Chapter 3

Chapter 3  Planning happiness 

The next day didn't feel like an ordinary day.

For some reason, I was excited to wake up that morning. Actually, I had been feeling excited every morning lately.

I would open my eyes and immediately wonder—

What will happen in class today?

Maybe it was because graduation was only two months away. Maybe it was because our entire class had suddenly become closer, knowing that soon we would all be going our separate ways.

Or maybe there was another reason.

A reason I didn't want to think about too much.

Our class had planned a school trip for the following week. We were going to visit Kiyomizu-dera, the famous temple situated on the hills of Kyoto. It was supposed to be more than just a school trip. We wanted it to be one of those memories we'd talk about even years after graduation.

And everyone was already ridiculously excited about it.

I was still lying comfortably in my bed when—

SPLASH!

Cold water hit my face.

"AHHH!"

I jumped out of bed.

"What the hell?!"

Standing beside my bed was my younger brother, Eric, holding an empty glass with the most innocent expression on his face.

"Good morning, Yuri!"

I stared at him in disbelief.

"ERIC!"

He burst out laughing and ran toward the door.

"You were sleeping too peacefully!"

"You idiot! Come back here!"

He disappeared down the hallway before I could catch him.

I wiped my face with my blanket and sighed.

I swear, that boy is going to be the reason for my early death.

After getting ready, I went downstairs, where Mom was already preparing breakfast and lunch for us.

While we were packing our lunch, Mom suddenly looked at me.

"So, Yuri, how is your studying going?"

I froze for a second.

"Uh... it's going okay."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Just okay?"

I quickly smiled.

"It's actually going well. And we're also having a school trip next week."

"A school trip?"

I nodded excitedly.

"Yes! Our entire class is going. We're visiting Kiyomizu-dera."

Mom looked surprised but then smiled.

"That sounds nice. Just make sure you don't forget about your studies."

"I won't."

She gave me the look every mother gives when she doesn't completely believe her child.

"I mean it!"

"Okay, okay," she laughed. "You can go."

I immediately felt relieved.

"Thank you!"

After breakfast, we all left for school.

The moment I entered the school gate, I could already hear everyone talking about the trip.

"Should we bring chips?"

"Someone needs to bring a speaker!"

"We should stay up late and play music!"

"What about a bonfire?"

"Are bonfires even allowed?"

"I don't know, but we'll figure it out!"

Everyone was talking at once.

Our trip wasn't until the following week, but you'd think we were leaving that very afternoon.

I walked toward my friends, laughing at their excitement.

Lia immediately grabbed my arm.

"Yuri! Have you decided what you're bringing?"

"Not yet."

"You have to bring something good!"

"I'm thinking about snacks."

"Snacks? That's all?"

"Food is important!"

She laughed.

Meanwhile, Jack was standing nearby with a notebook, looking like the accountant of our entire class.

"How many people have paid?"

I looked at him.

"Are you still counting?"

"Of course! Tomorrow is the last day for everyone to submit the trip fee."

He started counting the names on his list.

"One, two, three..."

I glanced around.

Almost everyone was participating.

It felt strange.

Only two months ago, I had never imagined that I would be standing in the middle of our classroom, surrounded by people who had somehow become such an important part of my life.

"Is Michael coming?" I asked casually.

Lia looked at me.

"Yes. Of course."

"Oh."

I tried to sound uninterested.

But before I could say anything else, a familiar voice came from behind me.

"Oh, Yuri. You're coming too?"

I didn't even have to turn around.

James.

I sighed.

James walked past us with that annoying grin on his face.

"I thought you would stay home and study for our upcoming exams."

I crossed my arms.

"Why would I stay home when I can escape people like you for a few days?"

He laughed.

"Wow. So you really are coming."

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Good."

I looked at him.

He was smiling.

For some reason, that smile made me pause.

Only for a second.

I quickly looked away.

Why did I even notice that?

"Anyway," I said, turning back toward Lia, "what were we talking about?"

James walked away, still laughing.

I watched him for a moment before realizing what I was doing.

I immediately looked down.

What is wrong with me?

I had always found James irritating.

He teased me.

He annoyed me.

He somehow always appeared whenever I wanted peace.

So why had I started noticing little things about him?

The way he laughed.

The way he smiled.

The way he always managed to make everyone around him laugh.

I shook my head.

No. Absolutely not.

I wasn't going to think about it.

The days passed quickly.

Soon, the day before our trip arrived.

Everyone had been instructed to bring their sleeping bags, pillows, and other essential things to school so our class teacher could load everything onto the school bus.

The classroom looked completely different that morning.

There were sleeping bags everywhere.

Pillows were piled near the back of the classroom.

Someone had brought an enormous bag of snacks.

Another person had brought board games.

It looked less like a classroom and more like we were preparing to move out.

Jack was once again checking his list.

"Sleeping bags?"

"Done!"

"Food?"

"Done!"

"First-aid kit?"

"Done!"

"Everyone's fees?"

"Almost."

"Almost?"

"Don't worry!"

Jack sighed.

Meanwhile, Nick and James were responsible for the entertainment.

And judging by the amount of equipment they had brought, they were taking that responsibility very seriously.

"What did you bring?" I asked.

Nick proudly opened his bag.

"Music."

James opened another bag.

"And this."

I stared at it.

"What's that?"

"Something that will make this trip unforgettable."

"That doesn't answer my question."

He smiled.

"You'll find out tomorrow."

I rolled my eyes.

"You're impossible."

He laughed.

Across the room, Michael was checking his camera.

"I'm bringing this with me," he said. "I want to capture everything."

Lia smiled.

"Everything?"

"Everything. The temple, the trip, the food, everyone's stupid faces..."

"Hey!"

We all laughed.

Michael looked genuinely happy.

And then someone mentioned Catherine.

Apparently, she wasn't coming on the trip.

Neither were some of her close friends.

I noticed Michael didn't seem bothered by it.

Instead, he seemed even more excited about spending time with everyone.

For some reason, that made the whole trip feel even more relaxed.

By the afternoon, everything had finally been organized.

Everyone began heading home.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Don't forget your bags!"

"Don't forget your chargers!"

"Don't forget snacks!"

The hallway was filled with laughter.

I walked out of the school with Lia, watching everyone disappear through the gates.

Tomorrow.

We were actually leaving tomorrow.

I couldn't wait.

There was something about this trip that felt different.

Maybe because it was our final year.

Maybe because graduation was getting closer.

Maybe because I knew these moments wouldn't last forever.

Or maybe...

Because I knew James would be there.

I immediately frowned at myself.

Why am I thinking about him again?

I shook my head and continued walking.

That night, I prepared my bag carefully.

Clothes.

Toothbrush.

Phone charger.

Snacks.

Water bottle.

Everything was ready.

I climbed into bed, but sleep refused to come.

I kept imagining tomorrow.

The bus ride.

Everyone laughing.

The temple.

The late-night music.

The bonfire.

The photographs.

And, somehow, James kept appearing in those thoughts too.

I turned over and pulled my blanket over my head.

"Stop thinking about him."

A few seconds passed.

I sighed.

Why do I keep looking for him in every thought?

Maybe I was just excited about the trip.

That had to be it.

Yes.

Definitely.

It had nothing to do with James.

Absolutely nothing.

I closed my eyes again.

But a small smile appeared on my face before I could stop it.

And somewhere between my excitement for tomorrow and my confusing thoughts about one particular idiot...

I finally fell asleep.