"You want us to do what?" The third year sporting a boycut groaned, sitting up on her bed as she put down her switch.
"A camping trip!" Emma clapped her hands in joy. "Karin-chan and Lanzhu-chan already said yes, so that just leaves you to ask."
"Hmph. Of course those two would say yes to you…"
"C'mon Mia-chan, I think you'd have a lot of fun if you came along. Spring is coming soon, and it's the perfect time for camping!"
"Camping outdoors? In nature? Not to ruffle your nest, but that's just not my kind of thing."
"It's not?" The auburn-haired girl mused. "Have you tried it before?"
"Emma, I'm a New Yorker. The closest thing I've done to camping is dozing off in a playground within Central Park."
Emma let out a genuine laugh. "Did you enjoy that though?"
"Uhh…" Mia blinked a couple of times just to register if the Swiss actually said what she thought she said. "T-that's besides the point. You three enjoy your nature walk, I'm just staying here."
"Well, I can't force you to come along if you don't want to." Emma turned around to face the door before letting out an innocent grin. "It's a real shame too. I was looking forward to barbecuing some premium beef with you that I got at the supermarket…"
The auburn-haired girl didn't even need to turn around to know she got the blonde's attention, given the sudden rustling of the bed sheets and a pair of feet plopping on the ground.
"Do you really think you can win me over just like that?"
"Haha, I don't know." Emma turned around to face her friend who had an agitated yet curious expression on her face, smiling earnestly. "You tell me, Mia-chan."
"...How premium we talking? Sirloin? Ribeye?"
"Tenderloin. Dry-aged and grass-fed. Top of the line wagyu."
The burger-loving third year blinked her one visible eye in disbelief. "You're bluffing… C-cuts like that aren't that easy to find."
The Swiss put her arms behind her back with an innocent smile, walking a few steps closer to the blonde. "It helps to have a friend who works at a grocery store. If you still don't believe me though…" Emma put a hand on Mia's shoulder, sealing the deal. "Care to see for yourself?"
The New Yorker looked down for a moment, an embarrassed scowl on her face, before sighing and crossing her arms defeatedly. "I… guess I'll tag along with you guys, but that beef better be what you claim it is."
"Glad I could win you over! Now, get some of your stuff packed quickly. We gotta leave in an hour."
"Wai-what?! You can't be serious!" Mia's protests were in vain though, as the Swiss simply smiled her way out of her dorm room. Shoving her hands in the pockets of her white yukata in frustration, the blonde blew a part of her bangs to the side, deep in thought of what she should pack in such short notice. "This really is bothersome…"
The Wakasu Park Camping Ground, only an 11 minute drive from the Nijigasaki campus, was the best campsite the girls could find on such short notice, and a convenient one at that. Plenty of room to set up tents, cooking areas and restrooms scattered across the grounds, and a gorgeous view of the Tokyo Gate Bridge, it was sure to be a relaxing evening for the five students and their chaperone.
"I think that's the last of it." The black and red-haired young woman tossed out two sleeping bags before closing the trunk of her Honda Odyssey.
"Four, five, six… Yep! All the sleeping bags and tents are here, and everyone has their own belongings on them." The Swiss stood up from off the ground, clapping her hands together once more. "Thank you so much for driving, Kaoruko-sensei!"
"Kaoruko-sensei… I do like the sound of that." The teacher chuckled menacingly before being nudged by a shorter, more stern version of herself. "Don't mention it though, it's my pleasure to help you girls out whenever I can. Right, Shioriko?"
The jade-haired girl only sighed in response. "Please excuse my older sister's carefree demeanor both now and from here on out. I promise she means well."
"I didn't know you were a teacher now, Kaoruko." The Hong Konger blurted out in genuine surprise.
"Lanzhu, you were literally there when she told me she was going to teach at Nijigasaki..."
"And I brought up how Kaoruko-sensei was now teaching the music course during our meetups." The blonde third year chimed in as she fidgeted away on her Switch.
"H-hey now you two…" The second year raised her hands up innocently. "Go easy on Lanzhu, would you? Those were some pretty long weeks for me if you recall."
