Whispers in the Fog, Fire in the Heart

The sun had barely risen, but the house was buzzing with excitement.

It was the first day of the school trip.

Everyone had packed the night before, and now the six roommates stood in the living room, dressed casually for the journey. But today was different—for one particular reason.

Yuta Kamado.

For the very first time, Yuta had styled his hair. It wasn't wild or too flashy—but neat, fluffy, and slightly tousled, giving him a cool, effortless charm. And even more shocking? He was wearing the outfit Yuki had chosen for him during their shopping trip: the stylish white sweater with black jeans. He looked like a real model.

The moment Yuta stepped out of his room, the reaction was instant.

"Wait... is that Yuta!?"

"No way, he's so handsome today!"

"That sweater... is it the one Yuki picked?!"

Yuki looked away, blushing slightly, but her lips curled into a proud smile.

"Told you it would look good on you," she whispered.

Yuta scratched his head, already flustered. "T-Thanks…"

🚌 The Bus Ride Begins

They all arrived at school together. Luggage loaded, students formed lines, excited chatter echoing all around.

Yuta sat at the very back of the bus, between Izumi and Amane. They were joking around, talking about what they'd do once they reached Mount Fuji.

But even in the back seat, Yuta couldn't escape the spotlight.

A group of girls gathered in the aisle nearby, whispering and giggling.

"Should I sit next to him?"

"No way! I'm too nervous!"

"He looks like someone from an idol group today."

Just as one of them stepped forward to talk to Yuta, a sharp, confident voice sliced through the air.

💥 The Voice That Stunned Everyone

"Leave him alone. You're crowding him."

All heads turned.

Standing near the center of the bus was a girl from another class, dressed in a sleek, elegant outfit with a cool, composed expression. Her long hair swayed as she walked toward Yuta.

Everyone whispered:

"Isn't that... Emi?!"

"The Class Vice President from Section C?"

"She's really famous... like top-tier beautiful and super smart!"

Emi reached Yuta and gave him a calm, stunning smile.

"Kamado Yuta, right? I've heard a lot about you lately," she said, offering her hand. "I'm Emi Asakura, the vice president of Class 2-C. Nice to meet you."

Yuta blinked, awkwardly shaking her hand. "Uh... hello?"

Then Emi leaned in with absolutely no hesitation—

"Also... will you go out with me?"

😲 Everyone: SHOCKED

The whole bus went silent.

Amane's mouth dropped open.

Izumi choked on his water.

Even Mai, Erika, and Yuki—who were sitting a few seats ahead—froze mid-conversation and whipped their heads around in sync.

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!?!?!"

Yuta's jaw practically fell off. "W-What?!"

Girls started gossiping.

"Did she just confess to him on the first meeting?!"

"Yuta already has girls around him… now even Emi?!"

Erika crossed her arms. "What's her deal...?"

Mai narrowed her eyes. "Too bold."

Yuki blinked slowly, lips trembling slightly, but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Yuta was still stunned silent as Emi casually took the empty seat across from him and smiled confidently.

Yuta was frozen in place, still trying to process Emi's unexpected confession.

All eyes were on him. The air in the bus was so tense, you could hear the engine better than the whispers.

Emi tilted her head with a playful smile.

"So? What's your answer, Kamado Yuta?"

Yuta cleared his throat nervously. "Um... I appreciate your feelings, really, but... I-I can't go out with someone I just met. I barely even know you."

Instead of being offended, Emi simply giggled.

"That's fair. You're so honest, I like it even more." She tucked a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. "I'm Emi Asakura, daughter of the Asakura Corporation. I'm rich, smart, and I don't like playing games. I'm serious about you."

Then she slid into the seat next to Yuta, boldly grabbing his hand.

"Don't worry. I'm not rushing. I've got all the time in the world. I'll wait for you… even if it takes forever."

Yuta blinked hard.

"W-Wait, your hand—uh—could you let go—"

He looked ahead at Mai, Yuki, Erika, and the others with pleading eyes that screamed:

"HELP ME!!"

😤 Erika Takes the Stage

Before anyone else could react, Erika stood up from her seat like a queen protecting her territory.

"Hey, Emi," she said with a soft, yet pointed tone. "Aren't you supposed to be on Bus B with the rest of your class? I think someone's waiting for you there... right?"

Emi's confident smirk twitched. "Oh… right. That."

She stood up quickly, but not before leaning close to Yuta again.

"I'll see you at the destination, Yuta~ Don't forget me."

Then she winked and blew a flying kiss at him, turning a few nearby girls red with jealousy, and finally made her way off the bus.

😵 Yuta's Relief

The second she stepped out, Yuta slumped in his seat, sighing in relief like a soldier who just dodged a missile.

"Thank you, Erika," he whispered. "You saved my life from that overpowered NPC."

Erika rolled her eyes. "That's what you get for looking like a movie star today." But there was a playful smirk on her face too.

Amane laughed. "Man, you attract more drama than a TV series."

Mai crossed her arms. "She was way too forward. And what's with that 'I'll wait forever' stuff?"

Yuki didn't say anything, but Yuta noticed her holding her glasses tighter and staring quietly out the window.

