The second morning of the camp arrived with the kind of crisp chill that lingered over the mountains like a veil. The students gathered groggily in front of the campsite's central firepit, sitting on the flattened grass, rubbing their eyes, stretching, and murmuring amongst themselves.
But the murmuring hushed as soon as a certain figure stepped forward.
Reina stood at the front, clipboard tucked neatly under her arm, her long white hair shining faintly under the dim morning sunlight. Even though she was petite, there was something commanding about the way she carried herself — back straight, eyes sharp, her voice clear and unwavering.
"Good morning," she began, her tone as strict as ever. "Today, we will continue with the schedule. Pay attention carefully. I will not repeat myself."
The students, still drowsy from the night, quickly sat straighter, nodding and adjusting themselves as though they were in a military drill.
Arisa, standing nearby with her usual bright grin, whispered loudly to Sei, "Why does it always feel like she's a commander leading soldiers?"
Sei chuckled under his breath, his arms folded. "Because she is. Just soldiers with poor stamina and too much chatter."
Reina ignored them both, her eyes focused on the crowd of first-years.
"This morning," she continued, "Arisa will conduct an activity regarding insect observation and basic wilderness ecology. You will learn which creatures are safe, which are dangerous, and which should never be touched even if you're desperate."
Arisa threw up both hands, grinning wider. "That's me! Don't worry, I promise you won't leave with any missing fingers."
A ripple of nervous laughter went through the group.
"Following that," Reina pressed on, "Sei will lead a cooking activity. You will learn how to prepare meals with natural ingredients gathered here. That includes cleaning fish, identifying edible plants, and basic fire-cooking."
Sei nodded. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't burn the forest down. Hopefully."
Reina gave him a flat look, then sighed softly before moving on.
"After these activities, you will have two hours of free exploration. That means walking within sight of the campsite. No wandering alone. No straying beyond the boundary of vision. If you do, you will regret it."
The sharp tone in her voice made several students gulp and nod vigorously.
And then Reina paused, tapping her clipboard with her pen. For a moment, it looked like she was about to dismiss them, but instead, her lips pressed together, her pale cheeks just faintly coloring.
"One more rule," she said quickly, her gaze shifting away from the group. "Do not — I repeat — do not go to the lake during midnight. That… is all."
The students blinked in confusion. A few exchanged glances.
"Eh? The lake?" one boy whispered to another.
"Why not?"
"Is it dangerous? Haunted?"
Himari, sitting in the front row, tilted her head curiously. She had noticed Reina's ears had turned slightly pink. Whatever the reason was, Reina wasn't explaining it.
"That is not a matter open for discussion," Reina cut in sharply before anyone could ask aloud. "Dismissed. Prepare for your activities."
Her strictness left no room for questions, though the little blush that lingered on her face made some of the students smirk quietly behind their hands.
Morning Activities
The students split into two groups. One followed Arisa deeper into the woods, where she enthusiastically taught them how to identify harmless beetles, spot poisonous spiders, and even safely hold a mantis without being pinched.
Arisa was in her element. She crouched on the ground, gesturing at tracks, pointing at burrows, even snatching a cicada off a tree with dazzling precision.
"This—" she said, holding up the insect carefully, "—is harmless! Its sound might annoy you, but it won't hurt. Always respect nature. If you treat them with care, they'll teach you a lot."
The first-years listened with awe and horror in equal measure. Some leaned forward with fascination, while others recoiled, covering their mouths or squealing when an insect came too close.
Meanwhile, the other group followed Sei, who had a pile of gathered ingredients ready: freshly caught fish, wild herbs, mushrooms (double-checked by Arisa), and even a few edible roots.
Sei demonstrated calmly, rolling up his sleeves. "You gut the fish like this—don't flinch. Pull from here. Rinse it. And now, you try."
The students grimaced but followed his instructions. Some fumbled, others succeeded. Sei walked between them, correcting mistakes, encouraging them with his usual warm smile.
