Chapter 128 - In the Grasslands
(1)
"Toya-kun, breakfast is ready."
I woke up immediately.
When I opened my eyes, I was in an unfamiliar room.
Ah, that's right. I had come to stay over.
Well then, I'll go eat breakfast.
"You should change your clothes before that."
Ah, true.
I changed my clothes.
I looked at the clock. It was before 7 o'clock.
"Well, shall we go?"
I wonder if Airi had been up even earlier?
She was fully prepared.
Breakfast was surprisingly ordinary.
There aren't people who drink alcohol from the morning.
However, is French cuisine always this unsatisfying for the stomach?
I didn't feel like I had eaten at all.
Airi had told me that I should get used to French cuisine, but I thought, isn't it fine as it is?
"I'll look for a French restaurant in my hometown next time."
"No, as for French cuisine..."
"I'll look for one."
"...Yes."
Lately, I've been weak against Airi's pushiness.
"It's fine, since you're learning French."
"Oh? Are you both students?"
The owner's wife brought coffee and tea.
"That's right, we're university students starting this academic year,"
Airi answered.
"I thought you were a very young couple, so that's how it is. How are your studies? Making progress?"
"I'm managing somehow."
It really is just "somehow"... the weeks with quizzes are seriously hell.
"Good luck, well then, see you later."
Saying that, the wife departed.
"Toya-kun, you're leaving right after eating, right?"
"Ah, that's right."
I operated my smartphone.
The time seems fine.
"Well, shall we go back to the room and get ready?"
"Ye~s."
Once we finished our preparations, we settled the bill and left the auberge.
While driving the car, I asked Airi about something that had been bothering me since yesterday.
"Airi, what were you doing during the checkout?"
"Hoe?"
"Because it took an unusually long time at the convenience store yesterday too."
"I-it's nothing."
She is clearly hiding something.
To be precise, it's been since we ate lunch yesterday.
"Airi, I've said since long ago that there should be no secrets."
"Uuu... you won't get angry even if you ask?"
"Is it something to get angry about?"
"N-no. I think it'll probably be okay."
"Anyway, go ahead and tell me?"
"Actually..."
I was appalled upon hearing the content.
In short, she wanted to keep an allowance book using spreadsheet software.
Apparently, she had been curious about how much money I was spending for a while.
Since she had been told not to worry about it, she apparently hid it thinking she would be scolded if she said something.
Additionally, she intended to put money into my wallet if she thought I had spent too much.
I was laughing.
"It's not something to laugh at! I did it thinking of Toya-kun's sake."
"Thank you, Airi. But you're putting your money toward the marriage fund, right? Keep it safe."
"Uuu... but."
"I'm managing my accounts properly. Don't worry."
"Yeah..."
"Also, if you start keeping it from the end of April, you won't get an average, right? Since we spend a lot during the long holidays."
"Ah, that's true... But it's better to start keeping it now. I think it's important to grasp what you spend the most money on. Though I have a general idea."
That's true, it's probably food and drink expenses.
But I think accommodation costs are quite high too. Also gasoline and such...
"Look, you're in the faculty of economics for a reason!"
"That's incredibly micro-economics."
"I'll start keeping it as soon as we get back, so..."
"So?"
"Teach me how to use the spreadsheet software ♪"
Gaku!
"So that's where this was going..."
Well, it's probably better to learn how to use spreadsheet software sooner rather than later.
We began ascending the Aso mountain road.
The gradient is steeper than I thought.
"Ah, look at the cows~"
Airi spoke up, so I glanced over.
Indeed, cows were being grazed.
Looking around, there were a few couples who had stopped their cars on the shoulder to watch them.
After going up a bit further, I stopped the car on the shoulder and got out.
"Wow~ it's beautiful~"
It really was beautiful.
It might be because it's sunny.
It was a landscape where you could see as far as Kuju.
We've climbed this high.
Airi seemed unable to decide on an angle to take photos.
I'll leave her to it for a while.
In the meantime, I search with the navi.
I told Airi we'd go back via the Central Kyushu Cross-Road, but there are two routes I'm curious about.
One is the route that literally goes through the Yamanami Highway, passing through Senomoto and Mizumaki Pass to return.
The other is the route that goes through Minami-Aso, stops by Takachiho Gorge, and exits through Minami-Nobeoka.
Personally, I prefer the latter route.
The reason is that the Yamanami Highway can be toured in a day trip anytime as long as the season is chosen.
I probably won't go to Takachiho Gorge often, so I want to try going.
The problem is how to persuade Airi...
Persuasion is easy, but the biggest drawback is, as expected, the time.
Would it be fast if we took the highway from Minami-Nobeoka?
But we've already taken the highway, and I want to try driving the national road once.
Hmm...
"Toya-kun!"
Airi is tapping on the window glass.
I open the door.
"What's wrong?"
"That man said he'd take a photo of us with the cows, let's take one for a memory?"
"Alright."
I got out of the car, and we had a photo taken of Airi and me with a cow between us.
In return, I took a photo for the other couple.
