Episode 102: School Trip (4)

A dazzling light streamed into my eyes.

When I opened my eyes, Endo-san was right in front of me.

Although she’d looked so terrified, with the face of a puppy that had been abandoned, she now had her eyes closed, looking like a puppy that had eaten its fill and was sleeping contentedly.

I touched her eyelids, which yesterday had been heavy with tears that seemed ready to spill over.

She didn’t look as though she was going to wake up.

　This time, I gently pressed my lips against hers.
Endo’s lips were soft and felt lovely.
I suppose that’s why I want to touch them so much.

Just as I was about to touch those lips again, Endo opened his eyes.

‘You pervert, Takizawa… attacking me in my sleep?’

Endo said this in a tone where I couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious. I wanted her to speak in a tone that made it clear she found it disgusting and wanted me to stop.

“If you were awake, you should’ve said so sooner.”

I felt embarrassed by my own behaviour and wanted to get away from there.

Come to think of it, I wondered if Mai had come back yet, and I started to panic, breaking out in a cold sweat.

I looked around the room; there was no one there but us.

“Mai messaged me saying she’d be sleeping over there.”

Endo-san showed me her phone screen, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Let’s sit next to each other on the rides at the amusement park.”

　Endo-san tried to make a promise that didn’t make much sense.

“We don’t need to say that, we can just ride together, can’t we?”

　When I said that, Endo-san smiled contentedly. I don’t know why she looked so happy.

　However, I was relieved that the Endo-san from yesterday, who had seemed somewhat anxious and sad, was no longer there.

‘Good morning!’

The door to the room opened and Mai came in cheerfully.

‘I ended up falling asleep in that room yesterday!’

I was glad Mai had slept over there. If anyone had seen the two of us sleeping together, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to talk to Endo-san properly all day today.

‘Shall we go and get some breakfast?’

Endo-san took my hand.

　As soon as we’d finished breakfast, free time began, and the two of them left the room looking happy. I hurried after them so as not to be left behind.

“Wow, I’m really looking forward to this! Let’s all have a great day today!”

Ando-san was in high spirits right from the morning, and it was quite a struggle to keep up with him. At the amusement park, Ando-san and Mai took the lead in showing us around.

Izumi-chan, who had been glued to Endo-san yesterday, was now glued to Yamamoto-san today, so the fluttering in my chest had settled down.

If I were the sort of person who could get as close to others as she does, would people not think anything of it if I touched Endo-san?

　…………

No, why would I need to touch Endo-san in the first place?

As I shook my head vigorously to shake off those unnecessary thoughts, Endo-san laughed at me.

“What’s got into you all of a sudden?”
“Nothing.”

Regardless of how I felt, our free time carried on. We started with cute rides like the Viking ship and the teacups, but the next ride was a rollercoaster.

‘Takizawa, are you okay with this sort of thing?’
‘I don’t really feel much.’

　I’d said that because I’d never been on one before, but once I got on, my feelings were completely different.

　The whole time I was on it, the sky felt so close. The wind felt lovely. It gave me a floaty, weightless sensation.

　Everyone else was screaming and shouting about how scary it was, but for me, it felt lovely and was great fun.

　When we got off the rollercoaster, about half of us were sitting slumped on the benches with deathly pale faces.

‘Ranka~, carry me~’

Izumi-chan looked the worst off; her legs had gone completely weak. Yamamoto-san sighed and said, ‘Oh, well,’ and gave her a piggyback.

Mai and Ando-san are taking a break for a while longer.
Endo-san seemed to be coping better than I’d expected.

Endo-san has looked happy ever since we got on the ride. Perhaps she actually likes amusement parks after all.

‘What did you think of the ride, Takizawa?’
‘It was better than I thought. It was all wobbly, and I wondered if this is what it feels like to fly.’

There was no deeper meaning to it.

　However, Endo-san was clutching my arm with a look of sheer terror on her face.

‘Takizawa… is still…’
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant it was fun because the sky felt so close, like I was flying.’

　Endo-san, for whatever reason, turned away and went to the loo, leaving the spot. As always, she worries about me just like a mother would.

