Chapter XLVI: Trippy Turvy, Part 2
The road winds onward after the McDonald's stop, the bus humming steadily as it carries the Special Power and Defense Class deeper into the countryside. The air outside feels cleaner now, lighter, as if the land itself breathes differently here. Fields stretch wider, skies feel closer, and the noise of the city becomes a distant memory.
When the bus finally slows and turns into a wide gravel entrance, murmurs ripple through the students. A sign welcomes them in cheerful colors.
STRAWBERRY FARM: PICK, TASTE, and ENJOY
"Oh," Haruto says, pressing his face closer to the window. "This already feels like a dating sim background."
The bus doors open with a hiss, and the scent hits them immediately. Sweet, fresh, earthy. Rows upon rows of strawberry plants spread across gentle slopes, their leaves glossy under the sun, red fruit peeking like jewels beneath green canopies. Wooden walkways wind through the farm, and beyond them, hills roll lazily into the distance.
Students pour out of the bus, voices rising in excitement.
"This place is insane," Inoshiro says, stretching his arms wide. "I can already taste the jam."
"It's a tourist spot for a reason," Mrs. Sato calls out, smiling. "Everyone, stay within the designated areas."
Ryujin steps down from the bus and pauses. The view is stunning with soft sunlight, the faint hum of insects, laughter drifting across the farm. For a moment, it feels unreal, like the world presses pause just for them.
"Hey, look over there!" Hageshi nudges him. "Souvenir shops."
Ryujin turns and spots them. Small wooden stalls near the edge of the farm, colorful banners fluttering above. He grins.
"Noice. Let's go."
The four of them, Ryujin, Inoshiro, Hageshi, and Haruto; wander toward the souvenir area, weaving through other tourists and students. The shops are packed with everything imaginable: strawberry-shaped keychains, pink mugs, plush toys with smiling faces, shirts printed with cartoon fruit wearing sunglasses.
Inoshiro picks up a bright red hat shaped like a strawberry.
"So," he says seriously, placing it on his head, "how much dignity do I lose if I wear this?"
"All of it," Haruto answers immediately.
Hageshi laughs and points at a mug that reads: "I GOT BERRY LOST HERE."
"That's actually not bad.", Inoshiro laughs.
"Yeah, a good gift for a dad since that's clearly a dad joke LMAO", Haruto interjects.
Ryujin examines a keychain with a small strawberry and some letters, fit for initials in names. He also sees strawberry figurines with swords, dressed as Samurais.
"Why does these look like they're ready to defend the farm?" he asks.
"Because strawberries are sacred," Inoshiro replies solemnly.
They move from stall to stall, joking quietly. Haruto lifts a shirt with an exaggeratedly muscular strawberry flexing its arms.
"Okay, this one's... kinda sus."
Hageshi squints at it. "That strawberry definitely skips leg day."
Inoshiro finds a sticker with a strawberry blushing, surrounded by hearts.
"This one feels illegal to own," he says.
Ryujin laughs but shakes his head. "Not offensive, just... questionable."
Miran looking at it, blushing, and realizes. "Hey, don't blame me about that! It's because they're cute and not because I wanted to have some 'fun' with them."
"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Lolicon", Inoshiro says jokingly.
"The FBI are already here.", Hageshi smirks.
"Hello, FBI? I want to report a lolicon here—", Haruto pretends to call the FBI.
"WHAT?! NONONONONONONO! I'm just kidding, dudes!", Miran cries.
"Quit your yapping, we're just kidding here, man", Ryujin says.
In the end, they buy small things such as keychains, postcards, candies, and a bag of dried strawberries that Inoshiro insists is "for survival."
A call echoes from the railing overlooking the farm.
"Class photo!"
They jog back, joining the others as everyone lines up against the scenic view railing. Behind them, the strawberry fields stretch endlessly, hills framing the horizon. Phones and cameras rise.
