Reborn in Tokyo after picking up Sayu who ran away from home

Chapter 667 The Betrayer

The bus runs smoothly on the highway.

There are many passengers in the carriage, but there are very few people wearing mountaineering suits like Kato Yusuke and Kei.

March is the peak season for traveling to Mount Fuji, but it is not the best season for climbing.

Generally speaking, Mount Fuji is only open from July to September in principle, and a climbing plan needs to be proposed for the rest of the time.

Due to the low temperature of Mount Fuji in the current season, the top of the mountain is still covered with snow and ice, so most of the climbing routes are closed, and only a few are open.

The above information was learned from the store owner when the two went to buy mountaineering equipment a while ago.

Kato Yusuke didn't know why Kei chose to climb the mountain during this period, but for safety reasons, he followed the boss's advice and hired a professional guide.

If not, the two newcomers might not even be allowed to climb the mountain.

The bus departs from Shinjuku, Tokyo, and goes all the way to the fifth station of Mount Fuji. The whole journey takes about three hours.

The two chatted in the car for a while, then fell asleep listening to the music quietly, recharging their energy for the upcoming trip.

At 11:30 noon, the bus arrived at the destination smoothly.

What appeared in front of me was a semicircular building complex, mainly composed of rest stops, restaurants, restrooms, service desks, and many shops, with the tall Mount Fuji next to it.

People are wearing thick clothes, some are buying or renting climbing equipment, some are packing their bags, and some are enjoying hot food and drinks.

As soon as you get off the bus, you will be greeted by fresh and cool air.

"Ah, it's snowing here~"

Hui looked up in amazement, and a faint white air came out of her moist lips.

Kato Yusuke followed her gaze, and saw sporadic snowflakes falling from the sky, and the ground under his feet slowly melted, leaving a small snow scene nearby.

He took a deep breath, and there were bursts of cold and weak tingling deep in his nasal cavity, which was refreshing.

"Be careful not to catch cold." Kato Yusuke reminded: "The temperature here is ten degrees lower than at the foot of the mountain, only 5 degrees Celsius. Let's go indoors first."

"Huh?" Hui Na turned his face away in confusion, his fair nose was slightly rosy, "Shouldn't we go to Mr. Guide first?"

"I just contacted the guide in the car, and the other party will come to meet us in an hour. During this period, let's take a stroll here and have lunch, and you also need to report to your family that you are safe?"

"Right."

Hui agreed to nod, took out his phone and took a few photos, then followed him to the facility ahead.

After contacting the family, they wandered into a store.

In addition to selling all kinds of mountaineering supplies, there are also many souvenirs and local specialties, such as famous Mt. Fuji biscuits, T-shirts, key chains, postcards and so on.

Incidentally, like most scenic spots in the world, the food and drinks sold here are slightly more expensive than those in the city.

But as long as you think that this place is located at an altitude of 2300 meters, the desire to complain about the behavior of profiteers becomes minimal.

"Ah ~ Yusuke, look at this."

When he walked to a certain row of shelves, Hui pulled out a light-colored wooden stick from it and displayed it excitedly.

"Vajra staff...?"

Kato Yusuke read out the product information posted on the shelf, feeling a bit confused, "Is this considered a weapon souvenir?"

"No~~"

The girl smiled slightly and explained.

"This is a hiking stick unique to Mt. Fuji, and it is a souvenir here.

As long as you buy it, you can ask someone to stamp it at the mountain huts on the way to the summit to prove where you have arrived.

It is a very commemorative and fulfilling thing~”

"Oh?"

Mountain huts, which are hotels built on Mount Fuji to provide accommodation for tourists.

Kato Yusuke also pulled out a vajra stick, and found a seal on the stick——

"The realm of heaven and earth, Mt. Fuji Observation Deck—2305th station [-]m"

From the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, Mount Fuji is divided into ten stages, and each stage is a "station".

If the foot of the mountain is regarded as the zero station, then the top of the mountain is the ten station.

Since it starts directly from the fifth station, the first seal on the cane is the fifth station.

That is to say, as long as they buy such a cane, they can take it to stamp one by one at the mountain huts from the sixth station to the tenth station.

Kato Yusuke clarified the key points and said with a smile:
"I see. This is indeed very interesting, but I heard that almost all the mountain huts are closed now. Even if you buy it, you can't get a stamp, right?"

"Well, that's right..."

Hui slightly nodded regretfully, and put the vajra stick back in the display case, "Sure enough, should I choose to come during the climbing season...?"

