Chapter 170 - I Want to Change
(1)
Late at night... I woke up.
Airi was sleeping peacefully.
When I tried to get out of bed, Airi was clinging to me tightly. I had woken her up.
"Is it still nighttime~?"
"I'm just going to the bathroom for a bit."
Saying that, I had Airi release her grip.
I stepped outside the room for a moment to make it look like I was going to the bathroom.
Then, timing it right, I quietly sneaked back into the room. Airi was asleep.
I plugged headphones into the PC and booted it up.
I was worried about the light from the monitor, but it couldn't be helped. Just in case, I looked at Airi. She was sleeping peacefully.
I put a DVD into the PC. It was a galge DVD. One I bought because Makoto recommended it.
Apparently, Makoto had been recommended it by Kiritani-kun.
The characters appearing in it were certainly cute, but only in a 2D world. I wonder if I'm not that interested?
It was in a visual novel format where I only had to choose options occasionally; since I wasn't very interested in the story, I just mashed the Enter key relentlessly until I reached the target scene.
...It's not as great as Makoto said.
Let me be clear, the goal this time wasn't "studying," it was simple "curiosity." I tried it because Makoto kept recommending it so much, but the scenario was so typical of a tear-jerker that it turned me off.
Erotic art popped up occasionally, but even that wasn't particularly stimulating. Moreover, it took forever to get there.
I proceeded while looking at a walkthrough site; apparently, you have to play through at least five times to reach the True End.
Just as I thought it was too tedious and decided I was fine without it...
Someone was behind me. I had a good idea of who it was, though.
Did the clacking sound of the keyboard wake her up?
"After videos, now it's games?"
Airi's voice was bright. It was scary precisely because it was bright.
Poke
See.
"Was this recommended by Makoto-kun again?"
"Well, yeah."
Airi pulled out the earphone jack and said she wanted to see too.
However, when the crucial scene arrived...
"This is kind of gross,"
she said in a single sentence, then took out the DVD and tried her hardest to break it.
It cost a fair amount, but Airi's mood is priceless... toho.
I took the DVD from Airi after she had tried her hardest to break it, and broke it on the spot.
"This is fine, right?"
"Yep."
And so, the first galge I ever bought turned into trash without ever reaching the True End.
It couldn't be helped, because if I didn't do this, my relationship with Airi seemed likely to reach a Bad End.
"Since you happened to wake up in the middle of the night... shall we?"
"It's already late, I'm going to sleep. You have a first-period class tomorrow, right?"
"Uuu... you play galge, but you won't do it with your fiancée...?"
Airi began to pout.
However, if she made those kinds of sounds at this hour, my parents would complain.
What should I do?
"Then, I'll cuddle you close while we sleep. That should be enough. It's late..."
"Uuu... but I want to do it for Toya-kun?"
Should I try that thing Makoto was talking about?
I turned on the room lights and took my sleepwear out of the rack.
I handed it to Airi, who didn't understand what I was doing.
"Then, wear this and sleep. That'll be enough for me."
"Another piece of advice from Makoto-kun, isn't it? I heard about it from Kanna."
She found out. However, after receiving the sleepwear from me, Airi began to change.
It seemed to be too big for the petite Airi; the shoulders slumped down, and her hands didn't emerge from the sleeves.
As for the pants, the waist was too thin for her to even put them on.
If Makoto saw this, he'd be moved. I'm not showing him, though. Is that where the moe lies?
"Is this okay?"
Since she couldn't wear the pants, she was in only one piece of underwear, but the clothes were so big they hid it.
"...I'm not really sure."
"Uuu... as I thought, am I not good enough?"
I gently embraced the depressed Airi.
"But I can tell you're cute. I really want to hug you."
"...Ehehe~"
Airi, who didn't seem to mind at all, was in a good mood.
"Well, shall we sleep?"
"Are we really just sleeping?"
I whispered into the ear of the lonely-looking Airi.
"Let's do it this weekend."
Airi turned red for a moment, but then smiled and nodded.
And so, the two of them fell asleep.
(2)
"Toya-kun, wake up! You're going to be late!"
I woke up to Airi's voice. I was awake, but my head felt heavy. The sleepiness was intense.
That said, being late would be bad. I slowly moved my heavy body. Then I began to change.
"Are you okay? It's because you stayed up late."
"I'm probably fine. Is the time okay?"
"I think we'll make it just in time?"
"I see, then let's go."
Since it's a daily occurrence, I've been entrusted with a spare key by Airi. I left the house while thinking about maybe buying a keychain.
It's crowded at this hour, so I took the back roads.
