Chapter 118 - Contact
I entered my exam number.
Now, all that's left is to click search.
Just a press of the mouse with my right index finger.
And yet, I can't bring myself to do it.
I become a coward when it comes to my own affairs.
What if I failed?
Will Airi and I have to repeat the year?
I'll never be able to hold my head up high in front of the Tosaka family for the rest of my life.
Three sets of eyes are gathered on the monitor.
I close my eyes and left-click.
I hear nothing.
Huh?
Did I screw up?
The silence continues.
Sorry, Airi!
Poke
"Toya-kun, your click position is off! I'll do it since you're doing it with your eyes closed."
Huh? Did I move it without noticing?
"Ugh, this is so frustrating! Move over!"
Kanna tells me to switch seats, then she re-enters my exam number and clicks.
Everyone holds their breath.
What appeared on the screen was a notice of passing.
I'm so moved that words won't come.
Relief washes over me, and the strength leaves my body.
As I collapse, my knees giving out, Airi catches me in her arms.
"Congratulations, Toya-kun. You did it."
Airi is rejoicing as if it were her own success.
"So all four of us are safely heading to university!"
Makoto says this and strikes a victory pose.
My thoughts had stopped, but as they finally begin to move again, I let out something that had been welling up inside.
"I DID IT—!!!"
I scream with all my might.
"Yes, you worked hard. It's a bit odd for me to say, considering I put such a burden on you, but thank you."
Airi is crying.
Ah, I have to let Watanabe-kun and the others know too.
I open the message group and inform them that I passed, and I learn that everyone in Watanabe's group passed as well.
"Well done, Toya."
"Congratulations."
Messages like that flow in one after another.
"Well, business is finished, so we're heading home. You two can soak in the emotion by yourselves."
"Wait. Let's celebrate together with Kanna and the others."
"We want to celebrate just the two of us, too."
With that, Kanna and Makoto left.
Just the two of us.
Airi relentlessly pushes me down onto the bed.
"You can do whatever you like with me today, Toya-kun."
"Really?"
"U-uu. That face gives me a bad feeling."
"It's still before noon, right?"
"It is, but..."
"After we eat lunch, want to go for a drive? I've never driven with Airi in the car yet."
"Eh?"
"You said it, didn't you? That you wanted to go for a drive just the two of us."
"...Yes! Then I'll make lunch! Instant ramen is fine for Toya-kun, right?"
Saying so, Airi dashes out of the room.
I wonder where we should go?
Makoto said Route 10 is good.
But if we want to see the ocean...
(2)
Toya-kun is sitting on the right, driving.
We stopped at a convenience store to stock up on snacks and juice before heading out on our drive.
A car where the seats are slightly higher than in Makoto-kun's car.
It smells like a new car.
The ride is comfortable.
Makoto-kun is good too, but Toya-kun's driving is reassuring.
He maintains a constant distance from the car in front while keeping his speed steady.
There's no shaking at all when he turns right or left.
Naturally, he comes to a smooth stop when stopping.
Acceleration, deceleration—every single aspect is flawless.
Would it make sense if I said it's the kind of driving where you could put water in a paper cup in the holder and it wouldn't spill?
I wonder if he's being considerate of me? He doesn't make any reckless overtakes.
Time flows leisurely for the two of us.
The car travels along the coastline via Route 197.
The ocean is beautiful.
"Beautiful, isn't it? It reminded me of when my father used to take me here a long time ago."
Toya-kun says this bashfully.
Ah, there was something I wanted to try.
"Toya-kun, you're hungry, right? Here."
I take out a snack and pop it into Toya-kun's mouth.
Toya-kun responds to it.
He proceeds smoothly even on winding roads.
It's relaxed and feels good.
Oh no, if this keeps up, I might fall asleep.
I can't actually do that.
I try my best to talk to Toya-kun.
Toya-kun listens to my stories happily and replies occasionally.
The car stopped in Usuki.
He parks in the parking lot...!?
