The hiking went smoothly. Sera watched over Alya almost the whole time, and Rei watched over them both... like a silent bodyguard with anxiety.
Souta yelled like crazy, "YEAHHHH THAT'S THE LOUNGE!!"
The teacher clapped to get everyone's attention. "Students, you'll be handed keys at the reception. Enjoy your time here!"
The whole group shouted in excitement.
Everything went by in a blur—laughter, dumb dares, ghost stories at night like always. Rei and Sera slept like rocks after all the chaos.
The next morning, and the last day of the trip, they hit the local market for shopping.
Rei spotted a teddy keychain and grabbed it. "Sis would love this..." he mumbled, then told the shopkeeper, "Please pack two of these."
Sera raised an eyebrow. "Two? For who?"
"That was a rhyme," Rei said, grinning. "Anyway, one's for my sis and the other's for you, Sera."
Sera blushed, looking away. "It's not necessary, idiot..."
Everyone returned to the hotel with little gifts—trinkets for friends, snacks for parents, you know the usual.
"Kids, pack your bags—we're leaving in ten minutes!" the teacher called out.
"'Kay!" they all echoed.
Sera stood by her bed, staring at the keychain in her hand, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
Then Sia came over. "Hey, Sera, did you buy that keychain? It's super cute."
"Nah," Sera said, still looking at it. "Rei gave it to me."
"Oooh, a gift from Rei," Sia said in a teasing tone, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"I THINK YOU'VE GOT IT ALL WRONG, SIA!" Sera yelped, red-faced.
Sia walked off giggling. "Right, right~"
After a journey full of joy and laughter, their hometown finally came into view.
"Man... this trip was shorter than teacher's eyes," Haruta said with a sigh.
"WHOSE EYES ARE SMALL, HARUTA?!" the teacher snapped with a terrifying smile.
"Mine! Mine! My eyes are tiny!" Haruta yelped.
The whole class burst into laughter.
As they got off the bus, Rei turned to Sera. "I'll walk you home."
"Nah, you're coming over for dinner. You promised, remember?"
"You sure? I don't wanna third-wheel your family time or get murdered."
"I already told Mom you're coming. And yeah... my dad's home today."
Rei raised an eyebrow. "Aight then."
The snow crunched under their feet. Rei glanced over at Sera, her face pink from the cold. "It's freezing, huh?"
"Yeah... for real," she replied softly.
Before they knew it, they were standing in front of her house.
Rei gave a nervous chuckle. "So uh... your mom gonna let me live this time, or am I dead meat?"
"Who knows?" Sera said as she rang the doorbell.
The door swung open. "Oh! My, Rei is here!" Mrs. Ishimia, greeted with a warm smile. "Come on in."
As Alya stepped inside, Mrs. Ishimia's expression turned stern. "So, Alya. You went out alone at night, didn't you?"
Alya gulped. "Sorry, Mum…"
"Sorry won't cut it. Look at Sera's knees.... They are injured! She ran through the forest in the snow—in pyjamas and a T-shirt—searching for you!" Mrs. Ishimia scolded.
"If you hadn't been there, it would've been a real disaster," she added, turning to Rei.
Rei scratched his head. "I couldn't just let her run off alone."
Mrs. Ishimia smiled, the anger fading. "You've got a good heart, Rei. Now go wash your hands, dinner's almost ready."
Later that evening, after food and some chaotic family banter, everyone relaxed under the warm kotatsu. Cocoa in hand, the snow gently falling outside, peace wrapped around the room like a blanket.
Rei glanced at Sera. "Hey… Sera?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for dragging me into your weird life."
She blinked. "Huh?"
"I mean it. If it weren't for you, I'd still be stuck in my own bubble. I'm glad I met you."
Sera's heart tripped. She stared into her cocoa. "Y-you're getting all sappy again… idiot."
Rei smiled. "Just speaking facts."
And there they sat—side by side, the warm heater, snowflakes dancing outside, and the soft glow of home making everything feel… perfect.
---to be continued
--~Rei