Chapter 104 - Because I Don't Want to Cry Later
(1)
After school.
The so-called Watanabe group had gathered around Ishihara-kun.
The reason was a mysterious message that had arrived during the first half of the long weekend.
"I hurt Emi..."
Just what on earth happened...?
Eguchi-san herself was also participating in the gathering.
It seemed Sashihara-san had tried asking Eguchi-san.
"What happened?" she had asked.
But Eguchi-san only smiled brightly and said, "I think it's a bit much to pry into things like that," and wouldn't tell them what had happened.
So, since they were getting nowhere, they had called Ishihara-kun out directly.
Eguchi-san remained silent as always.
Ishihara-kun only looked at Eguchi-san occasionally, remaining silent with his head cast down.
"Isshy, don't just stay quiet, say something! What happened!? Why'd you send a message like that?"
Kiritani-kun, perhaps having lost his patience, was speaking to Ishihara-kun.
"I'm sorry..."
I had heard those words from Ishihara-kun many times today.
"Did you do something you need to apologize for?"
Kanna asked.
"I did something irreparable."
"...It's not something for Isshy to apologize for, you know? I was the one who invited him."
Eguchi-san spoke composedly.
New information had been obtained.
Something irreparable.
Eguchi-san was the one who invited him.
Long weekend.
Hurt.
Did the perceptive people understand?
Watanabe-kun spoke up.
"I see... Isshy. It's not something to worry about that much. Most of the people here have probably done it. You're high schoolers, so it's not strange for that to happen."
Something we're doing too?
Not something to worry about?
"We're still high school students! Besides, Eguchi-san's house is..."
"Isshy! You promised not to talk about that."
"Emi, let's stop keeping secrets now, shall we?"
Airi said to Eguchi-san.
"Isshy, just spill everything at this point. You'll feel better that way..."
Sashihara-san said gently.
Eguchi-san closed her mouth tightly again.
"I don't know what happened with Ishihara-kun and Eguchi-san, but you won't be able to enjoy your meal like this."
When I asked, Eguchi-san answered.
"I'm enjoying my meal just fine. It's just that Isshy is depressed all by himself."
"I-I think it's better if we don't force the question any further. Isshy doesn't seem to want to talk either."
Airi suddenly moved to defend Ishihara-kun.
"True, pursuing it further might not be a good idea," Watanabe-kun agreed.
Then why did we go through the trouble of gathering?
I felt like the only one left behind while everyone else was satisfied.
"If Isshy won't talk, I don't mind speaking myself."
Suddenly, Eguchi-san spoke up.
Isshy was surprised.
I was surprised too.
Everyone else probably was as well.
"Emi, you don't have to force yourself to say it, you know? It's a very delicate matter."
As expected, everyone seemed to have guessed.
But Eguchi-san gave a small chuckle.
"Watanabe-kun said it earlier, didn't he? 'Everyone does it.' If Isshy can't say it, I'll explain, since it seems a few people here don't quite understand."
Eguchi-san was looking at my face.
"But you said you didn't want to earlier," Sashihara-san noted.
"I just didn't want to make my home life too public. But I think it's okay to tell the people here. How about it, Isshy?"
Eguchi-san looked at Ishihara-kun's face.
Ishihara-kun opened his heavy mouth.
"If Emi is going to talk, I'll do it. I think this is the kind of thing a guy should say."
"Hey, you lot, how long are you planning to stay in the classroom? If you have no business here, go home quickly!"
It was the homeroom teacher of the next class.
"Shall we change locations... a fast food place is fine, right?"
Watanabe-kun suggested.
I'd definitely push for a udon shop; it'll be empty if we go now...
Pop
"We're listening to Ishihara-kun's story today, so udon can wait for next time."
It seems Airi has become an esper.
(2)
It was after we had a date at the library.
Emi led me to a station three stops away from the station.
Upon arriving at the station, Emi made a call on her smartphone.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, a black luxury car stopped precisely in front of Eguchi-san.
The driver was a young woman.
She was dressed in a polo shirt and jeans.
The driver got out of the car and opened the rear seat door.
Emi suggested I get in the car, saying, "Please."
As I got into the car as told, Emi got in, and the car started driving.
"Miss, if you had only told me, I would have come to pick you up at the station... even for your daily commute..."
