….
[-Continuation-]
.
[-Hachiman's POV-]
Yukino crossed her arms, her expression a mix of doubt and concern. "What makes you think she would want to go with us?"
I shrugged, brushing off her skepticism. "I don't know, maybe she is tired of her usual routine? A little fun wouldn't hurt her."
Hayama stood off to the side, maintaining that perfectly crafted mask of indifference he wore so well.
The silence might have stretched uncomfortably if Isshiki hadn't jumped in and changed the topic.
"Since we are all here now, shall we get going?"
With that, we all began walking toward the entrance.
We stood in the line waiting at the entrance, exchanged our tickets for passes, and went inside from the entrance gate.
Once inside, I was immediately reminded of the 'research mission' we were supposed to be doing.
Ms. Hiratsuka had spun up some flimsy excuse about how this outing could serve as a 'field study' for planning the upcoming event.
Couldn't she come up with some other excuse?
I had my doubts about how much useful information we would actually gather, but since I had technically skipped nearly every meeting, taking on this 'data collection' role seemed like fair making up on my part.
Unlike my thoughts, my lips curved into a genuine smile.
...ahaa! I am so glad that I get to do this job.
The thought was barely concealed as I took out my digital camera from my blouse and noisily snapped pictures.
The shutter clicked rapidly as I captured frame after frame.
At the same time, the girl group was squealing as they started lining up behind the queue in front of the statue to take pictures.
Yukino, who was next to Yuigahama, looked distressed as she was stuck in the middle of them.
It looked like she wasn't very used to that kind of mood.
Of course, since Hayama was in the guy group, we had no choice but to line up as well - for the impromptu photoshoot.
…
The atmosphere shifted when Yuigahama's face quickly sparkled.
"Ah, that's for sure! What should we ride first?"
"Well, maybe that…"
Someone started to suggest something, but Yukino was too busy giving me the side-eye.
"You are not planning to stir up trouble, are you?"
Hum, she was probably referring to my earlier suggestion about inviting Haruno.
…that is still on her mind?
I met her eyes and replied with a hint of mischief. "'Trouble' isn't always a bad thing, you know. Sometimes it helps stir things up a bit."
I added, feigning innocence. "Anway, no, I am not thinking of anything of that sort, but it seems like that's what you want."
Yukino gave me a dry look, one brow slightly raised. "True. And if we ever needed someone to create chaos, there is no one more qualified than you."
"You have got a good eye." I replied with a smirk.
Then, eyeing her carefully, I continued. "Though, from where I am standing, it almost seems like you are the one planning something with this little group."
"Me? In cahoots with them?" She scoffed, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes.
"That's an unpleasant thought… but I will let that one slide. Just this once." She shot back, her tone firm but tinged with a reluctant amusement.
You know what?
I actually believed her.
Which got me thinking - if Yukino's not in on whatever's going on, then it's gotta be Yuigahama and Isshiki's doing.
But that didn't add up either.
No way Yuigahama would team up with Isshiki and leave Miura hanging.
That would be like... well, that would just never happen.
We had stopped by a fountain, and predictably, everyone was engrossed in snapping photos.
After a while, the relentless clicking got tiresome, so I handed the camera over to Yuigahama, who accepted it eagerly.
….
Now, the whole group was scattered around, lost in their own little worlds of capturing memories.
Yuigahama had managed to pull Yukino off to the side, and Hayama's group was similarly occupied with various poses and pictures.
Finally, it looked like the 'Prince' had managed to slip away from his two shackles for a moment of peace.
He stood just a few feet away, a calm contrast to the chaotic scene behind us.
"Must be tough being a 'handsome guy,' huh?" I remarked, casting him a sidelong glance.
Hayama chuckled, brushing back a stray strand of hair. "You are one to talk. You know you are good-looking, don't you?"
"Of course." I replied with a slight smirk. "I have my dear mother to thank for that particular blessing."
He tilted his head, amused. "Not your father?"
"Nah, my old man's not quite so easy on the eyes." The words roll off my tongue, completely deadpan.
Hayama lets out a light chuckle, though I am being entirely serious about my dad's appearance. But I decided to let that particular tidbit slide - for now.
