10 Chapter 10: Deep Sea (1/2)

Everyone went back to the hotel after the teachers confirmed that the pieces of paper I brought were authentic. They couldn't believe it was real, moreso after hearing our story of being lost in the woods. It was just a stroke of luck, I guess. I mean, the only reason I checked the box was that Hiroisora wanted to get the extra credit.

”Thanks, Takaiyama-kun.” Hiroisora said to me while we were walking inside the hotel. ”I know you were so scared that you were shaking most of the time, but you still managed to get those papers and look for me. Hehehe.” I don't know if she's praising or insulting me. Maybe it's both.

”Hehe, don't mention it.”

I felt so tired that I was almost sleep-walking. I went to the hot spring to take a bath and recuperate. I was alone inside the giant outdoor bath. Or so I thought. Someone, or something, grabbed my leg from under water.

”Scared you, didn't I?” Jirai came out of the water. ”There was an urban legend I heard today about mysterious disappearances of those taking a bath alone in this outside hot spring.”

”How long were you under water?”

”10 minutes?”

”Wow, you must be a kappa.”

”Oh, I guess I am.”

”Well, that explains the hideous face and stupid brain.”

”Yeah... Hey! What was that?!” Jirai strangled me. ”Take that back! Haha!” He was laughing while holding my neck in an arm lock.

”I'm sorry to bother you during your lovey-dovey time, but I think you're in the wrong place.” Someone was standing behind us, at the edge of the hot spring. We both looked at that person. It was a girl, covered in a towel.

”What are you doing here?! This is the boys' bath!” I shouted at her. Upon realization, there were two girls. ”Na-nariyuki?! Hiroisora?!”

”I'm sorry, Takaiyama-kun. I think we witnessed something we shouldn't have. Don't worry, we won't tell anyone about it.” Hiroisora bowed down to us while apologizing.

”No!!! You got the wrong idea! He was just trying to kill me!” I explained in desperation. I can't have her getting the wrong ideas.

”Oh.” Nariyuki is about to say something. ”We really don't care what you do on your alone time. My problem is why are you doing it here?”

”What do you mean? We're here because this is the boys' bath.” Nariyuki pointed towards the signage over at the entrance. It says in large letters: Girls' Bath. ”Eh?”

”Now, why are you here again?” Nariyuki had her usual condescending tone.

”I'm sorry! I was just so tired I didn't realize I entered the wrong bath!”

”Hahaha! Who's the stupid one now?” Even Jirai was mocking me.

”Wait a sec! You're also in here!”

”Yeah. But I was waiting under water, so I can peep at the girls who are going to take a bath. That is not as stupid as your reason.” He was proud of himself.

”Yeah. It's much worse.” Nariyuki was starting to get furious.

”Hehe... That being the case, we will now take our leave then.” I tried to evade the wrath that was about to be showered upon us.”

”But! I haven't been able to peek at anyone yet!” Jirai was complaining while I dragged him off the hot spring.

”Just shut up!” I don't think those girls will report us. I hope.

---

The next day was our last day on this school trip in Okinawa. We have free time in the morning after breakfast until we leave in the afternoon. We will have to be back at the hotel by 2 PM or the bus will leave us. During breakfast, our group was discussing where to head out to after we eat.

”Where should we go after this? Any place in mind?” I asked the group. Nariyuki was still eating so maybe she didn't hear me. Jirai completely ignored me, I don't know why. Hiroisora was the only one who seemed to think about my question.

”Hmm. I would like to go to the aquarium... If it's ok with everyone...” Hiroisora seemed excited, but too shy to request it.

”Ok! Let's go!” Jirai was in high spirits all of a sudden.

”I'll just finish up eating then we'll leave, ok?” Nariyuki seemed like she was not excited nor bothered by the idea. I guess it was fine with her.

”Then, it's settled.” I wonder if there is a reason she wants to go there.

---

After eating, we took a bus to the aquarium. I was surprised to be seating beside Hiroisora. Nariyuki was busy lecturing Jirai about peeping on girls and what not. They were seated across us. Hiroisora was slightly laughing at them. I was staring at her.

”Is there something on my face, Takaiyama-kun?” Hiroisora asked me curiously. I was surprised that she caught me.

”Um, it's nothing, hehe...” I was really taken by surprise I didn't know what to answer. I smiled weakly at her instead. She seemed to have accepted my response and looked at Nariyuki and Jirai again. It feels like we have become much closer. Maybe it's because of what happened last night.

We arrived at the aquarium in only 30 minutes of travel time. The four of us went inside. As we were walking, Nariyuki was taking pictures.

”Hey, Nariyuki.” I wanted to ask her something.

”What?”

”Isn't taking pictures not allowed? They said it to us upon entry. And the inside doesn't lack signages reminding us of that fact.” I'm not much of a law-breaker myself. I get tense in these types of situation.

”It's reference for realistic backgrounds. Why are you such a scared-y cat? Grow a pair.” She seems pissed at me.

”Are you mad at me?” I asked in the off chance that she is.

”I'm always like this, haven't you noticed already?” I don't know if she's serious or sarcastic.

”Well, you are always like that.”

”Didn't your mother teach you never to shame a lady, especially in front of her friends?” Now she's just toying with me. I fell for it again. Sigh. ”I got you again, right?”