Ch.162Chapter 162

“And so, we’ve decided to go on a hot spring trip this winter! Everyone, applause!”

“Hot spring?”

I clapped enthusiastically as instructed, but tilted my head wondering what this sudden hot spring trip was about.

Unlike other clubs, our study group usually became idle after exams ended, and once the semester wrapped up, we typically had nothing particular to do.

It wasn’t like we had some grand goal like other clubs to venture outside The Academy this winter and do something special.

Setting up desks outside to show off our studying wouldn’t make sense either.

I thought we’d spend uneventful days like last summer vacation, but looking at Sera’s eyes now, I could see her determination to accomplish something.

“Wooow—”

“Oh.”

Meanwhile, Aria showed tremendous enthusiasm.

Normally, Aria’s usual demeanor would remind one of how Ouro used to be—not showing much facial expression.

However, the current Aria was displaying emotions like the current Ouro. Suspecting there must be a reason, I stared at her quietly.

The obvious trigger was the word “hot spring.” She showed such a positive reaction to that word, so it must be the cause.

Hot spring. What was so special about it?

I pondered seriously with my hand on my chin.

Still, I wondered if I could even go. Since Sera mentioned it, she would definitely go, and judging by that reaction, Aria would certainly join too.

What about Iris? She just joined in the second semester, so wouldn’t she think it’s a bit much to bathe together?

“What do you think, Iris?”

“I think it sounds good.”

“Oh, great. But since you’re still new, I’ll just note that you’re interested. We all need to coordinate our schedules to make it happen.”

“Yes, we’ll need to match our schedules.”

Sera held the tip of her ballpoint pen, tapping it before stopping to write something in a small notebook that fit in her palm. I guess it was a notebook for recording participation interest.

“What do you think, Karen?”

“…Ah, I’m fine with it too. Just let me know the time so I can check if I’m available.”

“Great, so you’re interested. I’ll try to adjust the time so everyone can attend. But the issue is… whether Ourr and Ouro can join us.”

Sera let out a groan as if deeply contemplating something.

Ouro looked up at the mention of her name, and after thinking for a moment, I spoke up.

“I think I’ll need to get permission from the Professor. I’d like to try everything I can, but if something’s not allowed, then it’s not allowed.”

I said this with my hand raised high. Sera groaned.

“Right, that’s true. The Professor has to be careful with Ourr and Ouro, so it can’t be helped. I don’t want to force anything, but I brought this up because I really want you both to come.”

Sera crossed her arms and tried to think seriously. However, she didn’t seem to come up with a proper solution, and the silence stretched on.

Watching her quietly, I glanced around.

After taking in all the study group members at once, I also tried to think of a possible solution.

As the thoughtful silence continued, Karen carefully raised her hand to speak.

“What if instead of Ourr or Ouro asking, Sera unnie asks directly?”

“Huh?”

“Rather than having them ask, maybe if you go to the Professor yourself as both the study group leader and kind of their guardian, the Professor might be more lenient.”

“Ah, that would be good, but I feel a bit burdened about facing the Professor over this issue.”

I was surprised to see this side of Sera, who usually approached the Professor so casually, now finding it difficult.

Actually, it wasn’t that surprising. Typically, college students find it hard to approach professors. I just momentarily forgot because Sera always approached things so simply.

“Should I ask? Since Sera is organizing this, I should take some responsibility.”

“…But I’m the study group leader, so shouldn’t I be the one to do it?”

“We just need someone to take responsibility, right? I can handle it.”

“Position matters. Usually, it’s best if someone close to the Professor does it.”

“Then Sera should do it.”

Aria had offered to do it instead, but she gave up after Sera’s comment.

It seemed Sera believed that as the study group leader, she should represent all matters concerning the group.

I thought I could just ask the Professor myself, but the atmosphere was leaning toward Sera doing it to increase our chances of success.

As I was glancing around hesitantly, unable to speak up, Ouro blurted out without concern:

“I’ll do it.”

“You want to do it, Ouro?”

I widened my eyes at Ouro’s sudden interjection. Looking at Ouro sitting beside me, I saw her lifting her feet off the chair, repeatedly extending and folding her legs back and forth.

It seemed like she was just coveting the task because everyone was saying “I’ll do it, I’ll do it,” without really understanding what it was about.

Or maybe she just wanted to get it over with since she could speak to the Professor most comfortably.

Suspecting the latter, I whispered to her.

“If you do it, we might fail. Then you won’t get to go to the hot spring.”

“What’s a hot spring?”

“A hot spring is… like a bathtub in the mountains. A water pool bathtub.”

Ouro thought for a moment and then nodded. It seemed there were similar things in the mountains where she had lived.

Well, what mountain doesn’t have water? Unless it’s a desert mountain made of sand, it’s something you might encounter while wandering around.

Though I wasn’t sure if there were lakes.

“Some of those places have hot water coming out naturally. You soak your body in that natural hot water.”

“Can’t we just get in a bathtub?”

“That would be too cramped. The great thing is that it’s really spacious, and you can bathe with friends outdoors while feeling the outside air.”

As I listed the advantages of hot springs on Sera’s behalf, I noticed Ouro’s eyes sparkle slightly.

Ouro likes new things. She finds them interesting. Everything is new to Ouro, and she especially shows interest in things she can’t normally see or get used to.

Things that are normally inaccessible and unfamiliar. Experiencing such things makes them feel more special, and she wants to engrave those experiences that make her want to return.

If Ouro really wanted to experience this, we needed to invest in the option with the highest probability of success.

No matter how much Ouro or I begged the Professor, if safety concerns led to a firm “No,” then anyone who asked afterward would get the same answer.

So the first and last question needed to come from the person most likely to succeed.

Sera thought that person was herself, but she was struggling with how to approach it.

This time, Iris offered a suggestion.

“Um, I heard that you seniors are close with the Professor, so if you’re worried about Ourr and Ouro, why not take real-time photos to show they’re safe? Or maybe stay in frequent contact with the Professor to provide reassurance?”

She identified the problem and proposed a solution.

“Taking responsibility is good, but from the Professor’s perspective, no matter how much we claim responsibility, it might seem like children’s empty promises.”

Responsibility is important, but its weight varies depending on who takes it.

So her suggestion was to share real-time updates about Ouro and me to gain the Professor’s trust.

Honestly, I didn’t mind either way. It wasn’t difficult for me to contact the Professor one more time.

After what happened before, I wasn’t allowed to go around without the Professor. I was only permitted to move within The Academy, and often under the condition of staying in the Research Building.

If I could set all that aside and go on a hot spring trip with friends, that would be wonderful. I’d probably just contact the Professor to say I was having fun, without thinking about the inconvenience or effort.

“Then I… I’ll be looking forward to it.”

I stared at Sera with my hands clasped as if praying.

Ouro glanced at me and then pulled in her outstretched arms, joining her hands together like mine in prayer.

Sera swallowed with an “ugh” sound and nodded her head with difficulty.

“…Alright, I’ll ask the Professor properly. I’m not sure if it will work out.”

Though she looked troubled, she seemed to think she couldn’t refuse, and I smiled at Sera’s bitter expression.

“Sera is the best!”

“Sera best.”

As I gave her a thumbs up, Ouro also held up both thumbs, placing her hopes in Sera.