Chapter 172 - The White Crow Prince
(1)
"Phew... that felt refreshing."
When I stepped out of the bath and returned to my room, my cute fiancée was keeping a small household account book.
It wasn't anything as grand as "household finances," but she was just managing our allowances.
"Welcome back~"
The little princess clung to me the moment she saw me.
"You've already finished the bookkeeping?"
"Yep."
Well, then we're all set.
I picked up the TV remote and turned on the television.
"Toya-kun, you must be thirsty after your bath, right? I'll go get some drinks."
Saying that, Airi left the room.
I watched her go and sat down on a cushion. While I was watching TV, Airi returned with orange juice and two glasses.
"Here you go♪"
As I held my glass, Airi poured the juice for me. In return, I poured the juice into the glass she was holding.
"Good work today."
"Good work to you too~♪"
When I gulped down my juice in one go, Airi poured me a refill.
Then, the two of us sat side by side, happily watching TV.
We were watching a quiz show. The two of us racked our brains together, enjoying ourselves by saying "Ah, I've got it" to each other.
Suddenly, both of our smartphones rang. It was probably a group message from the "Watanabe Group."
Just to be sure, we both checked our respective phones.
"Huh?"
"Hoe?"
The two of us looked at each other after seeing it.
The message read:
"Honoka has invited Keisuke."
"Who is Keisuke?"
"Who knows...?"
Airi sent a direct message to Honoka.
The reply came back immediately.
"Sorry, I'll talk about it tomorrow at 'Blue Bird'."
"Is he an acquaintance of Honoka's?"
"An acquaintance, or rather... I'm in the middle of the new student welcome right now."
"I understand."
"It sounds like something happened at the welcome party," Airi explained.
"Nice to meet you all."
A message came from Keisuke-kun?
The men all seemed bewildered.
The cause seemed to be the person in the profile—an incredible hottie.
So he was the "Prince of the Medical School."
I instinctively looked at Airi.
Airi also looked at his profile and let slip her impression: "He's a lovely person~"
That one sentence made my heart skip a beat. I-it's fine, right...?
Looking at the messages, there were voices of praise from the women: "So cool!" "I've been waiting for a hottie!!" "What a lovely person..."
I wondered if the women had felt the same way I did when Hanayama-san joined.
I wondered if Sashihara-san felt the same way when Sakura-san was clinging to Kiritani-kun.
Looking at the excited Airi, I thought.
What if Keisuke-kun falls for Airi? What if Airi falls for Keisuke-kun...
An inferiority complex attacked me for the first time in a while.
Poke
"Toya-kun, you were just making fun of me, weren't you!"
"I-I wasn't making fun of you."
"Liar! You were thinking about impossible things, like what if I fell for Keisuke-san!"
"A-Airi, you thought the same thing when Hanayama-san approached me, didn't you?"
"Uuu... what did Toya-kun think at that time?"
"I didn't think anything. I wasn't particularly interested. But Airi, you just let it slip. That he's a lovely person."
"...Toya-kun, what would you do if you were confessed to by the vocalist of Elto?"
"There's no way that would happen. Even if it did, I have Airi..."
"It's the same. Toya-kun, you said it before, right? That you've never met a woman better than me. I can't imagine anyone better than Toya-kun either."
"I see... sorry for doubting you."
"Boo! It's penalty time~"
"I get it, I love you..."
Airi clung to me.
"That's not enough. Hold me tonight♪"
Airi's penalty games are always adorable.
"I understand."
"Yay~♪"
That's right; there's no guarantee Keisuke-kun would like Airi in the first place.
There are many beautiful women in the Watanabe Group. Though I've never seen a woman I thought was cuter than Airi.
However, I had a bad feeling, to some extent... And at this time, I had not yet predicted that this premonition would come true.
(2)
"Nice to meet you all."
The women gathered at the cafe "Blue Bird" were squealing.
The man at the center of the storm, Keisuke Nishimatsu, with his short hair and sharp, well-defined features, captivated the women in an instant.
