Chapter 126 - Double-Bloom Cherry Blossoms
(1)
"Ugh... nn..."
I woke up amidst a violent headache.
It seems I'm still drunk.
Yesterday, there was a welcome party for my workplace.
Including myself, three people joined the company this year.
Everyone except me graduated from vocational schools.
I participated until the third party, called Masashi over, and after that, my memories are... gone.
When I came to, I was sleeping with only my pants off.
Masashi seems to be attending university seriously.
While attending, he also works a part-time job.
Even though I could support him.
Is my income alone not enough to make him feel secure?
...No, I'm becoming negative again.
Masashi hates it when I'm negative.
I need to switch my mindset.
A shower is the best way to do that.
I take off my clothes and take a shower.
We rent a 1LDK apartment and live together.
Since I have a car anyway, he let me pick a place near my workplace.
Apparently, he's scared of me drunk driving.
It's a five-minute walk to work, so I can go on foot.
Even though I tell them I don't need it, my parents transfer an allowance into my account every month.
I save it without spending it.
For the wedding I'll give him someday...
After showering, I dry my body with a towel, return to the room, and get dressed.
I noticed Masashi was awake.
"There's a dressing area, so how many times do I have to tell you to take your clothes off there before you understand?"
I was scolded.
It's a habit from a long time ago.
I'm told this often.
"I forgot."
When I apologized saying that, Masashi let out a sigh.
"I'll make the food today!"
Since I usually leave early in the morning for the shop's preparations, I can't cook for Masashi.
Today, I'll show off my skills to my heart's content.
"I appreciate it, but there's no time left."
The clock had just passed 8:00.
"Today is a holiday, right? There's no need to rush, right?"
"That's true, but did you not see the message?"
I check the messages on my smartphone.
There was a message in the group Masashi created.
Today was the day for flower viewing.
All the more reason why I can't not show off my skills.
I begin the preparations.
"Hey now, what are you doing?"
"There's still time, and I don't need to dress up that much, so I'll finish up quickly."
"Is the time really okay?"
"I can whip up some snacks quickly."
"Snacks? You intend to drink again?"
"I can drink with Kanna again!"
"Give me a break..."
I was cooking while humming a tune.
(2)
I wonder if this is enough?
I arrange the things I made into the bento boxes.
Since many people are coming today, I have to make a lot.
"Airi-chan. I'll handle the rest, so wake up Toya and get ready."
"Oka~y!"
Taking off my apron, I go up to the second floor.
When I enter the room, Toya-kun is playing a video game.
The kind where you shoot guns and blood spurts out.
Everyone calls it "Jam," but I don't think it looks like that.
If I keep saying things like that, I won't be able to eat strawberry jam.
Even so, making his girlfriend work from the morning while he leisurely plays games?
I cannot forgive this.
I quietly approach from behind and cover his eyes.
"Idiot, not now. Stop it."
I don't want to~.
It seems the character Toya-kun was controlling died.
"Airi, I was at such a good part."
"Isn't it cruel that you were so absorbed in the game that you didn't notice me?"
I've been making bento since morning.
Ignoring the protesting Toya-kun, I turn off the power to the game.
"Wait! My kill-death ratio is going to drop again!"
Toya-kun continues to protest.
"Food is ready, so change quickly and come downstairs."
Saying that, I leave the room.
A few minutes later, Toya-kun changed and came downstairs.
Toya-kun sits at the table and eats obediently.
"Is it tasty?"
"Yeah, it's tasty."
Good.
After finishing the meal, Toya-kun heads to the washroom.
In the meantime, I wash the dishes.
"Airi-chan, I'll do that, so go put on your makeup and such while you can."
"It's okay, I've already done it lightly."
By the time I finish washing the dishes, Toya-kun slowly emerges from the washroom.
The bento and water bottles with tea that Maya-san prepared. I prepare various other things.
"Well, shall we go? Mother, I'm heading out."
"Yes, have a safe trip."
Riding in Toya-kun's car, we headed toward a temple famous for its double-bloom cherry blossoms.
There was a reason for choosing the temple.
One was that things were hectic with entering university, and we had forgotten about flower viewing.
The other was that double-bloom cherry blossoms bloom late, so we could still make it even now.
As long as it's a place that doesn't obstruct passersby, we can spread a sheet.
Since activities that don't use fire, like barbecues, are allowed, we chose this temple.
Before going to the temple, we drive to the station.
Sakai-kun was waiting there.
"Hello, thank you for having me."
After letting him in the back seat, we go to the temple.
Kanna and the others arrived first.
