The morning hum of Sobu High drifted lazily through the classroom. Sunlight stretched long across polished desks, the air holding that faint crispness of autumn that made students both restless and sleepy.
The solar system crackled to life.
"Attention, first-year students," the voice began, steady but dull as chalk dust. "As part of joint year-level activities, the school will hold a camping trip programme next week. Several clubs will be assisting in preparation and management."
A few groans escaped. Camping meant insects, bugs, and work.
"The Service Club is among those selected."
Yuigahama Yui yelped in surprise, nearly spilling her pencil case. Yukinoshita Yukino merely exhaled through her nose, as though she'd expected it all along.
"The East Magic Society will also participate."
The classroom's reaction was instant. Snickers and stifled laughter rolled like a wave.
"Darkness itself calls upon us!" Rikka Takanashi stood up, striking her desk with theatrical force. Her eyepatch gleamed as though blessed by sunlight.
Yuuta Togashi (cape and all) leapt up beside her, voice echoing: "The forest shall tremble before our oath of vigilance!"
Students stared. Some laughed. Others simply shook their heads.
Hachika slumped in her chair. "We're doomed."
Ras chuckled quietly, adjusting his seating position. "Guess the trees are in for purification rites."
---
Lunch arrived under clear skies. The place smelt faintly of fried croquettes and cafeteria curry. Ras sat with his bento at a quiet table near the edge, where sunlight filtered through branches just enough to soften the noise of the crowd.
Footsteps approached.
"Kurosawa."
Hayama Hayato stood there, smile polished to princely perfection. His three: Tobe, Ooka, Yamato surrounded him like... ants guarding its queen.
(will it be the king wo get guarded in this world?? I dunno.. but serious question tho~)
"Looks like we'll be working together," Hayato continued smoothly. "Your club, ours. Better to cooperate, don't you think?"
"Yeah, yeah!" Tobe barked a laugh. "With teamwork, make the dreams work!!!"
Ooka nodded in time. Yamato parroted, "Teamwork."
If there's Yui beside me, she's probably gonna shout 'Dreams work!'
And Hachika: 'Troublesome work! why can't I just be a house-wife, and guard my home!'
Ras closed his bento neatly and tilted his head, smiling lightly. "You sure not gonna attach me to your sun-Hayato-cult?"
The orbiters froze. Tobe's laugh died in his throat, Ooka's nod faltered, Yamato mouthed but didn't speak.
Hayato's smile stayed, but the tiniest crease appeared near his eyes. "That's… one way to put it."
Before the moment thickened, Hachika appeared at Ras's side. Her voice cut through like a flat blade. "He's right. Get too close to the sun and you burn."
The courtyard stilled. Even Yumiko blinked, surprised, while Ebina tilted her head, amused grin growing. Yui fidgeted, unsure who to support.
The tension stretched taut. Ras chuckled softly, folding his hands on the table. "Relax. Cooperation's fine. Just don't expect me to chop wood while someone else practices posing for the campfire."
Laughter rippled from nearby classmates. Even Hayato let out a short laugh, though his eyes didn't relax fully.
---
Service Club Briefing
After school, Hiratsuka-sensei gathered the Service Club in their usual room. Beer can hidden poorly in a paper bag, she looked like someone who'd been roped into responsibility against her will.
"The school wants you to help manage the camping program," she said bluntly. "Cooking rotations, safety checks, making sure no one gets eaten by wild animals."
"There are no wild animals," Yukino said flatly.
"There are now," Hiratsuka replied with absolute seriousness.
Yui raised a hesitant hand. "Um, maybe it could be fun? Like, stargazing together… or cooking curry?"
"Mosquito suicide," Hachika muttered.
Before the mood settled, the door slammed open.
"The East Magic Society has arrived!" Rikka declared, staff raised like she was summoning a dragon.
Yuuta swept in after her, cape trailing dramatically. "We pledge our might to this sacred journey!"
Hiratsuka buried her face in her hand. "…Why me?"
Ras chuckled under his breath. "At least the bears won't get bored."
Hiratsuka didn't know wether this sentence were said to her or towards the bear: " ... "
---
Preparation Days
The daysthat followed was chaos.
Yukino draughted spreadsheets for food supply. Rikka rebranded them "prophecies written in divine code."
Yuuta insisted campfire curry had to be called "ritual stew of binding flames." Yui nearly cried trying to keep the peace.
Hachika's only contribution was muttering: "We'll all die of embarrassment."
Ras kept smiling faintly, offering comments that defused tension without cutting too deep.
When Yukino and Rikka nearly argued about how to stack firewood, Ras leaned back, voice light.
"Fine. Whoever gets fewer mosquito bites wins."
The room fell silent.
Yuuta gasped, eyes widening like it was revelation. Yukino blinked and her lips twitched, almost a smile.
Even Hachika's expression shifted, if only by a fraction.
Ras chuckled quietly. "See? Already a contest worth fighting."
Yukino and Hachika: " ... "
---
Friday afternoon. The last meeting wrapped with charts taped crookedly on the wall, camping supplies scrawled across the board, and everyone either exhausted or exasperated.
As the others left, Ras lingered by the window. The sky was bruised with the colors of dusk, fading into deep blue.
He tucked his hands in his pockets, chuckling lightly to himself.
"A forest, classmates, a campfire. Maybe this time… the job is just to enjoy the trip."
And for once, he try to believe in himself once more.