"Say cheese!" someone shouts.
"Say strawberry!" another corrects.
Laughter erupts as the photo is taken. Minutes later, as students begin moving again, Hageshi suddenly freezes.
"...Crap."
Ryujin looks at him. "What?"
"My powerbank," Hageshi says, patting his pockets. "I left it on the bus."
Haruto groans. "Classic rookie mistake."
"I'll go with you," Ryujin says without hesitation.
"Thanks."
They turn back toward the parked bus, leaving the others near the railing.
The bus is quiet now, most students still roaming the farm. Hageshi climbs aboard quickly, retrieves the powerbank from his seat, and exhales in relief.
"Saved."
They hop back down and jog toward the railing... and stop. The area is empty.
Ryujin slows. "Uh... where is everyone?"
Hageshi scans the view. "They were just here seconds ago."
Ryujin pulls out his phone and messages Inoshiro. No response. He tries Okaki. Nothing. Haruto. Still nothing.
A minute passes before Inoshiro finally replies.
Inoshiro: "We went down already."
Ryujin frowns. "Down where?"
He looks around. Hageshi does the same. The railing ends on both sides, bordered by thick greenery and fencing.
"There should be stairs," Hageshi mutters.
They search turning left, then right, then behind the stalls. Nothing. No staircase. No path. Just the railing and the slope beyond it.
"...So we're stuck here?" Ryujin asks.
Hageshi sighs. "Well, looks like it."
They exchange a look, then turn back toward the bus.
"Let's just wait there," Ryujin says. "They'll notice we're gone."
They climb aboard. The bus interior is dim, curtains drawn halfway. Seats are empty. Then, at the very back. Someone is sitting there. A hooded figure, legs crossed casually, holding a bag of strawberries. The figure looks up.
"Nice," the hooded man says cheerfully. "Snacks! Time to get the fondue, 'cause man, I'm starving!"
The air changes instantly. Ryujin's ring hums. Hageshi's shoulders tense.
"Who are you?" Ryujin demands.
The hooded man chuckles. "Relax. Think of me as... entertainment."
Sand begins to swirl faintly around Hageshi's feet.
"Bad choice of venue," Hageshi says.
The hooded man stands, rolling his neck. "I disagree."
The bus lights flicker. Hageshi moves first.
"Sandstorm!"
Sand erupts from beneath the seats, whipping forward like a living wave. The hooded man leaps aside, cloak fluttering as the sand slams into the bus wall, denting metal.
Ryujin snaps his fingers. Lightning crackles. Water condenses in the air, drawn from moisture and humidity, swirling around his hand. The hooded man lunges.
Ryujin thrusts forward, releasing a burst of electrified water. The shockwave slams into the hooded man, electricity dancing across his cloak. He skids back but laughs.
"Oh, this is fun."
The hooded man counters, dark energy surging as seats rip free and fly toward them.
Hageshi slams his hands together, forming a dense sand barrier that absorbs the impact. Ryujin vaults over a seat, lightning arcing as he strikes again, forcing the hooded man back toward the rear door.
The hooded man dives downward, then straight into the engine compartment. A loud clang echoes.
"...Ow."
He scrambles back up, coughing. Ryujin and Hageshi stand ready, blocking every exit.
"Nowhere left," Ryujin says quietly.
Hageshi smirks. "You picked the wrong bus."
They move together. Sand binds the hooded man's legs. Ryujin snaps his fingers. A bolt of lightning crashes down, striking true.
The hooded man collapses, smoke curling from his cloak. Outside, students below gasp as the flash lights up the sky.
Saki looks up sharply. Her heart skips.
"...Ryujin," she whispers, awe and worry mixing in her chest.
Back on the bus, Ryujin exhales, electricity fading. Hageshi steadies himself. For a moment, the strawberry farm is quiet again. But something has changed. And none of them know how deep this goes yet.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEnWvpc6DQ
and then Add to home screen.