Chapter 116 - Drive!
(１)
"Are you really going to be okay?"
I tightened my seatbelt and spoke to Makoto, who was sitting next to me.
"I told you, I'm fine! Even if I scratch the new car, I'll protect you, Kanna."
Makoto gripped the steering wheel with one hand and shifted the gear into drive.
The red domestic hatchback sedan began to move.
I was frightened at first, but just as Makoto said, it drove steadily.
A few hours ago.
"Kanna, look, I got my license!"
"Oh, congratulations."
On New Year's Eve, while watching a comedy show, we were having that conversation.
"Actually, I've already bought a car."
Apparently, it was bought for him as a celebration for passing the university entrance exams.
Apparently, it's a sports-type sedan.
"I've already been coming here in the car."
"You found a place to park?"
"It's street parking, but I'm not stopping for that long, so it should be fine."
I see, so he's not staying for very long.
I feel a little lonely.
"So, when this is over, want to go see the first sunrise? I know a great spot."
"Huh?"
"It's a highway service area, but I heard it's incredibly good."
"The highway!? With Makoto driving!?"
"It's fine, the highway training was a breeze, and since I'm taking Kanna, I'll drive safely."
And that is why we set out to see the first sunrise.
Before getting on the highway, we stopped at a convenience store to buy drinks to stay awake, gum to stay awake, food, and energy drinks to stay awake, then entered the highway from the interchange.
"Aren't you sleepy?"
"Maybe it's what they call a natural high? I'm not sleepy at all."
Isn't that kind of dangerous?
In a panic, I took out the gum from the case and popped it into Makoto's mouth.
"I'm so happy to have Kanna do something like that for me."
After about thirty minutes, we arrived at the service area.
It was crowded and we were made to wait a long time to park, but once I found a space, he quickly backed into it.
People say that seeing someone reverse-park makes your heart skip a beat, and that was exactly the case.
Once the car was parked, he stopped the engine... no, he didn't?
"There's still time until sunrise. Why don't you lie down for a bit?"
"If that's the case, you should be the one lying down, Makoto. You're tired from driving, right?"
"I guess... in that case..."
Makoto set an alert on his smartphone and fell asleep.
I was too nervous to sleep.
A car date...
I felt like I had climbed a step on the stairs to adulthood.
Makoto has become an adult too.
"It was a dream."
"?"
Makoto, who was supposed to be asleep, said that.
"I decided that once I got my license and bought a car, the first place I'd go was somewhere with Kanna."
"I see, thank you."
Before I could get a reply, Makoto had fallen back asleep.
Pi-pi-pi-pi...
Makoto's alarm went off.
"Let's head outside soon."
A large number of visitors had come to the service area's observation deck to see the sunrise.
The sun gradually appeared from the horizon.
I captured it in a photo with my smartphone.
"Actually, this was my first time driving with someone else in the car."
"!?"
Was I caught up in such a dangerous act?
"I mean, it's better if the first person to sit next to me is my girlfriend. Oh, I did practice on my own properly!"
Makoto hurriedly made excuses.
"Well, I don't mind. But be careful not to have an accident. You could get someone caught up in it."
"Yeah, thanks for worrying about me."
"Shall we head back soon?"
"Yeah, on the way back I want to get off at Hayami, then go down to Route 10 and drive on the local roads."
"I'll leave it to the driver."
"Well, shall we go?"
The car started moving.
After driving for a while on Route 10, I understood exactly why Makoto said he wanted to drive here.
The coastline is very beautiful.
Especially from around where we passed the aquarium.
"A date like this is nice once in a while, right?"
"I feel like I'm just going to spend the rest of the New Year's holiday sleeping, though."
"Ugh..."
"You can come and relax at my place."
"Thanks."
We headed straight for the house.
(２)
Even though it's the first three days of the year, there's no time to rest.
There's a mock exam on the 3rd.
We exchanged "Happy New Year" greetings across the table and began studying.
Kanna didn't come.
She's probably studying at home or working her part-time job.