"If you want, you can buy one first. At least the mountain hut we booked should be stamped, and the rest will wait until next time." Kato Yusuke suggested.

"Next time..." Hui looked at him a little funny, "I always feel that Yusuke said this, as if he will come with me next time?"

Kato Yusuke thought for a while, "I think so, what's wrong?"

"...No, it's nothing."

Hui's eyes flickered, and there seemed to be a docile deer jumping in her black pupils, and then she turned her head cutely.

"However, I think it makes sense to do this kind of thing now, so I won't buy a cane. I'm a little hungry, let's go eat."

"Well, that's fine."

Kato Yusuke glanced at the time and agreed.

So they chose a restaurant at random, and ate udon noodles and grilled warabi mochi.

The latter is a very popular snack here. It is made of ferns picked around Mount Fuji and grilled with seasonings such as soy sauce and miso. It tastes very refreshing and delicious.

After eating, I took a short rest and went to the bathroom by the way.

Almost an hour passed.

The two retrieved their bags at the store and found a hired guide.

The other party's name is Noguchi, a middle-aged man in his 30s, with a wealth of mountaineering knowledge.

After a brief greeting, Noguchi immediately checked their equipment to be prepared.

From mountaineering equipment to food and water, to medical supplies and personal hygiene items, etc., Noguchi checked very carefully.

After all, what he was going to lead today were two inexperienced students, and the current external environment was very harsh, so there was no room for sloppiness.

Fortunately, the situation is much better than he expected.Kato Yusuke and Kei were quite well prepared in this regard, which even surprised him a little.

He looked at the two hesitantly, and felt that the young couple was almost armed to the teeth, and their bodies were filled with the scent of Fukuzawa Yukichi's ink.

Like mountaineering gloves, mountaineering hats, mountaineering masks, mountaineering shoes, trekking poles, goggles, etc. Needless to say.

In Kato Yusuke's backpack, he even saw picnic equipment, tents, sleeping bags, and portable oxygen cylinders, just like an equipment dealer.

According to a rough estimate, this set of equipment costs at least 20 yuan, or even far more.

"Black Diamond", "The North Face", "Salomon", "Deuter", "Mountain Hardwear"...

Looking at these famous brand outdoor products, Noguchi's cold eyes were filled with emotion.

It's all good stuff...

At this moment, he was already convinced that the young couple in front of him must be kids from rich families who came to experience something new, or they had mountaineering enthusiasts at home.

He had no opinion on this.

Mountaineering is an expensive sport, and there is no harm in investing in equipment.

That would not only allow you to live more comfortably in the wild, but also increase your chances of surviving in danger.The only problem is-

"I said this little brother..."

Noguchi chose the right words.

"While being well prepared is a good thing, you are a bit too prepared. We will spend the night at the eighth station mountain hut, so we don't need picnic gear and tents."

"The most important thing is that your luggage adds up to about 20 kilograms. It will be very heavy to carry? Exercise on high-altitude mountains is not as usual. I suggest you store these things first."

When Hui heard this, he also turned his gaze to the young man beside him, with a questioning expression in his eyes.

She didn't have much luggage in her backpack, it was basically necessities.In order to take care of her, the other party took the initiative to take most of the shared items, which is why they carried so many things.

It's not that she didn't protest about this, but that person was quite macho in this aspect alone, which made her helpless.

Facing the advice given by the guide, Kato Yusuke waved his hand in front of his chest and said:
"No problem, Mr. Noguchi. I am physically strong, and it doesn't matter if I carry such a weight. Compared with this, let's start earlier?"

Seeing that he was so persistent, Noguchi couldn't help but ponder for a while, "Um...", and finally had no choice but to compromise.

"Okay then, but I want to tell you in advance that if you feel powerless on the way, Brother Kato, you must remember to tell me in time, and I will help you share some of it. Understand?"

"Okay, I will pay attention." Kato Yusuke nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Noguchi."

"You're welcome, it's my job. My goal is to make sure you reach the summit safely, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure."

Noguchi said with a serious face, making people feel very reliable.

At the guide's suggestion, Kato Yusuke and Kei went to the bathroom and put warm babies on the waist, back, hands and feet respectively.

Everything is done, the time is 12:50 noon.

The three officially set off on a mountaineering journey.

Follow the direction of the sign and come to the paved mountain road.

——It was all white as far as the eye could see.

