The usual morning bustle filled the air in Class 10-A. Students chatted animatedly as they settled into their seats, the faint hum of fans working to combat the lingering August heat. Htet Myat sat quietly by the window, flipping through his textbook but barely paying attention to the pages. His thoughts drifted to the weeks ahead—summer assignments, the approaching school festival, and whether he’d spend his free time exploring Japan or relaxing in the dorms.

Just as he was about to dive deeper into his musings, the classroom door slid open, and Mr. Nakamura stepped in with his usual composed yet warm demeanor. Today, however, there was something different about him—a hint of excitement in his eyes and an unusually cheerful bounce in his step. The class picked up on it instantly, falling silent as they greeted him.

Mr. Nakamura (smiling): [おはようございます] (Good morning.)

Class (in unison): [おはようございます、先生。] (Good morning、 Sensei.)

After setting his materials down on the desk, Mr. Nakamura faced the class and clasped his hands together, a broad smile lighting up his face.

Mr. Nakamura (cheerful): "Today, I have an exciting announcement. Something I think you’ll all enjoy."

The class immediately perked up, murmurs of curiosity spreading like wildfire. Even Htet, usually quiet and observant, straightened in his seat, exchanging a curious glance with Nimal, his new Sri Lankan friend who sat two rows ahead.

Mr. Nakamura paused for dramatic effect before continuing.

Mr. Nakamura: "Next week, our class will embark on a study field trip to Kyoto."

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~Excitement Unleashed~

The announcement had barely left his lips when the classroom erupted into animated chatter. Conversations overlapped as students expressed their excitement, questions, and plans.

Liam (whispering to Htet): "Kyoto? That’s like stepping into a history book! Imagine walking those ancient streets."

Hana (grinning): "I’ve always wanted to visit the shrines there. My camera’s finally going to get some action!"

Leila (leaning over from the next row): "Kyoto? Are you kidding me? I’ve read about it, but I never thought I’d get to see it this soon! What’s on the itinerary?"

Htet smiled faintly, his curiosity piqued. Kyoto, a city of golden pavilions, towering gates, and tranquil gardens. He’d heard about its cultural richness but never imagined he’d have the chance to experience it.

Mr. Nakamura raised a hand, instantly quieting the room.

Mr. Nakamura: "Settle down, everyone. Let me explain the details."

He turned to the blackboard, chalk in hand, and began writing out the itinerary in neat, deliberate strokes.

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The Itinerary;

Day 1: Visit to Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) and cultural workshops.

Day 2: Explore Gion, participate in a traditional tea ceremony, and learn about Kyoto’s crafts.

Day 3: Guided tour of Fushimi Inari Taisha and a reflective activity.

Mr. Nakamura (turning to the class): "This trip isn’t just about sightseeing. It’s a chance to immerse yourselves in Japanese traditions, learn about their historical significance, and strengthen our bonds as a class."

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Leila raised her hand eagerly.

Leila: "Will we be doing group activities, Sensei? Or is it mostly individual exploration?"

Mr. Nakamura: "Good question, Leila. You’ll work in small groups for most activities, especially the cultural workshops. Also, each of you will be assigned a short research topic related to one of the places we’ll visit. You’ll present your findings during the trip to deepen everyone’s understanding."

The class buzzed with excitement, even at the mention of research.

Elena (thoughtful): "Will we need to prepare anything before we go?"

Mr. Nakamura (nodding): "Yes, Elena. I’ll hand out your topics later today for each and every assigned team of two, so you’ll have enough time to prepare. Remember, this isn’t just a vacation—it’s an educational experience. A rare and memorable experience that I'm sure each and every one of you would look back at some point in the future.

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~Planning Over Lunch~

The announcement dominated lunchtime discussions. Htet sat with Nimal, Leila, Liam, Hana, and Elena in the cafeteria. Their table was alive with chatter about the trip, their plates almost forgotten.

Nimal (grinning): "So, I’ve heard the food in Kyoto is legendary. Kaiseki if I'm not wrong, anyone?"

Htet frowned slightly, unfamiliar with the term.

Htet: K-Kaiseki? What's that?

Hana (jumping in): "It’s a traditional multi-course Japanese meal. Each dish is tiny, intricate, and represents the season. It’s like edible art!"

Leila (excited): "Oh, I’ve read about that! And what about the street food? They have these skewered rice cakes, right?"

Liam: " It's Dango. You’ll love them."

Elena (smiling): "It’s not just the food. Kyoto’s history is incredible. Did you know it was Japan’s capital for over a thousand years?"

