Final Chapter: Let’s Camp

August 10th.
I arrived at Moonlight Terrace in the morning, opened my laptop, and started writing. Misora’s friends are over at my house, making a ruckus, so I couldn’t focus there.
Seriously, why are kids so hyper in the morning? I was much calmer when I was their age.
“Yare yare, this is why kids…”
Upbeat pop music plays in the shop. The air conditioning keeps it cool. Since it’s just after opening, I’m the only customer. Perfect environment.
“Oh, Miya, studying?”
Yuu-nii, bringing an iced café au lait, peeks at my screen.
“Nope, it’s that mystery novel. It’s coming along nicely. About 50,000 words so far.”
“What!? You’ve already written that much? So, it’s almost done?”
“Hmm, right now, the second murder has happened, and the detective’s starting to hunt for the culprit.”
The mystery novel Yuu-nii and I brainstormed is shaping up to be quite the epic. At this rate, it might hit 200,000 words. I usually write short stories, so this feels fresh and fun. If I keep this pace, I might finish by the end of summer break.
I dive back into writing and lose track of time. Before I know it, it’s almost noon. Time for a lunch break. I order spaghetti Napolitan. About ten minutes later, the food arrives.
“So, this huge tent cost 80,000 yen,” Yuu-nii says, spreading his arms wide.
“Wow.”
“Camping, huh? Sounds fun.”
I imagine the scene.
The four of us camping. Sitting around a campfire under a starry sky, sipping coffee, chatting until we’re sleepy. Waking up to the sunrise over Mount Fuji’s foothills, the birdsong carried by the breeze, the crisp air cleansing us.
Nice. Really nice.
“But, Yuu-nii, sleeping in the same tent as the three of us? Isn’t that a bit… off?”
“N-No, I didn’t say I’d buy one that size! I was thinking one small tent for me and a bigger one for you three. Or maybe a camping car or lodge house instead of tents. I don’t mind, but you’re girls, right? You’d probably want a bath.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s midsummer, so a bath would be nice. And what’s with the ‘you’re girls’ bit?”
“Sorry, sorry.”
“A lodge sounds cool too.”
Gathering in an attic room, stargazing through the window, would have its own charm.
“I looked it up, and it seems pretty affordable to rent one.”
“Hmm.”
Just then, the entrance bell jingles with a clank-clank.
“Oh, it’s Asaka.”
“Hey, Asaka.”
“Hello.”
She’s wearing a wide-brimmed white hat and a light green dress, exuding an elegant, ladylike vibe. In her right hand, she holds a closed parasol, and in the other, a paper bag.
“It’s nice and cool in here,” she says, fanning her chest.
“You walked here?”
“Yes, I stopped by I○n.”
“Must’ve been hot. Want something to drink?”
“A melon float, please.”
Asaka sits across from me, placing her parasol and paper bag on the chair beside her.
“Miya-chan, studying?”
“Nope, writing a novel.”
“…Don’t you need to study?”
“I’m studying properly too.”
I explain that I’m co-writing a mystery novel.
“Wow, that’s cool. It’s like your baby together.”
Asaka drops a bombshell, and I nearly spit out my café au lait.
“W-Wait, ‘baby’? Don’t say weird stuff!”
“Not in a weird way. Yuu-nii coming up with ideas and you shaping them—it’s like your creation together. I want to make something with Yuu-nii too.”
“Then go help him make that melon float.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Asaka puffs out her cheeks.
“By the way, what’s in that paper bag?”
It’s been bugging me. She probably bought it at I○n.
“Oh, this?”
Asaka places the bag on the table. It’s pretty big.
“Here’s your melon float. Looks like you bought something big,” Yuu-nii says.
“Oh, Yuu-nii, want to see?”
Asaka pulls out a fancy-looking box.
“What’s that… Wait, Asaka, that’s—!”
Yuu-nii’s face freezes. Inside the box are two mugs.
“Wow, they’re cute!”
One has a red heart, the other a blue heart—eye-catching wooden mugs.
“Y-You actually bought them?”
“Hehe, I secretly ordered them yesterday. Look, they engraved them in just a day.”
Engraved? And Yuu-nii’s reaction is odd. Why’s he so worked up over mugs?
“Huh? What?”
I look at the mugs again.
“Hm?”
I notice letters carved on them.
Under the red heart: A S A K A. Under the blue heart: Y U.
“Could these be…”
A couple’s set…?
“Yuu-nii!”
“It’s not what you think! I said we shouldn’t get them!”
“Explain yourself!”
“Yuu-nii, now we can drink coffee under the starry sky,” Asaka says with a beaming smile.
“Asaka, what’s going on?”
“Yesterday, we went to an outdoor shop, looking at tents and stuff. The clerk mistook us for a couple and said we could engrave our names on a pair of mugs.”
“And you actually did it?”
It’s like they’re lovers—or newlyweds!
“I couldn’t help it, for the memory.”
