Chapter 12 – The Trip Begins

"*giggle* Yes. Yes! in just mere HOURS, I'll be home once more! Hurry up and come over, tomorrow!"

"Well, someone's excited." Rise said to me.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Way."

"Well, crud."

Like I said during my moment, tomorrow way the start of the summer trip to Hakone. Rise decided to spend the night at my place. Claiming that it's closer to the station (whatever that is). I don't know how I did it, but I got everything planned out. Now I just gotta hope everything goes well.

I probably shouldn't have said that. But, whatever.

"So, is Hakone really as pretty and peaceful as you say it is?"

"Oh, yes. trust me, you are going to love it. Aside from the multiple onsen hot springs everywhere, there's open fields, gentle rivers, and a great view of Mt. Fuji. Hiking up there is actually a normal thing for us to do."

"Hiking Mt. Fuji…normal?"

"Yep. Perfectly normal."

"The country is weird."

"So is the city. But I dealt with it."

"Fair point. We should get to bed soon. We have to wake up early, don't we?"

"Yeah, we do. From what Yui told me, the earlier the train, the better. Though, I'm actually curious about what she meant by that."

"You've never ridden a train before?"

"Nope. Tomorrow will be my first time."

"I see…"

"Quit looking at me like that."

"Like what? I don't know what you're talking about." Rise said with a cheeky smile. I then proceeded to lightly punch her in the side. Later ending with us two laughing with and at each other.

"Alright, alright. Good night."

"Good night."

I turned off the light in my room and we both ended up falling asleep in just mere minutes.


The next day, the two of us (well, three. Yui left with us because well…she's my neighbor) were at the train station waiting for the others to arrive. While doing so, Yui and I got into a conversation.

"What?! You can't be serious!"

"Yeah. I'm serious. And I stand by that, too."

A heated one about which early 2000s video game console was the best.

"Sachiko, how can you really hate the GameCube? It's like one of the best in history."

"Wasn't it a complete and utter failure during its lifespan? I mean, really. People started liking it way after it died. And now it's just an overrated nuisance."

"A nuisance?! Come on!"

"Sorry, Yui. That's my stand on it. I hate that overrated crap box."

"*sigh* Look, I'll admit. I can't deny that the PlayStation 2 is the best selling console of all time. Nor can I deny that it had some great games. But to put that over the GameCube is just mad, girl."

"Mad? Hey, at least I'm not saying the original Xbox is better. That's a crime against humanity."

"Right? I don't know how that thing became popular overseas."

Quick Note: The original Xbox sold really poorly in Japan. That last bit in the argument was a reference to said fact.

"Uh…Sachiko."

"Yeah, Rise?"

"What the heck are you two talking about?"

"Y…You don't play video games, do you?"

Rise shook her head no. That way, it would be easier for Yui to understand.

"I-I see. Sorry, Rise. I get real heated with topics like those." Yui said.

Rise just simply nodded the whole thing off.

"Ugh. So tired."

We saw Kyouko stumbling towards us while dragging a suitcase on its opposite side. She then dropped everything and collapsed onto Yui's lap.

"H-Hey! Get off me!"

"But I'm tired, Yui. Just give me a few minutes. Or an hour. Or two. Or maybe even three."

"We're not going to be here that long." Yui said as she pushed Kyouko off her.

"*whine*"

"Hey, behave yourself, Toshinio Kyouko." Ayano said as she and Chitose walked up to us with bags with them.

"I would if we didn't have to wake up so early."

"That's why I said for you to go to bed early." Yui said.

"It summer. Who goes to bed early during the summer?"

Yui didn't answer and just sighed out of annoyance.

"Anyway…" Ayano said. "I didn't think you would come along with us, Matsumoto-senpai. It's actually been quite a while since you left Nanamori."

"What's high school like? Is it as fun as people say it is?" Chitose asked.

Rise looked at me and told me what she wanted to say to the duo. I guess her shyness is still troubling her. But I don't mind doing this for her. It's what friends do.

"She says it's fun. But also a lot of work. Way harder than anything she did in middle school." I translated.

