Chapter 173 - Yellow Butterfly
(1)
Spring is drawing to a close these days.
I've been spending my days as usual.
If there's anything that's changed, it's that new members were added to the Watanabe Group along with the arrival of spring.
They brought various problems with them, but for the time being, things are running smoothly.
As for my relationship with Airi, there are no problems... or so I'd like to say, but it was slightly disturbed by a spring storm.
But that was a trivial matter.
It was merely an incident that allowed me to realize once again the strength of my bond with Airi.
Both Airi and I continue on, unwavering.
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
Today, too, I hear a voice like that of a spring fairy.
Because such a pleasant resonance feels so good, a mischievous impulse arises to sleep just a little longer, so I try pretending to be asleep.
Airi shakes my body. It's okay, I'm alive. Please don't make such a worried voice.
Airi presses her ear against my chest.
"Thank goodness, he's alive"
I mean, humans don't just die suddenly like that.
Airi calls my name again.
Maybe I should wake up soon...?
"Hmm, so that's how it's going to be... in that case!"
Is this the North Wind and the Sun strategy?
Fine, I'm in a good mood today and it's a holiday, so come here. I'll catch you properly.
Huh? She's peeling back the covers. And she's coming inside...
"I know the 'North Wind and the Sun strategy' doesn't work on Toya-kun~. Since today's a holiday, we're going to flirt from the morning~"
"Wait! Airi! That's dangerous!"
"Toya-kun is the one who got me in the mood. It's the fault of Toya-kun for not waking up honestly~"
Airi, this is no time to be acting all "~". What will happen if Mother comes!
Look, I can hear footsteps.
I try to pull away from Airi, but Airi is clinging to me tightly.
"You don't have to be so reluctant!"
"It's not that!"
"Maya-san understands. It's not like this is the first time!"
"That's not the point here!?"
"Toya! Listen to what Airi-chan says honestly... huh?"
Mother has arrived.
Is she surprised? Her movements are frozen.
"Mother, it's not what it looks like!!"
"You don't have to make it sound like I'm the mistress!"
Mother turns on her heel, closes the door, and goes downstairs.
"Now there's no problem, right?"
No, there's a huge problem.
Until lunch that day, the atmosphere with Mother was awkward.
(2)
Today, it seems there's a welcome party for the Watanabe Group's new members and a meeting about plans for the consecutive holidays.
Members from other campuses and other universities are also gathering, so I'm looking forward to it.
I work my part-time job until then.
Even though I call it a part-time job, it's work doing things requested by my seminar teacher.
The teacher's name is Tange Shuji. He's a reliable teacher.
On this day, it's helping the teacher's housemate move, specifically helping with the moving process.
The hourly pay is relatively good.
Together with Manabe-kun, I carry things carefully.
The teacher is 30 and still single. Despite being kind and good-looking, it's a mystery.
Even so, the furniture seems to be for a woman... could the teacher be starting to live with someone?
While talking about that, a small girl wearing a white brimmed hat and a one-piece dress is working hard to carry things she can handle herself.
Seeing that sight, my heart skipped a beat for a moment. Consequently, my body naturally approached the girl.
"You're small, so you don't have to push yourself. I'll carry it for you"
As I say that, I take the box. The girl remains looking down and doesn't try to raise her face. Is she shy? Did I do something unnecessary?
"Umi is the same age as Takemoto and the others"
Tange-sensei says this and introduces the girl called Umi.
"Her name is Kinoshita Umi. She's a legitimate 18-year-old who entered the arts university this year"
Manabe-kun and I gasped.
Such a small, cute girl is 18!?
"Sensei, by any chance, are you a lolicon..."
Thwack
Manabe was struck by Tange-sensei.
"Umi is my cousin. Stop your strange suspicions"
Is it my imagination? When he said that, it felt like Umi-chan showed a lonely expression for a moment.
It's just an intuition... but is she in love?
When will the love hidden within her heart be revealed?
