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Campsite
Kohane
Next, we'll practice making a fire for dinner.
Kohane
Actually, it's faster to use a lighter but... I'll do it with a match, just for fun.
Akito
Sure. So, do we gather wood that can be used as firewood?
Toya
If I remember correctly, we're supposed to choose wood that's well dried.
An
Yep yep! Let's go look for it!
— Some time later —
Toya
Alright, we got a lot. So what do we do next?
Kohane
We'll separate the branches by size. Then we put the wood together like this...
Kohane
And I'm done. Aoyagi-kun, would you like to light the fire?
Toya
Is that okay?
Kohane
Yeah. I think it's more fun to try it yourself.
Kohane
We'll start off with the smaller, more flammable branches, and then move on to the bigger ones.
Toya
...Alright, the twig is on fire. I guess I should move on to this branch next.
Akito
It burns up fast, so be careful.
Toya
Yeah. Carefully...hm?
Toya
...I tried to light it but it went out. I wonder why...
Kohane
Ah, maybe it's because it's a bit windy.
Kohane
In that case, everyone, can I ask you to gather some stones around this big — about the size of a fist?
Akito
Stones?
An
Ah, I get it!
— Some time later —
Kohane
Circle it with stones... Aoyagi-kun, try it one more time.
Toya
I wonder if I can do it. ...Light the twigs...
Toya
...! This time the fire spread.
Kohane
That's because stones help keep out the strong winds.
Kohane
And now, you have to blow on it...
Akito
Oh, the fire's getting bigger. That's good stuff.
Kohane
Ehehe...
Toya
(I see. Only people with experience who can respond flexibly to the situation can do this. That'll be helpful.)
— Some time later —
An
I guess it's my turn now!
An
Camping is all about barbecue! So let's cut up ingredients and put them on skewers!
Toya
So first, we need to wash and cut the vegetables.
Akito
Oi Toya, have you ever held a kitchen knife before?
Toya
No, I don't. In cooking lessons I was mainly responsible for peeling onions and kneading things. So today will be my first time with a knife.
An
Well, don't be nervous, just relax and you'll do great. From the looks of it, you've got the right grip.
An
I think we'll start with the peppers then.
Toya
Got it. How big should I cut them?
An
Hmm, I've always just cut it randomly but... When you skewer them, maybe cut it into quarters? Like just cut it in half and then cut in half again.
Toya
Cut it into quarters...
Akito
No, you're using too much force.
Kohane
Aoyagi-kun, relax...! You could hold your left hand like a cat paw so you don't cut your fingers.
Toya
Damn...The cat paw thing is tricky... It's hard to hold the food down like this...
Toya
...It's cut! It's cut, Shiraishi!
An
Ohhh, that's perfect! Toya, you got the hang of this don't ya?
An
Alright then, keep it up and keep cutting!
An
Ah, Akito, can you make a bowl out of aluminum foil? I'm thinking about making ahijo out of vegetable scraps.
Akito
Oh, that's cool. Give me a minute.
Akito
Oh yeah, someone brought cheese. You can make a cheese fondue out of that too, if you stick it in tinfoil.
An
Oh, nice idea! I'll give that a try!
An
Kohane, can you skewer the vegetables and meat that Toya cuts?
Kohane
Sure! Ah...!
Toya
Cut it into quarters... Cut it into quarters...
Kohane
Aoyagi-kun! The onions will fall apart if you cut them like that ~ !
— Some time later —
Toya
Hah... I think I managed to finish preparing dinner.
An
Yep! All we gotta do now is heat it up over the fire and we're good to go, so you can relax until dinner time!
An
When we were putting the tents together, I thought it might be late in the evening before we'd be done, but I'm glad we finished while the sun's still up!
Kohane
This way, we have time to go to the forest before dinner.
Akito
Right. Let's start heading over there.
An
—Oh come to think of it, wouldn't it be bad if we got lost? Are you able to use your phone's GPS in the forest?
Akito
I heard my sister got into some trouble in the mountains before, so I did some research.
Akito
We've got signal around here, and the GPS is working fine.
Kohane
I see! That's a relief! I should put out the fire for now...just like this... Alright, let's go.
Toya
(...This is a strange feeling.)
Toya
(I didn't get to take part in any of the events in elementary or junior high school, so all I could do was watch my classmates having fun.)
Toya
(But now, here I am, experiencing what I couldn't then.)
Toya
(I'm very...grateful for that...)
Toya
(But...)
???
"Toya-kun!!"
Toya
...Hm? That voice just now...
Luka
"It's me, it's me! It' s Luka-san ♪ So? Are you liking the forest?"
Toya
I'm just about to go. But... I'm already enjoying it quite a lot.
Toya
We've been pitching tents and building fires together... I've been doing a lot of things that I've never experienced before.
Luka
"I see! Good for you~!"
Toya
Yeah...
Luka
"What's up?"
Toya
Ah, um... I'm having a lot of fun.
Toya
I really am, but it just reminded me that I don't have any experience...and that I can't do anything.
Toya
I can't pitch a tent, build a fire, cook well...
Luka
"Fufu, I don't think there's much we can do about that, do you?"
Luka
"Every person has something that they can do because they're just that person."
Toya
...Is that so?
Luka
"Yup. I could tell when you were singing, and I could see it from the sidelines."
Luka
"With your knowledge of music and good ear, everyone could sing with ease."
Luka
"I'm sure it's the same now. We don't know how you can help yet, but I'm sure there's something you can do."
Toya
...Thank you very much, Luka-san.
Akito
Oi Toya! The hell are you doing over there?
Toya
Ah... I'm sorry! I was talking to Luka-san...
Luka
"Ahhh, don't worry about me. You guys go have fun."
Luka
"It's your first time, you know!"
Toya
...Yeah. Thank you very much.