"We need to bring um, flashlight, hand towel, mosquito repellant…"
Airi was packing her luggage that she would bring to her-
First. Summer. Camp!
Words can not describe how excited Airi was. Her steps were bouncy, and she hummed a lively tune as she packed her bag.
Airi had the feeling that this summer camp was going to be T.H.E B.E.S.T.
"Maybe I should bring more candy for sharing?" Airi muttered to herself.
Sharing was what friends would do right?
Then what if someone forgot to bring, for example, their own flashlight? Should Airi bring one more?
Just as she was troubled inside, a heaven-sent help came in the form of Touka knocking on Airi's bedroom door.
"Do you need help, Airi?"
"Yes, please!" Airi answered instantly.
"You've never answered this fast before." Touka snickered. She entered while carrying a book and a small box.
"What's that, nee-san?"
"Here, for you…" Touka gave both item to Airi. Curiously, she looked at the book first.
It's a small book with brown leather cover. When Airi opened it, she instantly recognized it.
"Is it a journal?"
"Yes. You used to keep one, right? I thought it will be great if you can write out your first summer camp experience."
"That's such a great idea! Then I'll bring it with me." Airi then opened the box. There was a camera inside.
"This is a polaroid camera. If you take a photo, it can be printed directly. You can put it in your journal. Don't forget to show us too. That way, we will know how many friends you made there." Touka winked at her.
Cheered by her sister, Airi felt more spirited.
But, could she really make friends that easily?
"Thank you, nee-san. I will take many photos for you." Her sister nodded, satisfied.
"Hmm, let's see, do you have everything on the list already?" Touka asked. Airi handed her belonging list to her.
"En, the clothes and towel are all in the travel bag." Airi pointed at a big travel bag at the foot of her bed. "and I will bring my backpack too."
"W-why bring a bag this large?!" Touka exclaimed.
"You think so? Should I bring a smaller one? But it's so full already." Airi was worried when she heard that. Touka hesitated.
"Well, it's better to be overprepared than underprepared. But, to fit a bag this big…"
Touka opened the bag zipper and took a peek. She then looked at Airi, speechless.
"Did you just shove all of your wardrobe here?"
Airi was silent at first.
"Well, not all of them."
"You! And you didn't even fold them properly!" Touka huffed, then smiled at Airi menacingly.
"Here, sit. Let me teach you how to fold clothes, imouto-chan~"
"Eh? Why don't you just do it for me, nee-san?" Airi pouted, taking Touka's hand with both her hand. Her sister, used to her habits of begging someone to do her job, just slapped it away.
"No. You must learn. Now watch." Touka told her sternly.
"Yes…" defeated, Airi could only obey.
"You need to straighten it first, then like this…"
When she copied what Touka did, Airi's one came out wobbly and crooked. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately?) Touka was a slave driver, so Airi wasn't allowed to stop practicing until her folded clothes was within 'acceptable range' of Touka evaluation.
"It's barely a pass, I guess I'll accept it. Now fold all the clothes you are going to bring."
"Then I'll just bring this two…" Airi looked at two shirts that she had folded.
If she's frugal, it should be enough, right?
"Denied! Fold this first, I will choose a couple more for you to take."
"Then, please choose this one. I only need this kind of clothes." Airi pointed at a simple t-shirt, the easiest to fold.
"Denied!" Touka, hearing her poor little sister, couldn't maintain her serious posture, giggling.
Do you think Airi had managed to charm her older sister, and she finally gave in?
Well, dream on.
"Bring more sundress, isn't this one lovely? You can pair it with this same color cardigan. Here, I'll fold this one for you."
"You need to bring at least one denim pants. Don't forget to pair skirt or dress with legging. There will be a lot of mosquitoes!"
"Do you need a pair of sweatpants? I tell you now, if there is a sports activity, don't overdo it…"
"Place a clean shirt in your backpack. At least in an emergency you can change your wet clothes."
With Touka's guidance, Airi's travel bag reduced its volume by more than half. Airi clapped, impressed.
"Did you learn witchcraft in university?"
Airi's inquiry was met with a karate chop on the head.
"Since your luggage is reduced, it's better to change your bag to a smaller one." Touka started.
"Eh, so I need to tidy it up again? I think this bag is great, actually." Airi reasoned. Touka just gave her unimpressed look.
"When you first entered the camp, who do you think will carry your luggage?" Touka asked.
"Hm, maybe Kino-san will help me?" Airi mused. Their driver indeed often helped Airi to carry her luggage when they were travelling.
"No, imouto-chan. Maybe Kino-san can help to carry it to the entrance. After that, of course you'll carry it yourself! So tell me, can you carry your backpack, and this enormous travel bag, all by yourself, for at least one kilometer?" Touka raised an eyebrow at her.
Airi was speechless. Clearly she couldn't do it. She was a weak chicken.
Changed the bag, then.
"For your backpack, bring all essential tools. Tissue, Sun block, hand towel, umbrella. Don't forget to bring mask and basic drugs. Oh, and drinking bottle! The heat in the middle of summer is no joke."
"This is pocket knife I snagged from nii-san, I think it would be more useful than scissors."
"But, I've never use it. Isn't it dangerous?" Airi raised her hand in objection. Touka just shook her head.
"As long as you handle it carefully, it's okay. I'd rather you have it but don't use it, than need it but don't have it."
"Oh, and bring money! Take this lesson that I've learned the hard way- never ever get out of the house without money on you."
"Eh, what happened to you, nee-san?" Airi asked, worried. She had never heard of this before. Touka sighed.
"It's a long story."
"I want to hear it! We have time." Airi cajoled her. She just glared in response.
"You'll hear about it when you're older." She said with finality.
Gah, the same old reason. Airi's now a big girl, wasn't she? Next year she would be in junior high school!
"Anyway, if you're already packed, then rest early. I have classes in the morning, so I won't be able to accompany you tomorrow." Airi, who had memorized her sister's class schedule, already knew about it, so she didn't mind.
"It's okay, okaa-san said she will take me there."
After zipping up her backpack, Airi turned pensive.
Noticing it, Touka wondered, "What wrong? Something on your mind?"
"It's just," Airi started. "I'm worried about tomorrow."
"What about?"
"Well, I don't know anyone for a start…" Airi shrugged, helpless. "I'm afraid everyone already knows each other and I'll be alone."
"Don't say that! I'm sure you're going to have fun and make friends there." Touka chided her. "and, if everyone already knows each other, it's not a problem. Airi is a lovely girl, everyone would be delighted to befriend you too."
"But I don't know how!" Airi said despondently. "I've never made friends my age before, and I'm afraid I'll do something wrong. Nee-san, can you tell me how?" Airi pleaded to her.
"Oh, Airi." Touka sighed. Looking at her sister's downcast face, she just smiled gently. She stroked Airi's head and hugged her tightly.
"To make friends, you just need to be yourself."