As they climbed up the mountainside and caught sight of the amusement park entrance and the shape of the Ferris wheel, Masuzu regained her energy.
"How about we go in and take a look?"
"Not now. Later, on the way down." The ordinary student rejected her bluntly. "Hiking a mountain should be done in one breath. Otherwise, it's easy to give up halfway."
Masuzu wanted to argue, but seeing Yukino glance at her with a kind smile, she could only click her tongue. She squeezed her aching thigh and continued walking upward.
By midday, the sunlight grew increasingly intense. The cool mountain breeze had slightly died down, and at the same time, it carried away a bit of body heat. The mix of cold and heat felt very uncomfortable.
But the two stubborn, beautiful girls didn't speak. Though they were panting and walking slowly, they still followed the back of the ordinary student, drawing closer and closer to the mountaintop.
"If you don't come, I won't forgive you... If you don't save me, I'll cut you up... If you don't let me reach the summit, I'll chop you into seventeen or eighteen pieces... Hurry and come save me—I'll allow you to grope my chest..."
Yukino's cheek twitched. She couldn't help but retort, "What are you muttering? Don't you know how to regulate your breathing? I can teach you."
Masuzu pursed her lips. She had no time to maintain her well-behaved act. She rolled her eyes and replied, "Take care of yourself. Your face is so pale—you could faint anytime."
"Relax, I can still hold on..."
Before she could finish, the ordinary student in front suddenly said, "That person..."
They both looked up the trail.
He wasn't very tall, not very large, but his back gave off a strange sense of security. The boy casually chatted with the pink dango-haired girl beside him, stepping leisurely up the stairs dappled with light and shadow. The faint smile on his face was so relaxed and peaceful, as if he had merged with the entire forest.
Masuzu unconsciously widened her eyes. Her entire body revived like a tire freshly inflated. Just as she was about to pull out her phone, she glanced sideways, narrowed her eyes slightly, and said:
"...What's with that relieved expression on your face, President?"
"Isn't it natural to feel relieved when coincidentally meeting a club member in an unfamiliar hiking spot?"
Smoothing her hair, Yukino's expression didn't change. Her slightly cold gaze turned sideways. "And I'd like to advise you—don't be too sensitive. Uncontrolled jealousy like this is very unpleasant... Miss Fake Girlfriend."
"...Right. I was overacting."
Closing her eyes, Masuzu took several deep breaths. After calming her slightly unstable thoughts from exhaustion, she finally pulled out her phone and called.
The trio ahead stopped. After Yuu pulled out his phone and spoke a few words, he turned and looked in their direction, slightly raising his eyebrows in surprise.
After hanging up, he and the pink dango-haired girl walked side by side, while the golden drill-twin-tailed girl waited above, resting briefly.
"Why didn't you just call out instead of calling...?"
"Do I look like I have the energy to shout?"
Unconsciously, Masuzu gave in. She showed a bitter, helpless smile.
As Yuu approached, he also looked at the ordinary student in surprise: "(Name)-san is in a group with them? What a coincidence."
"Yeah, I didn't expect to meet here." The ordinary student looked happy, but not overly enthusiastic. She remained perfectly composed upon meeting an acquaintance.
Yuu glanced at the two beautiful girls behind him, who looked like walking corpses. He couldn't help but show a sympathetic expression.
"Thanks for your hard work. You've got to picnic with these two troublesome people."
The ordinary student scratched her cheek, smiling bitterly, unsure what to say.
"What do you mean, troublesome?"
Like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, Yukino instantly glared coldly at him. Her pale face flushed red with anger.
Masuzu cared about something else.
"You know Ordinary Girl?"
She paused. The ordinary student pointed at herself, blinking: "Ordinary Girl?"
"Don't casually nickname people." Yuu pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. Naturally, he wiped the sweat from Masuzu's face. "When I went to the student council to deliver documents, (Name)-san was on duty to receive me. She helped me a lot back then."
"Whatever, calling me Ordinary Girl is fine too." She slumped her shoulders. Ordinary Girl gave in easily, smiling helplessly. "I was just doing the work I had to do. That's far from being helpful. Tenkuji-kun, you're exaggerating."
"I see..." Masuzu looked back and forth between them. She nodded slightly, showing a sincere smile to Ordinary Girl. "Thank you for taking care of my boyfriend. If in the future you need anything from the student council, please let me know."
"N-no, you two are exaggerating too much..."
Ordinary Girl quickly bowed in response. After a moment, she tilted her head, realizing:
(Is this a declaration of ownership? Even though I'm so ordinary?)
As if it were just a small matter, Masuzu quickly stopped paying attention to her. She shifted her gaze to Yuu's face, so close. She gently tugged the hem of his shirt.
"Carry me."
"Up the mountain?" Yuu paused.
"Never mind if it's dangerous."
"This is easier than arm-wrestling a bald, bespectacled man."
Yuu turned and crouched down. The steps on this hiking trail were wide and had handrails. As long as one had strong physical strength, carrying someone wasn't difficult.
"Climb on. Don't say I'm harassing you if your butt touches me later."
Masuzu couldn't hold back a laugh. She whispered to herself, "You granted my wish—I wouldn't mind letting you grope my chest either."
"What?"
"Nothing." Composing her expression, Masuzu calmly climbed onto his back. Her thighs squeezed his waist, her hands resting on his shoulders.
She seemed still unaccustomed. She didn't press her whole body against him, her movements careful and cautious.
"I'm done... Kyaa!"
As she finished speaking, Yuu suddenly stood up. Her hands on his shoulders instantly gripped tightly. Something soft pressed against him. Her silver hair tickled his neck, mixed with her startled breath.
Her body temperature was very high, her sweat carried a strange scent. Her thigh under his palm was firm yet soft. Even with gym clothes separating them, the sensation was incredible.
"Your scream was so beautiful." Yuu smiled mischievously, saying in a voice only she could hear.
Masuzu gritted her teeth. Her face reddened where he couldn't see. She whispered angrily, "Be careful—I'll drag you down the mountain with me. Dying together with your fake girlfriend on a mountain will make your name famous forever."
"There's no way it'd be that bad."
"Wanna try?" Masuzu's tone turned slightly dangerous.
"Don't say silly things." Yuu laughed. "Let's go. I'll carry you to the mountaintop to see the view."
Masuzu exhaled. She released her hands from his shoulders, then wrapped her arms around his neck, gently laying her head on his chest.
The cool autumn wind blew. The sunlight still burned.
Masuzu looked up.
She didn't know if it was because she was too tired, or because her viewpoint was slightly higher than usual.
"...So beautiful... this world."
"Your scope is too broad. At least just call it this mountain."
"Not your business, you idiot."