Chapter 163 - Lingering Cold
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
February.
Spring is near. They often say, "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" However, it seemed it would only get colder from here, and looking out the window, snow had accumulated in various places.
Spring break would begin in another two weeks. Though final exams were waiting for me before then.
"You woke up obediently today."
Spring break, huh? Last year was a trip around Kyushu. What should I do this year? I'll probably be able to properly do cherry blossom viewing with Somei Yoshino this year.
Speaking of Yoshino, there's the plum garden and the chicken rice. If I suggest going to see the plum blossoms, I might be able to make it work with Airi.
One way or another, it was a year where a lot happened, but I was either having fun or was so busy that I had no room to think about anything.
But I was able to become close with Airi again, and I think we built a bond.
"Uuu... it's in there again, isn't it?"
I gently pull Airi close by the shoulder. Airi cannot hide her bewilderment at the sudden action. If I do any more, it'll become irreversible, so I think just lightly patting her head will be enough.
Then, Airi slips through my arm and begins to change her clothes. Huh? Did I make her angry? I didn't mean to...
"If you don't change quickly, you'll be late."
Airi says this without even looking at my face. This is bad; did I sour her mood first thing in the morning?
For now, I get out of bed, stand up, and hug Airi while she's changing.
"Kya!"
Airi lets out a cute scream.
"Sorry for souring your mood since this morning. I'll apologize, so please forgive me."
"Hoe?"
"I'll do anything..."
"...Then, for now, let go of those hands."
I let go as told. Airi turns toward me. She looks up at me shyly and smiles.
"It's just that Toya-kun is being so kind since this morning, so I got a little embarrassed. I'm not angry. Please come inside me properly."
Airi says this and gives me a bird kiss.
She wasn't angry. That's a relief. I thought she was sulking again first thing in the morning.
"If you don't change and get ready quickly, you'll be late."
I look at the clock. I'm supposed to start from the second period today; there's still plenty of time, right?
"Uuu... I'm sulking after all. There's something you're supposed to do!"
"...Ah!!"
That's right, the annual event we've been doing since the end of last year.
It was still ongoing. Though only limited to when classes start from the second period onwards.
"Sorry, sorry. That's right."
"Geez, I can't tell if you're being kind or mean, Toya-kun."
Like this, I spent my days occasionally making mistakes, making Airi sulk, and enjoying that cute angry face.
Peaceful days where nothing happened. I thought they would last forever.
"You said you'd do anything just now, right? Then, I'm going to give you a punishme~nt."
"Sure, go ahead and tell me."
If my intuition isn't wrong, that's not a punishment or anything, but a happy time.
"When it becomes night, please do the continuation of what we were doing earlier."
Airi says this with a full smile, without a hint of embarrassment. See, Airi's selfishness is always cute.
I thought this cute angel's smile would last forever.
(2)
On the way back after the fourth period ended, I happened to run into Kanna at the parking lot.
"Yo, heading home now?"
"That's right~ It's been a while, Kanna."
Has it been since the girls' get-together? Kanna is busy with her part-time job and such, and our classes rarely align. I'm glad she seems well.
Apparently, she meets Makoto about once a week, and it mostly ends with cleaning his room; it seems his perverted habits are the same. Even so, apparently he's become somewhat better. Though his manias have deepened. Apparently, Makoto's romance lies there...
While I was talking to Kanna, some dangerous-looking people approached. Those people formed a formation as if to surround us. Some of them were holding iron pipes. It was obvious they had business with us. Airi, frightened, is clinging to me.
"Are you the one called Katagiri Toya?"
A man wearing sunglasses and a cap, with piercings in his ears and nose, said my name while chewing gum and looking at his smartphone.
"That's me, do you need something?"
"Come with us for a bit."
Saying that, he gestures for me to get in the car.
If I stay here, I'll involve Airi and the others. Thinking that, I follow the men and get into the car.
"Toya-kun..."
Airi has a face like she's about to cry.
You don't have to worry.
With that meaning in mind, I smile, and I am taken away by the men.
The place I was taken to was the back of a Convenience Store located on the university campus.
