Prologue.

After weeks of pestering, she finally gave in.

Maka huffed while her friends cried of joy. She told them that they were overreacting, but after she considered how long she'd been avoiding the topic, perhaps it wasn't one after all. While Tsubaki excitingly discussed their meal prep, Soul worryingly asked if there was any equipment that they could use or how to clean it once they were out in the woods. Black Star sniffed and told them confidently that between Maka and the laid-back camping club president, himself, they were more than ready to tackle the outdoors.

The arm around Maka's shoulder held her hostage. She nodded reluctantly and assured that they would make a more comprehensive list the next day- just please let her go to work now, please.

Bidding farewell and the like, she set off for the bookstore and left her friends calling behind her.

Maka was a sociable person, but after a full school week of constant talking, even the most extroverted of people needed to have their alone time. It just so happened that solo camping was her version of that. Leaving early every Saturday morning and coming home every Sunday evening, it was unclear to others where she'd been during those hours. But one thing was certain: she always smelled of smoke and sun when she came back.