"I see."

"Well, that's to be expected."

"What is?" Sakurako said as she and the other three first-years joined us at the train station.

"Matsumoto-senpai was just telling us what high school is like." Ayano said.

"Whoa! Matsumoto! It's been a long *** time! How's my favorite shy girl doing?!"

"Hehheh. It's good to see you again too, Ohmura-san." Rise was a bit uncomfortable with how close Sakurako was. But she was also smiling a bit. I guess these two got along sometimes.

"Hey." Himawari said. "Don't be cursing this early in the morning. People are still trying to sleep."

"Bah. You worry too much, Boob-chan."

"Tch. Quit calling me that!"

Oh, right. Which reminds me…

I got up and went over to the other two girls. Pushing them aside so that no one can hear us.

"Akari, you better keep your promise." I whispered. "No cursing."

"I know, I know. I actually prepared for this by shouting a bunch of curse words into a jar last night."

"She actually did that. It was uncomfortable to sit through." Chinastu added.

"O…Okay, then." This was literally the only thing I could think of to respond to such a thing. "Just as long as you keep your promise." We then joined back with the rest of the group.

"So that should be everyone, right?" Yui asked.

"Actually…I invited a few more people." I said.

"Really? Like who?"

"S-Sorry we're late."

We looked over towards the station building entrance to see two girls speed-walking to us while each carrying a bag of some sorts.

These two girls were Hiro Takaoka and Aoi Isurugi.

"Huh? Hiro and Aoi? What are you two doing here?" Chinastu asked.

"Sachiko invited us. We ran into her and Matsumoto-senpai at the mall two days ago." Hiro explained.

"Really?"

"Yep." Aoi said. "And I even helped the two picked out swimsuits. Granted, it was for free. But I was able to make some profit later that day."

"I-I see…" Chinastu said with a sweatdrop.

"Anyway…you ready to get all crazy during this trip, Akari?"

"*sigh* I wish. But I've been told to tone it down a bit." Akari said in the same tone Aoi was speaking.

"Aw. That sucks."

Wait. Does Aoi know about Akari's cursing?

"Anyway. That just leaves…"

"Hey. Sachiko."

Behind the two girls, another person was showing up. Probably one nobody (except me and Rise) expected to see.

"Nishigaki?!" Everyone asked.

"Right? I convinced her to come too. Although, it was a process. A shocking one, I might add."

"Shocking?" Akari asked.

"Well, she's also from Hakone."

"Really?!" The other shouted.

"How come you never told us?" Kyouko asked.

"I shouldn't have to tell you about my personal life, Kyouko." Nana said.

"But you tell Matsumoto. Why does she get special treatment?"

"Because. In return, she gets to be my test dummy."

"Don't say that with such a smug look." Rise felt insulted.

"So, if I become your test dummy, would you tell me your secrets?" Kyouko asked.

"Well…it depends on how good of a test dummy you end up being. Can you survive multiple explosions a day?"

"Offer rejected!" Yui and Ayano yelled.

"Aw! Boo!" Kyouko whined.

*SOUND OF AN INTERCOM*

*Attention. Attention. Next train to Hakone now arriving. Passengers, please prepare to board.*

"Yes! Train's here!" Sakurako yelled.

"Soon, it'll be time to go wild and get loaded!" Aoi yelled.

"Sakurako…"

"Aoi…" Himawari and Hiro facepalmed throughout that double outburst.

The train pulled up in front of us and we loaded our bags on board. Then once we each found a seat, the train left the station and made its way out the big city of Tokyo.

This is it! I'm finally going back home! Watch me now!

Final Thought: Yes! It finally begins! My summer vacation in my hometown of Hakone! I'll tell ya! You guys are in for a treat! And of course, I'll be your one and only guide to it all! Thank you for reading along. Bye now!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: So the rest of the story will take place in Hakone. This is basically a huge part of the story. And want to focus on it as much as possible. Referencing the spots I've said in previous chapters. Next Chapter may come up tomorrow. Thanks for reading. Later.