Chapter 152 - Crimson Love
(1)
The longing for others deepens as autumn advances.
In these days of late autumn, it has grown cold outside.
"Toya-kun, it's morning."
"Today's the school festival, right... Pass."
"Uuu... let's try going for just one day."
"I already went with the Medical School side, so it's fine, right?"
"You're the one who talked about a fun campus life, Toya-kun."
Since school is off anyway, I don't really need to go...
"Fine... I'll just go by myself, so let go!"
This is bad; Airi is sulking.
"Alright, I'll go too."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's get ready!"
Since Airi said that, I loosened my arms that were hugging her, and Airi slipped out of bed and began to change.
"It's gotten chilly~" Airi said, worrying about what to wear today while in her underwear.
"Hmm, which one do you think is better, Toya-kun?"
If I were to say something like "You're beautiful in either," she'd get angry and tell me to "Look properly!" so I had no choice but to get out of bed and help her choose her outfit.
She seemed to be torn between going with a skirt or a pants style. Until high school, she had worn nothing but skirts or dresses, but since starting university—or to be precise, since going on a trip—she had started wearing skinny pants and wide-leg pants.
She even keeps sneakers in the car.
I picked the red skirt.
"Then I'll go with this," Airi said, beginning to change.
I need to change too. I stood up and picked out some random clothes to put on.
By the time I finished changing, Airi had already left the room.
I followed her out.
A woman's morning is busy. That was certainly true. Airi hurried back and forth between the washroom and my room. I leisurely drank coffee in the living room.
While Airi was getting ready, I messed around with my smartphone. Peeking at the group message, as expected, everyone except me, Airi, and Shimizu-san was absent.
Everything is riding on next Saturday. I wonder if something is happening? I had a private message from Watanabe-kun.
"We're executing that operation."
Ah, it's about that time.
They say the deep crimson leaves are fragrant, and I'm sure they'll be beautifully and deeply colored in red and withered-leaf hues.
Airi returned to the room.
After taking the keys from Airi, we left the house.
(2)
When we arrived at the university, it was reasonably lively.
Being lured by the food...
Chop
...getting hit is a given.
Since we hadn't bought tickets for the live stage, we just walked around looking at the various cultural club exhibits.
It seemed that the Miss Contest had indeed been decided in Shimizu-san's favor. It was probably a fixed race...
After we had made a full round, I was asking Airi what to do next when I was called out: "Katagiri-kun."
Turning around, Kimoto-senpai and Oshima-san were standing there.
"Are you two here to see the festival as well?"
"Yes, my girlfriend said we should at least take a look."
Saying that, I glanced at Airi. Airi maintained her smile.
"We thought we'd come since we're here. We rarely have the chance to meet, so I took a chance and invited you."
I see. Given the situation, maybe we don't even need to execute the operation? I thought that, but I suppose it's also for the sake of making sure.
"Have you already looked around?"
"Yeah, we were just wondering what to do now."
"There's a great place."
"Really? It would be a help if you could tell us."
"I'd be happy to."
As I said that, I returned to the parking lot and guided them.
Cafe "Blue Bird."
My regular spot.
When we entered the shop, the door bell rang with a clink-clank.
"Welcome... oh, it's not just the two of you today?"
Sakai-kun said that and guided us to the seats in the back. The back had fewer people, so we could talk without hesitation. Once we took our seats, I ordered "the usual."
"Does Katagiri-kun want iced or hot?" Sakai-kun asked, and I replied, "Hot."
Oshima-san and Kimoto-senpai each placed their orders.
"Are you two still together?"
Airi's questions are always so direct.
"Thanks to you, yes. I'm enjoying a relaxed relationship."
"I'm glad~ I'm looking forward to next week."
Airi had been watching too. Kimoto-senpai tilted his head at the smiling Airi.
"About that, I haven't been told where we're going yet. Do you two know?"
"Ah, that's a surprise for the day of."
