The Bus Creaked To A Stop.
The Engine Rumbled Once More Before Finally Sighing Into Silence. The Air Inside Shifted—Students Straightened Up, Bags Were Rustling, And Sleepy Heads Slowly Rose From Their Neighbor's Shoulders Or Windows. The Early Morning Haze Outside The Bus Had Given Way To Soft Sunlight Peeking Through Trees And Buildings.
Ren Blinked A Few Times, Adjusting To The Change In Light. He Hadn't Fallen Asleep, Not Really. Just Drifted. His Legs Were Cramped From Being Stuck Between Vicky And Kaito.
Mahito Had Drooled On His Own Hoodie. Vicky Had Somehow Fallen Asleep In A Twisted Position That Probably Defied Medical Advice. Kaito, Despite All His Energy, Was The First One Awake The Moment The Bus Slowed.
"Finally," Kaito Muttered, Standing Up Too Fast And Almost Hitting His Head.
"We Made It," Mahito Yawned.
Students Began Gathering Their Things, Voices Gradually Rising In Volume. Ren Stood Slowly, Sliding His Bag From Under The Seat. He Glanced Forward In The Bus—Miyu Was Already Standing, Carefully Adjusting Her Bag Strap While Chika Leaned Dramatically Against The Seat, Still Pretending To Be Asleep.
"Let's Not Get Trampled," Vicky Said Dryly, Nudging Ren Toward The Aisle.
The Group Of Four Squeezed Out Last, As Usual.
—
Outside, The Air Felt Cooler Than Expected. Not Cold, But Refreshing—Carrying The Subtle Scent Of Leaves And Distant Earth. The Lodge Complex Stood Just Ahead, Built In Layers With Paths Branching Out Into Smaller Buildings. It Wasn't Forested, But The Greenery Was Enough To Soften The Edges Of Stone And Wood.
Teachers Stood Near The Buses, Calling Out Group Instructions And Pointing Toward The Registration Tables.
"Alright, Everyone," One Of The Staff Members Called. "Line Up By Class First. Then We'll Handle Luggage And Room Allocations. Please Don't Scatter!"
The Students, Half-awake And Half-Curious, Moved As Instructed. Some Complained Softly About Carrying Bags. Others Tried To Sneak Photos Or Stretch Their Legs.
Kaito Whistled As He Looked Around. "Looks Bigger Than I Expected."
"Still No Cell Signal," Mahito Muttered, Lifting His Phone.
"Probably Intentional," Ren Replied, Not Surprised.
Chika Joined Them From The Girls' Side, Her Voice Bright. "There's A Lounge Area In The Main Building. Big Windows, A Bookshelf, And Vending Machines."
Miyu Walked A Few Steps Behind Her, Quiet As Always, But Her Eyes Were Tracing The Path Up To The Building Too.
The Teacher In Charge Of Their Class Clapped Her Hands. "Class, Over Here. We'll Check You In And Assign Rooms Shortly."
—
By The Time Everyone Was Registered And Handed Laminated Maps, Students Had Started Forming Into Smaller Clumps Of Curiosity. Some Were Pointing Toward The Open Terrace Above The Dining Area. Others Had Already Found The Vending Machines Chika Mentioned.
Ren Followed Along Quietly. He Kept His Focus On The Map In Hand, Not Because He Needed It—Just Because It Gave His Hands Something To Hold.
Beside Him, Kaito Was Whispering Loudly.
"Think We'll Get Bunk Beds?"
"I Just Hope The Bathrooms Aren't Shared," Vicky Added.
"I Just Hope The Place Has Hot Water," Mahito Said Dramatically. "Or I'm Not Bathing All Week."
"Please Do," Ren Murmured.
Chika Caught Up From Behind. "Heard That! I Second It."
"I Bathe Emotionally," Mahito Declared.
"You Smell Emotionally," Kaito Replied, Mock-serious.
Miyu Didn't Say Much. But Ren Noticed The Way She Glanced Toward Him As The Group Walked—The Same Quiet Glance He'd Begun To Understand. It Didn't Ask Anything. It Didn't Need A Reply. But It Stayed.
They Kept Walking, Laughter Trailing Behind Them, Until They Reached The Main Hall.
---
Inside, It Was Warm.
