Day seven.
Everyone's bodies, except Ren's, began showing side effects.
For nearly a week, they'd subsisted on wild fruits and plants found by Ren and Umi. While enough to stave off extreme starvation, the lack of meat and other animal proteins started eroding their physical condition.
Muscles weakened, movements slowed, and remaining energy dwindled. Worse, their digestive systems, unaccustomed to the monotonous wild diet, triggered diarrhea in nearly everyone. Stomach cramps intensified, frequent and painful trips to the bushes drained their bodily fluids and remaining strength.
Their faces were deathly pale, eyes sunken, lips dry and cracked. Malnutrition became a real, unavoidable threat.
As a result, Mafuyu, Kaito, and others grew increasingly frail. They spent more time resting in tents, conserving energy rather than engaging in increasingly taxing physical activities.
Only Umi seemed slightly better off than the rest. Though not as robust as Ren, she had more energy and wasn't as pale as her peers.
The reason?
Since yesterday, Umi had secretly consumed protein-rich sustenance provided by Ren—a special 'ration' he arranged just for her.
For instance, the protein delivery was currently underway…
Behind the dense foliage of the same large tree as yesterday, Umi knelt before Ren.
With flushed cheeks and shyly lowered eyes, yet full of compliance, Umi used her mouth to provide Ren with a 'special service.' Her movements, rising and falling, created sensations evident in Ren's restrained yet pleased expression.
Umi sucked and licked with intensity, showing her desire to repay Ren's 'kindness' and obtain the promised 'nutrition.'
After 15 minutes, Umi's jaw ached, but she stayed focused on her 'task.' Finally, she received fresh, warm nutrition, gushing forcefully into her mouth.
Suppressing the bitter taste and faint raw-egg-like smell, Umi swallowed without hesitation. It was the price for her health.
Wiping her lips with the back of her hand, Umi looked up at Ren. To her, it was worth it, satisfying her boyfriend with her service.
"You did well, Umi. As expected of an honor student—you learn quickly."
Ren tidied her slightly disheveled hair, generously offering praise.
"Are you sure you don't want to take my virginity, Ren-senpai? We don't know when help will come, or if it ever will. I want to give you my most precious thing before I die."
"Shhh…"
Ren pressed his index finger to Umi's lips, stopping her words.
"Don't be pessimistic, Umi. We won't die here. And do you want your first time to happen in an open forest like this? My, I didn't know you were an exhibitionist."
"I'm not an exhibitionist! You know that's not what I meant! You're teasing me!"
Embarrassed and annoyed, Umi weakly swatted his chest, her voice carrying a playful pout.
Ren chuckled, enjoying Umi's adorable reaction.
"Let's head back soon. Don't miss the surprise waiting for everyone."
"What surprise?"
"You'll see~"
"Moo~ Senpai's being mysterious."
Umi pouted slightly but crouched to help her boyfriend put his pants back on, which she'd removed earlier.
*JIIII—*
Her gaze fell on Ren's 'torpedo,' inactive yet impressively large. Umi's cheeks flushed crimson.
(Are all men's this big? Would it even fit inside me?)
The thought alone made Umi shiver—a mix of fear, curiosity, and newfound desire.
After their intimate moment behind the tree, Ren and Umi carried their haul from the forest—wild bananas, edible fruits, and roots—back to camp.
On the way, Ren couldn't resist. His hand occasionally grazed Umi's buttocks, even boldly slipping his fingers into her underwear.
Each touch sent electric jolts through Umi's body.
She bit her lower lip, struggling not to moan mid-path.
Her face burned red, but she let Ren do as he pleased.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Ugh, I feel like a monkey. Once we're back, I swear I'll never eat bananas again."
Sitting cross-legged, chewing a seedy wild banana, Nanao grumbled muffledly, his face showing genuine disgust.
"Don't be picky, Nanao. It's rude to Rokuhara and Sonoda, who worked hard to gather food."
