Multiple updates today.
This is Part 1.
Today, we’re splitting up into two groups to scout the area.
Me, the gyaru Yousuko, and Fenrir’s Mashiro are heading far out in search of spices and such.
Childhood friend Chiyu, the pristine head chef Shion, and the earnest mage Shinpō will handle exploration around the base camp.
“Let’s go, Sousuke.”
“Yup. Alright everyone, see you around noon.”
“Go safe, Sousuke-kun, Yousuko-chan, Mashiro-kun.”
“If you get hurt, come straight to me, okay?”
“That’s right. Don’t push yourselves too hard. Your safety is more important than anything.”
Seeing our companions off, we set out.
I should’ve been riding him yesterday, but Mashiro’s back still feels like it’s been a while since I last felt it.
I wrapped my arms around Yousuko’s waist, gripping on tight so I wouldn’t fall.
“Mn… T-That means, please take care of us today too, Mashiro.”
At Yousuko’s words, Mashiro chirped back energetically and took off at a run.
The scenery whipped by at a speed that had no comparison to walking.
“Shiro is just too fast, as always. Thanks for all the help you’ve been giving us. We definitely need to build a hut today.”
“Yeah, I think she’ll be happy about it.”
“I’m sorry for locking you into the exploration team like this, Meiko. Please let me know if there are times you want to take a break, okay?”
“Hmm, well, I already love going out anyway. But I’ll tell you if there’s ever a day I just want to chill.”
“Haha, sounds good.”
“Same goes for you, Sounosuke. You don’t have to try crafting everything. It’s more than enough what you’re doing now. And isn’t it mostly stuff you make for us or the whole group? You really should make more things just for yourself.”
“Nah, it’s just that what I want overlaps with what everyone else wants. Plus, I was hyped as hell crafting the house.”
“Really? Well, if that works for you. But honestly, our place is insane, right? We’re the only ones on this island living in something like that.”
Judging by Meiko’s excited demeanor, it really seemed like she liked it.
There was no denying how satisfying it was to see people happy about something you made.
“We’ve grown a lot from that first-day hut, huh.”
“I actually liked the feeling of everyone sleeping together, though. It felt like a school trip.”
“There are no co-ed dorm rooms on school trips, you know.”
“That’s true.”
Meiko laughed with delight.
“If there’s something I want next… it might be glass.”
“Wait, you can make glass too?”
“I gave it a quick consult with Fukaho, and if we can get some quartz, it should all work out.”
The remaining materials could already be sourced from the shells and seaweed they had found.
“Seriously? Having glass would make things feel way more modern in an instant. But since it’s stone-related, does that mean yesterday’s addition being a mine was just a lucky break?”
It had been a choice between the water source and the mine, with the vote for the water source immediately surpassing the majority.
If it had actually been a mine added, today’s schedule might have been completely different.
“That’s true, I guess. But I think the water source was a good call. There are other people who got transported here besides us, and they all need it.”
”…Yeah, you’re right. As expected from Sousuke!”
“Ah, come on, saying something like that while we haven’t been actively looking for other transmitters is pure hypocrisy.”
Given Mashiro’s sense of smell, which had pinpointed the boar so accurately, he should be able to find other humans too.
For now, they were having him use that same sense to hunt down citrus fruits.
The topic of searching for classmates hadn’t even come up as an agenda item.
They probably didn’t want to say it out loud, I suppose.
“Why? Sōsuke doesn’t have some obligation to save everyone, right? Helping someone who’s struggling right in front of you is different from going on a hunt for people who might be in trouble somewhere else, isn’t it?”
“Well, I guess that makes sense. The latter would turn him into a hero.”
“Exactly. He doesn’t need to be a hero. We already know Sōsuke is a good person, no matter what he does or doesn’t do.”
Honestly, people’s feelings on that front probably varied.
If you were the one currently in trouble, I’m sure you’d think someone with that kind of ability should help you.
Still, it was a relief to have my friend Shōko on my side.
“Thanks, Shōko. I feel a bit better about it.”
I rested my forehead against Shōko’s back and murmured quietly.