The Front Lobby Of The Main Building Felt Like A Cross Between A Lodge And A School. Wooden Flooring. High Ceiling. Bulletin Board. The Walls Held A Few Framed Photos From Past Trips. A Faint Scent Of Tea And Paper Lingered.
Teachers Gathered Them Again, Pointing To Signs Showing Where Each Class Would Be Based.
"Room Assignments Will Be Posted In The Front Hallway," The Teacher Explained. "Meals Are Served At Fixed Times. Please Follow The Schedule, And Do Not Wander Into Restricted Buildings. Curfew Is At Ten. Lights Out By Ten-thirty."
There Were Soft Groans At That.
"Lastly, Keep Noise Levels Down When You're In The Common Areas. Other Guests Are Also Staying Here."
Chika Leaned Over To Miyu. "Other Guests?"
Miyu Nodded Slightly. "Maybe Students From Other Schools."
"Or Ghosts," Kaito Whispered Into Ren's Ear.
Ren Didn't Answer. But He Gave Kaito A Sidelong Look That Clearly Said Not Today.
—
Once They Were Dismissed, Students Were Given Time To Freshen Up Before Evening Meal.
Ren Took A Moment To Step Outside Again. The Hallway Had Felt Too Warm. Outside, Near The Edge Of The Garden Path, The World Was Quieter.
He Stood Alone For A Few Minutes, Watching How The Little Sunlight Angled Against The Side Buildings. The Breeze Felt Different Here—More Natural Somehow, Like A World With Fewer Clocks.
He Didn't Hear Miyu Walk Up. But When He Glanced To The Right, She Was There, A Few Steps Away.
She Wasn't Looking At Him. Just At The Same Path He Was.
Neither Of Them Said Anything At First.
Then Quietly, She Said, "It's Peaceful Here."
Ren Nodded. "Yeah. It Is."
He Shifted His Weight Slightly. "Tired?"
"A Little," She Admitted. "But It's A Good Kind Of Tired."
Ren Thought About That. "Yeah. Same."
Another Pause. Then—
"I'm Glad We're In The Same Class For This," She Said, Eyes Still On The Path.
He Turned To Her—Not Sharply, But Enough That She Noticed.
"I Mean," She Added Quickly, "It's Easier With People You Know."
Ren Smiled Faintly. "It Is."
He Didn't Say More. But She Didn't Seem To Mind.
They Stayed There Like That For A While. No Rush. No Noise. Just Two Quiet Students On The Edge Of A New Week, Looking Out At Something Neither Of Them Could Name.
—
There Was A Hush As Students Clustered Around The Old Corkboard Beside The Lodge Entrance. The List Was Typed, Printed, Taped Hastily, But What It Represented Was Everything.
Room Pairings.
Lines Of Names Stretched Down The Page In Tight Columns. A Few Teachers Stood Nearby, Watching For Arguments Or Attempted Bribery — Which Had Clearly Happened Before.
Kaito Leaned In First, Scanning Quickly.
"Oho—Ren, We're In The Same Room." He Said, Pointing His Finger On Their Names.
"Of Course We Are." Ren Replied, Dryly.
"Also Mahito. Vicky. Bro, We Got The Full Squad." Kaito Added, Later.
Mahito Groaned Behind Him. "I Knew The Universe Hated Me."
"Cheer Up. We'll Snore In Harmony." Vicky Replied, Half-Joking Tone.
"This Is Going To Be Chaos." Ren Signed.
Chika, Standing Nearby, Leaned Toward The Girls' List. "Miyu And I Are Together Too," She Said, Flashing A Grin. "As If Fate Knew We Needed To Gossip Uninterrupted."
Miyu Smiled Softly. "I'm Fine With That."
She Didn't Look Toward Ren Immediately. But When She Did, Their Eyes Met—Brief, Quiet, And Somehow Enough.
—
The Room Wasn't Large. Two Bunk Beds. A Wooden Table In The Middle With Four Mismatched Chairs. A Tiny Closet. Faint Smell Of Cedar.
Within Five Minutes, It Looked Like A Small Tornado Had Passed Through.
Mahito's Bag Exploded Open Onto The Floor. Kaito Immediately Claimed The Top Bunk. Vicky Was Trying To Plug In Three Devices At Once. Ren, Quieter, Dropped His Bag Near The Bottom Bunk And Sat Carefully.
