Comic strip: Survival on a deserted island, surrounded by heroines

"Yukino, why do you look so pale?" Lady Yukinoshita reached out and gently touched Yukino's cheek with her fingertips. "There are shadows under your eyes. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Yukino was slightly taken aback, not expecting her mother to suddenly care about this.

She subconsciously avoided her mother's gaze, "No...nothing like that."

"Maybe it's because it's my first day here and I'm not used to it yet."

Lady Yukinoshita said with concern, "That won't do. If you fall ill too, I won't be able to focus on my recovery."

"Your health is the most important thing, you know?"

“I’m really fine, Mother, don’t worry about me.”

"You still say you're fine? You look terrible." Lady Yukinoshita reached out and touched her forehead, then touched her own. "You don't have a fever... but you should still be careful."

Yukino felt less embarrassed after her mother showed her such concern.

She lowered her head and whispered, "I understand."

Lady Yukinoshita then withdrew her hand and glanced around the shelter.

The clothes I changed out of last night are still hanging on the wooden rack in the corner, including my most private black underwear and panties.

Because it's stacked on top, it's really hard to see.

As she was thinking, her nose suddenly twitched slightly.

A faint scent permeated the air.

It smells like a certain floral scent, yet not quite; it carries a subtle sweetness and warmth that lingers faintly around the nose.

"What's this smell? It's a bit like pomegranate blossoms?" Lady Yukinoshita unconsciously sniffed.

Just then, Qingshan walked over carrying a small bowl, steaming from it.

He squatted down by the straw mat, handed her the bowl, and said in a natural and calm tone, "Madam is awake? Drink this bowl of warm water first to warm your stomach."

"How did you sleep last night? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

When Lady Yukinoshita took the bowl, she accidentally touched his finger.

The warm touch made her flinch slightly, and the warm water in the bowl almost spilled.

She composed herself, lowered her eyes, and said, "I feel much better. There's nothing that bothers me."

But Aoyama was still watching her.

That gaze wasn't scrutinizing, nor was it offensive; rather, it carried an undisguised concern.

Those eyes were exceptionally passionate, as if they could burn you.

Lady Yukinoshita's cheeks flushed slightly.

She's lived for thirty-four years; what hasn't she seen?

She had long been accustomed to dealing with shrewd competitors in the business world and scheming inquiries from her family with a smile and a distance.

However, this overly concerned gaze left her unsure how to respond.

Although she understood that young people had desires, after all, puberty was not something he could control.

She understood, but the more she understood, the less she dared to look him in the eye.

Aoyama nodded and stood up without batting an eye: "That's good. Madam hasn't been eating properly before, so her constitution has been weakened. It'll be fine once she recovers."

"As long as you get enough nutrition and take care of your body, there shouldn't be any problems."

Yukino, who was listening nearby, clearly relaxed her tense shoulders.

"Really? Qingshan, is it true that my mother can recover as long as she takes good care of her health?" Her voice carried a hint of urgent confirmation.

Aoyama turned to look at her, his tone certain: "Yes, she has a good foundation, there's no major problem."

"The medicine you painstakingly collected worked, which is why Madam's condition did not worsen."

"So the recovery was much faster than I expected."

Yukino was taken aback by the praise, then lowered her head, her lips curving slightly involuntarily.

"....That's good."

She let out a long breath, as if exhaling all the worries and tension of the past few days.

"Classmate Aoyama, Classmate Kasumigaoka..."

"No, and so is Sagiri. Thank you so much."

She raised her head, glanced at the three of them, and then looked back at Qingshan's face.

"If it weren't for you, my mother and I might have collapsed completely..."

Yukino's voice was somewhat hoarse, as if something was stuck in her throat.

"You can thank me later," Aoyama waved his hand casually. "Drink the warm water first, it won't taste good when it gets cold."

He turned back to the stove and bent down to take something from the wooden shelf next to him.

It was a small bag, and when you opened it, you could find several things neatly arranged inside.

Unopened toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap.

He took the bag and placed it next to the straw mat. "Oh, right, this is for you guys."

"There is boiled clean water in the basin."

"The stream is not far from the shelter, so there's no need to worry about water; we can get water anytime."

Yukino stared at those items, momentarily stunned.

She knew better than anyone what toothpaste and toothbrushes meant in this forest.

In that damp and cold cave, she and her mother could only wipe their hands with leaves; they had no way to clean their teeth.

"Qingshan, are these all the spoils you collected?"

Yukino's voice carried a hint of surprise.

She thought that Qingshan only collected things like clothes, food, and weapons.

I didn't expect her to be so thoughtful.

Is it because of Kasumigaoka-kun?

Aoyama replied casually, "It's just a matter of being prepared."

"You guys go wash up first, I'll go prepare breakfast."

