It was the second day of our trip to Hawaii. So far, we had been given quite freeing schedules, most students took their time to play on the beach, relax in their hotel room or explore the facilities nearby. The hotel we were staying at was accustomed to tourists and had a lot of amenities dedicated to them, such as; familiar restaurant chains, access to the beach, an aquarium and a souvenir shop. I had no doubt the price was remarkably increased compared to other areas of the country. But it's not like we had much other choice. The students were to stay within the bounds of the hotel and its land at all times. It would end in a particularly devastating incident if students got lost or ran away halfway through the trip, so in a way I could empathise with the staff to a degree. There were a few select teachers that accompanied the second years; Kamoshida was brought whilst considering the beach as an ideal area to practice volleyball. Though, I imagine he would've got the invitation either way. Him along with the homeroom teachers of each of the classes and a few upperclassmen.
The latter of that statement being the reason I even bring this up in the first place.
How did I even get involved in this? I'm just trying to enjoy my vacation…
I turned to my senpai, a girl with fluffy light brown hair that looked more like cotton than hair. It looked like it would be soft to the touch… What a strange thought. She was wearing a sundress and sunhat of white with sky blue accents. She looked the picture of a well-off lady from a feature length film. Although, she most certainly appeared to be overdressed for the beach.
"Okumura." The older girl had a sunny disposition. The kind that naturally made people feel at peace, like walking in a meadow of flowers with naught but the sun's presence. Besides that peculiar character trait, she was fairly normal. Other than her background, I assume anyway…
"What is it, Ayanokouji-kun?" She asked whilst dabbing at her forehead with a handkerchief, a strange emblem embroidered into it. Whilst it was certainly good stitchwork, I don't remember seeing this anywhere. It was a small bunny and bear, they looked like mascots. Was this her own handiwork? She must be fairly dexterous.
"Is there a particular reason that you decided to join the school trip?" Most students would jump on the opportunity to ditch class and holiday in a foreign land. Okumura didn't give the same impression, though perhaps that was the point… The teachers wanted these senpai to work, not gallivant around on holiday.
I had been roped into this much the same. Kawakami had the brilliant idea of asking me to assist them, simply because I didn't look like I was doing anything particularly important. I curse my own complacency. That was how I found myself monitoring the absences of any students. With my senpai accompanying me. The other girl had already gone off in the opposite direction by the time I arrived. Certainly, splitting up would allow us to decrease the time of this chore. And I certainly didn't think I was the most qualified to provide this sentiment… but I believe she could be a bit more friendly.
"Hmm. Not really, now that I think about it. The teachers asked for volunteers, my name just happened to be picked." Hmm? By raffle or by the teacher's own hands? I suppose that isn't a particularly pertinent question. Still, it piqued my interest. Even superfluous information like this helped me to get a better read on the students and teachers of this academy. Something that became more essential as the plan progressed.
"You wouldn't have cared either way?"
"I wouldn't say that. It's true that I could choose to come here when I please. But now that the staff are counting on me, I need to do my very best to meet their expectations. After all, isn't it much better when people work together?" What a splendid senpai-like answer. Judging by the fact she responded that way, it was safe to assume my estimations of her background were correct as well.
"I had thought so earlier, but you're related to that big company, aren't you? Okumura Foods." It seemed like I'd meet company president's sons and daughters wherever I go. Seriously, shouldn't you be sent to a private school or somewhere more influential? It's like meeting a celebrity at your local green grocers. Strange and bewildering.
"I don't particularly try to hide it. The name isn't all that common, so most people put two and two together." Okumura Haru had similar traits to what one would expect of the sheltered daughter of a successful businessman. Clearly defined fashion trends, more conservative values in the way she dresses, even here on the beach. A mild-mannered almost subservient tone when speaking to others, even those that are her junior. Well-enunciated and enjoys particularly feminine hobbies; knitting, embroidery etc. Maternal instincts and a peaceful energy. It was as if she was born and reared to be an ideal partner. Akin to the princesses of old, she was raised like a trophy to exchange between foreign states. No more than a business deal. She's a good person and a kind senpai. How sad, someone like that treated as no more than a broodmare by the people closest to her, those she called family. Unfortunately, family alliances were the quickest, most assured way for an uninvolved family to become a participator in the political landscape. I could relate in a way.
