Chapter 50: The Beautiful Girl Goes to the Mountains (Part 2)

After lunch, we decided to head down to the river. We girls said we’d go back to the cottage first to get ready, while Ryoji and Togo went ahead to check things out.

Honestly, boys have it easy—no prep needed. Then again, I used to be on that side not too long ago. If I’d worn jeans, I could’ve just rolled them up to my knees or something. But with tights, there’s no way around it—you can’t go into the water unless you take them off.

"Hey, hey, Ayumi-chan! You started a part-time job, right? Where at?"

While I was changing, Moeka-chan asked. I could tell right away—she was totally planning to come visit. But I couldn’t just ignore her, so I answered anyway.

"Oh, I know that place! It was featured in a magazine once, wasn’t it? Mind if I drop by sometime?"

Sakurako-chan also seemed to know the shop, which surprised me. It had even been in a magazine? Then again, that pudding really was amazing, and the omelet Ryoji ordered looked delicious too. I guess it makes sense.

"As long as it’s not during my shift, sure!"

"Wait, wait! But if you’re not there, it kinda defeats the purpose!"

Moeka-chan puffed her cheeks at my reply. I still think going just for the food would be reason enough, though. Running into someone you know while you’re working can be really embarrassing. My heart was racing the other day when I ran into Ryoji by accident.

"I’m already done getting ready, so I’ll head out first!"

"Ah, wait up!"

I stepped outside the cottage ahead of them. The heavy heat hit me like a wall, and I felt a bit dizzy. Ugh… I guess I really am getting summer fatigue.

This body’s always been weak and low on stamina, and I don’t eat much. Ever since summer break started, it’s been beach trips, work shifts, and now camping in the mountains. No wonder I’m exhausted.

I closed my eyes for a moment. The sounds of cicadas and rustling leaves filled my ears, along with the occasional shrill laughter of children.

The smell of wood and earth was thick in the air—something you could never experience in the city.

Right now, I’m at a campsite with my friends. Back in middle school, I never had experiences like this. Aside from, well, that one little thing about turning into a girl, my high school life has honestly been so much more fulfilling. I guess… I’m really enjoying myself.

Just as my head started to clear, the cottage door opened and Moeka-chan and Sakurako-chan came out.

"Huh, is that… a beach ball?"

I noticed Moeka-chan holding a volleyball-sized beach ball. So that’s why they were taking so long—they were inflating that thing.

"Yup! When we went to the beach, we rented everything since we didn’t have our own. But I figured a campsite wouldn’t have rentals, so I bought one this time!"

She bounced the ball lightly in her hand.

Even if we weren’t planning to swim, just splashing around in the river wouldn’t be much fun without something to play with. Though honestly, the rocky riverbed might make playing with a ball kind of tricky.

"Anyway, let’s go. We shouldn’t keep the boys waiting too long."

When we got down to the river, Ryoji and Togo were already there—shirtless, splashing water at each other like little kids.

Oh, come on. Their pants are soaked too.

They’re both such idiots… but, well, it did look kind of refreshing. I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. I mean, I can’t just go getting wet like that anymore. Things… tend to show through, you know.

"Hey, you made it! The water’s freezing cold!"

The guys were having the time of their lives, but we girls couldn’t really match that level of energy.

While they kept splashing each other, I crouched by the riverbank and dipped my hand in. The water was icy cold and perfectly clear.

"So? What do you think, Ayumi-chan?"

At some point, Sakurako-chan had crouched down next to me.

"It’s super cold but feels really nice!"

"R-Really…? When you smile like that, it kind of makes the river and mountains fade into the background, you know."

Wait—what!? Don’t say stuff like that! If the scenery doesn’t matter anymore, then what are we even here for!? And stop giving me that dreamy look!

Before I could react, a splash of water hit Sakurako-chan right in the face.

"Hey! Moeka!"

"Well, your face looked like you were overheating. I figured you needed to cool down a little!"

Sakurako-chan looked a bit annoyed at first but quickly recovered and dipped something into the water. When she lifted it out, I realized what it was—a water gun!

A stream of water shot straight from the barrel, hitting Moeka-chan square in the stomach.

"Whoa! Cold! Wait! Wait! Sakurako-chan, why do you even have that!?"

"I picked it up at a local supermarket."

"Wow, you’re actually super prepared, huh, Sakurako-chan?"

"Huh!? W-Well, maybe a little…"

Her cheeks flushed pink, and she looked away shyly. It was kind of… refreshing, seeing that side of her.

"Wh-Why are you grinning at me like that?"

"I was just thinking, Sakurako-chan, you’re really cute."

Sakurako-chan’s face turned even redder as she quickly looked away, and I leaned in to get a better look at her expression.

"Hey! Ayumi-chan, stop staring at me like that!"

"Well, I thought I’d return the favor, that’s all."

"Gosh… you’re impossible!"

Sakurako-chan turned her back to me. Hmm… I think I finally understand what it feels like when she does this to me. That shy little gesture—it’s actually kind of cute.

"Hey, Ayumi! Why don’t you come into the water for a bit?"

Ryoji called out from the middle of the river. He was already soaked from head to toe. The water wasn’t that deep—only up to his knees—but his shorts had completely darkened from being drenched. Togo, standing beside him, was in the exact same state.

