~ Ayano's Pov ~
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Today... feels good.
Like, really good.
I knew exactly why too—because my annoying, semi-chaotic high school life was finally over. Done. Gone. Packed in a box, sealed with duct tape, and thrown into the emotional attic of my brain. No more cramped hallways and forced PE laps.
I was, free. And yeah, sure, college or university wasn't going to be a cakewalk either, but at least now I'd be surrounded by adults.
Well... hopefully.
I rolled out of bed, still smiling, and stretched out until my joints popped. My body felt light—effortless, even. Maybe it was the good mood. Or maybe it was the fact I could casually toss around 60 tons last night like they were sacks of flour...
Either way, I was feeling myself today.
I went through the usual motions—took a long, hot bath, brushed my teeth with admittedly, way more enthusiasm than necessary, and got dressed.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I tilted my head. Since the hoodie wasn't on. My hair was still a bit messy from the towel, but not bad.
My features were... surprisingly really good-looking. More mature than I remembered from even a few weeks ago. To be honest with myself, I wasn't even completely sold on them either...
'Alright, let's not become a little narcissist.'
Still, it's a little weird what a little exercise—and terrifying bit of superhuman abilities can do for a guy.
I grabbed my phone, slid it in my pocket, and headed out.
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"Morning guys." I said, sitting beside Renji.
"Morning, Ayano-san." I heard Sekai say.
"Good morning Ayano-san." Then Katsura.
Renji on the other hand just gave me a quick nod. "Hey, what do you plan on wearing for trip?"
I thought about the question for a moment. "You'll see, when you see it... You?" I wasn't planning to reveal my cards just yet. Not that they were particularly special or anything.
He shrugged at me. "I don't know man... I guess the typical shorts and no top combo...? Pretty sure most guys will do the same as me too."
I, couldn't really disagree with him there.
"Alright everyone, you know the drill. Take your seats and ready yourselves for the test."
It's time for the last two exams...
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DING~ DONG~
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Hearing that last bell ring did me wonders... That was the sound of the last test coming to an end.
'Finally!' I stretched. Looking around the class, I found other students doing the same too. 'Heh~ I guess I wasn't the only one that was tired of it all.'
We sent up all our papers to the front in an orderly fashion, like the usual... Actually, no... Why do I feel like someone's watching for some reason?
Following my instincts, I turned in the direction my gut told me to, and strangely enough, it was, Katsura-san. The moment we locked eyes, she waved at me and quickly gave me a thumbs up...
'I guess she's happy.' I gave her a thumbs up as well, but I still couldn't shake that weird feeling I had at the back of my mind. But, maybe it's all in my head. Nerves I guess.
Our teacher clapped his hands to get our attention, "Alright everyone, you all know what comes next. There will be buses outside for everyone to ride on to the departure site. Please don't forget anything in the classroom—once you step out, you're not coming back."
There was a collective stir in the room. Some students were already standing, chatting excitedly or taking quick selfies. Others were half-asleep, barely dragging their bags over their shoulders.
Me? I just grabbed my things, slung my bag over one shoulder, and glanced over at Renji. He was grinning like a kid ready for summer break.
"Time to make some memories, huh?" he said.
"Yeah," I nodded, following him toward the door, "Let's just hope we don't make the kind that end up on the news…"
He laughed, and Sekai and Katsura caught up behind us as we walked out of the classroom together. Sekai bumped her shoulder lightly against mine.
"You looked way too happy after that test..." she said, smirking. "How hard did you actually study?"
"Quite hard... What the? Hey, don't doubt my hustle," I replied, grinning. "Just because I didn't have a nervous breakdown like a certain someone doesn't mean I didn't prep."
Katsura chuckled softly, holding her bag close to her chest. "I'm just glad it's all over…"
I nodded without hesitation at that. I don't think they know how glad I was for this in particular. "Anyway guys, let's get on one of those busses before they all the good spots get filled."
They all nodded, and we picked up the pace a bit, going through the growing crowd of students in the hallway. Now that I took a good look around... The place was pretty much filled with the kind of excitement that only comes around when something's ending. Fortunately, it's not a bad one...
The buses were lined up in a clean row, gleaming like polished black beetles in the afternoon sun. Every single one of them looked new—sleek interiors, tinted windows, and those soft reclining seats that made you forget you're stuck with thirty other people in a metal tube for hours.
"Dang," Renji whistled low. "They really went all out with these."
Sekai peeked into one of the buses, then turned back to us, mildly impressed. "AC's working. Seats look plush. Heck, no weird smells either. This is officially the best school trip transport I've ever been on."
Katsura nodded in quiet agreement, her eyes wandering around at the other students already boarding with eager steps. "It almost doesn't feel like a school trip… more like a mini vacation."
Honestly, yeah. The energy in the air was lighter—less school, more freedom in a sense.
We all climbed onto one of the middle buses, choosing a spot closer to the window but not too far in the back where all the loud kids were settling in. Renji snagged the seat behind me, naturally. Sekai and Katsura flanked either side of me, with Sekai by the window, and Katsura quietly sliding into the seat across the aisle.
I slumped back into the chair and let out a small sigh. "Alright… now this, I could get used to."
Sekai chided over me. "Don't fall asleep on us already, Grandpa. The trip hasn't even started yet."
I rolled my eyes. "Relax," I rested, leaning my head back slightly. "I'm just charging up." Mentally speaking of course. I haven't felt physically exhausted in a decent bit.
She laughed, and Katsura, sitting across the aisle, leaned a little closer to me, her voice gentle. "How do you all think this trip is going to be...? No body has been over the border that separates the sea people from, well... us."
Hmmm... I couldn't even give my two cents on this at all.
I still can't rap my head around this sea people stuff. Even if I was practically superhuman. Those kinds of stories sounded more like they had fit the fantasy-esq category. I tried researching about them, but it's just basic info that pops up. It's clear we weren't supposed to know what goes on over where they were...
I glanced out the window as the bus rumbled down the highway, watching the trees blur by. Katsura's words sat in the back of my mind like a weight that didn't quite settle.
"I don't know," I finally said, scratching the side of my head. "I mean... if nobody's been over the border, and no one really talks about it... then what does that say?"
"Exactly," Sekai chimed in, her voice low but curious. "The whole thing feels kinda... hidden, right? Like, we know there's a barrier. We know they exist. But everything else? Just vague rumors and filtered news."
I nodded slowly. "I tried digging for more info online a while back. Got nothing. Basic government statements, a few outdated blog posts, a couple of sketchy forum threads. That's it."
Renji leaned forward from the seat behind me, arms hanging over the headrest. "Have you ever wonder why they agreed to this trip in the first place? It's not like the sea folk just started making nice all of a sudden."
"That's, true…" Katsura whispered back.
Renji continued, "There's gotta be something going on over there. Something they want us to see… or maybe something they want to keep an eye on...? I don't know."
I felt my jaw clench just slightly at that last bit. Was he wrong? Probably not. Especially not if this was tied to some bigger political or cultural crap that's been going on in this world... And, from what I remember of those rumors about why Chisaki had even came around was still just that, a rumor.
Still, I forced a half-smile... "Well, at least the food will probably be good, right?" I wanted to lighten the tone a little.
Sekai laughed. "Wow, deflection much?"
"C'mon, I'm just trying to focus on the positives," I said, holding up a hand. "If a war breaks out, I'd prefer do it on a full stomach, thank you."
Sekai mockingly placed a hand on her chin, "I guess, that does sound a bit better..."
Before I could say anything, the buss started...
"I guess, that's our time to leave."
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END