Chapter 150: Math trip-in France

The day of the school trip arrived, and Takamari Academy was bustling with activity earlier than usual. The sound of rolling suitcases, excited chatter, and hurried footsteps filled the air. Everyone seemed to be under the spell of the magical words “school trip.”

And to France, no less!
Perhaps it was the Japanese blood flowing through Kurosawa Rina’s veins, but I couldn’t help but feel drawn to the allure of France.

“Rina-tan, over here!”

Mizuki, her long brown hair swaying, waved at me energetically. Aya, standing beside her, smiled gently. I quickly dragged my suitcase towards them.

“You’re both here early.”
“Of course! It’s France! Paris!”

Mizuki cheered, raising her arms.
Yes, our school trip was to France! And since it was an independent travel trip, we could explore not just Paris, but anywhere in France, or even other Schengen countries. We were even allowed to hire tour guides, thanks to our families’ wealth.

“I heard other groups are planning to travel around Europe.”
“Hmm~ Train travel is romantic, but it can get tiring. It’s better to take it easy and explore Paris.”

“You think so too, Aya?”
“Yes, I’ve been there many times.”

Aya smiled at me. Aya… she was practically a goddess; everything she said was right.
I’d even believe it if she said she created the world!

“Ugh… Rina-tan, you’re making that face again. Aya-ring, let’s get on the bus~”

“Okay!”

The teacher blew a whistle, and we lined up. After the attendance check, we boarded the bus and headed to the airport.

****

We arrived at Narita Airport. Most Takamari students, including Aya and Mizuki, came from wealthy families and were frequent travelers. But this was my first time going abroad. Well, I’d traveled from Korea to Japan when I was reborn, but… I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach as we went through immigration and headed to the gate.

“Rina, are you okay?”
“Yeah… just a little nervous.”
“Don’t worry, I’m here.”

Aya’s words only made me feel more flustered. Mizuki, a travel pillow around her neck, was busy taking selfies. She wasn’t on Instagram or anything; she just liked taking pictures, just like on our previous trips.

“Paris, high school girls, the trip of a lifetime… what else?” Mizuki, being Mizuki…

Finally, it was time to board. Aya, as always, gave me the window seat. I watched as the plane taxied down the runway and took off. And I… fell asleep on Aya’s shoulder again.

****

The flight was almost 15 hours, exhausting even in business class… I probably would have died if we were in economy. Hardly any Takamari students flew economy, so we’d taken several separate flights. Aya had upgraded my ticket this time. I was eternally grateful to her.

“We’re almost there, Rina.”
“Finally…”

Long flights were tough. Even with the reclining seats, it wasn’t real sleep.

I envied Aya’s seemingly endless energy. She’d slept with an eye mask during the flight, but as we landed, the difference between a seasoned traveler and a first-timer was evident.

“Ugh…”

It was 2 PM when we landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport. I’d been on a plane for 14, 15 hours, and it was still only 2 PM?! We’d left early in the morning!

Anyway, I was finally in France.
Paris!

“This is… France.” The air felt different.

“Time for the Trinity to conquer France!” Mizuki cheered, linking arms with me.
“Conquer? Mizuki, you can’t just say things like that!”

“Heehee, why not?”

I chuckled and shook my head, and Aya smiled faintly, watching us.

****

A pre-arranged car took us from the airport to our hotel. Since it was an independent travel trip, we’d had to book our accommodations, which Mizuki’s family had taken care of. Aya’s family, or rather, Aya herself, had planned our itinerary.

The Parisian scenery whizzing past the car window eased my motion sickness. The drive to the hotel took about 30 minutes.

“We’re here~! What do you think, Rina-tan?”

The hotel was a modern, renovated luxury hotel in the heart of Paris. As expected of Mizuki, the entrance was so grand that it made me hesitate.

“Are you sure… it’s okay for us to stay here?”
“Of course! Rina-tan, you’re Aya-ring’s fiancée! Be more confident!”

Mizuki patted my back playfully, and Aya smiled gently, squeezing my hand. Was I the only one feeling overwhelmed? Well, Aya and Mizuki were from incredibly wealthy families…

“Fiancée?! You promised not to say that in public, Mizuki!”
“Hehehe~ Fiancée~ fiancée~ Aya-ring’s fiancée~!”

“Hey!”

Lately, it felt like Mizuki was always teasing me, and I was always chasing after her. It meant we were close!

After a brief game of tag outside the hotel, we checked in and went to our rooms to unpack. Or rather, Mizuki had her own room, and Aya and I were sharing a larger one.

“Mizuki booked this, right?”

“Yes.”
“Are you… okay with sharing a room with me, Aya?”