"Are you actually staying the night with us?" The blue-haired third year curiously asked the teacher, ignoring the others' bickering as she picked up a bag of groceries from the ground.
Kaoruko simply shrugged her shoulders with a playful smile. "Well, someone's gotta keep an eye out on you girls. I won't get too much in the way of your fun though. It's your camping trip after all."
"It's no problem with us if you wanna relax and cut loose, Kaoruko-sensei. We want to make sure you're having fun too!" Emma exclaimed as she tucked the two tents under her arms, the other four girls expressing their own unique gestures in agreement.
"Well, in that case…" the young adult opened the trunk of her Odyssey again, lifting the cover before pulling out an extra large bottle of sake. "Don't mind if I do!"
Shioriko gave her sister a stare of death, disappointment, and condescension, all at once, something that was not lost on the oneechan or the other girls.
"Uh-I mean…" Kaoruko slowly and gently put the bottle back under the cover, closed the trunk, and clicked her key twice to lock the door. "I'll run to one of the nearby stores to get us all some soda. Capeesh?"
The imouto gave a slight nod and smile in approval before picking up her belongings, scouting an area in the campsite to set up their tents, and making her way to what she identified as a perfect spot. "This way, Emma-san."
"Sicura! " The Swiss happily followed, effortlessly carrying the two heavy tents without breaking a sweat.
"Those two genuinely scare me sometimes…"
The teach laughed in a defeated tone, putting a hand on top of her sister's best friend. "You and me both, Lanzhu. You and me both…"
Minutes turned to hours, and soon by the time the girls had their camp set up, the sun was beginning to set for the island nation and its inhabitants. The sky lit up in arrays of pink, blue, orange,and red, making for a beautiful backdrop as Shioriko got busy placing charcoal under the grill, Karin cut the vegetables in a tranquil state of bliss, and Emma took the premium meats from out of the ice box to defrost. Meanwhile, Kaoruko attempted for 10 minutes to start a campfire, with Lanzhu looking on not too far in frustration and Mia sipping on a can of Coca-Cola.
"I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to lay out the sticks like that." Lanzhu grumbled as she squatted down next to the teacher, who was too preoccupied on her knees rubbing wood together to care for any criticism.
"Just zip it for a minute, Lanzhu… I assure you this fire will get started, this stupid wood just needs to cooperate with me…"
"You two have fun with that." The New Yorker threw on her puffy coat and puffed into her cold hands. "I'm gonna go take a walk along the water. Just fetch me when the food is ready."
"Just don't wander off too far now. I'm still in charge of looking after you all!" Kaoruko called out fruitlessly as her student walked off with music ringing in her earphones, sighing in frustration. "Okay, Lanzhu. Do you want to have a go at this?"
The second year took off her jacket and rolled up the sleeves to her black dress shirt, flexing her arm in a braggadocious manner with a smug expression on her face. "Leave it to me! I'll show you how it's really done, Kaoruko."
"Knock yourself out." Cracking open a root beer, the teacher sat properly on the grass before taking a swig of the can, wondering how much better the other girls were doing with their share of the responsibilites.
"I got the grill started for us." The jade-haired girl informed the two girls near her. "How are the vegetables coming along, Karin-san?"
"All but the carrots have been cut. We can start cooking the rest now if you'd like."
"Mmm." Shioriko nodded before directing her attention to the Swiss next. "And what about the meat? Do they still need time to defrost?"
"Actually, we can start grilling them now." Emma informed the two of them happily. "It seems like we'll be having dinner earlier than expected."
"That's great to hear, Emma-san. I heard from Lanzhu you got some pretty deluxe beef?"
"Mhm! Thanks in large part to Kanata-chan for keeping an eye out for me during her shifts."
"Ah, that's right. I forget sometimes Kanata works at a grocery store…" Karin admitted embarrassingly as she peeled the carrots.
"Please remember to rinse those in water once you're done with them." Shioriko spoke in a friendly yet stern tone as she picked up one of the already-peeled carrots. "The flavor won't come out right if we don't."
The mature third year was flustered, almost losing concentration at her chore. "N-no need to tell me twice."
