Chapter 133 - A Sky Full of Stars, A Blue Sky
The sky was full of stars.
Before I knew it, we were alone.
It wasn't as if anyone had specifically nudged us into this.
Everyone except us were couples.
I had naturally expected this to happen.
Is this the "pass" Katagiri-kun was talking about?
In this situation, I truly believe there is no such thing as a "no."
Especially if the other person has feelings for me...
But what should I say?
Should I just suddenly say, "Please go out with me"?
This is a pretty tough pass, Katagiri-kun.
"I'm so envious of everyone,"
the woman beside me, Ichinose Honoka-san, said.
"You're right... I'm beyond envious."
"I want to be like that too,"
Ichinose-san murmured.
I definitely heard her.
It was just as Katagiri-kun said.
To begin with, there is no goalkeeper.
The DF who suddenly appeared was also sent off.
Isn't this just a penalty kick with no goalkeeper?
Missing here isn't just a matter of being embarrassed.
In some countries, it would be a level of failure where getting shot wouldn't even be surprising.
All that's left is to kick carefully.
I'm nervous. Relax, relax.
"If you'd like, why don't we join them?"
"Eh?"
Ichinose-san looked up at me as she spoke.
The slight flush on her face wasn't because of the contents of the silver, bumpy empty can she held in one hand.
"Um... would you go out with me?"
I finally said it.
There's no turning back now.
Please, go into the goal.
"My family is poor, and I live in a run-down apartment. I've been doing my best just to pay for tuition and living expenses, so I thought dating was a dream within a dream."
Ugh... did I miss?
Wait, but she just used the past tense, right?
"Is someone like me okay? I can't do much."
"I'm in a similar boat, so don't worry about it."
My parents pay my tuition, but I don't receive any other allowance. I'm barely getting by with rent, utilities, and food.
"There's someone I like. Usually, he's just spacing out, but he's wonderful only when he's at his part-time job. But even when he's spacing out, I think he's wonderful... before I knew it, I had fallen for him."
Someone she likes...? That's me, right? If it weren't me, I'd start screaming, "You've tricked me!"
Then, Ichinose-san suddenly hugged me.
"It's like a dream, to be confessed to by the person I like."
"Ichinose-san..."
"You can just call me Honoka."
"Honoka..."
"Can I call you Yoshiyuki too?"
"Sure."
I feel like I'm standing on the greatest stage of my life.
A bright full moon seems to be illuminating us like a spotlight.
The first confession of my life was a complete success.
I only own tattered jerseys, but maybe I'll buy some clothes soon.
Maybe I should ask Ryosuke-san how to take care of my hair?
Clap clap...
I hear applause.
Before I knew it, everyone was surrounding us.
"That was a good shot, Sakai."
When Tada-kun said that, the applause grew even louder.
"A present for that Sakai. You didn't bring any, right? Knowing you."
The thing Tada-kun handed over...
Apparently, it smells like fruit...
Tada-kun, what do you intend to do by handing over something like this?
Thwack
I heard a sound effect that sounded incredibly painful.
"Makoto! You're always saying unnecessary things!"
"Kanna gave some to Toya too, didn't she!?"
"I've forgotten about things from that long ago."
"Alright! Honoka, drink up!! Tonight's going to be wild!"
"Mika, that's enough!"
"What's the matter, Masashi, you're so boring!"
"I'm already drinking, so it's fine."
No, it's not fine at all, Honoka.
You have to exercise some self-restraint.
Well, whatever. Just for tonight.
I also picked up a slightly bumpy can like hers and started drinking.
"H-hey. Sakai-kun, are you okay?"
Watanabe-kun hurriedly tried to stop me.
"I've been forced to drink during part-time job welcome parties, so I know my limits to some extent."
"N-no, that's not the issue here."
I understand what Watanabe-kun is trying to say. But just for tonight, let me get drunk. I'm floating on happiness, so I want to make a fuss and blame it on the alcohol.
"Sakai-kun? What does it taste like?"
"It tastes normally delicious."
Has Katagiri-kun never drunk before?
"I see, huh, lime... I wonder what it tastes like?"
Poke
"Here, Toya-kun, I still have cola."
"Airi, you said we'd drink together someday..."
"I have cola!"