"I hate standing out. Besides, being shaken around on the train isn't so bad, Shinjo."
Miss!?
I couldn't quite swallow the situation currently unfolding.
Emi told me there was a nice place, we moved three stations by train, and now I'm being driven in a black luxury car...
"Emi, if you don't mind, could you tell me where we're going?"
"You'll understand when we arrive..."
Saying that, Emi remained silent.
The destination we arrived at was surrounded by high white walls. It was a giant mansion.
When the woman called Shinjo operated a remote, the gate opened.
After passing through the gate and going another two or three minutes, the car stopped.
An incredibly large house. I wonder if it's about the size of our school's grounds?
"T-this place is..."
"Can't you tell by looking? It's my home."
I was stunned.
Seeing me like that, Shinjo-san said one thing.
"I've been wondering for a while, but is this the person you spoke of previously..."
"That's right, Ishihara Nozomi-kun. Please treat him with utmost hospitality."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Saying that, Shinjo-san looked at me and bowed.
"My apologies for the late greeting. I am Shinjo Erika, serving as the young lady's secretary. I look forward to your acquaintance."
S-secretary!?
"S-secretary, as in that kind of secretary?"
I didn't even understand the meaning of my own question.
"To be precise, I suppose I am the young lady's caretaker."
A secretary at seventeen... is Emi actually an idol or something?
"It's probably completely different from what Isshy is thinking. I have no interest in those things. Let's go."
"Where to?"
"Since you've come to my house, don't you think it's only natural to greet my parents?"
I'm suddenly brought to her house and I have to greet her parents?
I'm not prepared for that at all.
When the door opened, a hall spread out... well, that wasn't quite it.
Rather, an entrance hall spread out that felt like it could fit my entire room.
I took off my shoes, put on the provided slippers, and followed Emi up to the third floor.
The room at the furthest end of the third floor was said to be the room of the master of the house, Emi's father.
Shouting could be heard from inside.
His mood didn't seem very good.
"It seems he's busy. Let's do it later."
Saying that, Emi guided me to her own room.
Wood-grain flooring and furnishings unified in white.
A canopy was installed over the bed.
I was stunned by a scene that looked like something out of a manga.
"Sit wherever. Ah, that's right..."
Having thought of something, she called Shinjo-san on her smartphone.
"Shinjo, please prepare sleepwear for Isshy immediately."
Excuse me?
"Um, Emi. Could it be that I..."
"Feel honored; you're the first person I've let stay over at this house, Isshy."
It was no longer possible to escape.
In such a situation, I was in no state to calmly study.
No, rather, I should probably concentrate on studying.
She said counting prime numbers is good.
After a while, Emi left the room.
I was left alone in a girl's room.
I couldn't settle down.
No, concentrate on studying.
However, a faint floral scent drifted through the air.
I couldn't concentrate.
Eventually, Emi returned.
"It seems he has some free time now. Isshy, follow me."
And so, I came to face Emi's father.
When the heavy-looking door was opened, an oppressive feeling drifted out.
The person sitting in a luxurious chair behind a large desk in the back was Emi's father.
"Father, this is the partner I told you about. Ishihara Nozomi-kun."
Emi faced her father with a resolute attitude.
The brow of the man called Father moved.
"N-nice to meet you... I'm Ishihara."
"Hmm, so you're the one. Nice to meet you. I am Emi's father."
Emi's father had a sturdy build.
The kind you often see in Western movies. Hiding a muscular body under a suit.
Added to that was an intimidating aura lurking beneath a quiet-looking face.
That Father. Has his level maxed out?
"I've heard most of it from my daughter. I hear you chose Emi on a whim."
She said it like that!?
No wonder the gaze looking at me is painful.
I feel like my heart is about to be pierced.
"I-I'm sorry."
My voice was already cracking.
This is bad, I feel like I'm about to be buried in the garden.
Then Emi and her father talked about something.
It didn't enter my ears properly.
"So, how is it? Your impressions after meeting the father?"
Excuse me?
"It was unexpected that Emi would bring a man home, and this is the first time she's dated. I am bewildered. I saw it on TV once, and they said, 'When your daughter brings home a boyfriend, first strangle him'..."
"Father, that's not allowed. His neck bone would break before he suffocates."
