Chapter 73: Extracurricular Learning

The school that Asahi attended had an extracurricular learning event coming right after Golden Week.

There were two main goals presented by the teacher.

One was to learn about the history and people of the area by experiencing it and interviewing the locals.

The second was to get to know your classmates better by sharing objectives and activities.

“So, it’s basically a school trip, right?”

Her classmates nodded in agreement to Hinami’s sharp remarks.

Takeuchi Shigeru, Asahi’s homeroom teacher, who was explaining the day’s schedule, frowned at the reaction.

“It’s not a school trip, it’s extracurricular learning.”

The atmosphere in the class tightened up at the crisp correction.

He looked clearly unhappy.

Everyone gasped, wondering if they had offended him.

“If I don’t say it like that, they’ll get mad at me.”

The person in question let out a languid sigh and began to complain about this and that.

About the nagging of his superior, the reduction in salary, and the lack of supervision.

“Teacher just started to speak nonsense all of the sudden.”

“Unbecoming of a teacher. But that’s good.”

“Didn’t he give an extra point last year?”

“Yep. Thanks to that I avoided failing.”

Asahi smiled at Chiaki, who gave him a peace sign from behind, and stared blankly at the blackboard.

In freshman year, both of them were in Takeuchi-sensei’s class, or Takezaki for short, so they were already familiar with the scene.

On the other hand, it seemed that Hinami and the other students who were meeting him for the first time were still getting used to his pace.

“Well, I guess it’s a school trip.”

The air in the classroom relaxed at that comment, and Hinami breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally realizing the appropriateness of Takeuchi-sensei,  people became noisy.

“Damn, I’m getting off track here. I’m going to continue explaining, so listen carefully.”

Takeuchi-sensei read out the printouts in a tedious manner, while the students listened and chatted.

It was a nostalgic routine for Asahi and Chiaki.

“Last year we climbed a mountain and made curry, right?”

“All I remember was you burning the rice, Chiaki.”

“They said to cook with a pot. If it’s with a rice cooker, I can do it properly.”

“Do you have no shame?”

“There’s no substitute for a good meal… Oh, they’re giving out lunches this year?”

At the right moment, the explanation of lunch started, and they stopped chatting and turned their attention towards the blackboard.

Before they knew it, the word had increased, and there was a surprisingly beautiful array of handwriting.

The purpose of this trip, the history of the area, the snack limit of 300 yen, etc.

The main points were summarized in bullet points that were easy to understand.

In the midst of all this, there were large letters that stood out.

Extracurricular learning: Yokohama

It was a destination that made high school students couldn’t help but feel like they were on a school trip.

The whole classroom was hyped and noisier than usual.

“Then we’ll draw lots to determine the groups.”

The teacher finished handing out the handouts and put the paper bag on the podium.

At that moment, the classroom became even more excited.

“There are forty students in the class. We’ll have eight groups of five, and each group will choose one leader.”

On the blackboard, the outline of the first group, the second group… and the eighth group were written.

Everyone had a thought of their own.

Chit-chat was exchanged here and there.

And then some of them appeared, shouting with complaint.

“Sir, I don’t want to draw lots!”

The one who stood up with a bang was Miyamoto Asuka, a female student with prominent golden hair.

“Do you have any other ideas?”

“Team up with other people you like!”

“That doesn’t fit with the purpose of getting to know your classmates better… or so the higher ups said.”

“What? I wanted to be in the same group as Ryoma!”

“Well, well, well. That’s a passionate love call. Good luck in trying to get the same number.”

Asuka, unable to resist the sound argument, sat down straightforwardly.

Her cheeks were puffed up like a squirrel’s and she was clearly not happy.

There were some students here and there who were dissatisfied with her.

“She’s getting a little carried away.”

“She’s troubling Yamada-kun.”

“She’s getting a little too familiar.”

 

There seemed to be a definite faction among the girls.

The insinuations and hostile stares.

The person in question didn’t seem to mind at all.

“Hey, Ryoma! Let’s go to Sea Paradise if we’re in the same group.”

“I guess so. I’ve always wanted to go too.”

“Yes! Now, I have to get the same number!”

Ryoma responded to Asuka’s obvious approach with a refreshing smile.

He took a slight glance at Fuyuka, and Asuka might have caught his gaze.

‘Both Miyamoto and Yamada are awesome…’

‘How can I be that honest with myself?’

The frustration that assailed Asahi gradually grew as he faced the two opposites.

“I hope you get to be in the same group as Himuro-san.”

“…I guess.”

Asahi responded to Chiaki’s teasing call with an unusually straightforward response.

Then, somehow, he looked at the window seat.

“…Ah.”

By some coincidence, his gaze coincides with the girl he was looking at.

He was glued to those caramel eyes for a while, and eventually Asahi smiled awkwardly.

Fuyuka, on the other hand, gave a very natural and soft smile.

These small events were enough to fill Asahi’s heart with joy.

That was why he was hesitant to make a move.

‘What if, as a result of wanting more, I lose even my current happiness?’

What was right and what was wrong?

Was there an answer at the end of the road he was on?

Would this story really have a happy ending?

No one knew how it would end, and no one would ever know.

“Don’t put back the paper you drew. Also, write your name on your group.”

Takeuchi-sensei immediately called the students to the podium in order of seating, and each one put their hand into a paper bag.

Who was in what group, or if they were with that person, or if they wanted to exchange numbers.

The classroom was getting hype, and each of them was happy and sad about a piece of paper.

“Asahi~, what did you get?”

 

“Eight. You, Hinami?”

 

“I’m in the first group. Too bad it’s not the same.”

Hinami, who had come running up to him, slumped her shoulders in disappointment.

Apparently, Chiaki and her were able to get in the same group.

On top of that, she felt down, which didn’t feel bad.

However, her expression immediately changed.

“I wonder what number did Fuyu-chan get?”

 

“…Stop with the grin.”

After giving her a light bump on the forehead, Hinami went to ask for help from Chiaki, who was chatting with his other friends.

Then, just as he thought he was alone, Asahi heard a voice behind him.

“What did you get, Asahi-kun?”

Fuyuka asked anxiously, looking up.

In his hand, he held a folded piece of paper.

“Since we’re here, let’s show it at the same time.”

“Sounds nice. Shall we open it up on three?”

They both enjoyed such an unremarkable proposal.

Even this moment made Asahi feel very happy.

“Three, two, one!”

The two voices overlapped beautifully, unseen in the noisy classroom.