Chapter 150 - The Melancholy of a Sweet 19-Year-Old (1)
Kannazuki.
The season for students to change their wardrobes.
And as the long summer vacation ends, the second semester classes begin.
Having gone to sleep early yesterday, I woke up before Airi.
The morning sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains. Airi, sleeping in my arms, was more precious than anything; her gentle appearance made me feel as if she might vanish if I touched her, and I wanted to keep watching her forever.
However, such a dream vanishes like a phantom.
When the scheduled time arrived, the alarm began to ring, and as I hurriedly tried to stop it, Airi, who was clinging to me in her sleep, noticed and woke up.
When our eyes met, Airi smiled brightly.
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
"Good morning, Airi."
As I said that and gave Airi's lips a gentle bird-kiss, she smiled bashfully.
"Toya-kun being so gentle from the morning... am I still in a dream?"
"Want to try it one more time?"
"...Yes."
When I did it again, Airi giggled and said, "It's not a dream, is it?"
If I could keep her smiling forever, I would have wanted to stay like this forever, but that was not permitted.
"Ah, the time has passed. I have to hurry."
Saying so, Airi dashed out of the room.
I slowly got dressed and left the room.
When I went to the dining area, Airi was in the kitchen starting to prepare breakfast.
When I called out, "Shall I help with something?" Airi smiled and said, "Go wash your face first and wait for me."
After washing my face and shaving, I returned to the dining area to find breakfast laid out.
After that, Father and Mother woke up.
"Airi-chan, in that outfit. I'm sorry. I'll handle the cleanup, so go get ready."
When Mother said that, Airi returned to her room.
I ate the breakfast Airi made before it got cold.
"It's already been half a year; it seems Airi-chan has grown quite accustomed to things."
When Father said that, Mother also said, "Yes, at this rate, don't you think you two could manage on your own?"
That was something I had been told every day recently. However, Airi's view was that as long as there was no "income," it wouldn't make a difference whether they became independent or not.
When Airi said that, neither Father nor Mother said anything.
However, I am receiving a great deal of "allowance" from Father and Mother.
I said that if I were to place any more of a burden on them, it might be better to become independent.
"Don't say such sad things as 'burden.' I told you before, didn't I? This is a 'prior investment' in your future," Father said.
The conclusion Airi and I reached was that since we could only be spoiled for now, we might as well be spoiled while we could.
Around the time I finished eating, Airi returned. Then, she ate her meal in great haste.
When I called out, "You don't have to rush that much, there's plenty of time," Airi said, "A woman's morning is busy!"
Just as those words suggested, once she finished eating, Airi began washing the dishes.
"I'll do the rest," Mother stopped Airi, as expected.
"Eh, but... I was allowed to rest plenty during summer vacation," Airi resisted.
"If I let you work so much that you collapse, I wouldn't know how to apologize to Rie-san," Mother said, and Airi quietly backed down.
"Thank you very much," Airi said in gratitude.
And so, Airi went to the washroom.
"Toya, a moment..."
Mother called me.
And then...
When I came out of the washroom, Airi had returned to her room again.
"Wouldn't it be better to tell Airi that? I think Airi would feel more at ease that way."
"If she knows she's a burden even to my own parents, it might make her even more anxious, right? If it's absolutely necessary, you tell Airi-chan yourself."
"...I understand."
Then, Airi came out of the room with a pitter-patter.
"I'm ready~"
"W-well then, shall we go, Airi?"
"?"
"Airi, the car keys."
"Ah, yes."
Receiving the car keys from Airi, I left the house.
(2)
Lunch break.
While I was eating Airi's bento in the school cafeteria, Oshima-san called out to me.
"I'm envious of how you two get along even during the day."
"...I-I think Watanabe-kun is looking for you," Airi said.
"Ah, I didn't mean it in that sense," Oshima-san hurriedly explained.
"May I sit here?"