Kaito Flopped Down Above Him. "This Place Has Serious Horror Movie Potential."
"Please No Ghosts. I Haven't Updated My Will." Vicky Said, Sounding Serious.
"If I Die Here, Tell My Mom I Wanted More Sleep In Life." Mahito Also Added.
Ren Just Leaned Back Against The Wall, Half-smiling.
Somehow, This All Felt… Okay.
—
After Reaching Their Room, Chika Threw Herself Onto The Bed With A Dramatic Sigh. "Not Bad. Windows Open. Beds Aren't Rock-hard. I Give It A Seven."
Miyu Quietly Placed Her Bag By The Dresser And Opened The Curtains. The Light That Streamed In Was Golden And Soft — The Kind That Made Shadows Stretch Just A Little Longer.
Outside, A Narrow Path Curved Past Their Building, Disappearing Behind Trees.
Chika Rolled Over. "Thinking About Messaging Him Already?"
Miyu Blinked. "What?"
Chika Smirked. "You're Standing Like Someone Trying Not To Message A Certain Quiet Someone."
Miyu Turned Away From The Window, Pretending To Focus On Her Backpack. "We're Just Friends."
"Sure," Chika Said, Grinning. "The Kind Of Friends Who Notice Where Each Other Stands In A List."
—
As The Sun Dipped Lower, The Students Gathered In The Main Hall For Orientation. Long Wooden Tables, Warm Overhead Lighting, And The Scent Of Something Cooking In The Kitchen Greeted Them.
Kaito Waved Ren Over, Saving A Seat.
Miyu Joined Chika On The Far Side Of The Room, But Her Eyes Flicked Over Once — Just Once — To The Boys' Table.
Vicky Was Already Poking At The Group Chat.
[Group Chat – "The Unofficial Trip Survival Group"]
[Vicky] : Dinner bets. Who's going to fall asleep at the table first?
[Mahito] : My vote: Kaito. He spent all his energy being loud.
[Kaito] : I'm insulted and accurate.
[Ren] : Just don't spill anything on the sheets.
From across the room:
[Miyu] : Please behave.
[Ren] : We'll try.
[Miyu] : That's a lie.
"Are You Smiling?" Chika Said, Suddenly.
Miyu Blinked. "No."
Chika Raised An Eyebrow. "You Totally Are."
—
As Time Passed, The Hall Dimmed. The Teachers Dismissed Them Slowly, Reminding Students Of Curfew And Lights-out Schedules.
By The Time The Teachers Made Their Last Rounds And Reminded Everyone About Lights-out, Most Of The Rooms Had Quieted.
The Building Wasn't Silent. It Breathed With Distant Laughter, Muffled Conversations, The Hum Of Air Conditioning, And The Occasional Creak Of A Bunkbed Spring.
Ren Lay On His Bunk, Eyes Half-Closed, The Blanket Loose Around His Shoulders. His Phone Rested Against His Chest, Vibrating Gently Every So Often.
Above Him, Kaito Tossed A Pillow At The Ceiling.
"You Think Anyone Actually Followed The Lights-out Rule?" He Asked, Voice Hushed But Not Exactly Quiet.
Mahito, Curled Sideways On His Bed, Chuckled. "Nope. Pretty Sure Someone's Playing Cards In The Next Room."
"I Saw Snacks On The Windowsill Earlier," Vicky Added. "Someone's Having A Midnight Picnic."
"Why Didn't We Think Of That?" Kaito Groaned. "Ren. Tell Me You Brought Food."
Ren Muttered Without Opening His Eyes, "You Ate Half My Snacks On The Bus."
Kaito Gasped. "And Yet You Hoard The Other Half In Silence."
"I Don't Have Any Left."
"You Lie So Casually Now," Vicky Said. "Character Development."
Mahito Threw A Rolled-up Sock At Him.
A Beat Of Laughter Circled The Room, Soft And Brief. Then It Faded Again Into Stillness.
The Kind Of Stillness Where No One Spoke For A Moment—not Out Of Discomfort, But Contentment.
Ren's Screen Lit Up.
—
In Miyu's Room, Four Beds, Two Bunks. Two Lights Still Dimly Glowing From Under The Blankets.
