Late Comers

POV for this section: Tanaka

After the student council elections, everything went back to normal. Akari-san is now the current leader of the whole student body with Riko assisting her, as well as the other members of the council. The school has been serene so far and hidden agendas are out, for the meantime.

What bothers me is that....Argh! Why is Suzuki's blushing face reappears in my mind until now?! T...This must be some kind of disease... Ugh, is this valid symptom for a psychological disease?!

It's 9 in the morning and it's Saturday so I shouldn't have any classes today. But, I feel that I am missing something. Hmm, what could it be?

My phone's ringtone suddenly plays. This must be a message.

"Hey Tanaka! Where are you?! We're leaving you behind so get yourself here!" displayed on the screen of my phone.

Sent by Koyanagi.... 6:30 am.... EH?! Crap! I forgot that today is our school trip! What a hassle!

My parents were out since yesterday and hasn't been home because of their alumni reunion. They usually wake me up early in the morning! More importantly, I have to go!

Jeez, I missed the latest one. Guess I have to wait for another 10 minutes. For now, I should sit and wait while watching the new recording of Kanata-chan. Yes, I am currently hooked to this rising idol named Kanata.

"Agh, she's so cute plus her voice is so cool and soothing at the same time. Her versatility in executing different themes makes me fall in love with her slowly..."

"Oh, is that Kanata-chan? Wow, she's looks really gorgeous!" said Suzuki as she suddenly spoke behind me.

"S...Suzuki! When did you...?!"|

"I was here the moment you were murmuring how cute Kanata-chan is and you might be just fell in love with her... Am I wrong?" replied Suzuki.

"N...No, Ma'am. You are absolutely right. Tsk," I replied. "By the way, why are you here? Perhaps, you overslept as well? Hmm?"

"Well, yeah. I didn't know my phone's battery has been drained last night. I fell asleep when I was watching YouTube videos." said Suzuki.

What? So she has this kind of weakness at times, huh? Good to know 'coz I'm starting to doubt that she's a human since she often reads my mind.

"Oh, here's the bus. Let's go, Tanaka. Satsuki-sensei will kill us if we didn't reach the place by lunchtime." said Suzuki.

"O...Okay."

From a quick glance, Suzuki looks...somehow... how can I say this... Uhmm... C...Cut- NO!!! I...It must have been from her clothes. I often see her wearing a school uniform so this ain't it.

"You really like seating at the farthest chair of a bus, aren't you?" I said as we walked on the back seat.

"Well, I think it's comfy here. Plus, the sunlight here isn't reflecting that much." replied Suzuki.

"Y...You have a point."

I'll give her credits of choosing this seat. It's wide plus the air conditioning is stronger at this spot.

"Hey, Tanaka. Want some Pocky?" offered Suzuki.

"S...Sure."

What's with this radiating aura she's emitting?! She definitely uses a different hair style today! She looks really pret-- Ugh! Is she impressing someone from our class? N...not that I care though...

"Look, the view of the mount Fuji from here is so mesmerizing," said Suzuki.

T...The radiance somehow goes stronger! Why is everything slowing down?!

"Tanaka, are you alright?" asked Suzuki as she asks in concern.

"Y...Yeah! Absolutely!" I said. "I...It's one of the spots that we're going to take a tour later, right?"

Did she saw me staring at her?!

"Yep! I'm so excited! Oh yeah, can you take a picture of me when we're on the view?" asked Suzuki.

"N...No problem."

Agh, my head's getting warm since I keep seeing her face. What's the matter with me?! This might be a long, long trip for me.

"Kusakabe, Suzuki, you two are so late!" scolded Satsuki-sensei.

"We're sorry, sensei. We overslept," said Suzuki.

"I...I'm sorry, sensei," I added.

Wow, everyone's scattered around, I guess?

"Anyway, since you two are the only ones without a pair, you are in a pair throughout the whole school trip. Understand?" said Satsuki-sensei.

A...pair?! I guess it shouldn't matter....

"Sir, what exactly are we going to do as a pair?" asked Suzuki.