"Please do," Airi said, and Oshima-san sat next to Airi and opened her own bento.
"Kana's looks delicious too."
"It's mostly frozen food, though."
Saying so, Oshima-san began to eat.
"Ah, the girls' gathering was fun. I want to do it again. Next time, I want to talk about my own boyfriend too."
"Ai said we should do it around the end of the year," Airi said.
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it~"
While the women were getting excited among themselves, I finished my bento, cleaned up, and then...
Grab.
My arm was caught by Airi.
Tsk, she caught me.
"I wonder where you're going~?"
Airi was smiling brightly.
"I-I was thinking of going to buy some juice."
"Just that? I have drinks prepared, you know?"
Airi pulled a water bottle out of her bag.
"I-I was thinking of maybe eating some spicy noodles while I'm at it... ahaha."
Bonk.
"You're just too careless."
"Toya hasn't changed a bit even after summer vacation."
Kanna arrived.
Kanna sat next to me and sighed.
"I was right to set my classes for the afternoon. I've got some summer vacation brain-fog; when I woke up, it was almost noon."
Kanna looked sleepy. I wonder how she even managed to come to the university. But classes from the afternoon... that was one way to do it. Well, there's no way Airi would allow that.
Kanna looked at Oshima-san and Airi and spoke.
"Airi and Kana. I made a group for just women, do you want to join?"
"Sure."
The two readily agreed. As Kanna fiddled with her smartphone, the other two's smartphones rang. The two operated their phones.
"Why a group for just women?"
"It has nothing to do with Toya," Kanna said flatly.
I see, it has nothing to do with me.
The three of them were fiddling with their phones and laughing together.
I felt like I was the only one left out of the loop. But it's not good to butt into a gathering of just women like this.
While the three were absorbed in their phones...
Bonk.
Ah, she's definitely watching.
Looking at my wristwatch, it was almost time for the third period.
"Airi, it's almost time."
"Eh? Ah! Yes, shall we go?"
"I'm only here for the morning today."
"Yeah, see you later then~"
When Airi said that, Oshima-san waved and left.
"Well, I'm going too. See ya~"
Saying so, Kanna also left.
We also headed toward the classroom.
(3)
Clink-clink.
The door bell rang.
The usual customer had appeared.
"The usual."
"Yes, how about the counter for a change?"
"No, the table is better..."
"Because the plate is full."
"Then, please come this way."
As I posted the slip in the kitchen, the Master shouted from the back.
"Oh, is it the regular's appearance? Thank you as always! It makes it worth showing off my skills."
"The Napolitan here is truly delicious!"
When he says that, for some reason I'm happy too, Katagiri-kun.
When the ordered item was ready, I took it to the table.
As if to say "I've been waiting for this," Katagiri-kun began to eat.
"That aside, she didn't come today, did she? Shimizu-san."
"That's true."
Well, she probably has classes and various things. It's not like I need her to come. Since it's behavior unbecoming of a staff member, I'll deliberately not say it.
At that moment, Tosaka-san giggled. She had a face that looked like she knew something.
"I heard about what happened on the way back from visiting the amusement facility. Sakai-kun."
Ah, Shimizu-san talked. It's a little embarrassing.
"Did something happen? With Shimizu-san?"
"Toya-kun, just keep eating that."
Katagiri-kun began to eat in silence. Is that okay with you?
"Hey, Sakai-kun. Shimizu-san has changed quite a bit since the start of enrollment, hasn't she? I'm sure Sakai-kun's existence is what changed Shimizu-san."
She only shows me her pathological side, though. Like suddenly kissing me. I want her to tell me how she's changed.
At that moment, the door bell rang clink-clink.
The person at the center of the topic had appeared.
"Oh? Hello. The usual, please."
Shimizu-san said that as she sat at the counter.
Shimizu-san looked around and asked me.
"Oh? Where is Ichinose-san?"
"The shifts are different today."
