Chapter 136 - May Sickness
(1)
"Oh, welcome. Toya-kun."
One of the staff members at this gas station is a fellow street racer.
As promised with Airi, I came here the next day to get the car washed...
"I get one free car wash, right? Manager! Is that okay?"
"Ah, I heard you helped us out yesterday. Sure, it's a special case."
Apparently, the manager here used to be a street racer too.
Is there some kind of rule that street racers have to work at gas stations?
"The key to the customer's car, please."
I handed the key to the clerk, and the clerk began preparing the car wash machine.
"I'll put you through the top-tier course."
The fellow racer said that and returned to work.
Airi and I went inside the shop to buy some juice, and we read magazines while drinking.
They were car catalogs.
There were lists of used cars and such.
"Toya-kun, are you buying a new car?"
"I still have loans left, so that's not happening."
"Thank goodness~ I like that car."
That's good.
The SUV I've been driving gets pretty harsh reviews.
Even looking at the online reviews, nothing but insults are written.
Though, actually driving it, it's not really that bad.
"I hear your driving technique is amazing? My staff member was saying so."
The manager spoke to me.
"It's only been about two months since I started driving, though."
"Now that's surprising. You weren't running without a license, were you?"
"I wasn't."
"Then it must be a difference in talent."
"Manager-san, please don't flatter him, or Toya-kun will get carried away again."
Airi complained.
"Ah, so you're the cute girlfriend. You're truly beautiful."
"I'm not his girlfriend, I'm his fiancée."
"Oops, you're already engaged?"
Apparently, in Airi's mind, I've already proposed.
I silently drank my juice.
"Since you're not denying it, is that how it is?"
"He told me to wait, though."
The conversation between the two of them was lively.
Hmm... as I thought, the ones that look like street racer cars are all used.
The FC and FD that those brothers were driving apparently exceed 3 million yen.
Kiritani-kun drove one too. Considering the maintenance costs, it seems impressive.
Airi went outside to see the car, which had become sparkling clean.
"Customer, the wax has already been applied."
"Huh?"
"It's also been coated, so you don't need to wax it for a while."
"I see."
"You don't know anything about cars, do you? Haven't you asked him anything?"
"I don't think Toya-kun knows that much either."
"Right. It's completely normal."
"Normal... is there something I should add?"
"Well, if you're going to drive like the other day, yes. Ah. That's right. I remembered, could you call your boyfriend over for a moment?"
"Okay~"
Then Airi came inside and called me.
"It seems like they want to talk about something."
I wondered what it was.
When I went outside, the fellow racer looked at the tires and spoke.
"They look like they're almost at their limit, want to replace them?"
"Are the slip signs showing?"
"They aren't showing yet, but with that kind of driving, it wouldn't be strange if they burst at any time."
Being told that, I looked at the tires.
The slip signs weren't showing yet, but there wasn't much tread left.
I really did push them too far.
"It's a miracle you've been driving like that on normal tires."
"Even if it's real-time, it's four-wheel drive, so rotation is impossible, right?"
"In your case, you're driving using all four wheels. Rotation would be tough."
A full replacement... that'll probably cost a fair bit.
"What'll it be? If you replace them at our shop, I'll make it cheap."
"Toya-kun, is the car malfunctioning?"
It seemed Airi didn't understand what they were talking about.
"It seems I pushed the car too hard, and the tires are pretty much at their limit."
"Then, let's fix it for you? It's pitiful."
"...I think it'll cost quite a bit."
"It's maintenance, so it can't be helped."
"Then, please."
"Roger, I'll check the brake pads while I'm at it. I'll also throw in an oil change for free."
"Is that okay?"
"Yesterday's match was worth at least that much. Thanks."
"No, thank you as well."
And so, it was decided that I would have the tires and oil replaced.
I've been driving quite a bit, so I thought the oil was about due anyway.
"Do you want comfort or sport tires?"
"Comfort, please."
"Are you sure? I think sport is better if you're going to drive."
"I do long-distance trips and such, so I'll prioritize comfort."
"Roger."
Saying that, I waited inside the shop again.
"Is the car okay?"
Airi asked anxiously.
"No need to worry. I just think I overused the suspension a bit."
"Please take good care of him."
"I know."
