Chapter 474: Yukino Learning and Applying on the Spot
Soon, the Totsuki Academy Festival came to a successful conclusion.
On Sunday afternoon, after bidding farewell to Erina, Alice, and the others, Hachiman and his sister Komachi boarded the Nakiri family's car and left Totsuki Academy.
This time, there was no rebellion like the one in the original story.
After all, with Mana Nakiri's illness under control thanks to Hachiman, Azami Nakiri had no reason to carry out his plans from the original story. In Hachiman's view, the original coup at Totsuki Academy was just for show.
It was unrealistic to believe that an institution as powerful as Totsuki would entrust the appointment and dismissal of its head to a few students who hadn't even graduated yet. Even if such authority existed, it would only pertain to the position of the academy's director, not the entire Totsuki conglomerate. Ultimately, Totsuki Academy is just a subsidiary of the larger Nakiri Conglomerate.
So, with nothing of the sort occurring, the siblings wrapped up their Totsuki Academy Festival experience without incident, enjoying the food and festivities to the fullest.
...
Time flew by, and as the peak of summer passed, November arrived, bringing autumn with it. The weather had cooled significantly, and with the year drawing to a close, Hachiman and his classmates were gearing up for their graduation trip.
The so-called graduation trip, also known as a school trip, didn't signify immediate graduation but rather the transition to their final year of high school. This trip was scheduled at the end of their second year because once students entered their third year, most of their time and energy would be dedicated to preparing for college entrance exams, leaving little room for such excursions.
Thus, this trip was seen as a final celebration before the serious business of their final year began. The classroom was abuzz with excitement, as students gathered in small groups, animatedly discussing plans and destinations for the upcoming trip.
For example, not far from Hachiman, Tobe and his friends were having their usual lively conversation. Hachiman had no interest in their specific topic, but he did notice that Hayama, who was usually the center of the group, was absent. While curious, he shrugged it off as none of his concern.
Feeling a bit bored, Hachiman sat alone at his desk, idly observing the classroom. Just then, a familiar figure walked in. She had a model-like tall and slender figure, with long light blue hair tied into a ponytail, and a beauty mark under her right eye that added to her charm. It was none other than Saki Kawasaki.
Sensing someone watching her, Saki looked around. When she noticed it was Hachiman, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly returned to her seat, burying her face in her arms. Hachiman was puzzled by her reaction when a gentle, melodious voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hachiman-kun."
He looked up to see a figure with short silver-gray hair standing in front of his desk. It was Saika Totsuka, the class's little angel.
With a soft smile, Saika spoke again, "I heard we'll be deciding the groups for the graduation trip in the next class meeting."
Hachiman nodded, "Yeah, but it looks like most people have already decided who they want to be with."
"Is that so? Um, I haven't decided who to group with yet," Saika said, pressing his fingers together and smiling bashfully.
Seeing Saika's expression, Hachiman couldn't help but smile as well. "Then, Saika, how about you join my group?"
Saika's face lit up with a delighted smile at the invitation.
"Really? Is that okay?"
"Of course, I haven't decided who to group with either," Hachiman smiled.
"Great, then we'll be in the same group!" Saika replied, beaming with joy.
At that moment, the classroom door opened again, and Hayama and Ebina walked in one after the other. While Ebina was her usual self, greeting Yumiko and Yui with a cheerful "Hello, hello," Hachiman noticed a hint of bitterness in Hayama's smile.
Seeing Hayama's return, Tobe immediately spoke up, "Hayama, where did you go off to by yourself? Got something you're hiding from us?"
"Come on, give me a break. I just went to the bathroom," Hayama replied with a wry smile.
With Hayama back, Ōoka and Yamato joined in the discussion. Before long, laughter once again emanated from their small group.
The bell rang, signaling the start of class, and the students who had been chatting quickly returned to their seats.
During the class meeting, Shizuka-sensei announced the destination for the graduation trip: Kyoto.
...
In the Service Club room, the three members sat around the long table.
The whistling of the kettle signaled that the water was boiling. Yukino put down her book and walked over to the kettle. After preparing tea for the three of them, she returned to her seat.
"Thanks, Yukinon," Yui said with a smile. She blew on her cup a few times before eagerly taking a sip. "Mmm… It smells so good, it's sweet, and it tastes great."
Hachiman took a sip from his own cup and noticed a hint of sweetness in the tea, likely from honey or some other sweetener.
Is this to cater to my taste? he wondered, sneaking a glance at Yukino.
Yukino's face remained as calm and composed as ever. Seeing this, Hachiman couldn't help but shake his head with a slight smile. Indeed, she was a master of keeping up appearances.
At that moment, Yui, sitting in the middle, put down her tea cup and spoke with a hint of disappointment. "Why is our school trip to Kyoto? Wouldn't it be great if we were going to Okinawa?"
"It wouldn't be a good idea to go swimming in this weather," Hachiman commented dryly. The weather had turned cold, and swimming now wasn't a great option.
"Ah, you're right," Yui nodded but still sighed. "But I don't think Kyoto has much fun stuff to do."
Yukino, who had just put down her tea cup, interjected, "There are plenty of places to visit. Kyoto has a history spanning over a thousand years. You can experience a lot of our country's culture there."
"Really? I haven't looked into it at all. What about you, Yukinon?" Yui asked.
"Well, places like Ryoan-ji and Kiyomizu-dera are must-visit spots," Yukino replied, taking another sip of her tea. "And there's also Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, among other famous sites I'd like to visit."
Hearing this, Yui looked puzzled. "Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji... They sound familiar."
"Well, they are also known as the Golden Pavilion and the Silver Pavilion," Yukino clarified with a smile.
"Oh, those places! Why didn't you say so earlier, Yukinon? Now I get it," Yui exclaimed in realization.
Yukino seemed to have found her groove, enthusiastically listing various famous sites to visit, a stark contrast to her usual reserved demeanor. Yui was amazed. "You know so much, Yukinon."
Even Hachiman was surprised; he didn't expect Yukino to be so invested in the upcoming trip. "It's just common knowledge about Kyoto," she said calmly, taking another sip of her tea.
Hachiman took a sip from his cup as well, and when he finished and put it down, his eyes fell on the book next to Yukino's hand. It was a travel magazine about Kyoto's attractions.
This made Hachiman smirk. So, she had been cramming information from a guidebook.
On the other side, Yui also noticed the magazine and exchanged a knowing smile with Hachiman. The two of them couldn't help but chuckle quietly together.
"What's so funny?" Yukino asked, puzzled by their laughter.
"Oh, it's nothing," Yui quickly waved her hands, trying to preserve Yukino's dignity and indicating that they hadn't seen anything.
At that moment, a knock came from the door.
Yukino set aside her confusion and responded calmly, "Come in."
With the sound of the sliding door opening, Hayama and Tobe entered the room together.
.....
If you want to read 20 advance chapters ahead.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/Flaptzy