READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 5
There was a shovel in the cabin’s toolbox. It was well-used and showed signs of aging, but it was still functional despite being quite worn out. Using it, we began digging the soil just outside the cabin.
“I want to try it too!”
“It’s fine, but… it’s just digging a hole. It’s not particularly exciting.”
“I feel bad just watching!”
“Well, if you want, go ahead.”
“I’ll do it!”
I handed the shovel to Iori.
“Actually, this might be my first time using a shovel.”
“Really? You didn’t use one in elementary or middle school? Maybe for gardening or something?”
“I’m a girl, you know.”
While we chatted, Iori’s work continued. She sweated on her neck as she dug the hole with determination.
“Oh?”
After digging for a while, the color of the soil changed.
“We finally found it!”
“It’s a layer of clay!”
This was the reason we were digging the hole—to gather clay.
“Let’s see now.”
Iori scooped up some clay with the shovel.
“How is it?” She looked at me.
I touched the clay and said, “Let’s see.”
“Well, I have no clue!”
Naturally, I wasn’t an expert. I was just a high school student—not a geologist.
“Hahaha! Let’s just proceed with trial and error!”
“Sounds good. I’ll dig up the clay, and Iori, you handle the molding.”
“Is that okay? You’re giving me the easier task.”
“It’s fine. Besides, I’m not very skilled with hands-on tasks like that.”
“Well then, I’ll take you up on that offer!”
We swapped roles. Iori started kneading the clay from the hole I dug.
“Did you make sure to lay down banana leaves underneath?”
“Of course!”
We had obtained banana leaves from the southern forest. The southern forest was a peaceful area with many small animals. On the other hand, the northern forest was where we encountered the lion.
“Masato-kun, more clay, please!”
“Sure thing!”
In response to her request, I provided more clay. Iori was crafting a container that resembled an inverted frustum cone, using a considerable amount of clay.
“It’s done!”
“Great job! All that’s left is to fire it!”
Due to its nature, clay hardens when fired. The containers made this way are called “pottery.” Next to the signal fire, I set up a new campfire. We would use it to fire the clay containers Iori had made.
“All that’s left is to let it sit, and it should be done.”
Iori clapped her hands, impressed. Her hands were covered in clay from the pottery-making process.
“Masato-kun, you really know how to make pottery!”
“It’s just kneading clay and firing it. But I don’t know if it’s the right way.”
“Gathering clay by digging a hole was clever!”
“Well, that was a bit of a gamble.”
“A gamble?”
“It wasn’t guaranteed that we’d easily reach the clay layer. But I had some confidence. The script mentioned pottery, and there was a shovel provided as well.”
Iori looked surprised.
“More importantly, why don’t you wash your hands? They’re all dirty, right?”
I placed my hands on the hand-operated pump of the well and moved the handle up and down to draw water.
“Thank you!”
Iori washed her hands with well water and took the opportunity to hydrate as well.
“Ahh! It’s refreshing! It’s your turn next, Masato-kun!”
“Thanks.”
I also cleaned my hands and took a drink.
“Making pottery takes time, so maybe we should gather some food while waiting. It’s likely that the sun will set in about an hour or so.”
The stubborn summer sun was gradually setting. Considering it was July, the current time was probably around 6:30 PM.
“I wanted to put the fruits in the pottery we make…”
“We’ll have to save that for tomorrow. It’s unlikely we’ll be rescued today due to the time, and there’s a high chance we’ll have to gather food again tomorrow.”
With that in mind, we headed towards the southern forest.
Having learned from the lion incident, we had brought weapons with us. I had a hatchet hanging from my waist.
“Masato-kun, do you have any friends?”
While gathering fruits and being stared at by small animals, Iori asked me.
“That’s quite a direct question.”
“Sorry, sorry,” Iori laughed.
“I’m usually by myself, so I was curious. You know, we’re in the same class!”
“Well, yeah.”
