Let's Go, School Trip!
Last night, Vita had a video call with her parents for the first time in ages. It was the eve of the school trip, and she wanted to check in. 'Dad's probably there too, right...?' The reason Vita was tense as she initiated the call was nothing major. She was just worried her mother might have spilled something about Carlyle to her father.
Soon, both parents appeared on the screen.
"Oh, Vita—!"
"...Are you doing well?"
Her mother's warm smile and her father's stern expression. Vita smiled back.
"Ah, yeah. I'm doing great! I called to say hi since tomorrow's the school trip..."
Then, a sudden shout rang in Vita's ears.
"Why have you gotten so pretty—?!"
Vita was utterly flustered. "Eh, huh...?"
Did she hear that wrong? She was so thrown off that words failed her. "P-pretty..."
Even Vita's father, Maximilian Shama, was in a panic. His daughter had become so beautiful. 'What the—?!' She had been reasonably boyish up until last time, hadn't she? But now, something was different. Her lips looked moist, her cheeks had a healthy glow. Visually, she was the picture of a perfect girl! As a father, he was dumbstruck by her cuteness and beauty.
'This is exactly...!' The ultimate ideal daughter he'd always dreamed of!
But still, it was strange. Unsettling, even. Girls didn't just get prettier without a reason. 'No way, could it be...' No, he couldn't go there. At the mere hypothesis, Maximilian Shama felt a surge of crisis. With all his years of life experience, that look screamed one thing. Yes, like... a girl in love!
It was too soon. Way too soon. A daughter this cute and pretty needed to stay in her parents' arms forever. For life!
"Do you know something?!"
In his total fluster, Vita's father, Maximilian Shama, got a sharp smack on the back from his wife beside him.
"Get a grip, you fool...!"
Vita flinched too. Her father's face looked utterly distraught, and the sudden words were way out of left field. 'He must be disappointed...' It made her reflect anew on her more feminine self. Feeling like she'd done something wrong, Vita bit her lip. No doubt about it—her father was disappointed. The father she knew, Maximilian Shama, was as macho as they came. A strict man who embodied manhood in every way. How disappointed must he be in her now? She'd been a proud son before.
Naturally, Vita hesitated a bit, but she had her ace in the hole. She'd change back! "...Just wait, Dad."
"Wait for what?!"
"Ignore him, Vita. This isn't the first time your father's been like this."
Of course, she couldn't announce right then that she'd return to being her father's proud, handsome son. Anyway.
After that, Vita chatted in detail about how she'd safely enjoy the 3-night, 4-day school trip.
-Ahem, so you're heading south?
Her father seemed to calm down as he listened. After a clearing cough, he asked, and Vita answered promptly.
"Yes, Dad. They say it's a unique region full of exotic culture. There's even an ocean..."
"Ocean, huh...?"
"Don't even start with your nonsense!"
"I haven't said anything yet, dear."
For some reason, her father's expression darkened a bit. Vita tilted her head and continued. "They say there's hot springs too... I'm so excited."
It wasn't just for show in front of her parents—she was genuinely thrilled. "It's gonna be fun!" Vita beamed.
Hot springs especially—she'd never been, and she'd always wanted to after seeing them in anime.
"Just in case, watch out for any wolfish guys pulling shady moves."
"...Huh, yeah?"
Vita was thrown again by her father's words, but he coughed awkwardly at her blank reaction and clarified.
-Ahem! What I mean is, as a man yourself, don't do anything foolish.
"Ah, aha...!" So that's what he meant! As Vita nodded in understanding, her parents started bickering again.
"Quit saying useless stuff. She's a girl now!"
"It's not baseless worrying."
"Then say it right!"
"Ha... haha..." Vita laughed awkwardly. Her father backing down. As expected, Mom held the top spot in the family power structure. It reaffirmed that fact. 'He's weak to Mom.' Weak to just one woman—that's what made a man. Vita felt her respect for her father grow a notch. 'Someday, me too...' Becoming a macho man like her dad was her goal, after all. And he'd be gentle to his beloved woman!
With the video call wrapping up smoothly...
Gulp—
Vita popped a pill right away. It had been over 30 minutes since dinner before the call. Taking the pill was now part of her routine. Just a dozen or so left. Once those were gone, she'd be back to normal—a guy. So she packed for the trip with hopeful lightness!
Vita meticulously checked her packing list. "Toothbrush, towel, a few changes of clothes... three pairs of underwear."
Glancing at the underwear jogged her memory. Come to think of it... 'On the school trip, I'll be rooming with the girls, right...?'
And hot springs too. Vita suddenly held her breath. 'Wait a sec...'
Yeah, exactly. She might see the girls in all sorts of states. Gulp—her dry swallow echoed.
'Jackpot... maybe.'
No, she wasn't a perv or anything. But denying excitement would be a lie—she was a full-fledged guy, after all. Of course she'd look forward to it. 'Feels a bit guilty...'
Nature's call! She was honestly hyped. Swallowing hard, Vita paused. "Ah..."
Her dark navy girls' school swimsuit caught her eye. She'd probably wear it at the beach. She turned it this way and that. "This thing..."
Way more intense than bloomers, right? Super embarrassing, but it was required. 'Ugh, whatever.' Face flushing, Vita crammed the swimsuit into the bottom of her travel bag.
Next, snacks for the bus ride with friends. "Alright, all set—!" She patted the bag smugly, flashed a grin, then flopped onto bed and checked her phone out of habit.
Ding—
The timestamp showed it was recent. Vita bolted up from bed. She peeked through the curtains, and there he was.
"What the..."
He was waving so brazenly, looking annoyingly cute. But ignoring him felt wrong—they'd grown close—so she decided to let him in.