More importantly, what should we do after this is finished?
"What should we do when it's over?"
"Hmm, do some shopping and go home."
My parents told me to eat dinner before coming home, though.
Now, what to do about that.
If I say something like let's eat something before going home, they'll probably get angry.
"Airi, is there anything you want to buy?"
"Hmm, ingredients for tonight's meal at the supermarket."
Of course she'd say that.
Couldn't something be done about this?
...Yeah, let's try that approach.
"Could you do me a favor?"
"Whaaat?"
"The car is important, but Airi is even more important."
"Eh?"
The reaction seems good. This might work.
"So, I want to give Airi some maintenance once a week, you know?"
"You always do that for me~"
"Yeah, so just like always, today is Airi's day off."
"?"
"Let's eat something before going home."
"Uuu... nothing like that sushi from the other day."
Which means other things are okay, right?
"Anything you want to eat is fine."
"Then, since it's close, omurice at the shopping mall♪"
"Got it. But we have plenty of time, so shall we go for a little drive first?"
"No reckless driving. Today, please be kind to the car."
"I know."
"Mm."
When I succeeded in persuading Airi, a message arrived on Airi's and my smartphones.
"Gather at the family restaurant tomorrow at 12:00."
Airi sent a reply.
"Did something happen?"
"Sorry, it's a bit of a thing with our Eita..."
It was from Sashihara-san.
"Sorry, Toya. We might need some man-power, so could you come along? The place is near the Private University..."
It was from Watanabe-kun.
Kiritani-kun was living alone too.
Even so, what on earth does "need man-power" mean...?
(2)
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Today, Honoka was going to help me pick out clothes.
If I were alone, a tracksuit would have been fine.
But as expected, when bringing a girlfriend along, that's not an option.
Shinjo-san also told me no, and said I should buy some decent clothes by next time.
Honoka also told me that I should buy some, even if they're cheap, so I figured I'd buy some.
And so, she was supposed to come pick me up today.
In the afternoon, there's a meeting for a group called the Watanabe Squad.
Apparently, one of the members is having a problem.
I don't really like that kind of thing, though.
Well, whatever.
I opened the door.
The moment I opened it, I froze.
The person in front of me wasn't Honoka.
It was Shimizu-san.
"I've come to pick you up."
I tried to close the door in silence.
She put her foot in and wouldn't let me close it.
"I told you I've come to pick you up, so I wonder what your intentions are."
"Sorry, but I have a guest, so could you make it another time?"
"A guest?"
"Shimizu-san?"
Honoka appeared at a bad time.
"By guest, do you mean Ichinose-san?"
"That's right, I have a promise starting now!"
"I see, then the fault lies with me for not making an appointment."
It seems she understood.
"So, what promise? There was supposed to be a summons for the Watanabe Squad at 12:00, right?"
"I thought I'd go buy clothes for Yoshiyuki-san before then."
"Ah, that kind of promise?"
People call that a date.
So please go home.
"Then I'll help choose too. No problem, right? Ichinose-san."
"W-well, it's not a problem, but..."
Even Honoka couldn't seem to resist Ichinose-san's aura.
"I don't think you should choose such expensive things."
"Of course I won't tell him to buy them, I'm giving them as a present. Kazami, go buy this."
I mean, why are we in the formal section to buy outing clothes?
"Hmm, Yoshiyuki. You have a good build, so this style suits you."
"Those clothes look quite cheap."
Even so, it's a considerable amount.
How many days of meals do you think that costs?
I bought several shirts from the 1000-yen flat-rate section.
Next were the shoes.
The shoes were also subtly expensive. They cost more than a day's wage.
Well, if she says these are good, I have no choice but to buy them.
The shopping was finished quickly.
I looked at the clock.
From here, there wasn't much time left.
"Shall we go soon?"
When I spoke to Honoka, Honoka nodded and headed for the parking lot.
For some reason, Shimizu-san was coming along too.
Why?
There's no parking lot where you can park a limousine, right?
Since it was tedious to ask for a ride every single time, Honoka suggested she just ride with us.
"It's a narrower car than Katagiri-kun's."
Shimizu-san said.
"Why don't you get a license too, Shimizu-san? Isn't it a pain to call for a ride every time?"
