Chapter 131 - Blue Sky
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun~"
Airi is calling me.
I looked at the clock; it's only 7:00...
Today is a day off.
"Let me sleep a little longer..."
"I went through the trouble of making breakfast, it'll get cold~"
Yeah, I'll get up.
I mustn't be disrespectful to the food.
I simply sat up.
"You really do wake up immediately when it comes to food, don't you?"
Airi is laughing.
I left the room together with Airi.
"Oh? Toya. You're up early even though it's your day off."
Mother is surprised.
"Toya-kun wakes up immediately when you say 'food,' you know," Airi says with a smile.
"Is waking up for food more important to you than being woken up by your girlfriend?" Mother says with an exasperated look on her face.
I glance at breakfast; today's toast has strawberry jam.
Well, anything is fine.
"Toya-kun, in FPS, blood is called jam, right?"
"?"
"I wonder if you can still eat it knowing that?"
Ah, the jam was Airi's doing.
I eat the toast without paying mind.
Airi has a look on her face that says "Eh?"
"It's delicious. Is this jam Airi's homemade?"
"You noticed~"
Airi is surprised.
Of course I noticed; I can tell the difference between store-bought and homemade.
Did you think I have no taste?
"I wouldn't think Airi's homemade jam is blood...!?"
Airi clings to me.
"I'm in the middle of eating..." I say, and pat her head.
"Toya-kun is so kind since early morning~♪" Airi beams.
"How steamy so early in the morning," Mother laughs.
I finished eating.
Now, let's sleep.
Pat
"Going back to sleep immediately after eating... you're quite the lazy husband, aren't you?"
"I'm busy again starting tomorrow, so it's fine, right?"
I've scheduled so much there's no time to relax.
Actually, I thought I could rest on Saturday and Sunday because I only planned to have a sleepover with the Watanabe group on Thursday and Friday, but...
It happened last night.
"Toya, what do you plan to do this weekend?"
Father asks me.
"What do you mean? I don't really have any plans."
Maybe just sleep to prepare for school after the break?
"I checked your account, and you've hardly used any of it."
Of course I can't use the full amount with that much in there.
"Go stay somewhere. This is for Airi-chan's sake."
"Airi says she can't spend that much money."
"Just relaxing at home makes me happy~"
Airi says.
"But Airi-chan, you help with the housework when you're at home, right? Then I don't know what the point of the holiday is. Go get some rest."
"Then, I'll take you up on that. Shall we go to Kagawa, Toya-kun?"
"Kagawa!?"
"You want to eat Sanuki udon, right? If it's Kagawa, two days and one night is plenty, right? We could even go by train..."
"I'll drive. I want to see the Shunan Industrial Complex too."
"Make sure you use the highway!"
"I got it."
I want to cross the Kanmon Bridge too.
But the tunnel is also hard to pass up.
Maybe I'll head back leisurely on the way home.
That's how the weekend became a trip.
So I thought I'd just lounge around and sleep at home today, but the bride-candidate in front of me wouldn't allow it.
I open and start my laptop.
"What's wrong?"
"Look, remember when we went to Kumamoto? I said we should keep a pocketbook. You said you'd teach me how to use it~"
Ah, that's right.
I sit next to Airi.
"Listen, first..."
Airi operates it as I tell her, while taking receipts and such out of her wallet.
She's accumulated quite a few.
I teach her everything from basic operations to the use of fundamental functions and commands.
While listening to that, Airi enters the amount of expenses and creates a table.
I tell her the amount I withdrew for the income.
On a separate sheet, we calculate the amount spent using cards.
And finally, we create a graph.
I was surprised. Food expenses and accommodation costs are about the same.
Next comes the gasoline cost.
Probably, if we included oil costs and such, it would be even more.
"Maybe we should think about where we stay,"
Airi muttered while looking at the graph.
That said, most of the places were arranged by parents.
Airi opens a web browser and searches for inns.
"Hmm, it's cheap if it's just a room without meals."
"Wouldn't that be the same since food and drink costs would be added?"
"True..."
Going on a trip and eating at a family restaurant is too much, honestly.
It seems double or twin rooms are quite expensive, but Airi throws a tantrum, saying "I don't want it unless we're together!"
"Ah, Sanuki udon is surprisingly cheap, you know?"
Airi looked at the prices of a famous udon shop.
Well, it is udon...
The problem is...
"The transportation cost to get to Kagawa, right?"
Crossing the Seto Ohashi alone should cost a lot.
"Hmm, as expected, you spend money during the travel season. We'll have to save elsewhere."
