Stealing Spree

It’s an easy path. Or so, that’s what Miwa-nee said. But for beginners who only wanted to stroll up the not-so-tall mountain and look down from the peak, this one was still an arduous challenge for them.

Of course, as someone who regularly trained himself, I wasn’t among those challenged people.

Apparently, even without much experience in ascending steep, uneven paths upwards, I could beat any other experienced mountaineer or hiker. I never neglected training myself and I was always careful. So, that’s it.

I’m talking about those we encountered on our way.

“Wait, those people. What are they doing?” Miwa-nee abruptly stopped in her tracks.

Following her gaze, I glanced to the side, somewhere beyond the covers of the trees outside the main trail but not too far from it. There, I spotted a group of three young adults. Well, they didn’t look like high schoolers at all and surely not someone who already graduated from college and started their careers. Possibly they’re senior college students.

The group was composed of one man and two women. One of the two women was sitting on an uneven rock, one of her boots taken off.

Judging by her expression, she’s hurt. Maybe her ankle or she stepped onto something. It’s hard to make out from this distance.

On the other hand, the man and the other woman were kneeling in front of her, either massaging her foot or checking what caused the injury.

Perhaps this was something she often encountered before, Miwa-nee made eye contact with me and although she didn’t say anything, I understood what she wanted to convey.

She wanted to check the three. See if she could help them.

I nodded in agreement and gave her a reassuring smile as I lightly pulled on Minoru’s hand, putting her close to my side.

Seeing that, Miwa-nee caressed my cheek and patted Minoru’s head before breaking off from us and going to that group of three.

Although confused, the boy somehow understood it as well. He glanced up at me and proudly said, “Ru-nii. Watch how amazing mama is.”

“Yes. She’s amazing as always.” I muttered in agreement, making the boy beam another proud smile.

This boy… is he going to grow up and become a braggart? Hopefully not.

Anyway, if I was the only one who noticed those three, I would surely ignore them. They’re irrelevant to us, after all. Besides, with my desired quelled, it didn’t really matter even if the two of the three were a couple. I’m an extremely selfish guy and never have I seen myself as a good Samaritan.

One could say that even if I helped someone, it’s only either because I would be able to get something out of it or it’s a means to an end.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

Although we didn’t follow Miwa-nee, I pulled Minoru to the side of the path, enough to hear their conversation over there.

“Uhm. She hurt her foot. We’re trying to rest here before continuing to the rest stop.” The unhurt girl answered Miwa-nee.

Observing them from this distance, it looked like the guy ignored Miwa-nee at first, but upon seeing her face up close he was thoroughly entranced.

Well, that’s understandable. My Miwa-nee was just too beautiful. Despite her age, she clearly outshone those two with him.

“Is that so? Here, take this and wrap it around her ankle. Did you not bring any first aid kit?” Ignoring how the guy lost his tongue in front of her, Miwa-nee continued. She put down her backpack and pulled out the first aid kit she prepared in case one of us gets hurt.

There’s also one in my backpack so she’s not worried that we’d run out. That’s how prepared she was. There were duplicates of the basic necessities stuffed in mine.

“We… f-forget to bring one. Thank you!” The girl who answered and the injured girl instantly expressed their gratitude while being ashamed that they came here unprepared. They took the first aid kit and started bandaging the injured girl.

“Un. Don’t mind it. It’s a normal error for beginners. Just remember the next time you climb.” Miwa-nee reminded. From the vibrant aura she’s exuding, she’s definitely pleased to be of help to other hikers. “Well then, we’re going on ahead. The rest stop is just a few hundred meters ahead. You have your map, right?”

“Y-yes, thank you once again, beautiful Miss.” The injured girl expressed her gratitude and even added a compliment there as she squeezed out a smile amidst the pain she was feeling.

I thought that was over and we could continue on our way. However, when Miwa-nee was about to return to us. The injured girl suddenly screamed.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know…”

As it turned out, the girl was also inexperienced at applying bandages which made it worse for the injured girl. Furthermore, the guy was still dumbstruck and had just regained his wits from that scream.

How useless…

But since Miwa-nee heard that, she hurriedly returned to them, concern filling her face. “This… You might need immediate help. You can’t stand, right?”

Although she asked that, she’s not waiting for an answer. Miwa-nee turned to the guy instead, “You carry her. We’ll guide you to the rest stop. Hopefully, someone is stationed there.”

Being pointed at by Miwa-nee made the guy suddenly revel at it. However, he instantly turned gloomy as his shoulders drooped.

“I… I can’t.”

“Sara is your girlfriend. How can you not carry her?!” The girl who was just apologizing earlier screamed at the guy.

“We’ll both be injured if I do. I can’t carry heavy weight, you know?”

“Heavy?!” This time, the injured girl who’s probably named Sara screamed amidst her pained expression.

Damn. That guy is digging his grave, isn’t he?

“Are they okay, Ru-nii?” Perhaps bothered by the screaming, Minoru looked up to me and asked.

“I don’t know. Let’s go and check. Looks like they needed more help than Miwa-nee expected.”

“Yes!” The boy enthusiastically answered.

Miwa-nee truly raised him well.

I patted his head once more before we went there.

“Miwa-nee, is there something wrong?”

Upon hearing my question, Miwa-nee turned around and silently sighed. She looked rather exasperated by the guy’s wimpy attitude.

And even at this moment, the three were still quarreling, the two girls blaming the guy for inviting them to climb, only to act like this when they needed his help.

“Oh. Right, you’re here too. Can you carry her, Ruki?” Miwa-nee's expression brightened up as though she was reminded that I’m not the same as that guy.

And upon hearing her words, the group of three also turned to me.

Looking at their expressions, the guy had a sour face. He probably thinks that he didn’t deserve their criticism. What a self-important jerk. He couldn’t even admit to his incompetence.

As for the other two… well, what can I say? Past the initial curious glance, they both somehow gasped upon seeing me.

Yeah. They wore the same expressions as the guy when he saw Miwa-nee.

Enamored at my appearance – Or my face since I was wearing thick clothes and a wool hat.

But really, aren’t there more important things they should focus on?

Anyway, answering Miwa-nee's question, I deliberated for a moment whether to say yes or not. Because honestly, I didn’t want us to be disturbed further by them.

Miwa-nee’s expectant expression made me come to a decision though… She’d be disappointed if I rejected. She really wanted to help them, after all.

“Yes… If it’s just until the rest stop then… It's fine.” I nodded before looking over at the injured girl.

And soon as our gazes met, it looked like all her pain was washed away as an absolute delight rose from her face.