BHSAF 166: Towards the School Trip

A few days later.

　In the afternoon, during what would normally be class time, we used that time to discuss the upcoming school trip.

　Every year, second-year students at Hoshimiya High School go on a school trip to Kyoto and Nara.

　The homeroom teacher had just finished explaining the general flow of the school trip, things to be careful of, etc. Then, from here, the next thing to do was to decide who would be the group to spend their free time in, who would stay in the same room as them at the inn, and so on.

　As soon as the signal to start was given, a crowd of several people gathered. Everyone wanted to join the school trip with that person, and they all tried to get in first.

　The few people were Takuya, a handsome guy with good athletic ability, Yui, who was somehow able to enjoy the school trip without conflicting with her acting work, and the third and final person was Yu.

　Although the number was less than the two mentioned above, it was still a sufficient number for Yu, who had previously been described as having no friends other than Yui and Takuya.

"Hey, hey Someya-kun. Wanna come with us?"

　A girl in the class who is second only to Yui in looks says this.

"No, come with us."

　A shaved-headed boy who is a starting member of the baseball team says:

　Yu's popularity is beginning to rise due to the school festival, but the reason he's inviting her on the school trip isn't just because he wants to become friends with her.

(So she's coming to me instead of Takuya or Yui-chan...)

　There's probably more than one reason. Perhaps she simply doesn't like the fact that Takuya and Yui are dating, or perhaps she's decided that Takuya isn't worthy of being at the top of the social hierarchy these days and is instead trying to win over Yu, who attracted attention at the school festival, or perhaps there are other reasons that Yu can't imagine or even know about.

　In any case, it's clear that the invitation wasn't just a simple gesture of kindness.

"Sorry, I have someone else I want to go to."

　Yu, who has almost no communication skills, somehow manages to say that much and flees the scene.

　At about the same time, Yui and Takuya also declined the invitation of those who had come to invite them, and the three of them joined together.

"Since we're here, let's go on a school trip together."

　Takuya doesn't want to go on the school trip alone with his girlfriend Yui, and instead invites Yu, who is normally a nuisance, out of friendship...but it's not.

　Simply because that's the rule.

　It is fine to form mixed groups of boys and girls, but the rule is that there must always be at least three people in each group.

　In the past, two-person groups were permitted, but in the past, a man and woman who were secretly dating forgot their original purpose and spent the day on a date, and with no adults around and the excitement of being away from home, they ended up engaging in sexual activity, which caused problems.

　For this reason, teams of two people of the same sex are permitted, but when teaming up with members of the opposite sex, there must be a minimum of three people.

"I'm fine though."

"I have no problem with that."

　Yui rejected Takuya before the school trip. That was already a decision in Yui's mind, and that hasn't changed even now.

　However, since it is not possible to form a group of two boys and girls, it is not possible to form a group of Yu and Yui. In that case, it would be better to include Takuya rather than one of their classmates.

(...Well, Takuya was already rejected on the day of the school trip.)

　They'll continue like this until it's no longer possible to change the group members, and as the school trip date approaches and it becomes impossible to change, Yui will dump Takuya. If that happens, Takuya will feel awkward on the day and will just join another group.

　If that happens, it's mine. I'll be able to spend the school trip alone with Yui.

"Then let's go around together as a trio on the day."

　Takuya must be thinking the exact opposite of Yuu. He must be thinking that if he can do something about Yuu on the day, he'll be able to spend time alone with Yui.

　However, he doesn't think that Takuya is cruel. It's partly because Yu himself is trying to do it, but it's also a high school field trip, which only happens once in a lifetime. If two lovers are on a school trip together, it's only natural that they would want to spend as much time alone together as possible.

(So in return, please don't resent me, Takuya)

　Takuya seems to be having fun, but behind the scenes, Yu and Yui are secretly exchanging glances and secretly communicating with each other.

"I'm looking forward to Kyoto and Nara."

　Then Yui innocently says that she didn't do anything.

"Though it is the second time. It's a bit disappointing that it's the same place."

　My junior high school field trip was also to Kyoto and Nara. There are schools in the same city or neighboring cities that go on school trips to Tokyo, and even to foreign countries. When I think about that, I'm happy about the school trip itself, but it's a little less interesting to go to the same places.

"That's true, Yu-kun. During your free time you can go wherever you want, right? Plus you get to travel with everyone from school, so that alone is fun, right?"

　There was a chance that Yui wouldn't even be able to participate in the school trip, so just being able to participate is enough to make her happy.

"That's true."

　It's not about "where" you go, but "who" you go with. If Yui can't go on the school trip, it won't be any fun even if the destination is Dreamland.

"Well, anyway. Have fun on the school trip, Yuu and Yui."

　Takuya, the only one who doesn't know what future awaits him, said this carefreely.