Chapter 119 - A Soft Season
(1)
Early morning.
We load our luggage into the car.
"Be careful out there,"
"And make sure you don't hurt Airi-chan in an accident,"
Father and Mother say.
"Mmu, I leave my daughter in your hands..."
"It's almost like a honeymoon~ Shall I tie some cans to the back~? Toya-kun, don't overdo it and stay safe~"
Airi's papa aside, Airi's mama is incredibly similar to Airi...
"Well, we're off~"
When Airi says that, I slowly drive the car away.
I stop by a convenience store near the highway interchange to stock up on food, drinks, and various other things.
Then, I get on the southbound lane and drive.
There is a reason why we left in the early morning.
The fact that our destination changed from Ibusuki to a tour around Kyushu.
And the fact that since we can travel now while it's not the peak vacation season, we decided to take our time and make some detours.
"Airi, if you're sleepy, you can sleep."
When I say this to Airi, who is chewing gum to stay awake, Airi puts a piece of gum in my mouth.
"It's our first trip just the two of us. I don't have time to sleep."
Airi says shyly.
She's definitely misunderstanding something.
"Airi, let me just say..."
"You want to say it's not a honeymoon, right? I know. Toya-kun, you remembered the promise."
Ah, that's right. Moreover, she had specified the country. Of all places, somewhere that looks expensive.
Well, rather than Guam, Hawaii, Seoul, or Hong Kong, I'd rather go to Europe as Airi suggested if I have the choice anyway.
"But, the idea of it being just the two of us makes me happy, and a little embarrassed, and I'm in a slight state of excitement, so I can't sleep."
"I see..."
The conversation dies down.
It's not an unpleasant mood.
Rather, it feels comfortable.
Traveling with Airi in the passenger seat.
It's like a dream.
We had planned to spend one night in the car during the three days and two nights, but our parents arranged inns, saying, "How could we let you do something so dangerous?"
We plan to stay overnight in Ibusuki and Kumamoto.
"It's nothing but mountains, isn't it..."
Is Airi getting bored of the scenery?
"Once we get to Miyazaki, the scenery will change."
"Yeah."
"Airi, which do you like more, mountains or the sea?"
"Hmm... the sea burns you, and mountains have too many bugs, so I'm not fond of either, I guess?"
She's a complete indoor person.
"I thought about going camping during summer vacation, but I guess that's a no-go."
"If it's with Toya-kun, I'll go anywhere♪"
"...Since we're at it, let's invite Makoto and the others too."
As expected, the entire Watanabe group would be too large a party.
"That's true. But we'll take separate cars, right?"
"Do you dislike being together?"
"It's not that I dislike it, it's more like, if I have the choice..."
"I think it would be fun for everyone to be boisterous together."
"We can do that once we're there."
"I see."
Airi likes the situation of being in a closed space just the two of us.
Passing through tunnels, mountains, and occasionally plains, we head south along the highway.
During that time, Airi talked incessantly.
Perhaps to keep me from falling asleep, she occasionally puts gum in my mouth.
As if she's running out of things to talk about, Airi becomes less talkative.
"Toya-kun, what kind of songs do you like?"
Now, how should I answer?
Should I honestly say Vocaloid songs?
Or would it be better to act a bit sophisticated and answer 70s Western music?
For the record, I like both.
"Hmm, lively songs are good, right?"
It seems she's worrying about what BGM to play.
"Whatever Airi likes is fine."
"Really? Then..."
She played a CD of a female J-POP singer.
A song by someone who trembles because they want to meet.
Airi did say she liked her.
The car moves forward while we listen to upbeat songs and somber ballads.
After a little over two hours, we exit the highway and head toward the destination relying on the GPS.
Ideally, Airi would be looking at the map beside me while I search for the road, but in this day and age, that probably doesn't happen.
When Airi finds a convenience store, she says, "Let's take a short break?"
Ah! I forgot!?
"Sorry... I was just concentrating."
"It's okay, don't worry about it."
When we arrive at the convenience store, Airi goes to the restroom.
I stretch my body while waiting for Airi.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, shall we go?"
When Airi says that, I drive the car again.
(2)
Cape Toi, Miyazaki Prefecture.
While slowly proceeding along the road toward the lighthouse, we observe the horses.
"Amazing~ there are so many horses~"
I was taking photos incessantly.
When we stop the car in the parking lot near the lighthouse, I get out and breathe the outside air.
It feels good.
Toya-kun is stretching too.
I quietly sneak up behind Toya-kun and massage his shoulders.
"Thank you for your hard work~"
That's right, he's been driving for nearly four hours straight.
After visiting the lighthouse, Toya-kun is taking a short break in the car.
I get into the car with juice and a hot dog.
"Here, have this."
When I hand Toya-kun a corn dog, Toya-kun says "Thank you" and begins to eat.
Please endure with just that one.
Otherwise, you won't be able to eat lunch.
After eating the corn dog, Toya-kun drives the car.
Apparently, he's never been to this area.
Relying on the GPS, he drives the car toward Sakurajima.
Then, Toya-kun begins to panic strangely.
"What's wrong?"
"No, I'm just wondering if there's a gas station around here?"
Huh?
I look at the car's display panel.
Ah, there isn't much gasoline left.
Apparently, small gas stations aren't listed on the GPS.
Even if there are some, the shops might be closed.
I join in the search.
"Ah, doesn't it look like we can go there?"
I touch Toya-kun's shoulder and point to a sign with my other hand.
The shop is open.
Toya-kun breathes a sigh of relief.
