Chapter 100 - Encounter
(１)
"Good morning, Toya-kun~♪"
Airi's voice is bouncy.
I wonder what's up?
"If you don't wake up... I'll do it!"
That would be troublesome.
I open my eyes.
Then, Airi's face spreads out before my eyes.
My heart skipped a beat.
Even though it's something we've done many times.
I'm still not used to it.
I close my eyes once more.
A warm sensation felt on my lips.
"...It's okay."
I don't know what is 'okay,' but I open my eyelids again.
Airi's face was further away than before.
I slowly push myself up.
"Go on ahead."
"Before that... here!"
What she handed me were handmade chocolates.
Ah, that's right.
Today is February 14th.
"Thank you."
Airi smiles brightly.
"Well, I'll go on ahead then."
Saying that, Airi leaves the room.
(２)
The classroom was also wrapped in a Valentine's mood.
Girls are giving chocolates to their respective loved ones.
Amidst that, I, having received mine a step ahead, am lying face-down on my desk sleeping.
Then, Ishihara-kun called out to me.
"Katagiri-kun, do you have a moment later?"
"Eh?"
"There's something I want to consult you about..."
I wonder what it is?
During the lunch break, while eating with Airi and the others, I stand up saying, "Ishihara-kun called me out for a bit."
"By Ishihara-kun...?"
She makes a puzzled face.
"What's with you, did you get bored of Airi and run off to a man?"
Kanna says unnecessary things...
"Is that true!? Did you get bored of me!?"
No way that's true.
"He said he has something to consult me about, so I'm going."
Saying that, I left the classroom.
When I arrived at the meeting place, Ishihara-kun was waiting.
"What's the consultation?"
"Actually, I got chocolates from Emi..."
Heh, good for you.
"I wonder what would be good for a return gift? I heard about a 'three-fold return,' but what is three times the amount of handmade chocolates? I was wondering..."
Ah, that kind of consultation.
Why ask me for that kind of advice?
"I thought you'd be used to this, Katagiri-kun."
That's not the case.
I'm always making Airi angry.
Ah, Makoto mentioned something.
"Maybe inspiration?"
"Inspiration?"
"I think you should just buy something that makes you think, 'This is it!' while thinking about Eguchi-san. I think she'll probably be happy."
"If I had inspiration, I wouldn't be struggling."
"There's still a month left, so you should think about it carefully. Surprisingly, it often just pops out when you're not thinking about anything."
"By the way, Katagiri-kun, what do you intend to give as a return?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"I see..."
"Think about it carefully; it might be good to look it up on the internet."
"Looking it up on the internet is one way, but isn't it better to worry and think about it?"
The ones who said that and arrived were Kanna and Airi.
They followed me again.
"Just the fact that the guy she truly loves worried and bought something is enough to make her happy. I'm sure Emi is the same, right?"
Airi adds.
"B-but the price and such..."
"Price and stuff don't matter. Just the fact that you chose it makes her happy. If you're really worried, why not attach a message?"
"I see... thank you."
After giving his thanks, Ishihara-kun departed.
"So, why are you and Airi here?"
"T-that's because Kanna..."
"It wasn't something bad to ask, so it's fine, right?"
Kanna shows no sign of remorse.
"The biggest mistake was consulting Toya. As expected, he was blowing useless things into his head."
"Even girls look things up on the internet these days. You can't just run down the easy path."
I was criticized by both of them.
I messed up.
I was planning to look it up on the internet and buy it, but I feel like my path has been blocked.
"That aside, I have a favor to ask Toya."
"What is it?"
"I want you to accompany me for a bit on the way home today."
"Accompany... ah, I see."
He wants me to go with him to Ida High... isn't that dangerous?
"Is it okay for Makoto to be seen with me?"
"Makoto isn't that narrow-minded of a guy."
That carelessness would lead to a major incident.
(３)
In front of Ida High.
Kanna is sending a message to Makoto.
