The classroom was still buzzing from cleanup duty the day before. The air between Ren and the girls hadn't cleared—in fact, it felt even heavier, like everyone was pretending nothing had happened while their eyes told another story.
Then the teacher dropped the bomb.
"Next week, Class 2-A and 2-B will be going on the annual school trip. Three days, two nights. Bus ride, temple visits, hot springs. You'll be paired in groups of six for activities. Attendance is mandatory."
The classroom erupted.
"Hot springs?!""Room assignments?!""Temple food is gross, though—"
Ren felt his soul leave his body.
Because when the groups were read aloud, fate decided to murder him.
Group 5: Takahashi Ren, Emi Tachibana, Yui Sakamoto, Rika Minami, Haruka Aizawa, Mei Kanzaki.
And, to top it off—Asuka raised her hand.
"Sensei, 1-B's got an odd number. Can I join Group 5?"
"Sure, why not?"
The girls all turned at once.
Ren saw it in their eyes. Death.
By lunch break, rumors were already flying around.
"Lucky bastard, he's surrounded.""Or cursed.""He'll die before the hot spring even starts."
During the afternoon, the tension bled into everything. Yui snapped at him for forgetting her eraser. Rika started calling him "Mr. Chick Magnet" under her breath. Haruka ignored him outright. Mei gave him quiet stares that made him squirm. Emi tried to play peacemaker, but her smile looked painfully fragile.
Asuka, of course, loved it. She whispered just loud enough for the others to hear:"Imagine the mixed bathing. Imagine the futons. Imagine the confessions."
By the final bell, Ren was on the verge of collapse.
Walking home, Emi stayed by his side. The others had split off, leaving them in awkward silence.
"…Ren-kun," she finally said."Y-yeah?""This trip… it could change everything."
Her eyes lingered on him, soft but certain.
Before he could answer, they both noticed something strange—someone was watching them from the school gate.
A girl with blue streaks in her hair. Class 1-B.
The girl who confessed yesterday.
She turned and walked away before Ren could even call out.
His stomach twisted.
The trip hadn't even begun, and already the shadows were spreading.