Well, that'll probably happen.
"Alright, let's keep track of it every day from now on and make a graph every month."
Airi is motivated. Well, if it's just that, it's fine. I'm also interested in how much I'm spending.
"I wish I could submit this as a report~"
What's the point of publishing a report exposing our household finances?
Now that I'm free, I can sleep.
Pat
It didn't work.
"Which would you prefer: studying, or listening to my request?"
Airi is laughing.
"What is Airi's request?"
"Which one do you prefer?"
Airi is smiling brightly.
It's probably better to listen to the request here.
"Let's hear the request."
"There are two things I want to try."
"Sure, go ahead and tell me."
"Then first..."
(2)
We were in the car supplies section of a home center.
"Let's see, sponges, towels, wax, shampoo..."
Airi's request number one.
Washing and maintaining the car.
I feel like it's the first time I've seen it. Airi in jeans.
We buy the necessary things, and while we're at it, we buy a basket to store them in, and then an air freshener.
After that, we go to the car wash area of the SS and start washing.
Airi is working hard to wipe the car dry under the blue sky.
She even cleaned the inside of the car.
"Thank you always, Mr. Car, okay? I'll make you sparkling today," Airi mutters.
Might as well do an inspection since we're at it.
I inspect one by one as before.
The tires are wearing down.
Is it bad?
Because I've been pushing it lately.
That conversation is for another day.
Gas was low too, so I'll have them fill it up while we're here.
"Regular full tank, and while you're at it, the tire pressure..."
"Customer, are you using a water remover?"
"Ah, no thanks. I put it in myself."
"I see."
Saying that, I have the gas filled and the tire pressure checked.
"Thank you very much."
I drive the sparkling car.
"There's one more, right? Where do you want to go?"
"The shopping mall near the soccer stadium."
"Shopping mall!?"
"I've never been... since we have a car, I want to try going."
"Sure."
And so, I drove the sparkling car.
(3)
Using Mera Bypass would be fastest from here.
Entering Mera Bypass from Route 10, then entering the 197 Bypass.
And, as expected, it was crowded near the parking lot.
I was guided to a place far from the mall.
"Airi, can you walk?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Airi says that and takes my right side, firmly gripping my right arm.
Upon arriving at the shopping mall, we first headed to the shoe store.
To buy sneakers for Airi.
Hmm, which ones would be good?
Seems she decided on the type of shoe, but she can't decide on the color.
Whether I should give advice at times like this...
"Toya-kun, which color do you think is better?"
Airi often wears white clothing.
The ones Airi chose were white and gray.
"...Gray, maybe."
Apparently all-white isn't very good.
Did I read somewhere to use three colors?
By the way, the things Airi wears over her clothes are often black.
"Then, I'll take these."
Saying that, she picked up the platform casual shoes and lined up at the register.
After buying shoes, first we get some food.
There was a fast food restaurant, so we headed there.
"I'll order, so Airi, secure a seat."
Saying that, I let Airi rest.
However, Airi does not leave my side.
"You're saying that because you're thinking of ordering a lot, but I won't let you!"
"It's the usual order. Just give me the wallet."
"Uuu, I'm a little hungry too, and I'm curious about the new burger..."
"Then, I'll order it for you."
"Does Toya-kun hate lining up with me?"
"It's not that, but you want to secure a seat, right?"
"They're all full anyway."
If I push too much, Airi starts to pout.
I'll be the one to give in here.
Our turn came around. I choose the order.
"One big burger, a Double Cheese, a Filet-O-Fish, a cola, fries for the set, and nuggets too."
"I'll have this new burger, an apple pie, and a Blue Hawaii."
The clerk immediately placed the ordered items on the tray and announced the price.
Airi takes the money out of her wallet.
"Thank you very much."
I take the tray and look for a seat.
One spot was open.
I head there and take a seat.
Airi's hamburger looks delicious too.
While I'm looking and thinking that, Airi seems to notice my gaze.
"Want a bite?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Don't be shy, go ahead."
Saying that, Airi offers the hamburger.
I took a big bite.
"Delicious."
I was about to line up again without hesitation.
"If you want it that much, I'll give it to you!"
That's a bit too much to ask.
"Want to try this too? It's delicious."
Saying that, she hands me the container with the blue liquid.
I'll have a sip.
Same as shaved ice.
Sweet.
Not as much as cola, though.
"What do we do after this?"
I asked Airi.
"Hmm, I thought a movie might be good, but..."
But?
"Toya-kun, could you accompany me in choosing clothes?"
I thought she was the type to go buy things by herself.
