[Short Story] Hearts on the Road

The bus rumbles to life, and I can't help but feel a flutter of excitement. We're setting off from Oyana High School, Osaka, embarking on a journey all the way to Hokkaido. I overheard earlier Tanaka-sensei mention that the trip will cover approximately 1,594 kilometers, and we'll be on the road for about 31 hours and 44 minutes.

I glance to my side, where Hinoyama-kun is adjusting his bag under the seat. Being this close to him for such a long trip makes my heart race a little. Trying to play it cool, I look out the window, even though we haven't started moving yet.

"Comfortable?" His voice pulls me from my thoughts.

"Oh, yeah," I reply, hoping my cheeks aren't as pink as they feel.

As the bus begins to move, he leans into the aisle, waving back to Ren-kun and Daichi-kun. "Hey, Ren! Daichi! Don't break anything back there!"

I giggle. Typical Hinoyama-kun, always looking out for everyone.

"Don't tell them that. Tell him that!" Daichi-kun shoots back. "Ren's already planning a snack rebellion!"

"Don't make me come back there!" Hinoyama-kun laughs.

As the bus settles into a steady rhythm, he leans back into his seat. "Ahh, nothing beats a school trip, huh?"

I smile, feeling a warm glow inside. "Yeah... making memories."

He turns to me, his eyes sparkling. "Exactly! And with friends like you, it's going to be unforgettable."

My heart does a little flip. I hope he can't hear it over the hum of the bus.

I watch the city streets slowly give way to highways lined with open fields. The scenery outside is nice, but the view beside me is... distracting. Hinoyama-kun leans his head back against the seat, his messy hair catching the sunlight streaming through the window. I fiddle with my sleeve, trying not to stare too much.

"You okay?" he asks, turning to me with a smile. "You're awfully quiet. That's not like you, Hana."

"I'm just... enjoying the view," I say quickly, gesturing vaguely to the window.

He tilts his head. "The fields? Or the mountains in the distance?"

"Uh—both?" I stammer, wishing the seat could swallow me whole.

He chuckles, resting his arm casually on the back of the seat. "You're funny, Hana. But don't get too lost in the view. Otherwise, you'll miss all the fun inside the bus!"

As if on cue, a shout erupts from the back. "Snack war begins now!"

I turn to see Ren-kun holding a bag of chips high above his head while Daichi-kun lunges for it. Tanaka-sensei sighs dramatically from the front, muttering something about "kids these days."

Hinoyama-kun shakes his head, grinning. "See? Chaos everywhere. It's like Ren and Daichi can't survive without turning something into a battle."

I giggle. "Well, you're not exactly Mr. Calm and Quiet yourself."

He pretends to be offended, placing a hand on his chest. "Excuse me? I am the epitome of calm. The essence of tranquility."

"Oh, sure," I say, rolling my eyes. "Tell that to the poor guy you wrestled for the last slice of pizza at lunch last week."

"Hey, that was a survival instinct!" he argues, laughing.

---

The hours on the bus seem to fly by. Tanaka-sensei announces our first break at a rest stop, and everyone files out to stretch their legs. I stay behind for a moment, watching as Hinoyama-kun adjusts his jacket and cracks his knuckles.

"You coming, Hana?" he asks, pausing at the steps.

"In a second," I say, grabbing my bag. But before I can stand, I trip over the strap and stumble forward.

"Whoa, careful!" Hinoyama-kun catches my arm, steadying me before I can fall face-first.

My face burns. "Thanks... That would've been embarrassing."

He smiles, his hand lingering on my arm for a moment. "No problem. I wouldn't let you fall."

For a second, it feels like time slows down. His eyes soften, and I swear the noise of the bus fades into the background.

Then, of course, Ren-kun's voice cuts through the moment. "Are you two coming, or are you planning your wedding back there?"

I pull away quickly, grabbing my bag and pretending to be very busy with the zipper. "We're coming!" I shout, trying to sound casual.

---

Back on the bus, everyone is dozing off or engrossed in their own conversations. Hinoyama-kun has fallen asleep beside me, his head tilted slightly toward me.

I try not to move too much, worried I might wake him up. But then his head lolls over... and rests on my shoulder.

I freeze. What do I do? Wake him up? Stay still? My heart is pounding so loud I'm sure someone will hear it.

He mumbles something in his sleep, completely unaware of the chaos he's caused. I bite my lip, glancing around. Ren-kun is busy arguing with Daichi-kun again, and no one else seems to notice.

I allow myself a tiny smile. Maybe this trip is going to be even more unforgettable than I thought.