Chapter 167 - What Lies Within You
(1)
I woke up to the sound of the clock.
Airi is still asleep, using my body as a body pillow.
Being able to see Airi like this is a privilege reserved for me as her boyfriend.
"Good morning, Airi. It's morning."
When I say that and gently shake her, Airi lets out a cute "Mmm..." and slowly opens her eyes.
As soon as Airi's eyes meet mine, she beams a smile.
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
Once I confirm Airi is awake, I try to slip out of bed to change, but Airi holds me back.
"Just a little longer."
Though she doesn't say it out loud, seeing Airi pleading with her eyes like that, there is no way I could resist, and I readily accept.
Satisfied with this, Airi clings to me.
I stroke Airi's head as if soothing a child.
And occasionally, I say something mean.
"Aren't you embarrassed to have your sleeping face seen?"
However, Airi shows no sign of embarrassment; she simply smiles and whispers in my ear.
"Toya-kun is special. There's no reason to be embarrassed at this point, right?"
I see, so I'm special. It's something I've known from the start, but having it said again makes me happy, while also making me feel a bit embarrassed and shy.
Without letting that show on my face, I speak to Airi with a gentle expression and a calm voice.
"I'm getting hungry. Shall we have breakfast?"
When I say that, Airi replies to me with a radiant smile.
"Yeah, okay."
I slip out of bed, and Airi gets up as well.
Then we head down to the dining room to eat the breakfast that should be prepared.
"Maya-san, today is just a normal day, so..."
"Airi-chan, this is a suggestion from this auntie, but please just relax during your break. It's a precious holiday, so spend it playing with Toya."
When Mother says that, Airi obediently follows.
Since she's a student, Mother wants her to be able to rest at least during the break period.
That was Mother's suggestion.
I think so too; if school is on break, Airi, as a student, should get plenty of rest.
As for how to spend that break, she can just figure it out with me.
Working part-time, experiencing living together, making a lover... we don't need those things suggested by the search site.
I tried searching for ways to spend a holiday on a search site, but none of them applied to us.
I was a little interested in solo travel, but there's no way Airi would allow it.
Well, I suppose we should go on a trip.
But since there's nowhere I particularly want to go at this time of year, I passed on it.
Overseas travel... I'm a bit interested in that.
Maybe I'll plan something for around next year.
I wonder where would be good for a first overseas trip? I asked Airi.
"Hmm, I'd already decided that my first overseas trip would be a honeymoon."
It seems that's a story for a bit further down the road.
In that case, a domestic trip. I search for places I want to go.
Yakushima, or the Tottori Sand Dunes. I'd also like to visit Shirakawa-go.
Going to Hokkaido for fun might be good too.
It doesn't have to be just the two of us; going with Watanabe's group might be fun.
If we go, it'll be summer or winter.
There are various things I want to try doing with Airi. I don't know if we can do them all, but let's check them off one by one.
For now, I'll take care of what needs to be done currently.
I relax in the room with Airi, drinking morning coffee.
Then, I start up a game.
Poke
"Leaving your fiancée alone to suddenly play a game?"
That's not it, Airi. You're the one playing the game. I hand the controller to Airi.
It was a famous blockbuster RPG. A game with incredibly beautiful visuals.
"Does blood not come spurting out?"
"There's nothing like that, so it's okay."
It starts with a tutorial.
But it seems to be difficult for Airi. While she's captivated by the movie, she gets beaten.
"Toya-kun, you do it~"
Airi hands the controller to me.
"There's no point if I do it, right?"
"I just want to watch you play."
"I guess I have no choice."
Since I've played it many times already, I proceed without hesitation.
It's mostly a linear game, so there are no elements to get lost in.
"The visuals are beautiful."
"Yeah, that's why I recommended it to you, Airi."
It seemed too difficult. After a while, Airi yawned.
As expected, it's boring. When I look at Airi, she's looking at me apologetically.
"...Sorry."
"Shall we stop this?"
When I select a competitive game next, Airi shakes her head.
"I don't want to, because Toya-kun is mean when we compete."
"I'll go easy on you."
"I'd still rather watch that game from before."
As a result of our discussion, we decided to watch TV after all. Games seemed to be unpopular with Airi.
When it becomes 10 o'clock, while drinking tea and snacking on sweets and watching TV, my smartphone rings.
It's a message from Sakai-kun.
"I have something I want to consult with you about, could you come to a cafe after noon? If possible, alone."
You're too late, Sakai-kun. Airi is watching perfectly.
Thinking it's probably a no, I ask Airi.
"Boo! No. We said no secrets, right?"
"But I let you go alone when you have girls' gatherings, right?"
"Toya-kun had boys' gatherings too."
"I thought of this as an extension of that..."
"No-no. Because when it's a consultation for Toya-kun, it's usually nothing good."
Sorry, Sakai-kun.
(2)
Today, Ichinose-san was off.
