NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27
After reconciling with Adachi-san, we returned to the inn.
We arrived at 6:20 PM and were thoroughly scolded at the inn’s front desk. Walking down the hallway to our room, Adachi-san was visibly annoyed.
“Do they really need to be so mad? It was just a small delay, right?”
I reassured her, “Well, it can’t be helped.”
“You can be mad too, you know!”
Her pouting was cute, so I was fine.
As we walked, her anger seemed to subside, and she began to look at me shyly.
“…Toru.”
“?!”
“Can I call you by your first name?”
It was the first time a classmate had called me by my name. It felt a bit embarrassing…
“Yeah, it’s okay.”
“…Thanks, Toru.”
There was an awkward silence. Calling each other by first names felt strangely intimate.
“Toru, you can call me by my name too.”
Me? Calling Adachi-san by her first name?
“…That might be a bit hard for now.”
“Why?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to.”
“I don’t mind.”
She urged me on, definitely teasing me.
“Uh, Riko… san…”
It felt weird.
“Good.”
She seemed satisfied, though I felt extremely embarrassed.
“Maybe it’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Really?”
Her expression suddenly looked sad. I really didn’t mean to upset her.
“Then, how about when we’re alone?”
I wasn’t used to calling her by her first name in public.
“Okay. When we’re alone, call me by my name.”
She smiled, and I couldn’t resist that.
As she headed to the girls’ room on the second floor, we parted ways.
“See you later, Toru. Bye.”
Adachi-san waved and walked up the stairs. Yeah, this is going to take some getting used to.
Back in my room, I was greeted by Kondo-kun and the others.
“Endo, did you have fun during the free time? You’re really something!”
I hadn’t done anything noteworthy, and thankfully, they didn’t seem to notice I was with Adachi-san.
“Endo.”
“Um, I’m still changing…”
“What’s up?”
“How was it?”
I zipped up my gym clothes and looked at Kondo-kun, who seemed anxious.
“It was okay.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
We didn’t say much, but he seemed to understand from my demeanor. He patted my shoulder, looking a bit relieved.
“Jealous guy. Explode.”
“No need to explode.”
Kondo-kun and Tamura-kun didn’t need to be so invested.
—————————
On the last day of the school trip…
After the roll call at Kyoto Station, we boarded the Shinkansen. Reflecting on the eventful trip, I watched another drama unfold.
“Ninomiya, can we switch seats?”
“Sorry, I can’t.”
Adachi-san and Ninomiya-san were arguing over a seat. I ended up sitting next to Chara-boy.
“Toru, can I sit next to you?”
“Uh…”
“Did you just call Endo by his first name?!”
Chara-boy joined in, causing a scene.
“What’s the big deal? We’re friends.”
Adachi-san dismissed him.
“Then, I’ll call you Toru too!”
“Sorry, Chara-boy. I don’t know your name.”
“Alright, let’s sit down. We’re leaving.”
The chaotic scene calmed down with the old teacher’s command.
Adachi-san and I ended up facing each other again, with Ninomiya-san caught in an awkward situation.
“Look, I bought a wooden sword. Black. Wanna see?”
No, thanks.
After about three hours, the school trip came to an end. We chatted about our experiences at the station.
Heading home, Adachi-san called out to me.
“Toru!”
“Yeah?”
“Can I contact you later?”
“Of course.”
“Then, see you. Toru.”
She returned to the Ikemen group, probably for an after-party.
Entering my apartment, I was welcomed by the familiar surroundings.
“I’m home.”
“Welcome back, Toru.”
It was nice seeing Haruka after a while.
“I’m back, Haruka.”
“Are you hungry? Can you cook?”
“Yeah, I’ll cook.”
As I took off my shoes, Haruka hugged me from behind.
“Haruka?”
“Don’t talk. Just stay.”
I complied.
“Did you do well?”
“Yeah.”
She didn’t ask what I did, just accepted it.
“Good job, Toru.”
“Thanks.”
We hugged for a while.
“Uh, can I go to my room now?”
“Just 30 more minutes.”
“That’s too long…”