The Sapporo International Ski Resort has gained praise from skiing enthusiasts around the world not just because of its geographical advantages, but more so for the wide range of facilities surrounding it.
Hotels and unique restaurants were just the basics.
There were also amenities like hot springs, karaoke, massages, indoor amusement centers, and billiard rooms.
The level of service was top-notch too. As long as your wallet wasn't shy, you were guaranteed to create some amazing memories here.
The first night that Chisato and the others spent here was fairly uneventful.
The skiing activity on the second day was thoroughly enjoyable for everyone, and they took a bunch of photos as keepsakes.
The misunderstanding under the table at dinner and Chisato's "training session" that was accidentally witnessed in full by Ryo from the wardrobe… could only be labeled as unexpected incidents.
Even though the two of them acted completely normal from the third day onward—like nothing had happened—there was still a bit of subtle awkwardness.
Some things had quietly shifted without anyone realizing.
But there was some good news.
Because all the interactions and incidents were known only to the two of them, as long as they didn't speak up about it, only the two of them had to bear the awkwardness.
Nipping potentially divisive events in the bud and letting them pass—Ryo aside—Chisato at least felt he had done the right thing.
For the third and fourth days of the trip, there were no repeat incidents like those on the second day. Everything went just as Chisato had planned.
He took everyone on a scenic ferris wheel ride to enjoy the breathtaking mountain views and accompanied them to shop their hearts out in the commercial district near the ski resort.
Everyone bought the gifts they had wanted—both for themselves and for their family and friends.
They feasted at a rooftop hotel with a view that overlooked vast stretches of mountain scenery—fresh king crab legs thicker than fingers, handcrafted pizzas baked with fruitwood, buttery croissants, and Sapporo's signature soup curry and beer.
In custom-designed rooms scented faintly with sandalwood, they relaxed with massages from professional female therapists.
During those two days, Chisato was secretly keeping a close eye on Ryo.
Even though he had already told her to keep things confidential, the truth was—he had no idea how that girl's mind worked and couldn't truly feel at ease.
But after observing her over those two days—watching her dig into food with that familiar enthusiasm—he finally relaxed.
Because Ryo really seemed to have left the past incident behind.
If that was the case, then there was no need for him to keep worrying about it.
Good times always pass too quickly.
From everyone's perspective, it didn't feel like much time had passed, but the trip was already coming to an end.
Today was the final full day. Tomorrow morning, they'd check out and fly back to Tokyo.
Everyone was a little reluctant to leave, but all good things must come to an end. No one brought up the idea of extending the trip.
After breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Seika drove the rented van from yesterday and took everyone to a campsite five kilometers from the ski resort.
This was a part of Chisato's pre-planned itinerary. He'd thought it would be fun for everyone to try a group camping experience at least once.
During the camping trip, everyone would work together to pitch tents, use the ingredients they brought to cook meals, and start a fire—it was the kind of group activity that naturally brought people closer.
That had been Chisato's ideal when planning it—but once they arrived in Sapporo, he started having second thoughts.
After thinking it over yesterday, he even suggested changing the plan.
His reasoning was simple and practical: it was too cold.
The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains was too extreme, and none of them had any real camping experience.
If someone caught a cold because of this, he would never forgive himself.
But everyone—driven by excitement—firmly opposed his suggestion. Hitori didn't say anything, but her eyes betrayed a hint of disappointment.
What really surprised Chisato was how vocal Seika was in her opposition.
Since everyone seemed so excited, Chisato couldn't bring himself to insist.
He had no choice but to retract the cancellation and agree to go through with the camping activity as originally planned.
Later, Nijika quietly explained to Chisato that her older sister had never experienced this kind of group camping trip during her student years—and that's why she had reacted so passionately.
In that case, this was her way of making up for a regret from her youth.
Sitting in the front passenger seat, Chisato looked at Seika, who was in a good mood and humming a song, and smiled as he rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window.
The weather today was a bit overcast, but even so, it didn't dampen anyone's excitement in the slightest.
It took nearly twenty minutes to drive to the campsite.
Mainly because the mountain road was narrow with lots of curves, and the snow-covered, slippery surface made it necessary to drive extremely carefully.
For safety's sake, Seika practically crawled the entire five-kilometer stretch to the destination.
Following clear roadside signs, Seika drove the car into the parking lot.
"Hmm, I thought only we would come camping in this kind of weather, but there are actually quite a few people,"
Nijika said with a sigh, leaning against the window and looking at the numerous vehicles outside.
"Well, this place is a famous campsite, and there's a ski resort nearby too. I guess they help boost each other's popularity," Eriri chimed in.
Seika found a parking spot and, after expertly backing in, everyone got out and began dividing up the large bags, heading toward the campsite's reception area.
The front desk wasn't big, but once inside, they found it more spacious than expected.
The first thing they saw was a life-sized standee of a character from a camping-themed anime.
If Chisato remembered correctly, her name was Shima Rin, voiced by a female voice actress he quite liked.
Next to the standee mascot was a long and prominent reception counter, with two staff members seated behind it.
The counter was covered with stickers advertising various bank cards and app payment options, as well as shared battery packs.
Furthest in was a combination-lock storage locker, likely for visitors to store things they didn't want to carry with them.
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