Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818093090866052899
As the bullet train approached Hakodate, Hina peered out of the window several times.
Her expression shone with the pure anticipation of a child.
“Look at the sea! It’s so big!”
“Oh, it’s true, …… it doesn’t look like Japan when you look at it like this.”
The sea is shimmering and reflecting the sunlight, captivating your gaze.
Hina started taking photos as if she was excited. I unintentionally took out my phone too and clicked the shutter in the same way.
“Hikaru, you’ve been quiet since a while ago, are you nervous?”
“Eh?”
Hina looks into my face. It’s close.
My heart starts to jump again.
“No, it’s nothing. …… I was just admiring the scenery.”
“Hmm, that seems a bit suspicious.”
Whether or not she understands my words, Hina grins and returns her gaze to the window.
I can only smile bitterly at that situation.
When we arrived at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, the teachers met us on the platform.
The other groups arrived one after another, and the station was buzzing with the voices of the students.
“Tahara, meet us over here!”
The teacher’s voice echoes, and we form a line with our luggage.
Hina, Natsuki and Ryuki are also lined up right next to each other and seem to be confirming their plans for the future.
“Yes, attention~!”
In the midst of all this, the teacher’s voice echoes through the air.
“There was some trouble, but in the meantime, all of the Hokkaido group managed to arrive safely. Originally we had free time around here, but we changed our plans and now we are heading towards Hakodate, where we were going to start tomorrow morning. If everyone acts quickly after arriving over there and checking into the hotel, I think we can get a bit of free time, so please try not to disrupt the group behaviour. And finally, a round of applause to Tahara for taking over leading us this far, and to Mukai for arranging the hotel!”
I was surprised at that line, and when I looked at Ryuki, he was smiling and transferring his hand to the applause as if he were a big star.
You’re a really as rich as a conglomerate. ……
I envy you.
“Well then, we are leaving, so please follow me in order from the first group.”
After a short bus ride and check-in at the hotel, we had some free time, so we went to Goryokaku.
The moment we arrived at Goryokaku, Hina shouted with a twinkle in her eye.
“It’s amazing! It’s really shaped like a star!”
What unfolded before our eyes was Goryokaku, which we had only seen in textbooks and photographs.
The star-shaped outer moat is clearly visible, and the vast site is covered with green grass.
It’s like stepping back in time into history.
“This is spectacular in person.”
“It’s really beautiful.
It’s amazing that it’s been maintained this well.”
Natsuki lets out a voice of admiration as Ryuki lets out a voice of admiration that is unlike his usual behavior.
As for Hina, she was already running around with her smartphone in hand, unable to contain her excitement.
“Hikaru! Come quickly! This bridge over here looks so photogenic!”
I crossed the bridge at Hina’s urging.
When I look down, I can see the clear water of the outer moat and the reflection of the blue sky.
“Look, let’s take a photo together here!”
“Eh, me too?”
“Sure!
It’s a memory of our trip!”
Hina takes out a selfie stick and pulls me close to her.
‘Yes, smile! Cheese!”
Next to Hina’s smiling face, I was awkwardly doing a piece, but her tension dragged me along and my mouth naturally relaxed.
Later, on the way to the observation deck, Hina suddenly stops.
“Hey, why don’t we all race over there?”
“Is that the …… lookout over there?”
“Yeah! It’s a big place and it would be a waste to just walk around!”
I thought it was so cute to see her having so much fun, just like an elementary school student on a school trip.
“You’re really energetic, Hina-chan”
“Well then, the loser gets to buy souvenirs!”
Hina suggested with a smirk.
“Well then, yoi don!”
As soon as the signal to start was given by Hina, the three of us started running at the same time.
The sound of the wind cutting through the grass and the smell of the grass was pleasant, and I felt as if I was back in primary school.
When we reached the observatory, we were out of breath, but all smiling.
“I knew you were the slowest!”
“Well, that’s true if you’re a member of this group.”
If only the athletes were good at sports, a late start would be a fatal blow.
From the top of the observatory, the whole of Goryokaku could be seen at a glance.
The star-shaped moat, the green grass and, in the distance, the city of Hakodate.
“Wow, this is amazing. ……”
When I let out an unintentional exclamation, Hina smiled next to me.
“Hey, aren’t you glad we came?”
“…… well, yeah.”
Hina nods with satisfaction and gently holds her hair swaying in the wind with her hand.
Her profile looked somewhat mature, and I couldn’t help but look away.
“Where are we going next?”
Natsuki said as she checked the map, and Hina’s eyes lit up and she started talking while pointing at the map.
“It looks like we can still have a lot of fun.”
Ryuki laughed and we started walking towards our next destination again.
The Hokkaido trip has just begun. The expectations of what kind of memories we can make from now on are a little bit higher.
I was the one whose anxiety was beginning to swell in the midst of it.
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