When I arrived at the university, I had some free time, so I bought and ate an onigiri at the Convenience Store.
Then, I took the first period.
Almost none of the content entered my head, but since Airi is taking notes, it should be fine.
When the first period ended, I drank black coffee. I hoped it would at least be a placebo...
After taking the second period, it was lunch break. While eating lunch, I ran into Kanna.
"What happened?" Kanna asked. When Airi explained the situation, Kanna began to get angry.
"You idiot! I told you so much during the cherry blossom viewing!"
"That's why I mean it wasn't like that, I just tried it because Makoto said it was interesting. Apparently, there are some erotic elements, so I did it late at night while Airi was sleeping..."
"Then there's no point if Airi found out! And you even made her wear your sleepwear.!? You total pervert!!"
"I did it because I thought Airi would pout if I didn't do anything."
"...Toya-kun said it suited me and was cute, you know?"
Did you say that just in the heat of the moment?
Airi looked as if she wanted to say that.
"I didn't lie. Airi was cute."
"...Toya, lend me your smartphone for a second."
Saying that, Kanna operated my smartphone.
She opened a group labeled as "Boys' Night" within the message groups.
Then they came out, one after another. Content that couldn't be put into words.
Seeing that, Kanna and Airi blushed.
"Toya-kun, you hardly have any comments, do you?"
Airi noticed. Well, I'm just watching.
"The ones leading it are Makoto and Eita... those guys..."
"Hahaha, well, isn't it fine? That's what being a man is all about."
Watanabe-kun appeared saying that, but everyone's eyes went to the man next to Watanabe-kun.
Brown long hair, a beard, and piercings in his ears.
He had a look that screamed delinquent, but I felt some kind of incongruity.
It was as if he was losing to the clothes, or rather, as if he was just wearing them... yes, there was a sense that he wasn't pulling off the look.
Is this what they call a "university debut"?
The man, noticing our gazes, looked down.
Watanabe-kun seemed to notice as well. He introduced the man to us.
"This guy's name is Takemoto Yuma. He's a person I'm thinking of putting into the Watanabe-han."
When Watanabe-kun said that, Takemoto-kun gave a small bow.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Takemoto. I heard the rumors and asked Watanabe-senpai."
When Takemoto-kun said that, we also introduced ourselves.
"I'll explain the details at Blue Bird. Sashihara-san said she'd come too, so let's meet there."
He volunteered for the Watanabe-han? I wonder what the reason was?
(3)
The longed-for university life.
Joining a circle, going to group dates every day. Ah, I have to get a part-time job too.
I bought clothes that looked the part. The longed-for living alone.
And the biggest goal: getting a girlfriend.
Among the many circles that looked fun, I was worrying about which one would be the best to join.
That was when I heard a rumor from Manabe. It was that "there is a circle that will definitely get a girlfriend for you, no matter how unremarkable you are."
I searched desperately for that circle. My university life depended on it.
I heard from Kimoto-senpai, "Ah, maybe you mean the group I belong to?"
I volunteered that I wanted to join. However, Kimoto-senpai said, "Well, I'll put in a word for you. Please wait without expecting too much."
After a few days, Kimoto-senpai said, "For now, we'll do an interview, so come to the cafe 'Blue Bird' at 15:00."
When the time came, I headed to the specified shop.
Clink-clink, the door bell sounded, and the clerk welcomed me with a business smile, saying, "Welcome."
When I said, "I'm meeting someone, is the counter okay?" I was called out to by a man and a woman who seemed to have heard me, sitting at a table seat.
"You're Takemoto-kun. I'm Watanabe Masashi, the one who runs the 'Watanabe-han'."
"Ah, nice to meet you, I'm Takemoto Yuma."
"I'm Sashihara Ai. Nice to meet you."
After that, I received various questions from the two of them.
Why did you become interested in the Watanabe-han? Do you have a girlfriend you're dating now? Do you have a preferred type? What are your hobbies? They lined up questions that seemed like they'd be in a matchmaking circle.
After I answered all of them, the two began to consult in whispers.
"In short, you volunteered because you want a girlfriend and want to change yourself, right?"
When Sashihara-senpai said that, I nodded.
"First, let me tell you. Our group is mostly couples, so it's impossible to find a girlfriend within the group."
Ah, it's no good. I was about to give up. But Sashihara-san continued.
"But depending on Takemoto-kun's attitude, we can make it so you get a girlfriend. We'll make it happen even if we have to use somewhat forceful methods."
Could such a magic-like thing be possible?
"It's decided. Takemoto-kun doesn't look like a bad person. If it's a recommendation from Kimoto-senpai, there should be no mistake."