We broke up. I won't do something like rubbing salt in the wound by matching shifts every day.
"I see..."
"Do you have some business with Ichinose?"
"No, I just thought it was rare since she's usually here."
Saying so, she took a sip of lemon tea.
"We were just talking about Shimizu-san~"
Tosaka-san, with that unnecessary comment...
"Talking about me?"
"Shimizu-san, the prickliness you had before has rounded out, or rather, you've become sort of like a maiden in love..."
This is the first time I've heard such a specific story.
"Maiden-like... so that's how it looks to Tosaka-san."
Shimizu-san looked as if she didn't entirely dislike it.
"Does a person change upon knowing love... I wonder if love changes a person."
Please tell me, Tosaka-san, does the gaze she's directing at me now look maiden-like? To me, she looks like a wild beast enjoying the hunt.
I'll take you down anytime. She looked at me as if to say exactly that. The utmost resistance I can offer is to avert my gaze. If our eyes meet, the match is decided in an instant.
However, she enjoyed her lemon tea while looking at me as if licking me over, and once she finished drinking, she stood up from her seat.
"Thanks for the meal. I'm going home now."
"Ehh~. Stay and talk a bit longer."
Rather than protecting her own child, Tosaka-san acted as if she were pushing me into a valley where wild beasts live. She's quite a sadistic person.
"I only came to see Sakai-kun. I'll be taking my leave."
Saying so, Shimizu-san left the shop.
Seeing that, I tried asking Tosaka-san.
"I don't understand at all where she's changed."
"Ehh~ isn't it devoted, to come frequently every day just to see the person she likes and then go home?"
To me, she looks like nothing more than a wild beast timing the moment to take down its prey.
"Sakai-kun is the exact opposite of Oshima-san, isn't he? You look at women through a special filter. Look at her as she is. I feel sorry for Shimizu-san."
"With all due respect, if we're using those words, isn't Tosaka-san looking at her through a special filter called a woman's perspective?"
"Hmm... what do you think, Toya-kun?"
"Eh?"
Katagiri-kun was surprised to be suddenly thrown into the conversation. After thinking for a bit, he started saying something strange again.
"I don't really get it, but it's like, 'is it okay to sprinkle salt and pepper on champon without eating a single bite'?"
Bonk.
"Stop comparing everything to food!"
These two really get along well.
"F-for now. I think it would be good if you tried hanging out together just once? I won't say you have to. Sorry. I'm not good at this kind of thing."
"I will gratefully accept the sentiment."
"Yeah, then we'll head home too. Toya-kun, you've finished eating already, right?"
Saying so, Tosaka-san settled the bill and left the shop.
"I don't really get it, but isn't love something like a seasoning?"
Katagiri-kun left after leaving a mysterious remark.
Seasoning... super spicy sauce is also a seasoning, right?
(4)
"Hmm..."
Airi was troubled. Her first time visiting a jewelry specialty store.
Was she troubled by the design, the variety, or was she bewildered by the price?
Although she tried on various things, it seemed nothing felt quite right.
"Toya-kun, help me choose too."
Airi grabbed my arm and pleaded.
Actually, there was something I had been looking for since we entered the store.
Airi is almost an adult, so this much should be fine, right?
I imagined Airi wearing them. They would suit her perfectly.
I chose earrings adorned with small pink stones.
Airi tried them on immediately.
"Do they suit me?"
I nodded slowly.
Airi presented them to the clerk.
They were neatly packaged, placed in a small paper bag, and handed to Airi.
"Happy birthday."
"Thank you."
Airi held them happily.
From there, we headed to the French restaurant I had reserved in advance.
A restaurant where you could enter even in casual clothes. Though we were dressed appropriately for the occasion.
I had selected a full course of duck dishes.
It had private rooms, and the price was reasonable.
"It's a lovely shop."
It seemed to be well-received by Airi.
The food was also delicious.
We enjoyed a slightly adult atmosphere.