Rena Had Fallen Asleep First, Curled With Her Headphones Still In, One Hand Resting Over Her Chest.
Ayaka Was Drifting In And Out, Eyes Closed But Not Fully Gone.
Chika Leaned On One Elbow, Scrolling Half-heartedly On Her Phone. She Tossed A Quiet Yawn Into The Air.
"You're Quiet Tonight," She Whispered Toward Miyu.
"I'm Just… Thinking," Miyu Murmured.
"About What?"
"...Things."
Chika Narrowed Her Eyes Teasingly, Even In The Dark. "You've Got That Smile Again."
"I Don't."
"You Do." She Poked Miyu's Blanket Gently. "I Can't Believe You're Blushing At Your Phone Screen. What Did It Do To You?"
Miyu Turned Over, Hiding Half Her Face. "I'm Not."
"Mm-Hm."
Ayaka Spoke Sleepily From Above, "Are You Two Still Talking?"
"Not For Long," Chika Whispered Back. "I'm Being Kicked Out Of The Conversation."
Ayaka Yawned. "Good. Some Of Us Are Trying To Sleep."
Chika Blew A Silent Raspberry In The Dark And Flopped Onto Her Back. "Fine, Fine. I'm Asleep. Totally Unconscious. Dreaming Of Grilled Fish And Freedom."
"You Talk So Much," Rena Mumbled, Barely Awake.
"I Love You Too."
Miyu Couldn't Help The Quiet Laugh That Escaped Her.
But When The Others Turned Still Again, Their Breathing Even And Soft, She Slipped Her Phone Just Slightly Out From Under The Covers.
[Ren] : You Didn't Sleep Yet?
[Miyu] : No. Not Yet.
[Ren] : Too Much Going On In Your Head?
[Miyu] : …Maybe. It's Quieter At Night.
[Ren] : That's Why I Like It.
[Miyu] : Me Too.
A Pause.
[Ren] : Chika Asleep?
[Miyu] : Almost. She's Trying To Fight It. She Lost.
Ren Smiled Faintly, Staring At The Glow Of The Screen In The Dark.
[Ren] : Room Okay?
[Miyu] : Yes. Rena And Ayaka Are Sweet. I Think They Were Nervous Earlier.
[Ren] : Were You?
[Miyu] : …A Little.
He Hesitated, Fingers Hovering.
[Ren] : I'm Glad We're Here.
[Miyu] : Me Too.
There Was Something About The Way She Answered. Quiet, Honest, Like The Truth Had Slipped Between Her Fingers Before She Could Stop It.
Ren Turned Onto His Side.
[Ren] : Can't Believe We're Doing This All Week.
[Miyu] : The Trip?
[Ren] : Yeah. Feels Strange. We Usually Just… Go Home.
[Miyu] : You Make It Sound Like We're Breaking The Law.
[Ren] : Kind Of Is. School Without Desks.
[Miyu] : So What's Your Plan For Surviving?
[Ren] : Stay Out Of Kaito's Camera Range. And Maybe… Talk To You More.
There Was A Short Pause.
[Miyu] : That Second Part Doesn't Sound Like Survival.
[Ren] : Guess It's Not.
For A Long Moment, There Was No Reply.
Then:
[Miyu] : …I'm Happy.
She Left The Screen On A Little Longer Than She Meant To, Just Watching The Typing Bubble Appear… Then Vanish… Then Appear Again.
But Nothing Came.
Eventually, She Typed Something Else.
[Miyu] : Get Some Sleep?
[Ren] : Yeah… You Too.
[Miyu] : Good Night.
[Ren] : Good Night.
Miyu's Phone Slipped From Her Hand, Caught Just In Time Before It Slid Off The Bed. She Tucked It Under Her Pillow, Turning Her Face Into The Blanket.
There Was A Strange Warmth In Her Chest She Hadn't Felt In A Long Time. The Kind That Didn't Need To Be Named.
Across The Building, Ren Closed His Eyes With A Quiet Exhale.
His Friends Had Long Since Gone Quiet. One Snored Softly. Another Was Hugging A Pillow Like It Owed Him Money. The Last Had One Foot Dangling Off The Side Of The Bed, Unmoving.
But Ren Stayed Still A Little Longer, Letting Sleep Come On Its Own.
— × —
To Be Continued....