…This busty glasses girl is finally showing her true colors. I always thought her behavior around Yuu-nii was off. Clinging to him like when we were kids, always wanting to hold hands…
I thought she was just excited to reunite with Yuu-nii after ten years, but is she actually seeing him that way?
And now she’s getting matching mugs to lock him in?
“You wanted them too, Yuu-nii, didn’t you?”
“Yuu-nii?”
“No, I just wanted wooden mugs, not engraved ones! And we haven’t even decided on camping, so I said to hold off!”
“Hehe, I bought them anyway.”
“Bought them anyway, huh? Wait, you two went out together yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
“Miya-chan was at an open campus, Mahiru-chan was at camp, so we had fun together. Drove to Mount Fuji, shopped at I○n, oh, and dog—mmph!”
Yuu-nii covers Asaka’s mouth.
“Idiot, don’t say that!”
“Mmph!”
What?
I think I heard something about a dog. This busty glasses girl—listening to her go on, all lovey-dovey. She’s always been clingy with Yuu-nii, physically close since we were kids, but sticking to that strategy even with an adult body? It’s bold, almost admirable, how she doesn’t care about others’ eyes.
But the Asaka I know was more mature and rational. Why does she turn so childish around Yuu-nii?
“Phew! Yuu-nii, Miya-chan, you’re not getting weird ideas, right?”
Asaka lets out a small sigh.
“Huh?”
“These aren’t couple mugs. Look.”
Asaka reaches into the paper bag.
“Oh!”
“Whoa!”
She pulls out another similar box. Opening it reveals two more mugs.
“These are for Miya-chan and Mahiru-chan.”
The mug with a yellow star has MIYA carved on it, and the one with a white sun has MAHIRU.
“Wow, awesome!”
“What, you got ones for everyone?”
“Jeez, don’t jump to conclusions,” Asaka says, furrowing her brow in mock anger.
“Sorry, Asaka.”
“It’s fine. What do you think, Miya-chan?”
“Thanks, Asaka. Sorry, I got the wrong idea. You got ones for all of us. I thought they were couple mugs, so I—”
Yeah, no way she’d make couple mugs when they’re not even dating. Matching mugs for all four of us—how wonderful is that?
“As long as you understand.”
“Asaka, four mugs must’ve cost a lot. I can cover it.”
“It’s fine. Just accept my feelings. Now we have to go camping, right?”
“Yeah, Yuu-nii, let’s go camping!”
“Alright, alright. But we need to ask Mahiru too.”
“She said she’s exhausted from camp and plans to sleep all day.”
“I’ll message her later.”
“Oh, Asaka, tent or lodge—which do you prefer?”
I ask.
“Hmm, maybe a tent.”
“But we’ll be sweaty. Don’t you want a bath?”
“Tents feel more like camping.”
“True, but…”
Being all sweaty around Yuu-nii, though…
“Let’s talk it over with Mahiru and decide.”
“Yeah.”
“Got it.”
Hehe, camping!
I’m so excited!
*
“Ugh…”
I’m too exhausted to move.
A three-day, two-night summer training camp was brutal. I ate breakfast this morning, got home, and just want to stay in bed.
It’s past noon already.
I’ll just laze in bed all day. It’s fine to have a day like this sometimes, right? Then, a LINE notification chimes. Who’s that? Even checking my phone feels like a chore.
Reluctantly, I reach for it.
“Oh, Yuu-nii!”
I bolt upright and open LINE.
‘Good job with camp. You up?’
‘I’m up!’
‘Sudden question: want to go camping?’
What’s this out of nowhere?
‘Camping?’
‘Yeah.’
Apparently, they’re planning a group camping trip. They even got mugs engraved with our names. So impatient.
Yuu-nii sends a photo of them.
“Hm?”
Each has a mark with our names in Roman letters. Miya’s is a star, mine’s a sun, and Yuu-nii and Asaka have hearts.
“What’s this? Looks like a couple thing.”
Asaka ordered them. The hearts for Yuu-nii and Asaka are probably just coincidence.
…No way, right?

2

August 15th.
The sun blazes down. Fluffy clouds float in a blue sky. Birdsong drifts from the woods behind. Lush green grass spreads across the flat land.
“Nice weather,” I say, stretching and breathing in deeply. The sun rises directly above Mount Fuji to the west.
“Great spot,” Mahiru says, stepping out of the car and stretching. Her ample chest points upward.
“Whoa, Fuji looks huge from the side.”
Her “mountains” are the huge ones, but I’ll keep that to myself to avoid a harassment claim.
“Mm, the breeze feels nice,” Mahiru says, rolling up her white T-shirt to her stomach, tying it to expose her midriff. She’s in tight three-quarter denim and sandals, with her trademark black wristband on her left wrist.
“Miya-chan, we’re here. Wake up.”
“Huh?”
Miya and Asaka get out slowly.
“It’s so spacious,” Asaka says, wearing a light tank top with a summer cardigan and black half-pants, her thighs strikingly white.
“Ugh, we’re here already?”