"I see, I see. But that's how fathers are."
A dangerous exchange that didn't seem like a conversation between parent and child.
There were cherry blossom trees in this house, but are there actually corpses of men who laid a hand on Emi buried beneath them?
"Ah, Isshy, I forgot to tell you, but my father is a businessman. He's the representative director of a company famous in the local area. He's definitely not a yakuza or anything."
You shouldn't say things like that even if you're thinking it, Emi.
"Hahaha, it hurts Father's feelings when his daughter says things like that."
"Emi!? I heard you brought home a boyfriend!"
A woman joined the parent-child bonding session?
A black suit and a white collared shirt.
Brown hair grown to her shoulders.
"Oh, Yayoi. I was just talking with the boyfriend."
"Mother, you returned home today."
"I received word from Shinjo and flew back home."
Mother glanced at me.
"Hmm, well, he's a serious-looking boy. Though he seems like a boring human being based on that alone."
She says some pretty harsh things.
"That's exactly right, Mother. He's a very unreliable, boring man."
Emi, I'm going to cry.
"Why did you come to like such a man?"
"It's his eyes. His eyes pierced through my appearance and looked at my inside. That's the only reason. That alone is enough."
"I see. I'll trust your eyes. By the way, was it Ishihara-kun? I hear you chose our daughter on a whim? Is there any merit for you in dating our daughter?"
I'm currently struggling for an answer.
Depending on the answer, I really will be buried...
"There is... no merit."
The three of them were surprised by my answer.
Did I mess up?
I really might be buried.
"What do you mean by that, Ishihara-kun?"
The father's aura expanded, and I could even see lightning.
"I've dated Emi-san without thinking about merit, demerit, or profit and loss. It might have been a whim at first, but it's different now. She accepts me as I am. I've never felt this happy."
I said everything I could think of.
Fortunately, it seemed I didn't touch the father's wrath.
The aura weakened slightly.
"You're not just making this up?"
I nodded vigorously.
"He says so, but what do you think, Yayoi?"
"Well, I expected a more cliché answer. But it seems certain that he's a good person, albeit clumsy."
The mother seemed satisfied as well.
"Unlike his appearance, he seems to maintain his own sense of self. However, if he's to become our daughter's husband, he'll need a bit of education."
I wonder what kind of education I'll receive?
"I told him that clearly when I accepted his confession. 'I'll beat some sense into you,' I said."
So she was serious about that...
"Training the husband is also the wife's duty... it seems Emi understands."
"I grew up watching Father and Mother, after all."
"Your eye for people seems to be accurate."
The mother laughed.
The father stood up and grabbed my shoulder.
Uwah, I feel like I'm about to be crushed.
"My daughter... like her mother, has a strong push, but she's not a bad girl. I'm counting on you."
Did you hear the conversation just now?
Was that a conversation that could be summed up as "having a strong push"?
And please stop saying "counting on you" as if we're engaged...
"H-haha... I look forward to it."
That was the best I could do.
"Young lady, I have prepared it."
Shinjo-san said, knocking on the door.
"Good work, leave it in my room."
"Understood."
Shinjo-san departed.
"What did you have Shinjo prepare?"
The mother asked.
"His sleepwear; he's staying over tonight."
You're saying that now!?
Just when we were about to end on a good note.
Look, the father is discharging electricity again.
The father's eyes have at least 10,000 volts.
"Staying over... are you already in that kind of relationship?"
I'm sorry, I'm going home. Also, my shoulder hurts.
Ignoring me as I shook my head desperately, Emi smiled.
"We're about to be."
Ah, I'm heading toward a land of death from here on.
"Dear. They're high schoolers, so that much is natural. He's a bit unreliable for the daughter's first partner. You're a first-timer too, right?"
I'm glad I was inexperienced until now.
If I said, "No, actually we did it when she came to stay over!" I'd definitely be in the dirt.
Come to think of it, Emi had set her lodging as Sashihara-san's house, right?
"Actually, I've stayed at his house before, but his house is a large household and it wasn't a state where I could raise my voice. But I slept in a shirt and underwear, exactly like the manual, and he had no reaction at all. I wonder if I lack charm?"
Why!?
Why are you making that kind of coming-out now!?
My shoulder is about to be crushed. I'm starting to sweat.