"It's a very beautiful place."
As Airi and I spoke in turns, Kimoto-senpai only replied, "I see."
Sakai-kun brought the ordered items.
Kimoto-senpai was surprised by the amount on the plate.
"Toya-kun is always like this," Airi sighed, but there was no sign that she disliked it. She was just holding back because if the order increased any further, she'd be hit.
"Thanks to Katagiri-kun, business is booming here," Sakai-kun said.
"Sakai-kun. Shimizu-san won the Miss Contest Grand Prix," Airi said, and Sakai-kun's eyebrows twitched.
"And what of it?" the uninterested Sakai-kun asked.
"Sakai-kun. You could at least show a little interest..." Airi said, siding with Shimizu-san to the end.
"No, I mean, I think it's amazing. I just think it's natural..."
"That's right, it is amazing! You're liked by such an amazing person!" Airi pressed, but she was lightly brushed off with, "But it has nothing to do with me."
"Uuu..."
I started to feel a little sorry for Airi. Maybe I should support her.
"I can understand Sakai-kun's feelings, but why not try dating her just once? If you still don't get along, you can just say goodbye."
"Once that person bites, they never let go, right?"
"It's possible she might become disillusioned with you. Besides, you might be able to give up on it. Of course, Sakai-kun's feelings might change too."
"Is Sakai-kun liked by that Queen? That's impressive."
Kimoto-senpai cut in.
"Kazu-san. He has various circumstances..."
Oshima-san calmed the excited Kimoto-senpai... Wait, Kazu-san!?
Ah, so they've become close enough to call each other by nicknames?
I'm looking forward to the operation even more now.
(3)
The day of the operation.
We departed early in the morning.
We met at the Convenience Store near the Hazama Interchange.
Shimizu-san and Sakai-kun were in Watanabe-kun's car, which was large.
Once everyone gathered, seven cars were lined up: mine, Makoto's, Watanabe-kun's, Sashihara-san's, Ishihara-kun's, Kimoto-senpai's, and Ichinose-san's.
"Alright, everyone drive safely. For now, let's go to the Kokonoe IC. We'll gather once more at the Convenience Store beyond that."
As Watanabe-kun spoke, everyone climbed into their cars. We climbed into ours as well.
Watanabe-kun led the way. We took the rear.
As expected, everyone rushed ahead, but we didn't mind and followed while enjoying the scenery.
While driving leisurely and listening to the FM radio, Airi talked to me about various things.
"It's already the season for autumn leaves~"
"Yeah, the destination must be incredibly beautiful."
"Yeah!"
After that, the topics never ran out—talk of university, talk of Kimoto-senpai, talk of the school festival. It became a pleasant drive.
After exiting at the Kokonoe Interchange, we entered the national highway, and there was a Convenience Store a little way back. When I stopped the car and got out, the first thing Mika-san said was, "You're late, Toya."
"He's just my-pace in a good way," Kanna said. "He's amazing when he speeds," she added.
After finishing our supplies, we headed toward the destination.
Along the way, there were dynamic cliffs and primeval forests—the beauty of a gorge created over many years by the clear stream of the Kusu River. We climbed up toward Kyusuikei, which has rich expressions for each season and is especially beautiful with the autumn leaves.
The road curved and wound; cars without horsepower were slow, but I matched the speed and maintained the following distance.
"You mustn't push the car too hard today."
When the cute Kodora said that as a reminder, I obediently followed and drove at the speed limit.
Since I still haven't gotten rid of my Shoshinsha mark (beginner's mark), I was tailgated relentlessly, but I dared not look in the rearview mirror. Consequently, some cars tried to make reckless overtakes, but because I maintained the following distance, they couldn't cut in.
Eventually, a traffic jam began midway through the road. It couldn't be helped during this season; I had left early with that in mind, but it seemed I had been too leisurely.
