Akari's POV

Natsumi, Ryouta, Ken, and I glared with jealousy over at Mari and Shou, who were placing mouth-watering foods onto their plates. The buffet for today was an assortment of traditional Chinese foods. Together, we gulped and drooled as Shou swooped a spoon full of sweet and sour pork, as the red-orange sauce drizzled. Next, he chose the sliced roasted duck. Then he moved on to the next food, this time what he scooped up was mapo tofu, the tofu jiggled and in our vision, it was in slow motion. Soon he scooped up the wontons and onto the dumplings, oh how stuffed with meat they look.

On the other hand, on Mari's plate were spring rolls, fried rice, freshly made steamed buns with steam still coming out, some veggies, and some sliced roasted duck as well. Seeing these two it was obvious what their food taste is like. She was still taking more foods, after all, she eats a lot. I remembered the time she surprised me and Natsumi at the KYDonalds. Shou eats lots of meat and Mari eats a well-balanced meal.

"Uwahh everything here looks great! The food is even sparkling!!" Natsumi turned back to us at the buffet area. I must admit what she said is true, the food which Mari and Shou are eating looks very delicious. Then, our eyes got to our plates that only have a piece of bread and a cup of coffee beside. "Ugh!! It's not fair!"

"It can't be helped, we lost the test of courage," I sighed and ate my bread.

"No! I won't accept this! And why's Aoi-sensei also eating with Mari and Shou when she didn't even play?!" Natsumi got up and pointed angrily at sensei.

"Natsumi, sit back down. Stop complaining," I dragged her back to her seat.

"How can you just let this slide, Aki-chan! We only have a plain slice of bread and coffee for breakfast!"

"Right, and we don't even like coffee," Ryouta agreed. Well, yeah, I don't like coffee either, but there's still water so I could just drink that. Then again, I stayed silent.

"Sensei! Do something about it~ What are we even supposed to drink."

Aoi-sensei sipped on her coffee and let a breath out, "Natsumi, you all participated knowing what the punishment will be if you don't win. If you don't like coffee, then drink water. Look at Ken-kun, he's drinking coffee, how mature. And Akari-chan is eating without a complaint accepting her loss," she lectured.

"Ehh..." Natsumi pouted and quietly nibbled on her bread. We finished our breakfast not too long after.

The three who were eating the buffet was still enjoying it as they chatted. They noticed us got up and sensei started, "Ah, you guys are done already?"

"Yeah," we nodded.

"Of course, there was barely anything to eat," Natsumi mumbled.

"Then you can return to your rooms and rest for a while. We'll finish soon and go out in 20 minutes. After that, we'll go hiking so pack up your things!"

>>>>>>>>>>>

It's been over three hours since we left the inn and Aoi-sensei told us that we're almost near the viewpoint. I hope it's true...But she said that an hour ago too and we're nowhere near the viewpoint yet. Everyone's already lost most of their energy and our hair, face, everything was a mess when mixed with sweat. As we were hiking, I made sure to stay at the front, since I hated being behind so I did my best to not lose pace with the guide in front of me.

I felt happy that I was in front, I looked behind. Mari was just a few meters behind me and after her was Ryouta, then far in the distance was Natsumi sweating a panting like she's going to die, and finally Shou who was further away behind Natsumi and everyone else. Beside Shou, Aoi-sensei was scolding him to walk faster, sensei stayed behind to make sure everyone was included. Sometimes us, the people in the front had to slow down to wait for Natsumi and Shou to catch up so that we won't be too far away from each other. 'Wait... isn't someone missing?? Where's that bastard?' I scanned around searching for him. Just then, a face appeared in front of me.

"YO!" I was so startled by the sudden approach I almost had a heart attack.

"Don't do that!" I pressed my chest as I slowly breathed and calmed down.

He laughed, I turned around to the front again. "Who were you searching for?" He asked and started to walk alongside me.

"No one," I lied, slightly flustered. I just looked ahead and did not face him.

"Hmm, were you searching for me?"

"No."

"Then-- were you waiting for me??" He exclaimed in a cheerful voice. I stopped walking.