"Good, good. Yes, it's messy, but survival isn't about being clean. It's about being resourceful."
By noon, the groups had switched, and laughter, screams, and chatter filled the air. Even Reina, who had been walking between both activities to supervise, seemed… softer. She wasn't smiling, but her sharp scolding had eased into curt instructions, and the students began to feel less like they were being punished and more like they were actually learning.
The Evening Collapse
After the activities and free exploration, the sun began to dip behind the trees. A warm fire crackled in the center of the camp, and the students slowly gathered, waiting for Reina to announce the next part of the schedule.
But when they turned their heads, they found her slumped on a log near the firepit, clipboard still in her lap, her eyes closed. Her cheeks glowed a deep shade of red, and her lips parted slightly as soft breaths escaped.
"She's… asleep?" one student whispered.
"Reina-san… fell asleep…?" another added, as though the idea was unthinkable.
Sei frowned immediately, stepping forward. He crouched down, pressing the back of his hand gently against her forehead. The warmth that greeted him made his jaw tighten.
"She has a fever," he muttered.
Arisa's eyes widened. "Ah—she pushed herself too hard."
Himari, worried, clasped her hands together. "What should we do?"
"Get her inside her tent," Sei instructed, already lifting Reina carefully into his arms. She stirred slightly, mumbling incoherently, but did not wake.
The students watched in silence as he carried her away. For once, their strict supervisor looked so fragile, so small, so… human.
With Reina gone, Arisa pulled out Reina's notebook. She flipped it open, her eyes scanning the meticulous handwriting and diagrams.
"Alright, troops," she said, smiling at the students. "Looks like Reina left us with everything we need. We'll follow her plan. Let's not waste all her effort."
The students nodded firmly. Somehow, Reina's absence made them want to try harder.
The Night Storytelling
Hours later, the campfire still burned brightly. Students were gathered around it in a circle, their chatter lively. The night air was cool, the stars glittering above like diamonds spilled across black velvet.
Reina stirred awake. Her fever had dulled somewhat, and she blinked to see the dim glow of the fire through her tent. Beside her, Arisa was sitting cross-legged, flipping through a magazine.
"You're awake," Arisa said gently. "Feeling better?"
Reina rubbed her eyes, sitting up slowly. "I… was asleep?"
"You collapsed," Arisa explained. "You're burning up. Don't move too much."
Reina frowned, frustration crossing her delicate face. "Tomorrow is the final day. I cannot afford to—"
Her words were cut short as the tent flap suddenly burst open. Sei's figure loomed, his expression serious.
"Get up," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Reina blinked. "…Excuse me?"
"You're not rotting in a tent while everyone else is gathered," he said firmly. Without waiting for her consent, he gently but decisively pulled her out of the tent, ignoring her weak protests.
"W-wait—Sei—my pajamas—!" she stammered, embarrassed, tugging at her sleeves.
"Relax. They don't care what you're wearing," he replied calmly, leading her to the fire. "You're not doing anything, just sitting."
The students' heads all turned as Reina appeared, small and pale, wrapped in her loose pajamas, her long white hair slightly messy. For a moment, silence filled the circle.
And then someone whispered, almost reverently, "She looks… normal."
Reina flushed, lowering her gaze as Sei guided her to sit near the fire.
The storytelling began. Students volunteered one by one — some told scary ghost stories that made others shriek, some shared comedic tales that left everyone laughing, and a few even told sweet little romances that had the girls sighing dreamily.
Reina listened quietly. At first, she didn't understand the humor, the exaggerated gestures, or the flow of the stories. But gradually, as laughter echoed and the warmth of the fire pressed against her skin, her lips began to curve.
A small, genuine smile.
The sight of her smiling, even faintly, melted the atmosphere. For the first time, Reina didn't look like a distant genius or a cold commander. She looked… approachable. Human.
And the students, seeing that, felt a warmth deeper than the campfire's glow.