"Kanna has it rough, doesn't she?"
I thought Airi was right.
Just then, the notification sound for a smartphone message rang.
It seemed Airi got one too.
We checked our smartphones together.
It was a photo of the first sunrise.
After that, a call came into my smartphone.
It was from Kanna. I answered the phone.
"Airi is with you, right? Want to go for a New Year's visit to a shrine after the mock exam? It probably won't be crowded."
...There are a lot of food stalls over there.
I checked with Airi.
"I'm fine with that, but how do we get there?"
"Makoto says he'll take us in his car."
"Makoto got his license!?"
"Yeah, the two of us went for a drive. You saw the photo, right?"
Since I had the call on speaker, Airi could hear the conversation too.
"I'm okay with it, but is it okay if it's not just the two of you?"
"Yeah, we're driving right now, so it's fine. We're heading to Dazaifu now."
"It's right before the mock exam, are you okay?"
"It's too late for that, right? I've just accepted it."
"If that's the case..."
Airi seemed to have agreed, and since I had no reason to refuse, I readily accepted.
After hanging up, I let out a sigh.
"I see, so it's already okay to get a license..."
When I said that, Airi spoke to me gently.
"You don't have to compete with Makoto-kun, you know? Let's think about it after you take the Center Exam first, okay?"
"True... Airi, where do you want to go for the graduation trip?"
"Hmm... I wonder if we'll have that kind of time~?"
"The graduation ceremony is at the beginning of March, right? We should have enough time for at least one overnight stay."
"Anywhere is fine, as long as it's just the two of us~"
Airi said this and smiled brightly.
"Where does Toya-kun want to go?"
"Kagawa!"
"...So you just want to eat udon."
Airi let out a sigh.
"We're going with Toya-kun's driving, right?"
"Well, that's probably how it'll be."
"In that case, if you listen to my selfishness, I'll listen to Toya-kun's selfishness."
"?"
To think Airi would bring up a trade-off.
"I want to go to Ibusuki. There's lots of local gourmet food there too."
To receive permission to eat from Airi... is this not a dream!?
"If that's the case, it's fine."
Saying so, I searched on my smartphone.
Kagoshima ramen is also hard to pass up, but ramen would probably be rejected.
"If it's for lunch, ramen is fine too."
A goddess has descended.
But I wonder why Airi is so insistent on Ibusuki?
"The hot spring inns are famous. I have them in my hometown, but once in a while, I want to go outside the prefecture."
I see. I'll flirt with you as much as you want. For the sake of food, that's nothing.
I began searching for inns.
There are quite a few.
"For now, let's think about it after we pass the exams, okay?"
...That's right. There was that.
We began studying once again.
(３)
The day after the mock exam ended. It was decided that we would head to Usa Jingu under Makoto's driving.
Makoto is a good driver.
While maintaining the speed limit and without slamming on the brakes, he drives leisurely.
The smell of a new car, listening to FM radio, we proceed according to the car navigation's guidance.
Makoto is also relaxed, driving while talking to Kanna next to him.
Airi and I listened to that exchange from the back seat.
"Tosaka-san, are you okay without a break?"
Makoto asks Airi every time there is a sign for a parking area.
"I'm okay~" Airi answers.
"The 4th has already passed, so it shouldn't be crowded," Kanna says.
Before getting on the highway, we procured food at a fast-food drive-thru.
Somehow, eating hamburgers in a new car makes me feel hesitant.
It's not my car, it's Makoto's car.
"Eat without worrying about it, I'll clean it anyway,"
Makoto says.
I thought that Makoto has also somehow become an adult.
I really want a license.
I'll definitely go to school after the Center Exam ends.
"Toya. I think if it's Toya, you could probably get your license in three weeks."
Makoto says, as if he had read my mind.
"Toya seems like he'd be good at driving. He handles most things well."
Kanna also encourages me.
"Which is why, don't rush and get it after the exams are over," says Airi.
But it's crowded this time of year, right? Wouldn't it be better to start early?
"Toya-kun, let's go get our licenses together, okay?"
