The same mundane routine continued for a few long weeks. I was used as their outlet for their sexual frustration on the guys whims, everyday ever since ‘that’ day I lost my first time. I didn't have the courage to refuse, so I followed their unreasonable demands without a fuss. One thing that has changed, is that I’ve become friendly with a 1st year girl. At first, she was trying to talk to me a few nights after 'that' day... I was eating around the 2nd year’s campfire near the other 2nd years, and she was part of the group to hand out the fruits for our year-

…

…

"Saeki… was it? I’m Tami, nice to meet you!" (1st year)

“...” (Saeki)

“Err… Um...” (Tami)

“......” (Saeki)

“Here is your-” (Tami)

I wordlessly took the fruits off her hands, giving the 1st year the cold shoulder.

“...H-Here…. are the fruits…” (Tami)

She makes an awkward expression. She slightly bows, but right when she was about to run back to continue to grab another portion, she suddenly pauses.

“Wh-What happened to your shoulder!?” (Tami)

She swiftly grabs my arm with a bit of strength and moves in as she notices a barely visible red bruise that should’ve been hidden from view. I hurriedly flick her arm away and buttoned my school uniform. I was careless. It was very humid earlier today, so I wanted to somehow cool off. The 1st year was looking at her hand that grabbed my arm.

“shivering…?” (Tami)

She voices something under her breath. She looks up at me with a slightly perplexed expression.

“I-It’s nothing you should worry about.” (Saeki)

…

…

Despite constantly trying to give her the cold shoulder, she kept on trying to talk to me ever since that time. I was afraid to get involved with anyone else right now, so I tried again and again to keep my distance; but she was persistent. For the last two weeks, I was distressed on how to handle her.

“Saeki! Let’s go collect fruits for lunch together again!” (Tami)

I sigh, and give no reply, as I continue on my way to the forest. She smiles when she didn’t hear any flat-out rejection. Even though I was giving her the cold shoulder, I actually started feeling a bit warm inside. I didn’t have it in me to completely reject someone who is sincerely wanting to be friendly with me.

"I found one of those trees with the apple-tasting fruits!" (Tami)

I turn to see Tami standing near a large tree. The fruits were within arm’s reach, so I approach to reach out for a few of them. Both of us pick enough for ourselves; but when we were on our way back, a wave of nausea suddenly engulfed me. It was so sudden, I nearly tripped over nothing. I cover my mouth with my hand, dropping the fruits in my arms.

“Awawa-!? Are you okay, Saeki!?” (Tami)

“Hah, Hah, Hah…” (Saeki)

I lean against a nearby tree with my free hand. I haven’t fallen ill ever since this began, so I nearly forgot how to react properly in time. Although I probably wouldn’t be able to do anything if it suddenly hit me in waves. Tami rubs my back with a worried expression. Did I eat something bad…?... I take a deep breath. I have to be careful about my health...

“...T-Thank you, Tami.” (Saeki)

At the very least, I should express my gratitude for her concern for me.

“Eh? A-Ah, yes!” (Tami)

She was surprised. She probably didn’t expect me to thank her. This is probably the first time ever, ever since the day she approached me, that I've ever responded to her. I… have probably become more soft-hearted somehow, and it surely must be because of this girl. I pick the dropped fruits back up with Tami’s help after a moment of rest, and continue on our way. Right as we arrive, two of ‘those’ 2nd years approach me. Today again, huh...

"Hey, we need your help. Mind coming along with us for a bit?" (2nd year #2)

“Sorry 1st year, we will be borrowing her for a bit.” (2nd year #3)

“Eh?... A-Ah…” (Tami)

I was pressured to follow them back into the forest towards the opposite direction of our camp. It was… the direction where no students haven’t gotten near yet. I turn to glance at Tami and see her watching as we walk away with a perplexed expression, as we disappear from her sight. There were no fruit trees and rivers here, so there should be no reason for anyone to pass by this direction. I survey the spot we stopped at. It was an empty spot behind some bushes.

