The bus rumbled up the winding mountain road, carrying a boisterous load of students eager for the class trip to the renowned hot springs resort. Cid, despite the festive atmosphere, felt a familiar flutter of nervousness. He'd been looking forward to this trip, mostly because it meant spending a couple of days with Kiyomi, but the thought of being in such close proximity to her for an extended period also made his palms sweat. It's not like I'm going to be glued to her side the whole time, he thought, but still…
Kiyomi, looking adorable in a casual sundress, was chatting animatedly with her friends. Cid tried to catch her eye, but she seemed engrossed in the conversation. He sighed inwardly. He'd been trying to be less awkward around her since their almost-confession in the park, but it wasn't going so well. Maybe I should just relax and enjoy the trip, he mused. Overthinking things never helps.
Before they reached the resort, the bus made a stop at a scenic overlook. The students piled out, eager to explore the mountain trails. Kai, ever the athlete, challenged a few of the other boys to a race up the nearest hill, his laughter echoing through the crisp mountain air. Cid, wanting to avoid the larger groups, wandered off on a less-traveled path. He found a quiet spot overlooking a cascading waterfall, the mist creating a rainbow in the afternoon sun. He took a deep breath, the crisp mountain air filling his lungs. It's beautiful, peaceful, he thought. Just what I needed.
He was so absorbed in the scenery that he didn't hear someone approach until a voice spoke. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
He turned to see Kiyomi standing nearby, her face flushed from the light hike. She looks…radiant, he thought, his heart skipping a beat.
"Yeah," he agreed, his voice a little husky. "It's amazing."
They stood there for a few minutes, just enjoying the view. Cid wanted to say something, to break the comfortable silence, but he couldn't find the words. He was too busy admiring Kiyomi, the way the sunlight played on her hair, the
way her eyes sparkled when she looked at the scenery. She's like a painting, a masterpiece of nature's artistry, he thought poetically.
Finally, the bus driver called everyone back, and they reluctantly returned to the bus.
The bus finally arrived at the resort, a collection of traditional Japanese buildings nestled amidst the lush greenery of the mountainside. The air was crisp and clean, a welcome change from the city smog. After checking into their shared cabin (a development that made Cid's heart do a little flip), the class was given free time to explore the resort. A shared cabin? he thought. This trip is full of surprises.
The main attraction, of course, was the series of outdoor hot springs, terraced down the mountainside. Cid headed to the men's changing area with his friends, while Kiyomi went with the girls. He couldn't shake the image of her in her yukata from his mind. I wonder what she'll look like… he mused.
Both Cid and Kiyomi enjoyed the hot springs with their respective groups of friends. They chatted and laughed, the warm water relaxing their muscles. Kai, ever the social butterfly, was in his element, regaling everyone with stories and jokes, his infectious laughter echoing across the steaming water. He even managed to convince their teacher to join in a playful splashing contest, much to the amusement of everyone present. After a while, both Cid and Kiyomi coincidentally felt they'd had enough. They told their friends they were going to cool down and exited the springs separately.
They bumped into each other near the vending machine. "Oh, hey," Cid said, surprised, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks as a couple of Kiyomi's hair clips tumbled to the ground.
"Hi," Kiyomi replied, bending to retrieve the clips. "Clumsy me," she giggled, her cheeks mirroring his blush.
"Let me get those," Cid offered, stooping down to help. Their fingers brushed as they both reached for the same clip, a spark of electricity passing betweenthem. Cid felt his heart skip a beat. This is getting ridiculous, he thought. I can't even pick up a hair clip without getting flustered.
He quickly gathered the remaining clips and handed them to Kiyomi. "Here you go," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Thanks," she replied, her voice a little breathless.
An idea struck Cid. "Hey," he said, "let me get you a drink. What do you want?" He gestured towards the vending machine.
"Oh, you don't have to do that," Kiyomi protested, but her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"I insist," Cid said, a playful grin spreading across his face. "It's the least I can do after almost tackling you for those hair clips."
Kiyomi laughed, a melodious sound that made his heart sing. "Okay, fine," she conceded. "I'll have a milk, please."
"Milk it is," Cid said, punching the button on the vending machine. He got himself an iced coffee, and they stood there for a moment, sipping their drinks in comfortable silence.
Kiyomi broke the silence. "So," she said, "did you enjoy the hot springs?"
"Yeah," Cid replied. "It was really relaxing."
They chatted for a few minutes about the springs, the scenery, and the upcoming bonfire. Just then, their friends emerged from the hot springs, spotting them together.
"Oh, there you are!" one of Kiyomi's friends exclaimed, a teasing glint in her eyes. "We were wondering where you'd disappeared to."
Cid and Kiyomi both blushed, feeling a little embarrassed at being caught alone.
The group decided to head back to the cabin to change before dinner. As they walked, Cid couldn't help but steal glances at Kiyomi. She looks so peaceful, so relaxed, he thought. I pretended not to notice, but my heart was doing a little dance. I knew I had to talk to him, to tell him how I felt. But the fear of rejection was still holding me back.
Back at the cabin, Kiyomi and Aiko were having their girl talk, while the boys were busy with their own pre-dinner rituals.
"So," Aiko said, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "what was that all about with you and Cid at the vending machine?"
My cheeks flushed. "Nothing," I mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant. "We just bumped into each other."
"Uh-huh," Aiko said, raising an eyebrow. "Just bumped into each other… and then he bought you a milk?"