"Just be together all the time during this trip. The theme of our school trip is cooperation and care, so you shouldn't leave your partner out, okay?" replied Satsuki-sensei.

T...Together all the time?! For real?!

"So, our next stop is Mount Fuji. You can enjoy this area with the others but we'll leave after 20 minutes," said Satsuki-sensei.

"Yes, sensei. Thank you for your consideration," said Suzuki. "Come on, Tanaka. Let's go!"

"Y...Yeah."

She looks really thrilled. Her smile makes everything warm around me... What's this feeling...

"Wow, it really is the real one!" said Suzuki.

"Haven't you been here before?" I asked.

"I had, but this is the first time I am not with my parents so I feel somewhat independent," replied Suzuki.

"Tanaka, please take a picture of me now. I've been waiting for this all along!" asked Suzuki.

If she's that excited, I can not refuse her.

"Pose, then," I said. "Ready?"

"Yep, this will do!" replied Suzuki.

"Okay, then. 1...2...3..."

The camera captures her much awaited photo. It suddenly hit my mind, that the mesmerizing thing here isn't only the mountain itself, but also the person in this photo.

Wait, why am I thinking like this?! This isn't me!

"To make things complete, let's take a photo of us here together!" offered Suzuki.

"E..Eh?!"

I am completely stunned with this development.

A...Ah, she's asking Akari-san to take the photo. Crap, I hope my embarrassment isn't noticeable!

"Okay, you two. Please smile at the camera!" said Akari as she holds Suzuki's phone.

I am looking at the camera, but Suzuki suddenly locks my left arm with her right arm gently. So, I can't help but look at her in awe but... the mountain breeze blows from our back, her hair has been grazed by the gentle wind which then emits another radiant feeling, this time a calmer aura. My eyes can't keep itself from looking at Suzuki today.

"Here, done," said Akari as she gave Suzuki's phone back to her.

"Thank you, Akari. You're the best," said Suzuki.

"Well, I'll be going then. Enjoy, you lovebirds. HAHAHA!" teased Akari.

"We're not!" I responded.

Jeez, she's making my situation harder!

"Shall we get going?" asked Suzuki. "There's more around so let's stroll more."

"Sure, this is getting fun anyway."

Well, we're partners so I just couldn't leave her alone.

..............

POV for this section: Suzuki

Ah~ The hot spring bath was so refreshing. This eases every inch of fatigue from strolling around the tours.

One thing that's bugging me is that there's something unusual with Tanaka. I don't know what it is or if I'm just assuming. Haha, I should just ask him directly.

Oh speaking of the devil, that's Tanaka. Is he on the way to his room too?

"Tanaka, are you going to your room as well?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just came from the bath," said Tanaka. "Hey, is that the latest edition of strawberry milk?"

"Uh, yeah. Want to taste it?"

"U...Uh, I'll buy my own later." said Tanaka.

HAHAHA! He's blushing again, as usual.

"Say, Tanaka." I started. "Have you been glancing at me this whole time?"

"H...Huh?! W...What are you talking about? Ehem!" replied Tanaka.

He's starting to be flustered again. He really is a walking emoji. That makes him cute, anyway.

"I just noticed since we're on the bus." I replied. "Even in this photo Akari took earlier, you were looking at me instead towards the camera."

He's getting fidgety all of a sudden. He's struggling to answer. Was there something in my face the whole time? A pimple? I am sure that I followed my skin routine.

"S...Sorry! I do not mean to creep you out or what...!" answered Tanaka.

"Was there something on my face, then?"

I need to confirm. I'm actually conscious.

"It's just... I couldn't stop staring at you since you look more beautiful than usual," revealed Tanaka. "Well, good night to you! Bye!"

"W...Wait...!"

I...I let my guard down.... I didn't expect he'll say it straight to my face.

Hmm... I look beautiful, eh....?

My heart wouldn't stop beating so fast. My face is getting warmer as I keep thinking of what he said. I couldn't keep myself from smiling either.

"My, oh my." I whispered. "You scored a point, dummy."

I just hope that I can hide my smirk as I walk towards my room.