“You slept the whole way, and it’s not even that far,” I say, amazed. It’s less than thirty minutes from Fujinomiya city. Miya rubs her eyes.
“I was studying late last night.”
Miya’s in a straw hat, a light blue blouse, and white skinny pants, looking cool.
We’re at an auto-campsite on the outskirts of Asagiri Plateau, northwest of the city. What else do you do at a campsite but camp?
Tents and camping cars dot the landscape. I thought it’d be packed for peak season, but it’s not too crowded, which is great for using the space freely.
“Alright, let’s get the setup done quick.”
We start setting up before it gets too hot.
We unload from the camping car, kindly lent by Hanayoshi-san when he heard about our trip. My Civic wouldn’t have carried enough. It’s got a toilet and shower—super convenient.
Hanayoshi-san also provided some tents, gear, food, and sleeping bags. I’ll have to thank him properly later.
“Yuu-nii, can you actually set up a tent? You good?” Mahiru asks, skeptical.
“Hey, Mahiru-kun, don’t underestimate me. I’m a Boy Scout veteran.”
“Really?”
In elementary school, my grandfather was a Boy Scout leader, so I joined Cub Scouts and continued through ninth grade. Weekends were spent collecting recyclables or hiking, and summers meant two- or three-night camps around Fuji. Miya’s maternal grandfather—now deceased—was the Cub Scout leader. Does she know that?
“Didn’t expect that.”
“Let’s set up in the shade over there.”
We choose a spot where the trees provide shade. I can’t sleep in the same tent as them, so we set up one for Miya, Mahiru, and Asaka, and a smaller one for me. Both are big enough for three or four, so mine has extra space for gear.
We lay a sheet on flat ground, spread the tent, and assemble the poles.
“Miya, don’t pull the poles; push them, or they’ll come apart.”
“L-Like this? It’s heavy…”
Mahiru steps in.
“Here, I’ll hold it.”
“Thanks, Mahiru.”
We thread two poles through the tent to make it three-dimensional, then hammer in pegs to secure it.
“Mahiru, angle the pegs toward the poles, crossing them. Otherwise, it won’t hold.”
“Got it. This feels so outdoorsy, it’s fun.”
“Yuu-nii, I finished hammering over here,” Asaka calls from the other side.
We cover it with a flysheet and secure it.
“Done!”
Their tent is set up.
“Phew, that was easier than I thought,” Miya says, crawling inside and rolling around.
“So spacious! I think this is my first time in a tent.”
“Jeez, always such a kid. Asaka, grab my tent.”
“Yes.”
“Hey, can I spread out the sleeping bags?” Miya asks, poking her head out, hyped for her first camping trip.
“Sure, but open the vents first. It’s hot, and you don’t want to suffocate.”
“Okay!”
The entrance and vents are mesh, letting in cool air and keeping bugs out. We finish setting up both tents.
“Yuu-nii, you’re sweating a lot. Want some water?”
“Thanks, Asaka.”
The cold water feels amazing. Sweaty from the heat, but there’s no rest yet. Next is the tarp tent—a one-touch foldable, so it’s quick to set up.
“Whoa, it’s starting to feel like a camp,” Mahiru says.
We set up a folding table, armchairs, cooler, and kitchen gear under the tarp.
“Yuu-nii, where does this go?”
“On the table there…”
I place an old radio on the jug stand and stack stones for a fire pit. Arranging a limited space feels like building a secret base—fun.
“Phew.”
Finally, a break. The wooden clock on the table shows 10:30.
…Only 10:30?
Time feels slow in this open space. Slow time at work sucks, but during leisure, it’s welcome.
I open the cooler and grab a sports drink. Hanayoshi-san packed tons of beer and chuhai at the bottom.
Jeez, I can’t drink all this alone…
I sit in an armchair facing Fuji.
“So peaceful.”
Fuji’s always there, but today it feels different. Maybe I’m excited for this rare camp with them.
The breeze feels great. I want this peaceful time to last forever.
“Is Miya still in the tent?”
“I’ll call her,” Asaka says, jogging to the tent.
“Yuu-nii, what’s for lunch?” Mahiru asks, sitting in the next chair with a cola.
“Hmm, let’s see…”
We’ve got plenty of ingredients.
Anything we eat together under this blue sky will taste amazing.
“I want to eat your yakisoba again, Yuu-nii.”
“Yakisoba it is then.”
“Hehe, sweet!”
Mahiru grins like a kid.
“Wow, it’s like a secret base!” Miya says, emerging from the tent, looking around curiously before grabbing tea from the cooler and sitting down.
“Where’s Asaka?”
“She went to the car.”
“The car? Why…”
I look over and see Asaka entering the camping car.
“Toilet? There’s a public one over there.”
“Yuu-nii, ever heard of tact?” Mahiru says coldly.
“Ugh…”
Asaka returns in seconds—not the toilet, then.
“Yuu-nii.”
She’s holding a camera and tripod.
“Let’s take a group photo.”