Before long, Makoto appeared.
As expected, he wears a suspicious expression upon seeing me.
"Why is Toya with you?"
"A few things happened, more importantly, I brought the chocolates."
"What do you mean 'a few things'?"
Makoto's mood is bad today.
"It's nothing big, more importantly..."
He brushed away the paper bag containing chocolates that Kanna held out.
The chocolates roll along the roadside.
"What are you doing!"
"How can I be happy and accept chocolates after seeing you all lovey-dovey with Toya!"
"Calm down, Makoto. There's a reason for this..."
"Toya, shut up!"
It seems I've offended Kanna's mood as well.
...Is she hurt?
Tears are welling up in Kanna's eyes.
"I thought it would be okay with you... but it seems I was wrong."
"A-ah... Kanna."
Makoto, who seems to have noticed Kanna's change, calls out to her in surprise, but it is already too late.
"Toya... I'm going home."
"Kanna, wait a second!"
I call out to stop Kanna.
"...I'm not trusted at all, am I."
Saying that, Kanna left the scene.
I pick up the fallen chocolates and, with Makoto standing frozen behind me, I chase after Kanna.
"...Maybe you should have told him after all?"
"...Even if I did, he wouldn't believe me."
The notification sound for messages on Kanna's smartphone hasn't stopped for a while.
"You could at least listen to his excuse."
"..."
Kanna's mouth remains closed.
Eventually, we arrived at Kanna's house.
After confirming no one is around, I wait for Kanna to enter the house.
But she doesn't try to enter for a long time.
"...It's the opposite of that time."
That time? Ah, the time of the first-year general athletic meet opening ceremony...
"Maybe I should have talked, just as Toya said. But I couldn't think of a good excuse."
"It would be better to tell the truth... He might keep stalking you from now on, right?"
"But, right now I wanted to let him devote himself to soccer..."
"If that's the case, you have no choice but to talk. The current him doesn't have the luxury to concentrate on soccer. If it were me, I'm sure that's how it would be."
Because he made the person he loves cry.
"...Maybe. I'll tell the truth."
Saying that, Kanna operates her smartphone.
"Toya, could you stay too? The blood might rush to my head again."
"That's fine, but wouldn't it be better to go inside the house? It's already dark..."
"Kanna? Who is that man?"
An unknown man's voice is heard.
A somewhat adult voice.
Kanna's body stiffened upon hearing that voice.
She mutters as if groaning.
"Shitty... geezer..."
Kanna's expression changes from fear to anger.
"What the hell did you come here for, you shitty geezer!!"
Kanna screams.
"What do you mean 'what'? Is there a bad reason to come see my daughter? More importantly, who is that man? Your lover... that guy called Makoto?"
"You're mistaken, you have the wrong person," is not the time to be saying that, right?
"Kanna, get in the house!"
I hurriedly unlock the door and open it.
"Wait, Kanna!"
I step in between the man, who tries to approach Kanna in a panic, and Kanna.
"Don't get in my way!"
The man body-slams me.
Something is hot in my abdomen.
A heavy, dull pain.
I place my hand on my abdomen.
Something sticky is attached.
Illuminated by the light, I realize it is a red liquid.
Strength drains from my entire body.
My knees buckle and I collapse.
"Toya!!"
Kanna calls me.
Replying is a bit difficult, I think.
My voice doesn't come out well.
The man tried to grab Kanna's arm, perhaps.
"Now, Kanna. It's about time you joined the adults, isn't it?"
At that moment, someone suddenly leaps out, knocks the blade from the man's hand, and pins his arms behind his back.
"Makoto!?"
"The talk comes later! Kanna! An ambulance and the police!"
Kanna, as told, is calling the ambulance and the police.
My consciousness cut off there.
Ah, tomorrow's anniversary is off, then...
I was standing on the banks of the Sanzu River.
On the opposite shore, my grandfather is standing and beckoning.
I wander across the river.
Ah, do I need money to cross the river?
