Camping Trip (2)

"Argh!" Yujiro shouted. "How long have we been walking? I feel like I'm about to pass out!"

"Seriously Yujiro, you need more exercise," Aika replied, looking at him. "We've only been walking for an hour."

"Just an hour?!" Yujiro sighed. "It's felt like forever!"

"I'd hate to be you right now," I said. "You better pick up your pace. We're way behind the group because of you."

"I'm coming, I'm coming," he replied.

"I'm quite surprised that you're already tired," Ayumi commented as she glanced back at Yujiro. "Stairs aren't a problem for most people."

"Does it look like I'm one of those people?" Yujiro asked out of frustration

"You're right," Ayumi answered. "You're worse." Sakura and Aika stopped and snickered at that comment as Yujiro turned red.

"Speechless?" Aika smirked. Yujiro didn't answer. 

I looked ahead and saw that the group was almost out of our sight. Ayumi, Sakura, and Kaito were close behind them.

"We better run," I said, gesturing ahead. "We're going to be left behind if we don't catch up." They nodded.

"Race ya," Aika smiled.

Yujiro sighed. "I am going to regret this so bad, ain't I?"

I laughed. "We'll see you at the top!" I said and started running as Aika followed closely.

"Wait for me!" I heard Yujiro yell. Looking back, I saw that he was running at a pretty fast pace.

"Keep up the pace, Yujiro!" I yelled back.

--❦--

Hours had passed since we left the station. The stairs part had already ended, making Yujiro slow down and stay at the back.

"Okay!" Mr. Izumiya said. "Let's stop here for lunch."

I walked over to a log and sat on it. I took off my backpack and handed out sandwiches to Sakura and Kaito. 

"That's halfway," I said as I bit into my sandwich. "I haven't seen anything interesting yet."

"I have!" Sakura shouted out.

"There were some rocks stacked on each other in a strange position! I also saw a few squirrels around!"

"I tried to get close to one," Kaito added. 

I smiled. "Seems like you two are enjoying yourselves." They nodded. "Don't forget, this is just the beginning."

Ayumi and Aika walked over and sat next to me.

"The weather feels so nice today," Ayumi said as she took out her lunch. "The sun's shining bright, and the trees provide some shade to keep us cool."

I nodded my head as I sipped some juice, watching Sakura and Kaito run around.

"I'm surprised it's like this. After all, it's already the start of fall."

"I guess we're lucky," I replied. I looked at the trees. Most of the leaves were barely starting to turn orange. "They'll eventually change color."

"Speaking of time," Aika said, looking back. "Look who's finally here."

Ayumi and I turned our heads to see Yujiro slowly walking up the trail. As he approached us, he fell down on the dirt ground.

"Finally!" He panted.

"Good job," Aika said, patting him on the back. "You made it before we left again."

"You're fine, right?" Ayumi asked. Yujiro gave her a thumbs-up as he sat up.

"Here." She handed him her water bottle.

"Thanks." Yujiro took a few gulps and returned it. "I think I finally know why I'm so slow."

"You lack too much energy?" Aika said.

"My bag," Yujiro said, taking off his backpack. "There! Now I feel way lighter!" He took out an apple and leaned back down, putting one arm under his head.

"Hey, Haruki!" Sakura ran up to me. "Let's go look around!"

"You can go look around with Kaito," I said.

"Oh, come on!" She started tugging on my hand. "Go with us!"

I looked at Ayumi; she shrugged and smiled. "Fine," I replied, standing up.

"This way!" Sakura pulled me over down the trail.

"Hey Kaito, Haruki came!" Sakura shouted. Near a bush, I saw Kaito bending down.

"Slow down," he whispered.

"What is it?" I asked, getting low behind him.

"Look!" Kaito pointed past the bush. I peered through and saw a rabbit.

"Oh," I whispered.

"I know, right?" He replied.

Looking at it, it seemed so distant, like its mind was away from its body. I took a step closer. Unknowingly, I snapped a branch, making the rabbit flinch. It looked in our direction, stared for a second, and then hopped away.

"Aww," Sakura said. "It was cute."

I stood up. "Well, not everything can last."

"I can relate to it," I whispered under my breath.

"Hey, Haruki!" Aika shouted. I turned around. "Mr. Izumiya has something to say before we leave."

"Okay, I'm coming!" I replied. Sakura and Kaito ran past me to the group.

"Okay, everyone," Mr. Izumiya said as I approached the group. "We're about to reach the hard part of the trail. It's going to be steeper and rockier. Please make sure you're careful. NO GOOFING OFF. Got it?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good," he smiled. "Let's go!"

--❦--

As the golden rays of the setting sun bathed the landscape, we continued our ascent up the steep mountain, our weary bodies feeling the strain of the last eight hours of nonstop hiking.

Well, I’m not complaining but it’s getting tired of listening to someone who is. Aika let out a tired groan, voicing the thoughts of many in the group from the one boy who just wouldn't shut up.

"Are we there yet?" Yujiro asked, his voice filled with exhaustion. I let out a sigh.

"For the last time, no!"

"But I'm so tired," Yujiro complained.

"What are you? A little kid?" I couldn't help but tease him.

"I don't think we could even call him a kid," Aika chimed in. Ayumi nodded in agreement.

"May and Kaito haven't even complained once on this journey."

"Even calling you a toddler wouldn't be correct," Aika added playfully.

"Okay, okay, enough," Yujiro said, surrendering with a smile. "I'll stop complaining. Alright?"

I patted his head, "Good boy."

Yujiro stopped walking as I continued on with Aika and Ayumi, laughing at his reaction. "Stop treating me like a kid!" He yelled after us.

"The trail is getting rockier now," I said, carefully navigating the loose rocks. "We need to be careful. A slip here could mean a long fall."

"Got it!" Kaito replied, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

"I'll watch over them," Aika offered.

"Thanks," I replied, grateful for her support.

Taking a moment to gaze at the sky and the golden horizon, I admired the beauty of the surroundings. The light gracefully reflected off a nearby lake, creating a serene and picturesque scene.

"Paradise," I murmured to myself, momentarily lost in the awe-inspiring view.

Shaking off my reverie, I continued my ascent. The terrain grew more treacherous, with loose rocks threatening to give way underfoot. Suddenly, I heard a loud rumble of rocks behind me, and my instincts kicked in.

I swiftly turned around and reached my hand out, just in time to grip tightly onto Ayumi's hand as she slipped backward. My heart raced as I steadied myself, preventing her from falling and avoiding potential injury. I had managed to catch her hand just in the nick of time, averting a potentially dangerous situation.

"Are you alright?" Yujiro asked, rushing over to support Ayumi. She took a deep breath and nodded, relieved. Aika joined us, concerned.

"What happened?"

"I almost fell," Ayumi panted, still catching her breath.

"Are you fine now?" Aika asked, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Ayumi nodded and looked at me with a grateful smile. I shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Please be more careful," I said, trying to hide my concern, and we continued our ascent. Kaito approached me, whispering, "Good job, big bro!"

I looked at him, puzzled. "What?"

He grinned, teasingly, "You just got closer to her."

I waved a hand dismissively. "Stop saying that I like her."

"Quit pretending," Yujiro interjected, wrapping an arm around me. "Even if you don't have a crush on her, Kaito's right. You did get closer to her."

I let out a sigh.

Alright, maybe I did get closer to Ayumi. Maybe I really do like her that much. Maybe what everyone has been saying to me is true.