“I’d prefer it.” Aya said, suddenly stepping closer.

I blushed and looked away, flustered.

“Mizuki will be waiting, let’s go…”

“Okay.”

Aya was grinning mischievously.
We quickly left our luggage and went to explore Paris. The Eiffel Tower was within walking distance of our hotel. The Parisian streets, under the clear blue sky, were picturesque.

“Wow… The Eiffel Tower…”

Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person was even more impressive than in pictures. It was built for the World’s Fair at the turn of the 20th century, wasn’t it? Just a steel structure, but its symbolic significance was undeniable.

“Rina-tan, let’s take a picture!”

“Okay!”

Mizuki took out her phone and pulled us close. We took a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background, all three of us smiling brightly under the blue sky. Mizuki posted the picture on the Trinity’s official Twitter account.

Bonjour, Paris! Trinity has arrived~!

The post immediately went viral, the retweets and likes increasing exponentially.

“Wow, this is blowing up!”

“I know, right? Why is it spreading so fast?”
“It’s the official Trinity account! And the background is Paris! Japanese people love France~!” Mizuki shrugged, as if it were obvious.

Well… Aya and Mizuki were incredibly beautiful, so that was probably why.

“It’s because Rina is so cute.”

“No, I’m not, Aya…!”

“Ugh, you two lovebirds are so sickeningly sweet! Hmph, that’s why I got my own room. You two have fun~!”
“Mizuki…”

Aya just looked at me, her eyes filled with affection.
Mizuki, you’re making me scared of Aya… I might need to call for help…

****

After our walk, we arrived at a quiet restaurant near our hotel for dinner. The restaurant, which we’d booked a month in advance, was an elegant French restaurant with soft lighting and quiet music playing in the background.

The tables were covered with crisp white tablecloths, adorned with candles and elegant silverware.

“This place looks… expensive…” I murmured, feeling intimidated. I seemed to have lost all my confidence since arriving in France.

“Don’t worry, Rina-tan! We have a reservation, and it’s a three-Michelin-star restaurant~! Right, Aya-ring?” Mizuki said cheerfully, but the words “three-Michelin-star” made my heart sink even further.

“M-Michelin…? That means it’s… really expensive…”
“Rina, it’s okay. Just relax and enjoy the food.”

Wait… did Aya make the reservation?
For our food tour…?

A handsome French waiter approached our table. Handsome men usually made me wary, but… then Aya started speaking to him in fluent French about our pre-ordered meal.
Aya speaking French… it was kind of hot.

“Bonsoir. Merci d’avoir réservé chez nous ce soir. Voici le menu spécial que vous avez choisi… (Good evening. Thank you for your reservation. Here is the special menu you have chosen…)”

Aya continued speaking in perfect French. Mizuki also chimed in occasionally, but I didn’t understand a word.

‘This is… intimidating…’

I’d chosen Korean as my second foreign language because it was the easiest…
The waiter, impressed by their French, smiled and explained the menu in detail.
After he left, Aya turned to me and said,

“Sorry, that took a while. We’re having the tasting menu today. It starts with salmon tartare and caviar, followed by lobster bisque, then Wagyu steak with truffles, and finally, chocolate mousse and raspberry sorbet for dessert.”

“O-Okay…”

I stared at Aya, blinking, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar and sophisticated-sounding dishes. Mizuki giggled.

“Rina-tan, don’t be so nervous! Just eat and enjoy~!”
“R-Right… Just eat…”

The first course, salmon tartare, arrived. The salmon and caviar were beautifully arranged on a small plate, like a work of art. I stared at it, momentarily forgetting to pick up my… plastic spoon? It was for the caviar.

“It’s so pretty… I almost don’t want to eat it…”
“Try it, it’s delicious!”

At Mizuki’s urging, I cautiously took a bite. The smooth, delicate flavor of the salmon blended perfectly with the salty caviar, creating a symphony of flavors.

“Mmm…! This is so good…!”

I couldn’t help but gasp in delight. Aya smiled at me, and Mizuki, pleased with my reaction, grinned. The next course, the warm lobster bisque, filled my mouth with a rich, creamy flavor that warmed me from the inside out.

“Is it good, Rina?”

“It’s so good I might faint…!”

The main course, Wagyu steak with truffles, melted in my mouth, the aroma of truffles and the rich, savory flavor of the steak filling my senses.

And finally, the dessert. The chocolate mousse and raspberry sorbet were the perfect ending, refreshing and sweet.

“This is… the best dessert I’ve ever had…”

I hadn’t realized dessert could be this… transcendental.
This restaurant deserved its three Michelin stars.

“Do you like it?”
“Yes…! Thank you so much, Aya…”

Our first meal in Paris had been exquisite.