Chapter 146 - Beyond the Path
(1)
"Wow~ it's so high~"
Standing on the special outdoor observation deck, Airi said this, moved by the sight.
Standing there while taking the summer wind head-on allowed one to experience both thrill and emotion.
After that, we looked around the Golden Observation Deck on the 5th floor and the Light Observation Deck on the 4th floor, then descended to the 3rd floor.
Climbing the stairs that lead from the top floor to the rooftop, the Japanese-modern "Tsutenkaku Garden" spread out before us.
With bamboo fences and stone lanterns, it had an atmosphere like a Japanese garden, like a Japanese garden.
"Somehow, this kind of place is relaxing, isn't it?"
Airi was right. Perhaps because I am Japanese, the wood, bamboo, greenery, light, and wind calmed my heart.
After making a full circuit, we went down.
We stopped by a cafe. There was something called a Tsutenkaku Parfait.
Airi ordered it without hesitation. I refrained.
Because, judging by the name, I had a bad feeling.
My bad feeling was correct. With a cone styled after Tsutenkaku towering over it, it was not something Airi could finish alone.
It became my role to handle the remaining parfait.
Then, we went to the lower floors where Airi enjoyed shopping.
After looking around down to the first basement floor, we left Tsutenkaku.
Inside the car, I stared intently at the guidebook.
The drive Airi mentioned is fine, but a large hot spring resort wouldn't be bad either.
It's not that far from here.
Either way, the drive will eventually take us to Kobe.
If that's the case, wouldn't it be fine to go to a large hot spring resort?
"What's wrong?"
Airi peeked into the guidebook.
"Ah, a hot spring. So there are some in Osaka too."
Airi took the bait.
"They have a pool too! Let's go, let's go!"
"The driving time will be shorter, is that okay?"
"Yeah, this course looks good."
It seemed there was a course that pleased Airi.
(2)
First, we entered the stone sauna. Couples were allowed to enter together. Airi seemed to have memorized the fatigue recovery course.
We went through it in about an hour.
After that, we played in the pool. Swimsuits were available for rent. We played here for about an hour as well.
After that, we ate okonomiyaki and yakisoba.
Since Airi doesn't eat much, we ordered one of each and shared them.
"I don't want you to put green seaweed on it."
Since Airi said that, I gave the staff a quick request: "Please don't put green seaweed on it."
After that, we each entered the hot springs.
Airi is the type to enjoy the hot springs thoroughly.
Though any woman would probably be the same.
I had already calculated that.
I took a quick shower, left the bath area, and headed for the 3rd floor... Ramen, ramen♪
However, it wasn't that easy.
A smiling Airi was standing in front of the shop.
"You were fast."
Weren't you the one who was fast, Airi?
"Well then, shall we go to the relaxation area?"
"You go ahead, I'll have ramen..."
Grab!
My arm was seized by Airi, and I was dragged away.
"We just ate okonomiyaki, so it's fine, right?♪"
"Ramen goes in a separate stomach."
"It's fine, right?♪"
I suppose I should just give in while she's laughing.
Good grief... goodbye, ramen.
After finishing the massage, we drank fresh juice.
Apparently, there are 30 types of soft-serve ice cream.
It's okay to eat about one-third of them, right?
Poke.
"Let's just pick one♪"
It seems better to stop while there is still a ♪ at the end of Airi's sentences.
(3)
Having refreshed and removed our fatigue, I figured it was about time to go home and set the navigation to Rokko Island.
"Airi, we still have time, is there anywhere you want to stop by?"
"Hmm..."
Airi is pondering. Does she have somewhere in mind?
"We have plenty of time before the ferry leaves, so I think anywhere in Kobe is fine."
"Then, I want to ride a sightseeing boat~"
Airi answered while searching on her own smartphone.
I changed the destination.
It wasn't that far.
Or rather, it was that thing where you can go anywhere quickly using the highways unique to the city.
There were more parking spaces than I thought.
"~♪"
Airi is humming.
Is she in a good mood?
We arrived at the port. We hurried to the boarding area.
A sailing-ship style sightseeing boat that tours the inside and outside of Kobe Port.
Apparently, you can see as far as Kobe Airport.
We spent 45 minutes leisurely.
"I'm glad we came."
Airi said while sightseeing from the deck.
"Yeah."
"Thank you..."
As she said that, she gave my cheek a light kiss.
"I can only give you this kind of thanks, but..."
Airi spoke shyly, and somehow lonely.
"Don't say 'only.' It's the best present for me."
"Really? I'm so glad~"
Airi said happily.
"Where shall we go next?"
"Let's see~ I wonder if Mr. Car can't handle any more than this?"
"Let's go someday."
"Where?"
Airi asked curiously.
"I want to try going around Japan with you, Airi."
"Is it okay if I come along too?"
"Who else is going to be my navigator?"
"...That's true♪"
Airi laughed happily.
She felt proud of me, who continues to love only Airi with an honest heart.
