𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆 | 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪 𝘬.

𝟏𝟒

The bus ride stretched on for hours, but time seemed to pass quickly as the excitement of the upcoming trip kept everyone buzzing with energy. The gentle hum of conversation filled the air, occasionally punctuated by bursts of laughter. You leaned your head against the window, watching the mountains loom larger as the bus wound its way higher into the hills.

Yui and Ayumi were in their own world, talking excitedly about all the things they wanted to do once they arrived. You smiled faintly as their voices washed over you, but your mind was elsewhere—drifting between thoughts of the trip and the unresolved tension between you, Nanami, and Gojo.

The last few days had been a blur of emotions. You couldn't ignore the quiet care Nanami had shown in his texts, nor could you forget Gojo’s playful teasing and the undeniable spark between the two of you. Being stuck on a school trip with both of them meant there would be no avoiding these feelings.

As the bus took a sharp turn, pulling onto a narrow road flanked by towering trees, Yui nudged you with her elbow. "Hey, you’ve been quiet. Are you nervous about the trip or something?"

You blinked, turning your gaze away from the window to meet her curious eyes. "Nervous? No, not really. Just… thinking, I guess."

"About Nanami?" she teased, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

You rolled your eyes, though you couldn't help the faint blush creeping up your cheeks. "Not everything is about Nanami, you know."

"Sure, sure," Ayumi chimed in with a grin. "But we all know you’re going to end up spending most of the trip with him. The whole fake dating thing is bound to come up again. Especially in a place like this."

Her words sent a ripple of anxiety through you. The "fake relationship" had been an arrangement for convenience, but as the lines between pretense and reality blurred, you weren’t sure how much longer you could keep up the charade.

Before you could respond, the bus slowed to a stop, and the driver announced their arrival. A wave of excitement swept through the students as everyone scrambled to grab their bags and file off the bus.

As soon as you stepped outside, the crisp mountain air hit you, cool and refreshing after the stuffy bus ride. The lodge sat nestled among the trees, a cozy building with wooden beams and wide windows that offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding forest. The air was filled with the sounds of nature—the distant rush of a river, birds chirping, and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

"Wow," Ayumi breathed, her eyes wide with awe as she took in the scenery. "This place is even more beautiful than I imagined."

You had to agree. There was something peaceful about being surrounded by nature, away from the hustle and bustle of school life. It felt like a different world—one where the usual worries and distractions faded into the background.

As you followed the group toward the lodge, your eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face. You spotted Gojo first, his tall figure unmistakable as he sauntered toward the entrance with a group of his friends. He caught your eye and flashed a grin, winking playfully before disappearing inside.

Nanami, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen.

"Come on," Yui called, tugging at your arm. "Let’s go find our room before all the good spots get taken."

The three of you hurried inside, where the lodge’s rustic interior greeted you with its warm wooden walls, plush furniture, and a crackling fireplace in the main lounge. Students were already bustling around, claiming rooms and unpacking their things. You followed Yui and Ayumi up the stairs, where a long hallway stretched out with doors leading to the rooms.