Chapter 166 - Dandelions
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
"Good morning."
The morning sunlight is dazzling.
Dandelions are blooming, and these days, one can feel the arrival of spring.
Upon waking, I have breakfast in the dining room, and as I try to head back upstairs, Mother calls out to stop me.
"I've already transferred this month's portion, you know?"
She's probably talking about my allowance.
"I know."
"In that case, why don't you go out and play?"
"Today is a rest day for Airi and me."
A rest day is, quite literally, a day for resting that Airi and I decided upon.
To explain it simply, one day I suggested to Airi, "Why don't we let the car rest once in a while?"
In truth, I just wanted to rest myself, but I thought Airi would sulk if I said that, so I made the proposal knowing Airi constantly worries about the car.
"Uuu... It's true that both the car and Toya-kun might need a break."
My ulterior motive was transparent, but Airi reluctantly agreed.
Driving every day to take her everywhere is tiring for the body, and the wallet doesn't hold up either.
So, we decided to take it easy at least one day a week.
There are three promises.
Airi does no housework whatsoever.
I do not go out at all.
The two of us simply spend the time idling.
Those are the three.
Though if someone were to say that I just want to be lazy, they wouldn't be wrong.
"Toya-kun aside, am I really not allowed to do housework either?"
Airi tilts her head.
Whenever Airi is at the house, she absolutely does housework, and then Mother tells her to go out and play.
When I explained to Airi that that would defeat the purpose, she conceded with a "Uuu... I understand."
"In exchange, I have a condition~"
"W-what?"
"Since I won't do any housework, Toya-kun has to give me lots of attention~"
"A-ah. Of course, I'll shower you with plenty of affection."
"Yay~"
And so, now it is the customary morning coffee time.
Even with programs where only the name changes and different talents just comment on the same news every day, it feels a little more interesting when I watch it with Airi.
I'm just giving half-hearted replies to Airi's impressions, but while it looks half-hearted, it isn't.
Because if I don't watch the TV properly, or if I don't listen to Airi's talking, Airi will get angry.
"Sorry, it's a waste, but I'll go wash the things I used myself."
Saying so, Airi took her mug and went downstairs. Perhaps at that moment, I should have noticed her taking the laundry down with her.
A short while later, Mother came to the room bringing Airi with her.
"Toya! How can you just lounge around while making Airi-chan work? Was 'rest day' actually a day for Toya to be lazy!"
"N-no. I told Airi to rest too, but..."
"Airi-chan was doing the laundry, saying 'There's no such thing as a rest for a housewife, right~'!"
When I look at Airi, she is laughing to gloss over it.
"Sorry. I'll keep a proper eye on Airi."
"You'd better! Airi-chan isn't your wife yet! What are you going to do if you're like this even before marriage!?"
"Uuu... I already consider myself the bride."
It seems she has been promoted from fiancée before I knew it.
"I'm not blaming Airi-chan. But as the person entrusted with Airi-chan by Tosaka-san, I can't let her be worked to the bone. Understand that. It's a promise with the aunt."
Mother is persuading Airi by mentioning the promise she made to the aunt.
"But Rie-chan said, 'Get trained to be a full-fledged adult~. Because if it's Mama, I'll inevitably spoil you~'..."
"Airi-chan is already a full-fledged adult. But you are still a student. Let me push the care of this lazy son onto you a little later; for now, relax and enjoy yourself."
"Yes..."
It seems Mother succeeded in persuading Airi.
Once Mother was certain of her success, she left the room saying, "Well then, enjoy your time~"
As soon as Mother leaves the room, Airi clings to me.
"...Airi. Is there any movie you want to watch?"
"Hmm, that wizard series."
Ah, that one they were doing at the theme park in Osaka?
"How many have you seen?"
"I have all the books, but I've never seen the movies~"
"Then, shall we go rent them from the DVD rental shop?"
"You said today was the car's day off too."
"Airi, you said that and then you worked, right? The car will forgive us for a little bit."
"...Alright~"
Saying so, I go to the rental DVD shop with Airi and rent a bunch of things she wants to see.
The rental period is one week. If we rent them all at once, we can probably avoid leaving the room for a few days.
I would realize later that this thinking was naive.
