Finding kindling in the woods was not easy, as one couldn't just break off branches to burn; such firewood would be a bit damp, producing a lot of smoke when lit.
However, due to the abundance of plants on the mountain, Akira and Wakana quickly gathered the firewood needed for dinner. The three of them piled the collected firewood, waiting to use it for dinner.
The girls, who had just been playing in the river, saw the boys leave and then return with firewood. They all ran back from the river and watched as the boys picked through the pile, selecting the straightest stick.
"Eh, what's going on?"
"This is the stick used for watermelon smashing. Would Kitagawa-san like to play too?"
Wakana explained.
"Eh, for watermelon smashing, you have to cover your eyes, right? I want to play too!"
"I want to play too!"
Marin agreed, and Nowa, who was nearby, also responded.
So, Wakana and Kouki carried the prepared watermelon to the riverside, helped the girls cover their eyes, and started playing the watermelon smashing game.
Seeing that Sajuna had no intention of participating, Akira accompanied Sajuna to watch the others play. The two sat on the mat, and Sajuna slowly leaned her head on Akira's arm.
"Sajuna, did you have fun just now?"
Akira asked, looking down.
"Mm."
Sajuna nodded, "I made new friends."
"Sajuna, do you prefer playing at the beach? I feel like Sajuna isn't as happy as she was when we went to the beach last time."
"That's because I was only with Aki-Kun, of course I'd be happier."
Sajuna replied softly.
Although playing with friends was also fun, she still felt happier being alone with Aki-Kun, because she didn't need to think about anything, and she could see Aki-Kun with just a turn of her head.
"However, it's also my first time playing like this by the river, so it does feel a bit unfamiliar."
Sajuna finished her previous reason and then added.
"Then let's play by the river just like we did at the beach."
Akira said, "I remember I brought a ball. I'll go get it, and we can play with the ball in the water together."
He reached for the backpack nearby, took out the ball, then pulled out an air pump, and slowly began to inflate the ball.
"Aki-Kun, is it ready yet?"
Sajuna leaned quietly on Akira's shoulder, watching his movements.
"I feel like it still needs a bit more."
Akira patted the ball, felt that it wasn't fully inflated, pumped it a few more times, and then decided it was fine.
"Wakana, Murakami! Let's play with the ball!"
Akira stood up, holding Sajuna's hand, and asked the others who had finished smashing the watermelon.
"Eh, aren't you going to eat watermelon?"
Marin asked curiously, eating watermelon, feeling that the sweet watermelon in her mouth was more important.
"It's not like there's no more watermelon."
Akira replied.
"Should we split into teams?"
Wakana asked.
"Six people splitting into three teams? I feel like someone would have to wait to play."
"But if we split into two teams, someone would have to be separated."
"I want to be on a team with Tetsuya!"
Nowa said proactively.
"I want to be on a team with Sajuna."
Akira said decisively.
Only Wakana and Marin were left. Marin hadn't finished eating the watermelon in her mouth and seemed to still be processing the quick team formation.
"Eh, Nowa-chan, aren't you on my team?"
"I'm with Tetsuya."
Nowa said as a matter of course.
Of course, saying this also had the intention of setting up Wakana and Marin. Otherwise, she would definitely have considered her friend's feelings and wouldn't have been so direct in prioritizing her love interest over her friend.
Even though they clearly liked each other, they continued this ambiguous relationship. Who knew when they would finally break through the barrier between them?
Wakana had clearly received a positive answer from here, so why hadn't he made his move yet?
"Then I, I'll be on a team with Akira-kun."
Wakana saw that Marin had no reaction, so he tentatively said.
"Does Kitagawa-san have any objections?"
Akira asked.
"Eh, no, no, no objections…"
Marin was on the verge of tears. At this point, she definitely couldn't suggest splitting into three teams. She really wanted to be on a team with Gojo-kun!
She could have said it earlier, boo hoo hoo hoo, so much regret…
So, the six people split into two teams: Akira, Sajuna, and Wakana in one team, and the remaining Marin, Nowa, and Kouki in the other.
After playing in the river for over half an hour, they all felt tired and returned to the riverbank, where they used sticks to crack open the remaining watermelon and shared it.
"By the way, should we play a test of courage tonight?"
Nowa asked, "This kind of forest is perfect for a test of courage, isn't it?"
"It really is."
Wakana nodded.
"I want to be on a team with Gojo-kun."
Marin decisively blurted out, then noticed everyone's eyes on her. Her cheeks couldn't help but steam up, and she quickly covered her face.
"I wasn't, just afraid no one would want me…"
"Alright, alright, we get it. No one's going to fight you for Gojo-kun."
Nowa said nonchalantly.
"Besides, six people would definitely need to split into three teams, otherwise there wouldn't be enough people to scare."
"Eh, is that so?"
Marin subconsciously said, then shyly covered her face, "It's such an easy thing to figure out…"
"That's right."
After playing by the river for a while, it was naturally time for dinner. Akira voluntarily took on the role of head chef, instructing the others to assist him.
Marin actually wanted to cook herself, but she mostly knew how to make various kinds of fried rice, so after thinking about it, she decisively gave up on her plan to cook.
Sajuna couldn't help with other things for the time being, and Akira clearly didn't want her help, but at dinner time, she finally found an opportunity to assist. Sajuna, along with the other girls, helped Akira chop vegetables and prepare various ingredients.
"Starting the fire should be no problem, right?"
"Of course! It's not like we're starting a fire by rubbing sticks."
Kouki smiled, found some leaves from around, lit them with a lighter, and then placed the collected branches on top. The burning leaves slowly ignited the firewood, and soon the flames stabilized, ready for boiling water and cooking.
"The dishes cooked today might not taste as good as before, everyone please be prepared."
Akira set a wok on the fire, stir-fried the chopped vegetables, then added the seasonings, covered it, and looked at the soup simmering nearby.
"Akira-kun is really an all-rounder."
Nowa exclaimed.
"Of course."
Akira nodded, "After all, to be Sajuna's boyfriend, one has to be a bit of an all-rounder."
Sajuna, with a proud expression, ran over and hugged Akira's arm, then her face showed a worried look, "Aki-Kun, you mustn't think that way. Aki-Kun is already good enough."
"I know, I know."
Akira stroked Sajuna's hair, then gently pulled his arm away, "I need to stir-fry, Sajuna, let go."
"Oh, oh."
Sajuna hummed twice and released Akira's arm, standing beside Akira and watching him cook. No one said that Sajuna was too clingy to her boyfriend.
Because Nowa and Kouki present were a gyaru-and-gentle-guy pair, and Wakana and Marin were still in an ambiguous phase, not yet officially a couple.
From their perspective, Akira and Sajuna seemed more like that enviable couple, where just one glance could clearly feel the deep affection between them.