NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25
On the third day of the school trip.
Students were lined up at the inn’s front desk, eagerly anticipating their free time. The loud warnings of a teacher seemed to fall on deaf ears.
The Ikejo group, including the frivolous guy, was no exception. He was notably scolded for his excitement about taking photos with maiko. Why doesn’t he learn?
“Alright, we’ll reconvene at 18:00. Dismissed.”
Following the old teacher’s command, the students scattered like bees from a disturbed hive.
I searched for my accompanying person, Ninomiya-san, amidst the departing crowd. She’s missing. Maybe she got swept away in the crowd.
Just as I was about to head to the entrance,
“Endo-kun, found you!”
Found so soon… Can we play hide and seek again?
“Good, I was worried you got lost in the crowd.”
“Why would I? I’m not that weak, you know?”
Ninomiya-san flexes her muscles. Cute.
“Let’s enjoy the day.”
“Yes, let’s.”
We headed to Ryoanji Temple first. Access by train is a bit inconvenient, so we took a bus. After paying the admission fee, we entered.
“Do you like Ryoanji Temple, Endo-kun?”
“It’s not about liking it per se… it’s calming.”
We strolled along the corridor, chatting idly. The stone garden’s corridor was surprisingly uncrowded.
“Can we sit here for a bit?”
“Of course. You wanted to see this, right?”
I gratefully took a seat on the tatami mats connected to the corridor. It was quiet, and we could view the entire garden.
“Fufu, this feels fresh.”
Perhaps she meant me. It’s true I never show this side.
“Maybe.”
“Definitely.”
Time passed in silence. It was surprisingly comfortable, not awkward at all. Normally, the only person I’d spend time with like this was Haruka.
I still don’t see what benefit Ninomiya-san gets from being with me, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
“Ah…”
After about 30 minutes, I realized it was past lunchtime. I turned to apologize to Ninomiya-san for making her wait.
She was asleep.
She must’ve been bored. I didn’t expect her to complain, but it’s strange for her to stay by my side.
Her sleeping face was cute. She looked so young, almost like a middle schooler who skipped grades to join our class.
Waking her up felt wrong, but more people were arriving. I had to.
“Ninomiya-san, wake up.”
No response.
“Ninomiya-san!”
A bit louder this time, she finally stirred.
“Oh, good morning, Endo-kun.”
“Good morning, Ninomiya-san.”
She was so laid-back.
After Ryoanji, we had lunch at a nearby curry restaurant. Ninomiya-san ordered seconds of both naan and rice.
“It was delicious!”
Satisfied, we headed to the Arashiyama train station.
We only visited Ryoanji and had lunch, yet it was already past 2 PM.
Arriving at Arashiyama, the place was bustling with Golden Week tourists.
“Wow, so many people.”
Ninomiya-san, unfazed, guided us effortlessly through the crowd, reaching the Togetsukyo Bridge in no time.
“Feels better here.”
We took a moment to appreciate the magnificent view of Arashiyama.
Ninomiya-san then let go of my hand and approached the river.
“Endo-kun, you’re an enigma.”
She started speaking, looking at the flowing Katsura River. I sensed she had something important to say.
“At first, I just thought you were a lonely guy in the back row.”
A bit rude, but true.
“But even alone, you looked happy, then sad. How can someone with no friends show so much emotion?”
That’s a bit much. I can entertain myself.
“It’s not because of what happened with your grandma. I just found myself watching you. But I don’t think it’s because I like you.”
“Okay.”
I barely managed to reply.
“You don’t need Adachi-san and the others. You’re fine as you are.”
Ninomiya-san’s words struck a chord. I’ve always wanted to hear that. To have someone affirm my solitary life, focused on grades and avoiding social interactions.
“Thank you.”
“But now, you seem preoccupied with someone else.”
She noticed I was checking the time. It was past 4 PM; I had to meet Adachi-san at 5:30 PM.
“Yeah, I am. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. But remember, meeting her might not change anything. It could even make things worse. You might regret going.”
“…”
I had nothing to say. She might be right.
“So why
not stay with me?”
Yet,
“Thank you, Ninomiya-san, for noticing me, for helping me. Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I might have hated coming to school.”
But I wanted to move forward, even if it meant getting hurt again.
“I’m going to meet her.”
“Really? Okay.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. You have to go, right? I’ll head off first.”
“Alright. I’ll catch up later!”
Leaving Ninomiya-san, I started running.
“Don’t forget, Eva is visible from the right side of the train!”
Thank you…
It was 4:45 PM. I hurried to the meeting place.