CH-13: Quiet TeasingsLoud Reactions...

The bus rolled to a slow stop on the familiar gravel of the school grounds just as the afternoon sun dipped low, painting the empty courtyard in warm amber and long shadows. The engine ticked and sighed into silence. Mr. Hoshino switched off the ignition, rubbed the back of his neck once, and stood.

"Everyone up," he called, voice carrying the tired authority of someone who had driven far longer than he ever expected. "Step outside. Now."

Groggy murmurs rose as students stirred. Some rubbed their eyes, others yawned wide enough to crack their jaws. The side door hissed open. One by one they shuffled out, stretching stiff limbs, rolling shoulders, blinking against the sudden brightness of open sky after hours of tinted windows.

Lily was the last to wake. She sat up slowly, rubbing sleep from her eyes with the heels of her palms, hair slightly mussed from the nap. She stepped down onto the ground and looked around—taking in the basketball court, the chain-link fence, the low school buildings that suddenly felt both ordinary and strangely comforting after everything.

Other teachers were already waiting near the gate. They exchanged quiet words with Mr. Hoshino, brows lifting in mild surprise at the sight of an extra student and the general air of exhaustion clinging to the group. One of them asked something about the observatory; Mr. Hoshino waved the question away with a curt "Later."

The students spread out across the courtyard, yawning, stretching, complaining softly about sore backs and numb legs.

One boy raised his voice lazily. "Sensei... can we at least get some rest? Or are you gonna make us sit through class right now?"

Mr. Hoshino turned, eyes narrowing. "Rest," he said flatly. "Everyone rest now."

A ripple of relief passed through the group.

Lily lingered near the bus steps, still blinking slowly. A few students nearby muttered under their breath—irritated that the field trip had ended in chaos, that they hadn't seen the observatory's promised wonders, that the whole thing felt stolen.

Hensudo, never one to miss an opportunity, puffed out his chest. "I still have tons of energy. You guys are all so lazy—I could run ten full laps around this ground right now."

Dave snorted. "Then why don't you? Go on. Ten rounds. We're watching."

Hensudo faltered. "Not... not in the mood right now."

Michi stretched her arms high above her head, back arching—then suddenly yelped as Dave ducked, hooked an arm around her waist, and hoisted her effortlessly onto his shoulder.

"D-Dave!!" she shrieked, legs kicking uselessly. "Put me down!!"

Dave grinned, swaying her gently side to side like a pendulum. "Nah. You look comfy up here, princess."

Michi pounded his back with her fists—lightly, more embarrassed than angry. "I said put me down, you idiot!!"

After a few more seconds of theatrical swinging, Dave finally relented and set her on her feet. Before she could step away he leaned in close and murmured, "Princess. Babe. Lifeline."

Michi's face went scarlet. She swatted his arm again, softer this time. "You're impossible."

Yudashi sighed, shaking his head like a tired older brother.

Mr. Hoshino cleared his throat loudly. "Listen up. Since we couldn't stay at the Neuro-Cloud Observatory, you'll be spending the next two days here. Think of it as... camp. On school grounds."

A few excited gasps. A few theatrical groans.

One boy piped up hopefully, "Sensei... promise no late-night lectures? Can we actually have fun?"

Mr. Hoshino shot him a glare that could have frozen water. The boy shrank. After a long beat, the teacher relented—barely. "Fine. But behave."

Students perked up.

Saki spoke quietly, clutching the straps of her bag. "Sensei... we haven't told anyone at school yet, have we? Won't it be hard to arrange food, mattresses, everything?"

Mr. Hoshino exhaled through his nose. "Already handled. I informed them before we even left the observatory."

The group blinked. "When?!"

"None of your business," he said crisply. "Just be grateful I gave you this chance instead of sending you straight home."

No one argued.

He turned to Dave, Yudashi, and Tison. "You three. Follow me. We're setting up mattresses on the stage by the basketball court."

