I'll Take Carlyle? School Trip Day 2
"Today's main events don't start till early evening?"
"Morning's basically free time."
Listening to her roommates Shasha and Emily chatting, Bianca's face was still deathly pale.
Courage training...?
No, why?! Why here, of all places? Why do they have to do something like that even on this perfect trip?
Well, okay, sure. It was a classic event, but Bianca had always been hopeless at scary stuff anyway.
But then Shasha dropped an unexpected bombshell, and Bianca's expression shifted.
"By the way, you two. Got partners yet?"
"Huh, partners...?"
"You don't know?"
Shasha tilted her head at Bianca's reaction.
"Everyone knows courage training's done in pairs."
"Is that a thing? I guess..."
Needing a partner was news to her. Bianca did a little soul-searching—okay, very little.
...Gotta read the handouts more carefully from now on.
She'd always been oblivious about this stuff anyway. Forgetful, scatterbrained, always forgetting prep items. On a school trip? Just show up and have fun—that was her vibe.
Anyway, she definitely needed a partner now.
Just the two of us... a partner...
A brilliant idea flashed through Bianca's mind.
What if she paired with Emily? Wouldn't that bring them even closer?
[B-Bianca... I'm kinda scared...]
[Don't worry, Emily. I'll be right here!]
She pictured herself comforting a terrified Emily.
A chance to show my manly side...!
Truth be told, she wasn't immune to scares either, but for her crush? She'd fake the bravado if she had to. Grit her teeth, keep her head straight—might even pull it off.
By now, Bianca's thoughts had conveniently tilted in her favor, blissfully forgetting her meltdown in Wizni Park's haunted house.
And was it coincidence? Just then, her eyes met Emily's.
Emily's expression felt... loaded.
Emily parted her lips.
"I already have someone."
"No way, for real?!"
Shasha freaked out, and Bianca panicked too.
Emily had glanced right at her while saying it—had to be, right? She felt dazed.
Me...? No way, could it be...?
Was she allowed to hope?
"It's a secret for now. But yeah, someone."
Emily flashed a sweet smile. Bianca dared to hope a little, even as doubt crept in. If not her, who? Should she just ask outright?
She wavered.
"What about you, Bianca?"
"Oh, me... uh..."
Caught off-guard by Emily's question mid-deliberation, Bianca mumbled vaguely.
"Thinking it over slowly."
Shasha was right there, after all. Proposing to Emily now might make Shasha feel left out. Better later—that was the plan.
Rest time at the onsen inn slipped by, but not everyone lounged idly. Emily slipped out briefly and returned.
"Ta-da!"
"Whoa, insane... you're way too pretty!"
Unlike Shasha's hype, Bianca couldn't even speak.
Rich red fabric blooming with vivid yellow flowers. Emily was in a yukata!
Stunning. That yukata from the movies.
"...You look pretty, Emily."
Bianca finally managed, and Emily giggled.
"You'll be wearing yours soon too."
As Emily said, an announcement soon called the girls from Class 3 down to the first floor.
Tailors had come right to the inn for custom yukata fittings.
"Shall we?"
Bianca headed down with Shasha. School trips like this were the best. Souvenir yukatas for everyone? Score.
With tuition that steep, they better deliver.
Bianca took it in stride, but blushed furiously during measurements.
"Whew, missy. What a killer figure!"
"Takes me back to my young days."
"Y-Yes—?!"
No, no. Her face heated up, toes curling in embarrassment.
"N-No, really..."
"Nonsense. Got a boyfriend?"
"Obviously! A cutie like her?"
Aunties were so friendly. As Bianca floundered, clothes were thrust into her hands.
"This'll fit perfect. Suits you great."
"Th-Thank you."
The evening festival called for movie-style yukata attire.
I have to wear this...?!
Snapping to, Bianca stood in the changing room. Somewhat dazedly.
Better than a bloomer or swimsuit, though—and undeniably cute. She steeled herself.
