Stealing Spree

Unlike the Hanitsu Lake Park, we didn’t need to line up before gaining entry to the forest. We only needed to pass by the entrance and pay the entrance fee before we were left to our own devices.

True to the catalog she showed me last week, there was only a camping center where campers could buy their supplies or rent camping gear. Right, people could come to camp here even if they don’t prepare anything.

The only downside to that would be the prices that were definitely marked up for profit.

In any case, since we’re here to scout, we decided to still go to that camping center even though we’re not going to buy anything.

Juri already regained her composure as she took on the role of a guide for me.

The incident at the bus was thrown to the back of our minds but I’m certain that she’s only trying not to ruin the mood for us. And I’m all for it.

There’s no point mulling over something that already happened. What we needed to do was to complete our task and enjoy our time together.

Well, I actually helped her recover from her state. I used the usual method to calm her down and uplift her mood; Teasing her.

It happened when we gained our entry into the forest.

Instead of following the other campers, I brought her away from the crowd and guided her somewhere obscure, not far from the entrance.

There, I acted like I was about to scold her again which almost made her tear up. But before that happened, I started teasing her by reminding her of our various experiences together. Opening up with our first meeting where she couldn’t open the can of apple juice.

That one made her embarrassed now that she remembered it. She argued that her fingernails had just been done back then so she’s being careful not to damage them. Then, I argued that she could’ve used a scissor or a pen to slip it under the tab. That way, pulling it up would be easier for her.

And with that, Juri accepted her loss as she looked at me with pouty lips.

Apart from that, the next one I used to tease her was last week. When she had me model in that clothing store. Or specifically when she saw me naked on top.

On that, she didn’t argue and simply admitted her defeat while murmuring, ‘I didn’t do it on purpose’.

In a way, I didn’t really tease her that much but the way I let her remember our experience together helped her regain her composure.

Once she recovered, Juri grabbed my hand and brought it to her face. And while she pushed on it to have me caress her cheek, Juri’s lips stretched into a satisfied smile and thanked me for the third time today.

Not gonna lie. When I saw her smiling like that, I already found myself tempted to kiss her… But like a wimpy protagonist of a harem anime, I turned my head to the side to contain my thoughts and prevent her from seeing my expression.

True. I could’ve done the same thing I was doing for the past few years and go for it without regard for the consequence of that action but… somehow, when it comes to Juri, I couldn’t help but follow her ‘propriety’ dogma.

Besides, even if my interest in her goes past the limit of what I could take today, I honestly believe that it’s not the right moment yet. Maybe later in the day or when something else happened.

Anyway, that’s that. With Juri returning to normal, she grabbed my hand again and we continued on our way to the camping center.

“I keep showing you my uncool side, Ruki… Did my image in your head change?”

“Nope. You’re still as beautiful as I first saw you.”

It was not even a few steps when Juri sighed and asked me that question. And instead of giving her a proper answer, I chose to act a little playful. Once again, it’s to bring our cheery mood back.

“You… That’s not what I’m talking about! Very inappropriate, Ruki…”

“Hmm? Is that not it? But it’s worth it. I saw you blush.”

Juri pouted again but I nonchalantly shrugged while pointing out the changes I saw in her face.

Juri facepalmed but beneath it, I noticed her lips curling upwards.

“… Geez. When have you become this sassy? Oh. Wait… You’ve been like this since we left the bus…”

“Oh. Glad you noticed. But Juri, isn’t it better this way? I feel like we’ve grown closer.”

“I cannot argue that. We indeed have become closer. Close enough to be mistaken as a…”

“Couple?” I completed her words and Juri couldn’t help but lift her gaze.

Spending a few seconds just staring at one another, Juri soon bit her lips and murmured while sounding uncertain.

“Y-yeah… Is this appropriate, Ruki?”

“If I answered yes, you wouldn't believe me. And if I answered no, it automatically means what we’re doing is inappropriate. I think I’ll just refrain from answering.”

“That’s unfair…”

“It is.”

Marking that as the end of our conversation, I tightened my hold on her hand. By doing this, it’s like I’m reinforcing the idea of holding hands being inappropriate. If she ever found it like that then… it’s up to her to let go and sever this connection of ours.

However, even when we finally reached the door of the camping center, Juri never let go.

And with that, I couldn’t help but express my joy by using my thumb to rub her hand gently.

When Juri noticed that, she glanced at it before copying me. And as we started touring the center, checking on whether the place would be useful in case this venue got picked for our camping trip, that mutual rubbing gradually became a battle between our thumbs on who could subdue the other. A sneaky thumb wrestling to be precise.

By the time we finished our tour and we left the premises, her thumb got pinned down by mine.

“I won.” I proudly said while looking at her.

Juri met my gaze and pouted for the third time. “Yes. You won… There’s no prize for it.”

“It doesn’t matter. Holding your hand already felt like a grand prize. I’ll be jealous if you fall in love with someone else in the future.” I lifted our joined hands, putting them between us.

The two of us looked at it before Juri brought it down.

Then as we started our walk further into the dense forest in front of us, Juri’s clear, melodic voice reached my ears. “That’s impossible. I won’t be interested in another guy… There’s only you.”

Although it’s very clear to me, I acted like I didn’t hear it and said, “Uh. Come again?”

Juri released a relieved sigh. “No. I will only say that once. If you didn’t hear it properly. It’s your loss…”

She then shook her head as though she was trying to reset her mind. And once she was done, she put on a large grin as she started dragging me forward.

“Come on. Let’s properly scout this place. I’ll bring you to those fun places I remembered.”

“Sure. But Juri. Careful on your steps or you will trip.” Watching her almost hop and skip as though she was trying to escape quickly, I couldn’t help but remind her.

Juri looked at me and proudly declared while pointing at our hands, “Relax, Ruki. I’m not that clumsy. Besides, I’m certain you’ll pull me up if ever I trip.”

Alright. I can’t argue with that. Let her have it then.

“That’s a matter of course, you’re in my care, remember?”

“Un. That’s why… I’ll be as reckless as I can be this time. Not as reckless as earlier though…”

“Don’t contradict yourself like that. Sheesh.”

As she continued to pull me with her, Juri's jovial laughter became one of the most prominent noises in our surroundings. And as though agreeing with her, the birds atop the tall trees sang along with her.

Whatever awaits us in this forest, I’m sure we’ll both enjoy our time here.