"Speaking of which, what are you planning to do during the holidays, Asama Sensei?"
Gathered around the small square table, Xiao Hai Wan brought up something seemingly casually.
Kazuo hadn't reacted yet, but Koji nodded knowingly and said:
"Ah, that's right, I almost didn't notice, it's already almost the end of April—"
"Uh, you two are talking about... ah—"
Kazuo suddenly realized that Golden Week was approaching.
In Japan, from late April to early May, due to several important holidays such as Showa Day, Children's Day, and Constitution Memorial Day being linked together, schools generally have a week-long holiday.
As teachers, they would also enjoy a rare long break.
It's just—
Speaking of which, Kazuo suddenly realized a problem.
"In that case, if the school is on holiday, can we still stay in Qing Dormitory?"
Koji took a sip of beer and replied without thinking, "I don't think so. Because the school staff will also be on holiday, and the cafeteria will be closed. Logically, no one is allowed to stay at the school during this period."
"That's true..."
This is troublesome. "What, you want to stay at school?"
Koji immediately understood what Kazuo was confused about.
"Hmm... Golden Week holiday... I'm not planning to go back and rest this time. After all, you see, there's still more than half a month until the exam."
"If possible, I plan to review here at school."
This exam was particularly important to Kazuo. Even though Xiao Hai Wan comforted her, she still couldn't afford any mistakes.
So, the current situation was rather difficult.
He had originally planned to continue studying in the library, but now it seemed he had to think of other solutions in advance.
"I'm thinking of going on an inspection trip to another place during this holiday... Hmm... So, Xiao Hai Wan? You students usually go home, right? But, I remember your home seems quite far, doesn't it? In Hokkaido?"
Facing Koji's question, Xiao Hai Wan nodded and said, "Yes... that's right. During this holiday, I want to go back and see my younger siblings."
"I see. Well, it seems you're the only one who needs to worry, Junior."
Indeed, what should have been a welcome holiday for everyone had now become a difficult problem for Kazuo.
The primary issue was accommodation and food. Since the school provided accommodation, Kazuo had canceled a capsule hotel he had searched for a long time to find. But to be honest, that kind of place had poor conditions and was definitely not suitable for studying. Furthermore, he would have to find a new part-time job, and it was unclear how long it would take to sort everything out.
Just thinking about this made Kazuo's head ache.
This Golden Week timing was really too delicate to deal with.
It was like that feeling of saying, "I'll study hard" during the holiday, then playing to his heart's content, rushing to finish homework and study on the last day of the holiday, and then returning to school for an exam where he knew nothing.
"My head hurts..."
"Indeed..." Koji nodded, but then carelessly said, "Isn't there still three days? There's always a way. A living person can't be suffocated by urine, can he?"
The words were crude but made sense, but there was a girl present.
Kazuo was truly fed up with his eccentric Senior.
.
After dinner, after Kazuo and Xiao Hai Wan had packed everything up.
Although Ritto Dormitory, where Xiao Hai Wan and her friends lived, wasn't too far, it was nighttime, so Kazuo accompanied her and walked her back to her dormitory.
"I'm really embarrassed, Xiao Hai Wan. Senior Okino is just like that, always speaking without thinking."
He remembered how Koji got drunk again during dinner and made tasteless dirty jokes about him and Xiao Hai Wan, making Xiao Hai Wan blush so much that she didn't dare to look up at Kazuo.
No matter how mature Xiao Hai Wan was, or how reliable she seemed.
She was still just a 16-year-old girl in the prime of her youth. How could her thin skin stand up against someone like Koji, whose single status equaled his age?
Even now, she still seemed a bit shy.
The two walked side by side among the college's roadside trees. The rustling sound of the leaves merged with the cool night, creating a somewhat tranquil atmosphere.
This quiet and peaceful scene blended with the college lights, which cast long shadows of the two.
"No, it's nothing. Teacher Okino... hmm... he's quite humorous."
Although her expression seemed a bit troubled, Xiao Hai Wan still said kindly.
This gentleness made even Kazuo tear up.
It's just the two of us here. You can talk about him, it's really no problem.
"Sigh... Anyway, this Senior is really a headache."
Thinking about how he still had to take care of Koji, who had drunk too much again, he couldn't help but shrug and sigh.
However, Xiao Hai Wan, looking at Kazuo like this, seemed to think of something interesting and covered her mouth slightly as she chuckled.
"Hmm, Xiao Hai Wan, what are you laughing at?"
"No... I just think that Teacher Okino and Asama-kun have a really good relationship."
When they were alone, Xiao Hai Wan would call him by his name, but her words... "No, not really. As a Senior—he doesn't set any example at all. He's lecherous, lazy, always talking nonsense, and never does anything serious..."
Regarding his roommate, Kazuo could list a page full of his flaws.
"But, Asama-kun doesn't dislike him at all, does he?"
"Well... I guess so. After all, he's my Senior, and he often gives me advice when I'm confused... After all, when I first came to the academy, I just rushed in with a burst of energy, but when it came to actually doing something, it was easy to get lost... So, even though Koji has many flaws..."
"But he's a good person..."
Even though the person in question wasn't here, admitting something in front of others was still quite embarrassing.
Kazuo saw Xiao Hai Wan staring at him with a smile and turned his face away somewhat unnaturally.
Arriving at the dormitory building, Kazuo had completed his task.
Before leaving, Xiao Hai Wan clearly wanted to say something. As Kazuo was about to leave after seeing her downstairs.
Xiao Hai Wan saw him turn to leave and subconsciously called out his name.
"Asama-kun!"
"Hmm... Is there anything else?"
"...No, it's nothing. Uh... See you tomorrow."
"Oh... See you tomorrow."
After returning to the room, it felt empty because Daijin had gone home.
Xiao Hai Wan, sprawled on the bed, hugged a pillow and buried her face in it.
Because of her wavering heart, her ears drooped just like her owner's mood.
"Ugh…"
She still couldn't say it out loud—
The girl's face slowly lifted from the soft pillow.
Her watery eyes were full of regret.
Inviting Asama-kun to go back to her hometown with her during Golden Week—
It was still too embarrassing.
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