When I try to enter the area with the 18+ curtain as a prank—
Smack smack
"Makoto-kun is the only one who should do things like that in front of his girlfriend! This isn't something Toya-kun should be interested in!"
Airi is genuinely angry.
"I just thought I'd take a little peek."
"You don't have to think that!"
"I get it."
I returned home after renting the wizard series, a live-action movie of a certain swordsman manga, and a series where the protagonist uses a notebook to purge people.
Once home, we start watching the wizard series. Both Airi and I are the type to become absorbed and go silent when watching movies.
In the middle of the second film, we are called for lunch.
After finishing lunch, I try to return to the room, but Airi looks hesitant.
Mother smiles brightly and snatches the dishes away from Airi. Airi lets out a disappointed "Ah!"
"You don't have to worry about it. I'll just accept the sentiment."
"I'm sorry..."
Returning to the room with Airi, we start watching the movies again. We just keep watching. By the time we finish the fifth work, the sun begins to set.
Father also returns, and by the time it's dinner time, we are on the sixth work.
While eating dinner, Airi suddenly says something outrageous.
"Toya-kun, shall we take a bath together tonight?"
I choked.
"W-we always go separately, why today of all days?"
"There are two reasons~"
The family looks at Airi.
"First, because I want to heal Toya-kun. I haven't been able to do anything for Toya-kun myself."
"...And the second?"
"Because while I'm in the bath, I can't help but worry about the movie being halfway through, so I want to get it over with quickly."
Even so, you didn't have to say that part out loud, right?
"Hahaha, you two really get along. Mother, why don't we go in together tonight too?"
"What are you saying in front of the children!"
Mother was scolding Father.
"I don't mind, Father. You probably bathed together at the Tosaka residence anyway, right? Or rather, you did it here too."
"Don't make Airi-chan feel lonely."
Is it okay for the children to flirt?
"No, it's best to enjoy it while they can. When you get old, you end up like this..."
"Mother doesn't mind either. It's too late for you two anyway."
"Thank you very much."
Is my will present in this?
(2)
Ding-dong.
I press the doorbell. No matter how many times I press it, no one comes.
I use the spare key to intrude into the house.
As expected, he was immersed in a game using a headset.
It seems he's playing an online game. An MMORPG where you move characters by operating a mouse.
He was playing happily, laughing while using voice chat.
It seems he bought a high-end chair too. He's enjoying himself, leaning back into the backrest like a relax seat at an internet cafe.
I snatched the headset away from Eita and called his name, "Eita!!"
"W-what. Don't get in the way, Ai!"
"Is it 'getting in the way' when your girlfriend comes to your room!?"
"If you were coming, you could have just told me."
"I notified you many times! You didn't react once."
"Just wait one more hour! I'll stop then!"
Apparently, it's currently PvP time. Eita's claim is that there's one hour left, so wait. Well, I do feel a bit bad for barging in...
"...Then, I'll wait for just one hour."
Then, Eita becomes absorbed in the game again.
In the meantime, I lightly clean Eita's room.
I collect empty cans and plastic bottles, sort them, and stuff them into a bag; then I collect the remnants of snacks and bento, and similarly bundle them into a bag to throw away.
After that, I lightly vacuum and wipe the table.
It seems he's still not finished. I check the time. It was around before 22:00.
I look at the TV in the room. Once it passed 22:00, the game seemed to end. After that, he was doing something like a post-game review.
Eita lists a string of words that make no sense.
Once that ended, he finally turned toward me.
"Whoa! It's gotten super clean."
I didn't exactly renovate the place, but I feel like playing the BGM from a certain renovation program.
"Is the game over? Then change your clothes!"
"Eh? We're going out now?"
"Do you intend to make your girlfriend clean and then even make her cook? I'm not your home helper."
"I don't remember asking you to clean..."
"It was such a mess there wasn't even a place to sit."
"A-alright, I'll change."
Eita changes reluctantly.
"I'll drive. Ai, you must be tired."
Eita says this while putting on his shoes.
It's okay to depend on him a little, right?
"So, where do you want to go for a restaurant?"
"Anything edible around here at this hour is fine."
"T-then. How about udon?"
"Up to you."
When we enter the udon shop, there are a fair amount of customers. Once we order, Eita's machine-gun talk begins.
"...So, why did you come today?"
"I just came because I was worried since there was no reply despite contacting you so much."
