Volume 6 - CH 13

After about an hour’s ride on the Shinkansen, the group arrived at their destination–Kyoto Station.

From here, everyone was free to act on their own.

Some of them followed the plan submitted in advance, while others headed secretly to an amusement park.

As for Yuzuru and his group…,

They were the former.

Using buses and subways, they went around tourist attractions, places of interest, and museums.

As time passed, the time was around fifteen o’clock.

“At any rate… I guess that means we have visited all the places we need to visit today.”

“Yes, I think so. The time went more smoothly than I expected.”

Tenka and Hijiri said with satisfaction.

They were both able to complete the minimal amount of research required for the assignment by the end of the day.

Considering that there were still three days to go, there was a lot of leeway in terms of schedule.

“It’s all thanks to you, Arisa-chan.”

Ayaka praised Arisa with a smile.

Yuzuru nodded in agreement.

“Ah… you should be thankful.”

“Why are you acting all high and mighty…”

Soichiro made a dumbfounded face.

The reason they were able to tour efficiently was that Arisa listened to where each of them wanted to go and planned a sightseeing route for them.

This made it possible for everyone to get around without getting lost.

“Still, Arisa-san is really an expert, isn’t she? ..isn’t she more knowledgeable than I am?”

Chiharu also lifted up Arisa.

Chiharu, who was supposed to be a local, was not much help this time.

…being a high-class young lady, she was unfamiliar with the local public transportation system.

“P-please don’t praise me too much… For now, let’s head to the hotel.”

Although it was supposed to be a self-guided tour, it did not mean that the students were allowed to stay out indefinitely.

Students are required to return to the hotel reserved in advance by 17:00.

It was a reasonable distance to the hotel, but…

Two hours would be enough time to make it.

Thus, Yuzuru and his friends intended to move to the hotel.

But…

“Um… Arisa-san. Just one thing… could you tell me what your plans are for tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?　Tomorrow is…”

Arisa took out a notepad and showed it to Chiharu.

Then Chiharu’s expression clouded over.

“…Kiyomizu-Dera Temple isn’t in there!”

“Eh? But Chiharu-san’s research theme …has nothing to do with the Kiyomizu-Dera temple, right? Or rather, wasn’t it prepared beforehand?”

School trips were not for fun.

After this was over, they will need to submit a report on the content of the research theme that they had set in advance.

Because of these circumstances, the planned sightseeing spots reflected the wishes of Hijiri and Tenka, who intend to make a serious report, as well as Arisa herself.

Next on the list were Soichiro and Ayaka.

On the other hand, the wishes of Yuzuru and Chiharu were not included.

Of course, this is not because Arisa was being mean to them… but because Yuzueu and Chiharu did not insist that they wanted to go anywhere.

Both Yuzuru and Chiharu have made their reports in advance.

So there was no particular place they had to go.

They thought that they should give priority to the wishes of Hiijiri, Tenka, and Arisa, who intend to do serious research…

…As a result museums and art galleries became the main focus, and famous tourist attractions took a backseat.

“That’s true… but if you don’t go tomorrow, you won’t be able to go again, will you?　Sightseeing in Kyoto without going to Kiyomizu-Dera Temple would be like cooking takoyaki without octopus in it.”

In fact, after the third day, they will be moving to Nara Prefecture.

In other words, they could only go sightseeing in Kyoto today or tomorrow.

“Hmm… but the schedule is surprisingly tight tomorrow.”

“…Well, I wouldn’t want to force you to fit it in.”

As for Chiharu, she wanted to make a school trip-like memory with everyone…

However, it seemed to be too much to ask for since she mentioned it so late in the game.

“…So, do you want to go now?”

“Eh? …now?”

Chiharu’s eyes widened at Arisa’s sudden change of course.

Arisa laughed mischievously at Chiharu’s surprise.

“I’m tempted to go, too. How about you guys? … Is it not possible?”

Yuzuru and the others looked at each other and nodded at Arisa’s question.

Arisa also smiled with satisfaction, and Chiharu’s eyes lit up.

Near Kiyomizu-Dera Temple…

At a certain store.

“You’re late, you two.”

Yuzuru said to Soichiro and Hijiri as they came out of the locker room.

They both cowered together.

“You’re the one who’s early.”

“The one who wears it on a regular basis sure is different.”

The three were dressed in kimonos.

Of course, they did not bring their own kimonos.

They had rented them.

Throughout the city, there exists a service that rents kimonos for tourists who want to go sightseeing in kimonos.

This would be the way to use it.

“Are the girls not ready… yet?”

“They sure are slow.”

“Girls take time. It can’t be helped.”

When Yuzuru said this, Soichiro and Hijiri both scowled.

And you told us we were too late...  that’s the kind of look they gave him.

Well, after about five minutes of the three of them waiting…

“Sorry to keep you waiting…”

With an apologetic look on her face, Arisa came out of the changing room dressed in a kimono.

It was an autumnal kimono with a bright red autumn leaf pattern.

“How…is it?”

“It looks good on you. You look great.”

When Yuzuru praised her, Arisa’s cheeks turned a faint reddish hue.

Arisa smiled happily with a shy face.

A little later, the other three came out of the locker room.

Each of them was wearing a kimono that matched their hobbies and image colors.

“Let’s head toward the main hall for now.”

Following Arisa’s suggestion, the group started to walk up the hill toward the main hall.