The school trip loomed over everyone like a giant red circle on the calendar.
For most students, it was pure excitement. For Ren, it was doom disguised as "cultural education."
He sat on his futon at home, staring at an empty duffel bag. "What am I even supposed to bring…?"
His phone buzzed.
Group Chat: Trip Squad (unofficial)
Yui: No one forgets snacks. If you do, I'll kill you.Rika: Make sure Ren packs deodorant. He's the type to forget.Haruka: Bring a swimsuit.Mei: Don't forget your permission slip.Asuka: Bring protection ♥
Ren: DELETE THIS CHAT.
He groaned, burying his face in the bag.
That night, his front door rang.
Emi stood there, holding a paper bag. "Um… I thought you might need help."
Before he could protest, she stepped inside. Out came travel-sized shampoos, neatly folded towels, and even a labeled pouch for toiletries.
"You'd forget everything otherwise," she said, cheeks faintly pink.
Ren scratched his head. "Thanks… I guess?"
Then Yui barged in.
"Oi! I knew it! He'd forget half his stuff. I'm here to supervise."
Not five minutes later, Rika showed up "to make sure Ren doesn't sneak in ero magazines." Haruka followed, pretending she was only there because the bookstore was nearby. Mei slipped in quietly with a checklist, while Asuka simply strolled in without knocking—"What's a trip without a pre-party?"
Ren's room transformed into chaos. Clothes flying, girls arguing, someone pulling open his drawers—
"Wh-why do you have so many plain boxers?!" Yui shrieked."BORING," Rika declared."...Functional," Mei murmured, inspecting them too seriously.Emi nearly fainted.
Haruka, silently holding a swimsuit catalog she found in his pile, muttered, "…Pathetic."
Asuka, of course, whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, Ren. I'll lend you mine."
"STOP SAYING WEIRD THINGS IN MY ROOM!" he exploded.
By the end of the night, his duffel was packed—but his sanity was shredded.
As the girls finally left, Emi lingered by the door. She glanced back, voice soft.
"…I'm looking forward to the trip. I hope… you'll look at me a little more, Ren-kun."
The door shut before he could reply.
He stood frozen in the silence of his room, heart pounding, as outside, the city hummed with the promise of the days to come.
The school trip had already begun—before the bus even left.