Chapter 127 - Starlight
I load the luggage into Toya-kun's car.
Both my parents and Toya-kun's parents had come to see us off.
"It's the start of the long weekend, so there will be a lot of cars. Be careful not to have any accidents," Toya-kun's Papa-san said.
"Airi... b-be strong."
Papa-san. Why are you nervous? It's a bit late for that, isn't it? Let's just get used to it already.
Ah, but is this the first time we're going out to play during a long weekend without Papa-san and the others?
We're university students, so it's not like we'd go as a family group.
"Toya, please drive safely."
"I know."
Maya-san is worried.
It'll be fine; Toya-kun usually drives very safely.
"Airi-chan, it's an auberge, you know~. Enjoy the feeling of being an adult for once~"
Rie-chan handled the lodging arrangements.
Rie-chan is fast with arrangements at times like this.
"Toya, you didn't forget anything, did you?"
Maya-san is worried.
"It's okay, I'm looking after everything."
"If Airi-chan says so, then it's fine."
"Well, I'm off."
Saying that, Toya-kun slowly drove the car away.
This year's long weekend consists of a 2-day break in the first half and a 5-day break in the second half.
It seems he intends to spend the first 2-day break relaxing.
I thought so too.
The day before the long weekend started, after classes ended, Toya-kun was tinkering with the car.
"What's wrong?"
"No, I just thought it might be time for an inspection."
"Didn't you do the one-month inspection?"
"I did, but the oil, the tires... and the brake pads too..."
Toya-kun says as he touches the tires.
"I think the tires wore down quickly because I pushed it pretty hard."
"Are the slip signs showing?"
"No, they aren't, but..."
Saying that, Toya-kun kicks the tire.
"I might need to have the air pressure checked once."
"Hmm."
"I can't drive recklessly anymore."
He said that with a laugh.
Next, Toya-kun opens the hood and checks the remaining oil and washer fluid.
"The oil really has decreased. The dirt doesn't seem to be a problem."
Saying that, he tops up the oil.
He was also inspecting the brake oil and other things.
Next, he lifts the car with a jack. He crawls underneath and begins inspecting the pads.
There don't seem to be any problems.
I stroke the car.
"Thank you, always. I'm counting on you from now on too," I leave a word.
"Alright, inspection finished."
Toya-kun asked me while putting away the tools.
"So, what's up?"
"Am I not allowed to come visit my fiancé's house?"
"No, it's just that you have very little luggage for that."
"The first half is short, right? So why don't you come stay at my place? It seems Papa-san and the others are going out again."
"I see, got it. I'll go get my overnight set."
Recently, Toya-kun has stopped feeling resistance to staying at my house.
Even though he hated it so much before.
He's changed quite a bit.
After a while, Toya-kun appears. He isn't carrying any luggage.
"Airi, come here for a second."
I wonder what it is?
"Here, this..."
What was handed to me was a lodging ticket for an auberge.
"Huh?"
"It's a precious long weekend, right? You two go and have a relaxing time playing."
Eh?
"We'll play in the second half, so it's fine. You and Mom should go."
Toya-kun says.
"I've been watching you and Toya's university life, and I thought you'd be more absorbed in playing. You're studying quite diligently. You should rest properly during the long weekend. You'll get May sickness."
"I don't think that'll happen."
"Don't think of it as being for Toya, think of it as being for Airi-chan. This is a husband's duty. Airi-chan handles the housework and studies. You have to let her play a little."
"W-well, that's true... what do you think, Airi?"
"...Thank you very much."
I accepted the ticket.
"But Toya-kun takes good care of me. He takes me out to play often."
"I know that too. But go and relax. I heard that auberge has a hot spring."
I look at the ticket. Ah, it's Aso.
"Thank you very much."
And so, we were heading toward Aso.
From Route 10, we entered the Central Kyushu Transverse Road and from Asaji... wait, eh?
Toya-kun ignores the navigation and heads toward the mountains.
"Toya-kun, you're taking the wrong road?"
"I know, I'll try going that way on the return trip. I want to know which one is faster."
After crossing the mountains, Toya-kun enters Asaji Town.
From there, we drive on Route 57.
Hmm... it was a road that didn't seem like it could be passed much in winter.
It's narrow, and there are many curves.
By the way, he drove very safely.
He refrained from the reckless acceleration like before.
"This car prioritizes ride comfort, so the suspension is soft. I can't speed much on roads with a lot of joints."
Poke
"That's not the issue! Please drive safely."
"I got it."
The car stops by Taketa City, and we stroll a bit.