"Let’s get started. You understand what you need to do, right?" (2nd year #2)

I unzip my skirt and unbutton my school uniform. We’ve done it so many times, they’ve already seen every inch of my body. I felt no shame, I simply wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. I wanted to get out as soon as possible.

“Atta girl.” (2nd year #2)

The two quickly takes out their members and do me from both the front and back.

“You’ve become so good with your mouth lately. Aren’t ya such a perverted girl, eh? I bet no one wouldn’t believe you if you gave them a blow.” (2nd year #3)

They came inside, but not before pushing me to orgasm three times during the time. This is one thing I can never get used to. Being pushed to come once is already exhausting enough, so two or even three times was really pushing it. They tease me and stop at random times when I felt like I was about to orgasm and do this over and over many times. I don’t know how they can figure out when I am about to come. I might be unconsciously saying something during the hazy state right before I come that are giving them hints, or they have gotten used to all sorts of reactions I give them that they can just go by discernment. Whatever the means, can’t handle it with mental fortitude alone whenever they do this to me. I was on all fours exhausted, so instead of standing up I fall to the side and laid there.

“Heh... You felt great today. I’ll see you again tomorrow as usual, okay?” (2nd year #3)

One smirks at me with dirty eyes, the other looks down at me with silent contempt. From the rustling sounds, they seem to be leaving the spot, probably to return to the camp. I flinched from contemptful gaze.

“Shuka…” (Saeki)

My mouth feels disgusting. I currently can’t feel anything from my legs yet. Not good… I am falling asleep. I am still half naked with only my top on. I have to get dressed… at least before I fall asleep. I turn my head to search where the rest of my clothes were placed and find my bra and skirt near my legs. My underwear is gone, well I guess it’s just lying somewhere near my blind spot. My eyes were becoming too heavy, so I slowly fell into a deep sleep as-is.

…

The first few days after I exchanged words with Saeki for the first time, was when I was part of the group to hand out fruits for everyone. She wasn't wearing the outer layer of her uniform at the time, so it was just easier to get a glimpse of her body even if you can't help it. From such a coincidence, I caught a glimpse of a bruise(?) by complete chance. Because of her reaction to me seeing her bruise(?)... her strong rejection towards me… Ever since then, I started feeling curious about her.

I started moving my eyes to her figure whenever I spotted her, wondering who she hangs out with; to find out later that she was almost-always alone. There were a few students her own year that approaches her from time to time, but that was probably regarding matters between simple classmates, not friends. Realizing this, I approached her, and try to speak with her more and more frequently. Whenever I spotted her, I ran up to her to ask what she was up to. I also started trying to invite her out to search for food together every other chance I get. Spending more and more time with her, I never found any other students that approached her as much as I did. Because of this, the suspicion that she really has no one she is currently close with solidified.

Even I knew how unwanted my company was from her actions alone, but I never stopped since she never voiced her rejection of it. I think… even if she did voice it, I would still want to try and be friends with her. I can already vaguely feel that she is a kind person. Like when she silently helped me from tripping many times, and when I was hungry she shared a portion of her fruit when I ran out during our trekking hours. We were currently on the move so there was no leisure to stop and search after all.

As I really started trying to spend a larger portion of my time with her, I began noticing a few 2nd years have also been repeatedly approaching her. Probably while I wasn’t around, they were meeting with Saeki everyday up until now. I started having this preconceived notion only after realizing that they were the same two-three 2nd years that were approaching every day.

It was always after our meals. Asking Saeki to follow them somewhere when night was about to fall, isn’t it dangerous? Who knows what other monsters could be lurking out there, so I thought it was weird. Although I thought they wanted her help and requested it, but asking for her everyday... First thing that came to mind was bullying. Digging out how much I know of Saeki so far, she can’t seem to refuse help that’s requested of her; especially when it is to dump things, what one would normally refuse to do, onto her. I never knew what Saeki was like before any of this happened. Although I have heard of her name here and there, I never spoken nor even encountered her in school before. Friends. They are not friends, I can see that much. I mean, the atmosphere was always weird whenever they walk up to us to ask for Saeki. That’s not how friends should be acting… or I think that’s not how friends should generally be acting towards one another… It was stiff. They were exchanging a few bare words. They were speaking politely to each other as if they just met at a cafe.