He turned and left after he finished speaking.

Yukino watched his retreating figure, then looked down at the contents of her bag.

The soap was new, the toothpaste tube was still sealed, and the toothbrush bristles were neatly arranged, indicating it hadn't been opened.

"Qingshan-kun... is really thoughtful." Her voice was very soft, as if she were talking to herself.

Lady Yukinoshita held her bowl without saying a word, but turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on the figure busy in front of the stove.

Qingshan was putting a few pieces of bear meat into the pot, his movements swift and skillful.

The morning light shone in through the cave entrance, bathing his tall figure in a warm glow.

He wasn't the kind of muscular hulking man, but rather the kind of man who looked lean in clothes but had a muscular physique underneath, with a well-proportioned and powerful build.

Of course, let's leave aside his already handsome face with its sharp features.

“Qingshan-kun would be quite suitable as a boyfriend.”

"Boys like this must be very popular at school, right?"

Lady Yukinoshita's gaze lingered on him for a few seconds before slowly shifting away.

She lowered her head and took a sip of warm water, instantly feeling warm all over.

"That's nice," she said softly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

At this moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally woke up.

She rolled over out of the bearskin, her black hair falling down to cover half her face, revealing only one red pupil.

She squinted and looked around, her gaze passing over Yukino and Lady Yukinoshita in turn, before finally settling on Aoyama over at the stove.

"Aoyama-kun... is breakfast ready?" Her voice was hoarse from just waking up, and she sounded lazy.

She was supposed to be in charge of cooking, but she was just too tired last night.

So, there's nothing we can do about it.

Qingshan replied without turning his head, "It'll be soon. If you're still sleepy, go back to sleep for a while."

"I'm not sleepy anymore." Kasumigaoka Utaha slowly sat up and stretched.

She was wearing a loose white T-shirt, clearly from Aoyama.

The neckline was a bit low, and when she stretched, it slipped down her shoulder, revealing a patch of fair skin and delicate collarbone.

Yukino's gaze involuntarily drifted over, then quickly looked away.

“…”

Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed completely oblivious to her odd behavior. She stood up naturally, walked to Aoyama's side, squatted down, and glanced into the pot: "Hmm... stew? Is it bear meat and wild vegetables?"

"There are also a few kinds of game spices." Qingshan sprinkled a small pinch of brown powder into the pot, "For enhancing the flavor."

Kasumigaoka Utaha turned her head to look at him, a slight smile on her lips: "Aoyama-kun is getting better and better at cooking. Whoever marries you in the future will be very lucky."

Qingshan remained unfazed: "Are you recommending yourself?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha's lips twitched, and her cheeks flushed red at a visible speed.

“I didn’t say that.” She quickly looked away and reached out to stir the soup in the pot. “However… if it’s Aoyama-kun, it’s not impossible.”

"..."

Yukino Yukinoshita observed all of this, silently thinking to herself, "Am I a third wheel? I definitely am, right?"

But for some reason, she didn't feel any aversion to it.

On the contrary, there is a kind of... inexplicable sense of security?

It could also be because they haven't seen anyone for many days?

"Hmm~!"

Just then, a soft sound came from another corner of the straw mat.

Izumi Sagiri also woke up.

She sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her long, silvery-white hair fell over her shoulders, and her light blue eyes still held the drowsiness of someone who had just woken up.

The big dog climbed up from her feet and rubbed against the back of her hand.

"Sageri is awake?" Kasumigaoka Utaha waved to her. "Come help me wash the vegetables."

"Hmm..." Izumi Sagiri rubbed her eyes and slowly stood up.

She was wearing the gray long gown that Qingshan had altered for her, with the sleeves rolled up above her wrists, revealing a section of her slender, white arm.

When she squatted down by the stove, she noticed that Lady Yukinoshita had woken up and was sitting on the straw mat, holding a bowl and watching them.

Izumi Sagiri's ears immediately turned red, and she lowered her head, whispering, "Good morning, Yukino-nee, Yukinoshita-san..."

Lady Yukinoshita smiled gently at her: "Hasagi, did you sleep well last night?"

"Okay...okay." Facing the two women, Izumi Sagiri avoided their gaze, somewhat unable to meet their eyes.

Lady Yukinoshita looked at her shy appearance, and a gentle smile appeared in her eyes.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Izumi Sagiri, who were standing next to her, were skillfully picking and washing wild vegetables, while Aoyama, who was busy at the stove, was stirring the soup in the pot with a wooden ladle.

In this shelter, everyone has their own tasks to perform, and they cooperate seamlessly and naturally.

“…”

Lady Yukinoshita's gaze returned to Aoyama.

He stared at the soup in the pot, his profile sharply defined in the firelight, his expression focused and calm.

As if sensing her gaze, Aoyama looked up at her and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.