Swallowtail: Mariposa Radiante

The Camping Trip (Part III)

Swallowtail:

Chapter 16:

Bound Together (Class Trip Part III)

Kaikane didn't know what had happened after he had returned to shore. All he knew was that he was cold. Takeshi had helped him into some dry clothes and once he had gotten his core temperature back, he had been told to take a hot bath. He did so without much protest and was told to go to the sickbay. It hadn't been long after his dip in the lake that he had started feeling terrible. His nose had gotten stuffy and his throat had started hurting. He figured whatever Futarou had caught, he had caught as well. He had also recalled what Miku had told him earlier, that Itsuki was taking care of Ichika because she had also gotten sick.

The class trip that he had been looking forward to had turned to shit. Not only did he not get to spend time with Nino, but he also missed out on fishing and lost his watch. Some may think it stupid to jump into a lake after a pocket watch, but to him it meant everything. It had been his great grandfather's watch originally, passed down to his grandfather, and then to his mother. It was the last thing he had of her, the thing that kept her close to his heart. Whenever he was sad or nervous, the watch's ticking would put him at ease. But now, not even that would calm him.

What hurt worse was that he also lost the bracelet. The symbol of the promise he had made to that girl a long time ago. That bracelet kept him going whenever the going got tough. It reminded him that maybe one day, he'd be able to meet his friend, wherever she may be. The Sakura Blossom and the Swallowtail Butterfly, two symbols of life and beauty, that often gave him luck, were gone forever, along with the last token that belonged to his mom.

Kaikane lay in bed, staring at the far wall, ignoring the chatter just beyond the window. Futarou was in the bed next to him, sleeping soundly due to his sickness. He remembered the history teacher getting angry at someone for trying to step into the room. He didn't blame them, he felt awful, and his head was pounding. He just wanted the trip to be over so he could go home.

"God when the hell will this fucking trip end? Do I seriously have to wait until tomorrow morning? I should have just stayed at home."

He hardly noticed the door opening and the sound of someone stepping inside. They carefully walked toward the beds, setting something down on the table. He felt them sit down on the edge of the bed, the springs creaking a bit from the extra weight.

"Darling, are you awake?"

"Nino... she came to see me.... of course, she would, she loves me. Dumbass." he thought to himself. He silently peered over his shoulders, meeting eyes with the woman he had fallen for. Even in the low lighting of the room she looked radiating.

"I know you are upset over what happened. All of us gave our account of what happened, Ayato was sent back home early, and the Headmaster is already taking action. I just wanted you to know that."

"I'm not upset... I just feel like a piece of my heart was ripped out of me," he said, after a few moments of silence. His voice was hoarse, his throat dry and scratchy. Nino was quick to her feet, grabbing the glass of juice she had brought.

"Here, drink some juice. I squeezed it myself, and I made you some dinner. Remember the salmon we caught? I made some for the others but I made yours special." she said softly. He sat up a bit, taking the glass into his hand, downing half of it in a single go.

"I feel a lot better now, thank you," he replied.

"That's what I'm here for. I might not be your official girlfriend yet but there's no way I'm letting you suffer. Ayato was an asshole, and I hope he gets what he deserves." she said, handing him the food she had made. "Don't let it get cold, alright darling?"