"Is everyone here?" Nisei-sensei asked the students. They were lining up in classes, and Nisei-sensei had to take care of both classes as the teacher from the next class was absent on that very important day. Thankfully Principal Ikarino agreed to come along and supervise the students.
What day was that day? That day was the outing day, the once a year tradition of Aibo Academy. The Elementary Grade Six students would go on a two day one night trip to a specific chosen location voted by the students themselves.
This year, the majority voted for Highland Adventure — an amusement park located in the mountains, so that it would be cooling for the visitors. The students were of course reminded to dress long sleeved and bring extra jackets or warm clothing. It was winter after all.
"Yes, we're all here, Nisei-sensei!" all the students responded energetically. Everyone, including the supervisors on the job were anxious to head out. The buses were lined up as well, awaiting the students.
"Oh yeah, this will be wicked awesome!" Gao exclaimed. Baku, Kuguru and Kiri nodded in excitement. Zanya on the other hand and in the other line (he was in a different class) looked at the little group and smiled, he was happy that the girl he cared for was excited.
Tetsuya turned to look at him. Seeing the smile creep up onto his face, Tetsuya said, "Come on, admit that you're happy going to the amusement park! See, you're smiling, Z!"
Zanya looked away and sighed. Going to an amusement park just didn't suit him, he thought. 'I wish we could go somewhere calming like hot springs, it isn't as crowded and loud as a freaking amusement park,' he mumbled softly in protest.
As the students were getting onto the bus, Ikarino announced, "You don't need to line in classes, just go with your friends and enjoy! This activity has squat to do with school so everyone, go with whoever you like! THAT'S AN ORDER!"
"Yes, principal!" the students exclaimed, chuckling and giggling at the principal's declaration of freedom.
The lines soon broke apart and the students grouped together. Zanya and Tetsuya joined Gao and the others, a huge smile on Tetsuya's face as they greeted one another.
"This is gonna be awesome dudes!" Tetsuya said.
"Yup, definitely going to be one for Aibo history!" Baku supported.
"Man, it's my first time going to an amusement park!" Kiri mentioned.
"Then let's enjoy and have fun!" Gao exclaimed.
The boys kept on exchanging random facts as Baku pulled out a lollipop and stuck it in his mouth. Kuguru turned to Zanya and smiled, opening up her mouth to say something.
"They sure are hyped up about this trip, huh?" she asked the indigo-haired boy.
"Yes, yes they are," Zanya replied as their hands locked together, walking side by side.
As the students got on the buses, Gao suddenly piped up.
"I call dibs on the back window seat!"
"Hate to burst your bubble, Gao, but the back's taken. The best we can do is the second last row," Zanya mentioned, seeing that the back seats were already taken by other students who were already chatting away.
"Man, the back seats were always the best in the house," Gao sulked as they took the seats of the second last row. Gao and Baku sat together as a pair, over to their right were Tetsuya and Kiri, and in front of them Zanya and Kuguru.
The bus ride started off peacefully, until Ikarino decided to get the students going with activities.
"My dearest students," Ikarino started off, even bowing to the students, making most of them laugh.
"How about we get going with some activities to pass time, I'm sure we can make it interesting."
Kuguru looked over at Zanya, only to find his eyelids heavy; his head leaned against the window. She giggled and then pinched his arm. He jolted up with a start and turned over to see that she was laughing at his reaction. Somehow, a smile made its way up his face, most probably because he cared for her and liked to see her laugh.
"So, who's got a good song for a ride?" Ikarino asked his students.
"I have. It's 3.6.5 by EXO," Kuguru offered.
"Take it away, little girl!" Ikarino encouraged.
Kuguru searched for the song on her tablet and soon, music filled the bus as it sped along. And after a good half hour of singing to various songs, eventually their energy wore down and they fell back to their own activities; Ikarino dozing off in his own seat.
"…nya… Zanya… Zanya, wake up, we're here!" Kuguru and Gao called out.
"What? Where?" the boy asked sleepily.
"You drifted off halfway through the ride! Not that we weren't doing it either…" Gao said.
"Nothing against you sleeping, bro, except that you're a real heavy sleeper once you do drift off," Baku pointed out.
"Anyways guys, shouldn't we be getting off the bus?" Kiri asked, pointing at the almost empty bus. Pretty much everyone had gotten off by then.
"Come on, were already falling behind dudes!" Tetsuya called, speeding excitedly to the steps to the outside air. His enthusiasm virus seemed to spread, as Gao, Baku and Kiri ran after the guy, leaving Kuguru with Zanya as he grabbed his backpack.
'I wonder if he has given it a thought yet…' she thought to herself.
"We're here students! Please line up in classes just for this little while, the sooner we get the check-in done, the sooner we can get down to the fun!" Nisei-sensei announced. Hearing that, the students cooperated and lined up, each and everyone of them excited to get down to the rides.
"Okay, and that's the last one!" Nisei-sensei called out as the desk finished up with Zanya's checking in (his name starts with Z, so he's at the bottom of the class list!). "Do you want us to do the room dividing now or do you guys just wanna get down to the fun?" the teacher asked the students who were already turning their heads once in a while to gaze out at the attractive rides.
"Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun!" the students chanted out. Gao and the others were using up all the air they had in their lungs to support the idea of going down immediately, while Zanya and Kuguru just turned to each other and shook their heads smiling, knowing that there was no changing their minds at this point.
"Then what are you waiting for standing around here?! Come with me to the entrance of the theme park so I can give you guys your entrance passes! THAT'S AN ORDER!" Ikarino announced and he led the chase down to the park, the students followed him in mobs excitedly.