The Lie and What Follows

I’ve received feedback that not many read the activity reports I write.

I don’t particularly enjoy writing personal matters in the prefaces and postscripts of my works, so I’ll only appear to share any relevant circumstances or messages I want to convey.

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Thank you for your continued support of this work.

Monday

“I’m off then.”

“That sounds a bit odd.”

“I’m heading out.”

“Okay, take care.”

I’m seen off at the front door by Haru, trying to extend my time at home as much as possible. My sister drags me mercilessly to the doorstep. The early summer scenery outside the door looks monochrome to me right now. I trudge to the station, shouldering the weight of my travel bag.

“…Tooru!”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t push yourself too hard…”

“Okay.”

I straighten my back just a little.

It’s the middle of Golden Week. Arriving at the station where we’re supposed to meet, I find many students already gathered.

About 150 high schoolers with travel bags and suitcases create a remarkable sight. I wonder if anyone would notice if I wasn’t there.

The students, gathered in disarray, all have faces filled with anticipation for the upcoming school trip. Oh, there’s Sawada-kun. I wonder if he got his game back. If he brought it on this trip, the upcoming luggage check might be his biggest hurdle. Good luck to him.

Waiting in the corner of the crowd, I’m like a calf awaiting shipment. Doomed…

The stylish group stands out in the distance. They are the main characters of this event, the representatives of the “sunny characters”, and naturally, they are all gathered together. They’re making a racket without a care in the world, especially the frivolous guy.

“Let’s go make some memories in Kyoto!”

The frivolous guy has a unique way of getting excited. Normally, Kiryu-san would give him a full combo of retorts, followed by a double round. However, Kiryu-san, apparently uninterested in the frivolous guy, is conversing with the handsome Kondo-kun, her face flushed like a lovestruck girl.

Ah, youth.

The frivolous guy, ignored by everyone. Stay strong.

In a few more minutes, I’ll have to join my group, Group 6. As the time limit approaches, I try to calm myself down in a quiet spot away from the noise.

This is the last checkpoint. I must save properly here.

…Wait, if I save here, won’t I just start the school trip over again? What a loop. That would be awful.

As I’m terrified at the thought of being stuck in a save loop, I feel a finger tracing my back. I shiver.

“Good morning, Tooru.”

Turning around, I see Ninomiya-san standing there with a mischievous smile, perhaps getting back at me for last time.

“Good morning, Ninomiya-san.”

She seems in a very good mood.

Ninomiya-san is carrying a travel bag nearly half her size, stuffed full. I wonder what’s inside. Maybe video recording equipment?

“We should be gathering with our groups soon. Shall we go?”

“Actually… I’m not quite ready yet. It’s okay, Ninomiya-san. You can go ahead and join the group without me.”

“Okay, let’s go?”

What does she understand?

She grabs the hem of my uniform and leads me through the crowd of students.

I have no choice but to follow behind her small frame.

As we approach the stylish group, Ninomiya-san calls out to Imamura-san, who is chatting happily with Tamura-kun.

“Good morning, Imamura-san.”

The two, already exuding a pink aura, notice us approaching and greet us with smiles.

“Ah! Good morning, Hina-chan! And Tooru-kun too!”

Imamura-san greets us with an unaffected smile. She recognizes me too, sharing her smile with me.

It’s like a deadly skill.

As I contemplate returning the gesture,

“Hey.”

I’m addressed by Tamura-kun, who places his hand on my shoulder.

Is my shoulder the perfect spot for Tamura-kun to rest his hand?

“Good morning, Tamura-kun.”

“Umm.”

As always, he’s laconic.

Group 6 exchanges greetings, and as other groups gather, the teachers call for lineup for roll call.

The teachers, having completed various announcements and instructions for boarding the Shinkansen, spread out in front of the student lines.

“Let’s do a luggage check!”

The weary voice of an old teacher signals the start of luggage checks. Despite knowing it’s coming, there are groans from all around.

The teachers proceed with the checks, and my luggage passes without issue. I think I hear Sawada-kun’s lament in the distance. Namu.

The Shinkansen has no assigned seating, so each group finds their own space. Group 6, having joined with the stylish group, stows our bags and sits down.

“Can we see Mount Fuji from here? Or is it on the other side?”

Ninomiya-san is next to me, apparently starting her consulting work already. Much appreciated.

The seating arrangement is Kondo-kun and Kiryu-san from the stylish group, the pink devils, Adachi-san and the frivolous guy, and then us.

Kiryu-san has already secured a seat next to Kondo-kun, increasing her lead over Adachi-san. Impressive.

“Let’s rotate the seats to make it more fun.”

Kondo-kun suggests rotating the seats, creating a group of four with Imamura-san and Tamura-kun behind us.

Kiryu-san, who had secured a two-person train trip with Kondo-kun, now faces the challenge of a four-person group.

“Ah! That’s awesome! Let’s make ours a four-person group too!”

The frivolous guy, envious of their setup, rotates the seats, including us in the mix.

“Wait…”

Adachi-san’s faint voice is heard, but the frivolous guy’s actions are relentless, and we end up facing each other in a group of four.

“Nice to meet you, Ninomiya-san! We haven’t talked much, right? Nice to meet you!”

“Hello. Nice to meet you too.”

Ninomiya-san responds to the frivolous guy sitting diagonally across from me.

And of course, in front of me sits Adachi-san.

“…”

“…”

We both fall silent.

The air between us is more awkward than words can describe.

…Are we going to continue like this for two more hours? This is too hard.

…But still, I’ll endure. I can’t call Haru before we even arrive in Kyoto. And besides, I have my ace consultant, Ninomiya-san, here.

If worst comes to worst, I can always hide in the bathroom.

As I reassure myself, a faint voice comes from in front of me.

“Please take care, Tooru.”

“…Please take care, Adachi-san.”

The school trip has only just begun.