Like the place famous for Kojo no Tsuki.
"There was less here than I thought."
"I..."
"Just being with Toya-kun makes me happy... right?"
"Yes♪"
When we stopped by a souvenir shop, I discovered something interesting.
Apparently, there are candies inside round characters that look like they're from a game.
This case is cute.
"Want to buy one?"
"I'll buy all the colors!"
Saying that, I bought candies of about three colors.
I'll display just the cases in my room.
"Shall we go soon?"
"Yes♪"
Saying that, the car drove again aiming for Aso.
"Toya-kun, aren't you hungry?"
"I am..."
"A family restaurant or anything is fine, you know?"
"Having come all this way, that's not an option!"
Toya-kun endured lunch until we reached Aso.
Aso was congested with cars going to the zoo, and we weren't progressing much.
"Toya-kun, I'm hungry."
"Sorry, just wait a little longer... ah, is the restroom okay?"
"That side is fine."
"We're almost there... sorry."
Something he wants to eat so badly he'll endure it... I wonder what it is?
"We're here!!"
What Toya-kun was aiming for was, at first glance, just a diner.
What is in a place like this?
I understood immediately upon looking at the menu.
He wanted to eat takana-meshi.
He mentioned it before.
"A large takana-meshi set! And horse sashimi too..."
"I'll just have the takana-meshi."
The staff took the order and left.
"Sorry, I just really wanted to eat it."
"When you go to the countryside, wanting to eat the local cuisine of that region is normal, I think."
I intended to provide as much support as possible.
"That's true! Let's eat the horse sashimi together."
Toya-kun looks happy.
The shop is overflowing with people.
Normally, you'd get irritated if the order doesn't come, right?
But Toya-kun is different?
He's enjoying the waiting time, thinking I wonder when it'll come, I wonder when it'll come~♪
I like that about him.
When the order arrived, I was surprised by the amount.
A mountain of takana-meshi with dango-jiru and other sides, plus the horse sashimi.
Even the takana-meshi I ordered was almost too much to eat.
Toya-kun carries it to his mouth with chopsticks without hesitation.
It looked very delicious.
I'll try some too... it's delicious!
The compatibility of the takana and rice is exquisite, and the accent of sweetness from the shredded egg is also good.
And I have a piece of horse sashimi.
Compared to the one I ate before... is that how it feels?
But seeing Toya-kun eat so happily makes me feel it's delicious.
But I can't eat it all.
Before I knew it, Toya-kun had eaten everything.
And he is looking at me.
"...Go ahead."
Toya-kun begins eating again.
After fully enjoying it, we settle the bill and leave the shop.
Settling the bill is my role.
"Would you like the receipt?"
I wondered.
Toya-kun is the type who doesn't take receipts.
He's told me I can use the contents of his wallet as I like.
Today, he withdrew a little from the convenience store ATM.
However, as the person entrusted with the payment...
"Customer?"
"Receipt, please."
Receiving the receipt, I put it in my wallet.
I had spreadsheet software, right?
I'll try keeping a household account book with that.
Then I can decide how much I should contribute.
If I quietly put it in Toya-kun's wallet, he probably won't notice.
After finishing the payment and leaving the shop, Toya-kun was waiting.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I was thinking about a few things."
"About the payment? You don't have to worry about it."
"Yeah."
I won't make him anxious.
I just want to know how much is being spent per month.
"By the way, I have a consultation."
Toya-kun seems to be troubled by something.
"Instead of going to Aso today, why don't we go directly to the auberge?"
"Why?"
"Look at this congestion, right? We probably won't be able to reach the Aso crater. Even for the auberge, by the time we arrive, it'll probably be check-in time."
To get to where the auberge is, it seems we have to pass the zoo.
"I see..."
"I think it's better to wake up early tomorrow and see it early. What do you think?"
"I'll leave it to the driver's judgment."
"I see. Airi, then let's buy some juice at that vending machine. Also the restroom..."
"I'm okay."
Saying that, he buys juice at the vending machine and the car heads toward Kumamoto.
The traffic jam is indeed terrible.
"Wow, it's more than I thought."
"It really is."
"As I thought, this way was the right choice."
Toya-kun is saying that.
The car progresses slowly.
It's the kind of congestion where it takes 30 minutes to move 1 kilometer.
At a time like this, I must not let the mood become unpleasant.
I play a CD.
It's a female J-POP singer who often sings cover songs.
The person who sings the wonderful lyrics I mentioned before.
"Because I'll always be here~♪"
"Because we can go~♪"
Such phrases flow out.
"Is this the song Airi mentioned before?"