"The destination won't run away even if we don't hurry, so here. Sandwich♪"
I let Airi feed me a sandwich. From the perspective of the cars behind us, they might think, What a stupid couple, but right now I even had the luxury of enjoying that.
There were shops along the way, but there was no time to stop; the parking lots were already full.
After passing through the long traffic jam, we finally reached the destination.
We arrived at the Yume Bridge.
After parking and going to the entrance of the suspension bridge, we bought tickets—round-trip tickets.
"Alright, from here it's free time, so let's gather once on the other side."
With that, everyone crossed the bridge.
"I-It's quite high."
Airi clung to me. I walked slowly, matching Airi's stride. Occasionally, Airi would find a waterfall or something and take a photo. She's probably uploading them to social media.
I looked for the essential couple, Oshima-san and Kimoto-senpai.
"It sways quite a bit, are you okay, Kana-san?"
"I'm fine with high places."
"I see... it's pathetic, but I'm a bit bad with them."
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
Though I think the positions were reversed, Kimoto-senpai was somehow escorting her. This should be perfect.
"The Suspension Bridge Effect Operation."
The effect where one is more likely to develop romantic feelings for the person they are with when feeling strong anxiety or fear is called the Suspension Bridge Theory or Suspension Bridge Effect.
It is said to be called that because it was a theory proposed based on the results of an experiment using a suspension bridge by a Canadian psychologist.
As Airi was photographing, the Shindo Waterfall and the primeval forests of the Naruko River Gorge spread out, and at this time of year, the trees throughout the area were dyed in autumn colors.
The 360-degree panorama was a superb view, enough to be called a promenade in the sky.
When we finished crossing the bridge, everyone was waiting. Because Airi was taking photos, we seemed to be significantly late.
With 16 people gathered, one naturally wants to take a group photo.
We had a commemorative photo taken of everyone.
After that, while heading back, everyone took two-shot photos or enjoyed the scenery.
Once we finished crossing the suspension bridge, everyone consulted on what to do. In the meantime, if I bought and ate soft-serve ice cream, getting chopped by Airi was a given.
Whether to act as a group or disperse.
The first problem lay there. Is it possible to act as a large party of 16 people? Or should we disperse and act as we please?
Today's objective was brilliantly cleared. One heartwarming couple was walking arm-in-arm. They should be fine on their own now.
"Does everyone have something they want to do now?"
I asked the question. For the record, I did. For starters, I'm hungry.
"I don't really have anything~"
Sashihara-san said.
"Why don't we just act as a group?" Eguchi-san said. Since there was no particular reason to oppose it, we followed.
"Assuming we act as a group, the question is where to go," Watanabe-kun thought. In that case, I have a proposal.
"Why don't we try heading toward the Iida Highlands? The scenery is quite good."
"That's a surprisingly decent answer for Toya... though I'm sure there's some ulterior motive."
That's prejudice, Kanna.
"It's okay. Toya-kun's goal is the hamburger shop beyond that. I won't be fooled."
"P-Pizza is also delicious."
"In the end, it's just food..."
Kanna said with an exasperated face.
"Well, I'm getting hungry too, so I think that's fine. What do you all think?"
When Watanabe-kun spoke, everyone nodded.
When we arrived at the shop, as expected, it was impossible for 16 people to sit all at once, so we split into several groups.
At my table, Kanna and Makoto sat.
"A hamburger set and pizza... also coffee and juice..."
"I'm fine with just oolong tea."
"Airi, aren't you eating? Do you feel unwell?"
"I'll have some pizza from Toya-kun, so I'm fine with that."
"If Airi wants to eat pizza, why don't you just order some? If there's any left, I'll eat it for you..."
Chop
"Let's eat together."
Oshima-san and Kimoto-senpai were sitting with Watanabe-kun and the others. They were talking happily.
And, as if it were natural, Eguchi-san and Ishihara-kun, and Shimizu-san and Sakai-kun were sitting together.