"It's not really, I just catch some guy around and ask him."
She's overconfident to the end.
Well, if it's Shimizu-san, she could probably easily hitchhike around Japan.
"Being able to go where you want by yourself is quite convenient."
At that moment, I finally sensed it.
This is a declaration of war. In Honoka's own way.
A cold war state where sparks fly silently beneath the surface.
Both of them are repeatedly provoking each other.
I mean, was Honoka that kind of character?
I, desiring a peaceful resolution between the two nations.
I can't have such a convenient outcome, can I?
I'll just end up as a miserable bat.
No, I want to be a clam.
I want to be a deep-sea fish that just sinks further into the depths.
However, both nations try to absorb me.
"Yoshiyuki-san thinks so too, right!?"
She uses "-san" when she's in front of Shimizu-san, huh?
"Y-yeah. Having a car is convenient."
"Living in a place where you have to provide your own car is strange in the first place. Setting aside trains, does even a bus not run there?"
"It's convenient for going to places where the bus doesn't run."
"Then why not just use a taxi?"
"I'm not wealthy enough to use a taxi every time."
"Oh? Is that so? That's tough, maybe you should get a part-time job..."
Shimizu-san showed a triumphant smile.
I actually started to feel sorry for him.
"I-I'm the same. I don't have enough leeway to do anything about car maintenance costs. First of all, I don't even have the money to get a license."
"I-I'm sorry."
That's not it, Honoka. I didn't say it because I wanted you to apologize.
"If it's Sakai-kun, it's no problem. I'll provide for him."
"P-provide for?"
Ah, I can become a kept man. No, that's not the issue. I mean, my girlfriend is Honoka, not Shimizu-san.
"T-that's strange. Providing for someone who isn't even your boyfriend..."
"Oh? I recognized him as my boyfriend, though?"
What are you talking about. I only just confessed to my girlfriend the other day. Please stop making statements that suddenly destroy everything.
That said, if I don't say anything here, it feels like it'll really be over.
"Yoshiyuki-san... what does this mean?"
Honoka's tone of voice changed.
"Shimizu-san, for starters, I never said a single word about dating you, and besides, I only just confessed to Honoka a week ago."
With this, she'll understand, right? Honoka seemed to understand. As proof, her face, which had been like a demon's until a moment ago, returned to normal. She must have been relieved. She's taking a deep breath.
On the other hand, as for Shimizu-san...
"Confessed... you say?"
For Shimizu-san, the fact seems hard to accept. However, she is strong; I wish she would apply that strength in a different direction.
"But I was the one who confessed first... Ichinose-san."
I didn't receive that, did I? I didn't give an answer either; I mean, was that a confession?
"No, I don't recall ever receiving a statement that I recognized as a confession..."
"To betray my confession, you certainly have some nerve..."
Wow, she's emitting a truly dark aura.
I can even see lightning.
"Have you never thought that that kind of thing is a nuisance? Have you never thought it was a nuisance to be stalked? I think you'd understand, Shimizu-san. Since you're always being stalked by men."
Honoka, your character is changing. You weren't a character who would throw in provocations like that.
"I've never thought it was a nuisance. Though you probably wouldn't understand."
"I don't want to understand. Why don't you say it clearly, Yoshiyuki-san? That it's a nuisance."
Wow, she's throwing the ball to me here. If I say it's not a nuisance, a bad end is guaranteed. It takes guts to flatly say it's a nuisance, but unfortunately, I don't have that kind of guts.
"Well, I think what Honoka says makes sense. I think most people would think it's a nuisance."
I tried to say it as softly as possible.
"So you're one of them too..."
She said nothing.
"I understand... from now on, I'll try a different approach."
Is it just my imagination that she doesn't understand at all?
(3)
9:30 AM
We were at an apartment near the Private University.
Me, Airi, Kanna, Makoto, Watanabe-kun, Mika-san, and Sashihara-san.
"Why is there such a large group?"
"There's a bit of a problem with Eita."
"A problem...?"
"Well, you'll understand when we get there..."
His room is on the second floor.
Standing in front of the room, Sashihara-san rang the doorbell.
There was no response.
She rang it many times.
Eventually, she began pounding on the door.
"Eita!! Open up!!"