“Aha, no need to thank me~. But even so, I rushed straight at Sōsuke on the first day.”
When Fenrir arrived at the hut that night, I found Shōko and Shiune riding it.
“Oh, that certainly gave me a start. But I’m glad to have reunited with Shōko.”
「No, I’m the one who should be thanking you. I really do appreciate everything for Sou.’s sake.’
It’s precisely because we’re this kind of friend that I’m glad to have her in my party.
This is how I truly feel, at least.
“Um, it’s a bit embarrassing when things get all serious so suddenly.”
“I know, right? My face feels hot as hell…”
The two of them fumbled with each other’s embarrassment.
Just then, Mashiro’s pace slowed, eventually coming to a halt and letting out a whinny.
“Huh? Is this the spot, Mashiro? But… it’s just grass.”
Shouko was right; all that grew before them was grass.
Countless blades of tall grass stretched out, curving gently in the air.
“Let’s try ‘Itemizing’ it.”
I had Mashiro lower me and cut the plant with my stone hatchet.
Now that she mentioned it, it did smell citrusy.
When ‘Itemized’——it came up as ‘Lemongrass’.
“It’s Lemongrass.”
“Oh! The stuff that smells like lemons!”
“Ah, right. There should have been some herbal tea, at least. For now, I’ll go with this citrus scent.”
“Sorry, Mashi. You nailed it perfectly, and I just went ‘Oh, it’s grass.’”
Shouko clung to Mashiro, apologizing profusely.
Since his chest was pressed firmly against Shouko’s breasts, he would surely forgive her everything.
After that, they continued their search and gathering, trusting Mashiro’s sense of smell completely.
“I really am, that ‘Fuzzy Summoning’ ability is insane. If I had used my own ability alone, there’d have been a lot less stuff I could craft.”
“Also, isn’t our compatibility just great?”
“Yeah.”
“A-Wait, no! By compatibility, I meant the abilities…!”
Shouko’s voice cracked.
“I know.”
“I mean… as friends, our compatibility is pretty good too…”
“Our standing in the class is totally different, though.”
“That has nothing to do with it…!”
”…Yeah, that’s true. I’m sorry. That has nothing to do with us being friends.”
Since Suko’s anger was entirely justified, I offered a sincere apology.
“That’s right! …It’s only fair that I noticed Sou-suke’s charm before Shio or Minory did…”
Was she intending not to say it? The latter half of her sentence was so quiet that it was indecipherable.
“Suko?”
“It’s nothing! Besides, does Sou-suke want to look for anything else?”
“Hmm. I need some water… like, maybe the ocean?”
At the word “ocean,” Suko’s body flinched violently.
“That’s great! The ocean! Let’s go to the ocean!”
I reacted in a thoroughly cheerful manner.
It wasn’t for a swimming trip, though… no.
“That’s true. Just fetching water would be rather dull; a bit of play sounds like a good idea.”
“Sou-suke, I get what you’re saying!”
Since our joint exploration also served as an apology to Suko, it wouldn’t hurt to oblige her wishes.
“Aah, but I don’t have a swimsuit. How about we just play around a bit on the sandy beach?”
Suko said with disappointment in her voice.
“It won’t be exactly like what we had on Earth, but should I try making it from ramie? Both the top and bottom will have to be tied with strings.”
“Sōsuke, you’re a genius!”
“Ahaha, well then, it’s settled.”
“Sōsuke needs to wear a swimsuit too! It’d be embarrassing if I was the only one!” “Ah, ah, right, got it.” “Yay! The sea—!”
I ended up having the conversation with our usual vibe… but would this count as a beach date?
Once I thought about it that way, I instantly started feeling all fidgety and on edge.
“Mashiro, top speed! Go to the sea faster than the wind!”
“Wait, wait, what is Fenrir’s top speed actually— whoaooo!”
I clung tightly to Shimeko so I wouldn’t be shaken off.
There was no room in my mind for thoughts like how soft a girl’s body could be.
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despite my greed, I intend to give it my all and aim for the number one spot this quarter.
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Multiple updates today……!!!!!
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