The final day of the study trip arrived with the early morning sun casting a golden glow over the peaceful ryokan. The students, still buzzing with excitement from the previous days, gathered in the dining hall for breakfast. The aroma of freshly steamed rice, grilled fish,tamago yaki, miso soup as well as ryokucha filled the room as the students prepared for their last day of exploration.
Ms. Saito (clapping her hands together): "おはようございます! (Good morning!) Today marks the final day of our study trip. We’ll be visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto’s most iconic shrines. Afterward, we’ll have some free time for exploration before heading back to Mizuhara International Academy. Make sure you pack your belongings neatly and wear comfortable shoes!"
The students responded with a collective, energetic "はい! (Yes!)" before turning their attention to breakfast. The dining hall buzzed with chatter as the group discussed their excitement for the day.
Hana (enthusiastically): "I’ve been waiting for this! The pictures of those endless torii gates are so magical."
Leila (smiling): "Me too. It feels like one of those must-visit places in Japan."
Liam (grinning): "Sounds cool, but do we have to climb a lot? My legs are still sore from yesterday."
Nimal (teasing): "Maybe the shrine can bless you with some stamina, Liam."
Htet (laughing): "Don’t worry. If you get too tired, I’ll carry you up the steps."
The group laughed, and the atmosphere was filled with a sense of camaraderie.
---
Scene: On the way to Fushimi Inari Taisha
The bus ride to Fushimi Inari was a blend of Ms. Saito’s informative commentary and the students’ animated conversations.
Ms. Saito (gesturing to the window): "Fushimi Inari Taisha is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, fertility, and prosperity. It’s famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which line the mountain trails behind the main shrine. Each gate is donated by an individual or company as an offering for blessings."
As the bus pulled into the parking area, the students stepped off, greeted by the vibrant atmosphere of the shrine’s entrance. Souvenir shops and food stalls lined the streets, leading to the shrine complex.
Hana (excitedly pointing): "Look at the fox statues! Did you know they’re considered messengers of Inari?"
Leila (curious): "Why do some of them hold keys in their mouths?"
Ms. Saito (explaining): "The keys symbolize the keys to the rice granary, representing prosperity and abundance."
The group proceeded to the main shrine, where they learned about traditional practices such as cleansing their hands and mouths at the purification fountain.
Htet (watching): "It’s interesting how every gesture here holds meaning."
Nimal (agreeing): "It makes you appreciate the culture even more."
---
Scene: The Journey Through the Torii Gates
The highlight of the visit was the journey through the Senbon Torii, the famous pathway of thousands of vermilion gates. The sunlight filtered through the vibrant red arches, casting a warm, golden light on the stone pathway.
Leila (in awe): "Walking through this feels like stepping into another world."
Hana (nodding): "Each gate has the name of its donor inscribed on it. Imagine how many people contributed to this."
The group climbed the steps, pausing occasionally to take in the breathtaking views of Kyoto. Liam, true to form, added a touch of humor to the experience.
Liam (dramatically): "I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel… but it’s just more stairs."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Nimal (laughing): "Come on, Liam. We’ll write your name on one of these gates if you make it to the top."
The students laughed, their energy renewed as they continued their ascent.
---
At a smaller shrine along the trail, the guide introduced the group to the concept of ema, wooden plaques on which visitors write their wishes. The students eagerly purchased ema to leave their prayers and hopes.
Guide (explaining): "Each ema represents the hopes and dreams of its writer. People pray for success, health, happiness, and other personal aspirations."
The students sat down to write their wishes.
Htet (focused): "I hope this year will help me discover my path."
Leila (glancing at Htet’s ema): "What did you write, Htet?"
Htet (smiling): "Something personal. What about you?"
Leila (grinning): "I wished for courage. I want to make the most of my time here, I want to make true friends and truly enjoy life with no regrets."
Their eyes met briefly, a silent understanding passing between them.
Hana (holding up her ema): "I wished for our class to have an amazing year together."
Liam (scribbling): "And I wished for endless snacks and no homework."
Nimal (amused): "You’re really aiming high, Liam."
---
Scene: Exploring Kyoto’s Street Food
After descending the mountain, the group had free time to explore the streets around the shrine. The aroma of yakitori, taiyaki, and freshly grilled mochi filled the air.
Ms. Saito (addressing the students): "This is your chance to enjoy Kyoto’s street food and pick up any souvenirs. Please stay in your groups and meet back here in an hour."
Hana (leading): "Let’s start with the yakitori stand. It smells amazing!"
The group navigated the bustling streets, sampling various foods.
Leila (biting into taiyaki): "This is so good. The red bean filling is perfect."
Liam (struggling with takoyaki): "Why is this so hot? It’s like lava!"
Hana (laughing): "Blow on it first, you genius."
The group shared bites of each dish, the experience bringing them closer together.
