The following weekend, Ryo's group decided to take a break from the usual school routine and explore more of the city. They had ventured into the shopping district before, but today, they planned to visit a few iconic spots that they hadn't seen yet. Hana, as always, took the lead in planning their adventure, bubbling with excitement as she talked about all the places she wanted to check out.
"First stop, the park!" Hana announced, her voice full of enthusiasm. "It's got this huge fountain, and I've heard it's a great place to hang out."
Ryo wasn't particularly excited about the idea of a park, but he had learned to go along with Hana's plans. If nothing else, it was a chance to relax and hang out with his friends.
As the group made their way through the bustling streets, Saki walked beside Ryo, teasing him about his constant attempts to keep a low profile. "You know, Ryo, if you keep hiding like this, people are going to think you're some kind of mystery man."
Ryo sighed, shaking his head. "I'm not hiding. I'm just… keeping things simple."
Saki smirked. "Sure, keep telling yourself that. But with how often you're getting pulled into council stuff, I don't think staying 'simple' is an option anymore."
Before Ryo could respond, Mei, who had been walking quietly behind them, stepped up. "Let's just enjoy today. We don't have to worry about school or the council right now."
Mei's calm voice had a way of cutting through the chaos, and Ryo appreciated her for that. He gave her a small nod, feeling a bit more at ease.
As they approached the park, Alice, who had been quietly walking alongside them, finally spoke up. "This place is beautiful. It reminds me a bit of some parks back in the UK."
Ryo glanced at her, noticing the hint of nostalgia in her voice. "Do you miss home?"
Alice smiled softly. "Sometimes, but I like it here. Everyone's been really welcoming."
Hana bounded ahead, her energy seemingly endless as she called out to the group. "Come on, guys! We've got to check out the fountain before it gets too crowded!"
The park was indeed beautiful, with lush green trees surrounding a large stone fountain in the center. The water sparkled under the afternoon sun, and there were plenty of people around—families, couples, and groups of friends—enjoying the day.
The group found a spot near the fountain and sat down, taking in the peaceful atmosphere. It was a nice change of pace from the busy city streets and the constant buzz of school life.
Hana, always full of energy, started chatting about their next destination. "After this, we should check out that new arcade that just opened! I heard they have some really cool games."
Saki grinned. "I'll bet Ryo's going to win all the prizes. He's got that luck about him."
Ryo groaned. "I'm not that lucky."
Mei, who had been quietly observing the fountain, turned to Ryo with a soft smile. "You might be luckier than you think."
As they continued to chat and relax by the fountain, Ryo found himself feeling more at ease than he had in a while. The city was vibrant and full of life, but in this quiet moment with his friends, everything felt calm and peaceful.
---
After spending some time at the park, the group made their way to the arcade that Hana had mentioned. The building was bright and flashy, with neon lights and loud music pouring out from inside. Ryo wasn't particularly fond of loud, crowded places, but he couldn't deny the excitement that seemed to radiate from his friends.
Once inside, Hana immediately dragged everyone over to the claw machines. "Okay, Ryo, this is your time to shine! You've got to win us something!"
Ryo chuckled nervously. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for this…"
"Come on, you've got this!" Saki encouraged, giving him a playful nudge. "Besides, it's for the team!"
Ryo sighed but stepped up to the machine. It was one of those claw machines filled with stuffed animals—cute plush bears and bunnies with oversized eyes that seemed to stare back at him. He inserted the coins, took hold of the joystick, and aimed carefully.
The claw descended slowly, gripping a small plush bunny before lifting it halfway—then it dropped it just as quickly.
"Ah, so close!" Hana exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. "You were almost there!"
Ryo groaned in defeat. "This thing's rigged…"
Saki laughed, stepping up beside him. "Let me show you how it's done."
She took her turn, only to meet the same fate—another plush dropped before it could be delivered to the prize chute. Mei and Alice tried as well, with similar results, each time laughing at their failed attempts.
"I think we're all cursed," Alice said with a small laugh.
"Maybe we should stick to something simpler," Mei suggested, eyeing the rows of arcade games nearby.
The group moved on to the other games, trying their hand at everything from racing games to shooting challenges. Hana, ever the competitive one, managed to get the highest score on the dance machine, while Ryo found himself surprisingly good at the basketball hoops.
As the evening wore on, they decided to grab something to eat at a nearby café. They sat together, chatting and laughing over burgers and fries, their earlier failures at the claw machines long forgotten.
"This is fun," Ryo admitted as he took a sip of his drink. "I needed this."
Hana grinned. "I told you! Sometimes you've just got to let loose and enjoy life."
As they finished their meal and prepared to head home, Ryo found himself feeling lighter than he had in weeks. His life might have gotten more complicated since meeting this group of friends, but he couldn't deny that it had also become a lot more fun.
---
Later that night, as Ryo lay in bed, he thought back over the day's events. It had been a good day—better than he had expected, really. But as much as he enjoyed these moments of peace and laughter, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were going to get more complicated soon.
The student council, his growing circle of friends, the increasing attention… It was all starting to pile up. And yet, part of him couldn't help but wonder if that was such a bad thing after all.
Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to enjoy this new life.