　While the rollercoaster disaster group were recovering, I happened to have a chance to speak with Yamamoto-san alone.

“Are Hoshizora-san and Hina-san dating?”

　My heart thudded at the unexpected question. I lowered my voice so she wouldn’t sense my panic.

“No, we’re not. Why?”
‘It’s not like I was following you or anything, but on the day we were all heading home after studying, I just happened to see the two of you kissing.’

My heart began to race. I couldn’t say a word and just stood there, frozen.

‘Are you two just friends with benefits, by any chance?’
‘It’s not like that—’

We aren’t doing that, and we never have. For some reason, Yamamoto-san’s question made me feel irritated, and I ended up answering in a sharp tone.

“Sorry. I’ve upset you, haven’t I? I just asked because I was curious.”

Saying that, Yamamoto-san walked away.
Yamamoto-san was gone, but the knot in my chest remained.

After everyone had recovered, we moved on to various other spots and arrived at a place with a slightly eerie atmosphere.
It seemed we were going to ride an attraction that combined a haunted house with a ride.

‘Hehehe, it’s the test of courage you’ve all been waiting for. Well, it’s actually a ride!’
Everyone skipped in happily. Everyone, that is, except one person.

I looked over at Endo-san and saw she had stopped in her tracks.

‘Aren’t you coming?’
‘Hmm, ah! Yeah… I’m coming.’

The fact that I found Endo-san’s nervous behaviour slightly cute might mean I’ve gone a bit mad.

‘Are you scared, by any chance?’
‘I’m not scared. I’m fine…’

　Her complexion was clearly turning pale. I thought it might be alright to stay here with her, so I decided to ask just in case.

‘Do you want to back out?’
‘I’m going.’

　Whether she was putting on a brave face or not, Endo-san took my hand of her own accord and went inside.
　Sitting next to me, Endo-san kept a straight face the whole time.
　Mai seemed to have remembered something; she turned around and spoke to me.

“Hina, aren’t you the type who can’t handle scary things? Are you alright?”
“I’ve got this.”

　She said it with a face that looked anything but calm. As soon as the ride started, Endo-san suddenly let out a scream.
　Her eyes were welling up with tears; she looked as if she was about to burst into tears at any moment.

　I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“Takizawa, it’s cruel to take pleasure in other people’s misfortune…”
“No, I was just relieved to see that even the perfect Endo-san has things she’s not good at.”

I took her hand.
Endo-san’s hand was warm. Just as warm as the inside of her heart.

　When we first met, she seemed so perfect, never showing her true self to others, and I’d thought she might be a cold-hearted person.

But the more I got to know Endo-san, the more I realised she was just a human being, a girl her own age.

I wasn’t at all keen on going to the amusement park, but I’m actually glad I got to see the different sides of Endo-san.

‘Takizawa… why did you do that…?’
‘I suppose I couldn’t just leave a scared child alone.’

A year ago, I would never have been able to say something so tongue-in-cheek, and I wasn’t the sort of person who would have done something like this on my own initiative.

Endo-san changed me.

After making that joke, I looked at Endo-san with a shy smile, and I felt as though her expression had softened a little.

“Phew, that was scary. But it was fun!”
Mai laughed heartily.

“Of course, we’ve got to end with the Ferris wheel!”
Izumi-san was in high spirits as she headed towards the Ferris wheel.

“There are loads of couples here, aren’t there? I wonder if it’s because of that superstition, that couples who kiss at the top won’t break up, or that they’ll stay together forever? Maybe that’s why everyone’s here?”

I couldn’t hide my surprise that people actually believed in such things. If that were really true, I reckon this Ferris wheel would be so packed with queues that you wouldn’t be able to get on by now.

　Mai, Endo-san and I ended up getting on the Ferris wheel together.

“Right then, we’ll go first!”
Calling out to us loudly, Ando-san and the others went ahead.

“Did you both have fun today?”
Mai asked with a happy smile.

“It was brilliant fun. Thanks for planning everything, Mai.”
Endo-san replied with a natural smile. I jumped on the bandwagon and expressed my feelings too.

