(Friday — Kiyomi's POV)
Friday finally arrived.
The school bus waited in the courtyard, white and loud and already buzzing with energy. Everyone was smiling — phones out, earbuds in, cameras pointed everywhere like this was some once-in-a-lifetime trip.
I climbed on with Hinata, the scent of fresh seats and excitement filling the air.
People were already taking pictures. Sakura and her friends were huddled together, whispering and laughing as they filmed short clips. Someone shouted from the back, "Window seats are taken!" and another class burst into laughter.
We found seats halfway down the bus.
Hinata dropped into the seat beside me, eyes sparkling.
Hinata: I'm sooo excited. We finally get to spend time together, like, properly. It's been ages.
Kiyomi: Yeah. Totally pumped up.
She nudged me with her elbow, playful but knowing.
Hinata: Don't worry about Minato. I know you wanted to spend time with him during the trip.
I blinked.
Kiyomi: What makes you think that?
She smirked.
Hinata: Because this is the perfect opportunity for couples to spend time together.
My cheeks heated instantly.
Kiyomi: We're not a couple.
My brain said it.
My heart… disagreed.
Hinata laughed softly.
Hinata: Yet you're blushing. I won't push, just this once. Besides, Asahi and I were also thinking about it.
I turned to her.
Kiyomi: Are you and Asahi a couple?
She looked away, cheeks pink.
Hinata: We're not a couple. (Whispering) Not yet.
Kiyomi: What did you say?
Hinata: Nothing.
She waved it off, smiling.
Hinata: We'll spend time together. And if the boys get bored, I told them they could hang out with each other.
I nodded.
Kiyomi: That's nice. It's surprising that other second-year classes are joining us. I thought it'd just be us — Class 2A.
Hinata: Same. I don't really like them following us.
Kiyomi: Why?
She leaned in.
Hinata: Because other second-year arms are all about romance. Most of them planned this trip to hang around their partners. Ayaka and Nao are very lucky to have ended up in our class. If they weren't in our class, they'd have dated half the guys in just one term.
Kiyomi: Yikes.
The bus rumbled to life. Cheers erupted. Someone started a countdown video. As we pulled out of the gate, I glanced toward the aisle.
Minato was a few rows ahead, laughing quietly with Asahi. He caught my eye and smiled, the kind that felt private even in a crowded bus.
I smiled back.
For a moment, the world narrowed to glass tanks and blue light waiting ahead. And the quiet warmth of knowing we were all moving forward, even if not always side by side.