The possibility of Saeki dating them was also among my suspicions. One of them, o-or maybe both? D-Dating two guys at the same time... I would understand how secretive she was acting if this was actually the case. But… but… I dropped that presumption because of one thing. Saeki never look happy whenever see saw them, nor was she talking to them. Rather her expression was stiff even. Is she actually being bullied...? I think back on the first day I spoke with her. I remember the dark red spot on her shoulder and knew that mark was some sort of bruise. The color was too dark to be a bug bite. She told me not to worry about it, so I thought maybe she was embarrassed from hitting somewhere silly because of her clumsiness. That’s why I thought I’d be a little more forceful with my worries, but her tone of voice made me hesitant. Was it a lie…?

“Tami? Hey, Tami. Tami!” (Cheroko)

“Uwweh!?” (Tami)

I was shaken from my thoughts. I sat in-between two of my best friends, so I was stared at from both sides.

“Tami, are you really okay? You’ve been spacing out more and more recently.” (Cheroko)

She stares into my face with worry.

“I’m fine Cheroko. Isada, don’t give me such a worried expression, I’m fine, really!” (Tami)

“I can’t help but worry. I mean… I don’t have a right to say this since I always end up in the same position... but compared to me, the way you manage to easily find your way into trouble one after another can be considered commendable even.” (Isada)

“You’re both bothersome meddlers, but I agree with Isada.” (Cheroko)

“I-It kind of hurts when you word it like th-” (Isada)

”Whenever you meddle, it always ends up being something much more than what you can handle alone.” (Cheroko)

Ignoring Isada, she continues to reprimand me. Cheroko sighs.

“I can’t help it though… I can’t ignore something I can’t ignore…” (Tami)

“Hahhhhhhhhh…....” (Cheroko)

I clap my hands in front of her and apologize.

“I’m reallllyyyyyyyyy sorry!! But… I’m glad the both of you worry so much for me. Thank you...” (Tami)

I jump in and hug the both of them in my arms.

“A-Ahaha… Of course I’d- Ah, er, we would worry for you. Especially now that we’re in this horrible situation. We have to protect each other. There’d be no meaning if all of us don’t make it back home.” (Isada)

“I’d have to admit, you really were manly the other day. Protecting Tami from the fruit that was about to fall on her head. Fufufufu. And then-” (Cheroko)

“AHHHHHHH!!! D-Don’t remind me!!!” (Isada)

“Instead of your hands, pffhaahaha!! Y-You used your head to catch it, knocking yourself out instead!! Puhahahaha!!! W-Who gets knocked out by a fruit!!? Ahahaha!!!” (Cheroko)

“I-It landed on the wrong spot… I misjudged...” (Isada)

“If you would just let it fall on Tami, she’d only get a small bump! A bump! B-But!! You…!! Pffufufufu!!! T-Turned something that should’ve been a small bump into a casualty!!!” (Cheroko)

Cheroko vainly attempts to holds her stomach from laughter

“Gwahhh! Please forget it already, Cheroko!” (Isada)

Isada holds his head shaking it in embarrassment.

“Pfufufu. Fuuuu- Haahhhh…" (Cheroko)

Cheroko takes a deep breath, wiping her tears of laughter.

