With a nervous heart, Suzuki Yuu boarded the car bound for Izu.
He was now thinking about how he should face Shiina Chisa tonight.
Although she had been gentle towards him lately, a man and a woman alone in the same room— even if they were enemies, there was always a chance for sparks to fly, let alone when the other person liked him so much.
Of course, Shiina Chisa’s pressure wasn’t the main factor; what troubled him more was that he didn’t know if he could hold himself back.
Judging by how bold she was when she locked him up that day, he was definitely going to be put to the test.
Just thinking about her soaking in the hot spring…
“Damn it, why am I actually looking forward to it a little?!”
He punched his thigh and muttered.
This immediately woke up Tanaka, who had been sleeping next to him.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Their commotion drew the attention of others nearby.
Suzuki Yuu cleared his throat and said, “Nothing.”
At that moment, as if clutching at a lifeline, he asked, “Oh right, did you guys finish setting up that observation spot you planned earlier? Is it well hidden?”
Since he couldn’t be sure if he could resist temptation, he decided to cut off the source altogether.
As long as he could get through these five days of the school trip, it would be a success.
“So eager? Suzuki, you always seem so upright, but privately you’re actually this perverted?”
“Don’t misunderstand, I’m just going for the appreciation of art.”
Suzuki Yuu borrowed this line from Hasegawa-senpai.
But it only made the others burst into laughter.
And when people are up to no good, they never get tired. Soon, the drowsy boys from Class B began to discuss their plan for the evening in earnest.
“Are you sure your telescope will work?”
“Don’t worry, there’s absolutely no problem. The only shame is that I could only bring one. If we brought more, people would get suspicious.”
“No problem, we’ll just take turns. I’ve already calculated the coordinates for the perfect spot based on Suzuki’s information.”
The boy who said this pulled out a map and a sheet filled with all sorts of mathematical diagrams and formulas.
Looking at these guys, Suzuki Yuu couldn’t help but shake his head.
What a bunch of absolute scoundrels.
Oh, he was one of them, so never mind.
The coach bus rumbled steadily down the road, and inside, the boys continued to conspire in hushed, excited voices.
“Besides that, I also calculated the estimated height of the bamboo fence, the angle of moonlight after seven in the evening, and even factored in the possible steam density from the hot spring affecting visibility. According to my model, the optimal window is between 7:15 and 8:30 pm, which is exactly the usual time for girls to use the hot spring.”
“Ohhhh!” Suppressed exclamations rose from those nearby.
Math really is amazing…
Suzuki Yuu curled his lips in silent complaint.
Just then, the teacher came over and motioned for them to be quiet.
The boys all returned to their seats and sat upright.
“Everyone, remember the plan for tonight,” Tanaka called from his seat.
The others silently answered in their hearts.
The bus drove on, and outside, the scenery gradually shifted from the gray city buildings to the lush green of the Izu Peninsula. The boys’ chatter faded, replaced by snoring or the sound of music leaking from headphones.
Suzuki Yuu leaned against the window, watching the coastline fly by, but he didn’t feel relaxed at all.
He didn’t know how much time had passed before the coach finally slowed and pulled into a seaside guesthouse village. The door hissed open, and the salty sea breeze rushed in, mixed with the fresh, damp scent of grass and wood, instantly lifting everyone’s spirits.
The students got off one after another and, under the teacher’s direction, received the keys to their rooms. Suzuki Yuu grabbed his backpack and quickly blended in with his troublemaking friends, trying to appear inconspicuous.
Yet, a cold, clear voice still found him with precision.
“Yuu.”
His whole body stiffened.
Shiina Chisa had appeared in front of him without him noticing. She had changed out of her school uniform and was now wearing a simple white dress, looking flawless.
She stepped closer and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, said, “Our room is a bit of a walk away. Follow me.”
Her tone was light, but Suzuki Yuu knew he had to follow.
Thinking of this, he sighed.
Looks like he’d have to find another chance to slip away.
He didn’t know how long they walked, but eventually, Suzuki Yuu followed Shiina Chisa to a place called “Keisenkawa Manor,” which was quite a distance from the tourist area.
The exterior here looked quaint and elegant, but the interior was surprisingly modern—everything one could need was available.
He didn’t need to guess to know that staying here for one night wasn’t cheap, and the girl by his side had probably booked the whole place.
What a waste; she might as well have just given the money directly to him.
Of course, he knew well that to the young lady beside him, this amount was barely a drop in the bucket.
“What do you think, Yuu?” Shiina Chisa broke the silence. She walked to the window and looked out at the hot spring in the garden, her profile soft and gentle in the dim light. “Do you like the environment here?”
“I like it. It’s pretty quiet here, but…”
It seemed the hot spring wasn’t separated by gender?
As soon as this thought crossed Suzuki Yuu’s mind, Shiina Chisa seemed to read him and said,
“This is a private villa suite with only one hot spring.”
As expected…
The first test for Suzuki Yuu had arrived.
Seeing the calm look on her face, he couldn’t help but wonder if she had even a shred of the shame one would expect from a girl her age.
“It really is…surprising.”
“Shall we bathe together?”
It was already night—perfect for a soak in the hot spring.
Suzuki Yuu took a few steps back and quickly said,
“No, that’s a bit too sudden.”
Shiina Chisa’s expression began to sour, and Suzuki Yuu rubbed his forehead.
He took a deep breath and forced a smile: “You go ahead. I… I need to call my friends and confirm tomorrow’s plans.”
It was the lamest excuse ever.
Shiina Chisa looked at him for a few seconds. There was no doubt her expression was a little disappointed, but she still agreed.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
With that, she slid open the glass door and disappeared into the night and the mist of the hot spring.
When she shut the door, Suzuki Yuu finally relaxed a little.
But he knew he couldn’t drag things out any longer.
He barely hesitated. After telling the owner of Keisenkawa Manor that he had to go out for a bit, he quickly left.
Once outside, he pulled out his phone and called his troublemaking friends.
“How’s everything on your end, guys?”
“No problems. When are you coming?”
“Right away.”
As soon as the call ended, he broke into a run.