"It's a dream of mine. To choose clothes together with a lover. Toya-kun has decisiveness, so I thought I wouldn't have to worry. Ah, not lover, but fiancé."
"I'm not very confident in my fashion sense, you know?"
"You can at least choose between two options, right? I'll decide the rest myself."
"Well, if that's the case, it's fine..."
As with any shopping mall, there are several stores.
And most of them are for women.
Because there are so many, she gets lost. She worries over there, then worries over here.
"Worrying like this is one of the joys of shopping," Airi says.
While searching, time passes.
Airi goes back and forth between the same store many times.
What is she worrying about?
The internet said it's not good to act obviously bored.
First, I tried to think about what Airi is trying to buy.
...
Ah, I see.
She wants a coordinate to choose for an outdoor day, like the other day.
In that case...
"Which store are you interested in, Airi?"
"Eh? Um... that store over there, maybe?"
"What do they have in this store?"
Tops from this store, and wide pants from the other store would be good, apparently.
However, she seems to lack confidence in that combination.
"Which shirt do you like?"
"Um, this one, maybe?"
"Just buy a few more."
"I wonder which ones are good~"
When she says wide pants, I can imagine them. That black one Airi was looking at.
In that case...
"Wouldn't this be good?"
I picked a white T-shirt with a brand logo.
It'll be good for the coming season, right?
"I was interested in that one too. As expected, Toya-kun's intuition sharpens when he's with me."
Airi takes that piece of clothing and the one she was interested in and lines up at the register.
Once the shopping is finished, next are the bottoms.
We move stores, and she picks up the wide pants she was interested in.
It was exactly what I thought.
"It's okay. It suits you."
"Then, I'll go buy this."
Saying that, Airi takes the wide pants and lines up at the register.
"Would you like the hem adjusted?"
"How long will it take?"
"About 20 to 30 minutes."
"Uuu..."
Airi looks at me worriedly.
"It's okay, just kill time somehow, okay?"
"Yeah."
Saying that, she has the hem measured, and while it's being adjusted, we decide to kill time.
"Shall we pick a bag?"
"Hmm, that's also good, but... want to eat ice cream?"
"Sure."
Saying that, we went to the ice cream shop in the central plaza.
"A double of cream soda and almond tofu."
"One Rock 'n Ball chocolate."
They say women have a separate stomach for sweets, and it's true.
Airi eats the double ice cream in one go.
There's still time.
"What now? Pick a bag?"
"After the pants are done is fine. More importantly, the coffee shop..."
Hopping from store to store!
I welcome it.
"There's a shop that sells coffee beans. Shall we go there?"
I can't eat beans...
That shop has coffee beans, as well as rare ingredients and sweets from all over the world, wine, cheese, spices, and so on, lined up in a cramped space.
"Which beans do you like, Toya-kun?"
"I've never been particularly picky about beans."
"I see... I'm not very good with coffee either~"
I know few types of beans. Blue Mountain, Emerald Mountain, Mocha, Mandheling, and that's about it.
To be honest, I think the taste doesn't change much.
"In times like this, it's that saying, 'Leave it to the experts.' Excuse me~"
Airi calls the clerk.
"How can I help you?"
"I'd like a recommended blend."
"In that case, this would be the one."
There was something written as the shop's original blend coffee.
"Thank you very much."
Airi gives her thanks and puts it in the basket.
"Next are the spices."
Saying that, Airi picks up several types of spices, checks them, and puts them in the basket.
"I'm thinking of using them in cooking next time."
Having done that, she lines up at the register with the coffee and spices.
Naturally, I'm the one made to carry the luggage.
"I wonder if it's done yet~"
Saying that, we head to the store where the hem is being adjusted.
"It's ready."
Told that, Airi receives the item.
Next is the bag.
Women always carry bags, don't they?
Moreover, they have several types to match their clothing coordinates.
We go to an accessory shop and pick a bag.
By the way, Airi has no interest in brand names.
They are reasonably expensive, but she buys based on intuition from the look.
Maybe I'll buy her a foreign brand bag for her birthday?
While I'm thinking that, Airi is picking a bag.
She picked one quite simply.
"Toya-kun didn't notice. While I was picking clothes, I already had a bag in mind."
Ah, that's why the bag was left for last.
"Shall we head back soon?"
I look at my wristwatch.
It's about time.
"Airi, since we've come this far, there's something I want to eat, is that okay?"
"Is this the only place?"
"It's the only one I know."
"Then it's fine."
The shop I chose was a hamburger shop.