"I got to admit, you got a knack for making things just as worse as how Tami would end up doing.” (Cheroko)

“Urgh.” (Tami)

“But I’m not making fun of you. I really look up to that part of you. I already knew you'd do something like that, like when our lives were truly in danger that time. It’s not like we were talking about our neighbor’s cat, nor the school bully. It was a real monster there… I was nearby as well, yet you were the first who moved into action. Even back when we were confined, when it seemed like ‘it’ was approaching… For Tami... you used your own body to cover for her. At the same time, you even managed to reach out for me. Albeit you yelled some knight-esque lines that were completely out of character… I don’t think I will ever forget them for the rest of my life.” (Cheroko)

Cheroko smiles warmly, as if speaking of a dear memory.

“Urgh. It’s embarrassing every time you bring it up… I won't ask you to forget it anymore, but at least don't bring it up when I’m nearby.” (Isada)

“I’ll bring this up whether you like it or not. That’s how much I was moved!” (Cheroko)

Cheroko pouts.

“I-I see. U-Uwa!? Okay, okay! I get it already! I understand! Your face is too close!” (Isada)

Cheroko had grabbed Isada’s cheeks with her hands and was staring intently at Isada close-up. The memory resurfaces in my mind. It felt like one of the pitch-black monsters were approaching my direction; but I was suddenly pushed down and held in an embrace by Isada. Before I knew what was happening I was already in his embrace. I was full of confusion and fear at that time, so I held onto Isada by reflex keeping my eyes closed. Thoughts like how I didn't want to die yet, or how I still had things I wanted to do, were swirling in my mind; but I started feeling more at ease within the comfort of Isada’s arms. Thinking back on it now, I felt hot to my ears. It became an embarrassing, but warm memory to me. I place my hands on my cheeks.

That day was the first time in my life that I truly felt like death was approaching, so I've realized how a person’s real nature really does come out and show itself to the naked eye when they feel their life was truly in danger. I felt shameful of myself, but now I know what I am as a person. I want to change myself for the better. I still held tight onto these thoughts until now, and I hope I can carry it with me for the rest of my life.

"-Then do you want to go grab some fruits before then?" (Cheroko)

"Yeah. How about you, Tami?" (Isada)

"Eh?" (Tami)

"Tami, weren’t you listening?" (Cheroko)

"Ah, err..." (Tami)

Cheroko sigh with a hint of worry.

"Honestly, what has gotten into you lately? You’ve been spacing out a bit too much recently. You’ve also been spending less and less time with us… Hm?” (Cheroko)

She stops to think for a moment.

“Wait.. Now that I think about it... Don't tell me… Did you get yourself involved with something again?" (Cheroko)

Isada turns to me with a worried expression. I suddenly hear familiar voices, and quickly turned to find the same 2nd years that asked for Saeki earlier today. I didn’t spot Saeki with them. Did she split up with them part way? Cheroko and Isada also follow my gaze to the 2nd years.

“2nd years?” (Cheroko)

“They are back pretty late… Tami? Did something happen with them?” (Isada)

“Ah, er…” (Tami)

Actually, thinking it through about it normally… Shouldn't I be asking for their advice? In the first place, there was no need to try and solve everything on my own regarding Saeki.

“For the last two weeks... The reason I have been spending less and less time with you two is because I’ve been trying to approach Saeki, a 2nd year. She seemed like she didn’t have any friends so…” (Tami)

“Saeki?” (Cheroko)

“Saeki...? I heard that name somewhere before…” (Isada)

“That explains why you are spending less and less time with us, but that doesn’t explain your spacing out. Is something wrong with this Saeki?” (Cheroko)

“I… think she is being bullied by those two 2nd years you saw just now.” (Tami)

“Eh? Bullying? In this kind of situation?” (Cheroko)

Cheroko reacts in an exasperated tone.

“.........” (Tami)

“.........” (Cheroko)

“...Yeah.” (Tami)

“Are you serious… Haahhhhhh……” (Cheroko)

“I remember now! Saeki is the name that tends to be dragged in whenever the topic of Saki comes up!” (Isada)

“Wait, Saki… you mean ‘that’ Saki?” (Cheroko)

“Yeah, the one with the bad reputation.” (Isada)

“B-Bad reputation?” (Tami)

“You haven't heard of Saki before, Tami!?… She is infamous within our school you know. Her name is brought up a lot by the 2nd years. I can't imagine anyone commuting to our school yet has not heard of her name even once. Hmm…? Now that I think about it, you’re not the kind of person who would worry about reputations and the like. Well, that’s why I love you!” (Cheroko)

Cheroko moves in and hugs me from the back.