"We actually do plenty of cooking in the dorm during our spare time." Emma didn't hesitate to back her friend up under the minor pressure though, keeping up a cheerful smile in front of the student council officer. "Karin-chan is pretty handy when it comes to these kinds of things, so no need to worry."
"Is she now?" Shioriko smiled in earnest to this information. "Guess I learn something new about each of you every day."
"Pardon me for asking this late into the process but, what exactly are we even making?"
"I share the same thoughts as Karin-san. I'm afraid I also don't know what we're making with all these ingredients."
"Well, we were gonna cook up some curry noodles, but per Mia-chan's insistence, we're also making a dish called a fajita."
"Ehh?" Karin scratched her head. "Is that some American dish of some kind?"
"Aye." The three students turned to see Kaoruko approaching them, a root beer in hand. "You all about to get dinner started, cause I sure am hungry."
"Yes we are!" Emma smiled cheerfully as usual. "We're having both curry noodles and fajitas tonight."
"Oooh, fajitas? I didn't know you kids could make Tex-Mex."
The blue-haired third year still stood around in confusion, carrot in hand. "Tex-Mex?"
"Fajitas are a cuisine that is thought to originate from Tejano culture, basically Texan-Mexican Americans. It typically includes some type of meat, peppers, onions, chilis, and tortilla, but additional modifications can be made per the taste of the chef."
"Heh." Kaoruko put an arm around her geeky sister, ruffling her hair. "I didn't think you actually listened to my ramblings about my time overseas. I'm quite impressed, Shioriko."
Karin and Emma innocently smiled as the first year tried and failed to escape the loving embrace of her oneechan, a rare chance the two third years got to see the studious Shioriko blush bright red like one of the peppers that the model chopped up not too long ago.
"By the way Emma." The teacher finally freed her sister who took a chance to recompose herself. "Could you help Lanzhu over there start the fire? She's been struggling with it for a while and uh… just won't accept any of my help, haha."
"Ooh, sure thing!" The Swiss happily obliged while Karin and Shioriko had a feeling of doubt regarding the teacher's last comment. "If you're up for it, you and Shioriko-chan can make the fajitas then. I'm sure you two would have a better idea how to make it, after all."
"We'd be more than happy to oblige." Kaoruko once again embraced her younger sister with an arm before making her way to the grill. "Hope you two get that fire started!"
Emma hummed positively as she made her way to the campsite, while the Mifune sisters divided the work amongst themselves to make dinner. This left Karin to stand awkwardly to the side, having peeled all but one carrot that still found itself in her hand. Taking notice of the model lingering blankly, the jade-haired first year took the carrot and set it aside on the cutting board.
"Me and Kaoruko can take over from here. Thank you for cutting all these vegetables, Karin-san. It's a huge help."
"You say that as if I'm not going to eat any of this food myself…"
Shioriko giggled in response, noting the silliness of how her words came out. "We'll have plenty of food for us all to enjoy. For now, maybe you should explore the campsite more? It's a very pretty location."
"Mmm, might as well take you up on that offer. I never would've imagined we'd have a campground this close to school."
Karin began to make her way out of the grilling area, leaving the two sisters to prepare their dinner for the night. Before she could get too far though, she heard a call out to her name that made her cringe in an instant.
"Yo Karin!" It was definitely the older Mifune sister speaking. "Just make sure you don't get lost, because I can't promise I'll be able to find ya later!"
There was no way she actually got lost, right? The campground was pretty spacious, but it wasn't large enough to lose your way in. Well, for most people, that would definitely be the case. Unfortunately for Karin Asaka, she wasn't like most people.
Taking a seat at a wooden bench that overlooked the bridge and the water, Karin rubbed her face in a rare expression of fear before attempting to get herself together. A phone might've helped, had she not left hers back in her tent. At the same time though, even when she had a GPS in hand, Karin still managed to get lost all the time.
"Kaoruko wasn't being serious when she said she wouldn't help find me, right…? No way, she's our chaperone after all! But if she won't come find me..., I-I'm sure Emma will, soon enough!"
