"This way we become a team, right?"
Daichi's silence was broken by Shuhei's question. His gaze went from the lottery paper to Shuhei's countenance.
"How did you find out that my number was seven too? I didn't tell you!"
Shuhei said, "I saw your numbers earlier by accident. I wanted to call you, but you were so busy turning around."
That's how Shuhei put it—it seemed like the young man was observing him. Suddenly Daichi felt awkwardness.
"You should just call straight away! Time will be lost in large quantities at this rate." Daichi let out a moan and complained.
"You're right. Much time has been lost in this. We must move quickly."
As soon as Shuhei completed his sentence, Mr. Sakaguchi corrected him.
"Hey, you two! Why are you standing there doing nothing? Quickly enter the forest and trail the others."
It was then that Daichi realized he and Shuhei were the only ones remaining after the other students had left.
Both of them dashed into the forest. One comes before the other. Daichi and Shuhei have an odd harmony when they walk hand in hand.
•~•
It was somewhat disorganized in the forest, almost exactly as Daichi had imagined. Numerous ravenous mosquitoes fly in random directions. There are times when it lands and it itch like crazy.
"This is why I don't like forests! Many mosquitoes, filthy, and wet as well," Daichi remarked angrily. He was busy scratching the marks on his arms and neck from mosquito bites as he walked.
"Anti-mosquito lotion, here it is."
Shuhei gave Daichi a sachet, which he glared at.
"Why did not you tell me about this earlier when you had it? Were you truly planning to bite me with that cunning mosquito?"
Daichi let out a sharp burst of criticism. Nevertheless, he continued to take the sachet of lotion from Shuhei's hand.
"I didn't bring it with me. It was already included in the supply bag that Mr. Sakaguchi gave out."
Daichi was embarrassed to hear Shuhei's response.
"I also know that!" He stammered, masking his embarrassment, "I just didn't want to use it earlier."
Shuhei said nothing more, just a slight smile.
The issue with mosquitoes was easily resolved. However, it also made Daichi more cautious in his actions. Furthermore, since this was in the forest, the young man developed an absurd and unjustified fear that no one would find out if he accidentally offended Shuhei too much and killed by him here as well.
Daichi strongly suggested to himself that he should exercise self control.
"Avoid upsetting him too much. Getting groceries is a higher priority." Heart of Daichi said resolutely.
Following that, the two of them focused on identifying the plants they could harvest.
"This dead wood grows mushrooms, right? Are they edible?"
Daichi inquired despite having his own guide.
Shuhei stepped closer to Daichi and studied the mushroom he was pointing at.
"Eh, don't touch it!"
Daichi grabbed Shuhei's hand suddenly, surprising him.
"What's wrong?"
"Keep your hands off it. It may be toxic."
"Even deadly mushrooms will not endanger your life if you simply touch them with your hands." Shuhei gave a brief response. "It doesn't appear poisonous, after all."
Daichi expressed his disbelief quite clearly. "Just because something seems harmless, doesn't mean it is. Nevermind, don't take it. Just find something else."
"But, you were the one who asked me—"
"Just leave it."
Daichi turned away after releasing his hold on Shuhei's hand.
"This is north, right? Let me check. What is over there, I wonder." Daichi spoke to himself.
Behind Daichi, Shuhei lightly touched the spot Daichi had gripped earlier. The normally icy young man from the Yoshimoto family's face began to soften into a warm smile.
"First-grader, don't just leave me to fend for myself! Come assist me here!"
Daichi yelled in the distance.
Shuhei awoke from his dream instantly.
"Okay. I'll be there."
Fruit-picking from a tall tree was what Daichi referred to as "needing help."
"Climb up, there, there." Daichi gave an order.
Shuhei peered up at the towering tree. There are numerous red fruits with a fat, round form that appear fresh on top.
"No, find something else."
"Are you against climbing?" Daichi gave a glare. "Do you want me to climb, then? Heh, absolutely not. I played a key role in locating these fruits initially. It's your duty to pick them."
Shuhei gestured toward the tree's fruit. "I believe it to be toxic," he declared.
Daichi's forehead furrowed instantly. "Is that fruit is toxic, you say? How could you have known it was toxic?"
"Despite being ripe, the fruit on the tree is unharmed and free of bird, squirrel, or bat bites. Similarly, the fruit that fell stays whole until it starts to decay." Shuhei clarified, "I presume the fruit is toxic because no animals consume it."
Daichi remained silent for a while.
