Chapter 79: Mountain Moments

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Translator: Soafp

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Several minutes passed.

The lush mountain scenery was healing for us, worn out by the modern world――

“Momiji-san, w-wait for me… (desperation)”

“Oh!”

What was meant to be an exploration turned into a forest walk, but for an indoor person like me, it was simply too much to handle (excuse).

The difference between the paved asphalt roads and the mountain paths we were on now was… overwhelming.

My legs were exhausted (death).

“Haa, haa. You’re amazing, walking so smoothly.”

“N-no, it's just that I've been used to climbing since I was a kid.”

I see, so on a scale of 1 to 100, I'm at level 1, and she’s at 100.

Totally opposite from the childhood I spent behind a desk.

…But still, making a girl slow down for me is seriously embarrassing.

“Sorry, I'm all recovered now. Let’s keep going.”

“! Let’s go… Oh, there's a waterfall over there――”

Like she was gliding through the forest, Momiji-san moved swiftly through the trees.

She's like a squirrel—or maybe more like a tanuki (sorry, that's rude).

I could see it, yes.

I could see her tail swishing… (pervert).

“T-Toumachi-kun! Over here!”

Momiji-san turned to me.

Seeing her enjoying herself so much, the lactic acid in my legs seemed to melt away――

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“Momiji-san (on the verge of death)”

“Oh!”

We had reached the waterfall.

A massive column of water crashed down before us, filling the air with its roar.

It had just hit the ground, but I was already about to collapse from exhaustion.

I wanted to punch my weak self (though I didn't even have the strength for that).

“It's beautiful… isn't it?”

“Yes!”

In front of this giant waterfall, I finally gave in and slumped down.

Staring at it, I murmured, feeling the healing power of nature slowly reviving my energy.

“How about we take a break here?”

“Oh… yes, let’s do that.”

Momiji-san looked like she could keep going forever (terrifying).

Sorry for being such an indoor person.

Past self, are you watching this? Start doing squats while studying right now (demon-mode advice).

“Is this your first time here?”

“N-no. I've been here a few times, but it was years ago… This waterfall might not have been here back then.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s like discovering something new!”

“Haha (her smile is blinding).”

Momiji-san seemed so lively, like a wild animal enjoying its natural habitat.

Please, someone give me… the light of an LCD screen… (internet addict).

“Oh, um, there's a small, shallow lake near the campsite. I actually brought a life jacket, too!”

“…?”

“I-I was hoping we could try canoeing… Do you think that's okay?”

“Sure! (eagerly)”

I've surfed the internet more times than I can count. Canoeing? Piece of cake (smug face).

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“Oooooooohhh… (capsized)”

“T-Toumachi-kun!”

On my first-ever canoe ride, I capsized immediately.

Good thing this wasn't the sea or a river.

Now I finally understood why she mentioned bringing a change of clothes and swimwear last night on LIME (what a lifesaver).

There's no way I could've gone home soaking wet without catching a cold.

“It's harder than it looks (embarrassed).”

“…Kuku, you seemed so confident, I was surprised.”

The canoe flipped over.

It was an inflatable one, not the solid kind, so that must be why I capsized (terrible excuse).

“D-do you want to ride together…?”

“Eh? But I'm soaking wet.”

Right now, my shirt, shorts, and swim trunks were all drenched. My head, somehow, stayed dry though (passive skill: Rainbow Protection).

“A little water won't bother me.”

“B-but, Momiji-san…you have not changed your clothes.”

“Ah!”

Her face was turning bright red before my eyes.

Sure, I was wearing swim trunks on my lower half, which was fine… but Momiji-san wasn't in a change of clothes.

She was probably so accustomed to not capsizing that she didn't even think about it. Of course, she was wearing a life jacket, though.

“I-I will do my best!”

“Understood (capsized).”

“T-Toumachi-kun!”

Just give me five minutes to practice!

---

“W-whoa. Your head isn't wet at all…”

“Everything else is a disaster, though.”

“…Haha, that's true.”

I wanted to believe I was finally getting the hang of it――

Thanks to the Rainbow Protection, my hair was safe, but I had turned into a soaked sponge (weak boss).

So I dried myself off with a towel.

Now we were back at our campsite.

“It’s warm… Amazing, Momiji-san.”

I was warming up by the campfire in the fire pit she had lit.