—
~A Farewell Feast~
The restaurant was a picturesque setting, with sliding shoji doors opening up to a serene garden illuminated by softly glowing lanterns. The low tables were adorned with intricate plating of Kyoto’s finest dishes: yudofu (boiled tofu), kyo-wagashi (Kyoto sweets), and seasonal sashimi arranged like delicate artwork. As the students sat on the tatami mats, their excitement filled the room.
Ms. Saito (smiling warmly): “Take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of these dishes. Kyoto cuisine isn’t just about taste but also presentation and the balance of flavors. It reflects the elegance of this city’s culture.”
The students eagerly began serving themselves. Hana, sitting closest to Htet, handed him a small bowl of yudofu, her chopsticks steady as she carefully placed a piece of tofu onto his plate.
Hana (grinning): “Here, try this. It’s soft but packed with flavor if you dip it in the sauce.”
Htet (nodding, intrigued): “Thanks. I didn’t know tofu could look this fancy.”
Liam (eyeing a plate of sashimi): “Is it just me, or does everything here look too perfect to eat? It’s like I’m destroying art.”
Nimal (laughing): “If you stare at it too long, I’ll finish it for you.”
The room erupted in laughter as Liam made an exaggerated protective gesture over his plate.
---
The conversations flowed as the students shared bites of food and reflected on their favorite moments from the trip.
Leila (grinning): “I’m still thinking about the tea ceremony. It’s so calming, but I don’t think I have the patience to master it.”
Hana (nodding): “Well..for me, it's not just about the tea, though it’s the philosophy behind it. Every movement is deliberate, like a kind of meditation.”
Liam (mock sighing): “Too bad they didn’t teach us how to make tea fast. I’d call it the speed tea ceremony, done in under a minute!”
Ms. Saito (chuckling): “Liam, that’s called instant tea, and it’s not quite the same experience.”
As the students laughed, Htet glanced around the room, his heart full. The trip had brought them closer, and he felt a warmth he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
---
Toward the end of the meal, Ms. Saito stood, holding her tea cup. The students quieted down, their attention on her.
Ms. Saito (smiling): “I want to thank each of you for making this trip such a success. We’ve explored history, culture, and tradition together, and I hope these experiences stay with you for a long time. More than anything, I’m proud of the way you’ve supported each other. It’s not just about learning facts, it’s about building connections, and I’ve seen that happen beautifully this week.”
The students raised their cups in response, the clink of glassware echoing softly in the room.
Hana (raising her cup): “To an unforgettable trip!”
All (in unison): “Cheers!”
The group continued eating, the atmosphere a perfect blend of joy and contentment.
---
As the meal wound down, the students moved to the garden for a final reflection. The lanterns cast a warm glow over the group, and the cool night air carried the scent of blooming flowers.
Hana (stretching her arms): “This feels like the perfect ending to our trip. I don’t want it to be over.”
Leila (smiling wistfully): “Me neither. I wish we could do this every year.”
Htet looked around at his classmates. Each of them had brought something unique to the trip. Liam’s humor, Hana’s informations, Elena’s curiosity, Leila’s progressing openness, Nimal’s steady presence. He felt a tug of sadness knowing this chapter was coming to an end.
Htet (softly): “This week was special because of everyone here. I think that’s what I’ll remember the most.”
Htet felt grateful for this study trip and his friends that were with him, supportive to each other always in open arms. The friends he made in a short period of time felt like friends that have known each other for decades. Something that he had never experienced or had any chance back in his motherland.
Liam (grinning): “Don’t get too sentimental, Htet. We still have a lot of school days ahead of us.”
The group laughed, but Htet’s words lingered in the air, resonating with everyone.
---
As the students began to gather for a group photo, Liam, ever the chaotic energy, attempted to photobomb by jumping into the air with a ridiculous pose.
Ms. Saito (laughing): “Liam, if you want to be in the photo, you have to stand still!”
Liam (grinning): “Standing still is boring! This is my signature move!”
The group dissolved into laughter as Liam’s antics set the tone for a lively photo session.
After several attempts, they managed to capture a picture with everyone smiling, their joy radiating through the image.
---
As the night drew to a close and the students prepared to board the bus back to the ryokan, Htet lingered in the garden for a moment, looking up at the stars.
Leila (walking up to him): “Penny for your thoughts?”
Htet (smiling): “Just thinking about how fast this week went by. It’s strange…sometimes, it felt like it would never end, but now it feels too short.”
Leila (nodding): “That’s how you know it was worth it.”
Htet turned to her, his expression thoughtful.
Htet (softly): “I promised myself to make the most of my time here. I think I want to make that same promise to all of you. To make every moment count.”
Leila smiled, her eyes warm.
Leila: “That’s a promise worth keeping.”
---
The bus ride back was filled with quiet chatter and occasional bursts of laughter. As the students dozed off one by one, the bonds they had forged during the trip seemed to grow even stronger in the peaceful silence.
For Htet, this was more than just a study trip. It was a reminder of how far he had come and how much further he had to go…with friends by his side.
—(End of Chapter 21)---