The boys nodded and jogged after him.

Twenty minutes later the stage was transformed: three neat clusters of eight mattresses each, arranged like little islands on the wooden platform. Dave immediately strode to the corner-most group, tossed his bag onto the middle mattress, and declared, "This side is ours."

Michi chuckled, arms crossed. "Marking your territory as usual."

Dave smirked, eyes glinting. "Not every territory... yet. One's still left."

Yudashi raised an eyebrow, suddenly very interested.

Hensudo hovered a careful distance from where Lily was standing, pretending to adjust his shoelaces.

Saki held her group's bags quietly, watching everything unfold.

Mr. Hoshino returned and began assigning students to groups. When he finished, he claimed the center mattress of the middle cluster for himself.

Tison and two of his friends arrived carrying stacks of folding chairs and a bundle of firewood. They arranged the chairs in a loose circle on the ground below the stage, then piled the logs in the middle for an impromptu campfire.

Mr. Hoshino gave a single approving nod. "Good work."

Tison and his friends promptly claimed six chairs near the tallest light pole, spreading jackets and bags to mark their spots.

Dave's eyes narrowed. "Oi! Don't you dare take those six seats near the pole. They're ours now."

Mr. Hoshino raised a brow. "And who's the sixth person?"

Dave grinned proudly. "Lily. Who else?"

Lily turned, startled. "I didn't ask—"

"You're in our circle now," Dave interrupted smoothly. "Like it or not. Plus Michi could use some good company."

Michi gave Lily a subtle, knowing wink. Lily hesitated—then smiled, small and shy. "Okay. I'm fine with it."

Hensudo's head jerked up. "Wh... what? She'll be... in m-my— I mean our— team?!"

Yudashi nudged him, eyebrows bouncing. "Don't get too comfortable. We're here to be the third wheel between Lily-flower and our Hensudo."

Dave nodded sagely. "We can't let her steal you that easily. What are friends for if they don't make you suffer? Trust me—we won't let you breathe easy."

Lily shot Dave a glare, but said nothing—just looked away, cheeks faintly pink.

Michi grinned and nudged her gently.

Saki chuckled, then—without thinking—added, "Well, someone's getting defensive."

Lily pouted instantly. Hensudo's face turned so red that a tiny trickle of blood appeared under his nose. He scrambled for a napkin, pressing it to his face.

Dave noticed immediately. "Control, bro. Control."

The other students burst out laughing.

Mr. Hoshino smirked faintly, adjusted his tie, and sat near the unlit campfire, signaling everyone to settle.

A girl raised her hand excitedly. "Sensei! Can we do scary campfire stories?"

Half the group looked bored. The other half perked up.

Majority won.

Mr. Hoshino rubbed his temple. "I don't have any."

The begging started immediately. One particularly brave (or foolish) student swore dramatically on his life that they wouldn't laugh.

Mr. Hoshino gave in.

"Fine. Once there was an old lady living at the top of a rice field. One day she fell ill and died. A wanderer passed by, saw her body, and decided to steal her valuables. But she had almost nothing—only a single diamond ring. He took it and ran. That night... her soul began to haunt him—"

"Booo!"

"Get better material, Sensei!"

Mr. Hoshino's ears turned red. "I told you I don't have any! Shut up!"

The booing continued, playful but relentless.

Lily raised her hand quietly. "I have one."

The noise died instantly. Every head turned toward her. Even Mr. Hoshino muttered under his breath, "Big toddlers..."

Lily took a slow breath and began.

"I was hiking with my parents once. Nighttime. They were walking ahead of me. I saw a red figure moving through the trees—thought it was a lost hiker. I called out. It stopped. Then a voice whispered right behind me: 'Why are you following me?'

I turned.

The red woman was standing in front of me... and behind me. At the same time.

The forest went completely dark.

Something warm brushed my neck.

I collapsed.

