School trip - Day one
Kyoto
1
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Class Representative

Okay, we'll be breaking into our groups now! Then, find the bus associated with your respective tour!

2
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Rui

Two and a half hours by bullet train...

But we're finally here.

3
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Miyake

Guys!

The bus for the temples and shrines tour is this way!

4
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Hayashi

Oh, we get to start with Kinkaku-ji Temple!

5
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Taniyama

I can't wait!

Alright, let's go!

6
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Miyake

Whoa!

I can't believe it's actually golden!

7
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Hayashi

Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. Its official name is apparently Hokuzan Rokuon Zenji Temple, and it's supposed to evoke a sort of paradise on earth...

8
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Taniyama

Yeah, I guess you'd only see a golden temple in a place like that...

9
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Rui

Hehehehe.

10
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Miyake

What's up, Kamishiro?

You seem pretty happy about something...

11
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Rui

Oh, I was just imagining what it'd be like to use this temple as a stage. It'd be quite extravagant, no...?

12
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Rui

I can see it already. It's the last remaining haven on the planet, and it explodes during the final scene.

13
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Miyake

What?! You want it to explode?!

14
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Hayashi

Whoa... He really is the Explosive Mad Scientist. I'd never think of something like that.

15
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Taniyama

Hmm... As inappropriate as that sounds, watching this temple explode does seem kinda fun!

16
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Rui

Ah, you think so too?

17
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Taniyama

Yeah, I wanna see it happen since I love it when stuff explodes during movies!

18
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Rui

Oh, I guess great minds do think alike.

19
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Hayashi

But what would that story be about?

20
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Rui

Well, there are a few novels with Kinkaku-ji Temple in it, but this story would be nothing like any of those...

21
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Rui

My story would likely fall under science fiction. A golden temple representing a paradise where the masses flock... Yes, that's not a bad start...

22
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Miyake

Hehe...

23
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Rui

Ah, pardon me...

I couldn't help but think out loud.

24
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Miyake

No, that's all good.

25
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Miyake

I can tell that you really love coming up with shows, Kamishiro.

26
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Rui

Hehe...

To be fair, I get so overzealous sometimes that I lose sight of the world around me.

27
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Hayashi

Hmm...

So, what's wrong with that?

28
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Rui

What?

29
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Taniyama

Yeah!

I think it's great that you're so passionate about something!

30
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Taniyama

Just look at my favorite anime director. He became able to come up with these amazing works because he was so obsessed with drawing scenes where buildings collapse and stuff. I think you're like him, Kamishiro!

31
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Hayashi

Oh, but if you're about to miss the bus or something because you spaced out, we'll have to drag you by the scruff of your neck.

32
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Taniyama

How? Kamishiro's way too tall for that.

We could maybe do that to Miyake since he's so skinny.

33
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Miyake

What?! There's no way you could!

Right, Kamishiro?!

34
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Rui

Hehehe...

It may be fun to test that theory out later.

35
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Miyake

Whaaat?!

36
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Miyake

This is a shrine dedicated to a deity of education. Oh, one of the wish placards says, “I'm gonna get accepted!”

37
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Hayashi

*Sigh*

Entrance exams are the last thing I wanna think about...

38
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Taniyama

In that sense, Kamishiro, you're really lucky since you always score super high on tests and stuff. I bet you won't have to work very hard to get into most schools.

39
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Rui

Yes, which means...

I'll be able to focus on my shows instead of having to worry about exams.

40
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Taniyama

N-No fair!

You could be a little more modest!

41
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Rui

Haha. I only speak the truth.

42
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Rui

Ah, this must be a traditional rock garden.

It's much more beautiful than in the pictures.

43
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Rui

The boulders represent islands and the lines in the sand represent waves in the water. This must've been how the people of old depicted otherworldly realms.

44
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Miyake

Yeah, that's kinda cool when you put it that way. This place is so calm and sooth—

45
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Taniyama

A-A-Achoo!!!

46
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Miyake

Whoa!

47
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Hayashi

Hey, so much for calm and soothing!

48
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Rui

Haha...!

That did sort of turn this place's atmosphere on its head.

Inn
49
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Rui

*Sigh*

That hot spring was very refreshing.

50
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Miyake

Yeah.

But we're probably gonna work up a sweat again because it's so hot out today.

51
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Rui

Ah, I recommend using one of these.

52
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Miyake

Oh, it's a handheld fan...?

53
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Rui

Yes, it is.

But it doesn't just blow air.

When you press this switch...

54
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Miyake

Whoa! What's it blowing out?!