"I rather wait for Shou and Natsumi then wait for you," I glowered at him.

Ryouta and Mari who were right behind caught up to us. Both of them smirked and waved as the passed us. "So long Akari and Ken," both of them said in unison. Ken and I's jaws almost dropped we gave each other a look and nodded. We immediately started walking full speed ahead and soon passed Mari and Ryouta. I hate losing, I was so disappointed in myself for losing the test of courage last night, I'll never make the same mistake twice. Even though we passed Mari and Ryouta, Ken and I were still competing to be in the front.

We were so fast that we didn't even realize we ended up skipping the guide as well. We suddenly stopped when we realized that there were no one around us.

"Where are the others??" I panicked. "Are we lost....???"

"I guess this is what we get for aimlessly speeding up ahead of everyone else," Ken ruffled his hair and sighed.

"If only you didn't come talk to me," I turned away and clicked my tongue.

"Huh? So it's my fault??"

"Yeah, now let's go back and search for them." 'I decided to end this without an argument since getting lost in these mountains would be bad.

"Tch, just a minute ago you were blaming it on me and now you're suddenly independent?" Ken commented but I ignored him and walked the way back to the others.

Mari's POV

"Sensei...I-I don't think I can go any further...," Shou-kun whispered between his pants.

"Come on you can do it, Nakamura-kun! Look," Aoi-sensei pointed over the next mountain. "We can already see the viewpoint! It'll only take us about 15 minutes!"

I felt bad for Shou-kun, he's been dragged into many things by us. This trip, the test of courage, last night's games and now this. We actually just forced him to do everything after all... I remember him playing soccer with the two guys and others but I don't think he's the athletic type so this must be hard.

"Worried about Shou?" Ryouta-kun asked as if he read my thought.

"Huh?"

"Don't worry! That guy is stubborn and he's trying his best to get to the viewpoint. He's probably thinking the quicker he gets there, the quicker he can get back to the inn. Even if he doesn't look like it, he actually enjoys being with us and doing all this," Ryouta-kun grinned. It was surprising to hear that since I didn't know much about him. "I think.."

"Eh..? You think?! Didn't he tell you or anything? Didn't you ask if he was having fun? He's your friend, Ryouta-kun!" I scolded.

"Ahahah, well I've known Shou for a long time so I pretty much know what he thinks!" He chuckled. Just then, his face got serious. "Anyway, where are Ken and Akari?" Ryouta-kun pointed in front where I couldn't even see anyone anymore.

"Don't tell me..."

"Maybe they're just too fast! They're trying to compete and see which one of them gets there first, right?"

"Yeah.....but, our guide is right here," My eyes went on the lady who was our guide for the day. She was just a few meters away from us. I spun my head back to Ryouta-kun and we both gave each other a look.

I totally forgot about that, so they must've got away when I was distracted. Was it perhaps when they dashed ahead of us?! " Miwako-san!" I called our guide. "Akari-chan and Ken are nowhere to be seen!"

She stopped her tracks, "What?! We must immediately search for them! Do you have their number?"

"I'll call them!" I took out my phone and started dialing Akari-chan's number.

"I'll inform the rest and search for them!" Ryouta-kun rushed back behind.

"Come on...pick up Akari-chan..." There was no answer. I called again as I walked around searching them in nearby places.

"Hello?"

"Akari-chan!!" Thank goodness, she answered! "Akari-chan are you okay?? Where are you? Ken-kun's with you right? We're looking for you two right now!"

"Ah, I'm fine, we both are. Don't worry, sorry we got too distracted and strayed off from the path..."

"It's okay! Just tell us where you are! We'll be coming."

"Umm...I think it's a bit ahead of you guys. But I know that we're not on track. We'll try to get back!"

"Okay, We'll all be looking!" I said and grouped back with the others. I told them their location and we headed ahead. Soon, we saw the two coming out of the bushes to the track.

"Aki-chan!/Akari-chan!" Natsumi and I ran up to them and hugged her.

"Are you okay?? Are you hurt?!? Nothing happened right??" Natsumi checked.

"Ken, you're also fine right?!" We asked. Everyone began to gather around, relieved that they were both safe.