"Sorry."
"What for?"
"You don't seem to enjoy talking about it. That answer sounds rehearsed, had to repeat it a million times already?" A familiar sense of déjà vu assaulted me, reminiscing all the times I had been asked why I never smile, or whether I was dating the younger Horikita. That was possibly the most common asked question in all the time I spent at that school… Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I was just happy that the same question wasn't directed at me and Sakamoto, seeing as he was my only established friend in this place so far. Well, I was working on that.
"Hehehe. It's nothing that bad. I'm sure it's interesting for other people looking in, so I can't blame them for asking these questions… Though, it does get a bit stifling at a certain point."
"That's natural. They're only peering in for a second, you have to live that life."
"Well said. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've had similar experiences."
"Somewhat, though probably not to the same extent as you. They do say that the grass is always greener on the other side. Personally, I find it's better to be content with what you've already got." When it was gone then you'd truly understand the loss. That was why you should embrace and treasure everything close to you before that time comes. On the other hand you could shut yourself off to everything, so that when disappointment arrived it wouldn't affect you. Who could say which was correct?
"I think so as well. You're rather mature aren't you, Ayanokouji-kun? Rather you give off that mature appeal. I wonder if you look like a third year to the other students as well..." Devious girl.
"Not so fast, senpai. I might be helping for now, but I plan to get back to enjoying my vacation soon enough." If she thought I could be convinced to give up this very welcome rest period, then she was beyond mistaken.
"Busted." She giggled lightly at my reprimand. At least she had a good sense of humour.
"Besides… It's not like I'm actually all that mature. It probably just seems that way. The real mature ones are the people that show what they're feeling." I couldn't prevent my real thoughts becoming revealed for a brief moment. Okumura had a certain gentle presence that lends itself to this sort of thing. She also didn't seem the type to carelessly talk about these things, despite her airheaded image.
"You keep it all bubbled up inside?" She needled gently.
"Maybe that's not the best way to word it… But it isn't exactly wrong either. In the end, kids that pretend to be mature resort to those methods." Okumura seemed like that sort of person as well. Children from rich parents and more importantly; children coming from ambitious parents had these difficulties.
"Hehe, what a coincidence. That sounds familiar."
"…As people that have those things bubbling up, it's a good idea to let loose once in a while, don't you agree?"
"I see mischief in your eyes, Ayanokouji-kun. What are you suggesting?"
"We are at a holiday resort. There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself so long as your work is done, correct?"
"That would be naughty, kouhai. I wouldn't be setting a good example as your senpai now, would I? We're supposed to be watching over you as escorts. Not enjoying a holiday."
"You'd still be watching over us, just from a closer distance. Participate in the games a little bit. There's no difference between watching us playing in the water from the beach or from the water itself is there?"
"Hehehe, you're sly Ayanokouji-kun! Something tells me you might be trouble for the teachers."
"Do I look like I'm capable of that sort of thing?"
"Yes." She didn't even hesitate…
"…Oi."
"Hehehe! Are you the type of boy that sneaks onto the roof and such? Ditching class and engaging in truancy? A rotten delinquent, aren't you, Ayanokouji-kun?" Did I appear the type to do that sort of thing? Strangely, residing just beyond that fickle persona was an energetic and rambunctious senpai. She was almost hyperactive, I can only imagine how the students in her class regarded her. Perhaps this sort of thing was an uncommon interaction in her eyes.
"I might've been on the roof, but it wasn't to skip class. At the very least, I'm not that negligent." It was more like I didn't want to deal with the backlash from Kawakami-sensei or another teacher in the event I did skip class.
"Students shouldn't be up there at all."
"It wasn't really my choice. Though, I was surprised. It was in a better shape than I thought it'd be."
"Hmm?" Her ears perked up slightly.
"Someone was still watering the plants on the roof, despite no-one being allowed there."