“Aawah! I-It tickles, Cheroko!” (Tami)

Cheroko stops her mischief after feeling satisfied from the bit of skinship with Tami. She switched gears and returns to the topic at hand.

“Saki has an infamous reputation for bullying back in elementary. Actually, even some of Isada’s old friends were victims of her bullying.” (Cheroko)

Isada nods.

“She used to bully a lot of kids back in elementary, so she was pretty infamous in our old neighborhood. Not just students from our elementary, but even students from nearby schools were some of her victims. I wanted to be of help, so I went on investigating Saki for a time. I stopped trying to get involved after that incident though.” (Isada)

“The attempted rape incident… right? Apparently one of the alumni from our school was the assaulter involved. The teachers were always indirectly bringing the topic up from time to time during homeroom classes, as a sort of reminder to warn us not to repeat the same mistake in the future… Our school cares a lot about it's image, after all.” (Cheroko)

"Yeah." (Isada)

“I-I see… I… never knew there was such a reason behind our homeroom teacher’s serious discussion sessions...” (Tami)

“There isn't any negativity attached to Saeki's name, but it is a known fact that they are close friends based on the rumors. Everyone says that they see her on friendly terms with Saki.” (Isada)

Isada sighs.

“I have never met Saki in person, I don’t even know her face. I heard rumors that she was coming to our school, but at that point I've already stopped trying to concern myself with her. Unless she approached me, I wouldn't go out of my way to find her. I can’t really say what she is like as a person now but knowing that she was on friendly terms with Saeki… Hopefully she might have changed herself for the better.” (Isada)

“......” (Tami)

Isada and Cheroko looks at each other.

“Tami, what is Saeki like to you?” (Cheroko)

"Yeah, I want to hear too, it not like I am saying I’m not curious. I mean, she was getting along with ‘that' Saki." (Isada)

“A kind-hearted(?) upperclassman, I guess...? Although a bit cold..." (Tami)

"Why are you asking me!?..." (Isada)

Isada cramps a smile as I attempt at describing my image of Saeki to my friends, with a question mark floating over my head.

"Uhn, yeah. She is kind of like one of those silent types, but they were actually kind inside. She always has this default annoyed expression..." (Tami)

"I think that might be because of you sticking to her around the clock..." (Isada)

"Like... yeah! A grumpy cat." (Tami)

“Pffhuahaha! Grumpy cat she said! If you’re saying that much, then I want to get along with her too! Introduce her to us!” (Cheroko)

Isada smiles wryly.

"Uhn. Introduce her to us when you have the next chance." (Isada)

Hmm... If Saeki had such a friend, what happened to her then? Did they get separated during the chaos…? or...

“Do you think something happened to Saki?” (Tami)

“Ah. That’s… hard to answer. We have no choice but to try asking the 2nd years directly about that… But Tami, you said that she didn't seem to have anyone close ‘right now’, right?” (Isada)

“Now that you mention it... Saeki was supposed to be on friendly terms with Saki, right? Tami, did you really not notice anyone approaching Saeki that would fit the description?” (Cheroko)

“No… other than those 2nd years, no one really stuck with Saeki for long.” (Tami)

I was probably showing a depressed expression. Cheroko pinches my cheek.

“You are such a handful.” (Cheroko)

Isada gives me a thumbs up.

“Thanks you two.” (Tami)

I smile at them. Everyone was either sleeping in groups on the grass or leaning against trees and rocks. I look for a comfortable spot together with Isada and Cheroko to settle for the night. I will be sure to introduce my friends to her tomorrow morning.

…