CK 09

CK

Posted by James, Released on October 4, 2025

Chapter 09…

First-Year Students

Section 1: Reunion
Together Again

It’s the last Friday of April. Tomorrow starts the long holiday. The weather is pleasantly sunny.
On a day like this, I’m riding the bus.

Today is the long-awaited field trip.
The whole grade feels excited and cheerful, and I can’t help but feel excited too.

Sitting next to me is Maa-kun… is he sleeping?
At the very least, he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying himself.

Well, that’s understandable.
I basically forced him into my group and dragged him along, so of course he’s not in a great mood.

But this is the only way I could think of.
I just didn’t want Maa-kun to drift away from a normal high school life, so the least I could do was keep inviting him to things like this.

For now though, I decide to leave him alone and lean toward the gap between the seats in front of me.
I start talking to Chiharu-chan and Mayu-chan, who are sitting up there in the same group.

“Nice weather, isn’t it!”
“…It’s a little too bright, though. I wouldn’t mind if it were cloudier.”
“But isn’t sunshine better for your mood? And we’re stopping by the dam on the way, right? I think the weather today is perfect for that!”

According to the plan, we’ll first tour the dam above Seiun City, where our school is, and then have a barbecue at a nearby barbecue area.
But I had mixed feelings about this plan.

“Doesn’t a dam tour feel like an elementary or middle school field trip?”
“I thought that too. It’s like a social studies excursion.”
“But apparently the scenery’s beautiful and it’s a popular sightseeing spot! And with this weather, we’ll get great pictures. I’m looking forward to it.”

Mayu-chan’s talk of photos reminds me of something I wanted to suggest.

“Oh, right! Let’s take a group photo! It’s not every day we go on a field trip!”
“Sounds great, I’m in!”
“How about you, Chiharu-chan?”
“I don’t mind, but I think the real question is what the person next to you will say about it.”
““Ah…””

The three of us glance at Maa-kun, who’s been quiet the whole time.
Looks like he really is asleep.

☆☆☆

The outdoor barbecue area echoes with laughter, chatter, and the sound of food sizzling.
Each group has its own spot, and we’re free to do what we like.

Everyone looks like they’re having a blast.
Yeah—fun really is the best. This is how a field trip should be.

“Oh, by the way, we made a group chat for this team, but Masato-kun, you’re not joining?”
“No.”
“You don’t want the photos we took earlier?”
“I don’t need them.”
“…I see. Well, if you change your mind, just say so.”

But the vibe in my group is… awkward.
Mayu-chan and I are having fun, but Maa-kun looks grumpy, like always.

Maybe it’s because I forced him into those dam photos with all four of us earlier… or maybe because I added one more and made him take one with just the three of us after that…
He looked so annoyed when I asked for that second picture…

Well, he already looked annoyed back when I said, “Let’s take one with all four!”

Still, I was happy—it felt like when we were in elementary school.

By the way, Chiharu-chan’s been quiet too.
She said, “I’m an indoor person. I hate outgoing events like this.”
I guess some people really don’t like these kinds of activities.

But I keep trying to liven things up—talking about middle school, weekends, favorite things, anything.

Mostly Mayu-chan responds.
Chiharu-chan joins in sometimes. Maa-kun barely talks at all.

And finally, a real problem hits.

“Um… I’ve run out of things to talk about…”
“You don’t have to force yourself. I’m not good at this either.”
“Come on, this trip is supposed to be about deepening connections with classmates, right?”
“Yeah! And silence is awkward!”
“Don’t either of you have something you want to talk about?”
““No.””

Mayu-chan tries to help but gets shot down by the other two.
Did they have to answer in unison?
As I’m feeling a little down, Chiharu-chan speaks up.

“I do have one thing.”
“Finally!”
“I keep hearing about those monster sightings lately. What do you three think?”

That’s way heavier than I expected.
Mayu-chan looks troubled. “I don’t know… I’ve only heard rumors…”

As for me… what do I do? I’ve seen them countless times.
I even know who’s been fighting them.
But I’m sure I can’t say that out loud.

…What should I say?

I glance at Maa-kun for help. He speaks up.

“If you see one, run.”
“““Huh?”””

The other two are confused.

I’m shocked that Maa-kun even spoke on the topic.
Ignoring our surprise, he continues.

“That’s not a strange thing to say. A monster that attacks people—you run if you see one. Isn’t that obvious?”

He falls silent after that.
But his tone was more serious than usual.

Coming from someone who actually fights them, maybe it really is obvious.

With him saying that, I couldn’t say anything back.
And none of us wanted to continue the topic.

☆☆☆

The fun time ends, and we’re heading to the parking lot where the buses are waiting.
It’s a bit of a walk since we came in large buses.

Mayu-chan speaks up.

“Today was so fun! I don’t want to go home yet.”
“I know, right? Fun times always fly by!”
“Hey, Yui-chan, want to hang out during the holiday?”
“Eh, really?! Yes, totally! How about you, Chiharu-chan?”
“I’ll pass.”
“What, why?”
“Our hobbies are too different. I don’t think I’d enjoy it.”

That’s too bad.
Even earlier, our likes and dislikes were worlds apart.
Being the odd one out in a group of three must feel bad.

“Then maybe next time, just the two of us?”
“If I feel like it.”
“You said it! I’ll ask again!”

The field trip is ending.
But now we’ve got something to look forward to with friends.
First, I need to firm up our plans for the holiday.
I move closer to Mayu-chan to start discussing it.

That’s when screams come from the back of the line.

We turn around—and see countless mud dolls.

“These are the monsters you mentioned earlier, right?!”
“I didn’t actually want to see one in person…”

I can hear Mayu-chan and Chiharu-chan panicking.

And there are more screams up ahead.
It sounds like mud dolls are in front of us too.
In other words, our whole grade is surrounded.

“Wait… where’s Maa-kun?!”
““Huh?””

I scan the area. He’s behind us.
I leave the two of them and run over to him.

“Maa-kun!!”
“What. Don’t get in the way.”
“Um… are you going?”
“Of course. We’re surrounded. If nothing’s done, everyone here dies.”

That can’t happen.

…But I don’t want him to go.

I don’t know why, but I just don’t want him to.
Yet if he doesn’t fight, everyone here might die.

What can I do for him?