"Ah! That was me!" As I thought, I had seen someone entering the roof a few times in the past, sometimes even during club time. Now what was the reason a good-natured student like the Okumura heir was on the roof…? I assumed something innocuous like smoking. The stress of life could get to anyone, that was just one way of dealing with it. My guess wasn't quite on par.
My initial worries went back to Kushida. How would I react if this seemingly kind senpai was the exact same as Kushida's good-girl façade? I have no doubt I could remember that sensation more easily a second time, if she enacted the same plan as Kushida did in our first year, though that came with its own can of worms. I also didn't want to be wrongly accused in this place. Especially not with Kamoshida on the loose.
It was nice to see that neither of those more dire situations ever came to be. Instead it was for a nicer cause.
"What happened to no students allowed up there…?" It seemed that the princess was going through her own phase of rebellion.
"Hehehe, I guess we're just as bad as each other. Just two delinquents, huh?"
[Phantom Opera: White Soliloquy]
Twirling the sugar packet into the hot black coffee was almost hypnotizing. It wasn't so much that I needed to wake up, that wasn't the reason for my indulging of this caffeinated beverage. It went without saying why I had made the choice to grab this…
It was all-inclusive, this holiday. As expected of an academy with prestigious achievements. The only place that could possibly beat it for overindulgent spending is ANHS.
So yes, I had taken this coffee more for the fact that it was there, rather than any need for its consumption. That wasn't to say there was still no use for it. I was currently awaiting the arrival of my… I guess friends now. Takamaki and Suzui were with me and Sakamoto just the other day on the beach, we had decided unanimously to gather again today. Though I may have been a bit overprepared, considering I arrived a bit early.
None the matter.
I took a brief sip of the hot black liquid… Not as good as Sojiro's. Was that my biases talking? Or was it the difference between lovingly produced local dishes and the mass-produced nature of convenience goods in overpopulated sectors?
I doubted it was bias, after all it was unlikely that Sojiro could see into my mind and grasp my very thoughts. It was more likely that the mass-produced product was just created with less attentive detail.
My mind was a spiral of useless thoughts, this was what happened from time to time when I didn't get them in check. It was more prudent to think about the situation so far.
The advent of this morning meant two more had been gathered for tomorrow. Me, Suzui, Takamaki, Sakamoto, the senpai. Just one more I need, I suppose I would get the chance for that later in the day. Getting them to join alongside us would be easy enough. They'll probably make the first move if I have any luck. Well, not that I need it.
As my attentions returned to the atmosphere, I tuned into an especially strange interaction. It was as if I had just been transported to an anime that the professor or the three idiots would talk about. Complete with the protagonists shouting their techniques out loud.
"Take this! Ultimate move: Blazing cannon of righteous fury!" Whatever board game is being played must have a hell of a budget if these are the names of moves.
"Hifumi. It's checkmate in three." Huh, never heard of that formation in chess before. Or I suppose it could be Shogi as well. For such an old game, it still progresses when you take your eyes off of it. Perhaps, one day in the future the state of play might be so advanced that I become just another run-of-the-mill player. Wouldn't that be the day?
"That's right! For you that is-"
"No." It seems as if the first girl has been thoroughly outclassed in this battle.
"Ah, I messed up… Can we retake a few moves? Pretty please!" You really want to take back that impressive sounding finishing move? The blazing cannon's fury must not be as righteous as we first assumed.
"The result would be the same either way, we can just start again." Some confidence… Whoever it is must be pretty good.
"Hmph, so be it. I shall take this defeat gracefully on the chin, as is the spirit of a great general."
"That great general just asked for a retry, didn't she?" Even the greatest generals of all time blunder. Napoleon comes to mind. The man who had been referred to by names such as the Little corporal all the way to the Devil's favourite due to propaganda spread by the British in the age of his conquest. A man that was feared as the greatest general of the time and possibly. No. Most likely, the greatest military strategist in history. Still, even he made blunders that cost him control of France, his empire and the conquering of Europe in entirety.
That wasn't to say that this girl was at all comparable to Napoleon. Obviously, that wasn't the case.
But the point still stands.
