6. Not So Lonely First Field Trip

Before i go to sleep, i sit on the bed, looking at the list of items I've packed since two days ago. It feels like I'm preparing something big or maybe foreign.

This will be my first Field Trip.

Over the past two years, I always miss this kind of activity, because i was sick suddenly. But now i can join. Don't know why but i feel nervous.

I don't really have classmate that i was friend with. Probably because i was quiet.

Friend huh... I only have Fukamizu as my only friend... And she's in a difference class than me. So we can't have the same room together...

"The day of the field trip has come..."

I arrived a bit to early than what they said. Air in the morning is still cold. I'm standing here alone while looking at the bus.

There's a mixed feeling in my heart... I am nervous? and a little hope?.

When the students came in groups, I'm still standing here. No one greets me... Well that's expected...

And then, I see her, Fukamizu.

She came walking casually like usual. When she saw me, she was waving and smiling. I waved back. That's enough to make my world a bit peaceful.

On the bus, I sat alone by the window. The scenery moved quickly outside, but my thoughts remained on one thought.

This is the first time I've been able to join.

And someone remembered I was here.

We stopped at the rest area. Some students were joking around, buying snacks. I stood alone near the vending machine, wondering if I should buy a hot drink or not.

Suddenly a can of hot tea was thrust towards me.

I turned around.

Fukamizu was standing next to me.

"You like this right?."

I nodded slowly, accepting the can.

"Thank you..."

She didn't say anything else, just stood here with me for a moment before going returning to her group.

My arm feels warm, not because the can. But because... there are someone who notice the little things about me.

The room I stayed in was quite large, but it still felt cramped by the silence. The girls inside were too busy with their own friends. Their voices were as faint as the radio that I didn't listen to.

I lay down looking at the roof.

My body is not too tired. But my mind can't calm down.

This is my first field trip.

I made it here... but why do I still feel so far from anywhere?

I took a breath, then slowly got up. Put on my hoodie, grab my phone, and sneak out of the room.

The night air was a little biting, even though I was wearing a hoodie. The wooden floor of the inn creaked softly beneath my footsteps. There is no other sound. Only the rustle of the wind.

I opened the back door of the hall slowly... There's someone there... someone that i know...

Fukamizu, sitting there looking up at the sky.

She turned her head slowly when she heard the sound of the door opening.

"Sakura??"

I nodded, then sit beside her. We didn't speak right away.

The night sky in this village... is completely different. No city lights. No pollution. Just a blanket of stars that seem to pile up overhead, dense and bright.

"It's beautiful right?."

"I think you should definitely see this on your first field trip."

I lowered my head slightly.

"Yeah... you're right." I said while smiling.

I turned my head slowly to face her. She was staring at the sky, but I could see her expression was calm...

"I'm glad to see this together with you..." I muttered. Almost inaudible.

She turned to me. Looking at me gently.

"What??..."

I shook my head slowly. "No. Just talking to myself."

She laughed softly. The sound was like… filling the emptiness that had been silent inside me.

We sat together. We weren't far apart. But not close.

And for some reason, I didn't want time to move too fast.

Several minutes passed in silence. The stars remained above us, unchanging.

When it's time go back to the inn, we didn't say anything more.

In my room, I returned to my futon and pulled up the covers.

But that night, I couldn't fall asleep right away.

I put my hand on my chest—my heart felt… calm. But warm.

The first field trip… and I saw stars.

But maybe… the brightest one wasn't in the sky.

Maybe, it was her.

I closed my eyes.

And that night, I dreamed about stars.

But the most vivid thing in my dream… was someone sitting quietly beneath them with me.