After that, Ishihara-kun and his group, Sashihara-san and her group, and finally Watanabe-kun and his group arrived, and everyone was gathered.
Everyone had brought bento or drinks.
What Kanna spotted was a silver can Mika-san was holding.
"If it's there, there's no choice but to drink!"
When Kanna says a word, Mika-san agrees.
"You get it, don't you! Kanna!"
"No."
"Kanna-san, you should stop... it'll cause various problems."
Makoto-kun and Watanabe-kun stop Kanna.
"Tch, how cold."
Mika-san clicks her tongue.
We headed toward the garden where the cherry blossoms were blooming.
(3)
"So pretty~"
Airi is taking photos of the cherry blossoms.
I want to eat the bento soon, though.
"Um~"
Sakai-kun looks like he wants to say something.
"I hate to say this, but I feel like I'm out of place."
Well, you'd think so.
When there are five couples and you're the only one left behind, you'd think so.
"Well, sit down, Sakai-kun. If it's that kind of talk, I'll give you a thorough consultation."
Watanabe-kun says that and makes him sit on the sheet.
Doing it again?
He's planning to do that again?
"Watanabe-kun, if it's that kind of talk, I'll give a consultation too."
Sashihara-san is also keen.
"Um, what kind of consultation is it?"
If you bite on that, you'll meet a miserable fate later.
You shouldn't make light of these two's drive for action.
"In short, we just need to get this Sakai-kun person a girl, right? There are plenty in the nursing department. If you want, should I set up a group date?"
Sashihara-san is direct. But with eight people in couples and only one loner, isn't a group date just torture?
Poke
"Toya-kun doesn't need to go, right?"
Airi is smiling.
"No, but it's a friend's group date, so if I don't go along..."
"It's okay, right?"
It's better to back down while Airi is smiling.
"Um, I'm not interested in group dates."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"Hoe?"
Watanabe-kun, Sashihara-san, and Airi each make puzzled faces.
"Eh? But don't you not have a girlfriend?"
When Watanabe-kun asks, Sakai-kun returns it with a question.
"In the first place, is a girlfriend something indispensable for student life?"
"That's an interesting theory, Sakai-kun."
"Sakai-kun, was it? Have you ever had a girlfriend?"
Kiritani-kun asked.
"I have. For one year in high school. We broke up because we went to different universities."
"That's a waste! Eita and I are at different universities, but we're dating."
"I think it was probably just an excuse. Being with me must have been boring."
Sakai-kun answers Sashihara-san's question instantly.
"She had no interest in someone who doesn't play soccer. That's how it felt. Well, if you take soccer away from me, nothing remains."
"That's not true, Sakai-kun."
The one who said that was Eguchi-san.
"Even if you think you have nothing, the other person might find something good about you. No matter what it is."
"Eguchi-san, was it? In the first place, I am currently basking in the joy of being liberated from the troublesome shackles of a girlfriend."
"The day will surely come when those troublesome fences change into something nostalgic."
"Well, if I find someone I like, that might be the case, but for now, there is no one..."
"...Toya... say something to him."
Kanna threw the conversation to me.
But, you know.
"Sakai-kun's point makes some sense too."
"Toya!?"
"If there's someone he likes, it's fine, but I think it's questionable to force a pairing when there isn't. Especially if he thinks it's troublesome..."
"Naive, naive, so naive! Kiritani-kun!"
Sashihara-san countered.
"That's just an excuse for a herbivore man. You said it yourself! Stop giving up before you've even eaten."
"Sakai-kun simply has nothing he wants to eat, right? Even Sashihara-san, if you were recommended ramen when you had no appetite, you'd be like, 'Eh!?' right?"
"I can't help but find it strange that this has bypassed my story and become a discussion about ramen..."
"Don't mind it, Sakai-kun. Once Toya starts talking, it usually becomes a talk about food."
Watanabe-kun, you've somehow made me = food, but Sashihara-san was the one who brought up food first, right?
Sakai-kun doesn't even have someone he likes, so wouldn't it be better to support him if he finds someone?
Trying to pair up everything and everyone isn't good.
"As I thought, I get along with Kiritani-kun."
Sakai-kun said that.
Yeah, it seems like we'll be able to drink some tasty sake once we're adults.
"Uuu..."
Airi is worrying about something.
"What's wrong, Airi?"
"Is Toya-kun the same? Do you seriously think a girlfriend isn't necessary for student life?"
This girl is at it with something trivial again...
"There's no point in grouping my situation with Sakai-kun's, right? I have a fiancée named Airi. It's fundamentally different."
I soothe Airi.
"Hmm..."
I can't tell if Airi was convinced or not.