Ishihara-kun is at the shop. Nakajima-kun is probably hanging out with Ichinose-san?
Ishihara-kun is sitting at the counter seat.
When the appointed time comes, the door bell rings clink-clink.
The ones who appeared were Katagiri-kun and Tosaka-san.
"Huh? Ishihara-kun is here too? What's up?"
"What's up?" is what I want to ask. Why is Tosaka-san here?
I look toward Katagiri-kun. Katagiri-kun is making a "sorry" gesture.
"So, what were you three trying to consult about?"
Tosaka-san brings it up.
Ishihara-kun began to speak.
"No, it's not really something to hide, but I was wondering what to do for the White Day return gifts."
"Eh?"
Tosaka-san asks back with a feeling of "Why are you saying that now?"
"Ishihara-kun, you said it last year, right? That the feeling is what's important. Sakai-kun isn't a beginner either, right? Anything they bought while worrying about it would make them happy."
"The thing is... if I buy mediocre jewelry, both of them are rich, so I thought things they wear might not be good~"
"...I didn't have the impression that either of them wore accessories?"
"Eh?"
I was impressed, thinking that as expected, women really look at the right places.
"The amount isn't the problem. I think both of them understand. They're looking forward to what Ishihara-kun and the others will give them, you know?"
"Even so..."
"I received a brand-name watch, you know? I can't return something mediocre."
"Even just being invited to a meal would make them happy, though~"
Tosaka-san has been responding to the consultation for a while now, but Katagiri-kun is... eating Napolitan.
I might have fundamentally chosen the wrong person to consult.
"I invited them to a meal, but as expected, the present is..."
"Sakai-kun, until what time is your part-time job?"
"?"
Katagiri-kun suddenly asked.
"The person taking over should be here soon, but what about it?"
"Then, once you're finished, why don't you both just have Airi pick them out?"
Katagiri-kun delivered an exquisite pass.
"Toya-kun, there's no point in that, right?"
"It's fine to just give some advice, right? Ultimately, Sakai-kun and the others will decide."
"Well, if that's the case... but I don't know, okay? I think it'll be obvious that I picked them. Women's intuition is amazing."
And so, when the part-time job time ended, we headed to the shopping mall.
It seemed that within Tosaka-san, the items to buy were already decided.
She recommended pair bangles for Ishihara-kun, and matching pajamas for me.
And for good measure, chocolates from a super famous brand.
"I think that's probably good."
Come to think of it, Katagiri-kun is gone. Is he buying his own share since he's already here?
"Sorry, sorry."
Katagiri-kun arrives, a paper bag prepared in his hand.
He bought them.
The day of.
When I woke Akira-chan up, I presented the gift.
Akira-chan happily opens the present.
Two matching sets of pajamas were inside.
"Heh, for Yoshiyuki, you did something quite thoughtful. Did someone pick this for you?"
Women really do have sharp intuition.
"Well, I guess I got some advice... hahaha."
"Why didn't you ask me?"
"Eh?"
"Even though I would have picked them for you..."
I feel like that wouldn't be a present anymore...
"Well, fine. I'll forgive you in honor of the lovely present. But I think it's questionable to go shopping with another woman without telling your girlfriend."
Eh? I didn't say a word about it being a woman.
As expected, women's intuition is scary.
(3)
At night, after meeting up with Emi in front of the station, we went to an Italian restaurant.
It's an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink place.
After the two of us toasted, we ate.
Since both of us are light eaters, we couldn't eat much, but we spent a pleasant time.
Once the eating settled down, I gave the present to Emi.
The contents were chocolates and pair bangles.
I had given her a bracelet before.
"Sorry, I couldn't think of anything else..."
Emi looks at me intently.
Did I make her angry?
After a while, Emi opened her mouth.
"Isshy, I have a proposal?"
"Yes?"
"How about when Isshy gives me a present, you buy the thing I've chosen?"
"Eh?"
That would certainly be easier since I wouldn't have to worry about various things, but is that okay with her?
"I want to try enjoying the time spent worrying and choosing together."
I see. If that's the case.
"Okay. I'll do that from now on."
"Thank you."
Emi seemed to be in a good mood.
After enjoying the meal, we leave the shop.
"You're not going to say we're just going home, right?"
"Yeah, I've already checked into a hotel with the intention of staying over."
Staying over.
At that one phrase, she froze.
"I hadn't thought that far. I haven't prepared anything."
"Was that a no?"
"There's no way it's that."
Saying so, Emi laughed.
"Then, we can go to one more place, right?"
"Well, time-wise we can, but..."
"I know a good place. Let's go there, okay?"
The place Emi led me to was a wine cafe.
Since I didn't know what to order, I just ordered the same thing Emi ordered for now.
The taste of the first drink was sour.
"Maybe a slightly sweeter one would have been better?"
Emi laughs, seeing my expression.
"It's okay, it's delicious."
"Then it's good?"
