Chapter 53:

(V4) Chapter 1: Room 506

Fushikano: After Getting Dumped and Trying to Jump off a Footbridge, I End Up Rescuing a Cute Girl with Uncanny Abilities

"FINALLY!!!" Akito drew his arms wide open, ready to receive the very reward for his unmatched impatience.

"Damn right!" another student yelled. "Look at this paradise!"

Chaos erupted as more students swarmed into the open, one group even starting to send themselves sprawling on the pristine and powdered white sands.

Beyond my view, sunlight sparkled like glitter across a vast spread of cerulean blue. The sea stretched endlessly into the horizon, the waves crashing gently against white sands. Palm trees danced lazily in the breeze.

"How long has it been since I last visited the sea?" I mumbled to myself.

A sharp whistle resonated, tearing through the chaos.

“Back in your lines. Now!” Kamizaki-sensei barked, still in his faculty uniform.

Even at the times of leisure, he never really lets his guard down and keeps it strict.

The pool of wild students rose up immediately, wiping themselves clean of sand and taking their designated positions once again.

"Your homeroom teachers will lead you to your designated apartments in five minutes."

Then, he was gone.

Across the line, some students were snapping selfies against the perfect ocean backdrop. Saori had already dashed out, straw hat in hand, dragging Ayase with her and a few girls from the debate club.

Akito had already set up a camp and flopped under a palm tree, manga already in hand like this was just another wild Friday.

Everyone already had their own rhythm here.

And me? I was just watching.

“Ishida...kun!”

I turned—and there she was.

Takamine-san.

It almost made my heart jump straight out of my chest.

Her hair swayed like a black banner in the sunlight as she waved at me. She was flanked by none other than the gyaru Ogawa Airi-san herself.

A small smile touched her lips before she turned and walked away.

I let out a sigh, the tension melting from my chest like a knot being loosened.

“Such a beauty…”

But before I could spiral deeper into my own wild thoughts, the shriek of a megaphone shattered the moment.

"Class 3-2, follow me to our designated suite!" Yumi-san waves her hand at the rest of us to get moving.

Some students grumbled to each other and started to gather up their belongings.

I got up, too.

A soft breeze blew to my position, making me feel a little nostalgic.

And that breeze—salty, warm, alive—brushed over my skin like it knew I wasn’t ready for what this trip had to bring.

That we weren’t just here for the beach.

That something was about to change.

***

The line dispersed when we reached the reception area. Some students are already settled in tables, either sipping coffee or reading books.

And the reception hall sparked modernity—full of layers of fabric and masterful paintings.

"For Ishida Haruki."

The receptionist rummaged through the large cabinet and handed me a bundle of paper and two keys.

The paper contained the terms and conditions of the suite and emergency numbers, the keys provided were a couple of front and backdoor keys, and a duplicate in case lost.

It says that a food stock is found in each room, enough for the rest of the stay. Three meals every day are allowed, and all will be delivered door to door. Sharing of rooms between males and females isn't allowed. And curfew...around 10 PM to 5 AM.

Also, broken items regardless of being a non-accidental or accidental event must be settled through cash by the student owning it.

"Looks like I need to be careful."

“Alright everyone!” Yumi-sensei clapped loudly. “Looks like everyone already got their assigned room numbers! Boys will be on the west wing. Girls on the east. Us teachers would be on the first floors, but we'll roam the corridors at times of curfews.”

Groans filled the reception hall.

“WHAT?! I’m not roomed with Saori?!”

“Who the hell is Shun?!”

“Sensei, redo the draw!!”

I finally looked at the key number, and it said Room 506. It's an even number...so I'll probably get a seaside window view.

Akito waved at me, "Yo buddy! I'm in room 417. How about you?"

"One floor higher."

"Aw, bad luck! I'm probably next to strangers!"

I sighed absently. There's no one I would talk to.

But…isn't that more convenient? Why am I suddenly looking for some social interaction?

Weird. I wasn't supposed to act like this.

Moments after our orientation, I headed straight to my room on the fifth floor of the hotel.

The schedule gave us a 2-hour break to rest, explore the beach, or prepare for the group lunch cooking experience. Everyone chose the beach, of course.

But for someone like me who hasn't planned anything yet, resting would prove to be more convenient.

A couple of unfamiliar first-years glanced my way as they unlocked rooms near mine. They nodded politely. Didn’t seem like trouble.

I stepped inside.

A 10-tatami mat room with its own kitchen, bathtub, dining area, and a clean futon already laid out. The backdoor led to a balcony facing the sea, filtered softly through translucent curtains.

The first thing that came to mind seeing this was Takamine-san's house, which really did resemble a more luxurious version of this suite. She has so much furniture, even the kitchenware.

I quickly jumped to the bed without changing my outdoor clothes. The futon pressed softly against my back, giving me a relaxing feeling.

I pulled out my phone, and the group chat of the losers’ club was alive.

<Ayase: I’m on the seaside, there are members of the debate club interviewing me!>

<Akito: <<Confused Emoji>>>

<Saori: I’ll come to you after I finish arranging my room.>

<Ayase: Thank you, I wanna cook some barbecue!>

<Saori: Yup! Give me three minutes!>

My phone rang again, and it was Ayase’s private message.

I replied.

Three dots danced next to her profile picture. She was typing.

<I’m at Room 335.>

And then, <Let’s meet later!>

<Sure!>

And I softly threw my phone into the futon.

Oh, right…it’s Ayase’s first time in the sea.

I feel guilty for not being there, but I guess I’ll follow after a short nap to replenish my energy, and catch up later.

So I heaved a sigh, letting fatigue take over my consciousness.

I could sleep like this anytime, with a cup of hot tea, a blanket, or a good book in my hand.

But the thought of Takamine-san loomed over me.

Is she enjoying this? The taste of freedom?

The last few hours had been...intense. The sudden decision of Takamine-san's father to withdraw her transfer is still in the middle of my thought process.

I placed a hand on my chest, a pang of ache spreading.

Maybe I’m relieved now. That she stayed.

Because if she left...I don’t think I’d ever sleep right again.

And for me, I’m in between leaning onto Ayase’s first time in the sea and Takamine-san’s first time being free.

One wanting to create memories, and the other, wanting to cherish freedom.

It was too hard to choose who to spend my time on.

I stared at the ceiling as if it held answers.

But probably resting would give me clarity.

It’s a four day three nights trip, and I hope I will make something out of it, not just for myself and my own social ineptitude.

With those thoughts swirling, I didn’t realize I’d already drifted off—lulled to sleep by the sound of distant waves and everything I didn’t say last night.

***

I slowly opened my eyes, and I scanned the ceiling.

It was still blurry, probably from being half awake—but I can clearly see the ceiling fan running hazily above me.

A breath caught in my throat.

I did not open this, did I?

I stirred sideways, and the sun was still on full swing. It is probably just midday now, and to my estimate—I napped for around three hours.

My body buzzed with the kind of warmth that I didn’t know where it came from.

On my other hand, it felt soft—yet heavy.

Just waking up, there’s already too many thoughts I hadn't quite untangled.

Any pillow ain’t supposed to be this heavy.

And breathing.

Breathing?