"I heard you won the Grand Prix in the Miss Contest? Congratulations."
"Thank you—I'd like to say that, but for some reason, I just feel empty. What I want isn't fame, but a much smaller existence. That one just won't yield."
"I can train them for you if necessary?"
"...I might ask you to."
Lately, Shimizu-san has been unusually timid. Indeed, she started to seem pitiful.
Will this be the next task for the Watanabe squad? Eguchi-san has become cooperative too.
But as long as Sakai-kun doesn't want it, isn't that just forcing it on him? I feel like it's wrong to force them together when he dislikes it.
I tried saying that hating something without trying it is bad, but there's no way he'll think it's delicious if he's forced to eat something he doesn't want.
In that case, wouldn't Shimizu-san first need some kind of spice to pique his interest?
I think Sakai-kun also needs the courage to change, but I think something is needed to make him think Shimizu-san looks delicious. I don't know what that is.
After all, he's so twisted that he shows no interest even in Shimizu-san, who is called the Queen.
"Ah, soft-serve ice cream, please."
Everyone else is doing well. Before our eyes are days full of problems.
I'm thinking about it with Airi, our heads pressed together. Telling ourselves to take it little by little and make our wishes come true.
"Hey, Toya. You're entering your own world again."
I snapped back to my senses when Kanna spoke.
"Ah, sorry, I just..."
"What were you thinking about?"
Airi asked.
"It's nothing much. Just wondering what will happen with Shimizu-san and Sakai-kun..."
"Well, as a man, it's the best possible situation. It's probably Sakai-kun's own problem."
Makoto seemed to have the same thought as I did. We couldn't even expect the suspension bridge effect for those two.
"If pushing doesn't work, there's the option of trying to pull away,"
Makoto answered while sipping his post-meal coffee.
"That's impossible. I'm sure Shimizu-san wouldn't be able to endure it,"
Airi said. She probably visits the Blue Bird every day just to look at Sakai-kun and then goes home. She's probably suppressing herself quite a bit just by doing that.
"It might be good to try something for Christmas,"
Airi suggested. Though we'll also need to make sure Sakai-kun's heart door is open by then.
"Shall we head out soon?"
When Watanabe-kun spoke, everyone filed out to settle the bill.
When we went outside the shop, Watanabe-kun asked everyone, "Now, what shall we do?"
Tomorrow is also a holiday. There's no particular need to go home early.
"Shall we go back to our hometown and gather at the usual shop?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, it seemed everyone had the same thought as I did; no one opposed it.
"Alright, let's go back home."
With that, Watanabe-kun and the others led the way, and we followed at the rear, returning in a line.
(3)
I wonder.
Why am I being paired as a set with Shimizu-san?
No one stops it. Is everyone except me an enemy?
I felt a will to couple me and Shimizu-san.
And I find myself strange, as the part of me that dislikes it melts and disappears...
However, I am currently in a heartbroken state, having just been dumped. I cannot trust myself in such a state.
I must be out of my mind. I decided to believe that.
But there's also a part of me that feels sorry for Shimizu-san.
On the other hand, there's a part of me that feels the burden of her becoming Miss Local University. A circle called the "Imperial Guard" has even been formed.
I want a merit that matches the risk of dating her.
Is that love?
It's not such a cheap word.
Something with more reality.
Let me be clear, I'm not making fun of love; looking at Katagiri-kun and the others, I also want to try believing in something like affection.
However, her version of it only seems to me like the two words "madness."
From a woman's perspective, it apparently becomes a devoted love, but to me, it looks like it's transformed into the two words "atrocity."
Despite having received a declaration of war, she hasn't done anything. Is she plotting something in her own way?
"I had fun today. Thank you, Watanabe-kun."
I didn't think the words "thank you" would be uttered by Shimizu-san.
"I'm glad you had fun. By the way, how's it going with Sakai-kun?"
Watanabe-kun asked something unnecessary. Then, her tone dropped.
