1838 A Monkey sighting a Banana Tree

Is being a comic relief humiliating? Maybe for some. However, for someone like me whos shameless enough to use it to my advantage, I dont care what these guys will think of me. Wont they cry rivers of blood from envy if they find out how close to the truth my claims are?

Right. Thats why Ogawa and the rest cant even pretend to laugh at me.

Anyway, Ill let them have their fun. I got some good impressions from Sawano and the rest of the camp managers who thought I was simply joking, after all. Thats a win.

Once the situation calmed down, the allocation of the rooms soon started.

For the three cabins allocated for our class, I truly got grouped up with those three. Our student numbers arent based on the alphabetical order of our names but on the order we got accepted into the school.

Thanks to that, it became a little jumbled.

For Cabin 1, Miyoshi, Sakuma, Matsuda and Hashimoto. Most likely, those two who had a history with sports got a little priority for acceptance.

Even if the students enrolling for our school had been in decline for two years, they wouldnt lower their standards just to fill the quota. Its still a private school, after all.

For Cabin 2, Fukuda, Hino, Ogawa and me.

For Cabin 3, Tadano, Yamada and Mushitani.

Right. There are only three people in the third cabin because of the silent guys absence. Theyre lucky to have that extra space. But that didnt really matter to me.

After being guided to our cabin, I instantly noticed how the interior had changed, or rather, the furniture that was present during our scouting trip had disappeared. Theres not even a stool.

In place of the furniture, four sets of futons, seat cushions, and a circular low table could be seen in a corner. Thats all the commodity they left for us. Even the balcony where we could observe the mountainside was curtained and locked.

Theyre telling us not to be distracted and only focus on just doing camp-related things, huh? I dont mind though. The purpose of this camp was surely to develop our interpersonal skills as well as survival skills. Everyone would be contributing to their activities.

Will there be a penalty if someone doesnt cooperate? Possibly. But they never explicitly stated it. Maybe this would be recorded as an extracurricular activity and give us points based on the camp managers or the supervisors evaluation? Who knows?

Id just follow whatever they planned and make use of the free times more efficiently than I do the activities.

Alright! Ill take this place! Grabbing the topmost futon and carrying it to one corner, Hino excitedly strutted in. That guy had been in a fairly good mood ever since breakfast. Apparently, since he was one of those who set up the tables, he got to talk with some girls from the other class. He thought he was already on his first step toward getting a girlfriend and this camp would help him with that.

As for Fukuda and Ogawa, theyre obviously still unhappy about the attention I was getting as well as how openly I flirted with everyone.

Though the delusional guy had already toned down his usual murderous glare at me, he wouldnt just suddenly be okay with my continued presence. On the other hand, the delinquent wannabe was pissed for being unable to make a dent on my reputation with his useless jabs.

I mean, he should just shout that Im a playboy, no? That would be more effective. But he couldnt do it. Most likely, hes still not giving up on Chii. As long as theres no official confirmation about our relationship, he thinks that he still has a chance.

I guess Ill have to show him that confirmation during this camp.

Anyway, the two soon followed Hino, grabbed their futons, and picked their place. Given that six people could fit in perfectly in this cabin, we got sufficient space to not be so close to each other.

I also didnt delay my entry and get the spot closest to the door. Thats the remaining spot left open, after all. Nevertheless, even if I was the one who picked first, I would still choose this one because of one thing. The accessibility to the door.

For the next ten minutes, only Hino gushed out at how excited he was. Fukuda would annoyedly respond to him with a one-

liner essentially telling him to shut up.

Due to that, the guy went to me to tell me about his encounter.

Yo, Onoda. Are you close to that one girl in Class 4?

Who?

Yoneda. I saw you approached her earlier during breakfast.

I dont recognize the name, but shes probably one of the girls he interacted with earlier. But because of my stint of going over every table, he mustve thought I was also on speaking terms with her.

If its Class 4... Is it one of Raes friends? I mean, I lingered more around them than the rest since they knew me as Raes boyfriend. I could only remember Nazuki since she was the closest to her.

Is that the girl youre getting the hots for? I asked.

Ssh! I still dont know if I have a chance. Hino grinned before acting like an idiot by trying to shush me. Hes so obvious. What is he? Hes like a monkey who caught a glimpse of a banana tree on the neighboring island. Hes probably thinking of how to cross and get it.

Didnt I tell you that no girl will be unconquerable if youre dedicated enough? Im surprised you already got her name.

He didnt scare her, did he? I dont know. Im more focused on my girls earlier so I didnt even try to check what theyre doing.

Yes! I asked her when we were about to get our plates. Heh. Shes a shy one.

Wow. Good for you. So, what are your plans? Are you going to use your chances during this camp?

You really think I can do it?

Honestly, I dont know. I havent seen you two together yet. Why dont you point her to me when we get to join up with the girls?

Oh! Sure!

Once again, the guy was elated at my suggestion. Hes so simple. Looking at the other two who were listening to our conversation, Ogawa was already looking like he was having a flashback while Fukuda appeared more annoyed.

When Hino returned to his spot, he threw a seat cushion at him.

You fool. Of all the people you could ask for help, you went to him? Do you want that girl to be stolen by him?

Why will he? He doesnt even seem that interested in her. If youre not going to support me, just dont say anything, man. What a way to discourage your bro.

Im saying it for your own good! Your chances arent that high.

Yeah. Right. You say that because you have the looks but not me. Im just an average-looking guy. Is that it?

Somehow even without doing too much, their relationship was already breaking down. I guess thats what happens if you only focus on the negative instead of cheering for your friend. At least, give him some positives first, right?

Ah. Who am I talking to? Im only speaking from experience anyway. And historically speaking, the advice Ive given to boys has yet to see some success. Those five idiots from my Boxing Class were even banned from approaching the Seven Stars Academy. The sickly dude from Third High still hadnt confessed to Kanno-sensei. And lastly, Sakuma continued to fumble his way into poaching Setsuna-nees heart.

Come on, Fukuda. Give your friend some credit.

Shut up. I dont want to hear that from you.

I tried interjecting with them and was instantly met with his hostility. Alright, man. Do your worst.