"Watanabe-kun, it's okay to let him into the Watanabe Group, right?"
When Sashihara-san said that, Watanabe-kun could only reply, "A-ah."
Having captured the hearts of the women gathered at Blue Bird in an instant and turned the men into enemies, Nishimatsu-kun came to the table where Airi, Hanayama-san, Takemoto-kun, and I were sitting.
"Would you mind scooting over a bit?"
When Nishimatsu-kun said that, Airi leaned toward me, opening up a seat for one person.
As Nishimatsu-kun sat in the empty seat, he stared intently at Airi's face.
Airi was clinging to my arm.
"I saw your photos, but the real thing is even more beautiful. Looking at you up close, you're even lovelier."
"Hah..."
"Do you have someone you're dating?"
Before Sashihara-san could say anything, Airi smiled brightly and spoke.
"I don't."
It seemed Airi had fallen. Was our seven years something that could crumble with a single sentence... However, Airi continued.
"If I had someone I was dating while having a fiancé, that would be a problem, wouldn't it?"
"Fiancé?"
No one can predict Airi's words and actions. Even I occasionally can't predict what she'll say.
"Let me introduce him. Toya Katagiri-kun. The person I love most in the world."
Without any sign of shyness, Airi introduced me to Nishimatsu-kun while smiling.
I thought the look Nishimatsu-kun gave me was harsh, but he suddenly chuckled. He probably thought, This guy?
"How many years have you been dating him?"
"It's the eighth year now, I think~"
"During that time, have you dated other men?"
"Nope~. There was no need for that~"
"Tosaka-san, you're the type who can't see their surroundings once they're obsessed with one thing, aren't you?"
Whether she noticed the meaning of those words or not, Airi fell into thought.
"How many women have you dated, Nishimatsu-kun?"
I tried asking a question on behalf of the silent Airi.
Nishimatsu-kun answered with an attitude that seemed to say I'm not telling you.
"I've never counted, so I don't know. But I believe that having many experiences is a good thing. Are you only with Tosaka-san too?"
"That's right. We've been dating since elementary school."
"So you're the culprit who's binding Tosaka-san, then?"
"Isn't there a better way to put that?"
Airi's tone changed. Ah, it seems you've upset her, Nishimatsu-kun.
"Still, there must not have been any particularly good people around Tosaka-san."
Nishimatsu-kun didn't care in the slightest about Airi's protest.
"That's not it. There are plenty of good people. Everyone in the Watanabe Group is a good person, you know?"
"Then why?"
"When I was in my second year of middle school, I was pressed for a relationship by someone like you. Not just that, many people asked me to date them. Every time, I said something like this: 'No matter how lovely a person you are, Toya-kun is lovelier than someone who belittles another person's lover.'"
"I agree. You can't charm someone like her with that kind of method."
"No matter how you dress up in expensive brand-name clothes or beautiful accessories, there's nothing lovelier than the Toya-kun who fed puppies in my memories. You understand what I mean, right? You're smart, aren't you?"
"...In other words, you're rejecting me?"
"I told you, didn't I? Someone who hits on a person who already has a fiancé isn't a decent person."
Nishimatsu-kun didn't continue speaking. However, he still seemed to have composure.
"I see. It seems it will take a little time to woo you."
"For someone so smart, you're quite slow on the uptake. It would be faster if you looked for other lovely women, wouldn't it?"
At that moment, Airi's phone began to ring.
"It's from Kanna. Sorry, I'll go take this call."
Saying that, Airi left her seat.
"You're quite well-liked, Katagiri-senpai."
"Well, yeah. According to her, she 'loves me'."
It's not that I dislike it. Rather, I'm proud of it. Just having Airi say that is all I need.
"It seems I can't compete with you two... however, that makes it more rewarding. I had a rough idea when I heard about you two."
"Does that mean you're not giving up?"
"It's better not to pursue a love you'd give up on. That's my personal theory. Don't worry, I'll return her as soon as I'm satisfied."
This scumbag...!