Is this...snow?!

55
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Rui

It's based on an old device that I made for a show when I was looking for a way to make it snow. I succeeded at miniaturizing it, and decided to bring it along since I saw that it was going to be warm here.

56
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Miyake

That's incredible, Kamishiro...! You really are a wiz with gadgets!

57
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Taniyama

Man, that hot spring felt great!

Oh, Miyake, you guys are back already?

58
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Hayashi

We should probably start getting our beds ready... But it seems like a waste to go to sleep now. Wanna play something?

59
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Rui

Then, how about cards...?

60
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Hayashi

Ah, a time-honored school trip tradition!

61
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Taniyama

Oh, let's make things interesting!

The loser has to...go outside and buy juice from a vending machine somewhere!

62
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Rui

I see. A game of cards with a little twist...

63
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Miyake

But we're not supposed to leave after dark.

What if the teachers find out?

64
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Taniyama

Don't be such a goody two-shoes!

That's the best part of it!

65
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Rui

Hehe. I agree. That does sound like fun.

66
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Miyake

You're on their side, Kamishiro...?!

67
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Hayashi

Alright, that settles that!

You guys ready to play?

68
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Rui

Yeah, let's get started!

69
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Hayashi

A pair of kings! No one's gonna top that...!

70
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Rui

I can. A pair of aces.

That's it for me.

71
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Miyake

Whaaat?!

You're the president, Kamishiro?!

72
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Taniyama

No...!

You didn't cheat, did you?!

73
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Rui

Hehe. Who knows?

74
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Hayashi

I was so sure I'd win...

At least I get to be vice president again. Done.

75
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Taniyama

No... At this rate, I'm gonna be forced to go buy juice...! I've gotta turn this around somehow...

76
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Rui

Hm? Is someone outside our door?

77
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Tsukasa's Voice

Rui, are you there?!

78
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Rui

Ah, Tsukasa, is that you?

79
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Taniyama

Oh, it's Weirdo One!

80
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Hayashi

What's up, Tenma?

81
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Tsukasa

I came to see what you're up to...

But good! You seem to be behaving yourself!

82
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Rui

Hm? What do you mean?

83
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Tsukasa

I was stopped by one of the teachers while I was making my way over to the baths.

84
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Tsukasa

They asked, “Your partner in crime isn't up to anything, is he?” As much as I hate being treated like one of the usual suspects, I stopped by just to make sure.

85
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Tsukasa

However, you seem to just be playing an ordinary game of cards! All's quiet here!

86
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Tsukasa

Now, if you'll excuse me...

87
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Taniyama

Oh, Tenma, wait up...!

Wanna play with us?

88
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Tsukasa

Yes, a game of cards sounds like fun!

What were you playing just now?

89
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Miyake

Oh, we were playing President.

90
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Tsukasa

Ah, I'm quite good at that!

You shall see why I'm called President Tsukasa!

91
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Taniyama

Nice, Tsukasa's in!

That means our initial bet's off since we're starting over!

92
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Miyake

What?! How's that fair?!

93
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Rui

I don't mind.

94
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Rui

We have a bet in place where the person who finished last the most times after five rounds has to go get juice.

95
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Tsukasa

Hah hah hah!

I am a future star!

“Last” is not a part of my vocabulary!

96
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Rui

Ah, I think I know where this is going.

97
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Tsukasa

So, let's begin!

98
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Tsukasa

Nooo!

I'm the beggar again?! How?!

99
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Taniyama

Awesome! Not last!

Alright, Tenma, you're getting juice for us!

100
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Hayashi

I can't believe how quickly that came back around...

101
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Tsukasa

Grr...!

As frustrating as this is, I must admit defeat...! I'll go get them now!

102
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Rui

Would you like me to go with you, Tsukasa?

103
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Tsukasa

Hm? Why's that?

Won't we stand out if we go together?

104
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Rui

Oh, I want to see your walk of sh—

I mean, see you embark on this brave endeavor.

105
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Tsukasa

Argh! You're enjoying this, aren't you?!

106
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Hayashi

I say go. It'll be more interesting that way.

107
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Taniyama

Yeah! I mean, everyone's been wondering if the Weirdo Wombo Combo's gonna try to pull something during this trip!

108
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Tsukasa

Don't encourage him!

Also, Rui, quit trying to follow me!

109
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Rui

Hehehehe...

110
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Tsukasa

No, stop laughing! And quit following me!

111
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Miyake

Hehe...

Things really are fun when these two are together.

Next Chapter: Familiar Faces