"...Yes."
It seems Katagiri-kun still has a long way to go.
(2)
After the men had bathed, we took our turn.
It was an open-air bath, with a beautiful sky of moonlight and starlight.
While soaking in the hot water, I listened to Ichinose-san's story.
"The lines were kind of plain, but I guess that's how it goes,"
Mika-san said.
"It's okay, I'm just happy that he said it to me."
Ichinose-san said, looking elated.
I felt a little envious of Ichinose-san. Because I was the one who said it myself. Ah, but he did come to my house after that...
"But I get it. You want the person you like to ask you to go out with them,"
Ai murmured. Did Ai say it herself too?
"What's this? Does it mean our group just has a lot of herbivores in the end?"
"Maybe so."
Mika-san and Ai were talking.
"Hey, Emi, I want to ask one thing."
"What is it, Kanna-chan?"
"Is this building soundproof?"
"Soundproof? It's made of wood, and more than anything, it has an open ceiling..."
"I figured."
What is Kanna worried about?
"No, I'm just worried if that idiot has been whispering unnecessary things again. He was handing over condoms earlier."
Ah, that's what it is.
"Ichinose-san, if he makes a move, you should refuse. You shouldn't date someone without the guts to keep going just because they were refused once."
In the first place, I can't imagine Sakai-kun doing something so sudden.
"It's okay, I don't intend to let him end up with such a weak spirit."
Emi smiled.
"Everyone probably thinks this is the end, but there are still mountains of problems!"
Ai suddenly stood up.
"What do you mean?"
Ichinose-san asked, as if it were natural.
"There's a high possibility that Sakai-kun thinks it's over just because the confession succeeded!"
"It's not over?"
"Honoka, are you satisfied with that? Haven't you thought about wanting him to take you on a date or wanting to stay over?"
"T-that's a bit... neither of us has much financial leeway."
"Even if we give in completely and skip the date, you'd want to stay over at least! I mean, just move in together already!"
That's a reckless argument, Ai. But it's true that I'd want him to invite me on a date. I was the one who invited Toya-kun at first, too.
"W-well, I think we can just think about it slowly from now on."
"You're naive, Honoka. Four years go by in a flash. You want to add some color to your university life memories, right!"
"No need to worry, Ai-chan. I have everything covered."
Emi was laughing.
"I plan to have those two date in the backstreets of Yufuin tomorrow. With Shinjo's escort, of course."
"Escort? Does that person not need to escort Emi?"
I asked Emi.
"Isshy is here, so it's fine. He's more trained than he looks."
He's been trained, huh...
At that moment, I felt a presence creeping up behind me.
"Kya!"
That presence grabbed my breast from behind.
"Hmm... Airi has quite a bit, too, in terms of breasts."
What's gotten into you, Kanna, touching me so suddenly?
"I mean, this kind of thing always happens when it's just girls in the bath."
Just as I thought she was laughing, she looked depressed.
"What's wrong?"
"I just started feeling sad about why only my breasts are so small... Honoka's are big, too."
Kanna said, placing her hands on her own chest.
"There's nothing to worry about. Makoto-kun said he's fine with it, right?"
"That's not helping, Airi. That pervert meant it in a different sense."
Come to think of it, Toya-kun never says anything about my body shape.
Ah, did he? Something about it being better if I had a bit more meat on my bones. That's not something you say to a woman!
"Even if they're big, it's just a struggle. You can't choose cute bra designs, your shoulders get stiff, you can't wear cute clothes..."
"Hmm, I see... so you're struggling."
Ichinose-san gave various other supports, like how there are corrective undergarments even for small ones, or how you can look smart.
Kanna threw a tantrum, saying, "Even so, being big is better!"
Ah, she was drinking. She's drunk.
"Shall we get out soon? The men might be getting rowdy on their own."
"Airi's just worried about Toya's snacking, right!?"
Kanna said, laughing.
"I have to go monitor that idiot Eita to make sure he's not drinking alcohol too!"
When Ai said that, everyone left the bath.
"Those who have it will never understand the sadness of those who don't..."
Leaving Kanna behind, who muttered to herself.
"Kanna, you'll get lightheaded!"
"Ah, wait for me, everyone!"
(3)
Puff...