My heart leaped seeing Toya-kun reversing while looking behind him.
I wonder if this is what Kanna was talking about.
We park and stroll through the town of Usuki.
Toya-kun ate three soft-serve ice creams.
Won't he get an upset stomach?
We bought Usuki crackers as souvenirs for our parents.
As the sun set, we drove again and began the journey home.
A different road from the one we came in on.
We pass through the mountains and emerge onto Route 10.
He's wearing black clothes today.
You don't have to mind, you know?
I suggested curry for dinner.
Toya-kun was surprised, but we stopped at a curry shop along the way and ate dinner.
Toya-kun is a big eater.
After polishing off his own, he eats what I left over.
That's the end of tonight's meal.
Food time is over.
Now, be obsessed with me.
Toya-kun responded.
The car didn't go home but took the highway toward Beppu.
The view of Beppu from the highway is beautiful.
After exiting in Beppu, we go down the mountain, pass through the Myoban Onsen area, and head toward the TV Tower.
Eh? I heard about that place from Kanna.
Makoto-kun said it's crowded with cars full of couples, so you don't have to worry if you flirt a little.
Is that what this is?
If that's the case, it would have been fine at home...
Toya-kun, naturally unaware of my thoughts, stopped the car in the TV Tower parking lot.
"Shall we get out?"
Toya-kun says this and exits the car.
Following his lead, I get out of the car and...
I gasped.
The night view is incredibly beautiful.
"I've wanted to bring you here once."
Toya-kun says, hiding his embarrassment.
"Thank you."
I kiss Toya-kun's cheek.
There's no need to be shy at this point, right?
Thank you, Toya-kun.
But you know, please tell me in advance from now on.
No surprises.
You're fine just as you always are.
The current Toya-kun is wonderful enough.
(3)
The classmates gather at the amusement facility.
We head toward the bowling alley in a crowd.
Hot dogs, fried chicken, mixed pizza, Napolitan, large servings of yakisoba, fried rice... this is a tough choice.
Furthermore, there are frankfurters and corn dogs...
Eating everything might be too much...
Poke
"For now, just a 'free drink' is fine, right?"
Airi smiles brightly.
We're about to move around, so it's fine, right?
"Toya, save the eating and drinking for later, okay?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"What do you mean by later?"
Just then, a message arrived.
"Watanabe group, gather in front of the station after the first party ends."
That means the Watanabe group is having a second party by themselves, right?
I don't like bowling very much.
Or rather, I haven't done it much.
Therefore, I can only show a pathetic form.
Everyone has things they are good at and things they are bad at.
Airi doesn't seem to have anything she's bad at.
However, since she was wearing a long skirt today, it seems her score didn't improve as she wanted.
Come to think of it, I've never seen Airi wearing pants.
Ah, her loungewear is sweatpants.
Kanna seemed to be good at it too.
Kanna hits strike after strike.
Every time, she high-fives everyone.
Eh? Me?
I almost wish I could wear those things that prevent gutter balls.
Even so, I wonder.
Was there any point in coming with the whole class?
For the most part, we seem to be grouped by our usual circles.
It's probably Watanabe-kun's consideration. But was it necessary to go that far?
After bowling three games, the group moves to karaoke.
At karaoke, we mostly stuck to the same groups.
And we sing the usual songs.
I was just singing duets with Airi.
I'm only singing because Airi wants to.
At that moment, members from other rooms barge in.
Ah, so that's the vibe.
There are so many boys wanting the seat next to Airi.
Airi accepts them with a smile.
And for good reason.
I am to Airi's right, and Airi's right hand is linked with my left hand.
When the two hours of karaoke end, we head to the sports and leisure corner.
While everyone else is having fun, I'm just eating.
"If you eat that much, Airi's going to get mad at you again."
Kanna sits next to me, drink in hand.
Airi seems absorbed in the Segways.
"Toya, you're good at driving too, huh."
Airi praised me for it too.