Kaito scolded, stoically biting into the unpalatable banana, swallowing without overreacting.
"…"
Minato ate silently, his blank gaze fixed ahead. Who knew what the quiet guy was thinking.
"No worries. I know Nanao didn't mean any harm."
Ren waved dismissively, as if Nanao's complaints didn't bother him.
(Haaa… I miss Sonoka's cooking. It's settled—I need to speed up my conquest of her. Once Sonoka joins my harem, she can cook for me anytime.) He thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Mafuyu, Yuuna, and Rika patiently fed Coach Takigawa, Seiya, and Ryohei. They spoon-fed fruit and root pieces, ensuring the three men got sustenance.
Umi and Nao ate quietly.
With a faint blush, Umi occasionally glanced at Ren, recalling their forest encounter.
Exhausted, Nao focused on her food, fatigue etched on her face.
The camp remained cloaked in heavy silence, broken only by chewing sounds and occasional complaints.
"Hey, do you hear something?"
Nanao suddenly stood, tilting his head, trying to catch a faint sound.
Kaito looked at him, confused.
"What are you talking about, Nanao?"
Soon, his doubts vanished.
*WHUP!* *WHUP!* *WHUP!*
Everyone began hearing a loud buzzing growing closer, shattering the forest's silence, previously filled only with wind and their complaints.
The sound grew clearer, louder, unmistakable.
"It's a helicopter!" Nanao shouted in disbelief, eyes wide. He pointed upward at the forest canopy.
Instantly, the lethargic camp erupted into chaos.
"A helicopter?!" Kaito yelled, leaping to his feet.
"For real?!" Nao exclaimed, her face lighting up.
Even Mafuyu, Yuuna, and Rika, previously resting listlessly in tents, rushed out.
They all shouted, waving frantically upward, trying to attract attention.
"Help! We're here!" Mafuyu cried, her voice hoarse but hopeful.
"Look down! We're right here!" Yuuna added, jumping despite her sore legs.
"We need help!" Rika shouted with all her might.
Everyone made as much noise as possible, hoping their voices could pierce the helicopter's rotor roar, now so close.
They waved anything they could lift—towels, tarp scraps, even tree branches. Except Ren.
Ren stood tall, arms crossed, gazing upward calmly, as if he'd expected this.
*WHUP!* *WHUP!* *WHUP!*
Perhaps the pilot noticed them. Slowly, the helicopter descended, landing smoothly in a nearby clearing.
Debris and trees swayed slightly under the rotor's wind.
Soon, the helicopter door opened, and several rescue team members in bright orange SAR uniforms emerged.
"We're saved!"
Yuuna and Rika hugged tightly, jumping joyfully. Tears of relief streamed down their cheeks.
"Senpai! Help's here!"
Umi leaped into Ren's arms, tears of joy flowing. She buried her face in his chest, overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Thank goodness."
Usually cool and composed, Mafuyu couldn't hide a relieved smile. The heavy burden she'd carried for days lifted.
Kaito and Nanao slapped each other's backs, relief flooding their faces.
"…"
The rescue team moved swiftly and professionally. Two paramedics rushed to Coach Takigawa, Seiya, and Ryohei, the most severely injured. They carefully assessed their conditions and provided necessary first aid.
"We'll move them on stretchers. Those who can walk, follow us slowly to the helicopter." A paramedic told Mafuyu.
Kaito and Nanao helped the paramedics lift stretchers for Coach Takigawa and Ryohei.
The most critically injured, Seiya was carefully transferred to another stretcher.
Those with minor injuries—Nao, Yuuna, and Rika—walked shakily with the rescue team's support.
After releasing Ren's embrace, Umi walked beside him, their eyes occasionally meeting, a new understanding forming between them.
One by one, the exhausted and injured group boarded the helicopter.
*WHUP!* *WHUP!* *WHUP!*
The smell of fuel and the deafening engine noise no longer bothered them—it was the melody of freedom.
They knew their struggle in the ravine was finally over.