When I woke up, there was nothing—just a black cat with red eyes watching me. I ran back to my parents, panting, told them everything. As soon as I finished, I felt someone grinning behind me—huge, unnatural smile. I tried to shake it off... and suddenly we were standing exactly where I first saw her. Like nothing had happened. My parents thought I made it up."

Goosebumps rippled across several arms. A few students shivered visibly.

Hensudo hugged his knees. "I hate horror stories..."

Mr. Hoshino cleared his throat, trying to restore order.

A hand landed on his shoulder from behind.

He yelped—actually yelped—and spun around. "Who the hell—?!"

The lunch lady flinched back, startled, holding a large tray of dinner containers.

Mr. Hoshino's face went crimson. The students howled with laughter.

He cleared his throat again—louder—and muttered, "Thank you."

The laughter slowly died. The lady gave him a puzzled look and walked away.

Mr. Hoshino distributed the food in silence. Everyone ate quietly, the earlier teasing replaced by yawns and the soft crackle of the fire the rangers had helped start.

When plates were cleared, Mr. Hoshino stood. "Enough. Back to your mattresses. Sleep."

He returned to his spot in the center cluster and lay down, arms crossed, eyes half-open—still watching.

The group settled onto their mattresses.

Dave propped himself on one elbow. "Yudashi... you asked earlier which territory was left to claim."

Yudashi looked up.

Dave leaned over, pressed a quick, soft kiss to Michi's cheek, and pulled back with a smug grin.

Michi froze. Her face bloomed red. "Why did you—?!"

"Marking my territory," Dave said simply, rubbing the back of his neck.

Hensudo chuckled. Saki hid a smile behind her hand. Lily stiffened, eyes wide.

Yudashi whistled low. "That was bold."

Mr. Hoshino cleared his throat—very loudly.

Dave sighed. "Old hag got mad..."

"I heard that," Mr. Hoshino said without turning. "Sleep. Before I assign punishments."

Michi sighed dramatically and lay down, stretching out. Saki settled beside her. Dave deliberately scooted closer to Michi's side, smirking when she glared. She said nothing—just turned her back to him.

Yudashi lay on his side. Hensudo lay beside him.

Lily hesitated—then, with a small sigh, lay down on Hensudo's other side.

Hensudo's entire face went scarlet. "Y-Yudashi—swap sides? Please?"

Yudashi grinned. "No chance."

Dave kicked the edge of Hensudo's blanket off his toes playfully. Hensudo yanked it back. Dave did it again. Hensudo groaned.

Finally the teasing died down. Breathing evened out. Stars wheeled overhead.

In sleep, Dave shifted closer to Michi. Unconsciously, she nuzzled into his chest, cheek pressed against his shirt. Dave's eyes fluttered open for a second—then softened. He kissed her forehead gently and adjusted so she'd be more comfortable.

Hensudo, still blushing even in sleep, felt Lily's palm land lightly on his arm. His breath hitched. He whispered something too soft to hear.

Yudashi cracked one eye open, saw it, and silently pulled out his phone. He angled the camera carefully and recorded.

Hensudo's sleepy mumble drifted out:

"Lily... make me your boyfriend... I loved you at first sight... I'll always protect you... please give me a chance... if you want I'll work with your parents at the elephant sanctuary... for you..."

Yudashi bit his lip to keep from laughing, ended the recording, and saved it with a wicked grin.

Dave stirred, caught Yudashi's eye, and raised a questioning brow. Yudashi winked mischievously. Dave grinned back—understanding immediately—and closed his eyes again.

Across the stage, Tison groaned in his sleep. Yudashi quickly angled the phone again—just in time to catch Tison's hand flop sideways... and slap Mr. Hoshino square across the back.

Mr. Hoshino jolted awake with a muffled grunt.

Yudashi froze. Then saved the video. Fast.

He lay back down, grinning into the dark.

The fire crackled softly.

The night watched over them—quiet, amused, and waiting for tomorrow.

------------------------XOXO------------------------