Chapter 15: Rainy Day, Feels a Little Sweet
There's a crackling sound.
The campfire in front of the wooden hut was blazing cheerfully.
Bathing in seawater wasn't very effective, but it was the only option they had to clean themselves.
They didn't have any clothes, so they wore outfits made of leaves and bark through the night.
Luckily, the clothes they hung near the fire were always dry by morning, so they didn't have to wear leafy skirts during the day.
But that was only because it was summer. When winter came…
While Jun and Yukino were stuck on this remote island, they never saw a ship or heard a rescue plane.
Now, neither Jun nor Yukino said when the rescue team would come or if they would come at all.
Time seemed to move slowly on the island.
Jun and Yukino felt like they had lived through centuries, even though it had only been a few days.
Aside from one mechanical wristwatch that still worked, they had completely lost track of time and date.
However, based on the date they left for their study tour—September 5, 2020—it should now be around September 11, 2020.
They only had one way to keep track of time: they drew and wrote with plant sap on sheets of dried bark.
I like what Jun is doing now.
With the campfire as his light, he was making a simple map of the forest behind them on a piece of bark.
"This area is full of spiders... there might be wild boar here... this part hasn't been explored... there's more over there and here... everything still needs to be checked..."
Jun marked the "map" based on what happened that day.
"What are you doing?"
Yukino, who had just finished bathing, saw Kato Jun still scribbling in front of the fire and couldn't help but be curious.
"What is this?"
Yukino was confused by the strange lines and shapes on the tree's bark.
"It's a map."
Jun knew his drawing was bad. He put down the twig—his "pen"—with a hint of embarrassment.
"Oh, I see... pfft..."
When Yukino realized it was a map, she finally understood what the "drawing" was meant to represent.
But for some reason, seeing Jun's handsome face with that awful map made her want to laugh.
"Kato-kun really has no talent for drawing..."
Yukino stopped laughing and took the twig Jun had used. She started fixing the parts of the "map" he had ruined.
The ugly marks and erratic lines turned into beautiful designs.
Even without her talent, Yukino's drawing was much better than Jun's.
"How's that? My drawing is much clearer, isn't it?"
After putting the twig down, Yukino didn't smile. But Jun could clearly see the immense pride in her eyes.
"Hmmm..."
By the way, isn't she a little too close for comfort?
To fix Jun's "map," Yukino squatted right next to him without hesitation, and as she drew, her body almost touched his.
Though Yukino's bark outfit felt rough, the smooth white skin beneath it clearly wasn't.
Jun got up from the log he was sitting on.
"Yukinoshita-san, please turn around and close your eyes for a second."
Jun decided to use his "masculine scent" to protect the cave that night.
"What are you going to do?"
Yukino panicked and grew flustered when she saw Jun start to undo his belt.
"I'll explain later. For now, just turn around."
Jun walked toward the beach outside the hut and got his "water weapon."
Ssssshh...
Even though Yukino had turned away, she was still nervous.
What is Kato-kun trying to do? He's taking off his pants… could it be…?
Her cheeks got red as she imagined embarrassing things.
But the sound of footsteps and the unmistakable hiss of flowing water shattered her fantasy. Kato-kun is not peeing, is he?
Yukino slowly turned her head, but then quickly covered her eyes and screamed.
"Kato-kun! What are you doing?! Why are you doing that in front of me?!"
"You pervert! That's a bad thing! Hentai!"
At first, Yukino thought Jun was going to do something indecent, but it turned out he was just peeing.
Is he a dog or something?! Why pee so close to their shelter?!
Yukino was still covering her eyes. She shouted at Jun. Her face was red.
But she was curious, so she looked through her fingers.
So, this is what a man's thing really looks like? It's like what we learned in health class.
It was Yukino's first time seeing a real one.
The pictures in the book didn't compare to what was really happening.
Her mind was totally disorganized.
"I told you not to look..."
After exploring the cave and finishing his "ritual," Jun sighed as he adjusted his pants.
He felt "used" by the girl. She had looked at him and insulted him too.
"Wash your hands first! No! Don't come near me, you perv!"
Yukino covered her chest with her arms and made a defensive gesture.
"That was to prevent wild boars or other animals from approaching the campsite. I'm not a pervert..."
Jun glared at the girl who kept calling him names and explained with resignation.
If he didn't, she might really throw a rock at him.
"My urine contains testosterone. When wild animals get close, they smell that masculine scent and feel intimidated. It's better than some cheap wooden fences."
Jun started to doubt the emergency barrier's effectiveness after discovering the large animals in the forest.
It was already dark, so he decided to use a method he'd once seen from a famous adventurer.
"You don't want to be bothered by spiders in your sleep, do you?"
To convince Yukino quickly, Kato Jun even mentioned her most feared enemy—spiders.
"Really?"
Yukino understood why Jun did what he did when she imagined spiders and wild boars.
"Should I pee too?"
Yukino's brain suddenly stopped working. She said it without thinking.
Right away, she felt embarrassed. She wanted to pretend it wasn't happening.
However, Jun didn't laugh at her. He answered seriously.
"No need. Female urine doesn't contain much testosterone; it actually contains more estrogen. So, it's better if you pee far from the camp."
"Why do I have to go far?"
Yukino was sitting near the campfire, no longer upset by Jun's explanation.