Even if it's the back of a Convenience Store, it's on campus, right? What are they thinking?
Just as I expected, a crowd has clearly formed.
"So, what do you want?"
"Don't act tough, you're probably terrified anyway, right?"
The man's smirking face had a vulgar expression.
"What's the deal? The 'business' is that I got a request to beat you to a pulp."
A request?
I tilt my head. A person who would profit from me being beaten to a pulp.
There's no need to search on a smartphone. There was only one person who came to mind.
The opponent is about a dozen or so... Is that a bit too many for one person?
"Just so you know, this is the university campus. If you lay a hand on us, won't things get pretty bad for you?"
Ah, so that's why they chose this place.
I hate pain, but I guess I have to endure it?
"Which means, helping someone in this situation is fine because there's a legitimate reason, right?"
When the men look back, Watanabe-kun, Ishihara-kun, and Eguchi-san were standing there.
"Ishihara-kun, are you okay?" Watanabe-kun asked, to which Ishihara-kun replied, "I have received training for fighting multiple opponents."
"Oi oi, even that shrimp is motivated!" the men let out laughter.
"I can't let Watanabe-kun and the others get involved!" I shout, and they smirk, saying, "It's only natural to help a comrade, right?"
"It's just as Katagiri-kun says! You two aren't the only ones dealing with these guys!"
As they said that, another person appeared.
A woman wearing short pants and a velour material hoodie stands before the two.
"You guys just focus on self-defense! I'll handle these people! Since I'm an outsider, there won't be a problem, right!"
"Shinjo! Hurt them thoroughly!!"
As Eguchi-san ordered, the public execution of the group of men by Shinjo-san began.
Without a word, a flying knee strike entered a man's solar plexus, and the surrounding men simultaneously attacked Shinjo-san.
However, Shinjo-san dodged them as if dancing lightly, and conversely, began to hurt the men.
Once she knocked down four or five people, the men flinched.
"Target that woman!!"
When the leader-type man—the one wearing the cap from earlier—said that, two or three men attacked Eguchi-san, but Eguchi-san remained unfazed.
A small shadow intervened between the men and Eguchi-san.
It moved nimbly, accurately striking the men's vital points.
"I'm telling you, since it hasn't been long, I haven't learned how to hold back yet, you know?"
"Katagiri-kun!"
A luxury car slid in.
"I'll explain the situation in the car! Hurry!"
When the rear seat window opened, Shimizu-san said that.
"Toya! Hurry!!"
As Watanabe-kun said that, I climbed into Shimizu-san's car. Once I was inside, the car sped off.
The car is driving toward the parking lot where I had parked.
In the meantime, the situation after I disappeared was explained to me.
A thin man... likely Katsuya, appeared.
He threatened Kanna with a knife and took Airi away.
Kanna hurriedly sent messages to everyone.
Information came in that there was a commotion at the Convenience Store, and Watanabe-kun and the others rushed over.
That Katsuya...
The blood was rushing to my head.
When the car arrived at the parking lot, I approached Kanna, who was standing still and staring at her smartphone.
Kanna approached me and told me in a trembling voice.
"Sorry, he suddenly pulled out a knife... I couldn't do anything."
I grabbed Kanna's shoulders, looked at her face, and said as gently as possible.
"It couldn't be helped. Are you safe, Kanna? Do you have any idea where Airi and the others were taken?"
"If that's the case... with the smartphone's GPS..."
As Kanna said that, she operated her smartphone and displayed the location of Airi's smartphone.
Seeing that, I also launched the same app and confirmed Airi's position.
That mountain, huh... it'll get dark soon... I see.
As I tried to get into Airi's car, Kanna called out to stop me.
"That mountain might be frozen at this time of year, right? My car is 4WD and has studless tires, so use my car."
"Is it okay? You don't even let Makoto drive it, right?"
"It's an emergency. I'm relieved if it's your driving. Just, it's an MT, is that okay?"
"I have an MT license, so..."
"It's not a normal transmission, the clutch is slightly different and...!?"
Faster than Kanna could speak, I took the car keys from Kanna, sat in the driver's seat, and started the engine.