The sun was barely visible now, and gone were the pretty palette of colors that once controlled the skies above. If you looked close enough, distant stars could be seen beyond the faded clouds. Karin was definitely getting worried now, as it would be next to impossible for her to make her way back to the campsite in darkness.
"P-please, anyone… Help me get back to the campsite!"
"What are you yelling about?"
As if answering her pleas, a wild Mia Taylor materialized from the shadows, removing what appeared to be a pair of earphones from her ears, with Karin squealing in response in what was a very out-of-character moment for her.
As if on cue, the blue-haired model shifted into a position that fell more in line with the persona she expressed to others, crossing her legs and resting her arms along the backrest of the bench.
"Ahem." The model cleared her throat naturally. "Hey Mia, what brings you here?"
The blonde, still standing with her arms in her pockets, had what could be described as a 'WTF' face as she processed the charade her fellow third year put on within the last 10 seconds.
"I didn't imagine you to be this much of a dork…" The New Yorker finally let out a blunt statement that nearly broke the model's spirits. In the same breath, Mia got herself comfortable next to her classmate, lifting her legs up on the bench and resting her head on her knees. "I just wanted some alone time to listen to some music and the view here looked pretty so, yeah."
"I see…" Karin managed to get out while still mentally recovering from being called a dork by a girl three years younger than her.
"And I take it you just found yourself here before you realized?"
The blue-haired girl hid her face in embarrassment. "I get it, I'm really bad with directions, okay?"
Mia didn't mean to get the fellow club member upset, elbowing the taller girl for her attention. "Hey, it's chill. We all got our own quirks here and there. I ain't holding it against you just so you know."
"R-really?" The blue-haired girl slowly put her hands down from her face.
"Of course, really… Now please get yourself together and act like the Karin I know, it's really off putting seeing you act all goofy and embarrassed like this."
Karin really had no other choice but to go back to acting her usual self after being called out like that, chuckling out loud before relaxing a little. "You really have a way with words with that mouth of yours, don't you?"
"It's nothing special to be honest. Most of my… I guess you could say friends… back home speak pretty much the same way."
"What do you mean by that? Are they your friends or not?"
"I guess business partners would be a better term to use, like how it used to be with me and Lanzhu. They're nothing like her though. Not like you or the others in the club."
Mia thought to herself in silence for a moment, Karin glancing over towards the blonde before resting her eyes on the bridge in the distance.
"Actually.., nah. They're not my friends after all, whatever that word even means."
Karin turned to face the New Yorker. "Do you consider me your friend?"
"Eh? Well I…" the blonde once again elbowed her fellow third year, this time with slightly more force that got a small yelp out of her. "What type of silly question is that? Of course you're my friend, dork."
"Haha, alright." Karin playfully put her hands up. "My bad for asking."
"...What about you? Am I a friend to you? And what do you even consider a friend?"
"Is it your turn to ask silly questions now?" Karin couldn't help but smirk as Mia pouted in response, having the tables of teasing turned on her. "To answer the first part of your question, despite having only known you properly for a few months, I definitely consider you a friend Mia."
"And for the second part?"
The blue-haired girl nervously chuckled as she rested her head on her hand. "I guess I consider a friend someone who looks out for me as much as I look out for them, even if we don't have that much in common."
"Hmm, okay then. So what separates your idea of a friend from that of a lover?"
If Mia was attempting to get the world record of embarrassing Karin more than anyone in a single day, she was definitely on track to make her place known in the books, as the blue-haired girl froze in place from simply hearing the word 'lover' from the New Yorker's mouth.
"Oh come on, it isn't an unexpected question to ask when you give me a definition of friendship that vague."
"It isn't an u-unjustified question, just a very unexpected one…" Taking a moment to genuinely think of the difference, Karin hummed to herself before coming up with an answer. "Honestly heh, I couldn't tell you. I've never been in a relationship like that."
"So when it comes to that lovey dovey stuff for you, it's just a matter of knowing when you know?"
"Mmm, you can phrase it like that, yes."
"So there's just as much of a possibility of you falling in love with me as there is of you falling in love with Emma?"