"You don't have to return her~ because I have Toya-kun~"
Hanayama-san's presence made the situation even more complicated.
"Was it Hanayama-san? Shall we form a joint front here?"
"That sounds good too~. Let's cooperate~"
What is this? I started to feel that my irritation from a moment ago was ridiculous.
To these two, this is nothing more than a game. Moreover, they have confidence in themselves.
But I didn't feel like these two could do anything to us; I even felt a sense of composure. A strange feeling.
"Why don't you just do whatever you like?"
I had spoken naturally.
"Wait a minute, Katagiri-kun."
Sashihara-san was trying to say something.
"Does that mean you don't mind if I take Tosaka-san for myself?"
"Try it if you can."
"You'll regret it, definitely."
"I see. I thought you were different from other men, but it turns out you're just as much of a scumbag, huh?"
When Shimizu-san said that, Eguchi-san followed.
"It seems a drastic remedy is needed, just like with Hanayama-san. Struggle all you want. You're the one who will regret it. I'll tell you now, they possess the strongest bond in the Watanabe Group."
"I look forward to that. But there is nothing as fragile as the bond between a man and a woman."
Nishimatsu-kun maintained his composed attitude to the end. He seemed to have immense confidence in himself.
"Well then, shall we begin the game?"
Watanabe-kun said.
"Sorry to keep you waiting~... what happened to everyone?"
When Airi returned, she seemed to sense the abnormal atmosphere.
"I'll take my leave for today. I've finished my greetings. Until next time, Tosaka-san."
Saying that, Nishimatsu-kun left the shop.
"Why did you let a man like that in!?"
When Kiritani-kun said that, Sashihara-san replied, "You let Sakura-san in without asking either!"
"But I want an explanation. Ichinose-san. What on earth happened?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, Ichinose-san began the story.
(3)
Last night, Sashihara-san and I were invited to a new student welcome party.
Accepting casually, we arrived at the shop.
Nishimatsu-kun was at the same table as us.
Being cheerful, we had become loose-tongued.
Nishimatsu-kun began to woo us.
Of course, we refused. Telling him it was impossible because we had boyfriends.
He asked if we could introduce him to women who didn't have boyfriends.
"Our companions are all couples~" Sashihara-san said.
"Companions?" Nishimatsu-kun bit onto that.
We explained the Watanabe Group to him. Then he said, "That sounds interesting. I'd almost like to be included."
I wondered what he'd do joining when everyone was already a couple, but Sashihara-san said, "Why not! He's probably thinking of something wretched anyway, but we should teach this young master the harshness of the world."
"Then please let me in," Nishimatsu-kun pressed.
Reluctantly, I exchanged IDs with Nishimatsu-kun and added him to the Watanabe Group.
After that, Nishimatsu-kun looked through the Watanabe Group album.
The one he set his sights on was Tosaka-san.
"I think I could get this girl. She looks pure and easy," he let slip.
"You'd better stop. That girl isn't that simple," Sashihara-san provoked.
"All the more reason not to back down."
It was a classic case of one provocation leading to another.
"Then I won't stop you. Don't come crying to me later!"
"Airi, sorry! I just got heated and did it!"
Sashihara-san pressed her hands together and apologized to Tosaka-san.
"Don't worry about it, I'll be fine. Right, Toya-kun?"
When Tosaka-san said that, Katagiri-kun gave a hesitant reply, "A-ah."
"Katagiri-kun, you're thinking something really rude toward Airi right now, aren't you!" Sashihara-san pointed out.
"T-that might be true. Airi, sorry..." Katagiri-kun replied.
Poke poke
The protest of the cute Tosaka-san, to whom such sound effects seemed to suit.
"Toya-kun, don't you trust me? You told me to trust you, so isn't this a bit much?"
"That's why I said sorry. I only thought it for a second. Airi, weren't you anxious at first too?"
"...Is it different now?"
When Tosaka-san asked, Katagiri-kun nodded.
"I just felt that worrying was stupid. Ah, it's not that I'm underestimating you by thinking Airi would never leave me."