"It would be hard to say it's going well. Frustratingly."
"I see. How about from Sakai's perspective? Does he have complaints about Shimizu-san?"
Watanabe-kun threw another question with no escape route.
"He has no complaints, but that doesn't mean it's hard to say he's satisfied, right?"
In the first place, he has no interest. He just wants peaceful time. Even though he just thinks that, why does this group try to force a coupling?
I know the answer; they're just imposing a general value of "a fun youth spent with a girl." But they don't realize it's something I don't need.
However, I've never once thought of it as bothersome. If I did, I would have left this group long ago.
There are times when I stop knowing what I'm seeking. Am I just being stubborn?
"Sakai! Why don't you try dating her once!? You're free right now anyway, right?"
Do you want to see me fail over and over until I'm in tatters?
There are things that cannot be helped even with your combined power.
"It's no use moping forever just because you were dumped once! As a man, you've got to attack aggressively!"
You're saying that with an absurd level of hype, aren't you, Kuze-san? Won't you worry about me, who gets hurt every time?
"It's okay, Mika-san. I'll make him turn his head with my own power."
Shimizu-san played the part of the devoted maiden. But the look in her eyes as she watched me was that of someone wondering how to torture their prey. I'll pretend I didn't see it.
She probably intends to toy with me as much as she wants and then toss me aside when she's bored. I don't have time to play along with her mischief. Though I do have time.
I want to protect my own territory firmly, but the comfort of this group is also hard to discard. I was bewildered by such conflicting emotions.
"Sakai, what is it about Shimizu-san that you don't like?"
Watanabe-kun asked, looking at me through the rearview mirror. There isn't a single thing I don't like. If I had to name something, it's just that I'm terrified of her gaze. I could never say that even if I died.
I looked at Shimizu-san. Our eyes met. Shimizu-san also seemed curious about the answer to Watanabe-kun's question. She looked at me with great interest.
At times like this, I'll use Ichinose-san as the reason. That way, it'll be settled smoothly. That's what I thought.
"There's nothing I don't like. It's just that with the incident with Ichinose-san, I'm not in the mood for romance right now."
If I say this, they'll probably leave me alone for now. It seems I had still underestimated the Watanabe squad.
"Then why don't you just date her? They say a new love is the best way to heal the wounds of a broken heart!"
That's a reckless argument, Watanabe-kun—though I won't deny it. But if there's one problem, while it's true I've never had complaints about her, the elements for me to fall in love with her are also at zero.
"You don't know how falling in love works; it can happen from a trivial trigger. I think it's an option to just try dating for now. Tada-kun said, 'Do you need a reason to fall in love?'"
With all due respect, Watanabe-kun. A reason might not be necessary to fall in love, but there's also no reason why I must fall in love.
"Ah! This is so frustrating! You two date starting today! This is an order! If you refuse, I'll strangle you!"
Wow, what a reckless argument. I feel like things are moving exactly according to Shimizu-san's intentions.
Well, I'll just pretend we're dating and do nothing.
That's what I thought then. That was a fatal mistake.
(4)
"A toast to celebrate the formation of two couples!!"
When Watanabe-kun said that, the banquet began.
The feeling of being celebrated wasn't bad.
But were there two couples being celebrated?
Everyone wondered.
"Ah, uh. Thank you."
When Sakai-kun said that, everyone was convinced. Ah, he finally made the decision to date, they thought.
"I'll call a driver for today, so let's enjoy ourselves slowly."
Kazu-san said that and began to drink.
I'll drink too.
Celebratory drinks really are delicious.
"Thank you for your hard work today."
"No, I'm the one who had fun. Thank you very much."
"Those words make me happier than anything."
And so, the banquet passed the hours.
"Tomorrow's a holiday, let's make noise until morning."
Kanna's tension was incredibly high.
"That's the spirit! I'll join you!"
"Mika, you have work tomorrow. Go home early and sleep!"
