#257

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A fun school trip is something that can be described as ‘fun for everyone’ when everyone shares similar values, isn’t it?

If that’s the case, the actions I’m taking are far from the principle of having fun.

I had been interfering with their conversations, deliberately preventing Nakayama from getting closer to Yuuto.

After leaving the Peace Memorial Park, the whole group changed course towards a commercial facility that also served as a lunch and souvenir exhibition area. On the second floor of the building, we treated ourselves to taco rice.

By the way, there’s no octopus in taco rice.

While resolving this simple question, I ate the slightly spicy meal as much as I could, using small bites.

In the integrated merchandise store, students who had finished eating were descending one by one to pick souvenirs for their families.

If I were to go quickly, I would end up in a crowded place.

That was something I wasn’t fond of.

It was stuffy, and since I was in the same group as Yuuto, I was afraid of the girls’ gazes.

Additionally, the gazes from the boys were cold, perhaps because Shizuku and Kirasaka were also in the same group.

In any case, as long as the group members who attract people’s attention are together, it’s impossible to avoid the surrounding gazes.

So, I wanted to avoid at least the times when it was densely crowded.

Probably, the other three had similar thoughts.

However, there were different students as well.

“Ogiwara-kun, why don’t we go down and take a look?”

“It’s quite crowded right now, maybe it’s better to go a little later, isn’t it?”

If you had to name someone, it was obvious who it was. Nakayama leaned forward to Yuuto and made a suggestion.

With this group’s composition, the expected development was clear.

“If Ogiwara-kun is going, then maybe I’ll go with you.”

“Even Miyashita-san…”

Miyashita sat down next to Yuuto, quietly raising her hand in agreement.

…Well, she didn’t promise to follow all my instructions, so I couldn’t really complain about her actions.

To be honest, if there were a little less crowd, I would have used my intrusion tactic to make a bit more space and create moments of privacy with Yuuto.

But Yuuto looked troubled and turned his gaze towards me.

I mean, I didn’t want him to delegate this decision to me.

However, the two girls on either side of Yuuto were already in combat mode. Their gazes mixed, and their minds were solely focused on who would get to spend time with Yuuto at the souvenir corner.

I involuntarily let out a deep sigh and looked down. Shaking my head, I gestured, ‘Please, go ahead.’

As if they were waiting for this, Miyashita and Nakayama each grabbed one of Yuuto’s arms and started walking towards the stairs.

As Nakayama, who had hold of Yuuto’s arm, turned around, she made a childish provocation, to which I couldn’t help but chuckle.

It seemed her collection for riling up others was rather limited.

“The main event is the free time after this, so let’s take a little break too.”

“Right…”

Shizuku, who was re-brewing the tea next to her, told in a small, gentle voice.

Kirasaka on the other side also had a map of Kokusai Street, which we would visit later, open on her table.

What are we doing on this school trip?

We’ve deviated so much from the original plan, and we’re entangled in various situations.

School trips are considered the grandest stage for romance, and most students would probably agree.

So, from a student event perspective, our actions weren’t necessarily wrong.

But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but think that these two girls, who were cooperating with me, had no real benefits.

Knowing this, I couldn’t help but feel sorry.

“I’m sorry… for dragging you two along.”

“What is this about? I didn’t expect the school trip to be much different.”

“I’m also happy as long as I can enjoy the sightseeing with the same group.”

Kirasaka brushed off my comment as she usually did when she heard me talking about our current situation.

Shizuku, on the other hand, just smiled gently.

Strangely enough, these girls in front of me now seemed incredibly kind and almost motherly in a way.

It’s not something you’d expect when you usually see them bickering and arguing with other students.

This is what it must mean to grow up… I thought to myself in a sort of vague, unclear inner monologue and added a hint of humour to it.

With a heavy sigh, I slowly got up.

“I’m going to get a souvenir for Kaede. Will both of you help me choose?”

In response to my request, both of them nodded in agreement.

The morning visit to the Peace Memorial Park and the lunch break with souvenir shopping had concluded, leading us to the long-awaited free time.

For most students, this was the highlight of the trip, where they could explore Okinawa without any specific plans.

Our group was no exception, most of us had been eagerly anticipating this moment.

“Is everyone here? Let’s get going then!”

Yuuto confirmed the presence of the group members before giving the signal to depart.

In response, the girls and the other boys except for me energetically answered, “Yeah!”

These guys are quite enthusiastic, I noted, walking slightly detached from the overall atmosphere. I found myself at the end of our group’s formation.

