Does gravity make me stronger?

And so.

Hachiman finally got his wish and returned to being alone.

During the process, Chihaya Aine seemed to intend to chat with him, but he managed to fool her by pretending to be asleep.

In the blink of an eye, we arrived in Kyoto.

Perhaps because it was their first time here, most of the students showed great curiosity about everything around them, and even Hachiman focused his attention on the construction company outside the station.

Meanwhile, before even leaving the station, Ai-yin and her friends joined the journey of taking photos as they walked.

The homeroom teacher, Miyami Sen, called out for a long time from not far from the platform before finally gathering all the scattered students back together.

"You guys are too excited. Just follow the teacher's instructions. Free time is on the second day, so don't rush."

After she finished speaking, she said to the boys, "Try to follow the group activities as much as possible. If you really can't, come and find the teacher."

The other boys reluctantly squeezed into the girls' group, but Hachiman, upon hearing this, took the initiative to leave Aine's team and stand next to Miyami Ogi.

Miyami Sen: "???"

Aine: "???"

Hachiman: "Um, didn't the teacher say I could come find you?"

"No, I was just explaining the process, and you're being way too blunt, aren't you?"

Staring blankly with his innocent expression, Miyami Sen hesitated, then said, "You brat, can't you improve your social skills a little?"

"Teacher, I think this ability is enough. After all, in the future, I only need to take care of my family."

"You're still thinking about being a stay-at-home dad? Are you stupid? You'll never even find a girlfriend at this rate!"

Miyami Ogi's devastating blow shattered the young man's hope for the future.

"Oh no, that's not what I meant. You're still young, Hikigaya, you can improve with practice in the future. If all else fails... your teacher can put up with it..."

"Cough cough!"

At this moment, Aine appeared before the strange master and disciple.

"Oh, Chihaya-san, is there something you need?" Miyami Ogi's expression seemed a little awkward, perhaps because she had said something strange.

"Um, I'm here to pick up Hachiman and take him back to the group."

"Oh, really? Hikigaya, looks like you're about to have some luck with women!" Miyami Sen grinned from ear to ear, while Hachiman, the person in question, didn't know what expression to make.

He fled the group in front of everyone to distance himself from them, and then Aine came all the way to find him. Isn't this just shooting himself in the foot?

Looking at the other person with a troubled expression, Hachiman thought for a second and said, "Um, Chihaya-san, don't worry about me, I'm fine on my own."

"Hey, Hachiman-kun, are you saying we're getting in your way?"

"Ah, no... okay, I'll go back with you."

Aine smiled and waved to Miyami Sen: "OK, then I'll take Miyami-sensei and Hachiman-kun with me?"

Miyami Sen nodded with disdain: "Hurry up and go, I'd rather not have another burden by my side."

And so, Hachiman returned to the squad, while the girls present stared at Aine in shock.

"Aine-chan, you wouldn't be...?"

Instantly understanding what the other person meant, Aine quickly said, "No, aren't we in the same group? In that case, we can't just abandon Hachiman. We did the same thing in the band."

Aiyin brushed it off by saying that the team was united.

"Ah, um, I see. That's good."

After the misunderstanding was cleared up, the group returned to the situation where several girls led the way and Hachiman followed at the back.

Honestly, was this kind of study tour enjoyable?

No.

It's hard to find anything truly interesting when you're with a group of people of the opposite sex you don't know very well, but Hachiman can't possibly admit to having thoughts of quitting.

That was a betrayal of the girl named Chihaya Aine.

Therefore, Hachiman had no choice but to stay at the back of the group, watching them chat and laugh, occasionally yawning, and taking a few photos to send to his younger sister.

Hachiman: Photo.JPG

Komachi: Onii-chan, you should take a picture of yourself on the school trip, not just a landscape photo!

Hachiman: Even though you say that, I don't plan to film it unless you beg me.

Komachi: Please, Onii-chan, take a picture of yourself, it's too lonely.

Hachiman: No, what does taking photos have to do with being lonely?

Komachi: Onii-chan definitely doesn't understand. Anyway, Komachi has already begged you, so Onii-chan, are you going to take the picture?

Hachiman: Okay

To fulfill his beloved little sister's wish, Hachiman switched to the front-facing camera, pointed the lens at himself, and just before pressing the shutter, someone suddenly spoke up.

"Hachiman, do you want to take a picture? I'll help you!"

What an energetic and lively voice! But to Hachiman, it sounded like a demonic voice from hell.

"No, no need, I can do it myself."

He cautiously put his phone away, but Ai Yin persisted: "Hey, don't be shy, if a guy takes a picture himself, it'll definitely be blurry, right?"

Is this a prejudice against Showa-era men?

With a sigh, Hachiman took out his phone again to prove his photography skills, and with a "click," he pressed the shutter button.

As expected, the faces in the photo were blurred out.

"As expected, I'll leave Hachiman to you!"

Aine covered her mouth and chuckled softly, folding her small hands to signal Hachiman to hand over his phone.

After hesitating for a moment, he handed over his phone: "Um, just take a quick picture."