I revved the engine lightly... yeah, I've got it.
I opened the window and handed Airi's car keys to Kanna, saying, "Sorry, please use Airi's car while I'm borrowing yours."
Seeing Kanna nod, I gripped the steering wheel and placed my hand on the shift lever.
"I'll breathe life into you!!"
"Eh!?"
Faster than Kanna could speak, I drove the car away.
That mountain has many guests who use accommodation facilities and such during the summer. Also, it's secretly popular as a hidden night-view spot.
The crimson car tore through the darkness, tires cutting into the asphalt.
As Kanna feared, the road surface was frozen.
Around the time I had climbed quite far up the mountain, a black FR turbo car appeared.
I confirmed it as we passed each other. The figure of Katsuya in the driver's seat and Airi forced into the passenger seat.
I stepped on the brake, turned the steering wheel, and performed a spin turn to chase the black car.
The black car's behavior was somehow suspicious.
I don't know if it's because it's an FR, or simply because Katsuya's driving isn't good, but I can't stick too closely.
I chased Katsuya while maintaining a safe following distance.
After driving for a while, Katsuya's car veered off the road and crashed into a cliff.
If you have a soul... answer me!!
I stepped on the brake, turned the steering wheel, and avoided Katsuya's car while spinning.
I stopped the car, got out, and approached the black car.
Then, a figure emerged from the passenger seat.
"Airi!!"
As I shouted instinctively, the usual voice returned.
"Toya-kun!!"
I caught Airi as she hugged me.
"Are you safe!?"
"Yes!"
Hearing that voice, I felt relieved, and as I tried to head toward the driver's seat of the black car, Airi stopped me.
"It's enough, let's go quickly!"
"B-but..."
"Toya-kun, you're trying to be reckless again, aren't you! I told you not to, right!?"
Airi's eyes, illuminated by the headlights, were red and swollen. If so, shouldn't I stay here...
Just as I thought that, the sound of a police siren echoed. Someone must have reported it. The police car stopped and officers got out.
When Airi explained the situation, Katsuya was apprehended on the spot.
(3)
I was scared.
I didn't know where I was being taken.
However, we were rushing through the usual roads and climbing the mountain.
I wonder where Toya-kun was taken? Is he safe?
It's not the time to be worrying about someone else, but I was anxious in a different sense. I hope Toya-kun doesn't do anything reckless again.
"You were thinking about Toya just now, right?"
That voice, vulgar to the core, sounded obscene.
"Do you think it's okay to do something like this? Did you read the pledge properly?"
"My life was ruined because of you people. I thought I'd let myself have a good time at the end. Toya's probably having a good time right about now too."
The lowest of the low...
The car stopped at a parking lot halfway up the mountain.
My smartphone has been vibrating for a while now.
That is proof that my smartphone's GPS is working perfectly.
I unfastened the seatbelt and was ready.
Katsuya-san said, "Now, shall we begin?" and grabbed both my shoulders.
"Let go!!"
I shook him off, opened the door, and leaped outside.
I ran along the snowy road in the twilight, not knowing where I was.
Naturally, it was impossible.
My feet were caught in the snow and I fell.
He pounced on me.
"No!! Let go!!"
"Shut up!!"
Frightened by that voice, I instinctively wailed. It's frustrating.
It's frustrating that Katsuya-san is seeing me in such a pathetic state.
Bzz bzz...
The smartphone's vibration activated. Naturally, Katsuya-san noticed it too. He snatched the smartphone from me.
He looked at the smartphone and then returned it to me.
"Tch, we're changing locations... follow me."
Saying that, Katsuya-san pulled my arm.
"It hurts, don't pull me!"
"You know what happens if you resist..."
He flashed the knife kept in his pocket.
My legs wouldn't stop shaking.
Feeling irritated by me not moving at all, Katsuya-san jerked my arm around.
"I told you to stop because it hurts."
"I'll make you feel good soon."
I was forced back into the car, and the car headed down the mountain.
"I'm pretty sure there was a love hotel along the river."
Because he said such a thing, my face turned pale and my body stiffened. The shaking wouldn't stop.
