Free Web NovelChapter 103: Unplanned Date
The starting location that would start the entire trip was only five minutes away. Because of that, Hajime wondered whether an attendance sheet was really necessary. He stared at Akamine-sensei, while his group was at the back of the bus, waiting for the others to get out so they could also hop off the bus. In response, Akamine-sensei just nonchalantly smiled.
"Ah, by the way," Akamine-sensei called right before Hajime could step out of the bus.
"What is it, sensei?"
"Do you, perhaps need anything? I have a bit of money on me so if you need anything just give me a heads up." Akamine-sensei cheerfully said, once again ruffling Hajime’s hair.
"What are you talking about, sensei? You shouldn’t be partial to your students like that." Hajime scratched his head and rearranged his messy hairstyle after Akamine-sensei’s needless ruffling. freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Mou~ I wasn’t being partial, you know. I just remembered that I haven’t fully thanked you when you accompanied my lost little sister. I figured this is a good time to offer something, hehe~" Akamine-sensei stuck her tongue out.
...
The guide then gave a brief introduction to the students, telling them that the entire area was full of national treasures such as shrines and pagodas. The place was a rich culmination of Japanese culture, tradition, and history. And since these scenic views were condensed in that one place, there was no need for everyone to follow the tour guide.
"If there’s anyone who would like to follow the entire route please trail behind me. For those who want to separate, just make sure to gather here before lunchtime." The guide then instructed. "You won’t have to worry about getting lost, and on the off-chance that you do get lost, there are other groups who are doing tours with us. Just find one group and go with them, everyone’s paths will converge here when lunchtime comes so there’s that."
"So, are we going to join the tour?" Shinji asked out of nowhere.
"Sorry guys, but I’m going somewhere," Keiichi said out of the blue, waving his hand before heading out. There was a lightness in his steps, implicating that he was actually looking forward to breaking off from the group.
’What is he on about?’ Hajime thought to himself out of curiosity, eyeing Keiichi as he went through the crowd. He was looking for someone.
"Let him be, Hajime, we’re sticking with the tour. If you want to go somewhere though it’s fine. We’re planning to break off in the afternoon though so if you want to come with us then, just say the word." Kichiro said as one side of his lips curved upward in a half smile. Whichever decision Hajime chose, he’s fine with it. Despite being the leader of the group, he didn’t want to restrict everyone’s enjoyment. A school trip should be a memorable experience, and Kichiro wouldn’t want to rob anyone of that experience as much as possible.
"I’m going with the tour." Shinji simply responded.
"Me too." Shoichi paused for a second there but he also decided to stick with the group. It’s not like he’s got something better to do.
"I guess I will go with you the— " Before Hajime could finish his sentence, however, a scene unfolded in his peripheral vision and that immediately compelled him to pause for a second. His vision narrowed, and his lips pursed in slight annoyance at the sight that he saw. "I’m sorry, you guys, I forgot I had plans."
...
A few minutes ago,
"And so~" Kaori sang, nudging Megumi by the side as she whispered to her. "Are you going to ask Hajime out? Yes? Yes?"
Megumi’s face turned a nice shade of red as she turned her head towards Kaori. "W-w-what are you talking about?" She said, almost losing her composure for a second back there.
"Aren’t you going to ask him out? This is the last high school trip for you two. You should make the most out of it." Shizuka calmly assessed, giving Megumi sound advice since she doesn’t seem to be going on the offensive.
"What do you mean? And why are you both in agreement that Hajime’s the one I like?" Megumi’s face shifted into something redder as she pouted.
"Be-cause~ sigh~ never mind that, Megumi. The tour’s about to start. This is your last chance to ask him out." Kaori continued her playful voice as she gave Megumi a slight push from the back. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"Sigh~ what are you talking about?" Megumi’s red up to her ears but she still denied ever considering asking Hajime out on a walk during the school trip"
"Oiii~ Megumi!" Someone suddenly called out. The group immediately noticed a certain someone painstakingly moving through the crowd just to get to their group, all the while calling Megumi by name. Waving his hands, he continued making his way toward Megumi.
It was none other than Keiichi.
"Wanna go out with me on a date?" He asked out of nowhere, panting under his breath since he basically had to plow through a huge crowd just to get to them.
"Keiichi," Megumi muttered, showing an indifferent expression on her face.
"You didn’t have to disappear on me on our first date, you know." Keiichi then continued, digging the misunderstanding deeper as the other girls listened in to the conversation. Keiichi then leaned closer to Megumi. "Are you sure you don’t want to go on a date with me?" He whispered in a somewhat threatening manner.
Megumi then stiffened before her shoulders dropped. "Fine. I guess I did promise to show up back then but something came up." Megumi then wore her usual smug expression as she flicked her hair. "But I’m not going anywhere without my best friends."
Before Kaori and Shizuka could deny Megumi’s statement, Megumi linked arms with the two of them. Feeling that they got closer to Megumi, the two of them smiled as they stared at Keiichi.
"That’s right! We’re basically best buddies so you can’t separate the three of us. Right, Shizuka?" Kaori backed Megumi up with her usual cheerful manner.
"Right," Shizuka agreed, still speaking in her usual boring tone.
"That works fine." Keiichi shrugged. "Now, off we go!"
"..."
"..."
"Wait up, Keiichi!" Another voice called out.