When Watanabe-senpai said that, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Will you be at the university tomorrow at noon?"
"I will."
"Then, let's meet at the school cafeteria. There are people I want you to meet first."
"I understand."
And so, the next day, I headed to the school cafeteria as told, and Watanabe-kun was waiting.
"This way."
Following him, he introduced me to one man and two women. Katagiri-senpai, Tosaka-senpai, and Otonashi-senpai.
"Senpais, please treat me well."
When I said that, Otonashi-senpai spoke.
"Stop with the 'senpai,' it's itchy. We're comrades in the same group from now on. Let's go without the formalities."
"Yes, I understand."
"Toya and the others, are you free this afternoon?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, Katagiri-kun said, "I'm done after the 3rd period, but?"
"Then is meeting at Blue Bird at 15:00 okay? I've made an appointment with Sashihara-san too; I want to discuss various things."
"Listen. I'm sure it's not the case, but..."
Katagiri-kun said that and glanced at me.
"It is exactly that case. Don't you think he's just the right kind of talent?"
Watanabe-kun answered.
Talent... I might have been dragged into something terrible...
But even so, if I can change...!
I made up my mind.
That day, I also went to Blue Bird.
Many people were gathered at Blue Bird.
They were all said to be members of the "Watanabe-han." But this was only a part of them; apparently, there were people who were working part-time or employed.
They were in a state of almost occupying the shop, but the master said, "They're good regulars because everyone orders."
I received introductions.
Sakai-kun the clerk, Ichinose-san, Nakajima-kun, Kimoto-senpai, Kiritani-kun, and the three I was introduced to yesterday, including Shimizu-san.
Otonashi-san apparently couldn't come because of a part-time job.
"Please treat me well," I greeted them.
"Let's see... first, I want to do something about that annoying hair."
A critique came immediately from Shimizu-san.
"We have to do something about the clothes too. They're not bad, but. It's like, there's no sense of cleanliness."
A critique from Sashihara-san as well.
"Takemoto-kun, are you free this weekend?"
When Sashihara-san asked, I nodded.
"Then, first, let's make your hair short. I'll introduce you to a good hairdresser. Then we have to buy clothes."
"Leaving the appearance to Sashihara-san, the problem is the inside. What does everyone think?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone fell into thought.
"I don't think it's bad. Above all, he seems sincere and serious. From what I heard about his hobbies, they're likable. I don't know what's wrong."
Shimizu-san said.
"It's the appearance after all; I think he's losing a lot on the first impression."
"Also... he seems serious and sincere... but it's like, he lacks interest. He's missing something that attracts women."
Sashihara-san and Ichinose-san said. I know that, because that's why I joined the Watanabe-han to change that inside.
"But the feeling of wanting to change is well-conveyed, so I think we can do something about it."
Tosaka-san said that for me. I felt a bit relieved.
Clink-clink.
"Hello~ are you all having a meeting again today~?"
This person was surely the first-year "Princess." Even someone like this is participating?
"Hey, Hanayama-san. Just in time. Let me introduce him. This is the new member, Takemoto-kun."
Watanabe-kun said that and had Hanayama-san introduced.
"I'm sure it's not the case, but this unremarkable man... there's no way, right~?"
Hanayama-san looked at me and laughed.
"It is exactly that case; our trump card is Takemoto-kun."
"That's not even a contest."
"It helps if you say that. It makes it more rewarding."
"Hmm."
Hanayama-san glanced at me, then went to Katagiri-kun's table.
"Toya-kun, your clothes are lovely today too."
"Thanks, I have Airi choose the clothes and then I buy them."
"Hmm, but the one coordinating them is Toya-kun, right?"
"I just remember how Airi combines them and rotate those."
When Katagiri-kun said that, the girl next to him said happily.
"I see. But I think Toya-kun's sense is good too. I wish Toya-kun would wear what he likes."
"Choosing for myself is kind of a pain. As a last resort, I enter Airi's mind and decide on this one."
"Enter the inside...?"
Hanayama-san tilted her head. That was a word that caught my interest too.
"Toya-kun, can you think by putting yourself in other people's feelings? Is it called ishin-denshin (telepathy)? Though you occasionally miss the mark."
"Hmm... then, enter my inside too."
When Tosaka-san answered happily, Hanayama-san said that with great curiosity. But Katagiri-kun shook his head.
"Actually, recently I've been entering just a little bit for people I've met for the first time. So I don't think I'll be swayed by Hanayama-san."
"But, it's different now."
"Your true feelings haven't changed, have they? I can tell by looking. If you're like that, you'll self-destruct someday."
