Part-2 Ch-11 Ep-03

Mari’s POV

By the time the sightseeing bus carrying us reached the hotel, the hands of the clock had already passed six in the evening, and the sky had grown dark.

As soon as we stepped off the bus, a refreshingly cool breeze brushed against us, as though the heat of the day had been nothing but an illusion. It finally sank in that it was already November.

With the schedule for the first day now completely finished, all that remained was to bathe in our rooms, wait for the teachers to come around for roll call, and then head to bed. At least, that was what the school trip itinerary stated about lights-out time.

“Listen up. Absolutely no sneaking out of your rooms at night. Teachers will be keeping watch on every floor.”

The grade director, whose face was intimidating to begin with, delivered his final warning with an even fiercer expression.

Teachers really have it rough, I thought. Are they planning to stay up all night standing guard?

While thinking that, we received our suitcases from the bus driver and our card keys from the teachers, then shuffled toward the elevators as a group.

When we got off on our floor, Kagami-kun and the others stepped out as well. It looked like we were all staying on the same floor.

Todoroki-kun had his sports bag slung over his shoulder, while Mari, Maki, and I rolled our suitcases along the carpeted hallway, the wheels rattling softly.

After moving around all day and then sitting on the bus for so long, everyone was clearly exhausted.

Eventually, Kagami-kun stopped in front of one of the rooms and said, “Well then, this is our room.”

Standing beside him, Todoroki-kun looked half-asleep already, his eyes barely open and his head tilting to one side.

“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

We waved and continued down the hallway toward our own room.

Just as I found our door and was about to lift the card key, a dull thud echoed down the corridor, followed by Kagami-kun’s voice.

“Ouch!”

“Ah, sorry. The door closed on me.”

I caught a glimpse of Todoroki-kun hurrying back out from inside their room, picking up Kagami-kun’s suitcase, and dragging it back in.

“I wonder what the boys are doing,” Maki said.

“Yeah, seriously,” I replied with a laugh as I swiped the card key and turned the doorknob.

I just wanted to put my luggage down and rest already. The moment I opened the door and stepped inside, I understood.

The hotel door opened and closed slowly, and because of that it was heavier than it looked. With a suitcase in hand, getting through quickly on your own was surprisingly difficult.

“Maki, come in.”

After stepping inside and moving my suitcase aside, I called to her behind me, urging her to hurry.

I held the door open with one hand until Maki entered with her luggage. Once she moved farther into the room, I closed the door.

“Thanks,” she said, turning back toward me.

She looked to be in an especially good mood.

“You’re welcome, princess,” I replied teasingly.

Maki flushed slightly and gave a shy smile.

Even though she is usually the one trying to protect me, she does not seem completely opposed to being treated like a princess, or like a girl, in moments like this.

What is this adorable creature?

Oh right. She is my girlfriend. That’s right.

As soon as we were inside, Maki flopped onto one of the two beds, the one closer to the center, hugged the pillow, and rolled around.

Cute.

“This one’s my bed. The one by the wall is yours, Mari.”

“Yes, yes.”

Maybe because we were on a trip, her energy seemed higher than usual.

While glancing at her from the corner of my eye, I opened my suitcase, took out my face wash and bath set, and lined them up neatly.

As I organized my things, I chatted with Maki about the day.

The Okinawa soba we had eaten for the first time, the war sites and Peace Memorial Park we visited during peace studies, the trinkets and snacks at the souvenir shop, and the itinerary for tomorrow.

As we talked, Maki’s voice gradually grew quieter.

She was probably already getting sleepy.

I was also thinking about the shop on the first floor of the hotel that I wanted to check out. Maybe after resting for a bit to recover some energy, I could go take a look.

While I was thinking that, Maki sat up, rubbed her eyes, and said, “You’re tired, huh. Want to take a bath now?”

Maybe because she had been lying down, her uniform and hair were slightly disheveled.

Looking closely, I noticed that one or two buttons at the chest of her shirt were undone.

She was completely in off mode, and honestly, I was not sure where to look.

Also, the way she said “want to take a bath now” somehow sounded like she was suggesting we go together. Or maybe that was just my imagination.

It was probably better not to dwell on that.

“There’s still some time before roll call, and there’s a shop on the first floor. I was thinking of going to check it out.”

“Eh? Then I’ll come with you.”

Maki’s eyes sparkled instantly.

“But you look sleepy already, Maki.”

“I’m not sleepy. I’m coming with you. Don’t leave me behind. I mean, it’s our first day in a new place. There’s no way I’m letting you wander around alone.”

Why does she suddenly get overprotective at the strangest times?

It is bad for my heart. Please stop.

My chest tightened.

“Then, um. Fix your uniform properly.”

Without meeting her eyes, I said that. Maki blinked and looked down at herself.

When she realized what I meant, she looked up at me and grinned.

“Hm?”

“What?”

“Mari, are you maybe conscious of it?”

As she said that, she placed a hand near the slightly open part of her shirt, deliberately showing some skin.

I immediately looked away.

Seeing my reaction, Maki giggled, clearly amused, like she had found a new toy.

“I see. Starting today, it’s just the two of us alone, after all.”

“If you don’t hurry, I’m leaving you behind.”

If I stayed like this, I would get swept up in Maki’s pace again. Thinking that, I grabbed my wallet and phone and headed for the door, when her hurried voice called after me.

“Wait a second!”

Laughing, I watched her rush to get ready, then opened the door once more.

Starting today, it’s just the two of us alone, right?

I really hope she did not notice how red my face got when she said that. Honestly, my girlfriend gets carried away far too easily.

The shop on the first floor sold not only daily necessities for overnight stays but also a wide variety of souvenirs.

Ryukyu glass, woven-fabric business card holders, local mascot characters and keychains, classic Okinawan snacks, and more. If you were not too particular, you could probably buy all your souvenirs right here.

At the souvenir shop we visited earlier in the afternoon, I had only looked at the snacks.

Even then, I ended up chatting with Godaiin-kun halfway through, so I never really had a chance to browse properly.

Thinking about that, I picked up a keychain with an unusual pattern and glanced toward Maki.

I wonder if Maki is still exchanging messages with Godaiin-kun right now.

I wonder if he invited her to something during this trip as well. But those are things I cannot change, no matter how much I think about them.

“What’s that?” Maki asked.

I looked again at the keychain in my hand.

“I wonder what it is.”

The pattern consisted of five square shapes like dice pips alternating with four squares at the corners.

“Ah, isn’t that the same pattern painted on the cars driving around town?”

Now that she mentioned it, I remembered seeing several cars with that same design while we were on the bus, and commenting to Maki that it looked unusual.

I glanced around, wondering if there was an explanation somewhere.

“Mari, look. These local character keychains are so cute.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

Our attention quickly shifted, and from there we browsed the mascot goods and crafts to our hearts’ content.

By the way, after all that tension, the night ended with both of us falling into a dead sleep the moment we got out of the bath. Before we knew it, it was already the morning of the second day.