Airi says.
True, if I'm the one driving, does Airi even need to get one? I wondered, but.
We arrived at the shrine's parking lot.
The usuals: hashi-maki, takoyaki, yakisoba, chocolate bananas...
Poke
Airi nudges me with a smile.
I drew an omikuji.
It was Great Blessing.
Airi drew a strange omikuji.
She drew a plaster omikuji modeled after this year's zodiac.
It was Great Blessing.
I bought a charm for academic success.
Makoto, alone, tried to buy a charm for traffic safety and... a charm for easy childbirth, and was punched by Kanna.
Where on earth are you heading...
(４)
Toya-kun fell asleep on the way back due to the comfortable ride, fullness, and fatigue.
He was using my shoulder as a pillow, but eventually, he was sleeping with his head on my lap.
He's become able to do things like that even in front of Makoto-kun and the others.
"I'm jealous of Toya."
Makoto-kun says this and glances toward Kanna.
"Look ahead and drive, it's dangerous..."
Kanna is completely unresponsive.
You could be a little kinder to him...
"I'll do it for you when we get home, so please concentrate on driving for now."
It seems my worry was unnecessary.
"Still, Toya is ruthless. Falling fast asleep right in front of me while I'm tired from driving."
"I'm sorry, Makoto-kun."
"There's no need for Tosaka-san to apologize."
"Airi is basically like Toya's mother, after all..."
Kanna teases.
"Speaking of Toya, what kind of car does Toya intend to buy?"
Makoto-kun asks.
"It seems he's decided on the model. I think he said a domestic SUV. One with 4WD power."
"Everyone thinks the same things, huh."
"But didn't Makoto-kun say he was going to buy a one-box?"
"I stopped him from doing that. Because the reasons are just reasons... apparently, he was even searching for a place to do it."
Hmm, so there are places like that.
The car Toya-kun wants seems like the inside would be spacious.
Regardless of whether they do it or not, it's a size that seems capable of sleeping in the car.
"Have you decided, Tosaka-san?"
"Yes, a domestic kei car."
Though the one driving will be Toya-kun.
"Then, will dates be in Toya's car?"
Kanna asks.
"Yes, together with Kanna and the others."
"I see, it was quite fun. Driving just the two of us."
"I'm jealous."
"Just, occasionally he changes the angle of the rearview mirror, so be careful with your skirt then."
Which means, Makoto-kun did that.
But I think Toya-kun is the type who wouldn't do such things.
Rather, if he did it to my heart's content... no, that's embarrassing.
While I'm thinking about this, Makoto-kun and Kanna are talking happily.
I'm jealous, but I'm not losing either!
Thinking so, I gaze at the peacefully sleeping Toya-kun.
On the way back, we took the highway and got off at the interchange near the house.
"Since we're at it, let's eat something before going home," Makoto-kun says, and Toya-kun, reacting to the word "eat," wakes up.
The inside of the car was swept up in a whirlwind of laughter.
I laugh too.
But I don't hate that side of Toya-kun.
Because he already fills me up enough.
(５)
Local University, Center Exam venue.
This moment has finally arrived.
I can hear my own heart beating.
For now, I have to break through this gateway.
The exam is held over two days.
The scope of the questions covers eight subjects.
I heard the borderline for the local university is around 600 points.
If I can calm down, if I'm my usual self, I can do it.
The results of the last mock exam were also good.
However, pressure attacks.
"If Toya-kun fails, I won't enroll either."
A battle where I absolutely cannot lose...
That's a phrase I hear often.
Then, when is it okay to lose?
It's a phrase that's always being said.
Was I thinking about things like that while watching the match?
Thinking about soccer makes me feel a bit more relaxed.
Kanna is sitting in the seat in front of me.
Kanna also seems nervous on this day alone.
I pat her shoulder and tell Kanna, "Relax, relax."
As if I'm telling myself.
"It's okay."
Kanna smiles as if to say that.
Seeing that, I feel relieved.
Then, Airi pokes me in the back from behind.
