"I was just taking a walk," Oreki said. "Getting familiar with the terrain. I'm camping with students from your class over in the G1 Area."
That was half truth, half lie.
"I see." Karuizawa did not seem to suspect anything. "Then can I have a hug?"
Uh.
A hug?
Oreki was not as dense as Horikita.
In other words, Karuizawa wanted to replenish her [Houtarou Oreki energy.]
But Oreki also had the traumatic memory of hugging a girl and then being taken away by the police.
That had been personally orchestrated by Classmate Sakayanagi.
So, as for Karuizawa...
Oreki had her put down the firewood she had gathered, then opened his arms and hugged her.
"I feel like I'm satisfied now," Kei said.
She was such a cute girl.
Oreki thought to himself.
Then, after letting her go, he helped her gather some firewood.
But when he asked whether she wanted him to help carry it back, she refused and told him never to come near.
In other words, Sato had actually teamed up with her, hadn't he?
He had never understood the relationship between Hoshinomiya Chie and Chabashira, and now he did not really understand the relationship between Sato and Karuizawa either.
The relationship between Horikita and Kikyou Kushida also required consideration.
"Why are you so slow?" But as soon as he returned to his original spot, a girl with straight golden hair spoke up.
Even on the Deserted Island, she was still dressed neatly and looked fair and delicate.
She was someone who cared greatly about her appearance.
It was Kikyou Kushida.
She was clearly the one who had been late, yet she complained first.
"Did you run into some other girl?" However, once Oreki approached, Kikyou Kushida said directly, "You're really busy."
I see.
But why