143 - Outdoors trip 1

*

A pair of navy twintails bobbed in front of her as a voice of curiosity leaked out. In the standard high-school uniform, she wouldn't be able to see her if she were to gaze straight forward. Her friend, Ursta Mebi was a little short.

She didn't seem to move much on her days off, much less exercise with any consistency. PE lessons were the furthest extent as far as physical activities were concerned. Seeing a huge tuff of hair round and flowing downwards, Corinne was tempted to pat her fellow library club member in this classroom.

Unlike Corinne, Mebi seemed to stand out even less and had an aversion to staying outside her home. She loved to delve into shoujo manga, to the point that it had consumed her whole. Her fitness and her education weren't as extensive as her fellow library club member, who seemed to be slightly above average in every little thing. Corinne was truly a role model student, yet she couldn't ask for a better friend than the little mischievous gremlin that was Mebi.

"Kuu~ you didn't even bother gloating in front of her? She lost so spectacularly!" (Mebi)

A strange groan escaped her lips as she grimaced with open lips and biting down on her teeth.

"Come on... You could say it was out of goodwill that I didn't rub it in. She'll remember, she's somewhat sincere enough. Not that a highschooler's gratitude will amount to much." (Corrine)

Mebi's partner here was a little cynical sometimes, she quickly adjusted to it when they first met and she didn't seem to mind. Being one of the few who could tolerate it instantly elevated her amicability with Corrine.

"Is it really that simple, you decide to be nice for a change?!" (Mebi)

She couldn't help but voice out her sheer doubt with sarcasm, showing the closeness that took root in their friendship. Corrine naturally took it without any particular reaction, focusing on her own emotions and sensations at the time.

"... What did you take me for...? That said... I had a really nasty premonition..." (Corrine)

"Really? What was it?" (Mebi)

She perked up upon hearing word that drew her interest like moths to a lamp. Pushing her torso forward like that, it was a habit that Corrine got used to, whenever Mebi was particularly absorbed into something.

" I had a feeling that whoever collapsed should have been me. And that she just took my place... That's why..." (Corrine)

"Pfft! Seriously? I didn't peg you as someone who would follow superstition... Well, at least you're both safe now." (Mebi)

"mhmm!" (Corrine)

The cacophony of lunchtime served as the perfect cover up, although they didn't have much to keep confidential. If only, it was slightly embarrassing. Their youth was burning bright. That day, Lastia found a letter on her table wishing her well.

***

It had been two weeks since, August was coming to an end and the school trip had just begun. Having completed the rigorous examination period, the students were following a special arrangement to enrich themselves in culture instead of academics. Now, what culture they choose to indulge was up to them, the school provided the train tickets and brought them to the nearest commercial zone, Manukia. It was know for its vibrant food street and was one of the first places Lastia visited during that one weekend.

As they departed from the train station, a few teachers ushered the students towards the exit. There were multiple other classes here as well, though not too many. The school had the consideration to send them to other commercial zones, so as to avoid congestion.

"Uwagh!" (?)

"?!..." (Lastia)

"Haha! He went uwah!" (?)

She turned around to see a group of four guys. Everyone was to split into groups of 2-6 before the trip started, the school was quite flexible in this aspect. Although the trip was personally planned by the students, there was strict rule of bringing at least 3 people. If she remembered correctly, this group was suppose to have 6... It's not uncommon for students to split off on their own, but doing it in front of the station was risky.

"Hey! Where's Jianmi and Eichiro? We're not even out of the station yet!" (Lastia)

Due to her maturity... Or rather, her lack of human etiquette, she was almost in a class president like role. Competently fulfilling tasks given by the teacher, Lastia adapted into the school environment and learned how students behave. She was approaching it like a machine, though she technically was closer to one than being a person. It wasn't hard to see who was missing as it was the two blond of the ground. The remaining four were a pair of brunettes and a pair of plain black haired guys.

Aloysius, Terri, Calamine, and Tinsel. The person who bumped into her was Aloysius. Just about most things are average about him, other than his firm dream of being a chef. Apparently he was learning to cook on the side, he had neat black hair that was swept to the side and an average height for someone of his age.

The class was small having only 20 students, naturally everyone knew of his ambition which caused him to stand out more. Even at this age, it was still normal to not know what future career one should commit to, further exacerbated by the abundance of resources and lack of poverty, students are still content remaining jobless and only consuming.

Cheeks red, he apologised and they went on their way. Yggdrasil was different, she didn't necessarily have to transform to use magic, because she was ultimately a magic formed information entity possessing a corpse. Her detection net was always up, using her own traits to lay roots far and wide. They occasionally acted as sensors that send out waves, then pass the information from node to node before transmitting it back to her.

If pressed to say, she had to admit that she saw the whole thing. Aloysius was pushed by one of his friends in a fit of mischief, likely Calamine. Terri was rather tall because he liked to engage in body building or sports games in his free time. Sport games including real life sports and those that are in-game, especially those that are story driven.

His height and his lean muscle made for a imposing figure for those of his age, but he didn't like to use his muscles for anything other than sports. He would call it a waste, but he likely just has grievances with antagonising others or bullying.