The two of them thanked me and went up the slope.
"Shall we go too?"
"Yeah!"
We also headed toward Kusasenrigahama.
A vast plain that makes it hard to believe it's on top of a mountain.
I wanted to run up to the top of the hill, but I looked at Airi's feet.
"Uuu... I'm sorry."
Airi had come in sandals.
I can't imagine walking on this muddy grassland in sandals.
Airi was depressed.
Is there some way to comfort her?
Hm?
Something entered my field of vision.
With that, we might be able to go around.
"Airi, come here."
Taking the oblivious Airi to the edge of the grassland, I spoke to the staff.
"Is it okay for two people?"
There seemed to be some resistance because of her skirt, but Airi was riding comfortably.
I followed behind her.
Do I have horseback riding skills?
There's no way I do.
The horseback riding experience here is led-horse for all courses, so anyone can enjoy it.
"Yay. It's wide, so wide."
Airi was frolicking.
I gazed at such an Airi.
The course was completed in less than 30 minutes.
Airi got off the horse and brushed the hair off her skirt.
Airi patted the horse, saying "Good boy, good boy."
I captured that moment in a photo.
Airi didn't seem to dislike it.
The car aimed further up and stopped near the Aso mountain crater.
On that day, passage by car was possible.
Looking at the crater, it had a color that seemed impossible for something natural.
Airi and I took photos.
We drove the car down a bit and parked in the parking lot, then Airi headed toward the shop.
(2)
It's already past noon. I have to refuel Toya-kun... but there's nothing here.
I'll have him make do with soft-serve ice cream.
I'll buy some juice too.
I put the juice in the bag, held the soft-serve ice cream with both hands, and returned to the car.
Is Toya-kun troubled by something while looking at the navi?
I wonder what's wrong? All that's left is to go home, right?
For now, I want him to open the door.
"Toya-kun!"
When I shouted, Toya-kun, who seemed to hear me, looked this way and hurriedly opened the door.
"Sorry, I was thinking for a bit."
Yeah, I know.
"Here, this."
First, I hand him the soft-serve ice cream.
"Thank you."
Toya-kun and I eat the soft-serve ice cream together.
When we finished eating, I asked Toya-kun.
"So, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"No, actually, I'm troubled about the route home."
I heard the details of his trouble.
Takachiho Gorge!
That's Japan's greatest power spot!
Even I know about it!
They say it has amazing blessings.
It's the shrine that enshrines Amaterasu-Omikami!
To think such a wonderful proposal would come from Toya-kun! I never dreamed of it!
We have to go, Toya-kun. No, we should go. No, go!
"But I can't find a place to eat lunch."
Pokah
"For something like that, you can just eat sandwiches from a convenience store!"
"It's crowded this time of year, and we might not make it in time for the visiting hours."
"We can think about that when the time comes!"
Action first before hesitating!
"...The return might be late. Is that okay?"
"Toya-kun can just go pip and sleep. I'll listen to the classes in your place."
"Well, if you go that far, I guess we'll try going."
Yay!
Toya-kun sets the destination to Takachiho Shrine.
The navi displays the route.
Toya-kun started the car.
(3)
Since Airi recommended it surprisingly proactively, I decided to go.
We stopped at a convenience store on the way to replenish food.
We drove straight along the national road and entered Takachiho.
As expected, the cars are crowded.
Will we make it... Amanoyasugawara is impossible since Airi is in sandals.
I'll look for a parking lot close to Takachiho Shrine.
That wasn't necessary.
Shuttle buses are running constantly. It seems we can go regardless of where we park.
"Uuu, if I knew this, I wouldn't have come in sandals."
"From now on, you can just keep sneakers in the car."
"Yeah..."
I parked the car in the parking lot, and in a few minutes' walk, we reached Amano-Iwato Shrine.
We registered at the shrine office and visited Amano-Iwato.
I involuntarily gasped.
Is it this amazing?
A mysterious emotion was born.
Airi seemed to feel the same way.
As if it were a lie that she had been depressed until a moment ago, she was staring intently at the rock door.
Even though it's called a rock door, it's not like there's a door made of rock, but there is something that convinces you.
There was something there that made me think that gods really do exist.
I was an atheist, but on this day alone, I prayed.
The blessing is the fulfillment of all wishes.
After praying at the West Main Shrine, Airi started saying "I want to pray at the East Main Shrine too."
Once she says it, she won't listen.
Inevitably, I took Airi's hand and walked.
"Be careful not to slip. Do your feet hurt?"
"I'm fine. Thank you."
We somehow reached Amanoyasugawara.
A place that allows no doubt as to what a power spot is.
That was Takachiho.
Finally, we visited Takachiho Shrine.
There is something called the Meoto-Sugi (Married Cedar). It is said that if a couple holds hands and circles this giant tree three times, three wishes—matchmaking, family safety, and prosperity of descendants—will be granted.
Without hesitation, I held Airi's hand and circled three times.
"This makes it okay, right?"
"I suppose so."
After finishing visiting most of the places, we headed to the parking lot and drove the car toward Nobeoka.
