Ibuki

Hasebe ran off, and Takahashi saw Ayanokouji asking Sudo and Yamauchi for help, but it seemed both were turned down. In the end, Ayanokouji had no choice but to head into the forest alone. Takahashi walked up and asked:

"Ayanokouji, what are you going to do?"

"Oh, Hirata asked me to gather some firewood."

"I'll go with you."

"You just finished setting up the tent. Are you sure you don't need to rest?"

"No problem, I really want to help the class more." In his heart: I'm really channeling that workaholic spirit from seventeenth-century non-bro stuff now. ┭┮﹏┭┮

"Kamiya, can I come along?" Sakura's soft voice sounded beside him.

"Sure, let's go together."

Hearing Takahashi's words, Sakura happily hummed in agreement, then took out her handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Takahashi's cheek.

"Hey!"

Just as the three were about to enter the forest, Yamauchi's voice came from behind, and he quickly ran over to join them.

"Yamauchi, weren't you going to rest?" Ayanokouji asked.

"Haha, I figured I'd help out! After all, we're all friends. When a friend's in trouble, how can I not lend a hand? Right, Sakura?" He paused, then added, "Takahashi."

Takahashi: ⊙_⊙ Trying to steal your bro's girl? Just wait, little buddy. I'll finish you off later.

"Since we're all friends, let's go together." With that, Takahashi took Sakura's hand and headed into the forest. After putting some distance between them, he whispered a couple of things to her as they walked.

They hadn't gone far from the camp when the group started gathering firewood nearby.

Before long, Yamauchi carried a few branches over to Ayanokouji. He put his arm around Ayanokouji's shoulder and whispered.

"Ayanokouji, I need you to keep something a secret for me."

"Hm?"

"I... I want to pursue Sakura."

"Huh?"

"Well, I realized Little Kushida's level is way too high, right? And her communication skills are strong too, so I feel like I can't handle her. At times like this, you have to give up on the high-difficulty target. Compared to that, Sakura's not good at talking to people, is she? Or rather... she's completely unused to interacting with others. A girl like that must be really pure. Honestly, I'm thinking I'll try to win her over during this trip. I think with that type of girl, if I can play the role of a man who gently takes care of her, acts manly, and gives her a sense of security, I'll win her over. If possible, I want to get to the kissing stage. I'm serious. At a time like this, Sakura's the only one who'll do. No, Sakura is the one I want!"

"Wait, I mean, Sakura and Takahashi..."

"What about Takahashi? It's not like they're officially dating like Hirata and Karuizawa. Besides, look at Takahashi—soft-skinned and delicate. What kind of fighting power does he have? He's just a spoiled rich boy. I could knock him out with one punch. How can he give Sakura a sense of security? I already thought this through on the ship. Whether Sakura is Takahashi's girlfriend now or not, if I chase her, she'll be mine! And look at Takahashi—he's either with Hasebe every day, or with Ichinose from Class B, Shiina from Class C, or even that second-year senior. How can a guy who's not devoted at all make Sakura happy? Only a manly and devoted guy like me is worthy of Sakura."

"Hm... I don't think you can win Sakura over. After all, Takahashi and Sakura have been close since the Sudo incident."

"Ah, I've reflected on that too. Back then, I had no taste—I thought she was just a big-chested ugly girl. But now it's different. She's so cute, and she's a popular idol. Dating a popular idol is something to be really proud of."

"Hm... You'd better give up." Ayanokouji didn't think Yamauchi could win Sakura over. With his IQ, Takahashi would probably toy with him to death.

"Damn it, Ayanokouji, aren't we friends? Forget it, forget it. Just don't tell anyone about this, especially not Takahashi." Yamauchi angrily shoved the branches in his hands into Ayanokouji's arms, then turned and left.

Watching Yamauchi's back, Ayanokouji thought: But Yamauchi, I've never considered you a friend.

A little while later, Takahashi, carrying a pile of branches, called out, "Everyone, gather up. I think we've collected enough."

When the group assembled, Yamauchi looked at Sakura, about to speak, but Takahashi spoke to Sakura first: "I'm a bit tired. You hold these for me. If you drop even one, I'll hit you, got it?" He placed his own bundle into Sakura's arms.

"Hey, hey, Takahashi, what kind of behavior is that? Do you have any manliness at all? Sakura, let me carry those for you. A girl carrying so much will get tired, and she might even get hurt."

Takahashi: ←_← Your branches aren't even half of Ayanokouji's. From the start, you were just trying to play the gentle, manly role.

Sakura nervously placed the branches in her arms into Yamauchi's hands, then let out a sigh of relief as if she'd completed some major task.

Yamauchi's heart: Seeing Sakura sigh like that, carrying those must have been really tiring. But this way, it shows how considerate I am, hahaha.

Takahashi's heart: This silly girl can't keep her cool. Still needs practice.

Sakura's heart: So nervous, so nervous. But doing bad things with Takahashi feels kind of nice...

"Well then, let's head back." Takahashi took Sakura's hand and walked toward the camp.

Yamauchi: Huh?????ДO???

The three of them stood before a girl sitting under a big tree, her face bearing obvious bruises. They didn't know what to say. As for Yamauchi? He was still behind, carrying a huge pile of firewood!

The girl before them wasn't a member of Class D. On the contrary, she was a member of Class C, Class D's rival.

Yamauchi, who had been left behind, finally caught up. Seeing Ibuki, he dropped the firewood and was about to run over, but Ayanokouji grabbed him by the shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"Ah... um... no, sorry."

Takahashi quietly observed Ayanokouji. Though his face remained expressionless, his actions and words just now suggested he wanted to say something but held back.

Under his gentle persona, Yamauchi couldn't just ignore an injured girl. He was the first to ask: "Are you okay? How did you get hurt?"

"Leave me alone. It's nothing."

"Nothing? Your face is all swollen! Who hit you? Do you want me to tell the teacher?"

"It's just a class dispute. Don't worry about it." The girl smiled bitterly.

"What should we do? We can't just leave her here, can we?" Yamauchi turned to look at the other three.

"What should we do? What else can we do? If she can walk, let her walk on her own. If she can't, you help her back to our camp." Takahashi took some branches from the pile Yamauchi had dropped and placed them in Sakura's hands, then picked up most of the rest himself.

This wasn't school, and it was almost dark. Besides, this was part of Takahashi's deal with Ryuuen, and also part of his plan.