But I'm not riding a boat, so it's fine, right?
The water is not cold, despite it being February.
The bottom is shallow.
Ah, there were no demons at the riverbed of coins.
At that moment, someone grabs me from behind.
There, my stomach... the wound hurts...?
Wait, doesn't it hurt?
Did it heal?
"You can't go! There's no ramen, curry rice, or monjayaki over there!"
I wonder if there's food in the afterlife?
I try searching with my smartphone.
Apparently, there is no hunger in the afterlife.
I don't get hungry.
But I want the pleasure of eating.
Since I died saving Kanna, I can go to heaven, right?
I want a heaven with delicious food~.
"I'll let you eat as much food as you want, so don't die!"
That woman clings to me desperately and won't let go.
"Then, I want to eat authentic Sanuki udon..."
"Toya-kun!?"
A dull pain appears in my abdomen.
My consciousness returned.
(４)
Slap!
I was hit by Airi and Makoto.
"Why didn't you tell me!!" Makoto is angry.
"If Toya-kun died, I would absolutely never forgive Kanna!!" Airi is screaming and crying.
I was crying too.
If it came to this, I should have told the police.
Why didn't I consult Makoto?
Toya's consciousness doesn't return.
Toya's parents are pale.
My mother is also bowing her head to Toya's parents.
"Kanna, since it's come to this, tell us everything! There's no point in hiding it anymore, right?"
But, I'm too scared to speak.
"Shall I speak for her?" Airi asks.
I steeled my resolve and spoke.
The story from when I was in Tokyo.
My father and mother's relationship was bad.
Father was laid off, didn't have a steady job, and lived a life as a drunkard.
It was when I was in the first year of middle school.
I was pinned down by my drunken father.
"You're an adult now too, aren't you?" he said...
Father stripped the clothes off me, who was trembling in fear and unable to move.
Mother, who found the scene, pulled Father away from me.
Since then, I have never been in the same room as Father.
Mother also proceeded with the divorce procedures early.
However, I heard recently that Father had come to my hometown.
I don't know how he looked up Mother's phone number.
Apparently, he heard about my phone from Yukari.
And he hired a detective to find my house, found out I had a boyfriend, and apparently took action.
Mother told me not to answer calls from unknown numbers! And if that shitty geezer comes to the house, to lock the doors and absolutely not come out.
Even now, I remember that disgusting face.
When I remember it, I can't stop shaking.
The shitty geezer is currently being interrogated by the police.
Because the charge of injury was added to the Anti-Stalking Act, it is said that a prison sentence is unavoidable.
"I've truly caused so much trouble for Katagiri-san's son."
My mother is apologizing profusely.
"I'm sorry."
When I say that, Airi yells at me with a terrible intensity.
"Toya-kun won't come back just because you say you're sorry! Give Toya-kun back!"
Saying that, Airi clings to me and screams and cries.
I'm sorry, Airi.
"Um, please don't make a scene in the hospital room. It's already lights-out time."
The nurse said apologetically.
"I'm sorry."
"Please let me know when he regains consciousness. The wound seemed shallow. It should heal in two or three weeks."
The doctor came in and explained.
Then, it seems Toya's consciousness returned.
"Uun..."
Toya was groaning.
"Toya-kun!? It's me. It's Airi!? I'll treat you to a big meal, so open your eyes."
Airi calls out to Toya.
Then Toya responds.
"...I want to eat authentic Sanuki udon."
Everyone falls silent.
And then they burst into laughter.
"Toya... udon even after suffering a serious injury?" Makoto says.
"It's just like Toya-kun, he's okay now," Airi says.
"Airi-chan, Makoto-kun, and Kanna-chan all have work tomorrow, right? Go home for today and come back tomorrow if you can."
"But..." Airi hesitates.
"If Tosaka-san doesn't go to school because of Toya, Toya will feel responsible. Same for me and Kanna."
When Makoto says that, Airi looked like she wanted to say something, but she nodded obediently.