Good grief… boys really are hopeless sometimes. Still, I stood up, thinking I might as well join them a little.

But then—huh? For an instant, my vision turned completely white. The world blinked out, and before I knew it, I was tipping backward. I realized something was wrong—but my body wouldn’t respond.

"Ayumi-chan, watch out!"

Moeka-chan caught me from behind just in time, keeping me from falling over.

"Are you okay!? Do you feel sick?"

"N-no, I’m fine. Thanks. I just got a little dizzy, that’s all."

Inside, though, my heart was pounding. That was close. My vision had gone totally white—I couldn’t see a thing even though my eyes were open—and I’d nearly collapsed backward. If Moeka-chan hadn’t caught me, I might’ve really gotten hurt. My back was damp with cold sweat.

I really shouldn’t ignore this summer fatigue…

I let go of Moeka-chan’s hand. My legs felt steady again, though my heart was still racing a little. I smiled to reassure the girls, who were both watching me with worried faces.

They looked relieved, and that alone made me feel calmer too.

I slowly took off my shoes. The sun-baked stones beneath my feet were hot to the touch, and the moment my toes met the river, the icy water made me shiver—but it felt wonderfully refreshing.

"Ayumi-chan, be careful! The rocks are slippery!"

Sakurako-chan called out from behind me.

"Wait, Ayumi-chan! I’m coming too!"

Moeka-chan hurried after me, probably still worried after seeing me stumble earlier. She quickly caught up and took my hand. The sudden contact made me a bit tense, but together, we waded forward carefully until we reached Ryoji and Togo.

"You okay? You looked like you were about to fall there," Ryoji said.

"Yeah, I just got a little light-headed, that’s all."

"Ayu-chan, I’ll grab you something cold to drink," Togo said, splashing his way back toward the bags onshore. He returned a moment later with a chilled bottle in hand.

Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t really been drinking much today. Maybe I was on the verge of heat exhaustion.

I really should’ve brought a hat—my hair’s pitch black, and it soaks up heat like crazy. Total rookie mistake.

"Thanks," I said as Togo handed me the bottle. I twisted it open and took a sip. The cold barley tea slid down my throat, cooling me from the inside out.

I’d been making everyone worry all day. Maybe I really do need to work on my stamina…

"By the way, Ayumu," Ryoji said suddenly.

"Hm? What is it?"

"Don’t you have a swimsuit?"

"I do not!!"

Wearing a swimsuit in the river? Sure, that might be fine for little kids, but people our age almost never do that. Seriously, why’s he so obsessed with swimsuits anyway? Go look at a magazine if that’s what you want.

"Well, guess it can’t be helped. Let’s just go to a pool next time!"

"Yeah, yeah. Maybe next time."

"This looks like a kid throwing a tantrum at his mom."

"Totally. You two sure get along well!"

Geez—Moeka-chan and Togo both say whatever they want! I don’t need such a handful of a kid—no, I mean, stop teasing me already!

"Hey everyone, should we start heading back? It’s almost time to get ready for the barbecue," Sakurako-chan called from the bank.

We began wading toward the shore one by one, splashing as we went. The riverbed was uneven, every stone a different size, which made walking tricky.

I tried to find a path that looked easier to step on and moved carefully. That’s when Ryoji suddenly shouted:

"Ah, wait, Ayumu! It gets a little deeper there—!"

I didn’t hear the rest. The moment I stepped forward, the ground that should’ve been there wasn’t, and I pitched forward. For a split second, I thought, Huh, this feels familiar somehow… right before plunging straight into the water.

No one caught me this time. I hit the surface with a splash—but luckily, the impact wasn’t too bad, and the river wasn’t deep enough to be dangerous. Still, from my chest down to my shorts, I was completely soaked.

"A-are you okay, Ayumi-chan!?"

Sakurako-chan called from the bank, while Moeka-chan rushed through the water toward me, eyes wide with worry.

"Haha… guess it’s a good thing I brought a change of clothes," I said with an awkward laugh as Moeka-chan helped me back up. I already knew I was hopeless most of the time, but today I felt especially useless.

"A-Ayumi-chan! Wait! Don’t turn around—your shirt’s see-through!"

"See… through? Ah!"

I looked down.

Because I’d fallen in chest-first, my white T-shirt clung tightly to my skin, and the pale color underneath was faintly visible. Worse, my underwear had soaked through completely—it wasn’t just “see-through,” it was practically on display.

A silent scream escaped my throat.

And of course, in my panic, I’d turned toward Moeka-chan—meaning Ryoji and Togo also got a perfect view. Aaaahhh! This is mortifying! Especially because, for once, it’s entirely my fault. Ryoji and Togo hadn’t done a single thing wrong, which somehow made it even worse.

Sakurako-chan quickly ran over and handed me her long-sleeved overshirt. I threw it on immediately, not even bothering with the sleeves.

"You’ve got a change of clothes, right?" Sakurako-chan asked gently.

I nodded.

"Good. Then go take a shower and get changed, okay?"

So Moeka-chan and I headed back to the cottage together, while Sakurako-chan stayed behind to help Ryoji and Togo pick up the barbecue ingredients from the campsite store.

Ugh… what a disaster of a day. Seriously, is this some kind of curse?

As we walked back toward the cottage, that was all I could think about.