Unlike the thawed foot of the mountain, there is still a lot of snow and ice on Mount Fuji at this moment, covering the mountain road in a vast expanse of white.

However, there is a vigorous lushness in this white.Many tall and straight pine trees and maple trees are all over the hillside, revealing the tough vitality.

As a guide, Noguchi walked ahead without hesitation, opening the way for Kato Yusuke and Kei behind.

Having said that, there is really nothing to open up at this stage.

The climbing route chosen by Kato Yusuke and the others is the simplest Yoshida line. Although this route is long, the slope is relatively gentle, which is very suitable for tourists who come to climb Mount Fuji for the first time.

Take the present as an example, except that the snow on the ground is a little bit in the way, the road under their feet is actually quite flat.

Walking on it like this is quite a leisurely feeling of winter outing.

"Always felt……"

Hui looked around while walking, and said, "There seems to be no one around, Yusuke."

Kato Yusuke nodded and responded: "After all, it's the off-season, so it's normal for this to happen."

Because of wearing mountaineering masks, their voices are a little unclear, so they are relatively close.

After thinking for a while, Kato Yusuke asked, "Mei, are you tired?"

"No~ It's better to say that we rested in the car for so long, and then ate udon noodles and grilled warabi mochi. Now I am so energetic that I just want to move my body."

"That's good. But the altitude behind will be higher and higher, and you may experience altitude sickness. If you feel uncomfortable, remember to tell me as soon as possible."

"Well, I see."

Hui nodded in understanding, and then asked: "By the way, Yusuke, did Eriri get in touch with you? How is the progress of the original painting?"

"We just talked on the phone this morning, and she said that she has a new idea, and now she is going to go all out to implement it." Kato Yusuke said with a relaxed tone.

"Is that so~~ I always feel a little annoyed."

"what?"

"Ah, that's not what I mean, I just feel that we can't help Ying Lili solve her troubles, so I'm a little annoyed."

"Don't worry about it, as long as you have this kind of intention. Sister Shiyu also said that the creator's bottleneck period must be overcome by ourselves. We just need to watch from the back."

Hui slightly glanced sideways at him, then returned to the right angle.

"...I don't deny this, but compared to us, Yusuke, you should do more than that, right? You should also play the role of pushing her back."

"I don't think I have done such a great thing. Everyone has contributed, so it can't be counted like this." Kato Yusuke said calmly.

"You don't have to belittle yourself to that extent? At least in my understanding, although Ying Lili's character is straightforward and awkward, easy to understand but difficult to get along with, but..."

Megumi paused at this point, and then said the next sentence in a slightly lighter voice than before.

"—Eriri, she will never betray the person she reveals her heart to, and that person is you, Yusuke."

Kato Yusuke raised his eyebrows, and looked at the girl beside him in surprise, feeling that the atmosphere was inexplicably serious.

"Hui... what do you mean by that?"

"...You really don't know?"

Hui turned his head and looked at him, his eyes seemed to be piercing through the goggles, and there was a lingering haze in his voice.

"Eriri, she has completely broken off friendship with that classmate An Yi for you? What is the meaning behind this, Yusuke, don't you really understand?"

Crack, the trekking pole is inserted into the snow.

Kato Yusuke looked away without saying a word, and stepped heavily, trampling the snow on the ground.

Kei also walked forward, and after a while said:
"By the way... Yusuke, you said that Eriri would be back next weekend, right? Otherwise, let's go to Nasu Plateau together on Saturday and pick her up."

"To Nasu Highlands...?"

"Well, I remember it takes about two hours to go there by tram, right? It might be a bit difficult to go back and forth on the day, we can ask Ying Lili to let us stay in the villa for one night, and come back together on Sunday."

She said in a flat voice: "Although I can't help Ying Lili in other places, at least I want to do something within my power. What do you think, Yusuke?"

"Well……"

Kato Yusuke hesitated, and answered truthfully:

"Actually, I also asked Ying Lili today if she wanted to visit her, but she said that she wants to concentrate on painting now and doesn't want to be disturbed, so I can't guarantee it."

"Is that so..."

Hui slowly nodded her head, "Well, let's wait for news from Ying Lili."

As she said this, she felt a little distressed in her heart.

Logically speaking, as a friend, she should have supported the other party, but she still couldn't hold back, and didn't want to give up the people around her, so she even went against her friend for this reason——

"…………traitor."

If there is a murmur that seems to be nothing, it floats in the cold air, and then returns to silence.

……

(End of this chapter)