Graduation dormitory.

A unique tradition of Japanese High Schools.

It usually takes place in the third year, right before the national exams — a "final memory" before every student sprints into adulthood.

Classes or clubs would plan a week-long trip together.

Some schools even turned it into a "training camp" for their sports clubs' last competitions before retirement.

After all, national tournaments often came just two or three months before the final exams.

For many, it was the last, bittersweet chapter of their high school life — a time to confess to long-held crushes, chase long-cherished dreams, or simply leave behind a trace of youth worth bragging about.

Success or failure didn't matter.

They were still young — and that alone was beautiful.

Sobu High School, of course, wouldn't let their students miss such an important memory.

The dorm trip was scheduled for the fifth week of the semester, lasting one week — and it was fast approaching.

Where they would go, however, had to be decided by vote.

Each class could choose freely from a list of destinations:

Hokkaido, Okinawa, Shimizu, Nara, Osaka, Kanagawa, and a few others.

Though the school could easily afford overseas travel, it was deemed impractical. "Even youth," as the saying went, "must consider time and life."

After all, Sobu was one of the nation's top three high schools — academics first, always.

Due to the season, Mount Fuji was excluded — its best time to visit was in April or May when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

"Where does Haru-chan want to go?"

Miss Dango — better known as Yuigahama Yui — tilted her head curiously.

Haruto blinked.

"Dango, huh?"

As expected, she was hanging around the club again instead of practicing tennis.

Since when did this Miss Dango get so comfortable calling him "Haru-chan"?

At this point, she used it like it was his official title.

"It's fine if you don't call me by my given name," Haruto sighed, "but at least make it Haru-kun or Haru-san, okay?"

"I know, I know, Haru-chan~" Yuigahama giggled mischievously. "So, where do you wanna go, Haru-chan?"

Haruto rubbed his temples. Arguing was pointless.

"…Probably Kanagawa," he said at last.

Yuigahama's eyes lit up.

"Oh! Kanagawa sounds great! The weather's getting colder — perfect for hot springs!"

When you thought of Kanagawa, the first image that came to mind was Hakone.

From the world-famous Hakone Ekiden marathon, dream of every runner, to the legendary Hakone Hot Springs, a resort paradise in southwestern Kanagawa Prefecture — it was the ideal choice for a late-autumn trip.

Haruto's pick made perfect sense for the season. If it had been summer, he might've chosen Hokkaido instead.

Though life had kept him busy since his "transfer" to this world,

Haruto had already decided — once he wrapped up his work in the Foundation, he would retire and finally travel everywhere he wanted.

But for now, the best choice was the one that fit the moment.

"Kanagawa, huh…"

A quiet voice beside him murmured.

It was Yukinoshita Yukino.

Though her family lived in Chiba, their ancestral home was actually in Kanagawa — a detail very few people knew.

She hadn't been back there in years.

The mention of it stirred something faintly nostalgic within her.

Coincidentally, Haruto turned his head toward her — and Yukino's composure vanished.

Her gaze met his for just a heartbeat before she quickly turned away, ears reddening as if his eyes burned.

Haruto blinked in mild confusion.

Did I just… accidentally charm her?

"What about you, Megumi? Where would you like to go?"

Haruto turned toward Kato Megumi, who had been quietly listening.

Like Haruto, she often took long absences from school.

As the head of the Memetic Department, she constantly dealt with anomalies, antimemes, and other supernatural oddities most people couldn't even remember.

But lately, she had managed to clear a bit of time — and return to school life, if only temporarily.

"Ah, Megumi! Sorry, I didn't even notice you there!" Yuigahama flailed her arms. "We were talking right next to you, that's so rude of us!"

It really did feel like bullying through sheer obliviousness. Yuigahama's conscience visibly screamed in shame.

Megumi just smiled, soft and unbothered.

She'd grown used to being overlooked — but not by him.

Because Haruto always noticed her.

And that alone made her heart peaceful.

"In my case… Kanagawa as well," Megumi said simply.

Haruto pointed at himself. "Wait, is that because of me?"

Megumi nodded without hesitation — no shyness, no pause.

"I don't really mind the destination. As long as I'm with Haruto, I'll enjoy it."

Her calm tone carried the kind of weight that could melt any boy's defenses.

She was the kind of girl who could sincerely say:

'If you like it, then I want to try it too.'

Gentle, steadfast, and frighteningly sincere.

"Megumi," Haruto said, completely serious, "please marry me."

"Eh!?"

Yuigahama almost choked on air.

Megumi just smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Please say that again, Haruto-kun — one year and three months from now, when you're legally allowed to marry."

Her voice was calm, but her eyes shone.

It was a promise — one she'd definitely keep.

"Y-you two…"

Yuigahama clutched her chest dramatically.

"I'm gonna die from all this school romance! It's too sweet!"

She made a strangled noise, somewhere between a scream and a squeal, right as the classroom door slammed open.

"Everyone, sit down."

Hiratsuka Shizuka strode in, slapped her lesson plan onto the desk, and scanned the room.

The chaos evaporated instantly.

Her sharp gaze swept over the class — and lingered briefly on Haruto.

"I won't waste time. Next week's the graduation camp. Today, you'll finalize your dormitory destination."

She picked up a piece of chalk and began writing names of prefectures across the blackboard.

"Discuss during self-study and submit your votes by first period."

The room erupted into cheers again.

So much for silence.

"Haruto-kun, you're voting Kanagawa, right?"

Vignette walked up with a warm smile.

"Yeah," Haruto nodded.

He hadn't tried to convince anyone — but somehow, everyone seemed to be following his lead. Within minutes, it felt like the class had already collectively decided.

"…What about Gabriel?" Haruto asked curiously. "Which destination did she pick?"

Vignette's expression twitched.

"Ah… well…"

As if summoned, Gabriel herself trudged over, holding a drink in one hand.

"I'm voting Akihabara," she declared flatly.

"Traveling is pointless. If I have to go somewhere, I might as well buy limited-edition game discs."

Her voice dropped into a dramatic grumble.

"Too many people in scenic spots anyway. Maybe if half of humanity disappeared, it'd be quieter."

Vignette's smile froze.

Haruto sighed.

"Vignette, let's exorcise this fallen angel."

"Agreed," she said sweetly — smiling like a true devil for once.

Gabriel flailed immediately.

"I-I'm kidding! It was a joke! A joke!!"

Though, considering she once literally blew a trumpet to start the apocalypse over a crowded sale, no one quite believed her.

"Just saying, if she did clean up humanity…" Haruto muttered, "…at least it'd make traffic better."

"Haruto-kun!" Vignette protested.

Gabriel wailed.

"Why are you both ganging up on me!?"

By the time morning self-study ended, the decision was made. Even without campaigning, Haruto's choice had swept the votes.

The class's graduation dormitory trip would be in Kanagawa.

And honestly — what better way to end high school life than with a hot spring under the autumn sky?