"Are you staying over tonight?"
"I will if it's okay to stay."
"Sorry, I'm really sorry. Man, I just got so absorbed in the game that I accidentally..."
Sorry.
A magic word that can forgive anything. However, the user is limited.
"What were you doing during your break?"
"Just idling."
"Ah, I get it. Spring break is long, but you really don't know what to do, right? I was playing games."
Does he really understand? I was contacting him because I wanted to spend that long vacation with my boyfriend.
"...I've decided. I'm going to Eita's house once a week too."
"Eh?"
"Eita's lifestyle is too irregular. I'll go check on you once a week. I'm somehow anxious. Don't you dare use a chain lock."
"It's fine, I'll keep my smartphone by my side from now on."
"Then, I'm setting a condition. If I ring three times or more and you don't come out, I'm consulting the Watanabe neighborhood group, okay?"
"A-no. That would be a problem."
"Then, once a week, right? If you don't open the door, I'll report it to the Watanabe neighborhood group after all, okay?"
"A-alright..."
It seems Eita agreed.
The reason I didn't say we should break up is because that was my final brake. I've had enough of feeling like that.
Even so, why does Eita cause problem after problem?
Is this what they call the hill that breaks the heart?
If so, the only person I can open my heart to is Eita. Let's climb together.
For that, is compromise also necessary?
"A-oh, right. Ai, are you interested in games?"
"W-well, a little..."
Though it's only to the extent of using smartphone games to kill time.
"Then, why don't we play a game together? Since it's an online game, we can always be together."
Always together...
"Besides, you can even get married and stuff. It's fun."
I wonder if getting married in a game is actually fun.
"If you feel like it, I'll help you out."
Diving into his world might not be so bad.
Did someone say that?
"Alright, do you play on a PC?"
"Yay! It's a PC, but the laptop Ai uses is plenty! The required specs aren't high."
Eita is happy. It's been a while since I've seen it. Eita's happy face.
After eating, we go to an internet cafe. Apparently, you can play for free as a perk of the internet cafe.
There's a trial period, and it's free for two weeks after creating an account.
It's a monthly subscription, but it's not that expensive, so I figure whatever and pay the money. I go from creating the account to creating the character.
I select the race, gender, hairstyle, hair color, and give it a name.
Apparently, you distribute something called status, but I go with Eita's recommended status and profession.
"I'll log in too, so wait a bit."
Saying so, Eita begins operating the PC.
After a while, Eita's character appears on the screen. It's somehow shining gold. When I ask Eita, he says his level is capped.
A trade request window appeared. I receive various items and money.
"Is this okay?"
"It's special because it's Ai."
Special... it doesn't feel bad to be told that.
Then, while being taught how to operate, I complete quests.
Before I knew it, it had passed 24:00.
Perhaps due to Eita's support, my level exceeded 100 in the blink of an eye.
"At this rate, it looks like you can participate in the matches starting next week."
"...Just so you know, I'm not doing this every day."
"I-I know."
He definitely intended to make me do it every day.
Well, I'll do it when I have free time. But I want to go on dates occasionally.
When I tell Eita that, he says he understands. He says he's been wanting to go see a sentai show or something.
...I'm not saying I want to be a babysitter.
That day, we played games all night, and I slept at Eita's house until noon.
(3)
"Masashi—wake up—!"
Woken by Mika, I open my eyes. It's only 9:00.
It seems Mika also had a holiday today, and since our days off matched, she suggested we go out somewhere.
We haven't been on a date recently, so it's fine. When I asked where to go, she said "I want to go to the harbor park," so I agreed.
Mika must have been tired because she went to sleep early, and that leads to now. She's finished changing, put on makeup, and is holding a lunch box.
"Hurry up and get ready! Your girlfriend is waiting—!"
"Can't you let me eat at least breakfast?"
"You're not Toya; Masashi won't die just from skipping one meal."
It was a terrible argument, but well, Mika is eager, so I'll just get ready quickly.
Once I finished changing and preparing, I left the house and headed for the harbor park.
Arriving at the harbor park, I got out of the car and strolled.
The harbor park, where one can relax while bathing in the sea breeze, faces the ocean and has lawns, making it a flawless place as a spot for relaxation.
After finishing the stroll, we went for an early lunch.
It was sandwiches.
