"Home"

The entire cafeteria was dead silent after this announcement, these were the words that everyone feared we'd hear. Everyone was furious, and they had the right to. The trip was ruined because people wanted to start fighting. Although people didn't say anything, it was obvious to see that many also blamed the girl that they were fighting over. I didn't blame her because she really had nothing to do with this entire ordeal, but I can't control other people. 

"Sensei! Why do we have to suffer just because they couldn't behave themselves?"
"Because their behavior is a reflection of us, the teachers. If we fail to keep our students in line, how do you think that makes us look like as teachers? We unfortunately have to do this because we have to show that we are good teachers."

The logic that they gave us, if you ask me was somewhat flawed, but I did get the overall point of what they wanted to convey. I was upset with how the trip played out, because part of the reason I even wanted to go on this trip, was to get away from home. But now that we'll be going home the first thing in the morning, that opportunity is ruined. No one really said a word for the rest of the night, as everyone was pretty devastated by this news. The students that were involved in the fight this afternoon, were going to be suspended as soon as we returned home. As I got back to the hotel room I was staying in, my roommates were already busy talking about their disappointment.

"It's always those idiots that have to come around ruining stuff..."
"Right? Like they need to actually think with their damn heads for once."
"They can think all they want, but I don't think a brain occupies their heads."

When I walked in, I was still trying to process what Hiyori had said to me. I didn't feel like talking to the others, so I just went to the couch and laid down. 

"Shiro, we're going to play some cards, you in?"
"No thanks... I don't really feel like doing anything right now... but thanks for the offer."

After I said that, I instantly fell asleep. As they were playing cards, I have no idea how I didn't wake up from how loud they were. When the morning came, after breakfast, the teachers didn't waste any time. The buses arrived at the hotel 20 minutes after we had finished breakfast. 

"Does everyone have their belongings?"\

All the students nodded and didn't say much to the teachers, as they were still upset about the outcome of the trip. It didn't take too long to finish loading up the buses, and we were back on the road before we knew it. Despite what happened last night, Hiyori still sat next to me on the ride home. I didn't mind it one bit, in fact, I was relieved she still wanted to be around me. The majority of the trip home, I was lost in thought. I was kind of upset that I wasn't able to confess to Seira... but I figured I'd have more chances to do that. Hiyori fell asleep in a matter of minutes of leaving the hotel.

"I guess she couldn't get much sleep last night..."

I thought to myself. I felt a little guilty, as I thought I was the one responsible for her not getting much sleep. As we returned to Toyohashi, the environment was somber as many were simply sad that they couldn't have fun. While we were riding on the bus, I was scrolling through my phone. I had seen a text from my father, which had read:

"Hi Shiro, I just want to tell you that, I'll be out of town for a few weeks, something big happened at one of our sister stations, so I'll be in Hokkaido until the matter is resolved."

I was about to reply with okay, before I realized it meant that I had to stay with Eika alone for a while. It made me sick, but it's not something that's exactly new... this has happened a few other times. So if I was able to survive with her before, I'm sure I could do it again After we returned to school, I received a notification on my phone. It was from non-other than Eika... when I opened the text, it read:

"Shiro, the school informed us that the trip had gotten cut short. When you see the message come home immediately. I want to talk with you, it's extremely important."

My stomach sank as soon as I read the text. Eika has never once asked to talk to me about anything... normally whenever she had anything to say to me, it was a brief one and done comment. I knew my father was out of town on a business trip, so the thought of being home alone with her again sent chills down my spine. I didn't tell anyone that I was going home, after we finished unloading our luggage, I grabbed my things and walked home. That walk home felt like one of the longest things in my life. I had no idea on what to expect from this conversation. As I got home, Eika was waiting for me at the door. 

"Shiro... put your stuff in your room and change, then come to the living room."

Her normal condescending tone wasn't there, yet she seemed sad about something.

"Okay."

As I slowly walked up the stairs, my nerves have been at an all-time low for a week, but at this moment, they were the highest they've ever been in my life. I came back downstairs about 20 minutes later, after taking a quick shower. Eika was still sitting in the same place on the couch that she was when I went upstairs. Whatever this might be, this must be serious if she waited for my father to be gone to have this conversation. As I quietly walked downstairs, I kept watching her facial expressions. She seemed very distraught, as if her life was completely shattered. 

"Eika... what is this about?"

She tensed up and turned towards me.

"You startled me... anyway, can you sit down please?"

"Yes ma'am..."

I nodded as I sat next to her on the couch, my head was running wild with thoughts. 

"Why now? Why does she want to talk to me now?"

This is all I was able to think about this whole time, before Eika slowly grabbed my hand and held it tightly. This made me flinch because I didn't know what to expect, but I didn't fight back, and I let her continue. 

"Shiro... what I'm about to tell you, will probably change your life forever, but it's something that I can't hide from you any longer."