"Ugh, seriously...!"
Pat pat pat—unconsciously, she smoothed her hair, splashed water on her face, wiped it with a towel, and rushed to the door. Lately, Carlyle popped by unannounced like this, putting Vita in a bind. 'Can't turn away a guest who's already here...' She was a magnanimous guy, after all!
"Hey, you...!"
Ow, ouch. The door opened to a light flick on the forehead.
Thwack— "Ow..."
Vita rubbed her head. "I told you not to just open the door like that. Why don't you ever listen."
Carlyle Schultz's voice. It didn't even hurt much, but she couldn't help pouting.
"Don't listen? Who do you think you are, my parent?"
She'd known who it was anyway. What was the big deal?
"Here, eat this."
But when Carlyle offered something from his hand, Vita's face lit up at the sight.
"Oh, this is..."
That parfait from back then!
"You like parfaits, right?"
"...Yeah, sure."
Vita nodded, lost in memory for a moment. The time some thug like Nathan nearly caused trouble, and this guy showed up and bought it for her afterward. It had been surprisingly delicious—she'd been blown away. She still vividly remembered the weird vibe walking under those crimson streetlights with Carlyle that night. It felt nostalgic, and she needed a palate cleanser anyway.
"Th-thanks..."
Vita had changed lately. Expressing gratitude to Carlyle Schultz wasn't so hard anymore. It felt awkward, but his reactions were always good, so it emboldened her.
As she thanked him— "Glad you like it."
With that, a large hand approached. It gently ruffled her small head. A low, husky voice followed, full of affection.
"Feeling okay today?"
"Yeah, a bit..."
Times like this always made her shrink a little. "Still, be more careful from now on."
"Careful how?"
"Check first before opening the door."
That again! Vita tried to retort, but his next words—and actions—left her speechless. Her body was suddenly enveloped in his large embrace.
"...You're too pretty. Makes me anxious all the time."
"Wh-what...!"
Saying that out loud felt impossibly hard. "Ah, feels like I'll die."
With those words, Carlyle pulled her closer, burying his face in her neck. Vita's mind went blank, breath short, unable to react. Her brain short-circuited on what to do. It was weird. Weird, but nice. "...I love you, Bianca."
He confessed again. Her body stiffened. These days, he dropped by out of nowhere daily—hugging her, stroking her hair, sometimes stealing a light kiss if the mood hit—but the confession was always the finale.
'Ugh...'
Face burning, fingers fidgeting, she pushed him away and played dumb. "...So what."
Carlyle chuckled. He was used to her tsundere routine by now. "Eat it."
"R-right."
Of course she'd eat! But eating alone seemed boring, so she blurted, "Y-you... wanna eat together before you go...?" Her voice trailed off softer.
Unlike others, Carlyle was shameless and accepted. "Sure, I'll stick around a bit."
"Wanna watch anime while we eat?"
"Whatever the princess prefers."
"Ugh, seriously—don't call me that!"
Blushing, Vita punched his arm playfully. Carlyle just laughed. It wasn't weird, was it? It fit, right?
They bickered amiably, sharing the parfait and watching anime, laughing together. In the end... '...'
Their eyes met, lips brushed, but Vita's willpower held firm. "...Tomorrow's the school trip."
"Yeah..."
Carlyle looked regretful, but it was a good excuse not to go further—especially with Vita's confused state.
Under a clear, high sky, the scenery unfolded like a watercolor painting. Red autumn leaves drifted onto the sports field.
"Our last school trip."
"Can't wait. For real."
Seniors chatted in clusters, buzzing with excitement. Today was the first day of the 3-night, 4-day trip—their final one! Everyone was hyped, chattering nonstop amid the crisp breeze and festive vibe.
'Gonna be fun for sure.'
Vita's anticipation swelled too. "Back or middle seats?"
Chattering beside her was her desk mate, Shasha. Light brown ponytail, ruby-like eyes. Her vibrant energy was her charm.
But Vita gawked at Shasha's bags. "Whoa, Shasha?! How'd you pack that much?"
Two bags, even! "...Curious, Bianca?"
A meaningful smirk. Up to something? Shasha's grin was suspicious but intriguing. "Nah, not really."
"Aww, say you're curious—!"
Shasha whined. "Spoils the fun if you know ahead."
"Ooh, true?"
That was the charm of school trips, right? Shasha Noah was known for her quirky schemes.
Meanwhile, Vita locked eyes briefly with Emily Swan from the next class. Emily's smile lit up the world. 'See you soon.' Her lip-read words seemed to say. 'Ah, healing.'
This was the point of school trips—a chance to get closer to your crush!
"Line up, kids!"
"Class 1 leftmost! Class 2 next."
Teachers' calls got everyone moving slowly amid the chaos. Class 3's turn came.
"Take it easy boarding, everyone."
Vita sat with Shasha. Carlyle had asked to sit together yesterday, but it felt heavy—and she'd promised Shasha first.
"Claim the back row!"
"Sweet!"
Kids rushed aboard competitively. Sports day over, midterms done—pure relaxation now.
Soon all seats filled with laughter and chatter. Vita and Shasha plopped down, chatting.
"Lots of snacks?"
"Average...?"
"Check this—chocolate."
Clap clap—sudden applause drew eyes forward. Their homeroom teacher grinned up front.
"Check seatbelts, and I'll share the itinerary en route. No rowdiness, okay?"
"Yes, teacher!"
Lively replies. Vroom—vroom—the bus finally rolled out, leaving the autumn campus behind.
"So exciting."
"Totally!"
Vita's final senior semester school trip had begun!