At that moment, a car like the Red Comet passed us.
Is that Kanna's car? The driver is... Toya-kun!
"Toya-kun!"
"What? Toya is!?"
I looked back to confirm. The red car turned and headed toward us.
Katsuya-san, who must have seen that in the rearview mirror, increased the speed.
It was a world of difference in speed compared to when Toya-kun is driving seriously, but it was scary.
Does driving feel this scary just because the driver is different?
Toya-kun chased us while maintaining a constant following distance. Katsuya-san grew frantic.
"Why is it so slow!"
"Isn't it just the difference in drivers?"
I had become a bit bold. As long as Toya-kun is chasing us, there's nothing to fear.
"Listen to this bitch. I won't let you sleep until morning, you know?"
"Do you have the luxury to be saying things like that?"
Then, an abnormality occurred. Even though he stepped on the brake and turned the steering wheel, the car wouldn't turn.
A cliff approached in front.
"Oh crap!!"
"Kyaaa!!"
The car slammed into the cliff.
Toya-kun's car was approaching from behind. This is bad!!
"Hiee!"
He showed a pathetic appearance. Wait, this isn't the time to be laughing.
But Toya-kun's car stopped while spinning to avoid Katsuya-san's car.
Katsuya-san wouldn't leave the driver's seat.
I opened the door and rushed to Toya-kun.
"Airi, are you safe!?"
"I'm okay, are you safe, Toya-kun?"
"Yeah, I'm okay."
When I said that, Toya-kun headed toward Katsuya-san's car. It's easy to imagine what he was trying to do. I hurriedly stopped him.
"It's enough, let's go quickly!"
"But..."
"Toya-kun, you're trying to be reckless again, aren't you! I told you not to, right!?"
I appealed to him while my eyes were swollen. Toya-kun seemed to understand the meaning. He said, "I understand."
Then, the police sirens grew louder. Several police cars stopped and officers rushed to me.
When they tried to restrain Toya-kun, I said, "This person is different. The person in the car is the criminal."
Upon saying that, the officers dragged Katsuya-san out of the car and he was arrested on the spot.
"We'll have you both give statements at a later date, is that alright?"
When the officer said that, we nodded.
We were allowed to leave for the time being.
"Toya-kun, were you okay? Nothing happened to you?"
When I asked that, Toya-kun laughed and told me what had happened.
"Thank you for coming to save me. If you hadn't come, I'd be... right now..."
Oh no, the shaking won't stop again. At this rate, I'll make Toya-kun worry.
Toya-kun stopped the car in a nearby supermarket parking lot and calmed me down.
"Sorry, the actions I took thinking they were for Airi's sake backfired."
"Toya-kun isn't the one at fault. Nothing strange was done to me, you know?"
"Eh?"
"Because nothing happened. I'm still only Toya-kun's... so please don't hate me."
I was appealing to Toya-kun while crying. Toya-kun accepted me with a smile.
"I'm glad nothing happened. That alone makes me relieved. For now, I have to go return the car to Kanna."
"That's true..."
Toya-kun drove toward Kanna's house.
"Even so, cars are mysterious. I feel safe with Toya-kun's driving even at high speeds. But Katsuya-san's was scary..."
"It's a difference in drive format. Katsuya's was an FR, so it's weak on snowy roads and such."
"Hmm, is that all?"
"Well, looking from behind, I noticed Katsuya had a tendency to be inexperienced at driving. That's why I kept my distance."
Certainly, this car is more stable than Toya-kun's car. Though the seats are bumpy.
"What about the interrogation?"
"I have to take it; I'll have them do it after the tests."
"I guess so."
"Toya-kun. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to worry about, it's just a failure of my own kin."
"It's not that... I don't think I can keep tonight's promise."
"I see, it can't be helped."
"That's a lie; because it's tonight, I want to be spoiled. You must be tired, but..."
"...Alright."
Yay~. Tonight, I'm going to be spoiled to my heart's content.
(4)
"TOYA!!"
When I arrived at Kanna's house, Kanna was waiting outside.