"You too, Toya-kun. It'll be fine as long as you do as you always do."
Saying so, Airi also smiles.
Airi doesn't seem nervous at all. She must have confidence.
The question papers and answer sheets are distributed.
The answers are in a mark-sheet format.
The signal to begin is announced.
Everyone started all at once.
The two days of exams ended.
The strength leaves my body.
"Good work."
Airi calls out.
"Toya, how was it?"
Kanna asks.
"I'm not very confident about the listening..."
"I'm a bit shaky on math too..."
It seems we both failed in our weak areas.
"Both of you worked hard, so it'll be fine."
Airi was apparently her usual self.
The fact that she was her usual self is what's amazing...
"Well, I'd say let's go home and do self-grading, but we're doing it tomorrow anyway, so it's fine, right?"
Shall we go home and rest today? Airi says with a smile.
Kanna also had a night shift part-time job on this day.
Apparently, it was for the same reason as Airi.
I thought I'd go home, eat dinner, take a bath, and relax with games, but I can't get into that mood.
Just as I try to open the question papers I brought home, the door opens forcefully.
"Ah! I said today is for relaxing!"
Airi confiscates the question papers from me.
"I can't do anything because I'm worried."
"Thinking that, I came to invite Toya-kun~"
"Airi, sorry. I'm just not in the mood for that today."
"Ah~ Toya-kun thinks I'm an easy woman, doesn't he!"
"That's not true."
"Then, come with me. Oh, don't forget your change of clothes and luggage."
Which means it's a sleepover.
I'm really not in the state for that, but...
When I enter Airi's room, there is a certain scent.
The aroma diffuser placed on the table seemed to be the culprit.
"I thought this might help you relax."
Moving the table slightly, I lean against it and watch TV.
After watching a variety show, we watched a drama.
Airi says nothing.
Occasionally, she looks at my face.
And eventually...
She pulls my cheek with a squeeze.
"Smile."
It hurts, so I'm not in the mood for that.
"Toya-kun, you said you're not in the mood, but is there nothing I can do? What can I do to clear Toya-kun's mood?"
What must I do for you to smile?
I felt as if she were asking me that.
I think about Airi's mood.
It was a very painful feeling.
Am I making Airi feel lonely again?
What I can do.
I gaze at Airi.
Airi's gaze is infinitely kind.
"Alright, I've got it."
Airi instructs me to lie face down on the bed.
I'll obey honestly here.
As I lie face down, Airi straddles me and begins a massage.
"This is all I can do, but..."
I could fully understand Airi's feelings.
That's why I won't say sorry.
"Thank you, Airi. I love you."
Airi stops the massage and clings to me.
"...Shall we go get our licenses when February comes?"
Is she talking about something that far ahead?
"Didn't you say after we pass the exams?"
"If you clear the Center Exam, it's practically as good as decided."
Is that so? Is that something only Airi can say?
"I'll try making a chocolate cake for Valentine's."
"Yeah."
"Once we graduate, we'll have a celebration with everyone."
"True."
"Then, a trip for just the two of us, Toya-kun."
"Yeah."
"Somehow it's like a honeymoon."
"You wanted the honeymoon to be overseas, right?"
"You remembered!"
Airi frolics.
"Airi, could you move a bit?"
"Eh? Am I heavy?"
"No, I want to lie on my back."
When I say that, Airi moves away from me.
As soon as I flip over, Airi clings to me again.
"Are you in the mood now?"
How should I respond?
I'm worried about the exam, but... for now, Airi's feelings take priority, right?
"I love you."
When I say that one phrase, Airi kisses me.
"I just want you to be distracted. Even if you're not in the mood. I'll be an easy woman only for Toya-kun."
I hugged such an Airi with all my might.
The next day at school, the self-grading began.
Is this what they call a miracle!?
The listening, which I thought was bad, was a higher score than expected.
A score far exceeding the borderline.
Kanna also seemed to have satisfactory results.
It seems Watanabe's group mostly cleared it.
Today is the celebration.