We were supposed to pick Timeflowers, but how did this turn into a group trip? I couldn't even be bothered to complain.

We'd agreed to meet at the Linjian Household. Yutangqian arrived first. His place wasn't far from Linjian's, but logically, White Stone—who lived closest—should've been here already. Well, being late was a girl's privilege, I supposed.

Yutangqian wore a blue hoodie over a white T-shirt, dark denim jeans, and a huge backpack. He sported ultra-cool sunglasses. "Ah, as expected, I'm first!" he laughed loudly. When Nana and I went to greet him, his true self surfaced again. "Hey, Cold Creek, you beat me here? You two walk to school together every day—do you live together or something?" I kept my eyes on a novel, not even glancing up. "The others aren't here yet. Come inside and wait."

Nana had the maids prepare tea and snacks. It was only 9:30 AM; we'd planned to leave by noon. My phone rang—I'd added club members' contacts for convenience. "Hello, Cold Creek speaking. Rika-chan?" A chirpy, sparrow-like voice answered—clearly a lively girl. "Hey, senpai! White Stone and I are here. Come get us!" "On my way."

"Rika and the others are here. Let's go out." I hung up and headed outside Nana's house. Rika lived far away, and I had no idea where White Stone resided—but since they came together, it couldn't be close.

I stared in shock at Rika and White Stone. "Can you tell me what this is?" I pointed at a pile of metal items. Rika lifted an iron rod. "A barbecue set!" What were they even here for? I turned to Nana. "Miss Nana, could you explain why you called them here?" She looked away. "I-I just said it was a club trip." Yutangqian, Rika, and White Stone crept closer with sinister grins. "Is there some secret you're hiding?" Their combined aura was overwhelming. "N-nothing at all!"

"Our goal is Sunrise Mountain. Everyone knows that. So this barbecue set..." I tried to dissuade them. Rika raised a hand. "Sunrise Mountain? The spot with crazy high suicide rates? But thanks to all those deaths and thick forests, it's usually deserted." Huh, she'd done her homework. "So, guys, let's skip the barbecue gear."

"We must bring it! I spent ages buying this—it can't go to waste!" White Stone wore a white sunhat and a sheer red silk top—you could almost see her bra underneath. Her lower half had shorts and over-the-knee black stockings. "Let's vote! Majority rules. Hands up if you're bringing the grill." Yutangqian proposed, raising his first. "I'm in." Rika added hers. White Stone, the buyer, naturally agreed. "Count me in." Three votes—already a majority. I didn't bother voting. "Um, I agree too. We're all here to have fun; it won't hurt." Fine, since they insisted. "If you're set on this, we'll stop at a supermarket for extra ingredients before leaving." They clapped happily, like they'd won a battle.

Too young to drive, we relied on Nana's chauffeur to Sunrise Mountain. To save time, I secretly used Time Acceleration during the ride.

"Huh? Why'd we get here so fast?" Yutangqian checked the bright afternoon sky. We'd left at 1 PM; it was still light. Rika glanced at her watch. "Whoa, it's only 2:30!" We should've arrived by evening—wasting the whole day. "Senpai, did you speed up time again? That ability's so convenient."

Thanks to government controls, suicides had dipped slightly. At least, no bodies lay at Sunrise Mountain's base. "Let's pitch tents here." We chose a wide, flat spot perfect for camping.

Nana instructed the driver to return in three days. We set up four tents—Rika insisted on sharing with Nana, saving one. "If you don't mind, kohai, you could sleep with me," White Stone winked seductively. "Sorry, I do mind."

"Perfect weather for barbecue!" Yutangqian had already assembled the grill. "Load it up with whatever you like." Most added meat. Surprisingly, White Stone ate nearly as much as Yutangqian yet kept her figure—impressive.

"Hey, Yutangqian, what are you doing?" After free time, I'd planned to search for Timeflowers, but he yanked me away. "Heh, bonus time!" He grinned lecherously. "While fetching water, I found where Linjian and the girls bathe. Bros share the good stuff!" "That's so creepy!" I protested—but my feet followed him anyway.

Splashing sounds grew louder as we hid behind trees. Nana and Rika wore only bras and panties. This hit harder than my accidental first meeting with Nana—this time, it was intentional. Wait, no—I was forced into it.

I instinctively touched my nose. Good, no nosebleed. But where was the third person? "Kohai, if you want to look, just say so. Senpai will let you stare." White Stone's voice came from behind. I yelped in shock—then Yutangqian and White Stone shoved me in. *Splash!* Nana and Rika stared at me, horrified.

Turns out Yutangqian and White Stone had pranked me. They'd teased me nonstop all trip. Rika crossed her arms, looking away. "Senpai, I thought better of you. You're just like them." Nana stayed silent, face flushed. Yutangqian patted my shoulder. "Cold Creek, you're too serious—we just wanted to liven you up." I shot him a dirty look. Thanks to him, I was soaked. White Stone's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Kohai, change into dry clothes fast, or you'll catch a cold tonight."

"Cold Creek only packed books and basics—no spare clothes. I don't have extras either," Yutangqian said slyly. White Stone gasped dramatically. "Oh no, kohai! I have spare clothes—we're the same height. You can borrow mine?" All four pairs of eyes gleamed with gold. Hah, forcing me into girls' clothes? No way. "So that's your trap. But I've got a countermeasure—you lose." "Time Reversal!" I summoned the Silver Clock, rewinding my body's time by an hour. Barely any energy used—I won't mention I do this to skip laundry.

"What? Senpai, that's no fun! You cheated!" Rika pouted. "Sorry to disappoint." Seriously, what were they even here for? Nana peeked at me shyly. "I... was kinda hoping to see you in girls' clothes." Thanks, but no thanks—I don't swing that way.

Today was just messing around with friends. Tomorrow, we'd hunt Timeflowers. But I never worried about what tomorrow might bring.