“Nice idea!” Mahiru stands.
A commemorative photo, huh.
May this day become a precious memory when we look back.
“Alright, let’s do it!”
I set the timer and hurry to the group. We huddle together with Fuji in the background. The camera clicks with a crisp sound under the blue sky.
And so, our camp begins.

3

Ton, ton, ton—a rhythmic chopping sound.
“Hmm-hmm, humm-humm,” Mahiru hums, wearing an apron, working at a wooden cutting board.
“Hmm, hmm-hmm, humm-humm.”
“M-Mahiru, y-you can chop cabbage…?”
A shocking sight.
“Huh? You mocking me?”
Mahiru expertly chops cabbage, piling it up. That knife work isn’t something you pick up without regular cooking. I thought she might help a bit, but her skills far exceed my expectations.
“Mahiru’s really good at cooking,” Miya says proudly.
“Don’t you act all smug. But still, Mahiru, huh…”
The Mahiru who once made radish and strawberry stew?
N-No, my eyes are getting misty.
“Why’re you crying?”
“Nah, just… onions stinging my eyes.”
“We’re not using onions.”
“Don’t mind me.”
“Alright, alright, done!”
While we banter, a mountain of cabbage appears on the board.
“Maybe I cut too much?”
“For four people, it’s fine.”
Cabbage is the soul of yakisoba—more is better. I set a griddle on the barbecue grill and spread lard. The white lard melts like snow on the black griddle, oddly mesmerizing.
“Mahiru, pass the meat scraps.”
“Here ya go.”
I break up the scraps with the spatula.
“We used to make yakisoba together a lot,” Mahiru says, opening a pack of noodles.
“Yeah, I’d lift you guys one by one while we cooked. Nostalgic.”
First, I fry the scraps until crispy.
“Yuu-nii, this is looking good,” Asaka says, bringing a bowl of thawed seafood mix—shrimp, scallops, squid, and more.
“Thanks, Asaka.”
“Can I add it now?”
“Go for it.”
I toss in the seafood mix. A savory aroma rises, the sizzling sound of evaporating moisture pleasant.
“Smells delicious!” Miya says, coming over while preparing paper plates.
I fry until it’s browned, then add the chopped cabbage and keep frying. Once the cabbage softens, I spread out the main star—noodles—and let them soak up water. These are bulk-sized, not individually packed, so we can cook for multiple people at once.
“Yuu-nii, I want to fry too!”
“Wait, I’ll let you on the second batch.”
“Okay!”
“Alright, what flavor first?”
I brought regular sauce and salt sauce.
“Sauce!”
“Sauce!”
“Sauce, please!”

[T/N: This is hard to get across in translation, all three ask for the regular sauce here.]

Gotta start with sauce. I plate the first batch. Pro tip: instead of scraping off burnt sauce from the griddle, splash water and wipe it with a paper towel—much easier.
“Looks so good!”
“Who wants dashi powder?”
“Mahiru, I want katsuobushi!”
“Got it.”
“Yuu-nii, want a beer?”
“Yeah.”
Asaka hands me a chilled beer, so cold my hand tingles. Miya and Asaka choose tea, Mahiru a cola.
“Let’s eat. Itadakimasu!”
“Itadakimasu!”
“Itadakimasu!”
“Itadakimasu!”
Our voices overlap under the blue sky.
*
“Man, I’m stuffed,” Mahiru says, rubbing her stomach contentedly.
I always wonder where all that food goes in her slim frame. She ate five servings of yakisoba.
“What, Yuu-nii?”
“Nothing.”
Saying something might get me scolded again.
“Hey, hey,” Miya says, holding something.
“Let’s play frisbee!”
Perfect for post-meal exercise. Stepping out of the tent, the sun beats down relentlessly.
“Hot, but it feels nice,” Asaka says.
“Yeah.”
“Yuu-nii, don’t move too much after drinking,” Asaka says, rubbing my back. Her slender fingers tickle.
“Alright, here we go!”
We form a square, ten meters apart. Seeing we’re ready, Miya throws the frisbee.
“Here!”
But—
“Hey, where’re you throwing?”
Somehow, Miya’s frisbee curves outside the square.
“Whoops?” Miya tilts her head.
“Leave it to me!”
Mahiru dashes off, her powerful strides catching up in no time.
“Hup!”
The frisbee flies off-course, but Mahiru catches it effortlessly, as if she was there all along.
“…Seriously?”
“Mahiru, that’s amazing!”
“Miya-chan, throw it parallel to the ground.”
“Hehe.”
We play frisbee for a while. I’m exhausted from the heat, but the sun doesn’t let up.
“Phew, let’s take a break.”
I hydrate with a sports drink and return to the tarp tent. Shade is key in summer.
Playing basketball with Misora and the others is usually in the morning, so it’s been a while since I’ve moved this much under the midday sun. It reminds me of childhood, but my stamina’s nowhere near what it was.
“I’m gonna shower,” Mahiru says, heading to the camping car. I should too—I’m drenched.