"Returning to the topic, have you really never felt like you wanted a girlfriend now?"
"I haven't."
Sakai-kun answers Watanabe-kun's question decisively.
"How pathetic, Sakai!!"
Suddenly, Mika-san started shouting.
"Listening to you for a while now, you've done nothing but spout weak words! You're just heartbroken because you got dumped once and now you say you don't need a girlfriend! If you're a man, show some grit and find the next woman quickly!"
That's a reckless argument, Mika-san.
An empty silver can is rolling at Mika-san's feet. Ah, she drank.
"No, it's not that I'm heartbroken. I'm truly just not interested."
"That's an excuse! You're just not facing yourself! It's easier to pretend you're not interested! But, you'll definitely regret it someday! How can you not add some color to your precious student days!"
"Mika, you're going too far... Sorry, Sakai-kun."
"No, it's fine. I'm used to it. My friends said it too."
"Then, I'll have my say too!"
Sashihara-san stood up.
"Up until now, it's been like wind through a willow, or pushing against a curtain—it's just not hitting home. It's incredibly irritating."
"Yeah, that's why I wondered if coming here was out of place..."
"That's not the problem! Show some motivation. Get fired up! Live while facing yourself. Don't give up! Even I almost got dumped many times to get to where I am now."
Ah, I really shouldn't have invited him.
He wasn't the kind of person to invite lightly just because I was told to.
It's my mistake for not seeing through that.
"Kiritani-kun! You're regretting it now, right! I think the opposite. I'm glad we invited him! I'll fundamentally beat some sense into his nature!"
Sashihara-san's character is changing. But then again, maybe not.
"I agree with Ai. I thought he was capable at first, but inside he's just a thin, unmotivated man! He needs fundamental treatment."
An empty silver can is also at Kanna's feet.
I look at Makoto's face.
Makoto shakes his head.
He couldn't stop them.
"I agree with Ai-chan and Kanna-chan. I've become very interested. I wonder where I should start fixing this man."
Was Eguchi-san that kind of character?
I look at Ishihara-kun's face.
He is flustered.
"Emi, calm down."
"Isshy, he's the same kind as you. No, in a sense, he's worse than you."
"Kiritani-kun, I'm calling a taxi and going home."
Watanabe-kun grabs Sakai-kun's hand and doesn't let go.
"I won't let you escape. Consider it your bad luck that you got involved with us."
Uwaa, I'm really sorry, Sakai-kun.
I'll treat you to something next time instead.
(4)
At first, I thought maintaining friendships was important.
And then look at this.
Everyone except Kiritani-kun and his group is like a carnivore. No, like wild beasts.
I've kind of started wanting to go home.
"Kiritani-kun, I'm calling a taxi and going home."
When I say that and stand up, the large man, Watanabe-kun, grabs my hand and doesn't let go.
"I won't let you escape. Consider it your bad luck that you got involved with us."
Does this mean Kiritani-kun was a trap?
I look at Kiritani-kun; he's putting his hands together and saying sorry.
It seems he's fallen into a situation that is beyond his control even with his strength.
"Right, first, let's have you give us your message ID."
The four girls Watanabe-kun is talking about are waiting with their smartphones.
Kiritani-kun's girlfriend... Tosaka-san is sinking alone.
I wonder if she's worrying about what Kiritani-kun said?
I'm asked for my message ID by four girls who are clearly high-rank even from my perspective.
If put into words, some people might think it's incredibly enviable, but it's not something so mild.
An intensity drifts over me, as if they're saying I don't know what will happen if I don't give it.
Having no choice, I take out my smartphone.
And I exchanged IDs with each of them one by one.
Come to think of it, what are the other men doing?
One is trying to play with his smartphone with no interest... and shouts, "Can't I connect here!?"
Kiritani-kun is...
Tosaka-san is putting a cherry blossom petal on her cheek and saying something I don't quite understand, like "Cherry blossom color makeup~".
Kiritani-kun is soothing her, saying "You're beautiful."
Kiritani-kun is surprisingly skillful, isn't he?
I thought he was a more clumsy person.
The remaining two gave me gestures as if to say they've given up.
"Next is, let's see... someone you like. Tell us who you like. There must be at least one person in your class you're interested in."
"Kanna. Any good properties?"
Watanabe-kun and Sashihara-san are leading the charge and giving orders.
Far from someone I'm interested in, I only know the names of Tosaka-san and Otonashi-san...
"Hmm, that's difficult~"
Even from Otonashi-san's perspective, it seems difficult.
They'll give up, right?
"Then, shall we find someone promising from the nursing department... Sakai-kun, was it? Do you have a car?"