The conversation meandered from Kyoto’s cuisine to its history, each student adding their own excitement or fact.

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~After-Class Preparations~

By the end of the day, Mr. Nakamura handed out a list of research topics, pairing students to encourage collaboration.

Mr. Nakamura: "These topics are designed to help you connect with the sites we’ll visit. Work on them in pairs, and be ready to share your findings during the trip."

Htet found himself paired with Nimal, their topic being The Cultural Significance of Kinkaku-ji.

Htet (stroking his chin): “Kinkaku-Ji huh.. never thought we would get a big topic.”

Nimal (excitedly): "This is perfect! I’ve always been fascinated by Buddhist architecture. Hey Htet, did you know Kinkaku-Ji is coated in actual gold leaf?"

Htet (curious): "That’s impressive. We could focus on how its design reflects Buddhist principles."

Htet (Thinking): So Kinkaku-Ji is coated with gold leaf just like Shwedagon Pagoda huh. This is interesting. I'm not sure if there's a diamond in Kinkaku-Ji but I am looking forward to learning more about it.

Meanwhile on the other side of the class,

Leila was paired with Elena to research The Geisha Culture of Gion.

Leila (grinning): "I’ve always been intrigued by geisha culture. The artistry, the history—it’s so unique!"

Elena (nodding): "It’s more than just the performances. Their role in preserving Japanese traditions is truly fascinating."

The class buzzed with discussions as everyone began brainstorming their topics.

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Scene: Dormitory, Late-Night Research

That evening, Htet sat at his desk in the dorm, scrolling through articles about Kinkaku-ji. The golden pavilion’s shimmering reflection on the surrounding pond captivated him, its history drawing him in.

Nimal knocked lightly on the door before walking in, a notebook in hand.

Nimal (teasing): "Pardon my intrusion. Geez, you are already working on it? You’re going to make me look bad."

Htet (smiling): " Haha! It's not that,..I'm just trying to understand the history. Did you know it was originally a retirement villa before becoming a temple?"

Nimal: "Yeah, and the gold leaf was added to symbolize purity and detachment from materialism. Pretty ironic, right?"

The two spent over an hour discussing their findings, scribbling notes and sharing ideas for their presentation.

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Meanwhile at the opposite end of the academy at Girls Dormitory. Leila and Elena was already halfway through their topic research.

Leila (excitedly): "So, Elena, did you know that geisha used to start training as early as six years old? It’s intense, but their dedication to art and tradition is incredible. They would live in okiya, geisha houses and train under a mentor called an onee-san, or older sister. It’s like a lifelong apprenticeship."

Elena (intrigued): "That’s amazing. And the training wasn’t just about music and dance, right? They had to learn calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and even the art of conversation. Imagine how much discipline that must have taken."

Leila: "Exactly! And their kimono choices were symbolic too. The patterns, colors, and obi style all told a story about their rank, season, and the occasion. Every detail mattered—it was like wearing an entire narrative."

Elena (nodding): "And over time, their roles have evolved so much. Back then, they were primarily entertainers for the upper class, but now they serve as cultural ambassadors, preserving and sharing traditional Japanese arts with the world."

Leila (thoughtfully): "It makes me wonder how much of what we do today will be preserved like that. It’s kind of inspiring, isn't it? To think about leaving behind something meaningful for future generations."

Elena (smiling): "It really is. I guess we’re not just learning for ourselves but for the people who come after us too."

The conversation deepened as the girls explored the parallels between geisha traditions and their own cultures. Leila shared stories about Canada’s indigenous art forms, like intricate beadwork and storytelling through dance. Elena talked about traditional Spanish flamenco, its passionate rhythms, and the stories it conveyed through movement.

Leila: "Isn’t it fascinating how every culture has its own way of expressing art and history? It’s like a universal language, but with different dialects."

Elena: "Absolutely. And it’s so cool that we’re learning all this at Mizuhara. I mean, where else would we have the chance to meet people from so many backgrounds?"

The two bonded over their shared curiosity, exchanging stories and dreams late into the night. By the time they finally called it a day, they both felt a deeper appreciation for their friendship and the vibrant tapestry of cultures they were surrounded by at the academy.

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Scene: Back to the Boys Dormitory

As the dormitory quieted down, Htet lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Thoughts of Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto’s serene landscapes, and the upcoming adventure swirled in his mind.

Htet (to himself): "This is more than just a trip. It’s a chance to learn, to grow, and to connect."

He closed his eyes, the image of the golden pavilion etched in his mind, and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the adventure ahead.

—(End of Chapter 18)---