It's insensitive, but
somehow this kind of thing is fun!
After finishing the refueling, we hurry forward.
After proceeding for a while, a town comes into view.
Am I getting a little hungry?
Maybe I should have eaten earlier too?
Suddenly, I see a family restaurant.
However, Toya-kun ignores it and continues.
That's right, we've already decided on ramen for lunch.
For Toya-kun, who is searching desperately, I search for ramen shops on my smartphone.
Hehe.
"Toya-kun, it looks like the famous ramen shops are better after sightseeing in Sakurajima."
Toya-kun lets out a scream.
"Shall we just settle for the family restaurant?"
"H-how could I settle for a family restaurant after coming all this way!"
Toya-kun seems to have made up his mind.
During a trip, it's special!
"Shall we buy some rice balls at a convenience store? I've started to feel a little hungry too."
Maybe that last part was unnecessary?
"S-sorry."
Toya-kun is depressed.
Don't worry about it, girls are strong against hunger!
Sakurajima, Kagoshima Prefecture.
It seems there are no entry restrictions today.
We cross over to Sakurajima.
It's different from a normal mountain.
We stop at the parking lot and get out of the car.
We climb a mountain path that is a bit rugged and difficult to traverse.
The rough mountain surface of Kitadake looming before us, the Taisho Lava Plain spreading below.
A superb view no matter where you look in 360 degrees.
I heard there are heart-shaped stones embedded in the stone walls, so I tried looking for them, but I could only find three.
Finding three is enough.
If we don't hurry, Toya-kun will run out of gas.
We cross to Kagoshima City by ferry from Sakurajima Port.
Kinko Bay is beautiful.
The weather is good today, the wind is pleasant, and I'm in a good mood.
Toya-kun, whose head is usually filled with thoughts of food, seems different today.
His tension is high.
Even though he should be tired.
Once we get to the inn, I'll heal him with all my might.
(3)
I wonder if it's been since I looked at the sky on my school trip that I've felt this refreshed?
Such a wide sky, a wide sea.
And Sakurajima, where we were until a moment ago, looks small.
I didn't know there was a place like this in the same Kyushu.
Changing the course was definitely the right choice.
Airi is in a great mood, and she even prepared food.
Now, just you wait, Kagoshima City.
Ramen is waiting for me soon!
A ramen shop in Kagoshima City.
Since it was a bit late in terms of time, it was relatively empty.
Since the gyoza are also recommended here, I ordered ramen and gyoza.
The noodles entwined with the deep soup create a refined taste.
The gyoza's flavor of Kurobuta pork spreads throughout the mouth, and it's very juicy.
I ordered a refill of noodles.
The refill is thin noodles.
Apparently, you can choose the firmness.
I chose firm.
I limited the refill to just once.
Because... Airi is leaving some.
Is the amount a bit too much for a girl?
Then, I'll eat it for you.
"Can I eat that?"
When I ask Airi, she happily hands the bowl to me.
Since I only had one refill, it was a breeze.
(3)
Toya-kun is worrying.
He is worrying so much that he went out of his way to buy a map at a convenience store despite having a GPS.
"What's wrong?"
"No, according to the GPS, it's better to use the Ibusuki Skyline, but according to the internet, the general roads are faster."
Being told that, I also try searching on my smartphone.
...It is indeed written that way.
But the general roads look very complicated.
Toya-kun is troubled.
At times like this, it's my role to give him a push, to support him, right?
"Let's take the general roads, Toya-kun. It says that driving along the coastline is beautiful."
"We might get lost."
"I'll help you find the way. Please give me a travel memory with Toya-kun."
"...Alright."
Saying that, he drives the car.
Toya-kun is desperately looking at the road signs.
I also look while searching the map.
Eventually, the GPS began to provide guidance for the general road route.
But Toya-kun cannot be glued to the GPS.
I'll guide you.
Eventually, we come out to the coast.
The car proceeds while we enjoy the superb views, such as Kinko Bay sparkling in the sun and the majestic figure of Sakurajima with smoke rising.
On the way, we stopped at a roadside station and the two of us ate loquat soft-serve ice cream.
"It's delicious, isn't it?"
"Yeah, this route was the right choice."
Saying that, the two of us laughed.
(4)
When we arrive at the inn, we complete the procedures.
The room we were guided to was a Western-style room.
Usually, Airi would plonk her luggage on one of the beds, but today that doesn't happen.
She has a face that says, "What should we do?"
Is she being considerate of me, who is tired?
I worried for a bit.
It can't be helped, right?
With a face like that, she places her luggage beside the bed.
There's no way I can act spoiled toward Airi here.
After I place my luggage on one bed, I urge her to lie down on the other bed.
Airi happily clings to me.
"But, are you okay?"
"I've decided to have Airi give me a massage."
"Yeah! I'll do it thoroughly for you. But before that, the bath~"
Saying that, Airi takes off her clothes, changes into a yukata, and leaves the room.
I also change and head toward the large public bath.
Is the lock okay?
Knowing Airi, she'll probably enjoy the sand bath before the bath.
Even if I take my time, I'll have time to spare before she's done.
After enjoying the bath and finishing the meal, I was getting a massage while watching TV in the room.
"You really are stiff~"
Yes, pure bliss, pure bliss.
"Shall I take over the driving tomorrow?"
"I can't let my girlfriend drive, can I?"
"Don't overdo it, and if it gets tough, please rest, okay?"
"I know."
"Toya-kun."
"What is it?"
"Thank you for today."
That one sentence is the greatest healing.
Immersed in a good mood, I fell asleep just like that.