I'm just driving by feel, though.
"Kanna, you should have come in your own car. Was it okay?"
"What, you saying I'd be in the way? You've grown bold, Toya."
"No, not that..."
"Makoto's joining later, so it's fine. Besides, I'll end up unable to drive."
"?
Did she get a license suspension already?
"Well, I don't intend to drag you into it, so don't worry."
Leaving behind those mysterious words, Kanna also headed toward the Segway corner.
"Toya, I have a favor..."
Next is Watanabe-kun.
"What is it?"
"Mika gave me a ride when coming here, but there's no one for the way back, right? Could you give me a ride, Toya?"
I know. He came in a flashy foreign car.
"Sure."
"That helps. By the way, aren't you going to hang out?"
"I'm fine just watching, it's fun."
"You really have no motivation usually, do you?"
I'm told that often.
"Today is the last time with the class crowd. Leave some memories behind."
"The Watanabe group will still be together, right?"
"Everyone might not be able to make time because of circles or mixers, right?"
Ah, I hadn't thought that far.
Time spent with everyone?
Maybe I'll make a little time.
I headed toward the Segway corner with Watanabe-kun.
"Ah, Toya-kun. This is fun."
Airi says this and hands it to me.
"You move by leaning... wait, eh?"
I master it with ease.
Hmm, this is more fun than I thought.
After doing two or three laps of the corner, I return it to Airi.
"Toya-kun really is amazing..."
Airi was impressed.
Leaving the facility, the group takes a collective photo.
We already took one at the graduation ceremony, though.
Just then, one girl made a request of me.
"May I take a photo with you?"
Eh?
Me, of all people?
Though I'm concerned about the cold gaze piercing my back, I agree.
We stand side by side and make peace signs... wait, what!?
I didn't hear anything about linking arms.
Look, a pitch-black aura is drifting from behind.
It's not my fault, right?
"Thank you."
The girl leaves happily.
Behind me is Airi, scattering a massive negative aura.
"Uuu..." she groans as she approaches me.
W-wait, if we talk, you'll understand.
"Toya-kun, you idiot..."
Whoa, she's really angry. What should I do? Later in the car... oh, Watanabe-kun will be there.
Airi grabs my arm.
"It's already decided that Toya-kun's arm belongs to me!"
Airi asserts ownership.
Just then, Makoto appears gallantly in his car.
"Ah, my ride's here, so I'm going."
Kanna gets into Makoto's car.
A while after the car leaves, a message arrives.
"See you later."
Everyone sent an "OK" stamp.
"Well, shall we go too, Airi?"
"...No way."
Eh?
"It's already decided that I'm in the passenger seat!"
For now, there's no one else to ride. Maybe parents.
"Hahaha, then, may I ride in the back, Tosaka-san?"
Watanabe-kun appears.
"The back is fine."
Airi's mood is difficult.
Getting angry, sad, crying, and happy over the smallest things.
I'll have to update the instruction manual again.
(4)
We park in the station building parking lot and enter a yakitori shop near the station.
"I'm Watanabe, I have a reservation..."
When Watanabe-kun says this, they guide us to the 2nd floor.
Almost everyone is gathered on the 2nd floor.
The only ones who haven't arrived are Kiritani-kun and Sashihara-san's pair.
"It's because Eita bought a car like that."
"It's cool, so it's fine!"
Apparently, Eita's car's ride height is too low, so he struggled with where to park.
Everyone orders drinks.
I ordered grapefruit, and Airi ordered oolong tea.
"I'll have a Fuzzy Navel."
"I'll have a Kahlúa Milk."
Kanna and Mika-san ordered strange drinks.
Kahlúa Milk... is it a relative of coffee milk?
Fuzzy Navel... sounds delicious.
"I'll have a highball... is that all?"
When Watanabe-kun says this, I call a timeout.
"Wait, Watanabe-kun, I'll also have that Fuzzy Navel thing..."