‘I had fun too…’
I’m still not used to saying things like this so openly, but it’s the truth, so I hope Mai gets the message.

‘It makes me happy that you two enjoyed yourselves!’
Mai came over and hugged us.

‘It’s a bit sad thinking this is the last time.’
Endo-san got on the Ferris wheel, and I followed suit.

The doors closed.

Mai was waving from outside the Ferris wheel.

　Why…?

“I’m afraid of heights, so I can’t go on the Ferris wheel!”

　Mai’s smile faded.

　Well, I had all sorts of questions, like how she managed to go on rollercoasters despite her fear of heights, but once we’d set off, the doors wouldn’t open again.

　Endo-san sat opposite me, and time simply passed.

“We had fun today, didn’t we?”
“Yeah.”
“Takizawa, let’s come here together again.”
“Yeah…”
“Eh!? Are you sure!?”

I didn’t answer that question. Because I felt that if we made a promise and it didn’t come true, I’d surely end up resenting her.

Even though I don’t want to, I find myself remembering what happened last night.
Endo-san said she had someone she liked.
I wonder if she’ll ever come to a place like this with the person she likes.

　Would she be here, looking happy and showing all those different expressions, just like today?

How much longer am I allowed to stay by Endo-san’s side?

“Endo-san, who is the person you like—”

It was something I didn’t want to ask, but I wanted to ask.
It was something I didn’t want to know, but I needed to know.

I’d been pushing it out of my mind since yesterday. It was like playing whack-a-mole—no matter how many times I hit it, that unpleasant feeling kept popping up.

‘I can’t say…’

　It was the same yesterday. She wouldn’t tell me anything.

‘Well then, let me know if you get a partner.’
‘Why?’
‘Because if you get a partner, I won’t do anything strange anymore.’
‘Strange things…?’

　I ended up leaning over Endo-san, who was sitting opposite me.

　The Ferris wheel swayed violently.

　I moved closer to Endo-san and pressed my lips, slightly tense and stiff, against her soft ones.

　Endo-san placed a hand on my shoulder as if to push me away slightly, so I clasped that hand tightly to prevent her from resisting.

　I gently stroked her lips, then nibbled at them.

　That wasn’t enough, so I moved past her lips and reached the place where I could feel Endo-san’s heat.

I wonder when my body started turning out like this…

I hadn’t noticed because I’d been staring at Endo-san the whole time, but I suppose we’re about at the top of the Ferris wheel now.

I wish she’d been dumped so badly that she’d come to hate the person she loves.

I wish there were no one left who fancied Endo-san, and no one left whom Endo-san could fall for.

If that were the case, would Endo-san stay with me forever—?

　I’m not the sort to believe in rumours or superstitions, but just for now, I found myself wishing it were true.

　Just as the Ferris wheel began to descend quite a bit, I pulled away from Endo-san.
　When I looked at Endo-san’s face, she was bright red and had tears in her eyes.

　That’s when I realised what a terrible thing I’d been doing.

I’d been forcing my own feelings onto Endo. As I kept my distance from her out of guilt, a discontented voice called out to me.

‘Stay by my side for just a little longer.’

Hearing that, I sat down next to Endo. Thinking of it as a small act of atonement, I decided to sit silently beside her.

‘Welcome back!’
Mai came to greet us. I had a few complaints about her.

‘If you don’t like the Ferris wheel, just go on it.’
When I said this grumpily, she gave me a gentle pat on the head.

‘Sorry, sorry. More importantly, Hina, isn’t your face red? Do you have a fever? Are you alright?’
‘I’m fine.’
Endo-san was forcing a smile.

“Mai-chan, Hoshizora-chan, Hina-chan! Thank you so much for joining us on our free time!”
Izumi-chan gave a deep bow, and Yamamoto-san and Ando-san were also bowing profusely.

“That’s what I should be saying! It was fun, thank you!”
Mai said this as she bowed, so I bowed along with her.

And so, the school trip that had been such a drag came to a safe and sound end.