Chisato paid for the group and received a simple guidebook for the campsite.
It included notes on precautions to take while camping and a small map marking which areas were open for use, as well as the locations of public sinks and restrooms.
After the payment, the staff also asked if they needed to rent any camping gear.
Chisato shook his head. They had already rented everything they needed for the trip yesterday when they picked up the car.
It wasn't that they couldn't afford to buy their own gear.
But since they didn't know if they'd even go camping more than once a year, it didn't make sense to buy everything and clutter up their home with stuff that rarely gets used.
The cost wasn't the issue—it was the lack of storage space and the hassle.
After stepping out, the group made their way deeper into the campsite.
This area was quite large. After walking for a while, they only saw two other groups of people, each far apart from the other—probably to preserve some privacy and avoid disturbing each other.
Chisato and his group had the same idea.
So they walked a bit farther, accompanied by the pleasant chirping of birds flying overhead, and finally stopped at a quiet, open spot with a nice view and no one else around.
"Let's set up here, sounds good?"
As he spoke, Chisato dropped the tent and other gear he had been carrying on his shoulders.
The breath he exhaled turned white in the cold air.
"Looks good to me," Seika said after glancing around, clearly satisfied with the spot.
The others had no objections either.
Since they had decided to set up camp here, the next step was naturally to put up the tents.
Chisato squatted down and began unfastening the tent straps, revealing a set of poles and pegs.
After glancing briefly at the instructions, he began assembling the tent in an orderly fashion.
These commercial tents were designed with portability and easy setup in mind, so it was a straightforward task.
"Can we help with anything?" the others asked as they gathered around.
Chisato looked up and pointed toward Seika, who had also started unpacking the tent she had brought.
But unlike him, she wasn't having an easy time. She sat squatting and frowning at the instruction manual, clearly frustrated.
Maybe women just tend to have a natural disadvantage when it comes to assembling tools.
"Go help the manager. I've got this."
"I don't need help either! I can handle this just fine!" Seika shouted back, full of spirit after hearing their conversation.
The manager, surprisingly, was quite stubborn in this sort of situation.
Chisato looked at the tent poles she had clearly assembled incorrectly, thought about it, but decided not to say anything.
After all, there were only so many parts; she'd figure it out after a few trial-and-error attempts.
Twenty minutes later—
"See? What did I tell you? I set it up all by myself! Didn't need anyone's help!" Seika strutted over to Chisato, hands on her hips and a proud grin on her face as she admired her tent.
"Yeah, yeah, really amazing," Chisato replied, half-heartedly praising her while looking at the tent that was so flimsy it looked like a gust of wind might collapse it.
In truth, during that time, he had not only assembled his own solo tent for the night but also put together the other two tents, laid down moisture-proof mats, inflated and placed soft air cushions inside, and was now in the middle of assembling a portable camping stove.
"You bet it is!"
Seika was probably too excited about the camping trip to notice the perfunctory tone in Chisato's voice.
After proudly showing off her hard-earned accomplishment, she quickly pulled out her phone and started taking photos from different angles.
"We're back!"
The others, whom Chisato had sent to do other tasks, returned just then. Eriri and Utaha held freshly washed vegetables, while Ikuyo and Nijika each carried a large cup filled with water.
"Oh, you're back. Where are Hitori and Ryo?"
"Hitori got dragged off to the bathroom by Ryo."
"I see. Anyway, look! I successfully pitched a tent!"
"Uh… not bad."
"Haha, right? For my first time setting up a tent, I'd say it's pretty decent!"
"Mm…"
Nijika, who had been chatting with her sister for a while, came over to Chisato looking both amused and helpless.
Faced with everyone's curious and amused expressions, she explained with a wry smile:
"My sister has always been hopeless with anything that involves hands-on work—like cooking, doing laundry, or household chores.
She once scorched a pot so badly the oil spilled and nearly set the whole kitchen on fire.
She's torn clothes while hand-washing, and when she sweeps the floor, she just ends up spreading the dust everywhere."
"She's really that clumsy, huh?"
Chisato felt like his understanding of Seika had once again been overturned.
Ikuyo clapped her hands in sudden realization.
"So that's why little Nijika always takes such good care of Seika-san in daily life. It's not that she doesn't want to help—it's that she lacks the ability."
"Yeah, pretty much."
Nijika didn't seem to think it was a big deal. She looked fondly at her older sister, who was still proudly basking in her hard-earned success.
"It's rare to see her this happy, so I just go along with it and let her enjoy herself."
Everyone nodded in agreement. It wasn't like it took much effort.
Chisato suggested, "Since the manager's in such a good mood, Nijika, why don't you ask if she wants to help with the cooking too?"
"But… my sister's cooking is really…"
Nijika frowned, clearly recalling a traumatic memory.
"It's fine. We'll all be watching nearby. It won't be a big problem. Worst case, we step in."
"Yeah, we're here to have fun. That's what matters most."
Eriri chimed in supportively.
"…"
Seeing that everyone was smiling and not particularly opposed to the idea, Nijika nodded and thanked them, then went over to her sister.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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