Looking at Kiyono Rin explaining the reason for what happened, Toru Watanabe couldn't help but guess: Just now in the music classroom, this guy didn't want to talk because he walked outside and it was too cold, right?
After listening to Kiyono Rin's explanation, Asu Mai, who had no expression from beginning to end except for blinking, nodded.
"...I understand." She took the map and drew a route on it.
Then, he spread his hands towards Watanabe Toru.
"Hmm?" Toru Watanabe looked at her puzzledly.
"Notes and a pen. I'll write down all the props and scary methods." There was an almost inaudible tenderness in Asu Mai's indifferent tone.
"Oh." Toru Watanabe took out a Chinese notebook and pencil case from the bag at his feet.
When Asu Mai took it, her index finger lightly touched Watanabe Toru's hand.
Qingye Rin frowned slightly.
Asu Mai was writing relevant information in her notebook, and there was no sound from the Human Observation Department.
Kiyono Rin was looking up information about the campsite on her phone, while Watanabe Toru was watching "Remembrance of Things Past".
About five minutes passed.
Asu Mai placed the notebook with four full pages between the three of them.
Watanabe Toru took a glance at it, but didn't see clearly what was written. However, judging from the layout of the text, Asu Mai must be a good note-taker.
Even the picky master, Qingye Rin, nodded in praise.
"Thank you for your help, Mingri-senpai," she said.
"...Yeah." Asu Mai played with the mechanical pencil sold in a grocery store in the countryside of Iwate Prefecture. "Once the budget is settled, I can go shopping with you guys. I know a specialized store."
Hearing this, Qingye's eyes, as flawless as the clear sky on a winter day, widened slightly.
Asu Mai is known for being cold and aloof. She gave me information, but she offered to buy items together...
She glanced back and forth at Watanabe Toru and Asuka Mai and said, "Then I'll trouble you, senior. It will probably be this Saturday or Sunday."
"...Yeah." Asu Mai put down her pen, "Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Asuri-senpai."
After Asu Mai left, Toru Watanabe thought that it was another scene of the police interrogating a thief, but he didn't expect that Kiyono Rin was just looking at his notes without saying a word.
The sky was dark, and the buildings in Shinjuku district in the distance were blooming with colorful lights. The two ended their club activities.
Just as we walked out of the campus, in the evening when the temperature was only 7°, Kunii Osamu, who was only wearing sportswear, caught up with us.
He must have just finished club activities and was sweating profusely.
He walked to the right side of Watanabe Toru - on his left was Kiyono Rin, whose little face was tucked into her scarf.
"Watanabe, I want to discuss something with you." He whispered.
"What?"
"Tell me, if someone confesses their love to someone, will that person care about the other person?"
"No." Watanabe Toru gave a straightforward answer.
He knew what Kunii Osamu was thinking, he was just still thinking about Ikki Aoi.
"I think so too!" Kunii Osamu patted Watanabe Toru's shoulder.
"Um?"
Just when Watanabe Toru wondered if he had guessed wrong, Kunii Osamu continued:
"Confession alone is not enough! My next move is - holding hands! If holding hands doesn't work, then hug! If hugging doesn't work, then kiss!"
"…If hugging is not allowed, then kissing is okay? You are already sixteen years old. I suggest you better not do anything to harass women."
"No, I...anyway, I don't mean what you said! Anyway, I just want you to know that I won't give up!" Kunii Osamu showed Watanabe Toru his clenched fist.
Because of playing baseball, his palms turned yellow, which was a symbol of his hard work and also a requirement for entering Koshien.
"You should go discuss this matter with Saito," Toru Watanabe refused.
"No, no, he will definitely tell others about this, and you are a tested person!"
The "test" that Kunii Osamu mentioned refers to the time after they returned from Kyoto when the two asked Watanabe Toru if he knew that Ikki Aoi liked Asuka Mai.
Watanabe Toru told them that he didn't say it out of consideration for his personal privacy.
"I didn't tell you because Ikki is a girl, and I'm not that kind to boys." Toru Watanabe said deliberately in a bad mood.
"We are friends! Friends who have slain dragons together!"
"Life and death in the game, why are you so excited?"
"I don't care, you have to help me!" Kunijiro Xiu said in a naughty way.
"I don't care. I won't help you anyway."
"I don't care, you have to help me."
"No, it's too disgusting to talk to you like this, please stay away from me."
The evening breeze blew away this meaningless daily conversation.
Kiyono Rin was on the left of Watanabe Toru, and on the right was the chattering Kunii Osamu, and the three of them went down the ramp and walked towards Yotsuya Station.