The school bus screeched softly as it pulled into the wide, cobblestoned entrance of the Mount Fuji resort. Surrounded by the misty embrace of tall cedar trees and crowned by the distant silhouette of the mountain's snowy peak, the students could hardly contain their excitement. The luxury resort was nothing short of breathtaking — an elegant traditional building with sliding doors, warm lantern lights hanging under wooden eaves, and a faint scent of cherry blossoms floating in the fresh mountain air.

As soon as the bus halted, Yuta leapt up from his seat. "Everyone, get out quickly!" he hissed under his breath to his roommates, panic clear in his wide eyes.

Amane blinked. "What's with you?"

Yuta pointed with his thumb toward the back of the bus. "She's here. Emi."

The moment Amane heard the name, he jolted upright. "Understood. Emergency escape operation. Let's move!"

Yuta led the charge, bolting out of the bus like a fugitive. Izumi and Amane followed, dragging their suitcases and bags, while the girls trailed behind, confused but slightly amused.

"Was Emi that bad?" Erika asked, half-smirking.

"You have no idea," Yuta replied gravely, only pausing once they entered the main resort lobby.

The interior of the resort was even more stunning than the exterior — polished wooden floors, paper walls with artistic ink patterns, and staff members in kimono greeting them with warm smiles. But Yuta had no time to admire the beauty.

After quickly getting their room keys, they were led upstairs to their shared tatami-matted suite. The moment they entered, Yuta collapsed onto the futon, dramatically throwing his arm over his eyes.

"Freedom... I escaped."

Everyone laughed, but the mood quickly shifted as the teacher entered the hallway and began explaining the next part of the itinerary.

"We'll rest for half an hour, then begin our hike to the upper view station of Mount Fuji. Please wear your proper gear. It will be cold and may rain."

The hike began after everyone had changed into their designated trekking outfits. They gathered at the base of a scenic trail. The path wound through the trees, damp with fog and the smell of wet leaves. For the first thirty minutes, everyone walked together — laughing, chatting, and clicking pictures.

But soon, the steep slope began taking its toll.

"I'm... dying..." Amane gasped, hands on knees.

Izumi was bent over as well. "Why are we doing this again?"

Yet ahead of them, two figures stood tall — Yuta and Mai, both unfazed by the climb.

"Hurry up, slowpokes!" Mai called back, hands on her hips.

Yuta chuckled and added, "Do you want me to carry you guys one by one?"

"Don't tempt me!" Erika called out, wiping sweat off her forehead.

However, in the chaos, no one noticed that Erika had slowed down far behind the group, breathing heavily. Her face was pale.

"I'm just... going to rest for a second..." she mumbled to herself, slipping behind a large rock near the path.

The mist thickened, and the trail was soon shrouded in eerie silence.

By the time the group reached the summit station, the fog had turned into light rain. Yuta turned around, counting heads.

"Wait... where's Erika?" he said, suddenly alert.

Panic spread instantly.

Everyone tried calling her phone, but there was no signal.

Yuta didn't hesitate. "You all stay here. I'm going back."

"But Yuta—" Yuki began, but Yuta was already sprinting down the trail, his shoes splashing in puddles, rain pattering against his jacket.

His mind raced. Please be okay. Please don't be hurt.

Suddenly, through the wind, he heard a scream.

"Erika!"

He followed the sound and arrived at a clearing off-trail. There, he saw her — cornered by three older boys, all unfamiliar and clearly not students.

One of them had grabbed her wrist.

"Let go of her!" Yuta roared, fury flashing in his eyes.

Before the boys could react, Yuta was already mid-air, his fist slamming into the guy's jaw. The attacker stumbled back with a scream.

The other two lunged, but Yuta dodged swiftly — years of quiet self-defense training paying off. A punch to the ribs, a kick to the knee, and one by one, they were on the ground.

Yuta stood between them and Erika, panting, fists clenched. "Don't touch her again."

He turned to Erika, who was trembling and soaked from the rain. Her ankle was bleeding.

"Come on, let's get you out of here," Yuta said softly, kneeling beside her.

But as he helped her stand, one of the thugs got up and shoved Yuta hard.

He lost his footing and slipped — the edge of the cliff catching him.

"Yuta!" Erika screamed.

Yuta was hanging by one arm, the wet rocks making it impossible to grip.

This is it... I'm going to fall—

But two strong hands grabbed him just in time — Mai and Yuki, arriving breathless.

"We've got you!" Yuki yelled.

With their combined strength, they pulled him back up.

Moments later, Izumi and Amane appeared and without a word, beat the living daylights out of the three attackers.

"You think you can touch our friend and walk away?" Amane growled, fists blazing.

Back at the resort, the teachers were alerted. The attackers were detained and handed over to security. Erika sat on a futon, wrapped in a blanket, holding Yuta's hand.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "And... thank you."

Yuta gave her a gentle smile. "You're safe. That's all that matters."

The room was quiet for a moment before Yuki mumbled, "You really are reckless, you know."

Yuta chuckled. "Guess I just can't stand still when someone needs me."

Mai looked at him and said with a smirk, "You better be ready. This trip just started."

Everyone nodded in agreement — but their eyes lingered a little longer on Yuta, admiration and worry mixed in their gazes.

This wasn't just a school trip anymore.

This was the beginning of something deeper.

To be continued in Chapter 8...

→ What dangers await at Mount Fuji? Will Erika open up about her feelings? Will Yuta finally realize what he's becoming to everyone around him? Drop a review, comment your thoughts, and support the journey!