Various ingredients like cutlets, egg, and potato salad were sandwiched inside. The taste of each was also beyond reproach.
There was a small bottle in the lunch box, but I confiscated it.
"Masashi, you've been cold lately."
"I think Mika, who drinks right in front of the driver, is the cruel one."
"Then, when we get home..."
"I had a place in mind for dinner."
"Do you not trust my skills? I'm confident I can make something tastier than some random shop."
It's not that I doubt Mika's skills.
Certainly, Mika is good at cooking. Moreover, she possesses the special skill of visiting various shops, analyzing the taste, and constructing recipes.
However, the quality of a meal isn't decided by the cooking alone, unfortunately.
"You can't create the atmosphere of a shop, Mika."
"I see, that's admittedly impossible..."
Seeing the depressed Mika, I end up spoiling her with a sigh.
Patting her head, I say gently.
"Shall we go home once and use a taxi?"
"Does that mean..."
Mika's face brightens.
"You've also become able to adjust the portions lately."
"Of course! I'm still in my growth phase!"
After returning home, I leave the car and walk to town.
While walking through town, we look around the shops in the shopping district.
Mika tends to prefer punk-style clothing, and for those kinds of clothes, one has to go as far as Fukuoka or look in small shops in the shopping district.
Since I wear things that can be bought at nearby shops, the town stroll centers around Mika.
"I wish Masashi had some obsession with clothing too; I think you could actually pull it off."
No matter how you put it, that's just looking through rose-colored glasses.
"Hahaha, even if I wanted to dress up, I have this physique."
"Shall we start with dietary restrictions first? I learned about that in school too."
"No, I'll pass. It's one of my few hobbies."
The first thing necessary to live with Mika. That was the reduction of unnecessary expenses.
For that purpose, it meant not spending money on useless hobbies and not buying luxury goods.
That's why I started quitting smoking as part of my effort to reduce unnecessary expenses. The jinx that you get fat when you quit smoking seems to be real. I've gotten even fatter since then.
After killing time, we go to the dinner restaurant.
It's a date after a long time, so I splurged.
A dining bar located slightly away from the city center.
There, one can hear live piano performances.
While enjoying the melody played by the piano, we enjoy dinner.
There was an older man trying to seduce the piano player, but that's probably a lost cause.
The player also seemed used to it and brushed him off lightly.
Still, he's persistent. That said, causing a commotion now would be undesirable for both the shop and us.
I hold back Mika, who looks like she's about to pounce.
"The shop side is probably used to it and will dodge him skillfully."
Saying so, I soothe Mika.
Mika also seemed to calm down upon hearing that, and as she sat back in her seat, she watched the situation.
After the man handed over his contact information, he left the shop.
Once we finished our meal, we also left the shop.
"What shall we do after this?"
When I ask Mika, usually she'd say "Let's go to the next place, the next!", but today she is quiet.
"I'll leave it to Masashi," she says.
"Is it okay to go home?"
"You're the one who said it's okay to drink at home, Masashi. I want to get some night air and sober up a bit."
Saying so, Mika links arms with me.
On the way back, we stop by a convenience store to buy drinks before returning.
Actually, there is one troublesome thing about drinking at home.
That is...
"Let's see, I believe that was left."
Mika begins scouring the contents of the refrigerator.
Then she begins cooking.
What was completed were simple appetizers.
"Cheers."
Saying so, the pull-tab of the can makes a pssh sound as it opens, and we gulp down the contents.
"Phew! That kind of shop atmosphere is nice, but as expected, drinking at home is more relaxing."
After stating her impression, Mika reaches for the next bottle.
"Don't overdo it, even if tomorrow is a holiday."
"I know, I'll take a thorough rest tomorrow."
I don't know if she knows or doesn't know, but for now, let's call it good.
Before I knew it, it had passed 0:00.
I realize Mika is lying face down on the floor, asleep.
With a sigh, I stand up and lift Mika up.
"You'll catch a cold if you sleep in a place like this. You have to sleep properly in bed."
"Masashi will take me there, right?"
So that was her plan.
After tucking Mika into bed, I take a shower and head to the bed.
I could see Mika sleeping peacefully.
As I lie down beside her, I also fall asleep.
The spring moonlight filtering through the gap in the curtains.
