kscans

Chapter 48 - To My Friend, With Gratitude

The current time is 10:35 AM.

In the end, I stayed up chatting with Takahashi until around 7:00, so I didn’t get much sleep. But my mental state is refreshed, so it all works out.

"Kaah… ptoo!!"

"Uncle, you smell like an old man…"

"That’s because I am an old man."

After brushing my teeth, I’m fully awake now. Man, it’s a bit hot, but the mountain air is so refreshing.

"Hey, hey, Uncle, what’s for breakfast?"

"Midori, I’m hungry~"

"Yes, yes. Just wait a bit."

I retrieve the ingredients and "that thing" from the camper van. As soon as Hikaru-kun, who was preparing the fire, spots what’s in my hands, his eyes light up.

"Is that… a hot sandwich maker?!"

"Indeed, the infamous hot sandwich maker that people typically stop using after four or five times."

I was no exception to that rule. Late at night, I fell for the "Buy now and get 3 sets!? What a deal!" pitch. When it arrived, I was so excited… but when I thought about it, I wasn’t actually that big a fan of hot sandwiches.

I mean, I regularly eat toast for breakfast, but hot sandwiches? I’m fine just occasionally buying one at a bakery.

There was no way someone like me, living alone and barely cooking, could make effective use of this thing… But it’s perfect for camping. I figured the twins would enjoy it, so I decided to bring it along this time.

"Ah! We know this! We know this!!"

And as expected, they’re ecstatic. Even Hikaru-kun is fidgeting with excitement. He must have secretly wanted one too. But Hikaru-kun is frugal. He probably couldn’t justify buying something he might stop using.

"Ah… we have one at home too. We used it a few times, then naturally stopped."

"You too, Rika-chan?"

"Yeah. Mom bought it, but then said, ‘Come to think of it, I don’t actually like hot sandwiches that much…’"

That’s exactly my experience. It makes me laugh. People who can fully utilize their hot sandwich makers are truly amazing.

"But it’s perfect for camping! Nice choice, Uncle!!"

"Thanks. So I’ve prepared bread and various fillings. Make whatever you like."

I’ve even brought some frozen meat buns that have naturally thawed.

"What are you going to make, Sarna-chan? I’m thinking of mentaiko potato." (t/n: seafood mashed potato)

"Hmm… I think I’ll go with something simple for my first try. Ham and cheese."

"Big brother! Ai wants chocolate and banana!!"

"No fair! Midori wants strawberry and cream!!"

"Okay, okay. We’ll make them one by one, so please wait your turn."

It looks like the two junior high girls and the Akatsuki family will each use one, so I’ll use the remaining one. As for me… what should I make? I prepared various ingredients, but that just makes it harder to choose.

"…I’m pretty hungry, so I’ll go for something hearty."

Corned beef, cheese, onion, and black pepper. I quickly prepare everything and start cooking. Just put in the fillings and press… it’s really easy.

"By the way, Ai-chan, Midori-chan, we’re going to play in the mountains today. Have you thought about what you want to do?"

"I want to swim in the river!"

"Exploration!"

Swimming in the river is fine, but exploration… exploration, huh. Is there somewhere interesting-

Ah, I recall someone mentioning caves used for training. I do a quick search and find something that fits the bill.

(It’s a bit complex, but with me along, there shouldn’t be any problems.)

I send out a mental projection to install guide signs inside the cave. Places without any markers can be interesting too, but having them makes people feel safer.

"Then, after we eat, let’s go to the cave. It’ll be fun, like a dungeon~"

"Let’s go! Definitely let’s go!"

"What about the river?"

"We’ll go to the river in the afternoon. It’ll feel better when it gets hotter anyway."

While we’re talking, the first batch is ready. Watching the twins squealing with delight as they split their hot sandwiches is incredibly soothing…

Rika-chan and Sarna-chan look nice too. So cute. And Hikaru-kun cooking his hot sandwich with that resigned expression is good too. What is this place… one of Japan’s premier healing spots?

(I’ll brag about this at work.)

I should tease the boss a bit. He’s going through that awkward phase with his teenage daughter, so he’ll be jealous… hehehe.

"Uncle, you’re making a suspicious face."

"Haha, it’s just your imagination."

Now I even have something to look forward to when I return from my vacation. I’ve got all bases covered.

"By the way, do Rika-chan and Sarna-chan have anything they want to do?"

"Hmm, Ai-chan already mentioned swimming in the river… Oh, a test of courage! It’s summer, so I want to do a test of courage!!"

"Test of courage?"

"It’s a game where you visit places where ghosts might appear at night… is it a game?"

It’s definitely meant to be fun, but since it has "test" in the name, I suppose it could be considered a trial too.

"Yeah, something like that. You visit graveyards and such while screaming and laughing."

"Isn’t it disrespectful to disturb the rest of the dead?"

"Yes, you’re absolutely right."

Come to think of it, it really is extremely inconsiderate. But there aren’t any graves on this mountain… we could just visit some spooky-looking places.

"How about ghost stories then? Let’s do Hyakumonogatari." (t/n: each person tell story, and after the final person finish, the lamp is extinguished)

"One hundred stories with just six people would be tough, right?" (t/n: hyaku literally mean 100, monogatari = tales)

"Ai and Midori can tell at least seven! The seven mysteries of our school!!"

Seven mysteries… that’s a nostalgic term. Yeah, those were a thing. Though at my high school, I was responsible for creating about three of our seven mysteries with my friends.

"Sarna-chan, isn’t there anything you want to do?"

"I don’t have much experience with these activities, so I’ll leave it to everyone else. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself already."

"I see. How about you, Hikaru-kun?"

"I… I’d like to try a campfire."

Oh? That sounds good!

Building the wood structure is fun. And the moment of lighting it. We used to fight over who got to light the fire. That’s what happened during that hellish survival training I was thrown into with Takahashi and Suzuki.

Unlike with my civilian friends, we actually came to blows over it, but I ultimately won. They watched me light the fire with such frustration… kekeke.

"So, ghost stories around the campfire?"

"The fun might outweigh the fear."

But that’s fine too!

"What about you, Satou-san? We’re just making selfish requests."

"It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m enjoying myself too."

Besides, I’ve already gotten more than enough from this little trip. If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have reunited with Takahashi, and that weight on my chest wouldn’t have been lifted.

(And my passion for gyaru wouldn’t have been rekindled…)

Heh, I’ve gotten closer to that estranged fetish of mine again.