And drying my wet clothes.

I had to be careful not to catch fire.

“…I-it's nothing special.”

“No, it's impressive.”

The dry leaves and twigs that Momiji-san gathered were burning brightly.

With incredible skill, she had set up the fire in an instant.

I had never seen someone start a fire by rubbing two sticks together before.

“Once you get used to it, it's easy.”

“Is that so…? Maybe… (confused).”

Honestly, even with a whole day of practice, I'd probably struggle.

Today, I was seeing all sorts of unexpected sides to Momiji-san.

“…”

Thinking back on what I had said earlier, I realized I was actually happy to see her blushing.

Ah, warmth (healing).

When I checked the clock, it was already past 4 PM.

“Should we have dinner?”

“Y-yes! I'm hungry now!”

Thank goodness; it seemed like our energy levels matched.

If we kept going until midnight, I'd be the one to collapse.

—Now then.

Speaking of dinner—this was my specialty.

“I'll make curry!”

I had caused her a lot of trouble so far.

At the very least, I wanted to treat her to a delicious meal.

Definitely not fried rice.

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[—“Since we were talking about affordable curry…”—]

In the beginning,

when I was trying to chat with Kisaragi-san, it was about curry.

It had been utterly confusing at the time (my own fault), but it had expanded from there.

[—“There was an Indian restaurant nearby that I wanted to visit…”—]

Then, on the way back from the movie with Hatsune-san… my first lunch was also curry.

If I hadn't been into Indian food as a hobby, I might not have become close to her.

“…I'm really grateful to the community.”

I set up the thread, and there was a strange connection with this curry.

And I was realizing its charm day by day.

No matter how many books I read, how much I cooked, or how much I ate, I never got bored.

If anything, I fell deeper into its allure. The more I pursued it, the more I felt like I was missing out.

The blend of spices, their proportions, and the secret ingredients—I’m still yet to find the perfect combination.

But today, I brought what I believe to be the best result of my experiments.

“You’re adding fresh cream, huh?”

“Yep. It adds a rich depth to the dish.”

I had stored the ingredients in the cooler bag I brought from home.

Since I had already done the cutting and marinating beforehand, it was mostly just a matter of simmering them together now.

I struggled a bit with adjusting the heat, but with Momiji-san’s help, I managed to get it right.

“…It smells great.”

“Your rice looks delicious too, Momiji-san.”

“I-I'm used to it, so…”

It had been a long time since I'd seen a rice cooker like this. Maybe since middle school?

I hadn't participated at all back then (my memories from that time are a blur).

The glossy, perfectly cooked rice looked beautiful.

And my curry was――

“Is it done, maybe?”

“Wow!”

I finished it off with a bit of salt and pepper, then plated it up—Butter Chicken Curry was ready.

I hoped it turned out well.

---

Now that I think about it, I had rarely cooked for anyone else.

More accurately, I had no memories of doing so.

The nervousness I had been feeling since earlier was probably because of that.

Cooking for myself and cooking for someone else are entirely different things.

It's obvious, but I was only realizing that now.

“…A-are you okay? It's not too spicy?”

Momiji-san scooped some curry onto her spoon and brought it to her mouth.

I couldn't help but ask, feeling a bit anxious.

The tent Momiji-san set up.

The fire she kindled, the cooking tools and cutlery.

She had prepared almost everything.

So for this one meal, I absolutely had to serve her something decent—no matter what.

“It's so delicious…!”

Her words.

I could tell.

From all the experiences I'd shared with Momiji-san up until now.

She wasn't lying.

“I've never had curry this delicious before…”

That worry I had been holding onto vanished with her voice and expression.

I averted my gaze from her.

“…I-I see.”

“？T-Toumachi-kun…?”

My face felt hot.

Even the cool mountain breeze couldn't cool me down.

I hadn't expected that hearing someone say my food was delicious would make me this happy.

“That's a bit exaggerated, isn't it?”

“It's not exaggerated at all!”

All I could muster were some awkward words of humility.

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“…Well, now it's time to clean up.”

“Yes!”

After the meal, the used pot, rice cooker, and dishes were all waiting for us.

Yes, the dreaded task of cleaning up.

Yet somehow, Momiji-san looked happy about it.

Do hardcore mountain enthusiasts even enjoy cleaning up…?

I've lost (probably for the tenth time today).