Carrying someone elses girlfriend. Thats something I always did prior to my change. Of course, thats after I stole them.

But for me to do it at this point somehow, I couldnt find the same excitement that was driving me forward to do those before. Perhaps, its because I was on this trip with Miwa-nee and Minoru or its just a simple case of not being interested.

I mean, all I know about this girl clinging to my back is her name and how she seemed to welcome the idea of being carried by me despite the pain that shes enduring.

And thats thanks to this new appearance. Someone got hooked again.

Not only that, the other girl had started looking enviously ever since I guided the girl to climb on my back.

On the other hand, her boyfriend could only grit his teeth and accept the fact that his girl was clinging to another man. Perhaps hes already questioning himself why he couldnt do something so simple for his girlfriend.

He looked fine and all but he was too afraid to carry her. He said, What if we trip? Im not strong enough to carry more than twenty kilograms. Im sorry.

See that? Because of him, I could now find Ogawa as someone more reliable. Inviting girls to hike then when things get rough, he cant even carry his girl? How pathetic can one be?

Truthfully, just by the way he acted this time, hes also someone who deserved to be cucked.

Lucky him, I wasnt into that anymore.

Well, the exception was if this girl would be able to take my interest. But as things stand, thats not going to happen.

Im doing this for Miwa-nee, after all.

Im going to carry the injured to the rest stop and soon after that, were going to continue this trip.

Or so I thought that would be the case after we reached the rest stop

No ones here? Miwa-nee muttered as she looked at the roofed area that, according to her, should have someone stationed to tend to the hikers various problems.

However, what we saw there was a lone woman who was only providing drinks and seats for the hikers.

Ah. Im sorry. Is she hurt? She asked as she glanced at the girl on my back.

The girl, Sara, who was initially lively, was now resting her head on my shoulder. The pain continued accumulating and she gradually lost any energy to talk or enjoy the situation.

Well, thats good for both of us. I didnt need to be conscious of her anymore. The softness pressed on my back was almost negligible anyway since shes one of those with pitiful development.

As for the other two, they seemed disinclined to also ask when Miwa-nee was already doing that for them. Theyre only listening while worriedly glancing over their friend and girlfriend.

Yes, she dislocated a joint on her ankle. And there seems to be a splinter embedded on the sole of that foot. I administered first aid but it wont be enough. Miwa-nee explained. Because she took her time to research and pick this place as our destination, she sounded a little disappointed upon seeing that what she learned seemed to be outdated information.

Most likely, shes already thinking that if one of us gets hurt, shed be blaming herself for the inadequate research.

I see It sounds bad. I can only apologize but you have to climb further upwards or go back down at the foot. The first few stops dont have any experts stationed here. Im more of a guide and this place is for you to rest. Its not even a fourth of the mountain so the most possible choice is to go down.

That Miwa-nee instinctively looked at me, her expression apologetic.

To stop her from doing that, I smiled reassuringly and nodded. Theres no need to say it in words, she already understood that whatever decision she made this time, I would support her for it.

Uhm. I think we can go down. Perhaps noticing that theyre already troubling us a lot if we even escorted them back, the other girl, Shiina, raised her hand.

However, before we could even agree, the guy who I couldnt be bothered to remember the name jumped up, W-what?! No? Who will carry her?

What the fuck, man? Man up for once! Shiina angrily screamed at the guy.

But even with that, hes not backing down. Truly pathetic.

Seeing them argue like that, the one Miwa-nee was conversing with also appeared troubled. She then probably decided to stop them by saying, Theres another site in another two hundred meters. There should be someone there with medical knowledge.

Upon hearing that, Miwa-nee looked at her and bowed slightly before turning to ask me. I see. Thank you Ruki, can you continue carrying her?

No problem. I still havent broken a sweat I answered readily.

And at this point, the girl at my back somehow managed to utter words of gratitude. Thank you. Im starting to think Im owing you a lot.

Dont be. Its normal for humans to help each other. Of course, thats a lie. If not for Miwa-nee, Id drop her right here and now.

Thank you! Hearing our conversation and how we decided to continue to the next stop, Shiina also expressed her gratitude.

However, soon after that, she turned to the guy, You, you can go back down. We dont need someone as useless as you.

Huh?! I am the one who invited you here!

So? Have you done anything to help Sara?

I I do! I watched over

Watched over? Look Just accept how useless you are. Theres not even a point to compare you to him. If you really want to help, go back down and prepare something for us when we return later.

Ugh Alright. Defeated by the girls words, the guys expression darkened and forcefully accepted it. He then went over to us. Most likely, hes going to converse with his girl.

Sara, Ill be back. Ill bring proper gear.

S-sure. Take care, Ken.

Although her voice didnt contain any blame, it was monotonous enough to understand that she was not expecting anything from him anymore.

For their relationship to break down like this How unlucky can one be?

No. He brought this upon himself For being useless and all.

A while later, the guy disgruntledly separated from us. Well, knowing that Im with Miwa-nee, hes probably complacent that even if he left the girls here, nothing would come out of it.

And thats why hes not really mad at me. At least, at that point, hes better at Ogawa.

Man, I kept comparing them both but theyre both useless, arent they?

With this, we continue on our way. Without the guy nagging at our back, our hike this time went smoothly.

And although this wasnt what we expected for coming here, at least were progressing towards the peak.

Really, youre so reliable, Onoda-san. Miss Miwa must be too lucky to have you. Shiina upon closing the distance to me praised me while sounding a little envious.

Not really, Im luckier to have her. Shes a wonderful woman, dont you think so? And using this chance, I also praised Miwa-nee which the girl agreed. That also made her take a step back. Thoughts of flirting in her head disappeared upon remembering that if not for Miwa-nee, theyd still be stuck there.

If only Ken is as reliable as you And Sara, whose mind was teetering between resting and waking up from the pain, added.

And perhaps hearing that conversation, I noticed Miwa-nees cheek twitching from the side.

Surprisingly, shes now being jealous. Thats new.