After a long silence in which the three stared at each other, Yamaken decided to break it calmly, "I heard you yell, are you okay?" He walked over to Kaori.
She had let go of Wood's hand and stood up on her own, "Yeah, I'm okay," She replied as she dusted her clothes.
Yamaken's gaze now turned over at Wood who was watching Kaori, "May I ask why you are here?"
"Do you need to?" Wood asked back as he turned to face his enquirer, "I ran into her in coincidence, though I did hear her yelp."
The responder earned a light glare from Yamaken who then enquired of Kaori, "Why did you yell?"
Kaori was dumbfounded by the sudden question, "Huh?"
Then she nodded as she understood, "Ah," She laughed slightly, "It was nothing much."
This made Yamaken frown but he didn't ask further questions about the matter because he thought to ask her later in private.
Wood's eyes narrowed as he heard Kaori's reply to Yamaken.
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥... 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵?
*************************
As all three of them - Yamaken, Kaori and Wood had received the third mark on the back of their hands - had come out of the maze altogether, the organizers of the game decided not to take any as the winner of the game.
Thus, all the students were known to have had worked hard for no meaningful outcome and so, the game organizers fixed to give free tickets for some other rides for the whole group.
Then the students, along with their guides had had a ride on the roller coaster, flying scooters, fun slides and of course, ferris wheel - from which they enjoyed the great view - for a second time.
They also got to eat free ice-creams and also got to participate in different kind of game booths. Some of them also won prizes, Kaori and Yamaken were one of them.
Overall, it was an enjoyable day for the travelers.
Around at noon, they came back to the inn to have lunch for the day and also to take some rest. Because after this, they would walk around in the forest and later, visit a souvenir shop before leaving.
****************************
With a tray of food holding in her hands, Kaori looked around the dining hall as if she was scanning it with her eyes.
She caught Wood, Willia, Robin and Melissa eating at a table, so she forwarded towards it.
"Where's Dylanthy?" She asked as she sat down beside Wood who was eating attentively.
Willia answered, "She went to wash her hands."
Kaori made an 'o' with her lips before taking up her spoon to have some cashew salad from her tray.
When Kaori was close to putting the spoon into her mouth, a tray was put on the empty place beside her with a bang, making the girl flinch.
She looked up at the new comer to find out that it was Yamaken.
He grinned broadly before sitting down in between Wood and Kaori, "Excuse my rudeness but I like to sit in the middle," He said to Wood with a charming smile.
Wood waved his hand, "No, it's okay. Feel free."
Kaori frowned at Yamaken's behaviour but she decided to get back to her food.
Right after Yamaken had come, Dylanthy also came back and took her seat.
As the team settled down, all of them began to eat again.
Tom asked as he stuffed his mouth with food, "Are we going to the forest after lunch?"
"No," Wood said as he munched, "I had asked about this to Mr. Walker and he said that it will be rest time after lunch. We'll go to the forest in the afternoon."
Melissa asked next, "If that's the case then, what are we supposed to do in the rest time?"
Wood shrugged, "We can just spend the time on our own, I guess?" He glanced over at Kaori's direction to ask her if she had any plan but he got interrupted instead, by a certain person.
"Willia, can you pass me the sauce?" Yamaken said before Wood could speak.
Willia was surprised by the sudden request but she obliged nonetheless. Since she was sitting on the other side of Wood, she passed the sauce to Wood, who passed it to Yamaken.
Yamaken thanked his friend and opened the bottle.
Wood then proceeded to ask Kaori, "What are you going to do?"
Kaori looked over at him as she munched on the roasted potato, "I don't have any plan."
Wood nodded at her statement, "Then-"
"Willia, could you pass me the water bottle?" Yamaken interrupted again.
Wood glanced at him before turning to Willia and gesturing her to hand the big water bottle - that was on the middle of the table - to him. As Willia did so, he handed it over to Yamaken who thanked him in return.
All the time, Kaori was watching with a slight frown on her face.
She was watching Yamaken from the corner of her eyes when Wood told her, "Why don't we all play games at the gaming room then?"
Tom, Robin and Melissa seemed interested while Willia and Dylanthy seemed indifferent.
Kaori didn't like playing games much, so she spoke up her mind, "I'm sorry, Wood. But I don't like playing games much. You guys can enjoy yourselves, I'll just entertain myself with something else."
Wood didn't expect this answer, so he just said, "Oh," in a low voice.
"Willia!" Yamaken called in a melodic voice, "Please, pass me the-"
Willia was ready to serve him but both of the two were cut off by a serious scold.