Bathing in that warm light, I entered into a dream.
(4)
"U~n."
When I woke up in the morning, I was in bed.
Beside me, Toya-kun is sleeping peacefully.
Since it was late yesterday, I guess it can't be helped?
In the end, we watched all eight works of the wizard series before sleeping.
Once you see one, you just can't help but worry about what happens next.
Today, I have to watch the remaining works... oh? Does that mean today is also a rest day?
If I just keep resting like this, my body will get sluggish.
...But I'm curious. Today is special. I'll keep Toya-kun company.
I wake Toya-kun. "Good morning," I...
Toya-kun still seems sleepy. I'm resting today too, so give me attention~
Smack
Toya-kun woke up.
"Good morning, Airi."
That voice is a kind and gentle voice.
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
I wonder if my feelings got across. Is he reading them properly?
Toya-kun looks at the clock; it's only 8:00. He goes back into the futon. Hey!
Smack
"Let's eat breakfast."
"...That's right."
When I head to the dining room with Toya-kun, Maya-san had breakfast ready for us.
"Thank you very much. I'm sorry, today as well..."
"It's fine, Airi-chan, just take it easy."
If it's like that, there's no meaning to bride training.
But, it's still early, enjoy your student life slowly. Whether you like it or not, that time will come, Maya-san says.
I wonder if it's okay to depend on those words, but Toya-kun is saying so too, so maybe I'll depend on them?
Once Toya-kun's morning preparations are finished, we return to the room. Without forgetting the morning coffee.
From then, I watch the continuation from yesterday with Toya-kun.
That said, we watched all of the wizard ones last night. All that's left is the swordsman manga one and the story of the protagonist and the Shinigami.
I'll finish watching them within today. Which means, today the car is resting too. That's good.
After 10:00, Maya-san brings tea and sweets.
While eating those, I become absorbed in the movie.
Lunch is also prepared by Maya-san.
It was instant ramen, but it was delicious.
I tried asking, "How do you make it so delicious?"
"Toya doesn't like it made with hot water; he prefers miso ramen made with miso soup."
I see, I see. Another recipe Toya-kun likes has been completed.
When I take the dishes to the kitchen, Maya-san says "Leave the cleaning to me," so I take her up on the offer and watch the rest of the DVD.
After finishing all the DVDs, we return the DVDs to the rental shop and eat a meal on the way back.
Returning home, taking a bath, and returning to the room, Toya-kun is playing a game.
When Toya-kun notices me, he says, "Airi, why don't you try it too?"
It's better to learn Toya-kun's preferences too, right?
"I don't like the ones where blood spurts out, okay?"
"It's just a car game, so it's fine."
Since he said so, I tried it.
"As for how to do it..."
Toya-kun holds my hand and teaches me from how to hold the controller.
It's nothing special, but somehow my heart thumps.
The explanation doesn't really enter my head.
"That's all, did you understand?"
I nod for now.
"Then, shall we try a match?"
I left the car settings to Toya-kun.
The race begins. Toya-kun held back in his own way, but I can't even manage to drive straight.
To my depressed self, he says "You'll get used to it eventually," but I don't understand at all.
Toya-kun guided me patiently.
Thanks to that, I became able to lap one course.
But it's not very fun. Maybe I'm not suited for it?
"Sorry, I'll look for another genre next time."
"...I don't like gal-games either, okay."
"I know."
The clock had reached the time for the airplane (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads 時計は飛行機の時間に差し掛かっていた).
We decided to sleep.
The bed, which had become a little wider before I knew it.
Apparently, Toya-kun's papa bought it.
I fall asleep in Toya-kun's chest.
Morning comes.
The morning sunlight is a bit dazzling, but. Today begins again.
New dreams and futures with Toya-kun make my heart flutter.
Believing in something, little by little, conveying those feelings to each other
Heading toward the dream, toward a bright future.
It's okay even if heavy rain falls.
There might be a little weakness too.
But we will be drawn to each other like dandelions blooming in the field.
The events with Toya-kun, where I stretch myself just a little, always make my heart race no matter what.
I want to tell this feeling to the whole world. I want to carry the dream.
Even if it's sad, it's okay. Let's believe in each other, support each other, and change it into hope.
Strongly, like a dandelion.
And then, I wake Toya-kun.
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
Another new day begins.