Chapter 3: Unspoken Thoughts
The lake side

The trailer stops at the lake side and the group decide to camp by there. The Cou Rowen, Takeshi, Viro, and Mizuki are putting up the tents, Kuea goes on hunting in the water, Ren is stays in the trailer, sleeping, and Cisqua is looking into her bag and looks at the uniform for Arc Aile.

"Cisqua." Kuea calls and Cisqua looks up. She sees Kuea wearing googles and carries a harpoon that has an octopus ties up. "What are you doing?"

Cisqua startles from Kuea's sudden appearance and quickly moves back into the trailer with her bag and she falls over.

"What's going on?" Kuea asks after she takes the googles off.

"N-nothing at all." Cisqua says.

Then Ren wakes up from the commotion. "Where are Cou and the others?"

"Oh, sorry, did we wake you up?" Kuea asks.

"No."

"Two days straight of nonstop traveling is hard on the body, so I'm having them finding a place to rest." Cisqua says.

"The journey has been also hard on this twenty year old used vehicle." Kuea says and she knocks on the trailer.

"Well..." Rowen says and Kuea looks back. "We had accommodation, senpai."

"It's all because of our joint efforts, right, Cou-san?" Viro says.

"Yeah." Cou answers. "I can't thank you enough for your help Viro..."

"Don't move, you've got something there." Viro says as she gets her handkerchief. Once she takes out her handkerchief, Viro wipes off the dirt on Cou's face.

"Th-thank you." Cou says and looks the other way, which he sees Ren staring at him and Viro. "R-Ren. You're awake."

Ren then walks away from the trailer.

"Ah, Ren!" Cou shouts and he makes Viro to let go of his arm. "Excuse me for a moment." Cou then chases after Ren.

~Later~

Rowen, Kuea, Viro, and Mizuki are preparing for lunch.

"How unusual, for you to help with the meal preparation." Rowen says.

"Think so, well, every once in a while." Kuea says.

"What's taking Cou-san so long, I wonder." Viro says.

"Nothing to be surprise about. They're probably having a nice romantic date together."

"Y-you think that could be it?" Viro asks.

"Now, what'll you do next, Viro?"

"But Rowen-san's charge today, so..."

"I don't mean about this, I'm talking about Cou. It could be troublesome if you get serious about him. Although you likely approached him for a different reason at the beginning."

Viro then narrows her eyes and looks away while Kuea is tasting the soup. "Wh-what are you talking about?"

"There's no sense in hiding it. You weren't counting on much more just a fan-idol relationship at first, were you? But Cou's a simple man. His feelings are genuine. Even I have an urge to caress him at times."

"With you, it's more like an urge to tease him." Rowen says.

"Really?" Mizuki asks and Kuea goes behind him.

"What did you mean by that?!" Kuea questions as she wrestles Rowen.

"S-s-sorry. I won't say it again." He apologizes and he drops to the ground.

"As long as that's clear! Well, it's not as if Cou and Ren are married and everyone's free to love whoever they want, so go get him."

"G-go get him?" Viro repeats.

"Don't encourage her too much." Rowen tells Kuea.

"What I'm trying to say is, you mustn't leave any regrets. You're the same as Ren—you're both part of out group of friends."

"Friends?" Viro says. "I'll go get some water!"

Viro grabs a bucket to get more water and Rowen, Kuea, and Mizuki watches Viro leave.

~The next day~

Rowen and Cou check the trailer and see the suspension broke off.

"The suspension's broken for one thing. It's badly damaged all over."

Cou appears from under the trailer. "This could take some time."

"Guess it can't be helped." Cisqua says.

"Then why don't we go and gather food?" Kuea asks.

"Um..." Viro calls. "What should we do to help out?"

"Good question. Pressing needs right now are primarily technical work." Rowen says.

"Not what we'd expect you young ladies to get your hands dirty with." Kuea says.

"Then do you mind if the two of us took off for a short while?" Viro asks.

"Take off where?" Cou asks.

"I found a beautiful spring close by. I want to get to know Ren-san better, so... Le'ts go swimming together!"

Ren then nods her head.

