The Morning Carried A Softer Weight Than The Days Before.
Outside, The Sky Was A Gentle Blue, Neither Bright Nor Heavy—Just Resting. The Windows Of The Lodge Glowed Pale With The First Hints Of Sunlight, And The Sounds Of Movement Drifted Slowly Down The Hall.
In The Boys' Room, Vicky Was The First To Stir. He Sat Up Abruptly, Hair Pointing In Every Direction, And Grumbled, "We're Still Alive. Impressive."
Kaito Pulled The Blanket Over His Head. "Not For Long If You Keep Talking This Early."
Mahito, Eyes Half-Closed, Was Already Reaching For His Bag. "Breakfast First. Complaints Later."
Ren Shifted Quietly Beside Them, Pulling His Jacket On Before The Noise Escalated. He Let Their Exchanges Pass Over Him, Familiar And Chaotic, But Comfortable.
Across The Hall, The Girls' Room Had Its Own Energy. Chika Sat Cross-Legged On Her Bed, Hair Messy But Eyes Bright. "Wake Up, Everyone. Time To Shine."
One Of Their Roommates Groaned And Rolled Over. Miyu, Already Awake, Folded Her Blanket Neatly And Smiled At The Contrast. The Room Always Felt Brighter With Chika's Voice Filling It.
By The Time Both Groups Gathered Downstairs, The Dining Hall Was Buzzing With Students. Trays Clattered, Laughter Carried, And Teachers Tried—Mostly In Vain—To Maintain Order.
Kaito Stifled A Yawn At The Table, Slumping Over His Food. "Why Do Trips Have Mornings?"
"Because The World Has Mornings," Vicky Shot Back. "Be Grateful."
Mahito Nudged Ren With A Small Grin. "You're Quiet. Thinking About Someone Again?"
Ren Focused On His Rice. "No."
The Others Burst Into Knowing Laughter, And Even Chika From Across The Table Looked Over With Raised Eyebrows.
Miyu, Sitting Beside Her, Pretended Not To Notice—Though The Corner Of Her Mouth Tilted Up Against Her Will.
—
The Dining Hall Slowly Emptied As Students Drifted Out In Groups, Teachers Herding Them Toward The Day's Schedule. Maps Were Pulled From Pockets, Shoes Scuffed Against The Wooden Floors, And The Hum Of Excitement Rose Once More.
Their Class Was Guided Toward The East Wing Of The Lodge Grounds—A Section With Open Halls, Wide Windows, And A Courtyard Framed By Low Stone Walls. It Felt More Like A School Than The Lodge Entrance Did, But Softer Somehow.
Kaito Stretched Loudly Beside Ren. "If This Is A Lecture, I'm Sleeping."
"Then You'll Miss The Surprise," Chika Said, Bouncing Ahead A Step.
Mahito Looked At Her With Deep Suspicion. "There's No Surprise. This Is School Dressed In A Different Building."
But When They Entered The First Hall, Even He Paused.
Long Tables Were Lined With Materials—Crafts, Maps, And Old Photos Of The Area's History. Teachers Explained That The Morning Would Be Split Into Rotating Workshops: Local Culture, Environmental Projects, And A Short Tour Around The Main Facilities.
Ren Took A Seat Near The End Of One Table, His Bag Resting By His Leg. Miyu Slid Into The Spot Across From Him Without A Word, But The Small Shift In Her Posture—Relaxed Shoulders, Steady Hands—Spoke Enough.
Kaito Leaned Over The Table, Whispering To Ren. "Bro. Seatmate Upgrade. Congratulations."
Ren Didn't React. Miyu's Eyes Flickered Briefly, But She Stayed Composed. Chika, Of Course, Was Grinning Across The Room As If She Had Witnessed A Victory.
The Workshop Began. Students Sorted Through Maps, Trying To Match Locations To Old Photographs. Some Laughed Loudly, Others Complained They Couldn't Read The Handwriting.
Ren's Hand Brushed Briefly Against A Photo Miyu Reached For. Both Pulled Back At The Same Time.
"You First," He Said Quietly.
She Shook Her Head. "Go Ahead."
