Lunch break
Kamiyama High School - Rooftop
Rui
So, I'd like to see if it'll work in our show. What do you think?
Tsukasa
O-Okay...? Limbo in a bamboo forest...? Yes, I agree that it goes with this particular scene, but it's also starting to turn into some sort of comedic skit...
Tsukasa
What?! Look at the time!
Our lunch break's almost over!
Our lunch break's almost over!
Rui
Yes, we should start heading back.
If I remember correctly, next is...
If I remember correctly, next is...
Tsukasa
A long homeroom.
All classes will be having a discussion about the school trip.
All classes will be having a discussion about the school trip.
Rui
Oh, you already know what's going to happen?
Tsukasa
Heh heh heh! I am a class representative after all! The teachers told me the other day about how we'd be doing this soon!
Rui
Ah, I see. That makes sense.
Rui
Still, the school trip...
I hope this discussion doesn't take too long.
I hope this discussion doesn't take too long.
Tsukasa
I thought you'd be looking forward to it more.
Rui
Well...
I am in the sense that we get to go somewhere that we normally don't...
I am in the sense that we get to go somewhere that we normally don't...
Rui
But people don't usually like it when I try to put on a show during a school trip. I've even been scolded before for just making a few props in the hotel.
Tsukasa
I had a feeling in the back of my mind, but you really are a creature of habit...
Tsukasa
I appreciate the fact that you love putting on shows wherever and whenever, but why not try doing something else for a change?
Tsukasa
You only get one chance in life as a high schooler to go on this trip! It's like a one-night-only performance!
Rui
Hmm...
Like a one-night-only performance...
Like a one-night-only performance...
Tsukasa
Precisely! So, I think you should enjoy this trip as—
Tsukasa
What?!
Rui, we need to go now or we're going to be late!
Rui, we need to go now or we're going to be late!
Rui
Okay.
Rui
(Still...)
Rui
(Enjoying the school trip...
I did have fun when I participated in the sports festival...)
I did have fun when I participated in the sports festival...)
Rui
(But I'm less sure about this.)
Class 2-B
Class Representative
That concludes our overview.
Rui
(Ah, three days and two nights in Kyoto...)
Rui
(Days one and three involve sightseeing with our groups, while we have day two to ourselves. That seems fairly standard...)
Class Representative
We will now be forming our groups. We're free to choose whoever, but we're limited to groups of four.
Rui
(Groups of four...)
Rui
(Based on the explanation we just heard, we'll be doing most things with our groupmates, including sleeping in the same room.)
Rui
(Which means...)
Male Student A
Alright, we're all set!
Male Student B
Yeah, the gang's all here!
Female Student A
Can't we have a group of five...?
Female Student B
Or could we split into a two and a three? Oh, wanna ask the class rep to see if we can have a group of five?
Rui
(Everyone already seems to know who they want to group with...)
Rui
(I've been able to talk to more of my classmates since the sports festival, but I'm not sure who'd want me in their group for this trip...)
???
Hey, uh... Kamishiro, do you have a minute?
Rui
Hm?
Oh, you're...
Oh, you're...
Miyake
It's Miyake!
I helped with the equipment during the sports festival... But enough of that. I'm here to ask...
I helped with the equipment during the sports festival... But enough of that. I'm here to ask...
Miyake
Do you wanna join our group?
Rui
What?
Miyake
W-Wait, uhh...! I'm sorry!
I know I probably seem like a complete stranger to you.
I know I probably seem like a complete stranger to you.
Rui
No, it's not that...
But... Why me?
But... Why me?
Miyake
Actually, I've been meaning to chat with you for a while now.
Rui
With me...?
Miyake
Yeah, 'cause I like gadgets and stuff too.
The drones you make are so cool.
The drones you make are so cool.
Miyake
But I sorta never got the opportunity until now, you know? That's why I thought I should take this chance to get to know you better.
Miyake
Also, there are two others already besides me. Hayashi and Taniyama are their names, over there by the wall. You'd be our fourth!
Rui
Ah, are you talking about those two...?
Hayashi
Hey, he's looking this way...
I guess Miyake's having trouble getting Kamishiro to join us...
I guess Miyake's having trouble getting Kamishiro to join us...
Taniyama
Does this mean he needs backup?!
If so, I'll go help!
If so, I'll go help!
Rui
They certainly seem like a fun bunch.
Miyake
H-Haha. Sorry, I know this is all happening really suddenly... It's also probably pretty obvious that I'm not exactly the outgoing type, so... I-If you don't want to join us, we'll understand!
Miyake
But it would be nice to have you in our group, Kamishiro...!
Rui
No, I appreciate the invitation.
Rui
Which is why I'd be more than happy to join.
Miyake
R-Really...?!
Thanks so much!!
Thanks so much!!
Miyake
Hey, guys!
Kamishiro said he'd join!
Kamishiro said he'd join!
Rui
(I didn't think that anyone would invite me...)
Rui
(Hehe...
This feels so strange for some reason.)
This feels so strange for some reason.)
After school
School Gate
Tsukasa
Ah, Rui!
Is your class all finished?
Is your class all finished?