"I'll lend you a swimsuit!" Viro runs towards the door and opens it. "Oh, but it's not as if anyone will be there to see us, so we could get naked."

"Nak...!" Cou immediately blushes and hits his head on the trailer.

"What are you getting all red for?" Kuea questions.

"Because..."

"Did you by chance imagine me that way?" Viro asks. "Without any..."

"Wha...! N-no! I-I wouldn't!" Cou flusters.

"You sure? Then let's go, Ren-san!"

"I'm coming too!" Mizuki tells Viro.

"That's fine with me, Mizuki-san." Viro then drags Ren to the spring and Mizuki follows them.

"Kuea! Let's go too!" Cisqua says and Kuea looks at her. "We must guard those two!" She then grabs Kuea's hand and leave Rowen, Cou, and Takeshi.

"H-hey, Cisqua?"

At the spring

Ren, Viro, and Mizuki sees a beautiful view of the spring.

"See? Awesome, don't you think?" Viro asks.

"Mhm, it's pretty." Ren says.

"I'm amaze that you found this." Mizuki says.

"Cisqua-san, Kuea-san, join us! I have extra swimsuits!"

"We don't need to go in." Cisqua says. "We're here to keep watch!"

"Also, you can't swim." Kuea adds and sees Viro taking her swimsuit out. "Besides, with Viro's swimsuit... Too much chest room!"

Ren, Viro, and Mizuki move to a spot where no one could see them. Then they start taking their clothes off.

"Come to think of it, there's no reason to hide while getting changed." Viro points out.

"Mhm, but still..." Ren says.

"You're right." Viro says.

Once Ren takes off her ribbon and her Elemental Gelade shows, Viro widens her eyes and hides her Sting Raid stone.

"Wow Ren, your Elemental Gelade is pretty." Mizuki complements.

"Mhm, your's too." Ren says and Mizuki blushes.

"Thank you."

At the camping grounds

Cou and Rowen are fixing the trailer and Takeshi helps them.

"Cou, how are things with you lately?" Rowen asks.

"What do you mean?" Cou asks. "Splendid, as always.

"Yeah? Then that's good."

"What's wrong Rowen?" Takeshi asks. "I never heard you asks that question once."

"Well, I'm worried about Cou since he can React with Ren-chan and Viro.

At the spring

Once they where the swimsuit, Viro jumps into the water and comes out.

"Ren-san! Mizuki-san! Hurry!" Viro calls.

"We're coming!" Mizuki says and looks at Ren. "Let's go, Ren."

Ren nods and both of them get into the water. Cisqua and Kuea are sitting on a rock, watching Ren and Viro play in the water with Mizuki."

"So, what is it?" Kuea asks and Cisqua looks at her. "You wanted to talk about something, right?"

"What do you think Arc Aile changed?" Cisqua asks.

"Getting right to the point, I see."

"I've been thinking about that. Viro-san's so full of energy."

"Yeah."

"But having been turning into a Sting Raid before she can even remember. That's gotta be really hard to accept."

Kuea then pushes Cisqua off the rock into the water. Then Cisqua comes out of the water, stuggling to swim.

"What did you do that for? I can't swim, you know!"

"But you can stand up." Kuea points out.

Cisqua stops struggling and stands up. Then Kuea jumps off the rock and splashes into the water.

"Let's have fun!" Kuea says as she gives Cisqua a thumbs up.

Meanwhile, Viro is sitting down at the edge of the water with Mizuki and Ren stares at Viro.

"Wh-what is it?!" Viro asks.

"So pretty." Ren says.

"Eh?"

"Your stone."

"Ren's right." Mizuki agrees.

Viro then hides her stone. "Y-you're lying! It's not nearly as impressive as both of yours, Ren-san, Mizuki-san."

Ren stands up and walks towards Viro.

"Come." She tells Viro and brings her into the water as Mizuki watches them. "Here, look." Once Ren gets Viro's hand off her stone, Viro sees the reflection on the water. "I love that color."

"Ren-san!" Viro calls. "You love Cou-san, don't you, Ren-san?"

"Eh?"

"How should I put it, you... um... Are you two lovers?"