Okay, let's do it.
Everyone was wearing one. No backing out.
Decision made, Bianca shed her outer layers.
The festival was already hyping her up anyway!
Fitted with yukatas and stuffed with a delicious lunch, they rested briefly when someone came for Bianca.
"Wha—?!"
Bianca jumped. Her brain short-circuited.
Her favorite plushie-junior, Lou, stood before her!
"What the...?"
What was this sudden madness?
"Check your phone, senpai. I've been texting nonstop since yesterday—no reply."
"How are you even here?!"
Bianca got the story. Pre-festival, they'd all gone sightseeing the village alleys.
"So, Bianca. Who was that guy?"
"Oh, Lou? Close junior of mine. Got roped into helper duty."
Emily and Shasha eyed Lou curiously, so Bianca replayed their chat.
—"How are you here?!"
—"Eh, things happened. Ended up tagging along."
Lou had sighed. He'd been drafted as a helper.
"They sometimes pull semester-juniors for that. But they didn't warn me—wanted to surprise me, apparently?"
"No replies, so he tracked you down?"
"Pretty much..."
—"You're too much lately... "
His hurt-puppy eyes stung a bit.
"You ignoring on purpose?"
"Harsh, Bianca."
Bianca waved her hands at their reactions.
"No, seriously! Not like that at all..."
"Kidding."
"Just teasing!"
They weren't self-conscious, but the trio drew eyes.
Especially Bianca Shama—sharp features softened ethereally. In her white yukata patterned with blue flowers, her blushing cheeks made nearby boys flush too.
Carlyle hated that. He shot glares their way. Bianca, oblivious to his efforts.
Maple leaves blazed amid quaint, eclectic buildings. The serene street buzzed students with its charm. Dusk tinged the sky before they knew it.
"Already five?"
"Festival soon...?"
Groups wandered: snack alley, mask stalls. Vendors hawked, tourists trickled in.
"This is good!"
"Isn't that from the movie?"
"The black furballs?"
"Oh yeah."
They sampled movie-themed treats, tried weird masks at stalls. Fun all around.
And Bianca? No clue why, but she ended up with an egg mask.
"Why me...?"
She felt awkward. Shasha had fish, Emily white fox. They clapped like seals.
"It suits you!"
"Super cute, Bianca!"
Their sparkling eyes overwhelmed her.
This reaction? She second-guessed herself.
"R-Really...?"
Did it actually look good? Glancing around, everyone stared.
"Y-Yeah—?!"
Sudden shyness hit.
This thing...!
Too weird! Mirror check: straight-up egg ghost. She preferred cool.
Bianca pouted sullenly. Sure, monster or wolf masks existed—unique vibes. She grumbled but the hype swayed her.
Hesitating, she turned—and locked eyes with Carlyle right behind.
—"Cute, egg."
She read his lips perfectly. He snickered.
He's mocking me...?
Face heating, heart pounding—Cute my ass!
Lazy to change, she kept the egg mask.
"Tch."
She scrunched her face and strode off.
How adorable she looked? Only she didn't know.
Musubi Hanabi Festival.
This mid-sized rural town pivoted to tourism under a new mayor years back. The village leaned hard into movie themes.
Dusk deepened. Red lanterns glowed against the deep blue sky. Night-market vibe: stalls everywhere, crowds swelling.
It had begun!
"Peach honey pickles here!"
"Movie onigiri! Cheese and meat inside..."
Food aromas, yukata-clad crowds—mostly families. Academy kids joined the flow.
Festival magic. Vendor calls mixed with laughter. Games galore.
"Why won't it catch?!"
[Fish Scooping Game!]
Under the sign, Bianca flailed furiously. Catch four for prizes—impossible.
Frustration sped her hands; fish darted faster.
"Argh, seriously—!"
Her yell drew Emily's laugh.
"Try slower."
