Next morning, 5:30 AM.
"Ryo-u-ta! Wake uuuup!"
A noisy voice dragged me out of a deep sleep.
I blinked, my vision slowly clearing. In the hazy blur, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling and a busty beauty with pigtails.
"Wait... an unfamiliar ceiling and a busty beauty? Did I get reincarnated into another world? Does that mean you’re my mother, and you’re about to give me your b—"
"This isn’t another world! And I’m not your mother! Honestly, stop sleep-talking and get up. We’re going beetle hunting!"
"Ugh... right. I’m... staying at Airi’s house."
As the fog in my head lifted, the reality of the situation set in. There was Airi, fully geared up in a straw hat, long sleeves, and long pants.
(That’s right, I came here for the bugs...)
The moment I remembered where I was, I also remembered that Rui had caught me in the act of staying over. A wave of depression washed over me.
A "punishment" when I got back? What the hell was that supposed to mean?
"Come on, hurry up and put your long sleeves on. We need to check the traps!"
"Alright, alright, don't rush me."
At Airi’s insistence, I finished getting ready, and the two of us stepped out into the early morning air.
The sun was already up, but the mountain path was treacherous, so we kept our flashlights on as we hiked.
"I can’t wait! Beetles, here we come~!"
Airi bounced up the path with the infectious energy of a child on Christmas Eve.
Looking at her, I couldn't help but worry. If we didn't find any beetles, the disappointment was going to hit her like a ton of bricks. It would be even worse if the traps were just covered in drone beetles or... cockroaches.
"Ryouta, we're almost at the tree with the honey!"
"Ah, yeah..."
"What's wrong? You seem down. Are you just not a morning person?"
"It's not that. It's just... you're so excited, and I was wondering what we'd do if there weren't any."
She’d definitely be crushed. Knowing her childish side, she’d probably pout for hours. I decided to be honest about my concern.
"Ryouta, you really are kind and considerate at times like this, aren't you? Even though you usually have nothing but lewd things on your mind!"
"S-shut up. That has nothing to do with this."
"Oh, really? Like yesterday, when you said you were 'fixing' my bra hook, but you actually just wanted a peek at my bra?"
"...W-well, maybe."
"Ahaha! Bullseye!"
Damn it. I thought I’d played that off so smoothly, but I guess she’d seen right through me.
"But you know, I care about both versions of you—the kind Ryouta and the perverted Ryouta. Like I said before, they both make you who you are."
"A-Airi..."
"Besides, even if we don't catch anything, I’ll still have the memories of our time together. I've had so much fun being alone with you!"
I see. I’d assumed she was only excited about the beetles, but she was actually just happy to be spending time with me.
Hearing that made me feel genuinely relieved. I’d been worried that she might find a trip like this boring if it was just the two of us.
In that case... I should try to enjoy myself, too.
"Alright, let's do this, Airi. Just don't freak out if the banana traps are covered in cockroa—es, okay?"
"I won't! I'm used to dealing with them!"
"Yeah, right... Whoa, Airi! There's one on your shoulder!"
"Wait, what?! No! Get it off! Get it off!"
Airi’s face went pale as she frantically checked her shoulder.
"Wait... there's nothing there! Ryouta, you liar!"
"Hey, you said you were used to them."
"Meanie!"
Airi began pummeling my shoulder ruthlessly. For a small girl, she actually packed a punch.
"Okay, okay, don't get mad. Look, the tree is right there."
"Hmph... fine. But if we don't catch a beetle, I’m going to make you my pet instead."
"I wouldn't mind that at all."
"I knew you'd say that! But I don't want a perverted pet~"
She stuck her tongue out at me, teasingly.
Damn... to think I’d ever reach a point where I was jealous of a beetle that got to be her pet.
"Ryouta, we have to sneak up so we don't scare them away, okay?"
"R-right."
We tiptoed toward the tree where we’d tied the stockings filled with banana and honey. And then...
"...! There! Look! Two of them!"
Airi shook my shoulder, her voice a hushed, trembling whisper of excitement.
Sure enough, two beetles were clinging to the trap.
However... there was a slight problem.
"Ryouta? Why don't you look happy?"
"N-no, it's just..."
The two beetles were a male and a female. And the two of them were "docking" in broad daylight without a care in the world.
The male was mounted firmly on the female, and his protruding... equipment was working with quite a bit of passion.
This thing is a bigger pervert than I am!
"These two are being so well-behaved. Okay, while I have the chance... gotcha~!"
Being completely innocent when it came to the birds and the bees, Airi scooped them both up in her net right at the climax of their "moment" and dropped them into the bug cage.
It was a midsummer morning that reminded me just how cruel children can be.