Toya-kun remembered.
"Yes♪ It's a wonderful song, isn't it♪"
Besides that, she covers various songs.
Occasionally she sings songs about heartbreak, and I thought the air might become awkward.
But our bond is not so thin that it would waver because of such songs.
Even after the time of one CD had passed, we had only just seen the entrance to the zoo.
Beyond that, it was very open.
The cause was indeed the zoo.
"Just a little more. Let's do our best to get there."
Toya-kun said that.
"Yes♪"
"Airi, have you ever eaten French cuisine?"
"Hoe?"
"No, it's just that I don't know the manners and such."
I only have basic knowledge.
I mean, we've been together since elementary school, right?
Manners don't matter for French cuisine at home, you know?
"Using the knife and fork in order from the outside... is about it?"
"...From now on, it might be better to get used to French cuisine too."
French cuisine from Toya-kun's mouth!?
He'll probably prepare another wonderful date for me~.
After passing the zoo, the car progresses smoothly.
Before entering the area where pensions are concentrated and the auberge is located, we stop at a convenience store.
"You might get hungry in the middle of the night, right? I want to buy some juice too..."
Poke
"Juice is fine, but snacks are rejected~"
Upon arriving at the auberge, we complete the check-in.
When we are guided to the room, I place the luggage beside the bed and relax.
Eh? You're wondering why I don't put it on the bed?
Because Toya-kun has noticed.
As proof, we are currently flirting while sitting on the sofa.
After that, I go out to the veranda and enjoy the scenery.
I'm glad it was sunny today too.
According to the weather forecast, tomorrow will be sunny as well.
I heard they do astronomical observations here at night.
I'm looking forward to it.
They also said the bath is a private open-air bath in a separate building.
Until dinner time, I relax while watching TV.
Toya-kun is sleeping on the bed.
Thank you for your hard work.
Please relax for a little while.
When the time comes, I wake Toya-kun.
"It's time for food." With one word, he reacts immediately.
I wonder if I'll use this method when waking him up in the morning?
When we sit at the table, napkins are placed.
Toya-kun is wondering what to do with it.
I place mine on my thigh with the fold facing me.
Toya-kun imitated me.
The staff comes over.
"Would you like an aperitif?"
"Ah, we're minors."
He understands well.
"Then, for your drinks?"
Toya-kun is wondering while looking at the menu.
"Perrier, please."
I answered on his behalf.
"Certainly."
Saying that, the staff leaves.
"What's Perrier?"
Toya-kun asked.
"To put it simply, it's sparkling water."
"I see."
Toya-kun nodded.
Perrier poured into glasses and a bottle of Perrier were placed.
Toya-kun and I hold the glasses and toast.
Now now, don't drink it all at once!
I pour into Toya-kun's glass.
Then, the course is brought out one after another.
Starting from the amuse-bouche, then hors d'oeuvre, soup, poisson, sorbet, entrée, salad, cheese, entremets, fruit, and café et petits fours.
I thought eating both fish and meat dishes would be tough, but the portions weren't that large, so I could eat normally.
I thought it might be insufficient for Toya-kun, but perhaps because he was nervous, it didn't seem to be the case.
When the final coffee and small sweets were served, we were asked, "Is this your first time having French cuisine?"
When I answered "Yes, it is," they told me, "Auberges exist so that people like you can enjoy French cuisine casually."
So that's how it is.
After finishing the meal, we return to the room and prepare for the bath.
Toya-kun is taking a breath, drinking the beverage we bought.
The starry sky was beautiful from the bath too, but after the bath, the owner gave us an explanation of the starry sky.
They kindly and thoroughly taught us about the Big Dipper, Ursa Major, and so on.
I don't know if Toya-kun was listening or not, but he was gazing at the starry sky.
The viewing session ended in about 30 minutes.
We return to the room and relax while watching TV.
Toya-kun is still looking at the stars.
I go to Toya-kun.
"You'll catch a cold, you know?"
"Ah, sorry. I just got absorbed. I've never seen such a beautiful starry sky."
"That's true, there aren't many places to see it like this in our hometown."
"I heard it's just as beautiful in Kuju."
"Then, let's go next time, okay?"
"I guess so..."
Yes... as I thought, his looks aren't that bad.
It might just be biased glasses, but
Toya-kun, illuminated by the starlight, seemed very wonderful to me.
"Well, shall we go back to the room?"
"Yeah."
When we return to the room, Toya-kun is breathing softly in sleep.
I gently cover Toya-kun with a blanket.
I think I'll rest comfortably today too.
Good night.