I feel like I've climbed a step on the stairs to adulthood.
To be precise, I'm already an adult.
But I feel like I've stepped just a little bit into that world.
I might have pushed myself a bit too much.
Drinking along with Emi's pace, my head started to spin.
"Isshy, are you okay?"
Emi is worried.
"I'm okay," I say, but as I stand up, my legs and hips don't stand properly.
I leave the shop leaning on Emi's shoulder.
Pathetic.
"Sorry."
I bow my head to Emi.
"I'm the one who should apologize. It seems I pushed Isshy too hard."
It's fine. If Emi is happy, that alone makes me happy.
It was within walking distance to the hotel, but Emi calls for a shuttle.
"Tower Hotel is fine, right?"
When Emi says that, I nod.
When the shuttle arrives at the Tower Hotel, Emi receives the key from the front desk and we take the elevator.
Upon reaching the room, I collapse onto the bed.
I mustn't sleep, I mustn't sleep, I mustn't sleep...
Squeezing out my willpower, I take a shower.
While showering, I feel a bit better, and my eyes clear up.
When I get out of the shower, Emi takes her turn to shower. In the meantime, I watch the news on TV.
"Isshy, are you okay? Here, take this..."
What was held out was a sports drink. She probably bought it at a convenience store.
"Thank you, I feel a bit better... sorry."
"It's fine, you can get used to it little by little. It's been like that until now, hasn't it?"
That's true.
Telling ourselves "little by little," let's grant our wishes.
For now, I think I granted one of Emi's wishes?
But that's not all for tonight.
I pull myself up with willpower and collapse while hugging Emi.
"Isshy?"
I exchange a kiss with the bewildered Emi.
Having seemingly understood the meaning, Emi closes her eyes and stays still.
The sweet night begins now.
(4)
A shopping mall in Fukuoka.
We had come for shopping.
Today is White Day.
A shopping date with Toya-kun is my wish.
Choosing Toya-kun's clothes is my job. I choose clothes one after another and buy them.
After all, I want my boyfriend to look good. Toya-kun, who silently listens to my selfishness.
Once the shopping is mostly finished, is it about time?
Eh? You're saying the shopping isn't finished yet?
"You haven't bought Airi's share, have you?"
Ah, that's right. I have to properly get my clothes together too, right?
"Toya-kun, what kind of look do you want me to have in spring?"
When I ask that, Toya-kun begins to worry.
Toya-kun goes around the shops while looking for clothes he likes.
As expected, it seems he prefers skirts.
But because of things like before, I'll buy pants too.
Toya-kun's preference is a skirt and a cardigan.
He seems to like white shirts with denim skirts, and flare skirts.
While narrowing the colors down to two or three, I consult with Toya-kun and buy them.
As expected, he doesn't seem to like things with too much exposure.
"It might still be chilly, right?"
In that case, I'm buying cardigans, so it's okay, right? It's no use hiding it.
Toya-kun said it before, didn't he, that he doesn't want other men staring at me with strange eyes.
If that's what Toya-kun wants, I'll do as Toya-kun says. But let me be a little mean.
"Anyway, my physique is childish."
When I pretend to sulk, Toya-kun panics.
It's okay. I remember the reason properly.
It's fine as long as only Toya-kun knows, right? My physique.
Just having him say that makes me happy.
Toya-kun's preferences, which he shows me occasionally.
Since he only says it once in a while, I remember it properly.
Every single one of them is a happy request; that's how I look within Toya-kun, isn't it.
When the shopping is finished, we head to the hotel.
A wonderful restaurant with a beautiful night view. While enjoying the food, the conversation with Toya-kun also livens up.
The night view of Fukuoka was as beautiful as a starry sky.
When the meal is finished, a present from Toya-kun.
When I try to open it, Toya-kun says, "Open it later after we return to the room."
"Hoe?"
I wonder what's inside? Since it's Toya-kun, I don't think there'll be a strange present, but I'm curious.
For now, I say "Thank you" in gratitude.
"It's nothing much..." Toya-kun says modestly.
Anything is fine, you know? It's something Toya-kun worried about and bought, right? Besides, I was given such a wonderful dinner.
After leisurely savoring the dinner, we return to the room.
While Toya-kun is taking a shower, I undo the seal of the present.
A bath set was inside. From a famous brand.
So this was what Toya-kun thought was right, huh?
Toya-kun really does have taste. I'll use it immediately when I get home. I quietly put it inside my bag.
When Toya-kun finishes his shower, it's my turn. I wash my body thoroughly.
When I get out of the shower, Toya-kun is lying on the bed, watching TV.
As I get next to Toya-kun, I cling to him. I take the remote from Toya-kun, turn off the TV, and dim the lights a bit.
"Thank you for a wonderful night."
"I'm just glad you're happy."
Not yet, you know?
Acting spoiled toward Toya-kun starts from now.
That night was just like a spring dawn.