“Man, it’s hot.”
But not unpleasant.
“Yuu-nii, I’ll fan you,” Asaka says, crouching beside me and fanning with an uchiwa.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Feels good.”
I’m done for. Once I sit, I can’t move. The breeze cools my heated body, and sleepiness creeps in.
“Asaka, can I eat ice cream?” Miya’s voice.
“Go ahead.”
“Yay!”
“Asaka, what time is it?”
“Just past one.”
“Cool. I’m gonna nap.”
“Got it.”
Getting tired and sleepy after exercise—I’m getting old…
My vision blurs, my eyelids grow heavy, and…
*
“Mahiru-chan, I’ll leave a towel here,” Asaka’s shadow says through the frosted glass door.
“Thanks, Asaka.”
I feel refreshed after washing off the sweat. Reapplying sunscreen and bug spray, I return to the tarp tent. Yuu-nii’s asleep, leaning back in his chair.
“He’s out from all the excitement,” Asaka says, stroking Yuu-nii’s hand on the armrest. His sleeping face is cute.
“He was the most hyped. Where’s Miya?”
Asaka looks toward the woods.
“She went that way. Probably for a walk.”
“Hmm.”
Asaka’s holding one of the custom mugs.
“Mahiru-chan, want coffee?”
“Nah, I’m good. It’s hot, so something cold…”
I open the cooler and grab a cola can.
It’s just past 1:30 p.m. In the distance, kids play in a vinyl pool, and families barbecue.
Everyone’s happiness gathers at this campsite.
Me, Miya, Asaka, and Yuu-nii.
This time together.
This now I’ve chased for ten years.
If it could last forever, I’d be happy.
“Guh, phew!”
The fizzy, sweet cola is irresistible.
“Mahiru-chan, you really love cola,” Asaka says.
“I could probably live on cola alone.”
“That’s a bit much.”
Asaka sips from her mug.
…
Was it my imagination, or did the red heart on her mug seem oddly prominent?
“Alright, while the noisy ones are gone, let’s clean up.”
“Yeah.”
We carry the dishes and cookware to the washing area.
*
“Mufu!”
The forest’s quiet, filled with birdsong. Green surrounds me.
Walking a path dappled with sunlight, I breathe deeply. The air feels tastier somehow. A thick root juts from the soil on a rise. Following it, I see a tree so tall it’s hard to look up.
“Wow, huge!”
Bigger than ten Mahirus—maybe more.
The campsite’s close, but it feels like another world. A natural realm cut off from human noise…
“Oh, this spot looks good.”
I find a small clearing with a kuni tree. Touching the bark, it’s rough. Sap oozes just above eye level.
But only beetles and butterflies gather—no kabutomushi.
It’s probably resting somewhere.
Oh well.
A wise person avoids danger. Sap trees attract wasps, so I can’t linger. But I’m a capable woman—I don’t take risks for kabutomushi.
I’ve marked the spot.
Now I wait. It’s a bit early.
“Hehe!”
I turn back and head to the campsite.
*
“She’s back,” I say, finishing the dishes and returning to the tarp tent as Miya emerges from the woods, skipping with no rhythm.
“Hey, what were you up to?”
Miya puts a hand to her chin.
“Hehe, just stuff!”
“What?”
“Hehe, you’ll be shocked tomorrow. Oh, Asaka, got any bananas?”
“In the fridge in the car.”
“Cool!”
Miya heads to the camping car.
“Kabutomushi, huh,” I say.
“Kabutomushi,” Asaka agrees.
Probably making a trap. Miya loves kabutomushi.
I thought they were cool as a kid, but now I can’t touch them—or grasshoppers, mantises, or butterflies. Those emotionless eyes are creepy.
I hang the dishes in a drying net at the tent’s edge. It’s nice out, so they’ll dry by dinner.
Miya returns in ten minutes.
We sip tea, chat, and play cards until Yuu-nii wakes up.
“Guh, slept well… What time is it?”
“Just before three,” Asaka says, standing and going to his side.
“Man, I was out.”
“Yuu-nii, wanna play cards?”
“Yeah, sure. But first, something to drink.”
“Here.”
I’m closest to the cooler, so I toss him a bottle of barley tea.
“Whoa!”
“Nice catch!”
“Nice catch, my ass. Jeez… Phew, tasty.”
We gather around the table.
“What’re we playing?” Miya asks, shuffling cards and looking at us.
“Four players? Gotta be Daihinmin,” Yuu-nii says.
A cool breeze blows from the woods. The temperature’s dropping slightly.
“Wait, what’s ‘5-skip’!? I don’t know that weird rule!”
“Yuu-nii, you’re demoted!”
“J-back!”
“Here’s 8-cut!”
“Revolution!”
“Sorry, Miya-chan, revolution reversed!”
“What!? WHAT!?”
We play Daihinmin until evening.
*
The sun sets, the sky a mix of aqua and blue. The moon faintly appears, soon to shine clearly with the stars.