"What must happen for us to be lovers?" Ren asks.

"Well, for example... If you've kissed, or gotten close in that kind of way..."

"Then I guess we aren't lovers."

"What a relief. Um, I love Cou-san very much too! Would it be okay with you if Cou-san and I become lovers?!"

"Eh?"

"Would it be okay?!"

"If it's okay with Cou."

"I understand, don't hate me if it happens!"

"Cou may... Cou may prefer you as well, Viro."

Suddenly, a fish comes out and scares Ren. Then Viro kicks it away.

"There!"

The fish flies towards where Cisqua and Kuea are and Cisqua catches it.

"Well done, Viro!" Cisqua complements.

"This type of fish is delicious, you know!" Kuea says.

"All right!" Viro exclaims. "Things are looking up!"

As Cisqua, Kuea, and Viro talk, Ren looks down and Mizuki looks at her before she walks over to her and puts her hand on Ren's shoulder.

"If you unsure of your feelings right now, you can talk to me about it, okay?"

Ren nods and Mizuki smiles.

~Later; sun down~
At the camp grounds

After the five girls comes back from the spring, Cisqua shows the fish to Rowen and he cooks it for dinner. Now, everyone is sitting by the table and eats their dinner.

"Cou-san. Please eat lots, olay?" Viro asks and give a plate that has the cook chicken on it.

"S-sure." Cou says.

"But even as we're enjoying our meal, the enemy could attack us at any time." Cisqua says.

"Please do not worry!" Viro says. "Should that happen, Cou-san and I will beat them up good! Right, Cou-san?"

"Yeah. Viro and I will defeat any enemy with a single blow! There's nothing to be afraid of!" Cou says.

"Excuse me." Ren puts her fork down and stands up. Cou watches Ren leave the table and looks down.

"Now, I should finish eating so we can continue with the repairs." Cou says.

"Cou." Rowen calls. "Can I talk to you?"

"What is it, Rowen?"

"Come with me. You too, Takeshi." Rowen stands up and Cou and Takeshi follow him into the forest. When they got there, Cou tells Rowen and Takeshi what is in his mind.

"Is that so, and that's what's been on your mind." Rowen says.

"Yeah, she talks like she suddenly hates me." Cou adds. "I can't understand her. I'm just trying to be alone with Ren so we can talk."

Both Rowen and Takeshi then laugh at Cou's confession.

"C-come on, Rowen, I'm serious!"

"Sorry, sorry." Rowen apologizes. "But Cou, you said yourself not too long ago that you wished Ren would be a little more jealous."

"Yeah, I did say that. So what if I said that?"

"Ren's actions are clearly signs that she's jealous." Takeshi tells him.

"Eh?" Cou says as he widens his eyes.

"I doubt Ren-chan realizes it either." Rowen says.

"She probably doesn't know what to do about it. That's why she doesn't want to be with you." Takeshi adds.

"S-so that's why." Cou says

"I'm pretty sure about it." Rowen says.

"So that's it. That's all it was!"

Meanwhile

Ren is sitting at the lake side and remembers when Cou and Viro were about to kiss. She then hugs herself closer.

"No, I... I don't want that." Ren says.

"Ren." Mizuki calls and Ren looks up. "What's wrong? Is it about Cou?"

Ren looks down and Mizuki sits next to her.

"You know, If you tell your feelings at Cou, he'll probably understand."

"But I..."

"It will be fine." Mizuki puts Ren closer to her. "Cou will understand."

~Night~

Rowen, Takeshi, and Mizuki come back to the camp grounds. Then Rowen goes on ahead to where Cisqua and Kuea are, leaving Takeshi and Mizuki together.

"So, how was on your side?" Mizuki asks.

"It went well." Takeshi replies. "What about yours?"

"The same." Mizuki then leans on Takeshi. "Hey, Takeshi."

"Hm?"

"I hope those two are happy with each other."

Takeshi puts his hands on her shoulders. "I know they will."

Mizuki looks up and the two slowly comes together and they kiss.

Author's Note: Hey guys! I've look at the reviews for this story and there's none at all!? I want to know your thoughts about this and how it goes so please review this story.