"So it's finally here, huh?" someone said from the back of the class.
"I've been waiting for this for so long," another boy added, leaning forward with excitement.
"Girls! It's really happening!" one girl almost shouted.
"Yeah, yeah, we know, idiot," her friend replied, though she was just as excited.
The classroom buzzed with energy. Conversations overlapped, laughter slipped through every corner, and everyone kept glancing toward the front as if the announcement might appear on its own.
Then the door slid open.
The homeroom teacher walked in.
Almost instantly, the noise settled. Not completely, but enough to feel the shift.
He placed his books on the desk and looked at the class.
"Listen, everyone," he said in a serious tone.
That was enough.
The room went quiet.
"I know that you've been waiting for this," he continued. "I know you've worked hard. So now, see it with your own eyes. Your patience is going to be rewarded."
He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in.
"So, as your homeroom teacher, I am announcing that next week, we are going on a field trip."
For a brief second, no one reacted.
Then the classroom exploded.
"OHH!"
"Finally!"
"Dude, this is going to be amazing!"
"I'm so excited!"
Chairs moved, voices rose, someone almost tripped in excitement.
The teacher raised his hand halfway. "Calm down."
No one calmed down.
"Before that," he continued, slightly louder, "we need to select a slave—
i mean class representative for the trip. So, who wants to volunteer?"
And just like that, every head turned.
Toward Minato.
He blinked in confusion.
"My, my. So Itsuki wants to volunteer?" the teacher said with a pleased smile.
"Huh? Wait, what?" Minato stood up immediately. "Who said that? Why me?"
Teacher said,"Because you're our social worker.
I mean you have leadership qualities.
You ca—
"Hey, stop right there!" Minato poined at him. "I am not falling for this. This is clearly a trap."
The class burst into laughter.
"I refuse," Minato declared dramatically. "I am not signing any slave contract."
"Ah, what a shame," the teacher said lightly. "Anyone else?"
After a bit of hesitation and a lot of avoiding eye contact, the usual class representatives were chosen.
"Alright then," the teacher said. "Prepare well. I hope you enjoy the trip."
With that, he left the classroom.
The moment the door closed, the noise returned even louder than before. Students began discussing plans, food, seats, and everything in between. Excitement spread like wildfire.
After school, the building had quieted down.
Most students had already gone home.
On the way to the library, Hitori was walking in the hall to go to library.
Then he noticed someone.
A girl was climbing the stairs quickly, holding several books in her hands. Her steps were rushed and uneven.
At the last step, her foot slipped.
Her body tilted backward.
The books began to fall.
Before she could hit the ground, a hand caught her.
Firm. Steady.
Hitori pulled her slightly toward him, stopping her fall completely.
The books scattered across the stairs.
She fallen over hitori.
Her breathing was heavy. Her heart raced so loudly she could feel it in her chest.
"Are you okay?" hitori asked calmly.
"Y-yeah… I'm fine," she replied while trying stand over from hitori's body, though her voice trembled. "T-thank you…"
Hitori looked at her and noticed the tears forming in her eyes.
Without thinking much, he gently patted her head.
"It's fine. You're safe now."
"O-okay…"
She wiped her tears quickly,
She crouched down to pick up her books, but her hands were still slightly shaking.
"Let me help," hitori said.
He bent down, picked up the scattered books, and handed them to her one by one.
"T-thank you," she said again, still a little nervous.
"Relax," he said simply.
He offered his hand and helped her stand properly.
"Come with me for a second."
Before she could say anything, he guided her toward the vending machine nearby.
He inserted coins and pressed a button.
A drink dropped down.
"Here," he said, handing it to her. "Take it. And forget about it."
She held the can with both hands.
Still overwhelmed.
"First, take a deep breath," he added.
She followed.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Again.
Her shoulders slowly relaxed.
"…Yeah," she said after a moment. "I'm alright now. When I slipped… I thought I was going to die."
"Don't worry about it," he said.
And just like that, he turned and started walking toward the library.
She watched him go.
For a moment, she wanted to call out to him.
But the memory of what had just happened came rushing back.
Falling into him.
Almost crying.
Her face turned red instantly.
"…Ahh… geez," she muttered, covering her face with both hands. "I'm so pathetic…"
And Hitori kept walking ahead.
As if nothing unusual had happened at all.