"Because... some animals can go into heat in summer. So that might actually attract them."
Jun explained with a laugh.
In nature, men usually survived more than women. That was just reality.
"You're the one who's ready to mate!"
Yukino made a noise and turned her face away.
Her mind was full of memories of that thing of Jun's. Her thoughts were disorganized and too emotional.
Why didn't he just say that from the beginning? Idiot...
Yukino was still upset, so she went inside the cave. She decided not to talk to that guy who pees anywhere until sunrise.
[Yukinoshita Yukino — Afinity: Unknown]
_ _ _
Hush...
The next morning, that strange sound woke her up.
Even in her dreams, she could hear that sound again and again.
"Haah..."
Yukino yawned because she hadn't slept well.
"Rain, huh?"
Yukino felt glum as she watched the rain and the waves outside the wooden hut.
It was raining outside, but the clothes hanging inside the hut were still dry.
However…
Now Yukino could only change clothes inside the hut. She couldn't go out to find a quiet place to herself anymore.
"Hope he doesn't wake up now..."
Yukino looked at Jun, who was still asleep. She took off her grass outfit, held her breath, and slowly changed into her underwear and school uniform.
Phew...
Yukino was relieved when she finished her "mission" without getting caught.
I'm glad that idiot was still asleep.
Hmph, he always wakes up later than me.
She was surprised that he was sleeping so peacefully.
Yukino stared at Jun's sleeping face, and after a while, she felt like being naughty.
_ _ _
"It's itchy..."
Jun opened his eyes slowly.
"It's raining today, isn't it?"
He stretched while looking at the rain outside the cave.
Rain wasn't a favorite of his, just like it wasn't for Yukino.
Meanwhile, Yukino was boiling palm roots as usual over the fire, using collected rainwater.
Rainy days were inconvenient, but they could gather enough fresh water on the island with the right tools.
"Good morning, Kato-kun..."
Yukino gave Jun a bowl of hot soup as he left the cave.
When he saw his "artwork" in the water, Yukino lowered her head and smirked quietly to herself.
Then...
"Yukinoshita-san..."
Jun saw his reflection in the wooden bowl. He realized that something was on his face.
It's no wonder it felt itchy since he woke up, especially since the girl didn't tell him to wash his face like he usually does.
Yes, the girl whose affection level was "Unknown" had drawn a live crab on his sleeping face using yesterday's "brush" and added two large characters: バカ (idiot).
Jun put down the bowl.
He decided to get revenge on the girl who came before him with something she wouldn't forget.
"K-Kato-kun... what are you doing?"
Yukino panicked and started running around the space between the cave and hut to avoid Jun.
"Nothing. I just want you to know how it feels to be messed with."
Even though she was a good shot, Jun was able to grab her in that small of a space.
"Kato-kun, you're being childish. It was just a drawing of a crab—ah! Don't!"
Yukino finally got caught in Jun's "revenge." She pushed him away and tried to run away.
_ _ _
"Stop, Kato-kun! It tickles too much!"
Yukino was laughing so hard she couldn't stop. She tried to stop Jun from tickling her.
But there was already a rock wall behind her. She couldn't escape.
"No way! Unless you beg for mercy, I'll keep tickling you!"
Jun wore a smile that looked like a devil's. His fingers kept hitting Yukino's knees, underarms, and waist.
The girl laughed so hard that tears came down her face.
"You're a man, but this is cruel! If I had known, I would have drawn a turtle on your forehead yesterday..."
Yukino was a strong girl.
His younger sister, who always had a blank expression, couldn't even last three minutes. But Yukino lasted five.
But she seemed to have reached her limit.
Jun looked at the little feet in the sand. Then—
"I surrender! I surrender, Kato-kun!"
Yukino kicked her legs, unable to take any more.
She might actually die from the tickling!
"Oh, no. It's too late. Unless you kiss me, I won't forgive you!"
Jun was definitely the type who sought revenge.
"You... a-hahaha..."
Yukino was about to curse, but the tickling made her laugh so hard she could not.
"Okay, fine. Let me go. I agree..."
With a red face, Yukino pushed Jun and kissed him on the cheek, leaving a cold mark.
"Uuh..."
Actually, Jun was just joking. He didn't mean it, but he never expected...
The girl really kissed him.
After they separated, a thick air of awkwardness and embarrassment filled the cave.
Even though Jun had just been mean to her, Yukino didn't seem to hate him.
On the contrary...
"I'm going to go look for the Coconut Crab that we had last night."
To avoid the awkwardness, Jun quickly ran out of the cave, slipping through the curtain of rain like he was escaping.
"Idiot..."
Yukino watched the boy as he walked away. She hugged her knees and said quietly.
But she spoke in a very kind tone.
(These five chapters add up to almost 2,000 words)
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Some of you may be wondering why I decided to translate this novel and create a Patreon page. I was looking for money. I've been looking for a job, but it's hard to find one. I found many writers on WebNovel who used Patreon, so I decided to give it a try. It could be a way to make extra money to help pay for daily living expenses. It would be even better if I could save money to pay my rent. I have to move out in two months or I will be evicted. I don't have a job yet and am still looking for one, so if I can save a little bit at a time, it will be enough. When I get a job and a salary, I can increase the money and pay the rent.
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