Even the great can fall.
"Tha- That's because I usually play shogi! I can't get my head around this, confound it!"
"We'll play Shogi another time, for some reason I'm just craving to play this today. Besides, it should be close enough to your area of expertise."
"Unfair… You've got home field advantage."
"A true great general can win regardless of the terrain, is that not the case?" What a convincing taunt, she must love annoying her opponents.
"Uwah- Nggghhhhhhh!" Rather than chess or shogi, this girl might be more suited to acting or something similar. At the very least she wasn't easily embarrassed. There were plenty of tourists and citizens alike that turned their head and watched the two's antics. I couldn't make out her face from here, her opponent was also obstructed by the back of her head. From behind, her long raven-black hair and a red charm that acted as an accessory pinned to her hair, were clear.
"You've been improving fairly quickly. Who knows, if you keep playing you might finally eke out a win?" The perfect words to entice a girl like this.
"That's it! Ooh! My warrior soul burns bright at your taunts. Have at thee! I shall wear your skull like a crown after our great battle." Rather gullible. Well, it seems that they were at least enjoying themselves.
How enviable. I wish my friends would hurry along as well. Perhaps, I was just too punctual. I remember Horikita used to chew me out for this sort of thing. Finding it to be annoying, I at least made more of an effort to be punctual. It must've been that… Or my own anticipation for this activity, as I had arrived a whole half hour before them. I'm going to be here a while, aren't I? Curse my enthusiasm for aquariums. It's the first time I'll ever see one, obviously I'm excited.
Still…
Replaying the customer's conversation again in my mind…
As I waited for my friends to arrive all I could think was; coincidences sure are freaky.
[Phantom Opera: White Soliloquy]
"Ayanokouji-kun, have you been enjoying the trip so far?" Mishima Yuuki. My roommate for the duration of this stay had asked. The time for the day had ended and finally night was descending upon us students. Then the third day would arrive soon enough after that, the midpoint of this trip, just a few days left. It was strange how quickly these things went by when you actually experience them.
"Hm. I've not really been abroad… bar one time when I was younger. That was more a business trip, and not the least bit enjoyable." Just remembering that time brought a sour taste to my mouth… Why? That's not important, not right now. But it does bring a future concern to light… I'll have to proceed a bit faster than originally planned.
"I see. That's unfortunate... You really get along with Sakamoto-kun, huh?" That was rather forced…
"…Somewhat. Come to think of it, what have you been up to since we got here? I haven't seen you around." Mishima shivered at the mention of his activities. Apparently, he didn't want to admit his loneliness.
"I-I've been enjoying the beach y'know! The seashells remind me that you can exist even when you're all alone…" Wow, his eyes looked empty. That's sad.
Anyway.
"Why don't you join us tomorrow?"
"Eh? EHHHH!?" Wasn't that what you wanted from the start? Just say yes.
"It makes the most sense. You know me and Suzui, you'd hardly be a stranger in the group. Our senpai will be joining us as well, if anything they might feel more out of place than you. Unless you'd rather not, in which case I could rescind the offer if I bothered you." My words resonated with Okumura whilst working, it seems like she was bringing the other third year along with her. The more the merrier I suppose. It didn't really matter, I just needed more people there. If they enjoyed themselves on top of that, then it's an added bonus I wouldn't mind seeing.
"N-No, not at all! I'd be happy to accompany you guys! I mean, thanks for having me." It really shouldn't be me saying this but… you could benefit from being less high-strung.
But above all, your acting leaves something to be desired.
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Word count: 3386
What did you think of the first interaction between Haru and Ayanokouji? I think the repressed nature of Haru's life would lend itself to her almost hyperactive, childish nature emerging whenever something fun is exposed to her. Ayanokouji being the object of fun in this scenario. I think I brought about her personality and introduced her character somewhat well, though let me know what you guys think.
Not much else to add. Oh, Hifumi and her school were present as was revealed when Yusuke arrives in Hawaii. Though at this point none of the main characters have had the pleasure of meeting the eccentric artist.
Hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter, let me know any of your thoughts in the comments below.
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