What a Perfect View

“Why does this look like the starting point to another one of those extreme hikes?”

“No worries, this is going to be completely different. We’re going to be rock climbing.”

Minori had a wary look across her face.

“So does that mean we aren’t going to be camping today?”

“Wait a minute, don’t tell me.”

Haru's face grew complacent as he gently cracked a smile.

“Are you actually looking forward to our night together as much as I am?”

“Don’t you dare get the wrong idea. I was just asking a question. And I don’t know why you’re getting so excited about it. We’ll be doing nothing but resting… far from each other’s reach.”

“Aww don’t get all bashful with me Minori. We’ll still be camping tonight.”

“Ugh you’re so annoying. And let me guess… we're going to be camping at the top of this cliff?”

He playfully makes a thinking face by grabbing chin and looking up at the cliff.

“I wouldn’t quite say that, but I guess you’ll just have to wait until later and see it for yourself. “

“Don’t play dumb Haru. It's obvious that— j-just forget it.”

Haru quietly snickers to himself.

“Here's a list of the things that we need. You can conjure it up so I can start to show you how to use all of it.”

“Ok! I’m all done with my part so get to explaining.”

“We’re both going to be climbing in the same section but I'm going to let you take the lead so I can double check all of your equipment as we ascend.’

“Aww what a gentlemen.”

He cracked a smile at her.

“I’m going to set up our two point anchors down here before we get started so why don’t you put on the harness, climbing shoes and helmet right there.”

With each of them having all of their equipment and the anchors prepared, Haru walked over to her to check her harness.

“Looks like you put it all on correctly. Let me just check all of your buckles.”

He reaches over, placing his hand over each buckle to ensure they were closed. All was fine until he checked the buckles on her leg loops which caused her to blush as his hand briefly grazed her thighs.

“Perfect, now let me just show you how to use everything so we can start climbing.”

Trying to regain her composure, she gently slaps the sides of her face to make it look like she was amping herself up for the climb.

“Ok Minori make sure that when you start to climb you focus on using your feet before your hands. As you get further up you have to use your quickdraws to fasten your rope to the protection points that are already placed in the rocks. And don’t forget to control the tension on your belay since that's going to be the most important part just in case you slip. If you have any questions I’ll be right below you.”

“Let's get started then!”

Their climb was going smoothly as they scaled higher and higher up the cliff.

“Are you having as much fun as I am down there Haru!”

“Definitely. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect view.”

She looks down to see him ogling her from below.

“Hey! Is that the reason why you wanted me to climb first? So you can stare at my butt on your way up?”

“What can I say, Minori, that harness really accentuates her curves. Just think of it as motivation to keep me climbing at this fast pace.”

“Just shut up and keep your eyes on the rocks before I throw something at you.”

“Sorry, I can’t make any promises.”

“Their conversation caused Minori to lose her focus. She slipped just before connecting to her next protection point and accidentally pushed herself away from the wall in her panic.

“Haru!”

He looked up as she began to swing down towards him. He quickly maxed out the tension on his rope so he could relatively stay in the same place as he turned around to catch her.

“Ahhhhh!”

Just within a hare’s breath of her slamming into the wall, he catches her in his arms as they gently swing from the nearby protection point. Having closed her eyes on the way down, she begins to open them as she picks up her head from his chest and places her hand on the rocks behind him.

“Thank you Haru.”

She realized just how close their faces were and started to lightly blush.

“You know Minori, if you wanted to be aggressive and slam me against a wall you didn’t need to jump off a cliff to do it. But I must admit I like this side of you.”

The light blush on her cheeks spread across her face as she turned beet red.

“Oh shut up you know that I didn't do that on purpose. Help me get back on track so we can reach the top already.”

“I would much prefer to stay like this a bit longer but ok.”

They quickly get back into the flow of climbing after he helps her readjust her rope. Soon after they arrive at the top of the cliff where they both sprawl across the ground in exhaustion.

“Alright Haru, how much further is the campsite?”

“We already passed it.”

“That’s impossible, all we did was just climb up from the ledge.”

Haru looked at her with a devious little smile.

“Exactly.”

“Haru?”

She closed her eyes in an attempt to stay calm.

“I know you better not be telling me that we have to climb back down so we can camp at the base of this cliff.”

“Oh come on Minori, give me a bit more credit than that. We’re only going to climb down a few meters and camp there.”

“Uh, excuse me?”

“I’m going to set up a big portaledge tent for us along the cliff face so we can sleep in there.”

“In a hanging tent?”

“Yeah just wait until I set it up before you start freaking out.”

Haru conjures up the large portaledge tent and begins assembling the frame. After setting up its anchor point he climbs down and gets inside of it.

“You see, it's a sturdy tent so there's no need to worry.”

“You must be joking, I'm not sleeping in that.”

“I promise to keep my hands to myself.”

Minori climbs down and slowly enters the tent.

“I'm glad to hear that but I'm actually more worried about the swinging tent along the edge of a mountain. How do you expect me to calm down and rest in this?”

“But Minori? I have a calm yet exciting day planned for us tomorrow so I need us to both get a good night's rest.”

“Ugh, well I guess we can just sit here side by side but don't you dare move around. I want this tent to stay as still as possible.”

“I can't really sleep sitting up but I'll play along and give you some time to ease into it.”

“A wind gently rocked the tent causing her to sway right into his lap.”

She lightly blushes and looks up at him.

“You know I didn't do this on purpose but is it ok if I stay like this for a bit, I find it oddly comforting?”

A smile lit up his face.

“Of course Minori, you just get some rest.”

After seeing her drift off to sleep, he leans back against the cliff face and follows her right into slumber.