A Lengthy Trip (Part 1)

Ah yes, it's that time of year again. The school trip. The beginning of short-term joy. The 3 day trip where lovey-dovey things happen.

"It's MORBIN TIME—"

Darpan yelled, upon entering the classroom, but gets interrupted by the teacher walking in.

No, it's not morbin' time.

Everyone was exhilarated and chattering away, because today was the day— yes that day, the beginning of our long awaited school trip.

"Alright class! Before we begin the first period, I need you all to clear up things for the upcoming school trip. There are three things you all generally need to know:

First of all, you need to get into groups of 6. I know that there will be people left out and unable to form a group, so if it's necessary, you can find some people from the other classes to join us. The entire senior cohort will be going, so anyone in high school can be counted amongst your group. 

Second of all, please balance your group to have 3 males and 3 females. We'll be reserving 2 rooms for each group, so I'd like you to balance the numbers.

Finally, We'll be going to Kyoto, so if you're planning on buying souvenirs or local foods there, please bring at least a thousand yen. I give you all till the end of today to decide on your groups. Please email me once you have a group formed. Now, back to class."

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"Looks like I'm all alone again."

Recess came by. Sitting alone in the classroom, I was reminded of how school trips were the roots, the beginning of how I became isolated from everyone else in the classroom. In the past, being the loner that I am, I don't usually get invited to join groups and so I'd skip out on the day of departure. The teachers and students don't particularly care, and I got to spend my day at home and laze around for 3 days. It was a win-win situation.

"Better to be with no one than to be with the wrong one."

I've always wondered about how I wounded up becoming so depressing and demoralized. Perhaps it's the fact that I don't have a care for most things anymore. I'd say it's thanks to the lack of my family's presence, and the first school trip that led me to drift apart from society. Maybe that's why I dislike school trips. It's not just the trip in general, it's the first one in middle school that led me to think this way.

Just as I was slowly drifting away into my thoughts, Satsuki shows up at the classroom door.

"There you are! Mayu wasn't wrong when she told me that you dwell within the classroom." Satsuki yelled as she walked into the classroom.

"I don't 'dwell' within the classroom. I just merely enjoy being here." I replied without energy.

"Have you decided on who you're going with?" Satsuki asked, sitting down and tilting her head.

I should probably just give her a firm response.

"No. I'm not going to go this year. Besides, I don't get scouted to join any groups anyways."

"Really? I was thinking of doing the same honestly. You know how I'm known for being reckless and weird, so my classmates also never invite me. Maybe I'll stop by your house again— I can't stand staying all day at home with my parents for 3 days."

"That'll probably be nice for you, but it'd be a nightmare for me, so please don't." I replied teasingly, causing Satsuki to chuckle.

Suddenly, her expression lit up.

"I know! Why don't we form a group together?" Satsuki said, her face brimming with vitality.

"You're forgetting that we need 6 people, and that we only have 2." I replied, hoping that she knew fully well that you can't form a group with 2 people. Even if you did, it'd be a very sad group.

"That's why I brought them! You can come in now, Yuta and Mayu!"

Coming into the classroom was Yuta and Mayu indeed, who I last saw talking to a bunch of classmates in the field downstairs.

"God, Yoshimitsu! I still don't get why you enjoy being in the empty classroom while everyone's out playing." Yuta said with a confused expression.

"You should really go talk to people more, Yoshu; just like me and Yuta!" Mayu said, making an example of herself.

"Since when did you start calling me Yoshu?"

"Just now. Your name is way too long, so I'll keep it short." Mayu responded, with a smug expression on her face.

"Do as you please. Anyways, I'd assume you two formed a group already?"

"That's right Yoshu! We're forming a group with you and Satsuki in it!"

"You don't get to skip out this year, Yoshimitsu!" Yuta added.

"Besides, we'll get to see them in action... You know what I mean?" Yuta then whispered, suggesting something seemingly erotic.

"I guess I've got no choice but to accept. So it's us three and Satsuki so far, but what about the other 2?"

"I got Darpan to join us!" Yuta said cheerily.

Walking into the classroom was Darpan overhearing our conversation. As usual, he's spouting nonsense again.

"I'm allergic to teachers liam, code it so i have covid and don't need to go"

"What do you mean you're 'allergic to teachers'? Also, why do you call Yoshimitsu 'Liam'?" Mayu said in a grudgingly and confused manner.

"That's cause he's a moderator, he coded many things" Darpan replied, confusing as ever.

"Well that's five, and I have one more person to introduce. Let me go get her!" Mayu said, walking back to the hallway.

"Guess we'll wait."

After a short while, as recess approached its end, Mayu came back with her friend. Everyone was satisfied with who she brought, as she was also someone well known within the grade. There would be no problem with her joining our group, as she was someone close to Mayu and someone who was diligent, but for me...

