Mute But Not Invisible

Mute but Not Invisible – Volume 1, Chapter 7: The School Trip Gamble

The Announcement

The dreaded moment arrived just before lunch.

"Attention, class!" their homeroom teacher called out, tapping the whiteboard with a marker. "Next week, we'll be going on our annual school trip! The destination has been finalized: a secluded mountain lodge surrounded by nature. This will be a great opportunity for everyone to bond and enjoy some time away from the classroom!"

Yuu Takahashi exhaled slowly. A school trip.

The worst possible environment for someone like him.

No easy escape routes, no silent corners where he could hide, and—worst of all—constant interaction with his classmates.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Rika grinning at him. That wasn't a good sign.

Rika's Favor Looms

Yuu had known it was coming.

After all, he had agreed to owe Rika a favor in exchange for helping distract Mei. And knowing Rika, she wouldn't let him get away with something simple.

At lunch, she slid into the seat beside him, elbowing his ribs lightly. "Sooo, Mute-kun, you ready to hear what I want?"

Yuu sighed, reluctantly flipping open his notebook. "What is it?"

Rika's grin widened. "Simple. You and I are partners for the school trip."

Yuu froze.

Oh no.

He quickly wrote: "No."

"Tch, too bad, you already agreed! And you can't say no." She winked, tapping the table confidently. "I even told the teacher in advance, so it's locked in. We're gonna have so much fun."

Yuu stared at her, equal parts horrified and defeated.

An Unwanted Third Party

As expected, the news of their partnership didn't sit well with everyone.

Specifically, Mei.

"You're paired with her?" Mei's voice was dangerously calm when she confronted Yuu after school.

Yuu nodded slowly, scribbling: "Not my choice."

"You could've refused."

He sighed. "I owed her a favor."

Mei's eyes darkened. "That's not a good enough reason."

Before he could react, she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a near whisper. "I should've claimed that spot first."

Yuu stiffened.

Her fingers brushed against his wrist for a brief moment before she exhaled softly. "I'll let it slide this time. But don't let her get too close."

It wasn't a warning.

It was a promise.

Arrival at the Lodge

A week passed in a blur, and before Yuu knew it, he was stepping off the bus into a picturesque mountain retreat.

Towering trees lined the landscape, and a large wooden lodge stood in the clearing. The air was crisp, cool, and completely isolated from the city.

There were only two problems.

One, Rika had latched onto him like a second shadow, practically vibrating with excitement.

And two, Mei was watching them both very closely.

"Alright, everyone!" their teacher clapped. "Boys and girls will have separate cabins, and partners are expected to help each other with activities throughout the trip. Get along and make some memories!"

Yuu glanced at Rika, who was already smirking. This was going to be a nightmare.

Nightfall and the Unexpected Challenge

After a day of hiking and team-building exercises (which mostly involved Rika forcing Yuu to participate), night finally fell.

Students gathered around a massive bonfire, the warm glow lighting up their faces as they roasted marshmallows and shared ghost stories.

Rika nudged Yuu. "Hey, wanna make this trip more interesting?"

Yuu raised a brow, already regretting whatever she was about to say.

"Let's do a challenge," she continued, eyes sparkling. "If I win, you have to do one thing I say when we get back. No exceptions."

Yuu frowned and wrote: "And if I win?"

Rika grinned. "I'll back off for a whole week. No teasing, no pranks, no forcing you into situations."

For a brief second, Yuu actually considered it.

Then he made the mistake of glancing toward Mei.

She was sitting by the fire, subtly watching him—as if waiting to see what he'd do.

Yuu swallowed hard.

This wasn't just about the school trip anymore.

If he lost, things were going to get much worse.

End of Chapter 7