Both Iori and I were in Class 2-2.
During our first year, we were in separate classes, but we ended up in the same class during our second-year reshuffle.
“I do have friends, but… not in high school. I had a few back in elementary and middle school, though.”
“I see. So you’re not making friends in high school?”
“I don’t actively try to make friends. But I’m not deliberately avoiding it, so I might become friends with someone if there’s a reason.”
I’m the type who doesn’t mind spending time alone. I’ve never felt lonely due to not having friends.
“How about a romantic partner? Do you have a girlfriend?”
As she said this, Iori reached out to pick a bunch of bananas that was nearby. However, a nearby group of monkeys started to display aggression, so I decided to leave a few bananas on the tree.
“I’ve never had a romantic partner since I was born.”
“Really?”
“What kind of ‘really’ is that?”
I chuckled.
“It’s the ‘really’ that means I didn’t expect that!”
“Heh. And what about you, Iori? Do you have a romantic partner?”
As I asked, Iori grinned and clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward to peer into my face.
“Which one do you think?”
“Huh?”
“What kind of ‘huh’ is that!?”
This time, it was Iori who said it.
“It’s the ‘huh’ that reflects my surprise at how you avoided my question even though you were asking me questions.”
“Hahaha. When you put it that way, I sound pretty sneaky, don’t I?”
“I didn’t say that much.”
“By the way, I don’t have a romantic partner. I’ve never had one before!”
“Huh, seriously?”
I blurted out reflexively.
“Are you that surprised? Do I seem like someone who gets around?”
Iori pouted, puffing up her cheeks. She looked so cute that I wanted to keep looking at her, but I quickly shook my head.
“It’s not that, but Iori, you’re really popular. Didn’t even the cool third-year basketball player, who’s famous for being awesome, confess to you?”
“Well, I was indeed confessed to, but I turned them down.”
“So, what I meant is, it’s surprising that even though you’re popular, you haven’t had any romantic experiences.”
“I see.”
Iori’s expression softened.
While looking at the sky as the sun was setting, she continued to talk.
“When you think of high school, you think of youth, right?… There’s that kind of concept, isn’t there?”
Although it doesn’t apply to me, I agreed, “Yes, there is.”
Based on what I saw in my classmates, I understood that many of them, regardless of gender, were caught up in the whirlwind of love.
“That’s why people around me often say, ‘Just give it a try and date someone.’ They believe that by dating, you get to see both the good and bad sides of the other person, which helps you decide if they’re a suitable partner.”
“I think that makes sense.”
Iori nodded, saying, “I think so too.”
“But I don’t like that idea. It feels disrespectful to the other person. I don’t want to get into a relationship first and then get to know them. Instead, I want to know them well beforehand and date someone I can genuinely say, ‘This person!’ about.”
Iori’s expression was serious.
Her perspective was very mature, and I couldn’t help but catch my breath. At the same time, I keenly felt my own immaturity.
“Well, that’s the heavy side of me, you know! The one and only Iori Nikaido!”
Iori laughed, trying to play it off.
“I don’t think it’s heavy. In fact, I think it’s quite admirable.”
“You think so? I’m happy to hear you say that.”
Iori giggled with a cute expression. She looked so adorable that I wanted to hug her, but I had my arms full of fruits right now, so it was impossible.
“Iori, what kind of guy do you like?”
“A manly man!”
Iori answered without hesitation.
“I don’t care about looks at all. But I want someone who’s manly!”
“A manly guy, huh…”
I realized that I, a wimp like me, was out of the equation.
“On the other hand, what about you, Masato-kun? What kind of girl is your type?”
“Well…”
Just as I was about to answer…
**BOOOOOOM!**
A loud sound echoed through the sky. Both of us looked up simultaneously. And then we realized.
“Masato-kun! Look!”
I nodded in agreement.
“It’s a plane!”
The two of us recognized it at the same time.