"Will you stop it?!" Kaori said in an annoyed voice as she sent a glare towards Yamaken who was right beside her.
Yamaken had flinched by her tone and he looked apologetic, "I'm sorry.."
"Behave yourself, Yamaken. You've been doing this for a while even if everything you are asking for can be taken by yourself! It looks impolite of you if you keep doing this. Everything has its limit!" She scolded him roughly, making him gulp.
He looked downwards, "Sorry."
Kaori let out a sigh as she announced, "I'm done eating, help yourselves."
"Oh, by the way, I'll be in the garden if you need me," She informed the team before getting up and leaving with the empty tray in her hands.
Wood also got up, "I'm also done. And, if you want to play games, you can do that by yourselves. I'll take a rest in the room," He said to Tom and Robin who nodded in reply.
As he also left, soon enough, Dylanthy also got up as she finished eating, "I'm going to be in our room," She said to Willia, "See you guys later," She said to the rest with a smile before leaving.
"Is it just me, or is everyone is in a hurry to leave?" Melissa asked awkwardly.
"Shall we go play games after this?" Tom asked for opinions, ignoring her remark.
Robin tilted his head sideways, "Let's do that. Do any of you want to join us two?"
Melissa immediately replied with a positive response, "I'll join you!"
Willia shook her head, "I feel tired from all those rides."
"Okay the," Tom got up, "I'm finished. What about you two?"
Robin and Melissa followed him as well.
"Yeah, let's go. Oh, Yamaken, do you want to join us?" Robin turned at the boy.
"No," Yamaken smiled, "Have fun."
And so, Robin, Melissa and Tom left Willia and Yamaken alone at the table.
Willia let out a deep breath, "So.. It's just the two of us, huh?"
Yamaken smiled at her statement, "All of those guys just left us like that," He commented.
He then asked her, "Are really just going to take rest?"
Willia nodded in reply and said, "Let's finish eating first."
At this, Yamaken picked up his fork again, to cut the piece of beef steak.
****************************
Kaori was walking towards the garden that was at the west side of the inn with her hands deep in the pockets of her jeans.
She was walking through the green garden as she crossed the different types of beautiful beds of flower, lots of trees here and there and other guests who were also walking around the garden like her.
Kaori walked over towards an empty bench at the sidewalk and peeped over it.
The inn was actually built up on top of a toft. So there was a cliff at the edge and down there, were grown up tall, giant trees.
Even though the ray of sun was passing through the gaps, it looked shady over there.
"So that's also an entrance to the forest," Kaori muttered.
"What are you doing?"
With a yelp, Kaori jumped away from the voice.
"Why were you peeping down there?" Wood asked, confused.
Kaori let out a suppressed breath, "I was just looking."
"It's dangerous to be standing so close to the edge of a cliff," Wood said in worry.
Kaori whooshed he hand, "Anyway, why are you here? Are you here for me or what?"
Wood sat down on the bench, "I wanted to ask you something," He patted on the vacant seat beside him, gesturing Kaori to sit down and she obliged.
"What is it?" Kaori asked him.
Wood stayed quiet for a moment before saying, "I saw what happened in the maze today.."
Kaori froze.
"And I think.. Something happened when you touched it. May I ask what-?"
"Wood, I can't tell you," Kaori said curtly.
"Why not?" Wood asked desperately, "Look, I won't tell anyone else if you don't want me to but can't you tell me, please?"
Kaori let out a deep sigh before saying, "I can't tell this to anyone, I'm sorry, Wood. Please forget whatever it is that you saw today in the maze."
****************************
In the four boys' room inside the inn.
Yamaken was splattering water on his face in the bathroom.
He looked up at himself on the mirror.
His face was all wet and some of the fringes were also wet which were now plastered on his forehead.
Even though he was all wet with eyes that were now lightly red due to the heavy splatters of water, he looked very handsome.
As he stared at himself on the mirror, he remembered an incident that took place in the morning before they left for the amusement park...
[Flashback]
Yamaken was standing next to a tree that was at the front yard of the inn with his arms folded and legs crossed as he stared up at the bright, blue and clear sky.
"Why are you stand here like that?"
Yamaken looked on his right to see Kaori.
"Just thinking that the weather is nice today," He replied.
"Hm," Kaori hummed as she stood next to him.
Yamaken hestitated as he looked over at her again and asked, "Why are you standing with me?"
Kaori laughed at the silly question, "No reason, I just have nothing to do right now. The girls are getting ready so I decided to come here since I'm done."
"Oh," He looked back at the sky.