She pounded on the door while shouting.
"You're being a bit noisy..."
Complaints came from the residents on both sides.
Airi and Kanna bowed their heads in apology.
"I figured this would happen."
What on earth is happening?
Sashihara-san took a key from her bag and opened the door with a click.
Apparently, she had been entrusted with the key by Kiritani-kun's parents.
When she tried to open the door, the chain lock was on.
"Move aside for a second."
Watanabe-kun took out wire cutters and cut the chain lock. Wow, the repair cost for this will be high.
Watanabe-kun, Makoto, and Sashihara-san stormed into the room.
We entered after them.
Kiritani-kun was sitting alone in the cluttered room, wearing headphones and immersed in an FPS game.
Sashihara-san snatched away the headphones and shouted, "Eita!!"
"Shut up! Leave me alone. Someone like me anyway!"
"What do you mean 'someone like me'!? I told you to consult me if there's something you're worried about!"
"Nobody understands!"
"I can't know that! I'll do anything I can for you!?"
"Is that so! Then let's break up! Just leave me alone already."
Sashihara-san's face turned pale.
"Kiritani-kun, let's calm down, you're saying something really serious right now."
"Toya, leave me alone too! I'm leaving the group already!"
While he was saying that... look, Kanna is approaching you with a terrifying expression.
Kanna grabbed Kiritani-kun by the collar, forced him to stand up, and slapped him.
"Eita! Do you realize what you're saying!? Even if you leave the group, you made a precious friend cry! You think I can stay silent! I'm absolutely not letting you be alone until you can give us a satisfying explanation!!"
"Kanna, calm down."
"How can I be calm!"
"For now, it's a nuisance to the neighbors here. Let's go to a family restaurant. Everyone is waiting."
"I'm not going."
Then, Watanabe-kun's menacing voice was heard. I've never heard a voice like this.
"Eita. You said you're leaving the group, right. At that point, you're an enemy who hurt his comrades. Did you think I'd listen to what an enemy says?"
Watanabe-kun spoke to me.
"Toya. I hear you're good at driving. We'll leave Sashihara-san's car behind, so could you take Sashihara-san with you? I can't entrust the driving to Sashihara-san right now."
It was exactly as Watanabe-kun said. I couldn't entrust the driving to Sashihara-san, who was currently sobbing.
"I'll take Eita."
Saying that, Watanabe-kun grabbed Kiritani-kun's arm.
"I'm not going anywh—"
"You're coming!!"
Everyone flinched at Watanabe-kun's intimidation. I didn't know Watanabe-kun was such a scary character.
"Sorry, everyone go on ahead. Mika and I will handle the rest. Sashihara-san, the room key."
Sashihara-san handed the key to Watanabe-kun and got into our car.
From here to the family restaurant, it's a place that takes less than 10 minutes.
During that time, I asked Sashihara-san about the situation.
(4)
Right after Golden Week ended, I noticed something strange about Eita.
Messages weren't being returned.
He wouldn't answer when I called.
When I asked Tada-kun, Eita wouldn't answer anything even when Tada-kun asked how he was. He just said "everything became a bother"...
Becoming worried, I went to the apartment where Eita lives, and although he was inside, there was no answer.
For a few days, there was some reaction.
"Just leave me alone!"
"I'm already finished, I'm different from you guys."
"Someone like me anyway..."
I couldn't leave him alone.
Thinking that, I consulted Watanabe-kun, and he said "it's May Sickness"...
I searched for it. I became even more unable to leave him alone.
Around Wednesday, contact stopped abruptly.
And I consulted everyone.
"I see..."
Katagiri-kun was listening to the story while driving.
"I felt pathetic. I never thought a single word about breaking up would pierce me this much."
"It can't be helped, Ai is a woman too."
Airi comforted her like that.
"In the end, is the cause unknown?"
Katagiri-kun asked.
"I don't know. It was sudden, right after the break."
"Did you go anywhere after staying over?"
"No?"
"You didn't even meet?"
"I was busy with assignments too... maybe that was the problem?"
"I don't think that's it."
"Then why?"
"Maybe you can just ask him at the family restaurant?"
I wonder if he'll tell us?
What should I do if it really ends in a breakup?
I was full of such anxiety.