"Toya-kun is a colder person than I thought."
"That's the first time I've been told that."
"Well, if you don't come at me like that, I won't have any competition."
The three of them were chatting like that. Tosaka-san was looking at Katagiri-kun anxiously, though.
While I was standing there watching the three of them, Watanabe-kun slapped my back.
"What are you staring at blankly for? You join in too."
Watanabe-kun said something shocking. Was that what he meant by what he said earlier?
"I-Impossible, for me, Hanayama-san is too out of my league."
When I said that, Watanabe-kun laughed and said.
"We'll follow up for you, so just try it first. First, the part where you get remembered is crucial."
Saying that, Watanabe-kun pushed my back. As told, I went to Katagiri-kun's table, and Katagiri-kun noticed me.
"Ah, you came, Takemoto-kun. Sit there."
Katagiri-kun said that and suggested the empty seat... next to Hanayama-san.
"You're the first person I've seen who sits next to me so boldly."
Hanayama-san said that with a hint of irony. That's right. A great aura was drifting from her. An aura that said "don't come close."
"Being the first is amazing, isn't it, Takemoto-kun? Ah, we have to order; the recommendations here are the blend coffee and the Napolitan. The Napolitan is really delicious."
Poke
Tosaka-san nudged Katagiri-kun.
"Is Takemoto-kun a coffee person or a tea person? Which one is it?"
Tosaka-san asked.
"I'm a coffee person."
"Then, one coffee!"
When Tosaka-san ordered on my behalf, she whispered to Katagiri-kun.
"Takemoto-kun has a beard today, so it'll be terrible if sauce gets on it, so we have to be considerate."
"Ah, I see."
They probably think they're whispering, but their voices are leaking out completely.
"Tosaka-san thinks so too. People who grow beards are kind of dirty, aren't they? And the long hair doesn't really suit him either."
I felt that this person was rejecting me. As I thought, dealing with the Princess is too heavy a burden for me...
"That's true, that's why the before-and-after is so exciting."
Tosaka-san followed up for me.
"I judge people only by their first impression, so I'm not very interested~"
Hanayama-san, does she realize? The current Hanayama-san is showing her true self, or rather, I don't think anyone would follow the current Hanayama-san.
"Um, Hanayama-san?"
Hanayama-san looked at me as if I were annoying.
"You're kind of different than usual. It's like, you're not the usual kind-looking Hanayama-san..."
Splash!
Hanayama-san splashed water on me.
"Why should I have to spread friendliness to someone like you! Know your place!"
Hanayama-san said that, stood up, and left the shop.
"Well done, Takemoto-kun! Well said!"
Watanabe-kun said. I thought it was the worst first impression.
"In a case like that, the one who peels off the mask first is the loser. He seems okay, right? Ai?"
When Shimizu-san said that, Sashihara-san thrust a thumb up at me.
"You might actually have some knack for this!"
Is that how it works?
Since these people are saying it, it must be correct. But me and the Princess...? I can't imagine it at all.
(4)
Late at night.
A spring evening. Airi was sleeping beside me while dreaming.
I wasn't particularly interested in that itself, but the guilt of doing something sneakily while hiding from Airi became a habit and I couldn't stop.
After poking Airi to confirm she was fast asleep, I faced the PC.
Then I entered search words and clicked...
A white, slender, beautiful hand overlapped my right hand gripping the mouse.
Before I knew it, the room lights had been turned on.
Ah, you noticed, Airi.
When I turned around, Airi was smiling...
Poke
"Games yesterday and videos today? You really don't learn, do you?"
"Did I wake Airi up? Sorry..."
"That's not the point! Why won't you understand~?"
Airi sat on the bed and made a sad face.
"I thought it would be fine as long as I didn't watch it in front of Airi."
"Did Makoto-kun teach you again?"
"Well, yeah."
"Then, let's watch together?"
Eh?
While I was taken aback, Airi began searching.
"One after another, Makoto-kun really finds them well. So, what kind of things does Toya-kun prefer...?"
Before I realized it, I was hugging Airi from behind.
"Is the word I'm curious about right now 'Airi'?"
"It's late at night? Weren't you on hold until the weekend?"
I tried to watch videos and was found by her, but far from forgiving me, she told me to watch together.
When I think about Airi's feelings, a few complaints from my parents are nothing.
"I'll be sleep-deprived again tomorrow."
When I said that, Airi kissed me.
"I won't let you sleep until morning, so there'll be no oversleeping."
When Airi said that, we entered the bed that had become a bit wider.
Soundproofing work had also been done. In this room, we enjoyed the spring evening.