"Sorry, everyone. We must've worried you," she bowed, apologizing.

"Seriously, I know you guys are worked up but please try to pay attention!" Aoi-sensei scolded.

"Sorry..." they both said in unison. They glared at each other and frowned. I wonder if something happened between them...but I guess they've always been like this.

After we reunited we continued our hiking. Aoi-sensei gave Akari-chan and Ken-kun a good scold. Still, that wasn't like Akari-chan to do something as reckless like that, maybe was it because Ken-kun was around?? I giggled to myself. After a few more minutes we finally reached the viewpoint. We collapsed ourselves onto the benches that were there.

I took a deep breath and turned to the view. My eyes widened, it was breathtaking. I didn't even imagine it to be this pretty. Pretty isn't even enough to describe this scenery that lies before me. The pale brown mountains and tall trees surround us and although the sun as high, it isn't very hot. A few birds soared through the bright blue sky which blended with white, the color of the clouds. Before I knew it, all my tiredness are all gone, replaced with awe.

"Isn't it pretty?" Sensei smiled. The others as well s I nodded, unable to speak. She chuckled, "Well, as we enjoy the view, let's eat!"

Aoi-sensei then took out a large blanket from her bag and spread it on the ground. Then she took out eight lunch boxes.

Natsumi was the first to notice. "YESS FINALLY FOOD!! I WAS STARVING THE WHOLE WAY!!" She sat down on the blanket and waited for Aoi-sensei to unpack the lunch boxes, a huge grin spread across her face.

I decided to join in as well. "Oh! This is just like a picnic!" I clasped my hands together. Soon everyone hurdled around the lunch boxes. Each lunch box contained onigiris, sausages, rolled eggs, and some karaage. We were each given a lunch box.

"Sensei, you can cook??" Ryouta-kun exclaimed and it sounded as if he couldn't believe it.

Aoi-sensei laughed. "No, I ordered these from the inn, you guys wanted to eat my cooking? Next time, I'll make it for you guys!" sensei smiled. Ryouta-kun, Ken-kun, Natsumi, and Akari-chan who didn't get to eat enough for breakfast begin to gobble the food down instantly. I felt bad for them, they must be starving a lot. I decided to share my lunch with them. I had more than enough than enough this morning, while they had less than enough. I shoved my lunch box towards them "You guys can have my share," I smiled.

"Are you sure?!" Natsumi asked.

"Aren't you hungry??" Akari-chan looked at me with concerned eyes.

"I think you should eat it, you have a huge appetite don't you?" Ryouta-kun shoved the lunch box back at me.

"I'm actually full already, I ate too much, more than you think in the morning," I replied.

"..R-Really??" They asked unsure of whether to accept the lunch or not, but their eyes were like a puppy's pleading for what it wants.

"Yeah!" I answered and shoved the lunch box back at them.

"Then, just eat these sausages. They're your favorite, aren't they?" Akari-chan said and picked up the sausage with her chopsticks and extended her arms towards me. "Even if you're not hungry you should still eat some."

Ah..Akari-chan knows that my favorite food is sausage. I'm so happy she remembers, I smiled. "Thanks!" I ate the sausages from her chopstick. "But you guys can really eat the rest!"

"You're the best!"

They each equally divided the lunch among themselves and I felt happy to see that their stomachs are full because I gave them my share too. I smiled at the sight. Soon everyone was done with their lunch and our energy is full now, now that we ate.

Akari's POV

While we were packing up our lunches, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took out and looked at who the caller is. Ah, it's Granny, I still haven't called her today so she must be just checking up.

"Hello, Granny?"

"Akari-chan, are you doing fine?"

"Yeah, sorry for not calling, Granny. We were hiking," I explained.

"Ohh hiking! That's great! You must be busy right now, how about I call you back when you get back to the inn?"

"No, it's okay Granny, we just finished eating and resting so we can talk now. So, Granny, how about you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine! Don't worry, maybe just a bit lonely without you here," she chuckled.

"Oh okay, don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow."

"Haha, then, have fun there, Akari-chan. That's all I wanted to say," Granny coughed a few times.

