Solo Camping for Two (ふたりソロキャンプ)

Aonohara

Noro Lodge Camping Ground

That's good!

I've gotten used to solo camping for two,

but I need days like this, too.

Solo Camping for Two

Episode 14 Dreaming While Camping Out Alone

A car, huh?

I'm not interested in bringing a ton of extra gear,

but it would expand my range.

That's significant.

If I wanted to expand my range without changing my style, I could get...

a motorcycle.

Or maybe a bicycle.

It's not a bad idea, but I can't imagine myself riding one.

Either way, I want to make my campsite convenient

for camping on foot.

If I'm going to make one, I'd better make one I'd want to visit.

That means location is key.

Even if I find good land,

it needs to meet a variety of conditions.

This took a decent amount of effort.

Shizuku's recipe for an assortment of pork belly rolls.

But does grilling bread wrapped in pork belly really taste that good?

It sure does!

I get it now.

The bread absorbs the pork fat and concentrates the flavor.

How about this one?

Cheese.

Green onions.

Not bad, if I say so myself.

I'll have to be patient in my search for land.

But there's something else that's important to consider.

And that is...

the concept.

What kind of campsite do I want to make?

"A campsite for and by solo campers."

That was my ideal campsite,

but I'm not sure what to do now.

I used to think catering to experts was fine,

but meeting Shizuku reminded me of something.

Everyone started as an amateur.

Even me.

Kinokura-kun.

What's up?

We were talking about hanging out together.

You know what he's like. He wouldn't be any fun.

He's always so unfriendly.

Unfriendly, huh?

It looked to me like he was smiling.

Like the rest of my classmates, I was excited.

Golden Week started the next day.

I packed my bag full to bursting.

I remember not being able to sleep that night.

My unusually heavy pack felt oddly comfortable.

My steps were light.

My mouth couldn't conceal my joy.

As promised, I've made an exception for you today.

I'll be in the admin building.

Stop by if you need anything.

Okay. Thank you.

I'll be fine. I'm used to camping.

Well, I've got no reason to complain.

To celebrate starting high school, I got special permission to camp overnight.

This day was to be my true solo camping debut.

I felt confident.

I'd gone day camping alone plenty of times,

and most of all, I had my dad's lessons to support me.

I came prepared,

but there was something I didn't know yet.

So good!

Cup noodles are easy and delicious,

but I should learn to cook so my meals aren't bland all the time.

I'll add rice and cheese to the leftover soup

and mix it together.

The noodles alone aren't enough.

It should be about ready.

Dad.

You think I can call myself a solo camper now?

There's no one else here.

My true solo camping experience starts now.

This is awesome.

Huh? Did it break?

There was something I hadn't experienced yet.

Something I couldn't experience with my dad or while day camping.

Solitude in the darkness.

Everything seems louder in the dark.

What was that noise?

What was that sound?

M-Maybe I'll go to sleep since I finished eating.

N-Not that I'm scared.

N-Next time, I won't forget spare batteries.

Oh, and a campfire. I'll build a campfire.

Now that I think about it, that got me hooked on campfires.

Solitude.

It is both the greatest joy and the greatest obstacle of solo camping.

We want to try it, but it's a little scary.

I want to help remove that obstacle...

with my own campsite.

That could be interesting.

Helping others, huh?

Maybe I should get more opinions from others.

I'm still too embarrassed to ask Shizuku, though.

Excuse me.

Huh?

Do you have a sec?

Can I help you?

Are you day camping today, or are you staying another night?

I'm staying.

Nice. I'm planning to do the same, actually.

Huh?

That said, I'm thinking about visiting multiple campsites.

I'm bike camping, and I like to ride around.

Come to think of it, I saw her briefly yesterday.

Anyway, I drank too much yesterday and got sleepy.

I've got extra firewood, so I thought you might want it.

Sure, I appreciate it.

Great! It's hard to haul extra firewood on a bike.

I camp on foot, so I get it.

On foot?!

Huh.

Well, I'll bring over the firewood.

And then maybe I could ask you a few questions?

Yeah, sure...

Questions?

Something like that.

I see.

That was useful.

I've camped before, but I only started bringing my bike recently.

It's a lot different than I expected.

I've been wanting to talk to someone who gets it.

You say that, but I don't have a bicycle, so I'm not sure how helpful that was.

It's fine.

I have a clearer idea of how to choose gear now.

I looked up all kinds of advice, but I wanted to hear from an actual person.

I don't know anyone who bicycle camps or even camps at all.

Does that mean you're a solo camper?

What? You're asking that now?

I've been solo camping forever.

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool solo camper.

You look like a solo camper, too.

Do you camp alone often?

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool so—

Gen-san!

...solo camper, too.

Did you just hesitate?

No!

Solo camping for two is still solo camping.

I'm not lying.

Yeah? Okay, whatever.

Well, I'd better get ready to go.

See you later.

I hope we meet again somewhere.

Yeah, sure.

He was an interesting guy.

What a weird girl.

Who was that woman?!

Is he ch-cheating?

He's cheatin' on me!

Gen-san. Good morning.

Wh-Who was that woman?

Woman? Oh, her?

She gave me her leftover firewood, and I gave her some advice.

Really?

Yeah.

Fine!

Then I'll go pitch my tent.

Sure.

What's she mad about?

It's normal to interact with other campers.

That said, between that and Kana-san, I can't help but worry.

Shizuku doesn't know yet that Kana returned to the States.

Don't scare me like that.

Why do you keep showing up behind me today?

I'm going to build a campfire today, too!

Y-Yeah?

Since this firewood was given to you, you don't mind if I use it, right?

Suit yourself.

I'm going to use up all that woman's firewood.

Wait, what?

Did I forget my fire starter?

Oh, no.

I've got mine. Do you want some?

Huh?

Are you sure?

Yeah.