Rui
Hello, Tsukasa. Thank you for waiting. Now, let's head over to the Wonder Stage and...
Rui
Hm?
Where's Nene?
Where's Nene?
Tsukasa
Oh, she just sent me a message saying that we should go on ahead without her because her teacher asked for her help with something.
Tsukasa
More importantly, how did that discussion go with your class? In our class, we decided our groups already...
Rui
Yes, so did we.
Rui
To my surprise, a classmate asked me to join his group. He said he wanted to take this opportunity to get to know me better.
Tsukasa
Wh-What?! Really?!
Rui
Hm? Why so surprised...?
Tsukasa
N-No, it's just...!
Tsukasa
You're apparently known as the “Explosive Mad Scientist” to some people, so I wasn't sure if anyone would invite you into their group...
Rui
Oh, that's not a very nice nickname...
I'm just a humble director.
I'm just a humble director.
Tsukasa
Um, I'm not sure a “humble director” would run so many experiments at school that end in explosions...
Tsukasa
Still, Rui, congratulations!
I hope you and your new friends have a fun trip!
I hope you and your new friends have a fun trip!
Rui
I don't want to raise my expectations too high, but I am sort of looking forward to spending time with them.
Tsukasa
Yes, excellent!
Tsukasa
Oh, also.
Do you already have plans for the second day? We're free to do whatever we like.
Do you already have plans for the second day? We're free to do whatever we like.
Rui
The second day?
No, not yet...
No, not yet...
Tsukasa
Ah, then!
Why don't we do some sightseeing together?
Why don't we do some sightseeing together?
Tsukasa
We're free to mingle with students from other classes, and there's something I'd like to see with you.
Rui
With me?
Tsukasa
Yes, it's called the “Hyakki Yako Parade”, as in “Night Parade of One Hundred Spirits”. It takes place somewhere a little way away from downtown... Oh, this website has a good explanation.
Tsukasa
You get to watch as people walk in a parade while dressed as monsters and spirits from folklore!
Rui
Interesting... “All are free to participate and dress up.” Yes, this does sound like fun.
Tsukasa
See what I mean?! The costumes some of these people make are unbelievable! Professional designers also usually take part, so I'm sure you'll find some inspiration for our shows!
Rui
Hehe...
It's usually me that people have pegged as the show enthusiast, but your fanaticism for shows also seems to know no bounds.
It's usually me that people have pegged as the show enthusiast, but your fanaticism for shows also seems to know no bounds.
Rui
Anyway, I would very much like to see this parade.
Tsukasa
Wonderful!
Then, we'll go see this during day two!
Then, we'll go see this during day two!
Tsukasa
There's also somewhere else that I'm hoping to visit! We'll need to go there before the parade if we can!
Rui
Oh, where?
Tsukasa
None other than the Kiyomizu Stage!
Rui
Well, Kiyomizu-dera Temple is part of a World Heritage Site after all... But why are you so interested in it...?
Rui
Don't tell me it's because it has “Stage” in the name...
Tsukasa
That's exactly right!
It is the duty of a future star such as myself to stand on the biggest stages in the world!
It is the duty of a future star such as myself to stand on the biggest stages in the world!
Rui
I'd expect no less from you.
Tsukasa
Exactly!
Hah hah hah!
Hah hah hah!
Rui
(Still...)
Rui
(Sightseeing with classmates I don't normally interact with, and seeing that parade with Tsukasa...)
Rui
(This school trip is looking to be more fun than I was initially expecting.)
Miyamasuzaka Girls Academy - Classroom
Shizuku
Hmm...
Shizuku
Students who wish to do the tour of Kiyomizu-dera Temple are supposed to gather here, right, Airi?
Airi
Yeah, this should be the right place.
Airi
It's nice how our school's okay with us joining tours and stuff with students from different classes.
Shizuku
Hehe. I agree.
Airi
And I'm so glad this trip doesn't conflict with work or anything. So, let's try to have as much fun as we... Huh?
Mafuyu
Oh... Hello, Hinomori, Momoi.
Mafuyu
Are you two here for the Kiyomizu-dera Temple tour?
Shizuku
Yes, we are!
I'm so glad to see you here, Asahina.
I'm so glad to see you here, Asahina.
Shizuku
But you're all by yourself.
Did your friends choose something else?
Did your friends choose something else?
Mafuyu
Yes, they went for traditional crafts...
Unfortunately, that group reached full capacity, so I decided to drop out. Also, I feel that I should see Kiyomizu-dera Temple at least once during my life.
Unfortunately, that group reached full capacity, so I decided to drop out. Also, I feel that I should see Kiyomizu-dera Temple at least once during my life.
Shizuku
Oh, I see.
Shizuku
I know...!
Why don't we go sightseeing together as a group? What do you think, Airi?
Why don't we go sightseeing together as a group? What do you think, Airi?
Airi
Yeah! How does that sound, Asahina?
Mafuyu
Then, if you don't mind having me.
Shizuku
Of course!
The three of us going on a trip together.
I couldn't be happier!
The three of us going on a trip together.
I couldn't be happier!
Shizuku
This school trip is going to be so wonderful!
Next Chapter: Kyoto, Here We Come!