"Okay, Granny, make sure to take care of yourself okay??" I'm starting to get worried, maybe I should've just stayed by Granny's side...

"Okay~ well then, bye, Akari-chan!"

"Mm, bye," I dropped the call.

"Was it your grandma?" Mari asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, she just called to see how I was doing."

When we prepared to continue hiking and return to the inn we heard a rustle among the trees and the bushed. We stayed back in case something dangerous would come out since this is a forest after all. But soon there was another rustle and then it went silent. Miwako-san cautiously approached the place the sound was coming from. Then she said, "Nothing dangerous! It was just a chipmunk. An injured one." She motioned her hand telling us it was safe to come over.

We saw a hazel-colored chipmunk with two white lines that go all the way from its head to the tail. It was curling on the ground and look as if it was in pain it's the whole body was trembling. Miwako-san inspected and chipmunk and glance upward at the tree. "It seems like it fell off from the tree while it was trying to climb on it. This chipmunk is very young, maybe it's lost and separated from its mom."

"Oh, no.. I feel bad for the poor chipmunk. Can't we somehow help it?" Mari asked.

"I brought some medicines. I can apply some on its body," Aoi-sensei suggested. Mari slowly cupped the chipmunk up and brought it over to our picnic spot. Mari stroke its fur to calm the chipmunk from trembling.

Mari kept whispering, "It's gonna be alright, to the chipmunk." Mari seems to be used to taking care of animals. Aoi-sensei applied medicine to its body and the tremble slowly reduced.

"Awwn it's such a cute chipmunk! Should we name it?" Natsumi asked.

"It's not like we're keeping it, why would we name it?" I asked.

"Ehh.. but still!!" Natsumi whined.

"How about Riku? It's actually my deceased dog name though," Mari laughed nervously.
"That's a good name!! Mari, I didn't know you had a dog!!" Natsumi exclaimed.

"Yeah! It was a large white chowchow dog!!" Mari explained happily.

"Chow chow! I love that dog breed, they're so cuteee!!" Natsumi squealed. 'There's no stopping to these girls.'

"I know right? What about you Natsumi? Do you have dogs at home??"

"Yeah I have like--" Because Natsumi and Mari were being too noisy, the chipmunk woke up and got intimidated by us.

"Ah! Riku woke up!" Ryouta said.

"Right! Sorry, Riku, we must've woke you up," Mari tried to pet the chipmunk but this time it ran away back into the forest.

"Oh my, it ran away," Aoi-sensei said.

"I hope Riku will be fine...," Mari said.

>>>>>>>>>>>

As we continued hiking back to the inn, I realized something important. My phone. I shuffled through my pockets but it wasn't there. Did I drop it?? I remember that it was still there when we got to the viewpoint since I was taking pictures. Wait— Granny called after we ate, did I put it back? I tried thinking hard but I couldn't remember. If I search for it, it would be around the path starting from the viewpoint till here. I can't lose my phone, I have to go search for it.

I stopped walking, "Guys, sorry, go on ahead. I have to do something."

"Eh? What's wrong??" Natsumi spun around.

"Uhh...I think I left my phone at the place where we ate..."

"Eh?!"

"I checked our belongings and there's none left in that area," Aoi-sensei joined in.

"Did you perhaps dropped it?" Ryouta asked.

"...Maybe, I'm not sure. But I still had it when we were eating," I think back.

"Then maybe it's around the path before us? It might be around here. It's not that long since we've left the viewpoint."

"Right....I'll go back and look for it! You guys can go ahead!" I turned around.

"W-wait, we'll all go!" Sensei stopped me.

"No! It's okay, I don't want to slow us down, so go on ahead. I'll be right behind," I refused and started running back.

"Wait, then, I'll come with you!" Ken pulled my hand. "Sensei, it'll be fine if I go with her right?"

"Huh? I said it's okay--" Ken held my hand and turned to the others.

"Then the rest of you can go ahead, we'll catch up soon. Don't worry about us!" He pulled me back to the path we just came from.

"Okay, then! Be safe!!" Aoi-sensei called out and they went their way and we went ours.