"OK, then Hachiman, stand over there!"

Excitedly directing Hachiman, the girl playfully spoke, and after a series of exciting and stimulating shots, she finally pressed the shutter before Hachiman's mouth almost cramped up.

"It's all done! Hachiman, come and see how it looks. I'm very confident in my photography skills!"

"Oh."

Retrieving his precious phone and glancing at the photo album, Hachiman didn't know what expression to wear: "Um, Chihaya-san, why do my eyes look so big?"

"Hey, it's a filter. Doesn't this make Hikigaya look more energetic?"

Hachiman quickly shook his head: "No, no, in the end, all we need to do is show the real thing. If we send it to Komachi like this, she'll laugh herself to death."

The girl tilted her head: "Komachi?"

Hachiman sighed again: "No, it's nothing, that's fine. Thank you for your help."

Just when Hachiman thought the photo incident was over, a pleasant orange scent wafted over. For some reason, Chihaya Aine shoved her phone into Hachiman's hand; it still had a warm, cozy feel to it.

"Wait, what's this?"

"Hachiman, could you take a picture for me? I just did that for you."

"Well... okay."

Having no reason to refuse the girl's request any longer, Hachiman nervously pressed the shutter button.

"Hey, Hachiman, your photography skills are pretty good."

Hachiman was not pleased by the girl's praise. He nodded, then put his hands in his pockets and prepared to leave.

"Wait a moment!"

Anything else?

A hint of impatience flashed across Hachiman's face.

"Hachiman, would you like to go for tea together?"

"No, I'm not thirsty, and besides, I have something to do..."

Before she could finish speaking, Aine clasped her hands together in a gesture of pleading: "Please, I have something to discuss with Hachiman Hikigaya-kun. It's really important to me!"

After a long silence, Hachiman hesitated before saying, "...It would be nice to treat you to a meal."

"OK!"

During their free time, Hachiman and Aine went to a nearby Western-style cafe.

They carefully confirmed that there were no students from Haneoka Academy present in the coffee shop. While waiting for the coffee to be served, Aine coughed very seriously.

"Hachiman, don't tell anyone about this."

Hachiman immediately picked up his schoolbag: "Then I'd better not listen."

"Hey, wait a minute!"

Aine panicked and quickly stood up to stop Hachiman, who was about to run away, while the latter returned to his seat expressionlessly.

"Chihaya-kun, first of all, I can't guarantee that I can keep my mouth shut. Secondly, if it's something very important, please don't ask me for help. I will definitely disappoint you."

Hachiman deliberately emphasized the word "disappointment" to make Chihaya Aine give up.

"No, only Hachiman can help me now!"

For some reason, Chihaya Aine's attitude was very firm, and Hachiman could only sigh and listen to her.

In short, Chihaya Aine received a love letter when she went out in the morning, which asked her to go to the bamboo grove in Arashiyama, Kyoto the next afternoon.

It appears to be a romantic confession unique to high school students.

but.

Hachiman looked at the love letter on the table and said coldly, "I usually wouldn't accept an invitation like this, especially since they didn't even leave their name. It might be some kind of prank."

"Hey, it's probably not a prank, right?"

Feeling somewhat frightened by what Hachiman said, Chihaya Aine's shoulders trembled slightly.

"Well, it's just a possibility. Most likely, it's some boy who wants to use the school trip as an opportunity to confess to Chihaya."

Hachiman said this while enjoying the desserts at the shop.

Speaking of which, the coffee at this shop is really good, and the fact that someone else paid for it is just awesome.

So, are you going?

"To be honest, I don't really want to go." Aine sighed, looking troubled. "But if I don't go, I'll feel bad for that guy."

At this point, Hachiman suddenly put down his mug: "Wait a minute, when did you start having the illusion that you're a boy?"

Upon hearing this, Aine, who was deep in thought, froze.

"Hey?"

"What I mean is, in this day and age, it's also possible for girls to write love letters to other girls."

"Hachiman, you wouldn't..."

After glancing at Hachiman, Aine silently retreated to the back of the booth, maintaining an unpredictable distance from him.

Do you really want to do this? Believe me or not, I'll report you to an LGBT organization!

Thinking this to himself, Hachiman continued, "Let's assume for now that the other person is a boy. Chihaya-san, have you been in contact with any members of the opposite sex lately?"

"Oh, no."

"So it's just a one-sided crush? But if that's the case, they probably wouldn't choose to do it off-campus..."

Hachiman murmured, resting his chin on his hand, while the person in question completely blanked out his mind and began to scrutinize Hachiman's appearance.

"Hachiman, have I ever told you that, apart from your eyes, you're actually quite handsome?"

"Excuse me, is this some new swear word?"

Contrary to expectations, Hachiman gave a cold reply, while Aine blushed after saying those words.

"Of course not, I'm just praising you!"

"Is that so? Although I don't hear any praise in your voice... Anyway, this matter should be based on Chihaya's own wishes. Since the identity of the messenger has not been confirmed, it would be best to bring a companion along."