Shizuku and Kirasaka walked in front of me, followed by two other male students. Yuuto, flanked by Nakayama and Miyashita, led the way up front.

It wasn’t a formation dictated by anyone; it had naturally fallen into place. In other words, I was entrusted with being the rear guard. In case of any trouble, I could boldly tell my group members to go ahead.

Wait a minute… Am I just a sacrificial lamb?

My usual negative thinking flared up again, and I felt like I had grasped the true meaning of this lineup.

“Since it’s called ‘Kokusai Street’ I thought there would be lots of international products.”

“Yeah, I was expecting more international stuff, but it seems like there are mainly products from Okinawa. Although, the Okinawan T-shirts are three times as tacky as I imagined.”

Selling T-shirts is a common sight in famous tourist spots, but Okinawa’s T-shirts were especially notable for being extra tacky.

They often featured local specialties like sata andagi, shisa, and random, incomprehensible phrases.

I can understand the shisa, but the inclusion of food and seemingly arbitrary text? It’s confusing. Plus, none of these quotes seem to be from a famous figure.

In front of a street vendor, Shizuku and I examined the products, tilting our heads in confusion. Kirasaka let out a quiet chuckle.

“You’ve never been abroad, right? Did you expect to feel like you’re overseas here?”

“…”

Those few words were quite provocative, and both Shizuku and I immediately frowned.

Well, you’ve really struck a chord now, haven’t you?

You’ve further stoked the tiny flame of doubt that lies dormant in our hearts.

“…Just because you’ve been overseas doesn’t mean you should get carried away. I just love Japan, that’s all. I don’t want to go to places where I can’t communicate, in other words, I just don’t want to leave home!”

“Minato-kun, your true feelings are coming out”

Oh no, I almost allowed Kirasaka’s provocation to take over me and I almost let out my emotions.

The fact that it’s already out, let’s just ignore it.

We checked out a few shops, but they all seemed to have a similar selection. It’s best to abandon the idea of buying souvenirs from Kokusai Street.

During the daytime, I purchased Okinawa soba* and sata andagi sets at a local products exhibition to be sent by mail, so I should be fine with that.

With that in mind, the plan was to simply stroll around Kokusai Street, but my gaze was still fixed on Miyashita and Nakayama, who were captivated by the merchandise at the street vendors.

“Are you going to create a situation for them to be alone here as well?”

“Well, when I say ‘do it,’ I can’t do much other than being a nuisance and get myself between them to create some time.”

We were already moving as a group. Until we enter a building or move to another tourist spot, I’ll have to get myself into the conversation as inconspicuously as possible, even if it seems unnatural.

As we walked, I pondered with a sense of randomness, making sure to keep some distance from the group ahead.

However, Shizuku, who was beside me, seemed to be thinking along the same lines.

With a serious look, she thought for a moment and then spoke up.

“Minato-kun, are you enjoying this school trip?”

Suddenly, I was thrown off by the question, which seemed to have no connection to our previous conversation.

“Why are you asking about that now?”

Kirasaka spoke as if to represent Shizuku’s words.

“Maybe there was something beneficial in helping that girl, but what we really want to see is Minato-kun enjoying himself.”

“Let’s not get too involved in helping,” those words, added at the end, made me sigh involuntarily.

I hadn’t really intended to be so deeply involved, but to them, it might appear as if I’ve been devoting my entire school trip to helping her.

I also need to consider their feelings. Especially when it’s someone I value more than Miyashita.

For now, Shizuku’s assistance will be put to use at the next destination. Right now, let’s explore the street vendors together as a trio.

Our group spent a long time leisurely strolling through the many shops on both sides of the sidewalk.

The baseball team guys ended up buying wooden swords that would undoubtedly never be used, and there was a photo sticker booth with Okinawa-exclusive designs set up on the street, where Yuuto, Nakayama, and Miyashita were taking pictures.

We even tried a place that sold ‘Dragon Ice’, an ice cream made from dragon fruit, which had an incredibly cool name, but by the time I finished washing my hands at a nearby water fountain, Shizuku and Kirasaka had eaten it all.

A little kid asked for directions, and when Kirasaka, who knew the area, answered, the boy was so frightened by her sharp and dignified gaze that he burst into tears. So Shizuku stepped in to give him directions.

There were plenty of amusing moments.

Even though our group didn’t stick together as one but instead split into three smaller groups within our class, I believe our time on Kokusai Street was still meaningful.

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