LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 5
Chapter 5. Struggling Through a Reckless Camping Trip (3)
The sun had completely set. The campfire was the only source of light, and everything around was pitch dark. In a hurry, I took out an LED lantern and hung it on the edge of the tent. The other campers must be at a different site, as I was completely alone. Thanks to that, the night sky was filled with stars, and I couldn’t help but gaze at them in awe.
I took out a can of chu-hai from the cooler. I’m not much of a drinker, but a day like this calls for a drink.
Gulp
“…Delicious.”
The smell of curry filled the air. In the cooker, the curry from a retort pouch was simmering away. The rice I cooked in the mess tin… turned out a bit firm. There was a slight crust at the bottom, but for my first time, this wasn’t bad.
“Let’s see… Hmm, as expected, you get what you pay for.”
Someone once said, “Curry is a drink,” and they weren’t wrong. This retort curry was so good that it practically slid down my throat. I wouldn’t eat this at home, but splurging on it in a situation like this was worth it.
“Next up… this sausage.”
Or rather, should I call it a frankfurter? I skewered it on a barbecue stick and grilled it over the campfire. The perfect level of char made my mouth water.
Crisp
“Mmm~! This is it!”
It was too long to fit in the small frying pan at home. I’ve always wanted to eat something like this in a bold, unrestrained way.
Juices dripped as I crunched through the crispy sausage. I washed it down with sips of chu-hai, repeating the process.
“Ahhh~! Amazing!”
I looked up at the night sky and toasted by myself. Yeah, not bad.
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After finishing the meal, it was time to clean up. I wiped the excess mess from the curry cooker with a kitchen towel. The mess tin didn’t have a single grain of rice left.
“I’ll head to the washing area and, while I’m at it, the restroom too.”
I packed the dishwashing tools and the dirty items into a foldable bucket and headed to the washing area. It was a bit of a walk from where I pitched the tent, which was a bit of a bummer.
With the lantern in one hand, I made my way down the dark path. Trembling, I finally reached the empty washing area. After quickly finishing the dishes, I went to look for the restroom.
“Ugh…”
A place this dark made me feel like something might jump out at me. Suddenly, I remembered the giant fox from my dream.
A slow life in the mountains sounds lovely.
But things like restrooms and baths seem like a hassle. If even a simple camp is like this, living alone in the mountains, while appealing, doesn’t seem very realistic, I thought.