It Was Such A Small Exchange That No One Else Noticed. But To Them, It Carried A Quiet Weight.
—
The Room Filled With The Scratch Of Pens, The Shuffling Of Papers, And The Murmur Of Students Comparing Notes. Teachers Drifted Between Tables, Occasionally Pausing To Offer Guidance Or Correct Mistakes.
Kaito Squinted At A Faded Photograph. "This Could Be… A Bridge?"
Vicky Leaned Over His Shoulder. "That's Clearly A Shrine."
"It Looks Like Rocks," Kaito Insisted.
Mahito Took The Photo From Him. "It's Literally Labelled Shrine. How Blind Are You?"
Their Bickering Drew Laughter From The Nearby Table, And Even Miyu Covered Her Mouth To Hide A Smile. Ren, Quietly Observing, Felt The Edges Of His Own Expression Soften.
Chika, Meanwhile, Had Positioned Herself As Team Captain. She Pointed At The Map With A Flourish. "This Goes Here, That Goes There. Honestly, We're The Best Group."
"Self-Appointed Leader Again," Vicky Said Flatly.
"Exactly. That's How Leadership Works," Chika Replied Without Missing A Beat.
Amid The Jokes, Miyu Placed A Photo Carefully Beside Ren's Hand. "This One Matches The Old Road Near The Entrance. See The Stone Pattern?"
Ren Looked Closely, Then Nodded. "You're Right." His Voice Was Low, But Certain.
Their Eyes Met Briefly. A Simple Confirmation, Yet Both Looked Away A Second Too Late.
The Activity Continued Until Teachers Called For Everyone's Attention. Students Compared Their Maps, Shared Small Laughs Over Wrong Guesses, And Slowly Packed Their Bags As The Morning Segment Ended.
Kaito Stretched Again, Dramatically. "Brain Cells Officially Used. Time For Food."
"Not Yet," A Teacher Announced. "We'll Take A Short Tour Of The Grounds Before Lunch."
Groans Echoed Across The Hall, But Feet Still Carried Forward.
Ren Adjusted His Bag, Falling Into Step Beside Mahito. Miyu Walked Slightly Ahead With Chika, Though Every So Often, Her Gaze Drifted Back—Just Enough To Notice If He Was Keeping Up.
—
The Class Gathered Outside, Shoes Pressing Into The Gravel Paths As Teachers Counted Heads Twice Before Leading Them Forward. The Air Carried A Crisp Edge, Leaves Stirring Lightly In The Breeze.
Chika Immediately Claimed The Front Spot Beside The Teacher, Her Hand Raised Like She Was On A Parade. "I'll Lead Too, For Morale."
"You'll Get Lost Within Ten Seconds," Vicky Called From Behind.
"Then You'd Miss Me, Admit It."
Kaito Groaned. "It's Too Early For Whatever This Is."
The Group Moved Through Open Walkways, Past Wooden Beams That Framed The Lodge Buildings. Some Students Whispered About How Peaceful It Felt Compared To Their Usual Classrooms. Others Just Complained About The Walking.
Ren Walked Near The Middle, His Bag Resting Against His Side. Mahito And Vicky Flanked Him, Trading Jokes That He Half-Listened To.
Ahead, Miyu Walked With Chika, Hands Folded Lightly In Front Of Her. She Listened To Chika's Endless Stream Of Commentary, But Her Eyes Wandered—Catching Glimpses Of The Sky, The Quiet Trees, And Every So Often… Him.
For A Few Steps, Their Gazes Crossed. Neither Spoke. Neither Needed To.
—
The Tour Wound Its Way Past Low Stone Walls And A Shaded Courtyard Where Old Lanterns Still Hung, Weathered By Time. The Teacher Stopped Occasionally To Explain Bits Of History, But Most Students Only Half-Listened.
Kaito Pretended To Scribble Notes On His Palm. "Totally Remembering All This For Exams."
"You Can't Even Remember Breakfast," Vicky Said, Shoving His Shoulder Lightly.
Chika, Ever Dramatic, Pointed At A Lantern. "If This Was A Story, That's Definitely Haunted."
"Don't Start," Mahito Warned. "We're Not Spending The Night Running Away From Ghosts."