Poke
"Toya-kun, if you want orange juice, we have some."
Airi is smiling brightly.
"No, I'm just curious."
"Toya, just put up with soft drinks today, okay? Don't drag us into it."
I don't understand what he means.
The drinks are distributed to everyone.
Watanabe-kun takes the lead.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work today. Most of us are going to the same university, but I hope we can gather like this again..."
"Masashi, you're talking too long."
"Cheers!"
As everyone cheers, food comes out one after another.
Airi portions out appropriate amounts onto small plates and hands them to me.
"You can eat as much as you want today. Good job."
Permission to eat was granted by Airi. There is no longer anything standing in my way.
Even so, Watanabe-kun, Mika-san, and Kanna's...
"Kurokiri!"
"Calpis Chu-hi!"
"Lime Chu-hi!"
Mysterious words come out one after another...
They look no different from ordinary juice.
I could tell Watanabe-kun's was clearly dangerous, but...
Poke
"If you care about me, let's put up with it today, okay?"
I mean, what am I putting up with?
Kanna and Mika-san are getting hyped up.
"Heh, so there actually is a man who turned down Kanna."
"There was... and one of them is this guy," she says, pointing at me.
"That's news to me," says Watanabe-kun.
"When I came back here in second year of middle school, I thought I still had a chance, so I tried, but I was no match for Airi."
"If the opponent is Airi, it can't be helped."
"It can't be helped, so I gave up... refill!"
"Kanna... you should probably stop around there..."
Makoto tries to restrain Kanna, but...
"Shut up, let me drink at least today!"
...Something's wrong here.
"Kanna, I think you should stop too..."
Airi also tries to stop her.
"I said I'm drinking today, so I'm drinking! Mika! Join me!!"
"Yeah! That's the spirit! Otherwise, there's no competition!"
After that, Kanna's exposure session of old stories continued.
And eventually, the target shifted to me.
"Toya, it's not too late even now. I don't have breasts, but I believe my capacity is not inferior to Airi's..."
Kanna inches closer to me.
Reading her intention, I step backward.
"I-I don't really get it, but I think you should stop that."
"We were close enough to French kiss back in the day, don't be shy now."
Look, Airi and Makoto's cold gazes are piercing me.
"Kanna, stop!!"
Airi cuts in between Kanna and me.
"Kanna, let's stop now. You've definitely had too much!"
"Kanna-san, let's leave it at that. Toya is troubled too."
Then Kanna starts crying.
"Anyway, no one understands my feelings. The only ones who understand are Makoto and Mika."
"Yeah, I understand. That's why let's stop for today. I'll listen to your complaints."
Makoto really is broad-minded.
"Makoto! Don't stop her!! Just shut up and let her drink her fill!"
"Excuse me, it's almost time for the last order..."
The waiter arrives.
"Two Kurokiri straights...!"
Watanabe-kun covers Mika-san's mouth.
"Two oolong teas, please."
"Ah, a Calpis for me too."
The chaotic second party ends, and we leave the shop.
Kanna stopped crying, but she's still muttering something.
"Makoto will always be with me, right? ...You won't throw me away, right?"
"I won't. Why would I? Let's go home and get some proper rest."
Makoto soothes Kanna.
"Going home is cheap, Makoto. Kanna, let's go to one more place."
"This is punishment for inciting Kanna. We're going home for today. Mika."
Saying so, Watanabe-kun calls a taxi.
Is that okay?
"Mika's house is near here. Well, everyone, get home safely."
"Let's meet at the entrance ceremony."
When Eguchi-san says that, everyone disperses.
"Shall we go home too?"
Airi's voice sounds somewhat lifeless.
I wonder what happened?
(5)
Even though she was drunk, I couldn't forget the words that came out of Kanna's mouth.
It's a story from the past.
Didn't she say it at the end?
"Makoto will always be with me, right?"...
Oh no, I'm the one wavering.
What does Toya-kun think of Kanna now?
