Kamuro Injured

"It's the third time."

"I... I'm sorry," Kamuro said, lowering her head, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz. "I caused you trouble again."

Sakamoto sighed, crouched down, and took the school-issued first-aid kit from his backpack. He skillfully pulled out disinfectant and bandages.

"Give me your foot." His tone was flat, but it brooked no refusal.

Kamuro obediently extended her foot. Sakamoto held her above the ankle. Kamuro Masumi was nearly 170 centimeters tall, standing head and shoulders above the other girls.

Her proportions were astonishing, and even her small feet looked delicate. Now, the streaks of blood lent them a pitiful fragility.

Sakamoto gently cleaned the wound. The sting of disinfectant made Kamuro suck in a breath, but she clenched her teeth and stubbornly kept silent.

"Does it hurt?" Sakamoto glanced up at her.

"N-No." Kamuro shook her head, though the corners of her eyes had reddened slightly.

Sakamoto said nothing more and focused on bandaging her wound. His movements were gentle and meticulous. As Kamuro watched his lowered eyelashes, an inexplicable emotion suddenly welled up inside her, and a blush unconsciously rose to her cheeks.

"Done." Sakamoto stood and put away the first-aid kit. "Can you walk?"

Kamuro nodded, got to her feet, and tried taking a few steps. But after only a few, she found that her ankle hurt badly enough to affect her walking. There was no helping it.

"I'll carry you."

Kamuro gave an almost imperceptible "Mm." He really was so gentle!

Sakamoto's back was broader than she had imagined. Kamuro Masumi nervously climbed onto it, and the thin fabric of their summer uniforms could not block the warmth of the boy's body at all.

She did not dare hold him too tightly, yet even through his shirt, she could feel the powerful muscles beneath.

The sensation of loose hair at the nape of his neck brushing across the back of her hand was like the faint teasing touch of willow branches in early spring.

Most fatal of all were those fleeting moments between breaths. Kamuro could clearly smell the faint scent of soapberries on him.

Sakamoto's steps remained steady.

"Thank you, Sakamoto," Kamuro said softly.

She raised her head to look at Sakamoto, her eyes holding gratitude and a trace of shyness.

Sakamoto gave a faint response, then turned and continued forward.

Though Sakamoto looked calm now, he was actually enjoying the softness against his back.

The two continued along the stream. Kamuro occasionally stole glances at Sakamoto's back, her mood much lighter, an irrepressible smile on her face. She felt both delighted and annoyed.

Although the accident earlier had embarrassed her somewhat, it had also given her more chances to interact with Sakamoto.

"Sakamoto, have you ever attended an outdoor training camp?" Kamuro could not help asking, trying to break the silence so the atmosphere would not become awkward.

"No." Sakamoto answered briefly without turning around.

"Oh..." Kamuro responded with some disappointment, but quickly rallied. "Then do you usually go on outdoor adventures a lot?"

"Sometimes." Sakamoto's answer remained concise.

Unwilling to give up, Kamuro continued asking, "Then do you think we can pass this exam smoothly?"

Sakamoto stopped and glanced back at her, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "If everyone is as reckless as you, probably not."

Kamuro immediately felt embarrassed by his words. Her face reddened, and she lowered her head, muttering softly, "I was already being very careful..."

Sakamoto looked at her aggrieved expression and could only sigh inwardly. He turned around and continued walking, his voice carrying a trace of teasing. "Then be even more careful. Don't make me save you a fourth time."

I'm starting to suspect Sakayanagi found you annoying and deliberately sent you over to me.

Hearing him say that, a brilliant smile immediately bloomed across Kamuro's guileless face. She quickly followed after him. "Don't worry, I'll definitely be careful!"

The two continued through the dense forest. Kamuro's mood had clearly improved, and she occasionally hummed a little tune. Though Sakamoto had been annoyed into silence, he answered her once in a while, making the atmosphere much more relaxed.

After walking for a while, Sakamoto suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky. The sunlight shining on the trees had already cast very, very long shadows.

"It's getting late. We should head back," he said.

Kamuro nodded. Though she still wanted more, she knew they could not delay any longer. The two returned the way they had come. Along the way, Kamuro continued eagerly observing the scenery around them, letting out exclamations from time to time.

"Sakamoto, look over there!"

Kamuro suddenly pointed at a large tree not far away and said excitedly, "It looks like there's fruit on that tree!"

Sakamoto looked in the direction she pointed and indeed saw several red fruits growing on the tree. He frowned and warned, "Don't pick things carelessly. They could be poisonous fruit."

Kamuro stuck out her tongue and withdrew her hand. "I just thought they looked pretty."

Sakamoto glanced at her, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Pretty things aren't necessarily safe, especially in the wilderness."

Kamuro nodded and obediently replied, "Got it. I'll be careful."

The two continued walking back when Kamuro suddenly remembered something and asked:

"Sakamoto, do you think Class A can win this exam?"

"As long as everyone works together, there's a chance."

Kamuro blinked, a sly smile appearing on her face.

"Then if I help you, would we have a better chance of winning?"

"How do you plan to help?"

Kamuro smiled mysteriously, leaned close to his ear, and whispered:

"I can help you monitor the other classes. What do you think?"

Sakamoto raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "Aren't you already monitoring me?"

Kamuro froze, her face instantly turning scarlet as she hurriedly waved her hands.

"N-No! It's just... just... it's all part of the mission!"

Sakamoto watched her flustered state, the corner of his lips curling upward in a faint smile.

"I'm joking. Don't be nervous."

Kamuro let out a breath of relief, though the blush on her face had yet to fade. She muttered softly:

"Sakamoto, you can be really mean sometimes..."

Sakamoto did not respond and merely continued walking. Kamuro followed behind him, secretly relieved that he had not pressed the matter further.

After bringing Kamuro back to camp and leaving her in the care of Yamamura Miki, the manager of Class A's camp, Sakamoto headed back into the dense forest alone.

Although Kamuro had delayed him somewhat,

Sakamoto had already confirmed the major locations nearby while at the high point.

There was a checkpoint north of camp, and Class A's others should have discovered it by now. Next, he needed to continue farther down.

He remembered that before reaching the island, the cruise ship had deliberately circled Uninhabited Island once.

At the time, he had already noticed several unusual locations.

There was only an hour left before sunset, so he only had time to check the nearest unattended plantation.