Test results are given. Shoko and Chihiro ask the BBs about summer plans. BBs explain they cannot travel overseas, so they ask if it is possible within Japan. If so, they choose Kyoto. Alicia, Mei, and Kyoko join in and agree. They exchange phone numbers and each other's birthdays. Shoko demands to call once they get Saori's approval.
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The weather is sunny, cloudy mix.
[July 20, Friday - week 3]
Final exams are over, but test results will be given today. Haruka doesn't delay handing the report cards with the mid-year grades.
"Alright, those with commentaries on a small note must remain in class for a brief orientation on summer school. Those who do not can leave."
Seiya raises his hand upon inspecting his grades.
"Haruka-san, I don't have a note."
"This means you don't need summer school."
"Really?" Seiya asks with a tilted head.
"Yes! Be grateful, Pegasus, because your grades increased to tier level. You would've attended summer school if they remained at average level."
"What's exactly summer school?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. It's a week of intensive class taking to raise your grades that will occur next month. Now, before some of you leave, I must hand this too. It's a homework survey of topics given thus far. Be sure to fill them out by the end of your summer vacation."
"Wait! Homework to do during vacation?!"
"Never done it? It's the norm at every Japanese school. It's to ensure students remain productive and not merely slack off."
Once Haruka hands the homework survey booklet, the students with the passing tier grades leave the classroom, including the BBs.
"I can't believe we get to do homework during vacation. We're supposed to be relieved so we can enjoy summer vacation," Seiya says.
"Now, now, Seiya." Shiryu sweat drops. "I get why this is the case. We'll just do them, no problem. Given the thinness of the booklet, we can do our homework survey at the end of summer vacation."
"Yeah, I expected something thicker like a book," Hyoga says.
Just as they leave, Shoko and Chihiro spot them.
"Hey there, guys! Great timing!" Shoko greets.
"Hey there, Shoko-san. Looks like you passed."
"That's right! Both of us did," Chihiro says.
"Hey! Are you open to talk? We want to discuss our summer plans. Come on! Let's go outside so we can sit! We're a big crowd here."
Shoko spots Mei and Alicia leaving their classroom. "Great timing, you two. We're going outside to discuss our summer plans. Come join us!"
Mei bows. "Hello there."
"Summer plans, eh? Sure, why not?" Alicia says.
The group spots Kyoko in the hallway.
"Kyoko-san!" Shoko greets, waving. "We're heading to the courtyard to talk about our summer plans. Come join us!"
"That explains the large group," Kyoko says.
"Kyoko-san, good to see you," Shun greets.
"Nice to see you, Shun. It's been a while. The same goes for you too. We haven't met since the trip."
"Yeah! Good to see you, Kyoko-san," Seiya greets. He and the others raise their gaze upon noticing her tall presence, for which they quietly shiver.
"Is there something wrong?" Kyoko asks, confused.
"Uh, no! Nothing at all!" Seiya nervously says.
"Never expected Kyoko-san to be this tall. She's taller than me and the guys combined! Well, except for Ikki because she's the same as him."
"Won't Ikki be there?" Kyoko asks, worried.
"No worries. I'll pass the message," Shun says.
"That's good to hear. Thank you."
Kyoko joins the group towards the courtyard. Shoko finds a spot suited for a large group with large sitting benches. She doesn't waste kickstarting the discussion. "Now that we're here, I want to ask about your summer plans first. I can't wait to hear all about them."
"Sorry to disappoint, but we don't have plans. Other than completing the homework survey that is," Seiya says, raising his arm to his head.
"What?! So you'll remain stuck in your dorm? That's not cool! Summer is the time to do interesting things. To have fun outside of school."
"Talk about starting on the wrong foot." Chihiro frowns with folded arms.
"Summer is the time for travel," Alicia suggests.
Shoko hastily stands. "That's perfect! We can travel somewhere. Hey! I bet you lived in faraway places before coming here, didn't you? How about going to one of those countries?"
"We shouldn't. Those places aren't suited for tourists," Shiryu says.
"Are you implying those places are dangerous?" Mei asks.
"Yes! You'll die if you don't know what you're doing," Hyoga says.
"It's unfortunately true. We wouldn't lie otherwise," Shun says.
"Then how about Japan itself? Would that be acceptable?" Kyoko asks.
"Kyoko-san, are you saying we should travel within Japan?" Shoko asks. "Come to think of it, there's no shortage of things to see and do here."
"Of course! If we can't go overseas because of safety concerns, then traveling within this country would be the safest bet."
"I agree." Mei raises her hand.
"Traveling within Japan sounds like a dream come true." Alicia raises her hand. "I agree, too."
"Going around this country for summer is a cliche, but I agree." Likewise, Chihiro raises her hand.
"Okay, traveling within Japan, that is. Now the issue is whether you guys agree. Have you ever been to other cities besides Tokyo?"
The boys shake their heads as if not.
"Great! Now let's choose a city," Chihiro says.
"How about Kyoto?" Shoko asks.
"That's typical school trip cliche."
"Yeah, but there are places that schools don't take us. I have this place in mind, actually. I've been curious for a while, but I don't feel comfortable going alone, so it'll be easier if I go in a group."
"Explore a place in Kyoto where schools don't take us... I think I get what you're talking about. Just talking about it triggers my curiosity."
"What are you talking about?" Mei asks.
"She's talking about the secret world of geishas, is that it? I could have sworn that they existed as myths and in movies," Alicia says.
The BBs look puzzled by the conversation, prompting Seiya to intervene with a question. "Kyoto's a Japanese city, and you say there are places where schools don't take you? Why?"
"Schools assign Kyoto as the go-to city for field trips because of its history and importance, so schools would limit trips to temples," Kyoko explains. "Now, if we're going by something else, that's a completely different matter."
"Seiya, we should go there," Hyoga says.
"I agree. We should go," Shun says.
"Kyoto was this country's capital for a very long time. I'd be curious to know what it looks like beyond textbooks," Shiryu says.
"Guys! That implies being far from Saori-san," Seiya nervously states.
"Then get her permission! There, problem solved!" Shoko says.
"I didn't say we agree..." But Seiya looks at the eager and curious looks of his friends. He turns to the girls and sighs. "Fine, we'll get permission."
"Great! With that said, let's exchange contact numbers. Be sure to call me once you get her approval, okay?" Shoko opens her notebook, rips a sheet of paper, and writes down her number. "I wrote my birthday, too. Since we're friends, we ought to know each other's birthdays."
"Let me do the same," Chihiro says.
"Ah, yes! Me too!" Alicia says.
"I might as well," Mei says.
"Please allow me!" Kyoko says.
Shoko allows each girl to write her phone number and birthday date. She gives the sheet afterward.
"We should do the same for us girls since we're now friends too," Chihiro says.
"Right! I saw that Kyoko-san's birthday is nearby," Shoko says. She repeats the process, but rather than rip five sheets of paper, she pulls a single sheet and has each girl write her number and birthday. "I'll go to the library to print this out. Pulling four more sheets would be too much."
Seiya does the same as Shoko and gives a sheet with the dorm's phone number and the birthday dates of him and his friends.
"Thank you, Seiya-kun! This is perfect!"
"Don't forget to print that too," Chihiro says.
As the girls get up and accompany Shoko to the school library, Shoko turns to the boys. "Don't forget to call! I'll be waiting!"
The boys stand from their seats, sweat dropping as they watch the girls leave. They stand with blank expressions on their faces.
"This will be a unique summer," Seiya mutters.
To be continued...