Campfires glow across the campsite. And at ours…
A stone fire pit, open on one side to block the wind, with flames peeking out. A pot sits atop, Miya staring intently inside.
“Mahiru, is it ready?”
“Not even close.”
“Ugh.”
Miya dips a ladle into the pot, skimming off foam.
“I’m bored!”
“This makes or breaks the flavor,” Mahiru says, lecturing.
“Ugh.”
Tonight’s dinner is curry. Camping means curry; curry means camping. Miya finishes skimming, and Mahiru adds curry roux. A spicy aroma wafts over.
“Smells good!”
“Thanks to my skimming!”
“Good job, Miya-chan!”
“Praise me more!”
Time to prep the rice. With Mahiru here, three cups should do. Leftovers can be breakfast. No rice cooker here, so it’s time for the mess kit.
I start a fire in another stone pit.
Most mess kits let you measure rice with the lid. I put in three cups, add water, and rinse. It’s tricky in the narrow kit, but no compromises for tasty curry.
“Yuu-nii, want me to do it?”
“You sure? Thanks.”
Asaka’s small hands fit easily in the kit.
“Done. Now we cook it, right?”
“No, let it soak in water first. Prevents hard centers.”
“Hmm, how long?” Miya asks.
“About thirty minutes.”
“That long!?”
“Good curry takes time.”
“Yuu-nii’s curry mode is on. Since it needs to simmer, let’s make sides,” Mahiru says, heading to the cutting board.
An hour later, it’s dark. The fire’s glow stands out.
Dinner time. We gather around the table: curry, shrimp and broccoli ajillo, consommé soup, and salad—a fancy meal for our efforts.
“Let’s eat,” I say, opening a chuhai.
“Itadakimasu!”
“Itadakimasu!”
“Itadakimasu!”
“Mmm, delicious.”
The curry’s rich, the rice fluffy.
“So good!”
“Tasty!”
“Delicious!”
A very satisfying dinner.
*
After dinner, we shower in the camping car. A beer under the stars after washing off sweat is divine.
“Where’s Miya?”
“She went to the woods. Probably for kabutomushi—”
The word sends a chill through me.
It’s summer, we’re camping, and there’s a forest—perfect conditions. But still. Miya returns empty-handed.
“Miya-chan, weren’t you hunting kabutomushi?”
“No, well, yes, but it’s dangerous at night, so I set a trap to check tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
“Keep it in a cage,” I say.
“I know!”
“Yuu-nii, you’re too scared,” Mahiru says.
“Huh? I’m not scared!”
“Then get off my back.”
“Everyone, coffee time,” Asaka says, pouring coffee into the custom mugs. Mine’s the blue heart one.
“How is it? I’m nervous serving a pro.”
“It’s good, really good.”
“Glad to hear.”
Asaka looks pleased.
“Mahiru-chan likes lots of milk, right?”
“Thanks, Asaka.”
We play cards under the lantern light, losing track of time in the slow pace.
“Whoa, it’s ten already.”
“Lights out at ten, right?”
The campsite’s lights start going out. Time to sleep.
I brush my teeth and use the toilet.
“Yuu-nii, won’t you be lonely alone?” Asaka asks, concerned.
“I’m fine.”
“If you’re lonely, come to our tent,” Mahiru says.
“I’d get arrested!”
When they were brats, maybe, but now we’re adults. Gotta avoid misunderstandings.
“Night, then.”
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
We split into our tents.
*
Deep into the night.
“Ugh, ugh.”
I’m struggling.
After everyone fell asleep, I planned to sneak into Yuu-nii’s tent. But—
“Ugh, I can’t move.”
Mahiru-chan’s on my right, Miya-chan on my left. Being in the middle is my downfall. They’re clinging to me. Moving might wake them.
“Ugh…”
If one of them rolls over, I could slip out, but my sleepiness is reaching its limit.
I should’ve napped to prepare. Three black coffees are wearing off.
Closing my eyes feels so good. I want to give in, but that’d ruin my plan.
No.
If I pass out, it’ll be morning…
No way.
“Yawn…”
*
“Ugh…”
I wake suddenly.
My vision’s blurry. Still night. As I close my eyes, I feel a sensation in my lower abdomen.
“…Gotta pee.”
I weigh sleepiness against the urge.
This is the dangerous kind if I ignore it.
But I don’t wanna move…
After a few minutes of debate, I stagger up. Asaka and Mahiru are asleep, so I rise carefully.
“Ugh, whoa…”
It’s dark, and I can’t see well. I trip over some fabric.
Close call.
I leave the tent. The public toilet’s far, so I use the camping car’s.
So sleepy.
I just wanna sleep.
I woke early, prepped, set up tents, played frisbee, and explored the woods. The fatigue turns to sleepiness, overwhelming my brain.
Sleepy.
“Yawn…”
I yawn big and return to the tent, collapsing into my sleeping bag.
“Phew.”
“Guh!”
