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Due to the long bus ride, my body hurts. We did have breaks during the trip, but even without moving much, the body gets exhausted. In the end, moving your body by yourself is the best.

「Hmmnh, we’re finally here.」
「Somehow your stretching looks so lewd.」
「Why am I always being called lewd?」

My back was arched, so my breast probably got emphasised due to natural body mechanics. So that’s why the boys’ gazes are on me, huh. While I’m looking a bit red, I still made sure to glare at the guys.

「Kotone, you’re honestly so defenceless sometimes.」

Harumi is right about that. Still, I’ve never had someone exploit this against me. Hadzuki doesn’t hesitate to make use of everything, though. I’m really glad we don’t have our field trip together. If it’s him, he might just make up some reason just to come along.

「Still, our academy is amazing as usual. To think that we’d be staying at such a famous and well-established lodging.」

Isn’t this place always flooded with reservations? When this place was added to the itinerary, I had no idea. Since if there’s less people than planned, cancellations have to be made. Moreover, whether you stay here or at another hotel depends on the students. Each class can choose between the two.

「Kotone, why did you chose this place?」
「Hot spring is the only true option.」
「Thought so.」

While the enormous public bath at the top floor of the hotel is quite tempting as well, I really prefer the Japanese-style more. I’m really glad my classmates were on board with me when I endorsed Japanese lodging. Still, Nagatsuki and Kotori, who didn’t know of my preferences, seem to be at the hotel.

「I’d really prefer not having this grand reception, though.」
「It feels pretty novel to us, though. But I’d also hate to have this all the time.」

At the entrance, there was a line of employees. Even though there’s a lot of us, they should still have a number of regular guests all the time. Is this a “We’d love to see you again next year” kind of thing, or is there another reason for this? They really didn’t need to go this far.

「Is this Kotone’s fault?」
「If it was all three of us staying here, then that would make sense, but me alone shouldn’t really warrant this kind of treatment.」

I really wish that’s the case. Imagining other places treating us like this is making me feel uncomfortable. I guess this is because there’s also other influential and rich children with me. Or maybe someone from a family influential in the hotel business.

「As usual, you really undersell yourself. Acting too humble can sound like sarcasm, you know?」
「Then shall I return to form?」
「Please not that.」

It’s precisely because I don’t try to act big and conspicuously that we’re in our current situation. Actually, I’m aware that I stand out a lot. Why is it that even though I’m just trying to live normally, the situation keeps going overboard?

「What shall we do after going to our room? Stroll for a bit?」
「It’s almost dinner time, so let’s not do that. Let’s just relax in our room.」
「Then let’s go with that.」

Right, dinner is just less than an hour away. If we leave, we might accidentally miss dinner. As for shopping, we should be able to procure necessary stuff at the indoor shop. Like snacks and stuff.

「Hooh, seems like a pretty relaxing room.」

The room has a calming air to it. It doesn’t have over-the-top decorations, it’s neat and tidy, just how I like it. Still, I’ll probably never be here again. A night’s stay is just plain expensive, after all. If I were to come, it’ll probably be for some sort of celebration.

「You should be able to behave masked off now.」
「That’s right. We’re the only ones here in the room, after all.」
「True enough. It’s a school event though, so I’m likely going to spend the most time formal.」

I’d likely be with other students a lot, mostly when we have outdoor activities. Because of that, I’ll naturally have my guard and my mask up most of the time. Still, that’s nothing new.

「I don’t really care much as long as I can enjoy this field trip.」
「We’ll need to make sure not to pick bad shops. That’s the most important thing in my opinion.」
「I agree with Miyako. While it could make for good memories, I’d rather avoid them. For that reason, I’ve done some research.」

Then I guess that’s a relief. For this time, I don’t intend to add my input at all. Rather, I’m completely on board with following them. Since if I give my input, it might lead us to a weird situation. Based on experience.

「Now, nothing should happen this time around.」
「Kotone, you’re jinxing it, so stop that. This time, we might get dragged into it.」
「While that sounds pretty fun, I’d rather pass this time. It might overload me.」

True, it might be tough for Miyako. I feel like Harumi would manage and ride with the vibes, but who’s to say for sure? There are times when pretty distinguished individuals get involved, so she might freeze up instead.

「Oh, I got a message from a friend who went out strolling, it seems like she encountered a celebrity.」
「Oh? Who? Is it someone I know?」

I don’t know if they’re here for work or in private, but it’s not really that interesting for me. Part of it is because I don’t watch television, so I don’t know many celebs.

「She says it should be Shindou Ayaka. Though she only saw her from afar, so she’s not sure.」
「Ehh!?」
「Why are you reacting at that part, Kotone?」

Even without my input, the trouble just came to me, huh. Moreover, it’s someone I’d rather not encounter at all. It’s someone I know from the past, so it’s possible that she won’t recognize me as Kotone. Let me check just to be sure.

「You didn’t tell the others about me, did you?」
『I leaked the info with pics to every one of our classmates~!』
「She f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g did it, that fool!」

As expected of Isami. She f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g leaked my info with more speed and accuracy than I could have imagined. Moreover, I have no idea what pictures she sent. Don’t tell me she sent pajama pictures?

「Kotone, you hand with the phone is shaking, are you alright?」
「Let me apologize in advance. I’m sorry, Harumi, Miyako.」

The chances of them getting dragged into trouble just rose significantly. If I ever encounter Ayaka, she’ll definitely come for me. She’s just that kind of person. I’ll have to be careful that she doesn’t see me.

「Don’t tell me, you’re acquainted with the actress Ayaka?」
「I’ve never met her. But it seems like info about me got to her through EXIST.」
「Seriously, your interpersonal relationships are a real mystery. Why do you also have an acquaintance in the entertainment industry?」

I want to know that myself. All my former classmates have idiosyncrasies, but they also have specializations each. And for some reason, everyone keeps in contact with each other frequently. Everyone chose a field where they can make full use of their uniqueness, so our work is spread out in variety.

「We’re not really acquaintances per se. But I’m certain she’ll approach me if we see each other.」
「What exactly did you do, Kotone?」
「Nothing, as of yet. Still, it’s her. And I have no way of knowing what to expect from her.」

If it was one of my fellow caretakers instead, things could go without any issues. However, Ayaka’s a fun-seeker. She’s the type to enjoy observing chaotic situations and occasionally joins the fray to take action herself. In other words, there’s no reading her at all.

「I really hope she doesn’t know I’m here.」
「Still, she shouldn’t know which school you’re enrolled at, though.」
「I wouldn’t be surprised if she asked Isami about it.」