As I stopped the car, Airi leaped out and hugged Kanna.
"I'm sorry, if I had just been more careful..."
"Kanna is a woman too, so it couldn't be helped. Thank you for lending the car to Toya-kun."
Airi explained what happened, using Airi's vocabulary.
"I was right to go in my car after all."
Airi said that and laughed.
Well, I suppose so.
After that, he just danced with misfortune and self-destructed on his own. I'm glad Airi wasn't injured.
"But even if it is my car, to master it to that extent is quite something. I'd like to ride in the passenger seat next time."
"Kanna, that's no good. It's decided that I'm the one in Toya-kun's passenger seat."
Perhaps because she had regained some composure, Airi was saying such things.
"Kanna, the car keys..."
Saying that, I returned the car keys to Kanna, and Kanna returned Airi's car keys to me.
"Thanks, car. You saved me."
"Don't worry about it, it's my atonement for just watching Airi be kidnapped. I'm glad I could be useful."
"Airi was safe. Kanna, don't worry too much and sleep well tonight."
"Thanks, you two rest well too."
As I drove Airi's car out of the parking lot, Kanna parked her own car.
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Saying that, we went home. When we returned home, Airi's parents and my parents were waiting outside.
"Airi-chan, I just got a call from the police~ I was so worried~"
"...Toya-kun. I told you so many times not to be reckless..."
"Toya, what happened?"
"As expected of my son. Well done. Let's hear the story slowly."
The six of us went into my house's living room, and I explained the situation.
It seemed they had received a rough explanation from the police, so there was no need to explain the latter half.
Airi, however, was frolicking as if her excitement hadn't cooled down yet.
I could tell by seeing the complexions of my father and Airi's father change.
"...Toya-kun. I've caused you trouble."
"Tosaka-san, originally, it was a failure of my own kin. ...That Katsuya fellow. As for what happens from here..."
As for the Katagiri family, we said it was fine to have Katsuya indicted, but Airi said she didn't want to be involved anymore.
However, as for the Tosaka family, they could not overlook Katsuya's tyranny any further. It was decided to make it a criminal case.
However, they entered settlement negotiations through lawyers again, and the Tosaka family also entered negotiations through lawyers.
A settlement was reached on the condition of a large settlement amount and that he would never approach them again.
That money was once again covered by Grandmother.
Those negotiations will be at a later date... I'll leave the rest to the adults.
From now on, Katsuya will never approach the local area again. A GPS was set on Katsuya's smartphone, and his location can be tracked.
Apparently, the moment he enters the local area, he will be arrested immediately.
For now, when I returned to my room, I accepted Airi's selfishness as promised.
Both I and Airi must have been somewhat excited. It was more intense than usual.
"Thank you, Toya-kun."
"For what?"
"...Because that kind of thing happened. I wanted to be spoiled by Toya-kun. I wondered if Toya-kun would forgive me, if he'd forgive me for almost being held by someone else? If he'd accept me?"
"Nothing happened, right?"
"But if Toya-kun hadn't come, I'd be... right now..."
Did the terror return? Airi is shaking. I hug such an Airi tightly. I whisper "It's okay" in her ear.
When the anniversary comes, I'll do something for her. I will never let her experience the same thing again. No matter what happens to this body, I will protect Airi alone.
It was a night where I decided that in my heart.
At that time, the smartphone rang.
Checking it, it was a message from the Watanabe group.
Everyone was worried about us.
Airi is diligently replying.
It seems Watanabe-kun and the others weren't injured either.
When Shinjo-san explained the situation to the police who rushed over, it seems everyone was detained on the spot.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble for everyone."
When Airi typed that, Watanabe-kun replied, "It's not Tosaka-san's fault, there's nothing to worry about," and everyone else replied, "That's right."
I gently hug Airi. When I say, "Everyone is saying so, there's no need for Airi to be distressed," she spoils me, saying, "Then, make me forget."
I'll let her be spoiled just for tonight. We enter the bed.
I decided to hold Airi firmly as if to protect her and rest slowly.
If winter comes, can spring be far behind
Winter was ending, and spring was about to arrive.