On the day of their trip, Akira contacted a bus that could reach his grandfather's home in the countryside. He and Sajuna waited at the bus station with their backpacks for the others to arrive.
For Akira and Sajuna, this trip to the countryside was slightly more about visiting than sightseeing, so they both dressed up a bit, making them look handsome and beautiful.
Akira's backpack contained three or four changes of clothes for himself and Sajuna, as well as the necessary camping gear.
Sajuna carried her own small backpack, which held her underwear and some personal items Akira shouldn't see.
"Over here!"
Akira saw Wakana and Marin running towards him and waved.
"Akira-kun!"
Marin ran over with her backpack, which looked well-prepared. Wakana had changed out of his usual work clothes into a summer T-shirt outfit that looked quite stylish. Akira wondered if Marin had helped him buy it.
"Akira-kun, good afternoon. Has Murakami-san not arrived yet?"
Wakana panted as he looked around, not seeing Kouki and Nowa, and asked curiously.
"Wakana, your backpack is too big."
"Ah, a lot of it was prepared by my grandfather."
Wakana scratched his head sheepishly. "My grandfather said it was my first time going out with friends, so he prepared everything we might need."
"But I haven't really gone out with friends much before, so I just prepared according to what my grandfather said."
"Murakami and the others should be here soon. Murakami said they have a lot of stuff."
Akira replied.
Marin, standing next to Sajuna, also pulled out her phone and replied, "Nowa said they'll be here soon."
After waiting five minutes, Kouki and Nowa also arrived, carrying large backpacks. Akira asked them and found out that Nowa wanted to bring too many things, which ultimately resulted in such large backpacks.
The group, carrying their backpacks, picked up their tickets at the station. Once the bus arrived, they stored their backpacks and, led by the staff, boarded the bus and found their reserved seats.
The six people had reserved seats in pairs. Akira quickly found his and Sajuna's seats. In front of them were Kouki and Nowa, and behind them were Wakana and Marin.
"Go on in."
Akira turned sideways, allowing Sajuna to take the inside seat. With him by her side, the window seat would help Sajuna rest.
"Kitagawa-san, do you want the inside seat?"
Wakana asked.
"Yes, yes, I want to see the scenery outside the window."
Marin replied.
Nowa and Kouki also shared a couple's unspoken understanding. Nowa directly sat inside and then leaned on Kouki's shoulder.
The vehicle slowly started with a rumble. Since the group was on a highway bus, after the vehicle started, passengers all lay back in their seats, covered themselves with blankets, and prepared to rest.
The bus announcement also broadcasted the notice that the lights would soon be turned off.
Akira helped Sajuna recline her seat, then asked the driver for a blanket. He comforted Sajuna, telling her to put on her eye mask and sleep, while he himself leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
Click. After the final reminder, the lights in the vehicle went out.
"So I can't look at the scenery after all."
Marin's mumbling voice came from behind, "I thought I could see the scenery along the way."
"Maybe the journey is too long, everyone prefers to sleep for a while. Kitagawa-san, you should rest for a bit."
Wakana comforted her softly.
"I still wanted to chat with Gojo-kun about what we saw."
"Hmm, what did Kitagawa-san say?"
"Nothing, I didn't say anything!"
"I somehow feel Kitagawa-san's tone was regretful..."
"Gojo-kun must have misheard..."
The two chatted for a while, and their voices gradually quieted down, leaving only Kitagawa's murmuring. Akira turned his head to look back and found that Marin had fallen asleep at some point.
Indeed, being so lively must be exhausting.
Wakana was covering Marin with a blanket. Hearing the sound from the front, he looked up and saw Akira turning around, showing an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, did I disturb Akira-kun?"
"I'm fine."
Akira shook his head and then said to Wakana, "Kitagawa-san's sleeping face is also very beautiful."
"Eh, ah."
Wakana subconsciously wanted to deny it, but looking at Akira's gentle expression, he looked down at the quietly sleeping Marin and couldn't help but nod.
"Yes, Kitagawa-san is very beautiful."
As Wakana said this, the sleeping Marin seemed to sense something. She stirred, her nose twitched slightly, and then she leaned towards Wakana's direction, mumbling Wakana's name.
"Gojo-kun..."
"Huh!"
Wakana was startled. After carefully checking, he realized it was sleep-talking. The startled expression on his face disappeared, replaced by a happy and gentle expression.
All this time, what he had done was not unrequited love.
Wakana thought about everything he had done, a faint smile on his face. He watched over the sleeping Marin for a while, and when he