"My daughter lacks charm!?"
That's not true, I'm just a chicken.
Ah, I want to go home!
"The room is soundproofed. It has a canopy too, so do it to your heart's content."
Those aren't words a mother should say!?
I feel like I understand Katagiri-kun's struggles a little bit now.
"Dear, he's troubled, isn't he? Leave it at that."
"U-um."
I was released.
"Ishihara-kun? Just as I said. Please take care of our daughter."
Take care of her how exactly?
(3)
After that, we had dinner together and took a bath...
I was surprised when she came into the bath with me.
The bath was also incredibly spacious, but for some reason, she pressed herself against me.
I know that putting a towel in the bathtub is a breach of manners.
So... any healthy boy would understand, right.
Seeing that, Emi smiled with satisfaction.
"Good, so it's not that I lack charm, nor that you're homosexual."
I felt like I was going to faint from the heat.
"But may I ask one thing? Isshy."
"What is it?"
"Doing something like this... you're the only one who has, and the only one who will, from now on."
Please stop making statements like I've already gained a lifelong partner.
We don't know what will happen from here on.
We don't know what will happen...
That's why you eat ramen before it gets cold, right?
"But, why did you suddenly invite me to your house?"
When I asked Emi, she gave an unexpected answer.
"Because I don't want to cry later... maybe?"
"Eh?"
"Instead of sighing in relief that 'today ended safely' every time a day ends, let's try our best without giving up. If we do, a road will open wherever, and it will lead to the future. ...If I put it in your way, I suppose it would be 'eat the ramen before it gets soggy'?"
"It didn't have to be today..."
Then I could have prepared... prepared... ah!
"Sorry, I don't think I can meet Emi's expectations tonight."
I confessed to Emi as she dried her hair after leaving the bath.
"Why? You were standing tall just a moment ago, weren't you?"
Emi stared at me with a moist gaze.
"I'm very honored that you're inviting me, but I didn't prepare any condoms."
Does anyone bring those when they go to the library to study?
I'm not handsome enough to carry them around normally.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Saying that, Emi called Shinjo-san.
"Shinjo, please go buy some condoms now. Not the rubber bands for tying hair. The rubber for Ishihara-kun to use. Eh? Size?"
Emi asked me for my size.
Naturally, there's no way I'd know.
"I don't know, so please just buy all of them."
Shinjo-san bought them and handed them to Emi.
Emi handed them to me.
Today, she wasn't in a shirt and underwear.
She was wearing pajamas.
I was also wearing the provided sleepwear.
For the time being, the two of us were studying.
As it approached the time the day changed, Emi made a move.
"Shall we sleep soon? We have tomorrow too."
I followed dizzily as Emi guided me to the bed.
And then the canopy was lowered...
...But it didn't go that way.
I didn't know how to use the condom.
I hurriedly searched on my smartphone.
I tried desperately to put it on while looking at the smartphone.
Wasting several as I failed.
Perhaps feeling frustrated, Emi said something outrageous.
She grabbed my arm and said smoothly.
"You don't have to put it on anymore!"
No, that's not allowed.
My plea was in vain...
As if that would happen!
I was spared for the day by performing a dogeza while naked.
(4)
"I suspected as much, but you walked the same path as Toya, huh."
Kanna muttered that while drinking orange juice.
Why is my story coming up now?
"Eh!? Katagiri-kun messed up too!? Could it be you're still inexperienced!?"
I don't think that's a line a girl should say loudly, Sashihara-san.
Look, we're becoming the center of attention.
"Ishihara-kun, don't let it get you down. Toya-kun finally managed it on the fourth time."
Airi gently comforted Ishihara-kun.
I wonder about that way of comforting him, though.
"Toya, did you turn Airi's affection into nothing three times?"
Look, Kanna is trying to change the subject.
"Isshy will be able to do it next time... right? Isshy. Come again during the second half of the long weekend."
When Eguchi-san said that, Ishihara-kun's face turned pale.
It must have been quite a terror.
"So, what was that 'I hurt Emi...' thing in the end?"
When I said that, everyone's gaze gathered on me.
Naturally, cold gazes.
"Toya-kun... didn't Toya-kun feel the same way as Ishihara-kun? Do you really not understand?"
Even Airi's tone was cold.
