I arrived before Futaro and the others, so after briefly looking around the inn, I sat on a bench in the lobby and waited.

Futaro: "Finally made it."

Kiyotaka: "Good work. Ask the teacher where the rooms are and get some rest."

Ichika: "Ah, Kiyotaka-kun. Long time no see."

It hasn’t really been that long.

The teacher leads Futaro and the others to their room.

Because a large group suddenly checked in, the six of them ended up sharing one room.

Normally, you’d think they’d at least try to separate the boys and girls.

Meanwhile, I gradually bond with the guys in my room.

Before long, the conversation turns to going to the girls’ room.

Since my room is full of the class clowns, it doesn’t take much for that topic to come up.

* * *

—Futaro’s POV—

Five girls and one guy in a single room.

There are some complaints, but I look at the braided bracelet Raiha made for me and decide to make this a fun memory.

Futaro: "It’s a nice inn. Stop complaining and let’s enjoy it."

The five gather and start whispering. Same as the original.

* * *

Since there are this many people, we might as well play.

Futaro: "Let’s do it."

Quintuplets: "D-Do what!?"

Futaro: "I brought cards. Let’s play."

Ichika: "How thoughtful."

Yotsuba: "What game?"

Surprisingly, they’re into it.

Futaro: "Should we call Kiyotaka too?"

Yotsuba: "More people is more fun."

Nino: "Eh? He’s coming too?"

Ichika: "I’ll go get him."

Futaro: "I’ll come."

So Ichika and I go to call Kiyotaka.

* * *

—Ichika’s POV—

We reach the room where Kiyotaka’s group is.

Ichika: "Should we knock?"

She knocks, but no response.

Futaro: "It’s a boys’ room. We can just open it."

He tries the knob, but it’s locked.

While we’re thinking, the neighboring door opens.

Classmate: "Ichika-san? And Uesugi-kun? What’s up?"

Ichika: "Well... explains"

Classmate: "Ah, I see. I think the guys next door said they were excited about visiting the girls’ room. If you’re looking for someone, you should check there."

‘So he went to the girls’ room. Excited? Does he like someone? I’ll have to ask him later.’

After hearing that, we return and play cards.

* * *

—Kiyotaka’s POV—

I unexpectedly made more friends and had fun.

Back in the room, I get a message from Ichika.

Can we meet tomorrow morning?

For some reason, I feel like refusing would be bad.

Sure.

She replies immediately.

Let’s meet a little before wake-up time.

I decide to sleep early so I won’t be late.

* * *

Morning.

I wake up on schedule, message that I’m heading to the lobby, and leave.

* * *

—Itsuki—

I woke up earlier than usual.

I’m not a morning person, but a noise woke me.

I see Ichika quietly leaving the room.

Itsuki: ‘Ichika?’

Where is she going?

After waiting a moment, I follow.

In the lobby, she meets Ayanokōji-san.

Itsuki: ‘Why?’

I start imagining things and almost freeze there, but I feel like Ayanokōji-kun might notice, so I hurry back.

* * *

—Kiyotaka—

While talking with Ichika, I feel someone watching.

Someone from the quintuplets.

With her hair down, I can’t tell who.

It’s not Yotsuba, and not Ichika since she’s here.

So it’s narrowed down to Nino, Itsuki, or Miku.

If it were Nino, she’d confront us directly.

So it’s likely Itsuki or Miku.

Ichika: "Are you even listening?"

Kiyotaka: "Hm? Sorry. Say that again."

Ichika: "Maybe you have more fun with other girls or your friends than with me?"

There’s pressure in her tone.

Kiyotaka: "That’s not true. I enjoy talking with you."

Ichika: "Really? Really really?"

She blushes for a second, then returns to normal.

After talking a bit more, we head back before wake-up time.

Day two of the forest training camp begins.