After seeing his biological mother off, Arisukawa returned home alone, quickly packed his travel belongings, put them simply into a small bag, and agreed to meet Keisuke Aoi downstairs.
Because they were going to climb a mountain, they didn't bring much.
When Aoi Keisuke came downstairs, the girl was already waiting in the hall. When she saw him, she couldn't wait to wave to him enthusiastically - she was still immersed in the rare sense of accomplishment of defeating Mrs. Arisugawa.
Aoi Keisuke smiled and waved in response. When he walked to the girl, he asked how he successfully deceived Mrs. Arisugawa.
"I gave my mother some advice and asked her to show up suddenly to give my aunt a surprise."
Arisukawa's face was a little proud, but also a little shy. He felt that he had just missed the mark and would turn into a bad boy if he went too far.
Qing Keisuke gave her a thumbs up - wishing Mrs. Arisukawa a happy trip to Kyoto.
"Let's go."
The two took a taxi next to the community, and their destination was the express bus station that leads directly to the fifth station of Mount Fuji.
By express bus, they will directly reach the mountainside of Mount Fuji and start climbing from the fifth station of the Fuji Subaru Line, which is also the starting point of the Yoshida Route.
The original Yoshida route actually started from Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine at the foot of Mount Fuji. However, it would take a lot of climbing time, so now most of the routes start from halfway up the mountain.
Even if you start climbing from the mountainside, it will take at least 6 hours to actually reach the top.
As for Kamagawakan, where Aoi Keisuke plans to stay, it is located at the seventh station, at an altitude of 2,790 meters, and it takes about 1 to 2 hours to get there.
For beginners, you can choose to stay here overnight and then get up at around five o'clock in the morning.
After that, you can continue to climb the mountain while watching the changes in light and shadow caused by the height change during the sunrise.
For intermediate and advanced climbers, they can take a full rest and, after adapting to the high altitude, set off at about 1 a.m. to climb to the top in the dark and wait for the sunrise.
Further up to the eighth station is the hotel "Taikokan", which is about 3100 meters above sea level, but the accommodation space is small.
The highest "Olaikokan" is located between the eighth and ninth stations, at an altitude of 3,450 meters. It is only equipped with basic blankets and pillows. All mountaineers sleeping in the hotel sleep together in the Odori bunkhouse.
Sleeping here for one night starts at 11,000 yen.
Aoi Keisuke and Arisugawa had a simple Western meal near the station - burgers, French fries and Coke.
During the meal, Aoi Keisuke briefly explained her itinerary, and Arisukawa had no objection at all. She was smiling so much that Aoi Keisuke could not guess her true mood.
Like it or don't like it?
Qing Keisuke guessed that he liked it.
After eating, the two bought tickets and waited at the station for more than ten minutes. They soon found their train.
After getting on the express bus, the two of them found their corresponding seats, located in the middle section of the bus.
Aoi Keisuke gave up his seat by the window to Arisugawa and sat on the side of the aisle.
Arisukawa glanced at him secretly, pursed his lips and smiled, without saying anything else.
Their trip would take more than two hours by bus alone, and it would be about three o'clock when they arrived halfway up Mount Fuji.
But the advantage is that the bus will pass by famous scenic spots around Mount Fuji, such as Lake Kawaguchi and Fuji-Q Highland, so you can briefly enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Especially near Lake Kawaguchi, it is known as one of the best places to view Mount Fuji.
"Arisukawa, although I asked a little late, will you get sick on the bus?"
"No, Qinggui-kun."
Arisukawa sits in a dignified posture, with his legs together and his knees slightly sideways towards Aoi Keisuke.
With a gentle smile on her face, she said, "I used to take this kind of bus when I was on a school trip."
"Study trip?"
Qing Keisuke tried to recall his memories, but he didn't seem to be deeply touched by these four words, so he gave up his efforts.
——Let’s forget about the past.
"What interesting things happened when Arisukawa was studying?" he asked.
"Um……"
Arisukawa pondered, and Aoi Keisuke looked at her eyebrows. The girl's soft willow-leaf eyebrows were slightly frowned, but they didn't look troubled. Her peach blossom eyes were narrowed, but they didn't look mean. Instead, she looked more cute and cute.
"Ah, if it has something to do with riding a car, I thought of something."
Arisukawa didn't notice Aoi Keisuke's gaze, and the thoughts between her brows and eyes were suddenly occupied by a smile. She said: "Aoi Keisuke may not know that Yuki can easily get motion sickness when riding a bus like this. One time when she was studying, she vomited so much that the class
All the girls are taking care of her.
So, after she regained consciousness, she called all the girls taking care of her mom."
"It's indeed morning!"
Qing Keisuke sighed sincerely, but turned around and immediately added: "But the one she shouts the most must be Arisukawa's mother."
"What!"
Arisukawa was so ashamed of the nickname Aoi Keisuke that she angrily hit Aoi Keisuke on the arm with her fist, causing her ears to turn red.
"I'm not, Mom!"
Qing Keisuke ignored her explanation: "Huh? Arisukawa, your face is so red."
"ah!"
Upon hearing this, Arisukawa immediately covered his face and let out a whimpering sound like a bamboo rat.
Qing Keisuke took out his mobile phone and took a photo for her with a click.
"Is Arisukawa thinking of something strange?"
"No!"
"But the ears are also very red."
Arisukawa spread out two fingers to cover his white and delicate ears.
She repeated: "No!"
Then, she heard the boy's happy chuckle. At this moment, she felt Qing Keisuke's laughter like an electric current running through her body, making her unable to control herself and making her heart beat faster.
"Ah, ah..."
"I'm so shy, but why do I feel happy when I hear Qinggui-kun's laughter?"
"Arisukawa, you are really... shameless."
"I'm not looking at you right now." Qing Keisuke said with a chuckle: "I'm looking at the driver. He is a middle-aged man about forty years old, bald, wearing a striped cultural shirt."
Arisukawa ignored him, but her eyes sneaked past her fingers. First she looked out the window. She saw the passengers waiting in line to get on the bus. Then she looked at the front of the bus. The driver was indeed as described by Keisuke Aoi.
But when she quietly moved her gaze to Qing Keisuke, she found that the boy's bright eyes seemed to have never left her face.
"ah!"
She exclaimed in her heart.
There was a little tenderness in Qing Keisuke's eyes, but it was undoubtedly more of teasing, ridicule and some kind of emotion that she didn't dare to admit.
Let her fall into the bottom of shyness.
——The eyes are indeed the windows to the soul.
She couldn't imagine what emotion would be conveyed in her eyes if she put down her hands.
Can she hide her feelings?
During these two days and one night?
It seems difficult...
She has no confidence in herself anymore.
"Qinggui-kun, bad guy!"
She closed her fingers quickly and didn't dare to open them again.
Waiting until she heard a roar, the vehicle vibrated slightly.
That's when the engine starts, the diesel fuel is injected into the cylinder, and is fully ignited, bursting out with heat and thrust.
With the agreement between the boy and the girl, they set off slowly.