Episode- 19

The day of the field trip.

　We gathered at the general assembly point, and when we set off, we found ourselves swaying on a sparsely populated train.

"It's raining today, that's the worst."

"The forecast said it was okay."

　Raindrops running diagonally across the train window.

　The sky was overcast, not a very good time to start a short trip.

"Well, most of the places we're going to are indoors, and it's not that far from the station, so it should be fine."

"Yeah. But it's a good thing. If we had gone to the mountain as Usami had planned, it would have been a disaster. You should be thankful to me and Tohsaka, Rintaro."

"Thank you so much. You two saved the world."

"Hey! After all, I was the one who suggested the indoors! Where did that credit go!"

"So it's zero, right? With the mountain."

"What?! I never thought that suggesting a mountain would put us at such a disadvantage..."

"Ahaha... well, it was a sinful suggestion."

"It's not sinful!"

　Aika holds her head in her hands.

　We all chuckled when we saw Aika like that.

　There is a short pause, followed by the sound of a train passing by.

　Suddenly, I unconsciously looked up at Fujita, who was holding on to the strap.

"Hmm? What's the matter, Tohsaka? Perhaps you want to stand upside down? Naughty?"

"I'm not naughty! Why are you trying to portray me as a second-grader, Fujita-kun?"

　I couldn't help but sigh.

　It really takes my breath away.

　Even though it was supposed to be a really exciting field trip, my heart was gloomy.

　Every time I see Fujita, my heart aches.

　I wonder what he will do now that Aida has invited him.

　The questions go round and round in my head in a circular fashion.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

　The rain continued to fall outside the window, and the steady sound of the rain echoed inside the car.

"Oh my, I'm so wet."

"Even with an umbrella, my feet are still soaked."

　We arrived at our destination, the aquarium, and folded our umbrellas while wiping the water off our clothes.

"Tohsaka's jeans are obviously wet."

"You're right. It's stained and disgusting."

"Hehehe. I'm wearing a skirt and boots so I'm unscathed! Is this what they call foresight?"

"You're amazing, Usami..."

　In contrast to us, who frowned at the water stains, Aika proudly placed her hands on her hips.

　Her bare white legs were generously exposed, and she didn't seem to feel the discomfort of the fabric sticking tightly to her skin.

"Skirts are great for rainy days too! And they're cute too, it's the best."

"It's cute. It suits you so much, Aika."

"Fufufu, thanks☆"

"That's annoying fan service."

"It's not just on your nose, it's sticking to you."

"Hey boy! Stop mumbling!"

"Hey."

"Your voice is low!"

"There's nothing we can do about that..."

"What?!"

　Aika and Asahi are at odds with each other.

　Aika really does look good in skirts. They're very feminine, and if I were a boy, I think I'd be more attracted to skirts than pants like me.

　I'm sure Aida-san is wearing a skirt today just for Fujita-kun.

　As I was vaguely thinking about this, Fujita suddenly clapped his hands.

"Let's go inside quickly. We don't have much time, and besides, there won't be any argument. Isn't that right?"

"Ugh... I've experienced that firsthand, so I can't say anything back."

"I wasn't planning on fighting or anything."

"Stop acting like you're different!"

"Ahaha. Come on, let's go quickly."

"Asahi you bastard...!"

　Aika follows along with Asahi, who is smiling with ease.

"They two seem to get along well, especially recently."

"We're on the same wavelength, I guess. Surprisingly."

"Hehe, maybe."

"Let's go too. It looks like we'll be left behind by those two before we know it."

　Fujita-kun said and started walking slowly.

　After a little while, I jogged up next to him and started walking.

"I'm looking forward to the fish"

　I steal a peek at his profile as he mutters, without letting anyone else notice.

　Just that alone made me feel incredibly happy, but at the same time I felt guilty.

　What on earth have happened to me?

　I was confused by the way I looked, which I thought was unlike myself.

　Then, we enjoyed our field trip as planned.

"Wow, the combination of illuminations and a dolphin show...that's amazing. I want to show it in the Umi too."

"Here it comes, the siscon comment"

“I’m not in compliance with any regulations, so I can say whatever I want, right?”

"The best thing about Fujita is that he's not shy at all."

"This is an example I hope all siscons across the country will emulate."

"I don't want to be emulated..."

　After enjoying the aquarium, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant.

　Afterwards, we hopped on the train again and headed to an indoor B-grade gourmet festival with a variety of food stalls.

"What is this meat skewer...! It's so delicious...!"

"I just had lunch... what is this food fight training all about?"

"What is it, Fujita? Do you have a problem?"

"I'm actually grateful. Food is what Tohsaka is all about, after all. It's pretty cute to see her eating with such gusto."

"H! D-don't call me cute while we're eating!"

"I want to concentrate. Sorry."

"Fujita-kun!!!"

"...These two get along well."

"Aguag!"

"Two of them!!!"

　In this way, time passed by in the blink of an eye.

"Oh no, oh no! It's already so late! If we don't hurry, we'll be late for the meeting!"

"Let's hurry!"

　We walked quickly through the station.

"Sorry, I was so engrossed in eating..."

"Don't worry about it. It seems like we were all obsessed with Tohsaka, who was so obsessed with eating."

"H! I see..."

　Even at times like this, Fujita tries to reduce my HP.

　I wonder if the word TPO isn't in his dictionary... I want him to add it! Right now!!!

"Even so, it overlaps with the rush hour. There are just too many people."

"Which platform was it?"

"Number two! Almost there!"

　Aika and Asahi, who are walking ahead of me, start to go down the stairs.

　Fujita and I followed them.

"The train is already here!"

"This is the last train for us!"

　Aika and Asahi get off at the platform and jump onto the train that has already arrived.

"You two, hurry up!"

"Come come!"

　Someone beckoned to me, so I weaved my way through the crowd and somehow managed to get on.

　--Brrrrr.

"We will soon be arriving at platform two. The train is about to depart."

　The announcement echoes.

　Fujita was about to follow me onto the train -- at that moment.

"……a"

　Right in front of Fujita, the strap on a child's backpack fell off as he was going up the stairs.

　He stops and looks at us.

　At that moment.

　It was as if all of his thoughts were flowing into my head, and I immediately jumped off the train.

"Koko?!"

"Rintaro!"

　The door closed with a whoosh, with the two of them voices trailing behind.

　The platform was bustling with people and filled with a variety of voices.

　And yet, when our eyes met, we were in a world where voices were far away.

　We just stood there looking like we were the only people there.