Chapter 312: Forest Summer Camp
Under Shizuka's guidance, the group quickly reached the designated location for the camping event.
On the open ground, nearly a hundred elementary school students had gathered, likely sixth-grade students judging by their size.
At that moment, a plump fellow who seemed to be in charge was on a stage, explaining something. Spotting Shizuka leading Hachiman and the others, he smiled and spoke up.
"Let's all greet the big brothers and big sisters here to help us."
"Nice to meet you~"
The multitude of elementary students chorused with elongated tones, reminiscent of reciting a text together in class during school days.
Observing this scene, the plump leader smiled in satisfaction. He had already covered the essential information about the camping, and now, having cleared the microphone for them, he looked toward Hachiman's group, indicating if they wanted to say a few words.
It was time for the expert at uplifting the atmosphere, Hayama, to take the stage.
He took the microphone, stood at the forefront, and wore a sunny smile on his face.
"Very pleased to meet everyone. In the upcoming days, we'll be spending time together. If there's anything you need help with, feel free to let us know."
"Let's create beautiful memories together in this forest summer camp."
"Please take care of us."
Undoubtedly, Hayama's handsome appearance and sunny smile made him quite popular among girls, not only in high school but evidently even among elementary school girls.
However, seeing him like this, Yukino frowned slightly and turned to Shizuka beside her.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, why are Hayama and the others here? Wasn't this supposed to be an activity for our Service Club?"
Upon hearing this question, Shizuka's expression turned cold for a moment, then she spoke matter-of-factly.
"Oh, it's simply because we're short-handed. Your Service Club only has three members, so I used the incentive of extra credit. I posted a recruitment notice on the school bulletin board, and Hayama and the others signed up."
"Besides, this is also a good opportunity. Yukinoshita, it's about time you learn how to get along with others."
Upon hearing this explanation, Hachiman nodded inwardly. Leaving aside Hayama's situation for now, he did intend to help Yukino and Yumiko ease their relationship. Otherwise, it could potentially impact family harmony in the future.
Unfortunately, Yukino shook her head with a cold expression. "If, Hiratsuka-sensei, you want me to be friends with them, don't waste your effort. One is a monkey king who only knows how to show off, and the other only speaks in platitudes."
Shizuka understood that the girl indeed didn't get along with Hayama and the others. She wore a somewhat helpless smile.
"I didn't mean for you to become friends with them. Just reaching a level of 'getting along well' will suffice. Learning the skill of getting along peacefully, not antagonizing or ignoring each other, is also part of adapting to society, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Yukino fell silent and nodded slightly after a moment.
"As long as they don't bother me, I won't deliberately target them. If we can get along peacefully, that's good enough."
Satisfied with the girl's response, Shizuka nodded.
At this point, the speeches concluded, and the chubby leader once again picked up the megaphone.
"Alright, camping activities begin. We're starting orienteering now."
As he spoke, the elementary school students gathered in pairs and began moving towards the designated location.
At this moment, Shizuka gathered the group together and spoke, "Alright, this is your first task. Act as support for this orienteering activity, move with these children, look after them to prevent any accidents. Understand?"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded.
As the elementary students moved, playing and exploring, Hachiman and the others followed, trailing behind.
"Oh my, being with elementary school kids makes us high schoolers feel like uncles." Tobe, who was at the rear of the group, chuckled.
However, upon hearing this remark, Yumiko felt displeased. "Hey, hey, are you implying I look like an old lady?"
Feeling the stern gaze of the girl, Tobe shivered and quickly spoke up.
"But when I was a kid, high schoolers did seem very mature." Following at the rear, Saika also chimed in.
Walking beside him, Komachi laughed and added, "In Komachi's eyes, high schoolers do seem quite mature. But onii-chan, on the other hand..."
The little sister sighed, expressing concern about even the matter of finding a girlfriend requiring Komachi's help. When would onii-chan mature and make things less worrisome for her?
Seeing his little sister like this, Hachiman tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Where am I not mature? A mere Komachi daring to say such things about me.
Decision made – I'm cutting your allowance in half next month.
Just then, Yukino, who was at the back, seemed to have noticed something.
"Look, what are those kids doing?"
At her words, everyone turned to see a few little girls gathered not far away, looking somewhat frightened and occasionally exclaiming, "It's so scary."
"I'll go check it out." Hayama hurriedly ran over.
When he reached them, he saw a snake lying on the road, startling him at first.
However, after a closer look, Hayama sighed in relief and returned the snake to the forest before comforting the little girls with a smile.
"Don't be afraid, it's a Japanese rat snake, non-venomous."
The little girls crowded around, their faces now adorned with admiring expressions.
"Big brother, you're so amazing!"
"Yeah, so daring to touch a snake."
Hayama's face lit up with a sunny smile. "Haha, it's okay. It won't bite, and it's not venomous."
"Even if it doesn't bite, I wouldn't dare touch it."
"Exactly, that's why big brother, you're so brave."
The admiration on the faces of the little girls deepened as they spoke.
Observing Hayama surrounded by several little girls, Yukino's face displayed clear disdain. In her view, Hayama's actions were merely an act to appear kind.
However, at that moment, she noticed a girl with black hair in the group. This girl was evidently part of the same team but seemed out of place, standing alone not far from the other four girls, as if isolated.
Seeing this, Yukino recalled her own elementary school days, experiencing a similar sense of exclusion and isolation.
Hachiman also followed the girl's gaze and identified the girl at a glance. This girl was none other than the minor character Yukino, Tsurumi, who appeared in the original work.