"Wh-wait just a minute."
"Am I wrong though?" The New Yorker asked sincerely and bluntly.
"Yes, very much actually." Karin responded in kind. "I would never catch feelings for you like that, and before you ask, me and Emma are strictly just friends."
Mia chuckled. "If you say so…"
"I mean it. Emma ain't even the one I hav-" The blue-haired third year tried to stop herself from finishing that sentence, but the message was made clear to the boycut-sporting blonde.
"Oh? Please finish that sentence if you don't mind."
"I very much mind, thank you!"
"Oh c'mon Karin, I promise I won't tell anyone."
The model shook her head. "Yada!"
"We could become better friends if you say!"
Again, she shook her head. "Yada!"
"I'll even tell you my own crush just so that we're equal."
"Ya… wait what?"
"Did that get your attention?" The New Yorker subtly rolled her eyes. "I'll gladly tell you my crush, cause unlike you, I'm not bashful about admitting the things I like."
The model shrugged her shoulders with a supposed carefree expression. "By all means, go ahead and say it then."
"Nuh uh. Only if you'll agree to tell me who you're crushing on in exchange."
"Fine, but only because you're willing to do the same." Karin adjusted her body so she was once again sitting properly. "So, your crush?"
The New Yorker looked over her shoulders to ensure no one else was around, Karin looking on perplexed. When she decided they were truly alone, Mia scooched closer before whispering into the model's ear.
"Y-you're kidding… Haha, you actually got a crush on her, huh? Also whatever happened to not being bashful? You were scoping the place out as if we're being watched."
"Um, because I'm also not an idiot? You think I don't know how many others in the club have feelings for her?"
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Do you seriously not pay attention to the body language of your friends? It's literally written all over them how much they've got feelings for her."
"Heh well, I can't say blame them."
Mia sighed in defeat. "No, you're right. I really can't, which means that my chances with her are nonexistent."
"Eh, I wouldn't say that. Sure, you'd be duking it out with others to get that prize, but the payoff would be splendid. She'd definitely be a great girlfriend."
The New Yorker couldn't help but hide the small amount of concern in her voice. "Are you one of those people I have to fight to get her?"
"Me? Hah, no no. She's a great friend for sure, but she's only just a friend."
"Mmm. Okay so, who's your crush?"
"What's this I hear about a crush?"
Turning around, the two third years looked up to see the black and red-haired teacher with arms crossed, showcasing a cheeky grin that was not lost on either Mia or Karin.
"H-how long were you there for? What are you doing here!?" The New Yorker blabbered out of her mouth as she immediately jumped to her feet.
"I didn't hear much of your girl talk, don't worry." Kaoruko gave a subtle wink to Karin, who was still sitting comfortably on the bench. "And I'm here, Mia, because you told me to fetch you when dinner was ready, no?"
"I…" the New Yorker sighed and put her arms in her pockets. "Tell me later when we're alone, okay Karin? My appetite takes priority."
Mia vanished into the darkness of the night as she made her way to the campsite, leaving Karin and Kaoruko by themselves.
The model got up from the bench, dusting the bottom of her jeans and coat. "You really didn't hear much of our conversation?"
"Oh please, there was no need to. I already know who Mia has got those gushy feelings for. You've got no idea how much she eyeballs her in class."
"That's uh… a little bit more info than I needed to know."
"Hey, if a girl wants to admire her crush from a distance, there's no harm in that." The teacher casually shrugged her arms in the air. "I did the same too when I was in my third year of high school."
Karin couldn't help but smirk. "And yet, here you are, still alone and single."
"Why you…" The teacher jokingly raised a fist before gently punching the student's shoulder. "You have to tell me though."
"Hmm?"
"Your crush, girl! C'mon, let it out."
Karin crossed her arms and sighed, contemplating to herself how this person was both a teacher and related to the egghead student council officer. With the gentle rumbling of her stomach though, there were more important things both her and this laid-back chaperone had to attend to than idle gossip.
"Later." The blue-haired girl tugged at the leather jacket of the young adult. "Right now, you need to get me back with the others. I'm starving."