If I had one, I wouldn't do something as tedious as commuting by bicycle.
Ah, Sashihara-san is on a different campus, right?
"Anyone is fine... Sakai! Don't you remember at least one girl's name!"
Calling me without honorifics? I mean, you're completely wasted, aren't you? I doubt you'd even remember if I told you now.
If I don't say something, it doesn't seem like this will be settled.
My preferences don't matter anymore; they're just trying to make me get a girlfriend for now.
If you get a girlfriend, you can lead a fulfilling life.
I feel like I'm being forced to go along with that set of values.
A girl's name, a girl's name...
Ah, there's one.
If it's that person, these people will give up, right?
"S-Shimizu-san?"
The three of them are blank.
It seems Tosaka-san heard it too.
She's taken aback.
"Who is Shimizu-san?"
Mika-san is asking the three of them.
"I think she's the person who gave the oath at our university's entrance ceremony, right?"
Since Sashihara-san is on a different campus, she doesn't seem to have much acquaintance.
"She's someone in my faculty. A hateful woman..."
You're emitting a very sinister aura, are you okay, Eguchi-san?
"I think she's the person called the Queen in our year, no, in the whole campus."
That's right, it's exactly as Otonashi-san says. It's surely impossible, right? Between me and her, it's the moon and a ditch.
The previous commotion falls silent as if it were a lie.
With this, it's settled. Good grief...
"Are you really interested in Shimizu-san?"
No way, Kiritani-kun, there's no way that's the case. She's just someone I happened to know.
I've even been punched just for saying I didn't know Shimizu-san's name on campus.
"Seems difficult,"
Mika-san says. Exactly, exactly. There's a limit to how impossible something can be.
"But I'm starting to feel fired up!"
Eh, what are you saying, Sashihara-san? You wouldn't understand because you're on a different campus, but she's not an opponent you can do something about.
While at university, she's surrounded by an incredible number of handsome men.
"W-well, if that's the case, I wouldn't mind trying to talk to her..."
That sinister aura from before is still there. You don't have to push yourself that much.
"More than that, isn't the first step how to make her recognize Sakai? He's completely plain."
It hurts a bit, but at this point, it's fine. As long as they recognize it as difficult.
"How about joining the same golf club?"
I can't buy such expensive equipment. Please don't make me do a sport that's like a hobby for rich people. I can't pay for a woman I don't care about. If I say I don't care, will I get punched again?
"There's a faster way than that. In short, you just need to be recognized, right? You just need to make a name for yourself, right?"
Otonashi-san, didn't you just say it was difficult? Do you have dementia?
Please don't say things as easily as "go take the head of a warlord."
"Sakai! You played soccer with Makoto, right? That's true, right, Makoto?"
"Yeah, that's for sure. As a keeper, he's excellent. It's a wonder why he didn't come to our university on a recommendation."
Tada-kun, I thought you were an ally, but are you defecting?
"Then, play soccer! You only need to do the matches."
There's no way such a convenient story would work, right?
"The captain of the soccer club was one of the people who approached me. He said it's fine even if you don't come to club activities every day."
Listen, Eguchi-san. Are you also a dummy? There's no way a convenient story where a player doesn't practice and only appears in matches would pass...
"It's impossible. I have a part-time job."
"You just need to appear in the matches, right? Our university's soccer club is weak, so it'll probably work out somehow, right?"
Otonashi-san, please don't say it so simply, like it's a guest appearance. In the first place, just because there's one keeper, the match isn't going to be overturned...
"It's possible, if we use a certain method... I have some top-notch bargaining material."
Otonashi-san says that and looks at Kiritani-kun's face.
Kiritani-kun looks at Otonashi-san with a "Huh?" expression.
"We just need to get Toya to play in the match. In exchange, tell them to use Sakai as the keeper."
(5)
It was a bolt from the blue.
Are they telling me to play soccer?
"Toya, you're a friend, right? It's no big deal to play in a match, right?"
Kanna intimidates me.
Being asked in that way is the most troublesome...
"Kanna, that's no good! Toya-kun says he doesn't want to! Sakai-san said he didn't want to either!"
It seems Airi has revived.
Airi is the only one I can rely on.
"First of all, if Toya's activity stands out, it won't matter even if Sakai plays in the match, right?"
Makoto, thank you.
"The soccer plan is scrapped,"
Watanabe-kun says.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
"But there's no other way to make this guy stand out, right?"
Kanna says bluntly.
Watanabe-kun says to Sashihara-san.
"Can't you do something with Sashihara-san's negotiation skills?"
"Faculty of Education, huh~ OK, leave it to me!"