"He insisted!" I protested, feeling my blush deepen.
"Sure, he did," Aiko said, still teasing me. "But you two seemed… cozy."
I sighed. Aiko knew me too well. I couldn't deny that I enjoyed spending time with Cid. He was funny, kind, and surprisingly sweet. And lately, I'd been finding myself drawn to him more and more.
"Okay, fine," I admitted. "We talked a little."
"About what?" Aiko pressed.
"Just… stuff," I said vaguely. "The scenery, the hot springs… nothing important."
"Important enough to make you blush like a tomato," Aiko teased.
I playfully shoved her. "Shut up," I said, laughing. "You're imagining things."
But even as I said the words, I knew they weren't true. I had been thinking about Cid a lot lately. And the conversation at the vending machine… it had felt different somehow. More intimate.
Aiko, sensing my hesitation, softened her tone. "Kiyomi," she said gently, "you know you can tell me anything, right? If there's something going on between you and Cid…"
I hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I… I think I like him," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper.
Aiko's eyes widened. "Really?" she squealed, then immediately lowered her voice. "Wow. That's… that's great!"
"I don't know," I said, my voice filled with uncertainty. "I'm not sure how he feels about me. And I'm scared of ruining our friendship."
Aiko smiled reassuringly. "Just be yourself," she said. "Cid is a sweet guy. I'm sure he likes you too."
I hoped she was right.
Soon, the enticing aroma of grilled seafood wafted through the air, drawing everyone towards the dining hall. A feast awaited them, a symphony of ocean flavors laid out on long tables. Platters of glistening grilled fish, their scales shimmering like captured moonlight, sat alongside bowls of steaming clams, their briny scent mingling with the smoky aroma of char-grilled squid. There were mountains of succulent shrimp, their shells glowing a vibrant red, and platters of crab, their claws promising a sweet, delectable meat. A banquet fit for Poseidon himself, Cid thought, his stomach rumbling in anticipation.
Kai, ever the showman, grabbed a particularly large grilled fish, holding it up for dramatic effect. "Behold!" he proclaimed, his voice booming across the hall. "The spoils of the sea, a gift from the ocean gods! Let us feast!" He then proceeded to demonstrate the proper way to debone a fish with impressive speed and dexterity, earning cheers and applause from his classmates. Aiko, not to be outdone, grabbed a handful of shrimp and, with a mischievous grin, challenged everyone to a shrimp-eating contest. The ensuing scene was a flurry of hands, flying shrimp tails, and bursts of laughter, as everyone tried to out-eat each other. Even their teacher joined in the fun, albeit with more refined table manners than the students.
Cid, watching the lively scene unfold, chuckled to himself. He grabbed a plate and piled it high with a variety of seafood, the aroma making his mouth water. He sat down across from Kiyomi, who was carefully selecting a piece of grilled fish. "This looks amazing," he said, his eyes sparkling.
"It does," Kiyomi agreed, her smile mirroring his excitement. "I'm starving."
They began to eat, the silence between them comfortable and companionable. Cid savored the delicate flavors of the grilled fish, the smoky char complementing the sweet, flaky meat. Kiyomi, meanwhile, expertly navigated the intricacies of cracking open a crab claw, her movements surprisingly graceful. "This crab is delicious," she said, her cheeks flushed slightly from the effort.
"I'm more of a shrimp guy myself," Cid replied, holding up a glistening red shrimp. "But I have to admit, everything here is incredible."
As they ate, they chatted about the day's events, the fun they'd had in the hot springs, the beautiful scenery they'd seen. They laughed at Kai's antics and Aiko's competitive spirit, sharing in the camaraderie of their class trip. The atmosphere was relaxed and carefree, the stress of midterms a distant memory.
Later that evening, with the moon hanging like a silver coin in the velvety sky, the class decided to have a bonfire on the beach near the resort. As the flames crackled and danced, casting flickering shadows on the faces of the students, Cid found himself wandering away from the group, seeking a moment of solitude.
He walked along the beach, the cool sand squishing between his toes. He was lost in thought, contemplating his feelings for Kiyomi, when he heard a soft voice.
"Cid?"
He turned to see Kiyomi standing a few feet away, the moonlight illuminating her face. She looks ethereal, like a dream, he thought, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Hey," he said, his voice a little husky.
"I couldn't sleep," she said, her voice soft. "I wanted to get some fresh air."
"Me too," Cid replied.
They stood there in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. The air was thick with unspoken words, with a palpable tension that made Cid's heart race. This is it, he thought. My chance.
He took a step closer to her, his hand reaching out to touch hers. She didn't pull away. Her hand is so warm, so soft, he thought.
"Kiyomi," he began, his voice a low murmur. I…
Just then, a loud shout echoed through the night. "Hey, everyone! Let's play truth or dare!"
The spell was broken. Kiyomi quickly pulled her hand away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "We should probably head back," she said, her voice a little shaky.
Cid nodded, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over him. So close, he thought. He knew this was just the beginning, but he couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. He had been so close…
They walked back to the bonfire, the laughter and chatter of their classmates filling the air. As Cid watched Kiyomi laugh and joke with her friends, he couldn't help but smile. She's so beautiful when she laughs, he thought. He knew he would have his chance. He just had to be patient. Patience is a virtue, he reminded himself. And besides, there's still tomorrow. He glanced at the bonfire, the flames dancing like tiny stars against the dark canvas of the night sky. Tomorrow, he thought. Tomorrow is another day.