Free time to roam. Lou stuck nearby for some reason—her only close senior, fair enough. But his nagging itched.
"Sigh, senpai. Zero finesse. Do better."
Tempted to knuckle-rap him.
"Easy for you to say, junior! Slow and steady."
Shasha and Lou clicked weirdly well.
"Quit it—!"
Bianca glared at Lou, eyes sharp.
Just eyes, though.
You wanna die...?
Lou finally clammed up like a scolded kid. But another pest lurked—naturally there somehow.
Broad shoulders, chest puffed manfully. Black men's yukata: Carlyle Schultz.
Not bad, really. Bianca shot him a glare, refocused.
Carlyle's gaze fixed solely on her.
"Catch already...!"
Bianca in white-blue-flower yukata: refined beauty. One outfit change, whole new vibe. Carlyle was speechless at first sight.
Too pretty. Testing his restraint.
He'd tried sneaking a hand-hold earlier—scolded.
Briefly separated in the crowd.
—"Quit grabbing!"
—"Not with everyone watching..."
She minded eyes. Rejected, but now her focus was cute. Truth: Carlyle regretted the group trip.
If it were just us...
Would've been perfect. Still, he smirked.
"Gimme. Idiot."
Couldn't watch anymore.
"No way."
Didn't wanna lose. She clutched the scoop, ignored him.
Glancing: his arms overflowed with prizes.
Damn—
Jealousy flared. All self-scooped. She felt pathetic empty-handed.
I'll catch some too...!
Will burning brighter. Carlyle chuckled, watching.
Such cozy vibes drew eyes—specifically Carlyle's back.
Emily Swan's gaze glued there, unyielding.
No chances till now. Day 1 packed, today too till free time.
But now? Her shot.
She'd hinted already. Pre-bed last night, she'd sought him out.
—"Oh, Carlyle."
Summoning courage beforehand.
—"Heard what I said earlier?"
—"Uh, yeah..."
He scratched his jaw awkwardly, nodding. Her childhood friend's words passing by were odd.
[Just this once?]
—"What'd you—"
Bedtime announcement cut him. She fled.
—"You'll see!"
Vague on purpose. Knew his answer if direct.
And now.
"Yes! Got it—!"
Naive Bianca Shama. Emily eyed her "friend's" blind spot.
From Emily Swan's view.
Unfair? Couldn't help it. Didn't know her pure friend's true heart.
Or maybe...
She had feelings but was clueless. Then, this her last chance?
This time...
Emily rationalized. Friends mattered, but self first, right?
If there's a shot...
Wanna try. They kept festival-hopping. Emily clung to Bianca—arm even linked. Not coincidence.
"E-Emily...?"
Flustered. Bianca's innocence pricked Emily's conscience.
...Sorry, Bianca.
Sticking close means no alone time for Carlyle to chat you up.
Forgive her. Anyway, fun for all.
Exotic music, masked marchers' eerie parade.
"Heard this before?"
"Nope. Movie had it—super unique."
Masked figures in red lantern glow, wheel-less carts processioning.
"VIP palanquin parade!"
Kids giggled, adults smiled. Red-lit streets laughed together.
Festival peak. Whoosh—whoosh—fireworks burst over dark sky.
"Wooow—"
"Beautiful..."
Yukata crowds etched the special night in fireworks.
Cheers, gasps amid the mood.
Perfect ambiance fueled courage easiest.
...Okay, ask her.
Bianca turned to Emily: partner up for courage training?
Carlyle too. Post-fireworks, turned to Bianca to speak.
Thus, Carlyle's eyes missed Bianca's—hers on Emily.
Emily sensed her moment.
"Oh, Bianca—!"
Knew what her old friend would say.
Emily unlinked from Bianca, latched onto Carlyle instead.
"Carlyle? I'll take him as my courage training partner."
Carlyle startled; Shasha and Lou gaped, hands over mouths.
Emily's calm smile delivered the blow.
Bianca's mind blanked.