...It might be something I shouldn't ask, and there's a fear that if I ask, it might all end. But I want to confirm.
"Toya-kun, what do you think of Kanna now?"
When I say that, Toya-kun veers off the way home.
He gets onto the industrial road, passes the amusement facility, and drives endlessly in the opposite direction.
After crossing a bridge over a large river, we arrive at a place where love hotels are clustered.
"Toya-kun?"
Toya-kun says nothing.
I'm prepared so that I'm ready whenever.
I told Rie-chan that I'm with Toya-kun, so it's fine.
So suddenly?
Is that the answer?
The answer was no.
Passing the love hotel district and the industrial waste treatment plant, we emerge onto the coastline.
There are many couples there, flirting inside their cars.
...I'm glad we have a spacious car.
No, that's not it! I'm embarrassed too.
My body stiffens.
He puts his arm around my shoulder and points to a single spot.
The lights attached to the pipes and chimneys of the petrochemical complex were beautiful, looking just like a theme park in Chiba.
I went there in high school.
"I heard from Makoto that the night view here is beautiful."
I also remembered what I heard from Kanna.
That Makoto-kun told her it was a good place to do it in the car.
"When I came during the day, it was just a petrochemical complex. It's strange. It changes with a single light."
I look at Toya-kun's face. It doesn't seem like he's imitating some line.
"Maybe memories are like that too. They're always beautiful, but people can't live on that alone."
"Does that mean... memories are fine as long as they stay memories?"
"Memories are gentle, so you mustn't be spoiled by them! — Ow!"
"You definitely just imitated some line."
Saying so, I am laughing.
The anxiety had long since vanished.
And looking at the same old Toya-kun makes me feel tender.
...I can beg for at least a kiss, right?
I close my eyes and wait for his.
I can tell by the atmosphere. It's almost time. Just as I thought...
A bright light flashes.
It seems the car parked behind us turned on its lights to move.
And my chance was gone.
We look at each other and laugh.
"Shall we head home soon?"
"Yes."
And so, we went home.
Toya-kun stops the car in front of the house.
Before getting out of the car, I kiss Toya-kun's cheek.
"Since we failed earlier."
"...If you want, shall we continue from now?"
I'm happy that Toya-kun is the one inviting me.
"Sure, do you want to stay over at my house?"
Toya-kun hurriedly apologized.
"Sorry, I just got carried away."
He doesn't have to apologize.
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Saying that, I saw his car off.
Though, he lives two houses away.
Returning home, I take a shower and go back to my room.
Then, a call notification appears on my smartphone.
An unknown number.
What should I do?
It's so late, maybe tomorrow is fine?
As I think that, the same number calls again.
After hesitating, I answer.
"Hello?"
"Hello..."
A voice that evokes a feeling of disgust I've heard somewhere before.
"It's Katsuya. Long time no see, Airi-chan."
Katsuya!?
If I recall, Toya-kun's cousin...
"How did you get this number!?"
"I heard it from Ako."
"I believe doing that is a violation of the rules."
"Don't be so stiff. Are things going well with Toya?"
"That has nothing to do with you!"
"I see, so they're not going well? How about it? It would be a long-distance relationship, but..."
"Excuse me!"
I immediately registered the number as blocked.
Then I call Toya-kun.
Please! Answer...
"Hello? What's wrong, Airi?"
It's Toya-kun's voice. I feel like it's gentler than usual.
I explain the situation to Toya-kun.
"Katsuya did!?"
Toya-kun's voice is filled with anger.
"I'm sorry..."
For some reason, I was crying.
"Block him immediately."
"I already did."
"I see. I'll tell my mother and the others too. He might call the landline. Absolutely do not answer unknown numbers."
"Okay."
"Well, you're tired today, right? Get some good rest."
Toya-kun seems to be trying to calm me down.
That feeling alone heals me.
"Good night."
Saying that, I hang up.
Why does it turn out like this at the very, very end of high school life?
It became an end where anxiety remains.