Chapter 85: End And Beginning
At that moment, two shadows observed Kim Yu-seong and Rika dancing from afar.
Is it okay for you to give up your chance? You really wanted to dance with Yu-seong.
At Karens sudden question, Sasha shrugged her shoulders and replied,
Just because I let go of one folk dance doesnt mean anything. If Yu-seong stays by my side in the end, I dont care about the steps in between.
You really are thick-skinned.
What about you? Didnt you want to impress Yuseong?
Then, Karen also shrugged her shoulders and responded,
I decided to let Rika have tonight. Like you said, there seem to be plenty of opportunities left.
Everyone starts from a similar place.
It was just a matter of who met first.
Since Kim Yu-seong hadnt shown special affection to anyone yet, there were still chances for them.
That was what Sasha pointed out.
There will be many more events in the future. And I wont be yielding like this time when they come. Today is different its a reward for mustering the courage to save my friend.
Hmph, acting all high and mighty.
Karen snorted, putting her hands in her pockets, while Sasha sat next to her, scratching her head.
You did well earlier.
Surprised, Karen looked at Sasha and then smiled slyly, responding,
You too.
The two sat in a secluded spot, quietly watching the campfire logs burn down.
Everything must come to an end.
And the burning logs quickly turned to ash and died down.
After the last event of the school trip, the campfire, everyone, filled with a sense of regret, headed back to their tents. Rika, walking slightly ahead with her hands behind her back, asked,
Ryu-chan, how was this school trip for you?
Hearing that, I quietly reflected on the events of the past three days and two nights.
We did environmental cleaning, a cooking contest, fought a bear in a courage test, visited the marine ecological park, did a treasure hunt, and even danced a folk dance at the campfire.
Compared to my days as a graduate student, these days were incredibly dense and eventful.
I was sure that even as an adult, this trip would remain a cherished memory.
It was fun.
Hehe, me too.
With a charming smile, Rika waved her hand before entering her tent and said,
Good night, Ryu-chan.
Yeah, you too, Rika.
Before it got any later, we each entered our tents and snuggled into our blankets.
The last day of the school trip passed in a serene atmosphere.
We woke up early in the morning, dismantled the tents, and headed home.
Since the tents were rented from the campsite from the start, it was only proper to return them neatly.
Dismantling the tent, which had sheltered us for two days, took less time than setting it up.
Probably because disassembling was easier than assembling.
After returning the tents, we left the campsite early in the morning.
Leaving Chiba, we were on our way back to Tokyo.
The tour bus, abuzz with excitement about the trip just three days ago, was now eerily quiet.
Having camped in an unfamiliar environment away from home for two days, everyone must have been exhausted.
I was the only one from Class 2-B who was still in good spirits, but in such a subdued atmosphere, it felt awkward to do anything, so I quietly played smartphone games until we reached the school.
Now, dont go out too much just because we finished early! Go home and rest well, and lets see each other with smiles tomorrow!
Matsuda, who had a challenging time leading the students for three days and two nights as the sophomore classs student supervisor, said this while clapping his hands and then finally announced the disbandment.
At this, the sophomores gathered in front of the stage on the sports field began to scatter, each going their own way.
Then, see you tomorrow, guys.
Everyone, go in and rest well.
Bye~ Bye~
We greeted each other and started heading home a bit early.
But realizing we were heading the same way, Yaguchi murmured as if surprised, It turns out were all going in the same direction.
Yeah, now that I think about it, we are all going in the same direction.
Unlike the Class President, Sasha, and Satoru, who lived in different neighborhoods, the four of us, including me, took the subway to Setagaya.
In fact, the most awkward person to start a conversation with among us would be Yaguchi Maiya.
Sakamoto Ryuji, being the protagonist and a fellow guy, had opened up quite a bit during the two days of sharing the same tent, but with Yaguchi, there was surprisingly little interaction.
Even over the past two days, most of our conversations have been a few words through Sakamoto.
She probably found me awkward too.
As a result, the four of us, even though together, naturally ended up conversing in pairs of two.
As if there was an invisible, transparent wall between us.
Realizing this a bit late, Sakamoto Ryuji said with a cheerful laugh, Now that I think about it, you two havent really talked much with Yaguchi, right? This guy, despite appearances, is quite shy.
Ryuji!
Yaguchi, hiding behind him, blushed and scolded him, but Sakamoto had no intention of stopping his meddling.
Still, hes a good guy, so get along well. Im not saying this just because were childhood friends; he really is a nice guy.
Aww
Finally, Yaguchi blushed and hung her head low.
Seeing her exaggerated gestures and reactions, she was definitely the true heroine of this world.
Anyway, thanks to Sakamotos meddling, we got to hear about Yaguchi Maiya and her relationship with him all the way home.
In short, the two have been childhood friends since kindergarten and were true Tokyo natives, never having left their hometown.
Their parents knew each other, so they naturally grew close and have maintained this relationship until now.
It was clich but definitely a setting befitting an old childhood friend character.
My family runs a small martial arts dojo. If you, Kim, ever want to try a sport other than fitness, feel free to come by anytime. My parents would definitely welcome you.
Huh? Ah, thanks for the offer.
As we exchanged these words, we soon arrived at our destination, Chitose-Funabashi Station.
Sakamoto and Yaguchi waved goodbye and left first, and I decided to say farewell to Rika, who would get off at the next station, Seijo.
Well, Im going to go now. Take care on your way home, Rika.
Then Rika hesitated before speaking.
Um, Ryu-chan, be caref-
Caref?
As I murmured, repeating her words, Rika finally said after hesitating.
Be careful on your way! And make sure to apply ointment on your wound!
Turns out, it was nothing serious.
I reassured Rika that I was fine, waved to her, and watched her until the subway doors closed.
Then, Rika, who had been waving eagerly, leaned back against the subway doors.
And so, the long and eventful three-day school trip finally came to an end.
As the peak of summer approached, the rainy season began.
With the hot weather and the onset of the rainy season, humidity naturally increased, raising peoples discomfort levels.
As June was almost ending, with not much time left until July, I was still being bothered by my senior, Fuma.
Kim Yu-seong, its not too late even now. Become my husband.
Kim Yu-seong, if you become my son-in-law now, youll also receive powerful secret techniques.
Kim Yu-seong, if you wish, I can do this and that for you.
Kim Yu-seong
Kim Yu-seong
Kim Yu-seong
Enough!!
At first, I tried to ignore her as if I hadnt heard, but the more I did, the more persistent Senior Fuma, the woman, became.
Finally, driven to my wits end by her continuous advances, I surrendered and asked Senior Fuma honestly.
Senior, dont you want to marry for love?
Then Senior Fuma blinked her eyes and, placing her hand on her chest, said,
I have already decided to dedicate myself to my family. If that means an arranged marriage, then I will naturally offer myself.
I understand thats your stance, Senior. But even so, you wouldnt want to spend your life with someone you dont love, right?
Thats true.
I feel the same way. So, our opinions will always be parallel and never meet.
But upon hearing my words, Senior Fuma boldly said,
Kim Yu-seong, I understand what youre trying to say. However, theres a fatal flaw in your logic.
Huh? What do you mean?
Its the point where you think I dont have feelings for you.
Senior Fuma said this and confidently declared,
I think you would be fine as my husband. So, what I have to do for the rest of the semester is practically already decided from the start.
Given this, I would make you realize that I am the top candidate for a spouse.
Dont underestimate the persistence of a ninja, Kim Yu-seong.
Fuma-senpai said this with a serious face.
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