Dullard Buddy-kun: Heading Reluctantly to School Again Today - Episode 35

Right now. I, Kento Mamiya, am in the sky.

Yes. I’ve already boarded the plane for the school trip to Korea.

From the window, the view is of a carpet of pure white clouds under an exceptionally clear blue sky.

In other words, no matter how hard we try, we absolutely cannot escape anymore…

Just, for now, what could it be?

Under normal circumstances, the person sitting next to me should have been someone who, given that I was sitting next to a loner like me, would have a much worse attitude, almost as if they had drawn a bad lottery ticket…

“Wow, this scenery is really beautiful. Have you traveled by plane a lot, Mamiya-kun?”

“Well, I do remember riding quite a bit back in the day. How about you, Tanaka-kun…?”

“Oh, as expected of you, Mamiya-kun. Actually, this is my first time.”

The person sitting next to me right now not only doesn’t show any such expression, but is also like a saint, actively talking to me.

Yeah. The saint of the same class who raised his hand to say he was okay with sharing a room with me during the room assignments, Ichiro Tanaka, is sitting there.

He might not be the type to stand out, but unlike me, he has normal friends.

In the midst of all that, you’re going to spend most of the school trip with me…

Are they being held hostage by their parents or family? Or are they genuinely altruistic?

Well, whatever it is, I’m quite mentally supported thanks to him.

I couldn’t be more grateful.

“By the way, Mamiya-kun. Haha, I know it’s sudden, but do you have a girl you like or something?”

And what about it, Tanaka-kun? That question came out of nowhere.

Could it be… this? I haven’t been in that kind of environment for a long time, so my reaction was quite delayed, but is this the classic love talk that is a staple of school trips…?

If that’s the case, it’s really early on. I never thought I would encounter that event so soon.

“Uh, I don’t think so. Look, I’m like this, you know…”

Yeah. I don’t even have any friends to begin with…

How should I put it… I just don’t have the capacity to like someone. In fact, ever since I entered high school, I’ve been under the illusion that I’ve completely lost the ability to feel that way, to the point where I haven’t felt that way about anyone yet.

So, what exactly does that reaction mean?

Tanaka-kun next door is closing his eyes tightly and shaking his head vigorously from side to side…

I don’t quite understand.

However, one thing I know for sure is that he is probably asking questions he has no real interest in, just for my sake.

No, isn’t it a bit scary how genuinely nice they are?

Tanaka-kun…

Thanks to you, I can’t believe I haven’t pretended to sleep even once since getting on the plane…

“Anyway, let’s enjoy the school trip to the fullest, Mamiya-kun!”

And saying that, Tanaka-kun in the seat next to me still gives me a smile.

Wait, the tears that I had anticipated shedding during the school trip are different from the tears that are about to spill from my eyes…

“So, you and I will conquer Korea together, Mamiya-kun!”

And now, Tanaka-kun shows me a fist pump along with those words.

Conquering Korea… What is that? Like conquering the whole country or something?

No, is that what you mean? Are you saying we should enjoy it so much that we can conquer all the tourist spots in Korea…?

For now, just one word…

I know you’re just being considerate, but thank you so much, Tanaka-kun.

“So, I have a little suggestion. Would it be okay if we filmed some videos during our trip for memories? I bought a new camera just for today, even though it was a bit expensive. Please!”

Video camera…

To be honest, I’m not good at being on camera and such, but I have no intention of refusing Tanaka-kun, who has been so kind to me up to this point.

“Yeah. I’m fine. No problem.”

It seems like you went through the trouble of buying something new.

“Thank you, Mamiya-kun! Also, I have one last favor to ask. Actually, I’ve been quietly uploading videos on YouTube, and I have almost no subscribers, but… could you upload some of those memories there?”

Ah, it’s one of those typical travel destination videos, huh?

Well, if you ask whether anything would actually change just because I might appear a little in a video or get cut off, the answer is that nothing would change at all. Besides, it seems like the channel doesn’t really have many subscribers anyway.

“Ah, it’s fine. No problem.”

What should I say? This is Tanaka’s request.

I want to listen as much as I can.

“Thank you so much, Mamiya-kun! You’re the best!!!”

“Well, that’s my line, isn’t it…? Thank you for everything.”

Really.

If you’re that happy about something like that, it makes me feel a bit more at ease too.

And as I was having various exchanges with him, an announcement came over the intercom saying that this plane would soon be landing.

I see. We’ve finally arrived…

This might be a bit more enjoyable than I thought… no, that’s not possible.

Don’t get conceited, me.

Tanaka-kun is being kind, but that’s exactly why I shouldn’t take advantage of it. I shouldn’t become a burden to him.

That’s right. Pull yourself together, me.

From here on, the biggest hurdle of high school life begins.

It’s the main event of the hellish school trip as a loner.