"Heh." Kaoruko chuckled to herself before leading the student towards the direction of the campsite. "So you ended up getting lost after all."
With everyone present at the campsite, a proper feast could now commence. Strangely, the combination of fajitas made with premium beef and the ever-familiar taste of spicy tonkatsu curry made for a delectable dish to be eaten together. While it was a close race, Mia was the first to grab seconds after Emma, while Karin and Shioriko took their sweet time. Kaoruko meanwhile attempted to sneak a can of Kirin beer from her car, and after a mild but brief scolding from her imouto, was finally allowed to let loose and get tipsy.
By the time all the food was gone, the clouds had cleared and the moonlight shone from above. The chaperone of the girls was the first to turn in for the night, if passing out on a lawn chair counted as sleeping. The New Yorker found herself getting sleepy too, and was therefore the first person who formally decided to get some shuteye, properly in the tent.
Shioriko, always the responsible one, tended to sleep early everyday, and with the help of the others, she properly got her older, carefree sister into a sleeping bag before bidding a goodnight and settling into the tent herself.
This just left three girls standing: the roommates and the Hong Konger.
"Are you planning on staying up late as usual, Karin-chan?"
"Mmm, probably not actually. Today felt pretty… long to be honest. Even though we didn't do too much, I still can't help but feel exhausted."
"Well then, feel free to get some rest then. I'll be there to wake you up in the morning."
"As will Lanzhu!" the platinum pink-haired girl excitedly proclaimed.
Karin gave one last chuckle and smile to the two before climbing inside their tent. "See you two in the morning then."
"Wǎn'ān!" "Buona notte!" The two international students said simultaneously before the ambience of their surroundings filled the immediate silence afterwards.
In some ways, everything that occurred to lead up to this moment, from the sub-units, the new songs, and the addition of three new members to the club, all happened because of a simple meeting driven by one's curiosity. Had the Swiss not confronted Hong Konger the way she did, when she did, things at the very least would never have played out like they have.
"Thank you for joining our club, Lanzhu-chan." The third year broke the silence, relaxing on her back along the grass as she stared up at what stars could be seen.
"Hehhh?" The second year glanced at the auburn-haired girl. "Where's this coming from all of a sudden? Wait, are you one of those existential types who thinks out loud to themselves when there's a night sky above them, because I totally get you if that's the case."
"I… haha, wouldn't go that far, but what you described sounds very nice actually! I'm just bringing it up now since the mood is nice and… it just felt fitting to say."
"Oh, I see." Lanzhu followed Emma's example as she laid back on the grass, wandering her eyes to find any stars above.
"How's it feel being in the club? Not like what you thought it was, right?"
"Well, yes and no. I still have to get used to the idea of being in a group, but…" Lanzhu smiled earnestly. "It's nice having friends to support me and… being able to support them just as much."
"It really is! Plus, we get to do hangouts like this pretty often which are very fun. Maybe we should invite the entire club next time."
"Just so long as it isn't too often now. We might be friends, but we're still rivals, and as rivals, we need to train too."
The Swiss hummed in approval. "There will be plenty of time for that as well, both as friends and rivals."
The two stared up at the night sky in silence for a moment, simply enjoying the peaceful experience of the nature around them before snapping back to reality. The reality of Emma, alongside Karin, Mia, and Kanata, facing their graduation from Nijigasaki in the not-so-distant future. The reality of the club's numbered days of having 13 whole members. The reality that there wasn't, despite Emma's words and best wishes, plenty of time to do everything they could've wanted.
Lanzhu turned her head to the Swiss girl, whose eyes were still fixated at the scenery above. "You know what you're saying isn't actually true, right? We really don't have that much time left…"
"Mmm, I guess?" That's still ages away in the future to worry about though." Emma finally took her eyes off the sky and looked directly into the greyish blue eyes of the girl parallel to her. "I'll worry about it when it happens, but for now, let's just enjoy our time together as friends, rivals, and a club while we can."
"Can't argue with that." The Hong Konger let out a defeated but carefree sigh. "Thank you too by the way… for doing everything you and the others did to win me over to the club."