Laughter Spilled Through The Group, Breaking The Stillness Of The Courtyard. The Teachers Shot Them A Look, But Even They Didn't Seem Too Strict Today.
Ren Stayed A Step Back From The Center Of Noise, His Hands In His Pockets. The Stories And Jokes Flowed Around Him Like Water, Yet He Didn't Feel Left Out—More Like He Was Standing On A Shore, Watching.
Miyu Walked Ahead, But When The Group Slowed To Look At Another Building, She Drifted Slightly Toward The Side. Her Eyes Slid Over To Him, Quick And Careful.
For A Moment, The Noise Faded. Just The Two Of Them, Sharing A Glance Amid The Chaos.
Ren Looked Away First, Adjusting His Bag Strap. She Let Out A Breath She Didn't Know She Had Been Holding.
The Teachers Called Again, Moving The Group Toward The Main Grounds Where Lunch Would Soon Be Served.
—
The Group Turned Toward A Narrow Walkway, Teachers Gesturing For Everyone To Stay Close. Chika Had Somehow Talked Herself Into Holding The Map Again, Announcing Directions With A Confidence She Didn't Have.
"This Way," She Said, Marching Left.
"That's A Wall," Kaito Pointed Out.
"It's A Shortcut!"
The Whole Group Groaned, And The Teacher Finally Took The Map Back.
Ren, Walking At The Edge, Couldn't Help The Small Curve At His Mouth. Miyu Noticed, Just Beside Him Now As The Line Of Students Shifted.
"You Find This Funny Too?" She Asked Quietly, So Only He Could Hear.
Ren Tilted His Head Toward Chika, Who Was Still Pouting About Losing The Map. "It's Like Watching A Comedy Show Without Tickets."
Miyu Suppressed A Laugh, Pressing Her Fingers Lightly To Her Lips. "You're Terrible."
"Accurate," He Corrected.
Her Shoulders Shook Once, Softly, Before She Stepped A Little Ahead Again To Match Chika's Pace.
The Exchange Was Brief, Almost Hidden Under The Noise Of The Class, But It Lingered—A Thread They Both Carried With Them As The Group Walked On.
—
By The Time The Group Reached The Open Dining Hall, The Smell Of Warm Rice And Soup Pulled Everyone In Like A Magnet. Students Piled Onto Long Wooden Tables, Bags Dropped Carelessly Beside Benches.
Vicky Claimed A Spot Instantly. "Ren, Sit Here Before Someone Steals It."
Mahito Was Already Plopping His Tray Down. "Yeah, We Need Balance—Chaos On One Side, Quiet On The Other."
Ren Gave Them A Flat Look But Sat Anyway. Kaito Slid In Across From Him, Hair Sticking Out Like He Had Fought The Wind.
Chika Dropped Onto The Bench Next To Miyu With A Loud Sigh. "This Place Needs A Menu With Pictures. I Almost Pointed At The Soup And Called It 'Mysterious Liquid.'"
"Because You Can't Read Half The Words," Kaito Deadpanned.
Gasps And Laughter Shot Around The Table. Chika Slammed Her Chopsticks On The Tray. "Excuse Me? I Am Fluent In The Language Of Cuisine."
"Then Why Did You Ask If Pickles Were Dessert?" Vicky Said, Nearly Choking On His Rice.
The Table Exploded With Noise. Mahito Nearly Spilled His Drink Laughing, Kaito Covered His Face Like He Wanted To Transfer Tables, And Chika Puffed Her Cheeks In Fake Offense.
Amid The Clamor, Ren Picked Up His Bowl, Quietly Eating. Across From Him, Miyu Leaned Slightly Closer, Her Voice Just For Him.
"You're Not Going To Join?" She Asked.
He Lifted His Eyes. "I Don't Have A Death Wish."
Her Lips Curved. "Wise Decision."
A Crash From Chika Trying To Snatch A Piece Of Meat From Vicky's Tray Made Everyone Groan Again. The Chaos Continued Like A Small Storm Around Them, But For Ren And Miyu, There Was A Calm Center—A Shared Look, A Quiet Smile, A Moment Untouched By The Noise.
To Be Continued....