A love larger than anything else was overflowing.
The sightseeing boat returned to the port.
We headed for the ferry terminal.
(4)
Upon boarding the ferry, we headed for the cabin.
Same as when we came, I took the top and Airi took the bottom.
I ate a meal, took a bath, and returned to the cabin a step ahead.
While I was relaxing and watching television, Airi returned.
"Once we get back, it's back to our usual life."
"Airi, at least during your time off, relax."
"Hmm, you say that, but they say 'there are no holidays for housewives,' right?"
"You're not a housewife yet, are you? You're a student. I'll be sad if you collapse eventually."
Besides, I wouldn't be able to face the Tosaka family.
"Then, I'll take every Saturday and Sunday off, so take me somewhere♪"
"...If somewhere nearby is fine."
"Anywhere is fine as long as I'm with Toya-kun."
"I understand."
"We'll have to wash the car again."
"Airi's car too."
The one being overworked every day is actually Airi's car.
"Let's do it together."
"Yeah."
"For now, once we're back, it's time for Toya-kun's maintenance."
"I'm fine, I got plenty of maintenance at the large hot spring resort today."
"I'm the one who's going to do the maintenance~"
"For example?"
"Giving you a massage..."
"Giving me...?"
Was I being a bit mean?
Poke.
"You won't let me finish. Idiot."
"It's fine, if that leads to Airi's maintenance too."
"Ugh... so that's how you're playing it."
Airi is troubled.
I adore Airi in that state.
Airi looked entranced.
It was then.
A message arrived on both my and Airi's smartphones.
The two of us checked our respective phones.
"Watanabe squad, assemble next Thursday."
Thursday?
I wonder if something is happening?
I looked at Airi.
"I wonder what's going on?"
I can't tell even if I think about it.
For now, I sent an acknowledgment stamp.
"Shall we sleep soon?"
"Yeah."
I climbed into the top bed.
And fell asleep.
(5)
I had a dream.
A night view waiting at the end of a winding road.
Even if it's far, even if I can't see it, I walk, believing in only that, one step at a time.
It shines like the night view I saw in Kobe.
With a clenched palm, I can't grasp anything, but from the gaps of my opened fingers, the seeds of longing I had eventually obtained are sprouting, as if wanting only me to notice.
I woke up.
It was still the middle of the night.
I checked the time.
It was exactly the time of passing the Kurushima Bridge.
I peeked at Toya-kun's bed.
He is sleeping comfortably.
I quietly left the cabin.
When I went out to the observation deck, there were almost no people.
I can see the bridge.
It's very beautiful.
While I was taking photos, I was called to by a group of about three men.
"Are you alone?"
"Want to do something fun together?"
"Stop it, when you say it, it sounds erotic."
Ah, maybe I should have brought Toya-kun.
These people smell of alcohol.
While I was troubled, I heard someone's voice.
"She's troubled, isn't she? Stop it."
A woman's voice?
"Do you want to join in too?"
When one of the drunk men reached for the woman, the woman grabbed the extended hand and twisted it.
"Gwah, that hurts!"
"You bastard!!"
As the remaining two attacked the woman, three other men stepped in between.
Are they the woman's companions?
Seeing the numerical disadvantage, the drunks left.
"Are you okay?"
The woman had long black hair.
Her height was about the same as mine.
But she has a great figure, though it's frustrating to admit.
"Thank you very much. I'm fine."
"It's dangerous for a girl to be wandering around alone at this hour. Are you traveling alone?"
"No, my boyfriend is sleeping in the room."
"I see... a trip to Kyushu, perhaps?"
"No, I'm returning to my hometown."
"I see."
"And you all?"
"It's chilly here, so let's go inside!"
One of the woman's companions said.
"Ah, alright. Come along."
Saying so, I entered the ship with them.
Apparently, they came from Tokyo.
They said they are aiming for Yakushima on a touring trip.
But aren't there ferries leaving from Tokyo?
"We're with you. We just want to enjoy the journey."
I met travelers again.
I wonder if I will meet travelers again from now on?
"You girls should also have various experiences while you can. There are things that can only be done now."
There was weight in her words. I wonder why? The answer came immediately.
"She's getting married next month."
"Congratulations."
"The last freedom of single life, so to speak."
How cool~
But I don't think I'll imitate her.
"Well, we have an early start today, so we'll sleep. Shouldn't you go to sleep soon too?"
"You're right. Good night."
Saying that, I parted with them and returned to the room.
Morning came.
I woke up to the smartphone alarm.
After changing, I woke Toya-kun.
"It's breakfast time~"
When I said that, Toya-kun woke up immediately.
Toya-kun also changed quickly, and then we headed for the restaurant.
After filling our stomachs at the restaurant, we began preparations to disembark.
We got into the car. Preparations were complete.
I'm home...
I bought lots of souvenirs.
We do not stop our steps.
Today and tomorrow, we will keep walking.