"Kimuki! Kimuki!" Gintama called, walking up to Kimuki's desk.
Kimuki looked up. "What is it?"
"I heard there's a class trip tomorrow. Are ya coming?" Gintama asked.
Kimuki stared at him. "You can't be serious."
"Huh?"
"They told us two weeks ago. Don't tell me you're just hearing about it?"
Gintama froze, not saying a word.
Karumi, who overheard them, spoke. "It's not the end of the world. He can still come."
"I thought they already collected the funds for the trip," Kimuki said.
"That's true," Karumi replied. "But if he talks to the teacher now, maybe he can still come."
Kimuki smirked. "You hear that? Go talk to Miss Mitari."
"You got it, boss," Gintama said, rushing off.
Kimuki glanced at Karumi. "That was nice of you."
"I thought you weren't talking to someone like me," she said coldly.
"Sorry about that truly. I panicked."
"I really don't care about your apologies, so please drop it."
Kimuki took a deep breath, his thoughts sinking.This hurts. The face she makes when she's talking to me has no emotion behind it. It's like she's speaking to a wall.
I really am the worst.
The next day came, and Kimuki, Gintama, Minatsu, and Taneki met up in front of the school.
"Where's the trip bus?" Gintama asked.
"The teacher told me it would be in front of the school at 1 p.m.," Taneki said.
"It's 12:55," Minatsu pointed out.
"Look over there," Kimuki said, nodding.
"Oh, that's where they are. Let's go join our classmates," Gintama said.
They walked up to where the rest of the class was waiting for the bus.
Kimuki saw Karumi with her friends, Gabrina and Takanaki.
I know them both pretty well, he thought. I dated Takanaki's close friend before, and I've known Gabrina since kindergarten. I also know she has feelings for me, so part of me hopes Karumi is only acting cold because her friend likes me and she doesn't want to get in the way… but I'm just fooling myself.
"Hey, Karumi," Kimuki said.
Gabrina frowned. "What is it that you want, Kimuki? We don't have time for you."
She's always like this, Kimuki thought. She badmouths me but speaks highly of me behind my back. She's the definition of a tsundere.
Takanaki asked, "Hey, Kimuki, what is it that you need?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to say hey, that's all."
Karumi crossed her arms. "I don't see you walking up to everyone and saying hey, so what's your reason for bothering us?"
Karumi's not a tsundere, Kimuki thought. I wish she were. She just really hates me.
"I have no motives, really. I just wanted to say hi. I know the three of you the best compared to other girls in class."
"That makes sense," Takanaki said.
"So you know us the best. Good for you. Now shoo, shoo," Karumi said flatly.
"Have fun at the trip," Kimuki said.
"We will. I hope you guys have fun too," Takanaki replied kindly.
"Why are you so nice to him, Takanaki?" Gabrina asked.
"Because I'm a nice human, unlike you guys. What's wrong with you?" she said.
Karumi stared as Kimuki walked away. "Why would I be nice to someone that doesn't deserve it?" she muttered.
The bus arrived, and everyone boarded. Gintama, Taneki, Minatsu, and Kimuki all sat at the last four seats exactly what they had planned. Karumi and Takanaki sat next to each other near the middle.
The trip was a five-hour drive, and after two hours, most of the students had already fallen asleep. The back of the bus was filled with classmates, the front with parents, and the middle section had snacks and water.
Kimuki couldn't sleep. Eventually, hunger got the better of him, so he stood up and walked to the food section.
Suddenly, a quiet voice came from behind him. "Can't sleep?"
Kimuki turned around quickly, startled it was Karumi.
She laughed softly. "You're such a chicken."
"I can't believe someone like you scared me," Kimuki said, exhaling.
"Excuse me? What does someone like me mean?" Karumi shot back.
"Oh, I meant... you know.. you're small."
"Shut it, you jerk! No one's as tall as you are!" she said, pouting.
"To be honest, I prefer you being short. I like it," Kimuki said with a grin.
Karumi blushed faintly.
"I can't sleep because of the boys.... they're moving way too much," Kimuki added.
"Same here. Takanaki hasn't stayed still for a second."
"There are single seats available. Why don't you sleep there?" Kimuki asked.
"To be honest… I'm scared of sleeping in a moving vehicle alone," Karumi admitted.
Kimuki laughed. "That's hilarious."
"I'm being serious! Don't laugh!" she said, lightly punching him with her small hands.
He laughed even harder.
Karumi's tone softened. "I just feel like… if something bad happens, I don't want to be alone."
Kimuki's face turned red. She's so cute, he thought.
"There's about three hours left until we arrive," Kimuki said. "I can sit next to you for an hour or two, if that's okay with you."
"What if your friends see you with me?" she asked.
"They're dead asleep. Don't worry about it."
Kimuki tilted his head. "What if your friends see you with me?"
"That's not a problem for me," Karumi said. She glanced at Gabrina, who was fast asleep. "They're asleep too, by the way."
Moments later, Kimuki and Karumi sat down together.
"Can we switch seats? I'd like to lean on the window," Karumi said.
"That's no problem for me," Kimuki said, and they switched seats.
A few moments passed before Karumi glanced at him. "Aren't you going to sleep?"
"Nah, don't worry about me. I'll wake you up before everyone else does."
Her eyes grew heavy, and soon she fell asleep leaning against the window. But when the bus hit a curve, her head gently fell onto Kimuki's shoulder.
Should I wake her up? he thought nervously. I mean, it seems like the right thing to do. She'd be angry if she found out on her own… but she smells so good. It's fine. This hurts no one.
Suddenly, Karumi's hand reached out and wrapped around his arm, hugging it tightly.
W-w-wait what is she doing?! Kimuki screamed in his mind. Is she asleep? Maybe she thinks she's hugging a pillow! Her chest is touching my arm my heart's beating so fast! Everyone's gonna wake up from the sound of it! I have to wake her up!
Flustered, Kimuki gently shook her shoulder.
Karumi slowly opened her eyes, dazed. "What is it? Are we there yet?"
"Well… not exactly," Kimuki said.
As she blinked awake, she realized she was hugging his entire arm. Quickly, she let go. "I-I didn't mean to! Don't get any creepy ideas! I'm just used to hugging something when I sleep, that's all! Just forget about it erase that from your memory!"
She was blushing hard, visibly flustered.
"R-right. I-I'll do that. I don't even know what you're talking about," Kimuki stammered.
"Good! Because there's nothing to talk about."
"Yeah. That's right."
"Mhm."
There's no way I'll forget about that, Kimuki thought. And the way she's acting… I don't like it. If she acts like this, I'll think she likes me. So please stop it.
I hate nice girls. They aren't genuine they're fake. Nice girls are nice to everyone, even those who don't deserve it. One might think "oh she's nice to me because I'm special", but that's not true. You're not special. You're just another nobody to them, I'm really glad that she's not nice to everyone, that's why i get this false hopes, Love is like a bad habit, you know it's going to hurt you eventually, but you keep doing it because pain feels better than emptiness.
I really am the worst.