"All right, you win." and the young Chunibyo man turned to leave.
Shuhei was unable to understand Daichi's sardonic remarks and could only observe the attractive senior from the side.
The two good-looking young men, junior and senior, walked until midday.
"It is nearly noon, and we haven't discovered anything."
Daichi groaned and peered at the watch on his wrist.
It's hot, tired, hungry, and thirsty all at once; how not to complain. Sweat was clinging to his entire body, making him uncomfortable. Like someone who had just taken a shower, her bangs were likewise damp and adhered to her forehead.
Moreover, Shuhei behind is not any better. He was equally exhausted, but he made no complaints at all. The young man turned to look around and noticed some chopped-down tree fragments. Pointing at it, he said.
"Let's take a seat there."
Daichi nods in agreement.
"Aah, I'm so thirsty! I could die!" Daichi grumbled once more.
Shuhei, who was seated next to him, pulled out a big bottle of mineral water. "Have a drink?"
Daichi took it without hesitation, drank half of it, and gave it back to Shuhei.
"You keep things like this hidden...If he finds out, I believe Mr. Sakaguchi will reprimand you," Daichi remarked.
Shuhei's eyes fell on the bottle he was holding, right where Daichi had pressed his lips to take a sip. "It's within the supply bag."
Daichi's eyes got bigger. "Is it true?"
The young man instantly unpacked his own backpack after having a thought. He discovered two bread packets, a large bottle of mineral water, and several sachets of anti-mosquito lotion.
"My backpack has bread! Wow! Thank God I didn't die from starvation!" Daichi shouted with joy. Taking the two bread packets, he handed one to Shuhei.
"Take it."
Shuhei wanted to say no at first since he had bread in his backpack as well. However, he was compelled to extend his hand upon witnessing Daichi's genuine expression.
"Thank You."
Shuhei grinned as well and thanked him deeply.
Daichi was taken aback by Shuhei's rare smile. His chunibyo heart realized at that moment that the young man in front of him had breathtaking beauty—like a god coming to earth—and was incredibly charming and heartwarming.
Daichi starts examining Shuhei's appearance closely. The youthful Yoshimoto has lovely eyes with long, thick eyelashes and well-groomed eyebrows. His have perfect nose. His lips have a seductive shape, and his face has strong lines. Daichi wonders if those lips are really that good at kissing?
Daichi's soul returned to earth the moment he heard Shuhei unwrap the bread. When he finally realized what he was dreaming about, he cursed himself quickly for being so stupid to have imagined such a thing.
"How foolish! Shuhei Yoshimoto's lips—how could I imagine them?!" Daichi swore in his own mind.
Unaware of Daichi's distress, Shuhei enquired, "Aren't you eating, Daichi?"
"Yes, I'll eat right now."
Shuhei called Daichi by his first name, Daichi didn't even realize it.
The two of them carried on with their journey after eating lunch of bread.
Along the way, they came across a number of plants and fruits. Daichi and Shuhei had reached the camping spot before it was too late in the dusk.
Daichi looked surprised when he arrived at the camping area. Pans, kitchen knives, plates, bowls, and spoons are among the cooking utensils that are reportedly available in that small "base."
"Thank God, it will not be too hard to cook," Daichi said with gratitude.
"Who made the statement? To cook, you still need to search for firewood."
Daichi looked shocked. "Sakaguchi-sensei?! You're here too?"
Mr. Sakaguchi smiled. "Of course. I'll give full supervision to this activity."
Somewhat depressed by Mr. Sakaguchi's appearance, Daichi turned around weakly.
"Where are you going?" Shuhei asked.
"Looking for firewood."
"Just wait here while you rest. Let me look for firewood."
There was no rebuttal from the exhausted Daichi. After Shuhei left, he put down the fruit they had collected together with the backpack on his back.
Daichi intends to set up a tent so he can rest, but it seems there is a problem with his tent.
"Sensei, my tent is broken!"
You don't need to examine it carefully, it's already clear. Daichi's tent is damaged; torn almost all over.
"Well, Nishiyama, you can share a tent with your teammates then," said Mr. Sakaguchi.
"But the tent is small! How can it fit two people?"
"You can do it."
"But, I have bad sleeping habits and I even snore! What if he minds?"
before Mr. Sakaguchi could answer Daichi's rebuttal, someone's voice preceded him;
"I don't mind."
Daichi turned around and looked at Shuhei with an incredulous expression. "Hah??"