VOLUME 2
Chapter 2: The Curse of the Pyramid
Part 6
Even while camping, Kasumi made the food herself. Since she kept pre-prepared ingredients in her bag, she could always heat it later over a small fire.
Unable to conjure up anything other than bread, Jun made use of his cooking skill to summon fresh baked goods out of flour. Though raising the cooking skill would not result in tastier bread, it allowed access to new recipes. Jun’s cooking skill level, exceeding the original max for the skill, allowed him to make small pastries.
“Kasumi’s cooking still tastes better than pastries,” said Eri, who sadly, did not approve of the new recipe.
Besides, recently, Eri had some extra time and instead of using it to annoy anybody she raised her fishing level, so she could fish in freshwater rivers. Today she caught three chicken grunts, a type of perch, and Jun filleted them with his cooking skill.
“Amazing. This is so much better than what Genta-sensei makes.”
“It really is magnificent. My former group was no match for this brilliant cooking.”
Bread, soup, and salad were set up on the wooden table. Ryuka and Yukaria were flabbergasted by Jun’s group’s normal meal.
“By the way, I have a question. Yukaria, speaking of your group, what kind of stuff did you guys eat while on trips?”
“We can always live on just bread and water, right?”
“Aah, your group… Next time, buy a fishing rod!”
Upon discovering that Yukaria’s group was full of people who did not understand the value of good food, Eri took Yukaria’s hand.
Jun thought that generally, people who did not care much about cooking had huge appet.i.tes.
Actually, it was obvious that Eri and Yukaria’s appet.i.tes were weird. Each eating more than Jun and Kasumi combined, those two girls scarfed down huge portions. Their appet.i.tes were so great that Ryuka’s eyes rounded as she saw all of the food spread out on the table get devoured in just a moment between the two of them.
“That was delicious! Great work on the meal!”
“Ugh, I can’t eat anymore…”
Yukaria and Eri both hit their stomachs and rolled onto the ground. They really resembled each other.
“We ate so much. I didn’t think that we’d need more than two pieces of bread.”
“We’re growing girls!”
“Ri-right! We walked a looot today.”
“Yes, we did. When you take a trip, I think it’s okay to eat a lot.”
“We even get snacks. Kasumi’s the best.”
Today they took a break and had a light meal every two hours. Though they took Ryuka’s travelling inexperience into consideration, they would still take a break every three hours or so. Kasumi was very big on replenishing calories. It seemed like it came from Sakuya.
“While traveling, there’s a lot of mental strain. But there was a time, when I wasn’t paying attention, that I ended up falling to the ground as if my internal battery had been drained. Since we can’t have that happen again, we need to take care to constantly replenish our energy.”
Kasumi told them that earlier.
(Where in the world did she learn that?)
At that time, Jun had smiled bitterly, though he did incorporate her suggestion into their plans. He thought that Sakuya too probably wanted to eat her sweets.
“Anyways, Jun. Are we really all going to sleep in a single tent?” Yukaria, seeing the large tent, glanced at Jun and glared at him.
Jun shrugged lightly. “We don’t have to. I can put up another tent by myself right now. Actually, I think we should do that. Especially since Ryuka’s with us this time.”
“Ah, I’m fine! Actually, uhh… if we all sleep together, we can enjoy ourselves more. Kasumi taught me this…” She looked at Kasumi with a grin on her face. It was a saintly smile.
Jun sighed. “Yukaria, what do you want to do?”
“If you all say so, I don’t mind. But Jun, you’re the biggest threat.”
“Then I’ll sleep next to Jun!” Ryuka raised her hand quickly. Everybody looked at her. “Huh, what happened?”
“…Ryuka-chan, you’re a friend, so believe me, he’s the biggest enemy to us…”
“Well, as long as it’s not near the entrance, I can sleep anywhere,” said Eri. After making sure that Kasumi and Yukaria were washing the tableware, she moved closer to Ryuka’s ear and said, “Ryuka, stay alert. Jun is definitely a lolicon… Ouch!”
Jun had kicked Eri’s leg from under the table. She pressed on her knee and glared at Jun, teary-eyed.
“Don’t feed her improper things.”
“Well then. Though you don’t reach your hand even a little bit to Kasumi… hey, could it be that since there aren’t any other boys here, you’re going for…”
“Don’t tell little kids things that they don’t need to know! I’m quite normal! Well… what, Ryuka?”
Ryuka, who had just come near him, pulled at Jun’s sleeve earnestly.
“I’m fine. I won’t mind it even if you’re gay, Jun. I won’t tell anybody, I promise.”
Her eyes were very gentle, as if she were trying to console him. Jun looked up at the sky.