A brief silence settled between us, stretching out under the chatter and clicking of cameras in the background.
"What happens now?" He murmurs, almost to himself.
His gaze had drifted off, fixed on someone in the distance. I followed his line of sight and saw him watching a certain junior girl with a rather intense look.
"It feels like she is planning to do something…" He added.
Interesting. So he wasn't entirely clueless after all.
For a second, I had almost filed him away under the 'oblivious harem protagonist' category, but it looked like he was more aware than he let on.
"Well…. I am worried about that, too." I nod, keeping my tone neutral.
"Worried my ass. You look like you are having the time of your life." He scoffed, giving me a sidelong glance.
I raised an eyebrow. He is amazingly quick to catch on. Also is this the first time I am noticing or he got quite the foul mouth today.
"Why do you think that?" I asked, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.
He studied my face, a wry smile playing on his lips. "I am just judging by that amused, joyful expression of yours. Makes me feel like I have been duped."
Hayama sighed, shaking his head with a hint of a smile that suggested he knew better than to press further.
After that, he was again dragged by his little group, and soon it was my turn.
On a side note, Yuigahama somehow managed to fool Yukino into taking a small group photo of us three.
Then the next location was :
Space Universe Mountain - SpaMt.
That was the space mountain.
And we were currently lined up for one of the three biggest coaster attractions.
Yukinoshita crossed her arms and bent her head to the side. "This wouldn't be much of a reference to our work, wouldn't it…?"
It was very typical of the hardworking Yukinoshita to remember the reason - why we were here.
But next to her was Yuigahama, who didn't look like she was thinking too hard and pointed to the side of the dome.
"Ah, but, look, that area over there is decorated with a wreath… So let's line up!" She came up with something on the spot.
Yukino's brow furrows. "That looks like something you can see everywhere else, isn't it?"
"Hey now…" I interjected. "No one's going to scold you if you try to enjoy yourself a little. Stop being so serious."
I grabbed her arm, gently guiding her toward the line. "Now, stop dawdling and follow me."
…
As we began lining up, I noticed the arrangement was a bit...interesting.
At the front of the line were Hayama and the others, while at the farthest back were me, Yukino, and Yuigahama.
The seating arrangement of SpaMt was two per seat, so the line naturally became double file.
"Yukinon, let's ride together, okay?"
"Y-Yes… Will this really be of any use at all?"
It looked like both Yukino and Yuigahama were ready to ride together.
Further up, the line had an odd triple-file section, just like us… and there seems to be some trouble happening.
Hayama stood in the middle, with Miura and Isshiki flanking him on either side
Both girls would assertively talk to Hayama while shooting each other restraining looks.
Since I was in the back, I couldn't see Hayama's expression… and so did he..
Don't laugh… don't laugh, it is bad.
I resisted the urge to laugh.
He gave me a look with a troubled smile.
My friend, I would love to help as well, but my hands are full - I conveyed it with a simple smile of mine.
But he didn't back down.
Then what about the empty hands I see now? He gave that kind of a look. Don't pretend to be busy on purpose so you don't have to help.
He almost screamed.
But the next second, the guy behind him groaned.
"What am I gonna do, what am I gonna do!?" Tobe was grumbling to himself, looking rather distressed.
But he eventually looked determined and plunged himself towards Hayama.
"Haayaato! Let's get on together!"
"Tobe, you know…" Hayama began, but was quickly cut off.
"Senior Tobe, you are in the way♪."
Miura's eyebrows closed in together with an angry look, and Isshiki had a grinning smile while saying something cruel.
Still, today's Tobe wasn't backing off.
He slapped his hands together and paid his respects to the two.
"Eh, ya knoow, c'mon, like that's a bit out there for me? Seriously, SpaMt is super scary, really. Er, seriously, I'm beggin' ya here!"
"That's fine with me, Tobe. Let's ride it together."
"Hayato…."
Look at those eyes, they are completely looking at him as an eyesore. They were clearly not pleased to see Tobe weasel his way in.
Tobe…
How could he be so tactless?
.
….
[To be continued…]
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