A Lengthy Trip (Part 5)

Tonight's dinner would apparently be served directly to our rooms as room service. It's quite astounding, to think that a hotel could offer this much service. I'm so glad I enrolled in this academy.

Yet at the same time, I wonder; are the staff of the hotel really fine with working as an attendant for the rest of their lives? Was it due to their failure in accomplishing and succeeding in society? Or was it something else entirely? Perhaps they really liked serving people, and find no greater purpose in reality. I wouldn't know for sure.

"Let's eat then!" Yuta said, proceeding to gobble everything down.

"Mind your table manners, will you?"

"Itsh not like you haff to be diligent right now, itsh jush ush gais after all." He replied, mouth full of food.

"yea bro you coded it liam" Darpan said, chewing a large chunk of burger in his mouth.

"I swear, you guys really need to work on eating habits..."

Just as I finished saying that, Satsuki busts into our room, followed by Mayu and Carol.

"We're joining you guys! It's not the same without everyone, after all!"

"Gross! Make sure you clean that up, Yuta!" Mayu said, pointing at the sloppy sauce Yuta dripped on the table and floor.

"Well then! We're eating as well!" Satsuki said energetically.

It's fun when everyone is being carefree; a smile on everyone's faces generally brightens up the mood, after all. We'd all laugh and share our thoughts on the things happening around us, appreciating every moment and feeling we experience.

Within the moment, I feel nothing but sorrow as well. It pains me to think about how everyone would part ways, grow as adults and become another part of the grey mundane life that purges us of our free will. Even just being with these friends of mine, I wonder... What purpose am I even achieving here?

I've always wanted to become a part of something bigger; yet as the group size grows and more people pile in, eventually not everyone would be catered to and included as often. Social loafing begins to occur, as individuals start to rely on the group a little too much, and eventually everything falls apart. Would that happen as well one day?

"Yoshu, you look lost in thought. Anything bothering you?" Mayu asked me, with a concerned look in her eyes. Guess I should reply.

"Not really. I was just thinking about how this little group we have here is nice and enjoyable."

"It really is great, isn't it? I really hope that we can stay friends forever, even after we graduate! I'll be sure to get everyone's contact details on every possible media platform!" Mayu said with a determined look.

"It really would be great, but I have an account on over 12 different platforms. Think you can friend them all?" I asked, teasingly.

"I definitely will try!"

Hearing that makes me relieved in a way. I guess they don't plan on disbanding soon, even if the toughest is handed to them.

"Because, that's what friends are for... Right?"

"Mhm. You can count on that." Yuta said, in which after he proceeded to gobble on all his food again.

I guess I should do something to add to the mood. No point in thinking negatively at a time like this; it would only ruin the mood.

"Alright guys, anyone up for a gamenight?" I said, holding up a deck of poker cards. "We'll play Black jack, and I'll be the dealer."

"Isn't gambling not allowed though, Yoshimitsu?" Satsuki said, questioning my reasons.

"Actually, I bought a pack of gambling chips the other day. It was during our return from the shrine."

"You did? Wasn't Mr. Tanaka there though? When did you get the opportunity to slip by?" Yuta asked with a face of curiosity.

"I did. When I said I was gonna head back to my room, what I actually did was I went back for 2 minutes and left out the front door again before returning. There was a 'mahjong and supplies' store near the train station, so I went there and bought some."

"you coded it bro there's no way it's that convenient" Darpan said, pointing at me.

"You really like misleading people, don't you?" Satsuki said, frowning.

"No lol I just do it sometimes." I replied, smirking.

Anyways I'll distribute the chips now. Who wants to play?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Dude, we're only halfway into the game, and you're already losing big!" Yuta said, pointing at the number of chips Satsuki had left.

"Aw! I know my luck is quite mediocre, but how am I losing this much? Yoshimitsu, you're rigging this, aren't you?" Satsuki said, pointing at me.

I'm not doing jackshit, just so you know.

"Nah there's no way I'd do that to sweet little Satsuki." I said with a smug face.

"Why, you..!"

Satsuki then got up from her seat to look at the hand I had. Sure, it's considered cheating, but in the end it's a game and I don't give a single shit as to what happens; but I should still try and avoid letting Satsuki see my hand, because that way people wouldn't suspect me for not caring, and so I would be able to return to dealing properly under no suspicion.

"Oh no you don't. Back in your seat, little missy."

"Since when was I reduced to a missy!?"

We all laughed at that statement and continued our game into the night. It's always nice to have a friendly and casual atmosphere around people. Once again, I'm really glad 

"Haha! You lose this time, Yoshimitsu."

"Well shucks. I guess you can take the 2 chips that everyone bet."

"Zehahahaha! I'm invincible!"

"Should we wrap it up for today? It's getting quite late, and we're heading back to school after today. We also have a campfire session coming up. Participation is optional, so do you guys still want to go?" Carol said, explaining the situation.

Wait, "campfire session"? I don't think anything like that was explicitly mentioned to me.

"Hold on Carol, what do you mean by 'campfire session'?"

"Didn't you know? The school's gathering us students around the campfire. It's hosted at 12 AM, which is why most people don't go. It's only 11:30 right now, so you can choose if you want to go or not, Yoshimitsu." Carol said, replying to my question.

"Where was the campfire again?" Mayu said, tilting her head and looking upwards.

"It's near the backyard of the hotel, at the first floor balcony. The teachers are telling stories there. There's also complementary marshmallows." Carol explained.

"I guess we'll go, since we're up anyways."

"I planned on going anyway, so I'm in." Satsuki said, without a moment of doubt.

"yea bro i need to speak to the moderator" Darpan said, still insisting on talking to whoever 'coded it'.

"Let's all head over to the campfire then!" Yuta said, standing up.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's not as if we had anything else to do other than sleep anyways, and since this event would be the last one in the itinerary, we all decided to go and spend our final moments of today there. It would be a delightful and cool experience, to see the flames glimmering in the dark as the final day comes to a close.

I quite enjoy moments such as these. There's nothing better than gazing upon the night sky while hearing the sounds of people chatting, flames burning and the occasional airplane passing by. It makes the atmosphere really cliché, and sometimes a bit of this cliché is all you need.

I've really outdone myself this time, haven't I? It's been really long since I've talked to people in such an easygoing way like this. All I've really done was think to myself, and speak to only myself. My cowardice is to blame for this. I feared and I hated every little thing that bothered me. I conserved all my energy, for it all to be wasted upon my slumber.

Hearing smores pop and my friends happily talking to each other and sharing experiences made in the hotel makes me feel somewhat fulfilled. It's certainly much better than being alone at my home. While it is beneficial to study, I believe that not missing out on moments such as these is what truly makes our adolescent lives thrive.

"Hey hey, Yoshu! Tell us a scary story!" Mayu said, tugging at my shirt.

"Even I'm interested to see what you come up with, Suzuki." Mr. Tanaka said, followed by some other teachers nodding.

I guess I have no choice.

"Alright. Here goes..."

"There was once a high school student who lived with his childhood friend, Sayori..."