HPDBC Chapter 58
Chapter 58
“Finally arrived~~”
“So tired~~~~”
After plenty of fun in the sea, we returned to the pension where we were staying.
“Hey, don’t just flop down as soon as we get back. Let’s put the groceries we bought at the supermarket in the fridge.”
The orderly voice of Suo-senpai poured over us as we sprawled on the sofa and floor.
Despite feeling exhausted from a day at the beach, I felt like I could fall asleep right away. But there were still plenty of fun events planned for today.
“All right! Let’s get the charcoal ready for the barbecue. Since we don’t have a charcoal brazier, we’ll have to light it directly on the barbecue grill.”
“Then, Yuu-kun, you’re in charge of the charcoal. I’ll prepare the ingredients.”
Although our bodies felt heavy, we immediately stood up, eager to enjoy the rest of the day.
“Looks like Kamiya-senpai and Kohou-senpai are quite skilled.”
“We used to have barbecues at Mina’s house quite often.”
Since lighting the charcoal for the barbecue was traditionally men’s work, I often helped while watching Mina’s dad, Satoru-san, and my dad do it.
I quite liked the feeling of tending to the fire. So even when I was in the military, I would eagerly do it when cooking in a mess tin. But as I climbed the ranks, I wasn’t allowed to do such menial tasks anymore, so honestly, I’m feeling a bit excited now.
With that said, while I was immersed in adjusting the charcoal’s ignition and the intensity of the fire with a bellows, and arranging the charcoal to create areas of high and low heat to satisfy myself, it seemed that the barbecue ingredients were ready too.
“Then, Captain, please lead the toast.”
With everything prepared, Mina, the organizer of the training camp, prompted me to lead the toast.
“Sure thing! Let’s enjoy the second night of the Soul Armor Research Society’s training camp! Cheers~~!”
“”””Kanpai~~~~!””””
With a brief greeting, the barbecue began.
“Okay, this meat is done. Oh, remember to use your chopsticks when taking the cooked meat. The tongs are for raw meat. Oh, and this baguette hasn’t been toasted on the other side yet, so wait for it.”
Taking up almost all the tongs, I became the barbecue master.
“This meat is delicious~~!”
“Oh! That’s the expensive marbled beef Mina and the others bought to apologize to me! I’ve been secretly raising it in a corner of the grill!”
“There are no borders on the barbecue grill, Yuu-kun.”
“We also bought good pork, and it’s delicious too.”
Mina and Kotomi were quickly devouring the meat one after another.
Well, everyone had been moving their bodies vigorously playing beach volleyball, so it’s natural that they’re hungry.
“Darn... it’s tough being the one doing the grilling...”
“You’re the one grilling even though nobody asked you to.”
“The meat is delicious, big brother.”
Well, since I have to keep an eye on the charcoal’s heat, it’s more efficient for me to do the grilling.
“Here, I set aside some meat for you, Yuu.”
“Thanks, Kotomi. Oh, the garlic in the aioli and the baguette have turned out nicely. Eat up!”
Since the aroma of the aioli’s garlic had been wafting around since earlier, everyone eagerly reached for it.
The mushroom and smoked oyster aioli disappeared in no time.
“This is delicious... If only I could have that with it...”
Hayami-san glanced at me with a piece of baguette in hand.
“Sure, Hayami-san. Here’s some beer. Thanks for driving today.”@@@@
I discreetly slipped six cans of beer into the basket when we went shopping earlier.
Since the light was still on, it seemed I woke up due to its brightness.
“What time is it... already past 11 PM.”
Feeling thirsty, I headed to the living room to get a drink.
There was no sign of anyone in the living room.
It seemed everyone had gone to bed early again, probably because they had played so vigorously on the beach during the day.
“Now, where are the paper cups...”
As I searched for paper cups with a rustling sound while trying to pour mineral water from a 2-liter bottle taken out of the refrigerator,
Click
The door made a soft opening sound.
“Oh, it’s Yuu-kun.”
“Sorry. Did I wake you up, Mina?”
Mina emerged from the girls’ bedroom in her pajamas.
She wore her usual sleepwear, a glossy black satin shirt with shorts, and her silver hair tied up with a scrunchie.
“No, I’ve been tossing and turning in bed because it’s so hot.”
With that, Mina sat down on the sofa.
“Do you want some water too, Mina?”
“Yeah, thanks. I was feeling thirsty.”
Mina drank the water poured into a paper cup with relish.
“Since everyone might wake up if we talk in the living room, should we talk over there?”
I suggested, pointing to the wooden deck, and invited Mina.
“Yeah. Oh, should I turn on the indirect lighting on the wooden deck?”
“No, bugs might gather if we do that, so let’s stay here.”
I busied myself preparing on the wooden deck.
Actually, there was something I wanted to do.
“What are you doing, Yuu-kun?”
“Hmm? Something good.”
I set up a fire pit on the bonfire sheet and placed some charcoal that seemed good as kindling in the center of the fire pit, using the ones we used for the barbecue.
Using the bellows, I blew air into the seemingly burned-out whitish charcoal, reviving its redness and heat.
Then, I started stacking firewood from thin to thick.
“Wow... a bonfire!”
Mina exclaimed in admiration.
You can barbecue at home, but it’s quite difficult to make a bonfire.
It’s something you can do because there are no other houses or inns around the pension.
“And the accompaniment for the bonfire is this.”
Saying so, I took out a large bag stuffed with something white.
“Toasted marshmallows~! The forbidden calorie bomb that maidens must never eat in the middle of the night~!”
“Should I stop?”
“It’s mean to tease and then take it away, Yuu-kun~ I’m gonna eat it♪”
Despite her struggles, Mina, enchanted by the taste of sin, couldn’t resist the temptation.