And so, we leave the hospital room.
"Makoto, Airi... I'm really sorry."
"He regained consciousness, so it's okay," Airi says.
"Let's have no more secrets. I was shocked that you told Toya before me."
"Come to think of it, Makoto, why were you at that place?"
"I just happened to encounter that scene when I went to her house thinking I'd meet and talk properly."
Saying that, Makoto hits my head.
"Well, shall we go home?"
Saying that, the three of them head home.
"Kanna, sorry for getting emotional earlier."
"No, it's fine... I was the one who was wrong."
In the end, Toya and I are the same in that we hurt each other.
"Tosaka-san understands Kanna's feelings too," Makoto says.
"Yeah..."
(５)
The wound was apparently shallow, and there was apparently no damage to the internal organs.
Just in case, I underwent tests and spent some time in hospital life.
I had heard hospital food was tasteless, but it really is tasteless.
It has no flavor.
So, I tried to have my mother buy me snacks or cup noodles, but I got scolded.
It's unreasonable...
Around the time school ended that day, Airi and Kanna came to visit.
Usually, Kanna would have made a light remark like 'Ossu,' but today she is unusually quiet.
"Toya-kun, are you okay?"
"For now, I want to eat something."
"If you have that much energy, you're okay."
Airi smiles brightly.
There are dark circles under her eyes.
She couldn't sleep, could she.
"Sorry for making you worry, okay? What day is it today?"
"It's February 15th..."
"It turned into quite the anniversary."
"Just the fact that you're alive was enough."
Airi says that and smiles.
She had heard about what happened after I was stabbed.
Kanna called the ambulance and the police. Makoto didn't let go of Kanna's father while pinning his arms behind his back.
Since I didn't regain consciousness, my parents were called, and Kanna contacted Airi, so it apparently became a huge commotion.
It is said that it will take two or three weeks until discharge.
It seems I'll have to take make-up exams for the year-end finals.
"Toya... sorry."
Kanna said.
Is she crying?
"I'm glad Kanna is safe."
"Who cares about me? Think only about yourself right now."
"Don't say you don't care, Makoto will be sad."
"Even so, if something had happened to you, I would be hated by Airi for the rest of my life."
"Kanna, I'm sorry... I panicked and I don't remember well what I said..."
Airi apologizes to Kanna.
Kanna stands up from her seat.
"Well, I'm going home for today."
"Kanna, are you leaving already?"
Airi asks.
"Today is your anniversary, right... at least talk just the two of you. I have questioning and such, too."
Saying that, she left the hospital room.
Airi and I see her off.
"Don't be reckless anymore."
Airi mutters softly.
"When it comes to Kanna, Toya-kun has a tendency to not think about the consequences."
"I do the same when it's Airi."
"Really? ...I said don't be reckless! I was worried you might actually die."
This is bad. Airi looks like she's about to start crying.
I hug Airi.
"I know. Sorry for making you worry."
"Yeah..."
After that, my mother came and brought a change of clothes and various preparations.
Airi stays in the hospital room until visiting hours end.
"I'll come again tomorrow."
Saying that, she went home.
Even after she left, messages keep flying in.
"You don't have to worry, so Airi, get some good rest too. You'll break your health."
"I can't sleep, I'm scared that Toya-kun's condition might suddenly change."
"The doctor says I'm okay now, so I'm probably okay."
"Yeah, don't overdo it. You're not allowed to buy and eat snacks on the go!"
Airi warns me.
I was thinking of going to the Convenience Store when there was a gap.
"I get it. Well, good night."
"Good night... Ah! From tomorrow, I'll take notes on the test range, so let's study together."
"I get it..."
Studying even while hospitalized?
When I go to school, it'll probably be a huge commotion.
Though it seems they've already made a commotion before that.
If possible, so that Kanna isn't hurt...
Because I will eliminate any impossible absurdity, just enough so that the you in front of me can live through tomorrow.