A shop whose selling point is their specialized hamburgers using Kagoshima black-haired wagyu and black pork mince, featuring juicy grilling and plenty of savory meat juices.
I chose the hamburger, and Airi chose pasta.
I stand up from the seat triumphantly.
"Where are you going?"
Airi asks curiously.
"Here, bread, salad, and soup are all-you-can-eat, you know."
"That was your goal!"
Airi puffs out her cheeks.
But I'm not scolded.
For the bread... margarine is fine.
Then salad and soup...
By the time I've made three trips, the ordered items arrived.
Delicious! Though it's hot!
The moment I put the knife in, the meat juices overflow.
Airi is also eating her pasta and seems very satisfied.
Women really do have a separate stomach for dessert.
Finished eating and satisfied, we pay the bill and leave the shop.
The time is right, so we decide to go home.
(4)
Since I have time, there are things to do.
To the kitchen, making sure not to wake Toya-kun too early.
Prepare the strawberries and lemons I bought, wash the strawberries and cut off the stems.
After that, put the strawberries in a heat-resistant pot, sprinkle them with sugar, and leave them until moisture comes out.
Once the moisture is out, simmer them gently so they don't burn.
Once the strawberries are soft, squeeze the lemon, add the lemon juice, and crush the strawberries.
Once it reaches this thickness, turn off the heat and it's done.
Once the jam is finished, let it cool; in the meantime, make toast and a plain omelet.
Around that time, Maya-san wakes up.
"Oh? A nice smell. Did you make jam?"
"Yes, um... is jam and such okay?"
"Both the men in this house aren't picky eaters, so it's fine."
Thank goodness.
"The side dishes seem to be ready too. Could you wake Toya up for me?"
"Yes~"
And then I wake Toya-kun.
"In FPS, they called blood jam, right?"
I tried to be mean to Toya-kun. But he eats without being shaken.
"It's homemade jam, so isn't that a bit rude?"
He noticed it was homemade!
Then I catch Toya-kun who tried to sleep.
There are plenty of things to do!
I learn how to use the spreadsheet software from Toya-kun.
It's easier than I thought.
I enter the numbers while looking at the accumulated receipts.
In the income column, I enter the amount Toya-kun withdrew from the account.
The total amount... was less than one month's worth of part-time work.
He's surprisingly frugal.
Though the amount spent on the card is amazing.
Maybe we use the highway too much? Transportation costs are surprisingly significant.
But it's because of Golden Week, so it can't be helped, right?
Is it usually less?
Food expenses seem like they'd be high.
The proportion of food expenses wasn't that high.
As soon as the analysis of our allowances is finished, Toya-kun tries to sleep immediately.
"Please listen to two of my requests."
One is washing the car.
Since it's been used constantly.
I want to take care of it once in a while.
Buy car wash tools then wash the car at the SS.
Toya-kun is doing the car maintenance.
Wash hard under the blue sky and apply wax.
Clean the tires too.
Then I vacuumed the interior.
Thank you, Mr. Car.
Please look after us from now on too.
There were quite a few other couples washing their cars too.
The other request is a shopping date.
So that I'm ready if a situation like Aso happens again, I prepared sneakers in the car.
Then, I wanted clothes that matched them.
Current jeans are fine, but I wanted to try a shopping date with Toya-kun.
Usually I pick Toya-kun's clothes, but today is the opposite.
I'm having him pick for me.
No, I'm undecided on which is best.
Going here and there, then going back again.
I wonder if Toya-kun is tired, or if he thinks I'm troublesome for dragging him around?
It was an unnecessary worry.
Toya-kun seemed to understand what I was worrying about.
He picked together with me.
While the wide pants were being hemmed, we ate ice cream and bought spices and such.
With this, I can make delicious food again.
Look forward to it.
Receive the hemmed wide pants, pick and buy a bag.
Realized it was already night.
Eat dinner and go home.
Pass in front of the University on the way home.
"Welcome home. You're back early."
Maya-san said that and greeted us.
Then enter today's expenses into the spreadsheet while watching TV in Toya-kun's room.
Car wash tools are car-related, so maybe transportation costs are fine?
Toya-kun came up from the bath.
Eh? Why didn't we enter together?
Yeah, we're together when staying over anyway, and we're together when we sleep, so I thought it was fine.
After that, when I entered the bath, Toya-kun was preparing for tomorrow.
Ah, I have to prepare for tomorrow too.
Tomorrow morning is early too.
Watched TV and fell asleep after 22:00.
Today was fulfilling too.
This kind of date isn't bad.
Let's do it again someday.