CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN;
day one: i'd rather go for a walk

At some point during the ride, your eyes finally felt heavy, and you drifted off to sleep, making the trip more bearable as a person who couldn't deal with long hours of traveling.

"Hey, wake up." Kaneshiro's voice woke you up, you blinked your eyes open, a small smile plastered on his face, "We're almost there,"

You sat up groggily, rubbing your eyes. You pull the curtain to the side, and the view of the beach leaves you in awe.

After long hours of traveling, Iekami's buses finally pulled into the parking lot of their designated hotel near Shirahama Beach. The engine rumbling faded as the doors hissed open, releasing a wave of students eager to stretch their legs.

Outside, your homeroom teacher clapped his hands together to grab everyone's attention, "Class 5, gather round!" he called, waiting until the chatter settled before continuing. "Each room can accommodate four people, and I've already grouped you. Please come forward when I call your name."

The students exchanged glances, some whispering hopeful wishes to be paired with their close friends. Others waited with crossed fingers, dreading an awkward arrangement. 

The teacher began listing off names, "Takahashi, Sakamoto, Renji, Obito."

Renji groaned dramatically, "Obito snores like a freight train, I swear."

Obito scoffed, "I do not."

"You absolutely do." Sakamoto seconds Renji's accusation.

One by one, groups were formed until finally, your name was called, "Y/n, Yukari, Miwako, and Kagura." you turned to look at them, catching Yukari's soft smile and Miwako's suppressed squeal.

"Oh my gosh! We're roommates, Y/n!" Miwako pulled her luggage while walking towards you.

"Let's make this trip fun!" Kagura cheered. You weren't close with Yukari, but she was pretty nice, she used to be in the cooking club.

"Make sure to grab your keys and head to your assigned rooms," the teacher instructed, holding up a basket brimming with keys, each labeled with a room number.

You stepped forward, waiting for the teacher to give you yours. With a brief glance at your group, showing the number. The four of you made your way towards your room.

Coincidentally, Rin's room was right across from yours. As you approached, you saw him unlocking his door, his bag resting casually on one shoulder.

"Guess we're neighbors," you said with a grin.

Rin gave you a soft hum before stepping inside and closing the door behind him. Yukari had already unlocked your room, so you followed behind her.

Miwako was already sprawled out across the bed, her arms and legs thrown out carelessly as she stared at the ceiling. The other two were busy unpacking their things.

Though you had no problems rooming with them, it bummed you out how each class was separated. You missed your friends.

"Wake me up when we get called for lunch, I wasn't able to rest at the bus at all!" Miwako complained as she took a pillow and hugged it.

"I have face masks, by the way! Let's all have a pamper sesh later this evening," Kagura informs, pulling up several packs with varying colors.

The dining hall was alive with chatter and the clattering of trays as students flowed in for lunch. You stood by the entrance, scanning the crowd for your friends, Kaori wasn't able to come because she came down with a cold.

"Amari!" you called out, relief washing over you as soon as you spotted her in the crowd. Amari turned, her face lighting up the moment she caught sight of you.

She broke into a sprint, when she reached you, her energy shifted from excited to tense, and her expression darkened.

"Y/n, I shouldn't have gone to this trip," she said through gritted teeth.

You blinked in confusion, "Huh? Why?" 

"Guess who I'm sharing rooms with?" she squealed in horror.

"Who?"

"Ryomei!" she whisper-yelled, "Rooms are supposed to be separated by gender, right? But Ryomei was the only guy left with no one else to room with, so he's staying with me and two other girls!" she cried out loud.

"Can't you talk to a teacher about it?"

"I've been trying to," she sighed.

"What about Ryomei? Have you talked to him?"

"No, and I don't know how to, Y/n. How am I supposed to just act normal around him? It's so, so awkward!"

You narrowed your eyes at her, then glanced over at Ryomei, as soon as he noticed your gaze, he quickly looked away, his face flushing just slightly as he pretended to be engrossed in the conversation.

"You know," you dragged the words slowly, "I bet he probably wants to talk to you. You're making this more uncomfortable than it has to be. If you don't want anything with him, just reject him." you shrugged.

You could see she was torn, part of her wanted to get past the awkwardness, but the other part of her couldn't shake the nerves. "Amari," you said softly, "You can't avoid this forever,"

"I still want to be friends with him," she exhaled through her nose.

"Then talk to him about how you feel, if you make it weird, it's gonna stay weird.

"...Alright,"

"Now let's get some food before the line gets even longer," you chuckled, pushing her towards the long queue.

After enjoying lunch together, you felt a wave of exhaustion, the kind that only follows after a satisfying meal. You weren't the only one, as Yukari and Kagura seemed to share the same sentiment.

The three of you decided to take a quick nap, curling up in the cool and cozy room with soft blankets, the warm afternoon sun filtering through the windows.

However, an hour after, your peaceful nap was interrupted by Miwako. "Hey, are you guys up?" Miwako asked, her voice ever as cheerful.

"Well, we are now," Kagura groaned slightly.

"Let's go have a swim! The pool's so big, and there are so many slides!" 

You hummed softly, feeling the cozy blanket cling to you like a second skin.

The idea of pulling yourself out of this comfort to go swimming didn't sound particularly appealing. 

"Do we have to? I feel really comfortable," you muttered.

Yukari, who shared the same bed as you, shared the same sentiment, "Yeah, I'd rather just keep sleeping. The bed's too nice."

"Come on, girls, we didn't travel all the way here just to sleep the day away!" Miwako persisted.

Reluctantly, but with a hint of excitement, you pushed yourself up from the bed.

"Alright, alright," you said, letting out a playful sigh. The four of you changed into swimwear, you wore a pink one-piece swimsuit and put on some white lazy shorts to cover up a bit.

The pool was filled with students having fun, a few boys were running from the side towards the pool to do a cannon ball. While a few people were laying down on the wooden beds, bathing in the sunlight.

"Let's go!" Miwako cheered, running towards the water.

You laughed as she dove, Kagura and Yukari were making their way towards one of the big slides. While you sat at the edge, dipping your legs. 

The pool seemed deep, and you didn't like the idea of your feet not being able to reach the floor. "Y/n, come!" Miwako called out for you, and you shook your head. 

"I'm fine with this!"

"Have some fun, Y/n!" Tetsuya's voice came from behind you, and you yelled loudly as you felt a force push you into the pool. You tried your best to keep yourself afloat, kicking your feet frantically under water.

"Tetsuya, you asshole!" you coughed, making your way towards the edge of the pool to lift yourself up.

You tried to run after Tetsuya, your wet feet slipping slightly on the slick pavement as you dashed around the pool. You reyes scanned every corner, despite your efforts, Tetsuya was nowhere to be seen.

You grumbled under your breath, then slowed to a stop, giving up. Tetsuya was probably off somewhere, laughing to himself with what he did.

As you walked around the area, Rin had caught your attention from the far end of the pool, sitting at a beverage stand. In his hand, he held a glass of something that looked like lemon juice.

He was sipping on the straw, unbothered by the excitement and noise surrounding him. This trip was more like something he had to endure, rather than enjoy.

You made your way towards him, he raised a brow at the state you were in, "You're not going for a swim?" you asked, taking the seat next to him.

"No," he says, looking away while sipping on his drink.

"Really? You're just going to sit here and drink lemon juice?"

"Really? Not everyone wants to be thrown into a pool," he says in a mocking tone, you scoffed at him and slightly smacked his bicep. 

"What else do you want to do then, huh?" you rolled your eyes.

He takes another while staring at the pool with disinterest, "I'd rather go for a walk," 

"Then let's go."