Someone with bad sleeping habits moved to my spot. It’s dark, but probably Asaka, based on position.
“Asaka… sorry.”
Huh? Asaka feels bulkier?
Whatever.
I can’t fight sleep anymore. I hug Asaka and close my eyes.
Time to sleep.

4

Morning already?
Birds chirp greetings, calming my heart. Waking up in nature feels amazing. It’s a holiday, so I’ll sleep more.
Then, I notice something odd. A heavy pressure on my body, like someone’s on top of me.
Sleep paralysis?
When I worked at the company, stress and fatigue caused frequent sleep paralysis. But this feels different.
It’s heavy, but a sweet scent tickles my nose, and it’s not unpleasant. There’s a soft, fluffy texture…
“…Hm?”
Suspicious, I open my eyes and lift my head. I’m instantly awake.
“What!? I… huh?”
I can’t process it.
First, I see Miya’s face, sleeping peacefully on my chest, breathing softly. My right hand’s on her head, like I’m holding her.
W-Why is Miya in my tent? She’s sound asleep, oblivious to my confusion.
Two soft, large things press against my stomach. I quickly imagine Dad and Tatchan in a sauna to calm myself.
No, stay calm, me.
It’s Miya.
Maybe she got up to use the toilet at night and, half-asleep, entered my tent by mistake. It’s the only explanation.
Miya’s always been a bit spacey, even now. But this situation is bad.
If Mahiru and Asaka find us sleeping together, it could cause a huge misunderstanding.
An almost-30 guy with three high school girls is already a socially questionable combo. I need to get Miya back to their tent before they wake up.
“Hey, Miya. Wake up.”
I tap her head lightly.
“Mm?”
“You up?”
“Huh? Yuu-nii?”
Miya blushes and sits up.
“W-W-Why are you in our tent?”
“Don’t yell, idiot. Look, this is my tent.”
“Huh?”
Miya looks around.
“Oh, you’re right. But why…?”
“Keep your voice down. You probably got confused after using the toilet last night, right?”
“Yeah.”

Miya nods.
“Figured as much. You must’ve stumbled into my tent by mistake on your way back.”
It’s not something that usually happens, but with Miya, it’s entirely possible.
“Eh, so you’re saying I slept with you, Yuu-nii, all night?”
She seems to grasp the situation, covering her mouth shyly and fidgeting, her eyes darting as she looks down at me.
“Hey, don’t worry, nothing happened. I just woke up and noticed you here. We’re good.”
No way I’d do anything to my little sister figure.
“…Oh, okay.”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“Nothing!”
“Anyway, they’re probably still asleep, so hurry back.”
If she slips back unnoticed, there’s no issue.
“G-Got it—”
Just as Miya starts to get up, a piercing alarm blares from the next tent, stabbing through my eardrums.
“Ugh, so loud. What’s that noise?”
“Oh, I set an alarm to go catch kabutomushi!”
“What?”
The sound stops after five seconds. Right after, rustling like fabric comes from the other tent.
“So noisy. What’s that? It’s only six,” Mahiru’s voice grumbles.
“Mahiru-chan, it’s probably Miya-chan’s alarm for kabutomushi,” Asaka says.
“Hey, Miya’s not here,” Mahiru says.
“She might’ve already gone to catch them,” Asaka replies.
“Then turn off the damn alarm… Morning, Asaka.”
“Good morning, Mahiru-chan.”
That woke them both up completely.
“This is bad, they’re awake!” Miya panics.
“Calm down.”
I inch toward the tent’s entrance, peeking outside.
“Man, I’m wide awake now. Oh, nice weather,” Mahiru says, stepping out and stretching in the morning sun. Her long, pale limbs extend gracefully, her body’s suppleness almost mesmerizing…
“…!”
Then, I notice something critical. Cold sweat runs down my side.
An absolute crisis…
Miya’s sneakers are right outside my tent.
Of course they are—she came in here, so her shoes are naturally by my tent. If they’re found, it’s undeniable evidence…
“One, two, three, four,” Mahiru counts, focused on her stretches, thankfully not noticing the sneakers yet. I slowly, quietly unzip the entrance.
Please, Mahiru, don’t look this way.
I reach out to grab Miya’s sneakers, moving silently and quickly.
“Huh? Yuu-nii?”
My hand snaps back just as Mahiru’s eyes meet mine. She’s bending backward, flashing an upside-down smile.
“Morning.”
“M-Morning.”
From her reaction, it seems we’re in the clear.
“Nice morning, huh?”
“Y-Yeah, haha.”
“Yuu-nii,” Asaka says, emerging from the tent.
“Good morning. Sleep well?”
She’s heading toward my tent. If she looks inside, she’ll see Miya.
“Y-Yeah, morning. Slept great!”
I glance back and mouth “hide” to Miya.
*
“Hide”? In this tiny tent, where am I supposed to hide?
The gear isn’t tall enough to cover me, and sticking close to Yuu-nii would definitely get me caught. Maybe by the entrance’s side, in a blind spot? No, if Asaka shifts her angle, I’m done for.