There was a bridge on the way, and it was a superb view.
Truly to the extent that I was captivated.
"It's dangerous, so look ahead and drive!"
I was cautioned by Airi.
However, Airi, sitting in the passenger seat, was staring intently at that scenery.
After descending the mountain for several hours, we finally reached Nobeoka at a time that seemed appropriate for dinner.
"Now it's the highway, right?"
I involuntarily hesitated at Airi's words.
I want to go by the local roads.
But if we eat dinner now, we might arrive home in the middle of the night.
Shall I think about it after eating dinner for now?
Dinner had already been decided.
It had been decided from the moment we decided to go to Nobeoka.
"Chicken Nanban, right!"
She sees through everything.
(4)
As always, the volume is amazing.
I can't eat it all.
Such worry was unnecessary.
Because Toya-kun eats it for me.
But the chicken nanban was delicious.
Every shop Toya-kun takes me to is delicious.
Because there is a seasoning called "you."
Now then, shall I ask?
"What are you troubled about?"
"...You noticed?"
"Yeah."
Because when Toya-kun is staring at the navi, it's when he's thinking about something.
I heard Toya-kun's trouble.
Considering the time to return now, using the highway is faster, but Toya-kun personally wants to return by driving the national road.
Is Toya-kun a national road maniac?
But it's not a "cruel road" (T/N: refers to kokudou vs kokudou pun, referring to notoriously bad roads), right?
He didn't seem to be the type to take photos of signs called onigiri.
Ah, that's right. He was a scenery maniac.
He wants to carve the footsteps he traced himself into his heart.
I understand. Because I am also carving the footsteps I traced with you into my heart.
"It's fine, by the national road."
"Really!? But it might be late."
"Yeah, since you granted my request. Just... is Toya-kun okay? You've been driving the whole time."
"That's fine!"
Since there didn't seem to be any convenience stores for a while after leaving Nobeoka, we bought energy drinks and such.
We continued to drive through the night road.
There were several points to rest, but they gradually decreased.
In this darkness, what is Toya-kun looking at?
For now, I want him to look ahead, though.
"Airi, thank you."
"Eh?"
"I thought you'd say 'It's a pain, so let's go by highway'."
There's no way I'd think that.
"Like, lately, driving the car has been fun."
Yeah, I've noticed that. And I love sitting next to him.
"When I watch videos on the internet and such, there are times I think I want to try it myself."
"What is it~?"
"Like, I want to post my own in-car videos~"
"That's no good!"
"Why?"
"I'll be left behind."
"Ah... sorry."
Just kidding.
"Isn't it fine? I don't think anyone posts in-car videos of being lovey-dovey with their girlfriend."
"Ugh, that was a factor... I really can't post that."
"Right? I'll record Toya-kun's in-car videos inside my head, so it's okay."
"Can I peek into that?"
"Toya-kun is always looking, aren't you?"
Ah, it became a good mood.
But right now we're driving. Patience, patience.
When we get home, we can slowly... no, we can't even do that?
At that moment, my smartphone rang.
It was from Rie-chan.
"Hello?"
"Don't 'hello' me~! What time do you think it is~! You have school tomorrow, right?"
"Tomorrow is from the 3rd period, so it's okay~"
"Where are you now~?"
"Just entered Nozu Town."
"You went to Aso but you're in Nozu Town~?"
"Various things happened~"
"I see~ are you staying over at Toya-kun's place today~?"
"Yeah."
"Get home safely~"
The phone call ended.
"It was a short break."
"It's still starting from now."
"That's true."
"Since we spent such a dense amount of time in two days, I'm looking forward to the second half~"
"I wonder how it'll turn out."
Wait, you're not thinking about anything?
"There are plenty of places I want to go, since it's a rare long holiday. However..."
"However?"
"Don't you think we'll be summoned by Watanabe's group?"
"Ah, that's right. That was there."
But, as long as Toya-kun is okay, we could even skip it, you know?
"Watanabe-kun said, 'You have to cherish your girlfriend, but you also have to maintain your friendships properly. In my case, I lack that too extremely'."
When told that, it's the same for me.
Maybe I'll be careful from now on.
But...
"No friends of the opposite sex, okay? I don't believe in friendship between men and women. There's definitely an ulterior motive."
I don't want to be taken by anyone.
"I know."
Saying that, Toya-kun patted my head with his left hand.
"Well, let's see how it goes in the two days in between?"
"Yeah."
After crossing the tunnel and emerging in Tosuji, the road was bright.
Even though most shops were closed, many cars were running.
"Ah, that ramen stall over there is open. I'm a bit hungry, shall we try going..."
Pokah
"Let's go straight home, okay?"
"No, but..."
"Let's go home."
"...Yes."
Toya-kun is obedient lately.
Is that kindness? Is it to keep me in a good mood?
Either is fine.
They often say that when the woman is stronger, the household goes better.
I feel like I could build a good home with Toya-kun.
And so, we returned home after 1 in the morning.
I'm glad tomorrow starts from the 3rd period.