Last School Activity? - Part 3: Raindrops and Disappointment

After a long walk, the seniors and teachers finally arrived at the Chubu Sangaku campground.

Everyone settled into their dormitories, tired from the journey.

After a few hours, everyone got to work. Some classes prepared meals, while others collected firewood from the surrounding area.

During this time, Mika had explained the rules of the campsite to Saya and the other disciplinary students, and then he had met with the disciplinary committee to discuss the activity plan.

The sun was about to set and everyone had finished their meals. Mika had returned to his classroom and sat down in front of the campfire.

"Hey Mika, come over here!" Kai called. Mika walked over to them.

"Hey everyone," Mika greeted as he sat down on a piece of wood.

"Hello, what did you do today? You got here pretty late," Yuki said, holding a drink in her hand next to Kai.

"Well... there were some things that needed planning, so I discussed with them," Mika summarised.

"I'm soooo tired Yuki!" Kai groaned, sounding pitiful.

"What happened now?" Yuki asked with a deep sigh.

"They made me carry all the firewood, I have no energy left. Though if I could get a little kiss, maybe all my energy would come back."

"What if I hit you instead?"

"No, sorry," Kai said.

While Kai and Yuki were teasing each other, Mika had sat down right next to Mana. The two of them watched the campfire in silence.

"What activities do we have tomorrow?" Mana asked, trying to start a conversation.

"Well... early in the morning we'll do some warm up exercises. Then we'll explore the area," Mika explained.

"Sounds great!" Mana exclaimed with a smile.

"And before the campfire on the last day, anyone who wants to can go on a nature hike."

There was a moment of silence. The chatter of people and the crackling of the fire echoed around them.

"Um, Mika."

"Yes?"

"I was wondering, uh... would you like to go on the nature walk together?" Mana turned to Mika. Her voice was a little embarrassed.

Mika looked into Mana's eyes. He thought, 

I don't really want to do something like that, but I also don't want to disappoint Mana.

"Sure."

"Really?" Mana's eyes sparkled with joy.

"But won't the others come with us?" Mika asked curiously.

"Well, that's right... let's ask them."

Mana turned to Kai and Yuki and asked them.

"No way," Kai answered bluntly.

"Why not?" Mana confused.

"Because I want to spend some time alone with my darling. This is a chance for me. You two can go as a couple."

"A c-c-couple?" Mana stammered, blushing.

"Yes, Kai is right. Learn to spend some time alone. Also, be a bit bolder, Mana," Yuki whispered.

 Mana looked at Mika, worried that he might have heard that. Meanwhile, Mika tried to ignore their conversation, humming a tune absentmindedly as he looked at the campfire.

"All right, everyone, you've got an early start tomorrow, so off to bed!" a teacher shouted. Everyone started to disperse with a mixture of sighs and grumbles.

Mika and Kai went to the boys dormitory and settled into their beds.

***

The next day they were awakened early in the morning. The PE teachers were leading a morning exercise for the whole school. Then all the students, except the Disciplinary Committee, helped prepare breakfast.

During this time, Mika explained the order of the activities and other necessary details to the other teachers.

When he was done, Mika returned to Kai, Yuki and Mana for breakfast.

"Good morning," Mika greeted Yuki, Mana, and Kai.

"Good morning," they all replied.

"So, Mika, what's on the agenda for today?"

"Well... first, we'll go to the Kamikochi area and then to the Kappa Bridge. We'll have lunch near Mount Hotaka."

"Wow, quite a plan," Mana remarked in surprise.

"Yes, but it seems to be quite far," Yuki added.

"Optional anyway; those who want to go will go," Mika explained.

"Great! Then I won't come..." Kai  started but was interrupted by Yuki's quick headbutt.

"No, you're coming," Yuki said sternly.

"But why?" Kai asked, rubbing his head.

"You wanted to spend some time together, remember?" Yuki reminded.

"Oh right, LET'S GO, LET'S GO!" Kai exclaimed excitedly.

"Man, you two are really..." Mika sighed and took a deep breath. Mana giggled.

After dinner, the hike started right away. There were only about forty students from the final year. Five of them were members of the disciplinary committee, including Mika, who had to be there.

Mika and his group of friends walked towards the back of the group. Just ahead of them were Saya, Rin, and Eirin.

Two hours of brisk walking and chatting, they reached the first designated resting place. Everyone ordered food according to their preferences.

"Phew, this is really exhausting. Mika, how much longer do we have?" Kai asked, wiping the sweat from his brow and taking a sip of water.

"About one and a half times what we've done so far," Mika replied.

"Oh, that's too long. Can't we turn back?" Kai asked reluctantly.

"No, we can't. Come on!" Yuki said frustrated.

"Okay, sorry." Kai mumbled.

As the food arrived and everyone ate, there was occasional eye contact between Saya's team and Mika's group, as if everyone was trying to gauge the atmosphere.

"Should we say hello to Rin's group?" Mana asked curiously.

"Doesn't matter. We'll end up talking anyway," Yuki replied, slurping noodles.

As soon as everyone had finished eating, they started walking again. Occasionally, they climbed hills, marveled at the natural scenery, and rinsed their hands and faces in the flowing river beside them.

After regular stops and hours of walking, they finally reached Kamikochi.

"We made it," Mana said, breathing heavily.

"Yes," Mika said, looking at the flowing river.

"if there were no clouds the sun would have roasted us for sure," Yuki added.

"Yeah, it's too bad we were 'welcomed' by this rain," Kai remarked, wringing out his wet shirt.

"Did you bring some spare clothes, Yuki?"

"Yes, and if you don't, I can lend you some," Yuki said.

"That would be great," Mana replied.

Mana and Yuki went inside to get changed.

"Mika, don't you have any spare clothes?"

"Yes, but if I change now, my wet clothes will wet the fresh ones."

"I see," Kai said as he changed his clothes.

Mika looked outside and saw Saya standing alone on the balcony of the cabin, looking out at the rain. Other students were inside, talking and looking out. Saya seemed a bit down, so Mika decided to approach her.

He climbed up the balcony and went to Saya's side. Saya noticed him.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"You could catch a cold standing out there all wet. Why don't you come inside?" Mika asked.

"If I change now, I'll get wet again soon. And, well..."

"What's wrong? Is something bothering you?"

"Nothing, but the sudden rain has messed up our plans a bit. I was thinking about that."

"True, but all that was left was the Kappa Bridge, really. I don't think it'll be too much of a problem."

"Yeah, maybe..."

"Maybe?"

"Well, to be honest, my main motivation for coming here was this bridge. I asked the teachers and they said we'd go back as soon as the rain stopped. But this place is so close." Saya looked a little sad and a little worried.

"That's right, it's about 400 meters away."

Silence hung between them. The smell of rain permeated the air, the sound of water flowing from the river and raindrops hitting the mountains echoed around them.

Mika looked at Saya. She seemed lost in thought. Suddenly, Saya turned to him and smiled.

"But there's nothing we can do about it, is there? Let's go inside before we catch a cold." Her voice sounded melancholy. She started towards the door.

At that moment, Mika thought: 

Why was this bridge so important to her? I was the one who put it in the plan. She said it was her motivation... Now she's going to come back disappointed. I don't know what she's thinking or feeling, but it makes me uncomfortable.

As Saya reached for the doorknob to open it, Mika called to Saya.

"Shall we go to Kappa Bridge together and come back?"