"You're very welcome Lanzhu-chan."
"Even if you were being very stubborn about it all..."
"Ahh… yeah." The auburn-haired girl giggled to herself. "I guess I was pretty stubborn."
"It ain't a bad thing though." Lanzhu couldn't help but giggle along too. "If anything, that's another thing we share in common."
"Mmm, I suppose it is." The Swiss returned her line of sight up to the stars, with the Hong Konger doing the same shortly after.
...
The soft grass below, the night sky above, and the two international students enjoying both this experience together, it was a peaceful moment. It was something the nature girl did for all her life, whether back home in Switzerland or studying abroad in Japan. As for the former solo artist, taking time to pause and appreciate the details of the world was something admittedly new to her. However, with a new pack of friends to share her experiences with, maybe taking life at a slower pace wouldn't be so bad for the fast-paced idol.
...
"H-hey, Emma… Do you mind if we stay like this for a little longer?"
After all, with the limited time we have to see this world, why not make the most of it?
"We can stay here for as long as you'd like, Lanzhu-chan."
Especially with the friends who will help you see the world in a newer light.
"So what did you think, Yu-san?" The brunette first year asked curiously as she closed her laptop atop a desk.
"Hmm." The school idol club's lovable mascot and strategist rubbed her chin, deep in thought. "I think it's solid for the most part, but the ending is a little too… `interpretive` if that makes sense?"
"Too interpretive… Yeah, I can see what you mean by that… Do you have anything in mind to make it stronger?"
"How about an epilogue scene during the following morning? I think that would be amazing. Oh, and might as well provide an answer to who Karin-san's crush is while you're at it too!"
"I was hoping to keep it a mystery for the readers…" Shizuku pouted to herself but understood the appeal of Yu's suggestion.
"I definitely get you, the mystery crush is a really cute trope I enjoy from your work. It wouldn't hurt to spice things up though!"
"Hmm, I'll think it over as I write it out." The brunette opened her laptop back up. "I might as well start now."
"Mochiron! By the way…" Yu put a finger on the first year's cheek playfully. "Who was Mia-chan's crush supposed to be if you don't mind me asking?"
"Ah-" In an instant, Shizuku began sweating bullets before popping out of her chair, grabbing the black and green-haired girl by the shoulders, and pushing her out of her room. "It's best not to disturb a writer when they're at work! I'll-let-you-back-in-when-it's-finished-I-promise-okay-sorry-Yu-san!"
Before the second year had the chance to even process what happened, she found herself sitting against the door to Shizuku's room, puzzled about what the first year was so worked up about regarding such a simple question.
"Guess I'm not finding out after all…"
"Rise and shine, Karin!" The Hong Konger unzipped the model's sleeping bag before lifting her to her feet, completely petrifying the third year in the process.
"Wha-ah… Jeez, and I was having a really good dream too…"
"We warned you we would wake you up early, Karin-chan" The auburn-haired girl said innocently as she began combing the blue hair of her roommate.
"Yeah yeah… A simple nudge would have sufficed though." The model glanced at the platinum pink-haired girl as Emma continued combing her hair. "You really don't pull any punches, do you?"
Lanzhu stood tall and proud of herself, placing her hands on her hips in victory. "I didn't make it this far by taking half-measures. I'll make it up to you though by making us all some breakfast."
"I uh… think I'll just stick with a cup of coffee, but thanks."
Emma cheerfully reassured Karin with a shoulder pat."I'll brew you one on the kettle as soon as I'm done with this situation."
"Hmmph, fine." The Hong Konger pouted faux grumpily before stepping outside the tent. "I guess I'll just leave to Shioriko and Mia to enjoy my delectable cooking."
"Please don't let her cook anything, Emma. I don't want another fire extinguisher situation like last week…"
"I'm way ahead of you, don't worry." With one final brush, the model was now looking like her usual self. "There we go, that hairy situation is no more!"
Karin held back some genuine laughter despite how lame that pun was. "You really need to stop with these puns."
"Oh, I see how it is. You'd rather hear them from her, huh?"