"Well, I don't mind."
Eguchi-san didn't seem to care at all.
"The difference between Katagiri-kun when he's playing sports and when he's not is too extreme."
"Toya is just this kind of guy, Ai..."
Sashihara-san and Kanna were exasperated.
"Toya needs to think a bit more about girls' feelings."
Watanabe-kun said, laughing.
"To think Tosaka-san has been with such a heartless Katagiri all this time..."
When Kiritani-kun said that, she shook her head, saying "No."
"Because Toya-kun seems to notice my feelings. Strangely."
Airi said that and smiled brightly.
Though there are times when he doesn't understand at all.
"Well, now that we've heard the story and feel refreshed, shall we head home? It looks like Toya's stomach is full too."
Watanabe-kun said, seeing that my area was filled with hamburger wrappers.
"Ah! I said only three at first, but when did it become this many!?"
It was while you were absorbed in Ishihara-kun's story.
"I thought I'd let you eat udon for dinner before going home... but now it's off!"
Tell me those things beforehand.
(5)
"Ishihara-kun was unfortunate, wasn't he."
"He'll be able to do it next time..."
"That's true, unlike Toya-kun, it seems he's preparing."
"That's a thorny way of putting it."
Toya-kun is wiping the dishes next to me.
"But in the end, what was that 'hurt' thing?"
He's still saying it...
Do you really not understand?
Hmm...
"If, say, I managed to make a great omurice..."
"?"
"And say Toya-kun had an egg allergy and couldn't eat it... then, if I said I'd remake regular chicken rice from now, what would you think?"
"I'd feel kind of sorry... ah, is that it?"
"Yeah, I thought this would probably be the easiest way for Toya-kun to understand."
"I see~"
Is it easier to understand when compared to food?
"I'd feel sorry for the ingredients too!"
He didn't understand at all.
...On the contrary, I'm starting to get interested.
"Toya-kun, do you remember your first night?"
"Eh?"
If you say you forgot, I'll hit you!
"I-I remember."
It seems suspicious. Well, whatever.
"You were very depressed that you failed back then, but was I there?"
"...Yeah!"
He really is a handful.
"Ishihara-kun is the same, you know? Even though Emi went to the trouble of setting the stage, he couldn't seize the chance. Moreover, he even made her say 'you don't have to put it on.' As a fellow man, what do you think?"
"I see, so that's why it was 'hurt'..."
It seems he finally understood.
"Now, let's take a bath and study!"
"Right... wait, no way."
"I won't let a girl's affection go to waste!"
Toya-kun obeyed quietly today.
While studying, Toya-kun started touching his smartphone, wondering about something.
"What's wrong?"
"Just to Ishihara-kun... there, done!"
"What did you send?"
I peeked at Toya-kun's smartphone screen.
"If you're going to be embarrassed, go big!"
What does that mean?
I tilted my head and looked at Toya-kun's face.
"No one's watching anyway, so it's better to go big than to do it sneakily. You can relax more if you think that way..."
"...I think Emi is watching, though?"
"Eguchi-san properly accepted Ishihara-kun even though he failed, right? Just like Airi accepted me even though I messed up many times."
"Well, that's true..."
"If so, it's obviously better to take a bold step forward. Even if it doesn't work, there's always a next time."
It's a quite irresponsible way of putting it... but I understand what he wants to say.
It was a long road with Toya-kun too.
Rather than spending days only seeking the safety zone, let's live in a way where I can acknowledge myself at the end of the day, saying "I worked hard today too"... I guess.
"Yeah, I understand."
"?"
"Toya-kun says good things occasionally, doesn't he."
"...It's something the coach told me when I was playing soccer."
"And that's why you have that style?"
"Yeah."
Then, please be flamboyantly embarrassed today, okay?
I inserted a DVD I had received from Makoto-kun previously into the player.
"Wait!! It's still study time!!"
"This is studying~ Toya-kun, it's the same pattern every night. You won't change it no matter how much I say."
Then it's faster to show you something else, right?
I wonder why?
When I watch this kind of thing with someone I love, opposite to the feeling of embarrassment...
I looked at Toya-kun's face and appealed with my eyes.
Notice it, Toya-kun.
Toya-kun seemed to notice when he looked at me.
And just like that...