"Yamaken?"
"Hm?"
"Why did you ask me whether I have someone I like or not?"
Yamaken froze as he heared the question. What should he reply it with? That he likes her and he wanted to be sure that she didn't have any feelings for someone so that it'll be easier for him to make her his?
No way, he couldn't tell her that!
"I was just curious," He answered dryly, "Because I was reading this comic yesterday and there was this huge group of friends in it. It turned out that each of them actually had feelings for one or the other. So I was naturally curious if you had anyone you like among our group or outside our group or anything..." He trailed off before adding firmly, "Because you are the closest one of mine."
Kaori was squinting at Yamaken as if she had doubts in what he was saying but she ended up laughing, "I see you are a really curious person, huh?" She teased him before replying firmly with a smile, "Nope, I don't have anyone I like."
She gave a beautiful smile which seemed to make the whole atmosphere sparkly and bright in Yamaken's eyes.
𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺? 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯.
He also smiled happily.
[End Of Flashback]
As he came back to reality, he remembered what he did at lunch. Why did he get so upset when Kaori sat beside Wood? They're just friends, that's why Kaori didn't hesitate to sit beside him, right? He even angered her with his actions.
"I shouldn't have done those," He said to himself.
"But why did she have to sit down beside him?" He said again, bitterly, "I had no choice but to sit in between them.. Moreover, he kept looking over at her, I couldn't help it. He's so suspicious that he makes me feel uncomfortable when it comes to Kaori."
He was pouting as his eyebrows were furrowed in an angry way with arms folded, though he looked rather cute and baby like.
He let out a sigh as he looked back at himself on the mirror, "I guess I owe her an apology."
After showing, he came out of the bathroom as he wiped his wet hair with a towel. He quickly got dressed and took the room key with him. He locked the room before as he left.
𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵.
****************************
Yamaken entered the big, green garden in order to find Kaori and apologize to her.
He took the marble path as he searched for her, looking around.
It didn't take him long to find her.
But as soon as he spotted her, even if his legs were guiding him towards her, he stopped immediately and hid behind a tree.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?
He saw Wood and Kaori were sitting on a bench of the garden and they seemed to be talking about something, they even looked serious.
But then, Wood said something that made Kaori smile and reply something in return with a light laugh.
"Huh," Yamaken muttered as he watched.
Some memories started to come back to him as he watched those two. He remembered all the times he saw them together and somehow, he felt disappointed.
He let out a sigh before smiling sadly as he watched them from afar. Then, he turned around and walked away with the intention to leave the garden.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦... 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘵𝘰𝘰.
****************************
As Kaori denied to tell Wood what had happened earlier that day, Wood decided not to pressure her anymore.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me," He said, "But know this, if you ever need help, I'm also here just like the rest of us. I was just worried about the way you reacted there."
At this, Kaori smiled beautifully and replied along with a light laugh, "Thank you, Wood. Rest assured, you need not worry about me."
Wood smiled, too, "Okay."
Kaori was going to continue their conversation with another topic but she stopped as she sensed a movement from the corner of her eyes. She looked over at the way to see a big tree before she caught the back of someone who was walking away.
𝘏𝘮? 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘳?
Kaori had frowned as she watched, so Wood was going to ask what she was looking at when she suddenly spoke up, "Wood, I'm sorry but I'll be leaving first. You can go back if you want to. See you later!"
"Oh," Wood was startled by the sudden hurry, "See you," He managed to say before Kaori scurried off towards the way that person went.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬... 𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵... 𝘠𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯?
She took a turn on the right to see the familiar looking person walking further away.
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘮!
She began to run up to him as she called, "Yamaken!"
But unfortunately, Yamaken didn't hear her.
𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦? 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦? 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵'𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘞𝘰𝘰𝘥... 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴?
"Yamaken, wait!" She called loudly again.
This time, Yamaken heard her and he had turned around to see Kaori running up to him.
Right then, as she had accelerated her speed, she didn't see the stone that was poking out of the ground and she tripped on it harshly.
"Ow!"
As she did so, she lost her balance and began to fall sideways.
𝘖𝘩 𝘯𝘰, 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧!
Yamaken's eyes had widened in fear and he had moved to stop her from falling down the cliff.
"Yamaken!" Kaori had stretched out her right hand as she was falling backwards with fear in her eyes.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘶𝘱... 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭.. 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦? 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘰.. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥.
Yamaken had also stretched out his right hand to grab hers but he was short in mere centimetres... And they missed each other.
"Yoshii!"
⭐🌟⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐❤⭐🌟⭐