The model simply shrugged her shoulders with a blushy smile. "I mean… hearing puns from a girl who actually knows how to do them is… y'know?"
"Yes, yes." Emma gently rested her arms around her roommate's shoulders. "Just let me know when you're actually going to take the next step, okay? You've been dwelling over this with me since we both joined the club and it still hasn't gone anywhere."
"That's not t-"
"DiverDiva doesn't count, Karin-chan."
The blue-haired girl gave a gentle sigh as the Swiss giggled to herself, having always enjoyed this little banter between the two of them.
"When the proper time comes along, then we'll see what happens."
"I'll hold you to that then."
Before the two third years had the opportunity to exit the tent themselves, they were barged upon by a familiar face sporting a ruffled, boy cut hairstyle.
"Emma! Karin! You need to like, get out and help us with this, now! Lanzhu is trying to fit an entire log in the grill, and Shioriko can't get her sister to wake up!"
The out-of-breath blonde took a moment to refill her lungs with oxygen, with the blue-haired girl gently patting her back. Meanwhile, the third year who had auburn-colored hair made her way past the two, still donning that innocent smile on her face, seemingly with her eyes shut.
"You and Mia-chan go help get Kaoruko-sensei awake. I'll make sure the damage Lanzhu-chan does to anything is minimal."
"W-what the hell?" The New Yorker was flabbergasted. "You make it sound like Lanzhu is bound to break something no matter what."
"That's kinda because she is…" Karin chuckled to herself nervously. "You were sleeping over with Rina and the others when it happened, but let's just say she did a lot of irreversible damage to the dorm's kitchen the last time she cooked."
"The dorm has a kitchen…?"
"Don't worry about it, Mia-chan." The Swiss gently pat her head before leaving the tent. "I'll whip us up some burgers for breakfast when this is all said and done."
"If we even have a grill left to cook burgers on…"
"C'mon." Karin elbowed the shorter third year, giving her a sense of deja vu. "We should make ourselves useful too and help Shioriko wake her sister."
"Whatever you say, boss." Mia dejectedly shrugged her shoulders before burying her hands in her jacket pockets. "As long as I get my burgers…"
"You will, don't worry."
"And the name of your crush."
Karin felt a cringe internally travel her body, letting out one of many belated chuckles that would occur throughout the day.
"I see you haven't forgotten."
"I never forget." The New Yorker declared boldly as the two stood between the two tents. "Plus, we're still not even."
That was definitely true, but giving the answer to Mia just like that felt a bit too easy. Without her morning coffee. Karin decided to be a slight jerk and entertain her friend.
"I'll give you a few hints then. If you correctly guess who I'm describing, then you'll know my crush."
"That's… kinda lame. You can literally just tell me her name now."
"Are you in or not?"
Mia sighed before giving in, the smoke silently rising into the air behind them. "Yeah yeah, I'm in. So what's your dumb riddle?"
"You're both great at baseball."
"Yeah?"
"You're both blonde."
"Oh…?" The New Yorker mused as a jade-haired girl ran past them with a fire extinguisher.
"And you both really enjoy Rina's company."
The New Yorker was silent at just how obvious these `hints` were, blinking to herself if this was really how she found out Karin's crush. Before she had the chance to state the obvious answer, the two third years were once again greeted by their very responsible chaperone.
"Morning kids." Kaoruko yawned as she stretched her arms out. "So, Ai Miyashita huh? I knew you had other reasons for forming DiverDiva with her. Way to go, girl!"
"Umm…" Karin struggled to find any words to respond to how carefree the teacher was acting, especially considering the Lanzhu endorsed spectacle taking place behind them.
"Anyway, I don't know about you two, but I could eat a lamb with how hungry I am. Hopefully Shioriko and the others made something delicious!" And with that, the black and red-haired young woman walked idly towards the bright blaze, likely mistaking it for the sunrise despite facing west.
"Hey Karin?" the New Yorker attempted to ask nonchalantly.
"Yeah?"
"Wanna just uh…, sleep in more?"
"Y'know what, Mia." The model put an arm around her shorter friend, embracing her close as the two of them faced away from the dwindling blaze.
"I would love that."
