Chapter 5 - Steadfast

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It's past noon. Our situation isn't looking great. Honami is still unconscious and my silence is concerning Matsushita. Overall, she is definitely worth recruiting. Easy to get along with and quite competent if she puts the effort in. For all our sakes, Matsushita should stay with us. I'm sure Honami won't mind this decision.

"You should come with us, Matsushita. Let's return to our little hideaway." I offered.

"That sounds good to me." She replied.

Honami needs rest and continuous movement around this entangled jungle is not helping. As soon as we return, she will rest. It's probably best if Matsushita cares and looks out for her whilst I scavenge for meat. Carbohydrates are essential for maintaining energy but proteins are a requisite for repairing muscle. All this adventuring is definitely taking a toll on our bodies.

We may need to sleep early tonight.

I was lost in thought when Matsushita emerged with suprising news.

"Oh. By the way, Ayanokōji-kun. I could have sworn that I saw Sudō and Shinohara earlier. Like right after I first woke up." She claimed.

Sudō and Shinohara...

No Ike? What's up with that? Ike is quite dependable when it comes to camping. And there's the whole Ike and Shinohara thing... Sudō man.. I thought you were after Horikita.

"Are you certain?" I asked.

"Mmm. I can't say for sure. I could have imagined it or maybe even dreamed it... I certainly hope I didn't dream about Sudō!" She replied.

Her playful nature eased the mood. Girls seem to be pretty good at changing the mood of situations. We continued our brisk stroll through various foliage and greenery - this shortcut keeps lashing at my stomach.

Maybe I should have put my shirt back on.

Continuing our small talk, we endlessly traversed the terrain. Unfortunately for us, time is the soldier that keeps moving onward; as we progressed, so did the the course of the sun.

"We're here." I stated.

"Woah~. This is some cave. It's natural protection is almost unnatural." Matsushita claimed.

"Let's head inside." I ordered.

"Pardon the intrusion!" She says.

The shelter has remained the same.

"It's kind of baron isn't it? I'm almost nervous too... being in a boys room." Matsushita chimed.

"Matsushita, I need your help." I began.

"Hmm.. Is it something ecchi?" Matsushita asked.

"Don't get your hopes up." I retorted.

"H-Hey! Okay. What do you want me to do?" She quizzed.

"Look after Honami, whilst I go out and locate a few things." A fairly reasonable request I sprung onto her.

"No." She flatly denied.

"What?"

"Unless you do something for me first." She demanded.

Is Matsushita the Stubborn Princess II?

"And what would that be?" I asked.

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