Track 1

And so, the results of the raffle say that our next study pair will be Liguang and Muneuji, going to Australia.

(So my turn has finally arrived. With a senpai I hold in such high regard, no less.)

Lu-senpai, you have my regards for your guidance on this study tour.

Right.

(I was wondering what I'd do if I got paired with some idiot or brat, but it looks like I avoided the short end of the stick. Kaguya likely won't cause much trouble.)

Australia's pretty big, seems like there's lots of things to check out.

Everyone’s heard about its World Heritage Sites like Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef at least once—and its wildlife tourism is second to none.

Yeah, yeah. It'd be great to learn about the Aboriginal cultures there too, or have a tour of the architecture in the city!

Putting together an itinerary that'll make the trip meaningful for you two specifically might be fun too.

What do Muneuji and Lu-san have in common… Is there anything other than being senior and junior in the Student Council?

Right, reconciling that point will likely be important. With that in mind, I'm already looking forward to planning the trip.

That said, there are many areas where transportation is inconvenient. Should any issues turn up while planning your itinerary, please, do consult me any time.

You have my gratitude. However, this isn't a simple trip—it's a study trip. I want to handle it with my own ability as much as possible.

And so, Lu-senpai. Once I have completed my research on Australia, I'd like to consult you on our observation locations. Would you mind allowing me a few days?

Not at all. I'll be doing my own research as well.

Alright, I'll send you some potential meeting dates. Be sure to let me know if you happen to be busy on any of them.

I don't think we should have to worry about sending these two off.

You can say that again. Muneuji-kun's very well put together, and I'd never even think to worry about Liguang-san!

…

(I had Sojun do the preliminary investigation, but the results are quite biased. Why is there so much emphasis on the animals there…?)

(Koalas, kangaroos, wombats. Everywhere I look… hm?)

…!?

(What on earth, this animal is…—)

Ah, Onii-chan, you're still here? I thought you'd headed back to the dorms.

I'll be staying here tonight.

Are those documents for work?

Oh, a koala! So cute~! Are you getting into them lately, Onii-chan?

What kind of conclusion is that?

I'll be going to Australia for a study trip as part of my role as a Ward Mayor. I had Sojun compile this data to help decide where to observe.

Oh wow, sounds fun! I'll help you pick.

No need.

Did'ya hear about this place? It's been trending on dazzle lately, you get to feed kangaroos!

And if you go on a wildlife tour, you HAVE to take lots of animal pics! …Ah, want me to show you some neat camera settings?

No need.

And I'd just LOVE if you could grab me a souvenir or two from—

No ne… Oi, didn't you say you'd help select observation spots? That last one's just a request.

Well, if I'm gonna help, the least you could do is buy me something while you're there!

(Splitting hairs when she's the one poking her nose in like this… Good grief…)

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet here today, Lu-senpai. Let's dive right in and start planning our itinerary.

As you have seniority, I'll hear out your opinions first.

Before that. I hadn't asked, but have you ever been to Australia before?

No, this will be my first time.

I went there on a school trip with Asu High.

Then by all means, I'd love to hear about your experiences from back then.

We went around the typical spots, but even those showed a unique array of nature in the ecosystem… and I gained a deeper understanding on living creatures.

How do you feel about going to see Australian wildlife that can't be found in JPN?

I had the same idea, actually. Though I got it from consulting the others in the Noon Team and Karigane-sensei¹…

No matter where you ask, it seems the charm of Australia lies in meeting unique animals.

I was also thinking we could learn more about the wildlife tourism and conservation that Oguro-san mentioned.

…Any animals in particular?

Huh?

Australia is a large place. The animals change depending on location.

Visiting a zoo or something similar would allow us to see a great number at once—

However, I'd rather observe them in their natural habitat if possible.

That's a good point…! Though it may be typical, I really would like to spot a koala or kangaroo myself.

And… um…

? Do you have something to say?

Ah, no… …… In addition to land animals, I've heard the marine life is also quite the sight, so I'm interested in that too.

We'll travel south, then. There should be plenty to see in the Antarctic Ocean.

Um… Lu-senpai, do you have any animals you want to meet more than others?

More than others…

(There's that animal from the data Sojun prepared…)

(I want to mee- to see some, but its habitat is quite small. Traveling there would raise complications.)

…Not in particular.

I… see.

…

Moving on, what should we do about urban tourism?

Looking at a major city is certainly a must.

…Well, it is a trip for training. We can't fill the entire schedule with animals.

In terms of major cities, it would have to be Sydney. If we schedule it for the final day, we can get around without exerting ourselves and return easily as well.

…

(Sydney is on the south-east… The complete opposite of where that animal resides.)

(Starting south and moving east would make meeting it completely impossible…)

Oi, what is it. Speak up if there's something you want to do.

—Ah! No, excuse me. Let's start finalising our schedule.

(If Lu-senpai were to mention that animal himself—then we could discuss including it in the itinerary, even if we had to force it…)

(But if I'm the only one who wants to, I'll leave it. This trip is for both of us, not just me.)

…

Liguang-san, Muneuji-kun. Have you made sure you've got everything?

I packed with plenty of time to spare, and my final checks turned up no issues.

We can get anything we miss when we're there.

Please do take care on your travels, you two. Nothing is more formidable than Mother Nature herself!

Seriously, watch out, Muneuji! I've heard kangaroos are crazy boxers!!

…I don't… think, he's going, to fight… a, kangaroo…

I mean, with Lu-san there, I think it'd go fine.

For real? Can Liguang-san beat a kangaroo!?

Hey, can you stop being idiots now? I'm getting some major secondhand embarrassment here.

…Take care of yourself, Muneuji. The temperature difference between morning and evening is pretty drastic there apparently.

Right, you mentioned as much last night too. I've made sure to pack my haori, so no need to fret.

…Kamina, I'll be relying on you while I'm away.

Of course. Your rabbits are safe with me.

Oh my, looks like the taxi has arrived.

Alright, you two—have a nice trip!

Right, let's get going.

Goodbye for now.