We returned to the base camp before noon with no result. Even without the sun, it was unbelievably hot in the forest during midsummer. Even Horikita, who said she didn’t sweat, was slightly wet.

“You’d better wash yourself quickly, Horikitsan. You’re quite muddy…”

“That’s right… This situation is truly painful.”

Having her hair and clothes covered in mud, Horikita was annoyed with displeasure. She wasn’t excepted even with her bad physical condition.

“It’s because I resent you for a lifetime. Prepare yourself.”

Burbling Yamauchi hid behind my back, trembling in fear.

“I-I-I, I di-did it. Promise, keep your promise!”

“It’s alright. I’ll tell you after the trial.”

It might have been bad for Sakura, but Yamauchi needed a compensation for his heroic act.

“Oh no, looks like it’s impossible to use the shower room…”

The girls who had already returned from the search gathered in front of the shower room waiting for their turn. Ironically, Karuizawa and two other girls from her group were standing in line. Even if Horikita and the others stood in line now, it would be a long wait. But due to various reasons of her muddiness, she wasn’t thinking of surrendering to Karuizawa who showed hostility towards Horikita. It looked difficult to cut in there.

“How about using the river? It’s easy, right?”

“… Right. Looks like there’s no other option.”

“I could go swim as well. Would you come with us, Ibuki-san? I sweat a lot. If we get the approval then C cla.s.s can use the river?”

Using the spot without permission was the unquestionable rule.

“I’ll pa.s.s. I’ll quietly wait for the shower room since I don’t like swimming.”

“Well, well me too…”

Taking advantage, Sakura refused as well not wanting to expose her bathing suit to boys’ view. Horikita turned her back after seeing the shower room once again. The shower room with its source of hot water was the best for sure, but regardless of the cloudy sky it was quite humid. She didn’t have confidence to keep on waiting with her bad condition.

I was heading towards the front of the tent together with burbling Yamauchi.

“I’ll rest in the tent for a while. It hurts where I was. .h.i.t…”

It looked like Yamauchi was crying entering the tent while walking unsteadily. Although a suitable person, he really did a harsh favor…

Well, let’s go back to Horikita’s state. She disappeared from our views having already started to change into her swimming suit. During that time the number of people waiting for the shower room gradually increased. Behind Karuizawa and the others were Sakura and Ibuki. Two other girls lined in the back.

On the other side, the number of students enjoying their time swimming in the river was big as well. A few minutes later Horikita and Kus.h.i.+da appeared in swimming suits as well.

I went to the luggage storehouse where the boys’ bags were placed alone. Then I was walking inside the camp from one place to the other searching for a less popular place. When I returned about 5 minutes later, I saw Horikita who was was.h.i.+ng herself in the river standing up. The cold river’s water must have been a poison to Horikita’s sick body, but she was satisfied with was.h.i.+ng away the mud.

“Uh-oh, looks like you worked hard.”

Seeing Ibuki at the very end of the shower room’s line, I slightly nodded.