"Airi-chan, weren't you talking quite familiarly before?"
Eguchi-san says to Airi.
"I don't think we were that familiar. I mean... Sakai-kun has someone he's interested in, right? You know, the woman at his part-time job."
Airi says something unexpected, and the group glares at Sakai-kun.
"Sakai~ you~"
"Sakai! I didn't hear that such a person existed!"
Makoto puts him in a rear naked choke before Kanna can.
"T-that person is no good. Tosaka-san."
"Why?"
"Because she has a boyfriend!"
Makoto releases his arm.
"Whether there's a man or not, go for it decisively!"
Kanna, don't say reckless things.
"Then, let's refine the plan from here. We'll make this operation a success no matter what."
A part of the group gets excited.
I was letting out a sigh.
On the way home
"Sakai-kun, sorry!"
I was apologizing to Sakai-kun through the mirror.
"It's okay, don't worry about it."
"Usually, they're all good people. But they have a troublesome personality where they flare up when it comes to other people's romance."
"That's tough."
"But you know~ if the person at the cafe now has a boyfriend, I think it's better to look for someone new."
Airi said that.
"Isn't it painful? That kind of thing?"
"I'm living in my own way... I don't really want to stand out. I'm not that kind of existence, right?"
"That's not something you decide, but something the people around you decide... Ah, Toya-kun, tell him our story."
"Ours?"
"You know, the story you told me on Christmas Day in second year of middle school."
"Ah..."
"Your romance has been going on for that long?"
"Yeah, it's a long story, but I'll drop you off at your house, so is that okay?"
Sakai-kun nodded silently.
"The story starts from fifth grade..."
"I see, so that's what happened."
"I think what Airi wants to say is to be more proud of yourself and walk looking forward."
"Kiritani-kun was recognized by Tosaka-san, wasn't he?"
"I guess so?"
"I'm envious of that. Well, I'll try my best too... for now... it's Shimizu-san, right?"
"Do you really want Shimizu-san?"
I didn't have a very good impression of her.
"I couldn't think of any other woman's name."
Huh?
W-well, I can't talk about others either.
"But it'll work out. Eguchi-san and Ishihara-kun are similar..."
Airi follows up.
"But to tell the truth, I don't even know what kind of person she is."
"Eh?"
"Hoe?"
"I remembered the name, but I've never actually seen her... I heard she's a beauty."
"I see..."
"Ah, that apartment. My house."
"Ah, got it."
"Well, thanks for today."
"If you like, let's hang out again."
"Alright. See you later then."
Saying that, Sakai-kun saw us off.
"In a sense, he's an amazing person. To have never seen Shimizu-san, who stands out that much."
Airi is sighing.
"Well, I think he's simply not interested in others? That's why he thinks everyone else is the same."
"Toya-kun seems to understand Sakai-kun well."
"Because he resembled the old me. In a sense, I might be empathizing."
"Is that why I was jealous of Sakai-kun?"
"I'm not interested in any woman other than Airi now, so don't worry."
"Really?"
Airi asked mischievously.
"Your nose was stretching when you were looking at Shimizu-san."
"I don't remember being that conscious of it, I just thought her clothes were flashy."
That's right. While she's a person with noble elegance, she has a tendency to look down on others.
That's probably the part I can't accept.
"Then, what kind of person is Toya-kun's preference?"
"...Someone like Airi."
"That's not an answer. What's good about me?"
She's unusually mean today.
"The way you're kind only to me, look only at me, love only me, and the gestures you only show to me, I guess."
"That's a compliment, right?"
"Of course it is."
"I'm glad~ I love Toya-kun's kind side too. The inside of your heart that you only show to me makes me so happy."
That's good.
"I wonder if Kanna is okay? She was drinking quite a bit again..."
"I was thinking, Airi. You stop me from drinking, but you don't stop Kanna or Mika-san, right?"
"That's because there are people who properly play the role of stopping them. Besides, I've decided that Toya-kun's first time drinking will be with just the two of us~"
"...I see. I'll have to call a designated driver on the day of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony."
"I hope that day comes."
"It'll come whether we like it or not."
"Yeah, so shall we save it as a treat until that day?"
"Yeah."
Actually, I had originally planned to share a drink with Father.
Well, it's okay if it's not the first time, right?
Someday, the time will come to drink with Airi's Papa too.
I want to try drinking with Sakai-kun too.
I'm sure we'll be able to drink some tasty sake.
...Sakai-kun and Shimizu-san... I wonder if there's a way?
Becoming a cherry blossom that blooms late, like the double-bloom cherry blossoms.
I had such a premonition.