Though alcohol was, as expected, a no-go.
"Let's wait one more year."
"I see, an adult in one more year..."
"I don't really feel it yet."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, I guess I can't say I've joined the ranks of adults unless I become independent."
Airi's expression darkened.
"What's wrong?"
"I just started wondering if the actions I'm taking are selfish. In the end, what I'm doing is basically like boarding at Toya-kun's house. And for free, at that."
"Airi... about that, can we leave it for later?"
"Hoe?"
"Let's enjoy the food for now, okay?"
"Yeah."
And then, after we finished the meal, we stopped by the usual place on the way back.
(5)
Is it okay to stay like this?
I occasionally find myself thinking.
"Since we'll get an allowance even if we become independent, why not just be spoiled by our parents?"
Those words are making Toya-kun suffer even more.
Living in the family home while receiving an allowance.
Moreover, I am being taken care of at Toya-kun's house.
Thinking that I should at least do something, I try to do the housework, but that only makes Toya-kun's position worse.
I'm sorry.
It's all my selfishness, isn't it?
To such a person, he gave me a present and even prepared dinner.
What can I do for Toya-kun?
There's nothing left that I can give.
A feeling of melancholy that clings to me, even as time seems to simply pass.
Everyone says I'm amazing, that I'm admirable.
I'm not that amazing, you know?
I might look strong, but in truth, I'm a lonely person, and I only show the face I've never shown anyone else to Toya-kun.
Hiding those melancholy feelings, I went on a birthday date with Toya-kun.
The feeling of happiness is real, you know?
It's just, I'm a little anxious.
Am I causing trouble for everyone?
I tried venting those feelings to Toya-kun tonight.
"I wonder if the things I'm doing are a nuisance?"...
Then, Toya-kun started talking.
"I really think it's better to tell Airi," he said...
"Actually, it seems I'm receiving some money from Airi's house. As Airi's child support..."
Eh?
"My parents told me to keep it a secret because it would be a burden on Airi, but I thought it would be better to tell you."
Rie-chan was doing something like that?
"Airi's parents seem to be the same as my parents. Apparently, they're thinking 'with marriage as a premise.' They seem to view it as a 'prior investment' for their own old age."
"...Should we really become independent after all?"
"The one who said 'it's the same since we'll get an allowance' was Airi."
"But..."
Wouldn't it be far better to be independent while receiving an allowance?
"I talked about it when I received the card, right? That it's 'the last thing parents can do for you'... whether we cry or laugh, we'll have to stand on our own in three more years. If that's the case, let's be as spoiled as possible? We can pay them back someday."
I couldn't stop my tears.
Toya-kun gently wrapped me in his arms.
"With this, I can't break up with Airi anymore."
Toya-kun said while laughing.
"Am I binding Toya-kun?"
"I think saying I'm wrapped, or protected, would be more correct."
"...Thank you."
"If you're giving thanks, then me too. I'm always supported by Airi; because Airi is watching over me from behind, I can leap forward."
Me too. Because Toya-kun is here, I can be who I am now.
Yesterday it was Toya-kun healing my wounds, and tomorrow it will be me healing Toya-kun's.
"We vowed, didn't we? To love, cherish, and remain faithful until death do us part... I think that includes supporting each other."
"Yeah... thank you."
I wiped my tears and tried my best to smile.
Toya-kun kissed me.
"...Let's go home."
I said that.
"W-what's wrong?"
Toya-kun is panicking; it's okay, you don't have to worry.
"I'm in that kind of mood today... notice it."
"In that case, tomorrow is a holiday, so maybe at a hotel... ow!"
Bonk.
"If you're worried, my house is fine too♪"
Rie-chan wouldn't mind, after all.
"...The house is fine."
"How honest and wonderful."
Sorry for making you worry.
But tonight, let me be spoiled by Toya-kun too.
Next is Toya-kun's birthday.
I wonder what kind of birthday I should make it?