Everyone was paying attention to Kiritani-kun's every move.
"Cigarettes really are great."
Everyone stirred with an "Ooh~".
"Don't smoke too much."
Watanabe-kun, you've been smoking several for a while now, so you have no persuasiveness.
"Now, while I still can, a chu-hi..."
"Like hell you can, you idiot!"
Smack!
Sashihara-san was standing firmly with her legs apart behind Kiritani-kun.
"I look away for one second... ah! Smoking again!"
Sashihara-san confiscated it.
"Such tyranny!"
"Shut up! You're a minor."
Sashihara-san has it rough too.
While watching those two, I was eating snacks and drinking juice...
Poke
"I knew it, as soon as I look away, you eat a ton of snacks!"
Airi shouted.
"I haven't eaten that much."
"You can't fool me! What's with the amount of snack bags at your feet!?"
I had it rough too.
"Haa~ a drink after a bath is the best!"
"Can't beat it."
"It really hits the spot."
Kanna, Mika-san, and Ichinose-san each held a silver can and gave their impressions.
"Kanna, keep it in moderation!"
"Let me be free just for today."
"You're always free!"
While watching the exchange between Makoto and Kanna, all my snacks were confiscated.
That's fine. Because what's waiting after this...
"Mika-san, you don't need to make any appetizers for Toya-kun!"
"Well, if the girlfriend says so, it can't be helped! To-ya."
Cruel...
"Right, now that the women have returned, I'll say this first: I intend for us to leave here early tomorrow morning."
Watanabe-kun stood up and spoke.
In short, he's saying we should go to sleep early?
I lightly pinched some of the pork kimchi Mika-san had made.
"Ah, bad manners!"
Poke
"Then bring me chopsticks."
"None for Toya-kun!"
"Then, will Airi give me an 'aaahn'?"
"U-uu..."
"Airi, don't. He's saying that specifically targeting you."
"You're right. No!!"
Kanna, you... saying unnecessary things...
"So, we'll park at the parking lot near Kinrin Lake and then everyone's free to act! I'm thinking we'll gather at 3 o'clock."
"What are we doing after we gather?"
Kiritani-kun asked.
"We'll just disband then."
"Katagiri-kun."
Ichinose-san spoke to him.
She was fidgeting a bit.
"About Sakai-kun... I'll drive him back."
"Ah, roger."
Then I have plenty of time. I'll go over the mountain, descend to Beppu, and take Route 10...
There was a conveyor belt sushi place on the way, you can eat shabu-shabu there too. I'll go there.
"It's early tomorrow, so everyone go to sleep quickly! With that, goodnight from me."
"Ah, you can't just go to sleep after I went through the trouble of making this!"
"I'm tired today, please just let me sleep."
"Eat and then sleep!!"
"...Fine."
Reluctantly, Watanabe-kun sat down and ate the pork kimchi.
"Well, we're going to sleep now, so goodnight."
"Mika-san went to the trouble of making this. You have to eat..."
"Let's just go to sleep♪"
Airi was smiling.
While she's smiling... huh.
"...Goodnight."
"Good boy, good boy."
Airi patted my head.
(4)
Poke
My head was suddenly hit.
Even though I didn't do anything.
"It's already morning! Wake up, wake up! Breakfast is ready."
Come to think of it, a nice smell is wafting through the air.
I silently woke up.
And dashed toward the dining hall.
The person in charge of cooking breakfast was Mika-san; apparently, Kanna and others helped too.
As expected of a professional!
Delicious!!
Ah, no. Airi's is also delicious. But I think it's a bit much to compare her to someone in that line of work. So don't make such a sad face, Airi.
"U-uu..."
Airi was eating as if confirming the taste. And she was asking Mika-san about the cooking method.
She intends to imitate it...
What should I do?
I gently patted Airi's head.
Airi glared at me with an expression like a demon.
If she were actually a demon, it would be scary.
But this is just cute.
"Airi's food is delicious too, you know?"
"...Really?"
I silently nodded.
"Thank goodness~"
Even a woman's heart, which seems complex, is simple if you unravel it one by one.
Maybe it's a matter of feeling.
I feel like as long as there's feeling, any complex equation can be decomposed.
The parking lot around Kinrin Lake.