That leaves…
“…!”
No choice, right?
It’s unavoidable. There’s nowhere else to hide. I slip into Yuu-nii’s sleeping bag. It’s the only place that can fully conceal me. It’s a bit bulky, but in the dark tent, it shouldn’t stand out too much.
Yuu-nii’s scent envelops me. It’s calming yet makes my heart race—a weird feeling. And somehow, nostalgic.
“You look pale. Didn’t sleep well?” Asaka asks.
“No, I slept great!”
“Weren’t you lonely alone?”
“I’m fine.”
Good, they haven’t noticed yet.
“Shall we make breakfast?”
“Yeah, I’m starving.”
“Let’s get cooking,” Mahiru says eagerly.
“Yuu-nii, why’re you staying there? Come out,” Asaka says.
“Yeah, right.”
I hear the zipper open. Yuu-nii must’ve stepped out. Their footsteps fade.
“Phew.”
Safe. I made it through.
Still wrapped in the sleeping bag, I peek out the entrance. Now I just need to slip out without Mahiru and Asaka seeing.
Fifteen minutes pass.
The three of them are preparing breakfast under the tarp tent, showing no sign of leaving.
This is bad.
I can’t find a moment to escape.
The tarp tent is right in front of the entrance, so if I step out, I’ll be spotted instantly.
It’s about two or three meters away.
I need Yuu-nii to somehow get them away from here. I scratch at the entrance’s mesh to signal him.
“Yuu-nii, the pasta’s done boiling,” Asaka says.
“Alright, let’s fry it.”
“Yuu-nii, time to grate the daikon?” Mahiru asks.
“Yeah, go for it.”
Yuu-nii, stop focusing on cooking and notice me!
*
Don’t panic, Miya.
Getting both of them to leave at once is impossible. One at a time, naturally, like a killer in a closed circle picking off targets.
Once the tuna and daikon spaghetti is ready, I casually say,
“By the way, Miya’s still not back?”
I glance toward the woods.
“She left before we woke up, so she should be back by now,” Mahiru says.
“She’s probably playing with kabutomushi,” Asaka adds.
“It’s time to eat. Mahiru, can you go get her?”
“Sure.”
Mahiru jogs into the woods.
Good, Mahiru’s handled. Since Miya’s not in the woods, it’ll buy five or ten minutes. Now to get Asaka away from the tent, and the mission’s complete.
I sneak a wink toward the tent.
“Yuu-nii, what’s up?”
“Nothing, just… Hey, Asaka, let’s have coffee with breakfast.”
“Got it. Oh, I haven’t washed the mugs yet. I’ll do that.”
“I’ll help.”
“Thank you.”
Asaka smiles brightly. We head to the washing area. Heh, mission accomplished.
*
Nice one, Yuu-nii. The coast is clear. Reluctant as I am, I’ve gotta move now.
“Nnsho.”
I crawl out of the sleeping bag, grab my sneakers, and slip out of the tent. The morning sun stings my eyes. Relieved, I let out a heavy breath.
“Phew.”
That was close, but it ended without issue. Breakfast is set up on the table, shaded by a kitchen parasol.
Looks tasty. Now I just wait for the others… Wait, no.
I’m supposed to be catching kabutomushi in the woods, so I need to meet Mahiru there, or they’ll get suspicious about where I was.
I dash into the woods to the tree where I set the kabutomushi trap.
Besides kabutomushi, there are beetles and butterflies caught. I quickly remove them, putting only the kabutomushi in a cage. Then,
“Hey, Miya!”
Mahiru’s voice.
“Finally found you.”
“Oh, Mahiru, what’s up?”
“What’s up? Everyone’s awake already.”
“Oh, really?”
“I searched all over the woods.”
“S-Sorry.”
“Come on, breakfast’s ready.”
“Y-Yeah, I’m starving.”
We return and eat. From Mahiru and Asaka’s reactions, they don’t seem to know I was in Yuu-nii’s tent.
Still, this morning was a shock. I didn’t even realize I spent the whole night with Yuu-nii.
I like Yuu-nii, but how does he feel? Does he still see me as a little sister? He’s taken care of me since I was a baby, except for the ten years he was in Tokyo. We’ve always been together.
Vaguely, I’m certain we’ll end up as lovers someday. I don’t deny that part of me believes it.
No proof, no confirmation of his feelings, but something deep inside tells me we’ll always be together.
I don’t know what that something is, but it feels so nostalgic…
I glance at Yuu-nii, and our eyes meet. He blushes slightly and quickly looks away.
He’s conscious of me too, which feels kinda nice.
We enjoy the camp until past noon and head home in the evening.
This camp, spent with the four of us, will remain a precious memory in our hearts forever.
*
That night, in my room.
I pick up a long hair left in Yuu-nii’s sleeping bag.
“So that’s how it is.”
The hair gleams brown under the light.
“Not bad, Miya-chan.”