She was a bit too diligent.

"Huh? Suzuki is in your group? He's one hell of a lazy slacker, you know! Why would you be friends with him, Mayu?"

Carol White. She's from America, but born in Japan. Unlike the freedom that America embodies, Carol is always on about pride and diligence, making her the perfect role model of our grade level. I don't like her though, due to her sharp tongue around people who she sees as an unfitting example of society. I'm an outcast in my class, and I usually refused to cooperate with my classmates, making her dislike my lack of collaboration and motivation.

She only sees things on the surface, which is why she jumps to these conclusions so easily. She fails to empathize with people, and fails to look through a white lie, only believing in what she sees for herself, making her arrogant and hard to win over. Looks like this trip will be a rowdy one.

"He's a nice person, so don't insult him simply because he's not suited to your tastes!"

"I'll only tolerate it, since you personally invited me to join your group. I hate people like Darpan and Suzuki, so I really don't know why you'd get along with them. You're our class queen, you know? People look up to you, Mayu." Carol said begrudgingly.

"Let's try to get to know each other better, okay?" Yuta said, trying to stabilize the mood.

I should just pamper her for now.

"It'll be an honor working with you, class president." I said, not meaning my words.

"Hmph! You better know your position, Suzuki!" Carol said unwillingly.

With our group of 6, we headed to our respective classrooms on time for the next lesson. Without a doubt, the day ended in the blink of an eye, and I went ahead to submit the group members list to the teacher.

It's been a very long time since I've been able to feel the adrenaline and anxiety of going on a trip outside of school. The only places I've ever been to these past few years were all of the norm— the mall, the convenience store, home and school. My thrill for adventure died out long ago. It's sad, because they say that adolescence should be the best times in your life. Yet here I am, living a dull and normal life, just like how my parents and I wanted to.

I always wonder about how I ended up like this. I realize that deep down, it seems like I wanted attention. I wanted some affection. Yet, life doesn't ever go your way, even if it did, it wouldn't work for long. These 'friends' of mine— Mayu, Yuta, Satsuki... Was I truly someone meaningful to them? I hate myself for having these thoughts when they've clearly made it a point that I was important, but I can't help myself from doing so...

"You've skipped last year's school trip, didn't you?" Mr. Tanaka said to me, as I walked into the teacher's office to submit the group member list.

"Here's the form, sir."

"I'm glad you're going this time, Suzuki. There will be many fun things you can do with your groupmates, so don't stay at home this time and give it a go, okay? Enjoy yourself during this trip."

"Understood, sir."

I guess if even my teacher is insisting on me going I should probably take his advice and go. I've already promised these friends of mine anyway. There's no chance I'd get off for lying and skipping the trip now.

"You may leave now, Suzuki."

As I left the office, I realized that the school was deserted again. Every student had left the school premise, all wanting to hurry home and relax themselves.

"Guess I should go as well."

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"Oi! Hurry it up, Suzuki! We're going to be late!"

Yelling from outside my window was Satsuki's voice. I know she said she'd stop by every now and then, but what I didn't realize was that she actually lived 2 blocks away from me, and so she'd drop by a lot more often than I thought she would.

"You're being too loud and annoying," I yelled out through the window.

"Just hurry it up! Today's the day! Hurry up and pack your bags!" 

Packing up all the necessary equipment (including underwear, can't go one day without that shit), I said farewell to my home and headed to school with Satsuki, readying myself and checking that I've brought items for the long train trip to come.

For what I know, the trip will seem short, but I'm certain I'd enjoy it. It'll be a pain keeping up with the energy of the others, but I feel as though a heavy burden will be lifted off my shoulders as well. It's been ages since I've been to a school trip. I just hope that I don't get motion sickness, but that coming from a train would be highly unlikely, so I probably don't have anything to worry about.

Heading towards the train station consecutively in multiple groups, we all arrived at the train station. 

"According to the teacher, it'll be at least a 3 hour ride; did you guys bring anything to keep yourselves entertained?" Yuta asked us, as we boarded the train.

"I have my portable console, so I won't be bored for a while." I replied, trusting in my tablet-sized arcade machine.

"You had stuff like that?! I wanna play, Yoshu!" Mayu said, cutting in the conversation.

"Well if anyone changes their mind, I brought cards, so we can play that as well." Satsuki responded hesitantly.

"ah bro I swear Liam coded the games on that machine thing" Darpan said abruptly.

"Make sure you behave on the train, Suzuki!" Carol replied, monitoring my behavior.

Everyone was ready for the trip, and I'm sure it'll be fun as well. It's either that, or absolute hell for me.