"Alright, see you at 3! I'll leave behind anyone who's late!"
I thought it would be fine to just disband here. Well, whatever.
Now, Yufuin is a place I've been to many times, so there's nothing in particular to see.
It's overflowing with foreign tourists and tourists from outside the prefecture.
I wonder what to do.
"Shall we look around the art museums?"
It was Airi's suggestion.
Which museums should we visit?
From the pamphlet we received, Airi selected three.
For now, let's go around starting from the nearest one.
We visited all three locations.
We also ate lunch.
There are about two hours left.
What should we do?
Airi is also wondering.
"Shall we go home early?"
That was the answer that came back.
I looked at Airi's face and thought.
"?"
Yeah, I've decided.
"Airi, there's a place I want to go."
"Sure, where?"
The souvenir shop of a famous inn.
It was crowded with people, but I managed to secure some space to choose.
"It's good to buy souvenirs once in a while, right?"
"It is!"
Airi seemed interested in seasonings.
Well, if you're buying here, that's probably the only option.
"I'll take this~"
Airi took it to the register.
In the meantime, I went outside the shop to relax for a bit.
Airi was looking for me.
"Airi!"
When I shouted, Airi seemed to notice. She ran over to me.
"I thought you disappeared!"
"I just wanted to rest a bit."
"U-uu, are you tired?"
"I'm going to rest now, so it's fine."
"Hoe?"
I went to the second floor of the building.
It was a coffee shop.
The coffee shop located there was set up in an interesting way... I'll tell you about that when we go again.
Anyway, upon entering the coffee shop, I chose a seat on the upper floor.
"Espresso."
"Darjeeling and a dessert."
It's rare for Airi to choose food.
Then the order arrived.
It was a system where something like a pulley delivered it to the upper floor.
Once the customer received the order, it went back down.
"This is interesting~"
Airi seemed to enjoy it too.
I had seen it when I came once before.
We relaxed for about 30 minutes and left the shop.
"Sorry, I'm just going to the restroom~"
Saying that, Airi left her bag with me and went to the restroom.
In the meantime, I sat on a chair placed outside and waited for Airi.
"Sorry to keep you waiting~. Huh?"
Under the blue sky, I had fallen asleep while hugging the bag.
"Toya-kun, are you exhausted?"
Airi poked my cheek.
"Sorry, I just let my guard down."
"It's okay, you know?"
"Eh?"
"Please relax in front of me. We're not in a relationship where you need to be nervous anymore, right?"
"Thank you."
After that, we killed time by walking around Kinrin Lake.
When there were 15 minutes left, we returned to the parking lot and waited for everyone.
It seemed we were the first ones back.
"Katagiri-kun."
The one who arrived was Sakai-kun.
He looked exhausted.
Ichinose-san had an apologetic look on her face, and Shinjo-san looked satisfied.
I wonder what happened.
The other pairs returned one after another.
The last to return were, as expected, Kanna and Makoto.
"Is everyone here? Well then, thank you for your hard work~"
With that, everyone got into their cars and headed home.
"Toya-kun, are you okay? Shall I switch driving?"
"I rested earlier, so I'm fine."
Just in case, I chewed some anti-sleep gum before starting the car.
I drove forward with the FM radio blasting.
The Route 210 route, the Route 10 route, and the highway route.
No matter which one I chose, it was congested.
Then I talked with Airi about taking Route 10.
"That was fun~"
"Yeah..."
"You have a bit of a gloomy look on your face?"
"I guess."
There was one thing on my mind.
"What's wrong?"
"Shimizu-san. I was wondering what to do about her."
"I see..."
I told Airi that Shimizu-san had a lonely look on her face.
"Hmm..."
Airi was pondering.
"As I thought, maybe we should set her up with some guy..."
"I think that's impossible."
That's true.
If she felt like it, she could probably find a guy easily.
"It's not that, but I can't introduce someone to Shimizu-san while she's harboring such impure thoughts, like wanting to win over Eguchi-san."
Ah, so it's a problem on that end.
That depends on Shimizu-san.
We entered the local area.
"I'm thinking of having sushi for dinner."
"Conveyor belt sushi?"
"Yeah."
"Got it~"
Though she got really angry later when she found out about the shabu-shabu.