"You can underestimate me if you want. I'd hate it more if I were seen as a flighty woman."
Are all men like this? Do they really have so little trust?
I happened to look at Ryuji-kun. Ryuji-kun, whose eyes met mine, hurriedly denied it.
"Of course I worry. I trust her just as much, though. But men sometimes take forceful measures..."
Ryuji-kun said, trailing off.
"But you two have been dating for eight years, right~? Wouldn't it be nice to try changing partners once in a while~? There might be an even better partner out there~"
Hanayama-san asserted.
"I don't understand the meaning of going out of my way to change when there's no need for it," was Tosaka-san's assertion.
Hanayama-san had declared earlier that she would team up with Nishimatsu-kun. It was probably because their interests aligned.
But, though it sounds strange to say, the bond between these two is not something anyone can sever.
I feel that the wire ropes of the suspension bridge spanning the hearts of these two are that powerful.
No matter how much they are damaged, they repair them endlessly. They must have overcome many difficulties until now.
The trust named affection that lies beyond that.
I wish I could build such a bridge too.
(4)
"~♪"
While Toya-kun is in the bath, I keep the account book on the PC.
Expenses related to Kuruma-san are high this month.
Will expenses pile up again with the long holiday starting at the end of the month~?
Come to think of it, I wonder what Toya-kun's plans are for the holiday?
Toya-kun comes up from the bath.
I prepare a change of clothes and head toward the bath.
After all, the husband should go first, right?
I think while washing my body and soaking in the tub, healing my tired body.
Hanayama-san, Nishimatsu-san, what will happen from now on?
But no matter what happens, I have confidence that will absolutely not waver. I believe in you, Toya-kun.
Let's think of brighter things.
As expected, it's the holiday.
Where are we going this year?
There are places I want to go. I want to sightsee in Nagasaki slowly. I want to go to that theme park too.
But Toya-kun doesn't seem interested. Still, it's okay, I've thought of a plan.
I should probably get out soon.
I leave the bath, dry my body, put on clothes, and return to the room.
When I return to the room, Toya-kun is gaming. He doesn't notice me at all. He's playing that one where jam splatters again. No let-up, no opening.
To drag Toya-kun out of the game world, I resort to forceful measures.
I approach quietly behind Toya-kun and hug him with all my might from behind.
"Whoa! I'm at a critical part right now!"
"I don't care~"
Toya-kun's character stood still and became an easy target.
"What a troublesome princess~"
Bonk
"Uuu, I'm against violence."
"Did it hurt?"
"No."
Toya-kun turned off the game power and hugged me.
"What should I do with this troublesome princess?"
"...You can do whatever you like. But before that, I'll go get some drinks."
"Got it."
He's probably hiding something under the pillow right now. Giving him that kind of time is also the duty of a fiancée.
"Toya-kun, are you awake?"
"Yeah, I'm still awake."
"What do you intend to do for the holiday?"
"Ah, right. There'll probably be something with the Watanabe Group in the first half, but I think I'll relax in the second half."
I'm going to cry, this guy.
"Uuu... if you say things like that, I'll get too enthusiastic about the housework!"
When I say this, Toya-kun gives in easily.
"Ah, no. I didn't mean it like that. I was just wondering where we should relax~"
"Then, won't you grant me a request?"
"Sure. Is there somewhere you want to go?"
"Shall we go eat squid in Yobuko?"
"Eh? That's all you want!"
He took the bait; now I just have to reel him in.
"While we're at it, I want to go to the theme park in Nagasaki and do some city sightseeing~"
"...Won't Nagasaki be crowded?"
"It'll be fine if we leave early in the morning."
"Well, it's Airi's request, so I can't refuse."
Yay.
"Thank you."
"It's fine. Since it's Airi's request, I want to grant you anything. You're that cute."
...He said that the "sage time" after doing it is a time when the boyfriend is very cold, but that's not true, is it?
Because he's hugging me so much right now. Because he's saying such happy words to me.
And so, the spring evening continued.