"What's with you, Masashi? You've been cold lately!"
"Kanna too! I have club activities tomorrow."
"...Well, it's boring if Mika isn't here, so whatever."
Mika and Kanna-chi were admonished by their respective partners and backed down quietly.
In exchange, the way Sakai-kun was teased was tremendous.
"Sakai, did you finally steel yourself!"
"No, I feel like I've been framed."
"Stop grumbling forever. Just make up your mind already!"
I see, he was forced together with her.
But I think that's not so bad.
Because I believe a day when I can feel this happy will surely come someday.
Let's not do things like giving up because I lack confidence in myself. Let's try to find a new me.
When Kazu-san's glass became empty, I took a new order.
At that time, I hurriedly emptied my own glass too.
That was a mistake.
My feet were wobbling.
Kazu-san saw me in such a pathetic state. I wonder if he'll be disillusioned?
But Kazu-san supported me.
"Shall we wrap things up soon?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, the banquet ended.
We had a taxi wait for us, and he led me to my room.
"You can come up."
The room was kept clean; I wouldn't be ashamed regardless of who entered.
But Kazu-san declined.
"I don't think we're at that stage yet."
Maybe it was the momentum of being drunk. I had acted in a way I couldn't even believe myself.
I exchanged a kiss with Kazu-san. I wanted to do it when I wasn't drunk...
"Well then, goodnight."
Kazu-san said that and left the room.
"Goodnight, I love you."
I sent that message to Kazu-san.
"I love you too."
The first words ever confessed by Kazu-san. I was floating. Intoxicated by the pleasant feeling, I fell asleep just like that.
(5)
"That was surprising."
When Airi said that, I gave a nod of agreement, "Yeah."
To think we'd even get Sakai-kun and Shimizu-san together. I thought it would take more time.
"I'm glad the operation was a success."
When I said that, Airi also nodded with satisfaction.
"It's a bit different from how I imagined it, but it all worked out in the end, right?"
"That's certainly true."
Judging by the atmosphere, something must have happened in the car on the way back. That might not have been a good thing for Sakai-kun, though.
As evidence, Sakai-kun didn't show any sign of being genuinely happy.
He was probably forced together by someone like Mika-san.
Whether that was good or bad, I don't know.
I just think it's important to face change.
There's no point in worrying about it forever.
Just do what you can. Just do what's possible. Believing that it will be rewarded someday.
Just as light shines when you exit a tunnel, the time to exit a long tunnel will surely come.
It was late, and the cars weren't very crowded.
After crossing the bridge, we turned right and passed through the town.
Entering an even narrower road, there were no streetlights and the traffic became even scarcer, leaving only the light of my car's headlights.
When we arrived home, I parked in reverse and stopped the engine.
"Airi, we're here."
The little Kodora sitting in the passenger seat nodded "Yeah" and got out of the car.
Entering the house together, we said "I'm home" and entered the room.
"Go on in first," I said, and Airi left the room with her change of clothes.
In the meantime, I prepared my own change of clothes and turned on the TV.
After relaxing alone for a while, Airi returned. Seeing that, I headed to the bathroom.
Washing my body and soaking in the tub loosened the muscles of my entire body.
After soaking for a while, I got out of the bath, wiped my whole body with a towel, and put on clothes.
When I returned to the room, Airi was slumped over the table, sleeping.
"You'll catch a cold if you sleep in a place like that," I said, and Airi replied, "Then I'll stick to Toya-kun~ Toya-kun is warm," and hugged me.
"I get it, so let's go to bed," I said, turning off the TV and guiding Airi to the bed.
I entered the bed myself, turned off the light, and fell asleep.
While receiving Airi's soft sensation with my whole body, while feeling that warmth.
I'm here, Airi is here—that alone is enough, I suppose.
If words can, if they can be spun, let's let them fly together.
Loving yesterday properly, let's see a scenery we've never seen before.