At first, I watched her with those feelings. For some reason, I heard the sound of a heart creaking.
"Takemoto! Stop spacing out!"
Told by Manabe, I return to work. But my eyes inevitably drift toward her as she works hard to organize her own belongings.
"Takemoto... if you lay a hand on Umi, you know what'll happen, right?"
Tange-sensei grips my head with a smile.
"Umi-chan, I've come to help!"
Saying so, a tall, slim woman with long chestnut hair arrives.
Her name is Niina Mirai. She's apparently Umi-chan's best friend. The way she looks at Manabe-kun was also that of a maiden in love.
I don't have a girlfriend yet. I don't have someone I long for. The Watanabe Group apparently intends to do something about Hanayama-san, but no matter how you look at it, it's impossible.
Honestly, I didn't have expectations. Her eyes were also turned toward Katagiri-kun. But it was different from those of Umi-chan or Niina-san.
It felt as if mischief was making her do it.
However, because she thinks of Katagiri-kun so much, she reveals too much of her true self. When I told Hanayama-san that, I was splashed with water.
Since then, the gaze she directs at me is harsh. Can this really work out?
"Alright, most of it's tidied up. I've ordered soba. Eat before you go"
"Thank you very much"
We gather around one table and slurp soba.
"Niina-san and the others, which faculty are you in?"
When Manabe-kun asks, Niina-san answers.
"We attend the arts junior college"
"Heh, that's amazing"
"It's nothing special. Everyone around me is just amazing, and she's one of those amazing people"
Saying so, Niina-san looks at Umi-chan.
"Heh, I'd definitely like to see"
When I say that, she guides us into the room.
Manabe-kun and I gasped.
It was a magnificent oil painting at a level that could be lined up in an art museum.
No one would think such a delicate girl painted this.
I'm speechless.
"It's not that special, right?"
We just shook our heads.
"It's amazing, even to an amateur's eye it's obvious..."
When Manabe-kun says that, I nod too.
"Actually, I wanted to send her to a proper arts university, but she wouldn't listen, saying she preferred her hometown"
When Tange-sensei says that, Umi-chan looks down.
Seeing that figure, I felt a sensation as if my heart were being gouged.
Because the gestures she occasionally shows Tange-sensei were those of a maiden in love.
"Manabe-kun and the others are in Tange-sensei's seminar, right?"
"That's right. I thought Takemoto should go that way since he's good at tinkering with machinery, though"
The topic seems to have switched to me.
"I thought architecture might be more advantageous for employment. Besides, someone said it's better not to make a hobby into a job"
"I see... though I love drawing pictures"
When Umi-chan says that, she looks down.
"But with Umi-chan's talent, you'll definitely succeed as an artist. No doubt about it"
Manabe-kun puts in a follow-up.
"Thank you. But it's not that great"
That transparent voice slowly permeates my heart.
After that, while the four of us are talking, Tange-sensei comes over.
"Thank you both. Here's today's pay. You were a help today, thanks"
Tange-sensei, as if saying Now that's done, get out quickly.
We leave Tange-sensei's house.
"Both of them were beautiful"
Manabe-kun lets slip.
Yes, they were beautiful. They left a strong impression. Just like her work.
My spring's end was already trying to visit.
(3)
"Well then, cheers!"
With that, the banquet started.
This time it's a yakiniku restaurant. It was a huge banquet with 20 people in total.
"Toya-kun~ tell me what you like. I'll get it for you~"
"I know what Toya-kun likes~. I'll get it, so there's no problem~. Right? Toya-kun"
"A-ah, that's true"
It seems the battle between Hanayama-san and Airi has also begun.
Nishimatsu-kun approaches such an Airi.
"I'll get the portion for Tosaka-san"
"Toya-kun will get it, so don't worry"
Airi liked salad, didn't she; she should eat more meat too. While thinking that, I went to the salad bar. Of course, I brought my own portion too.
When I return, Nishimatsu-kun is sitting in my seat.
Airi has a troubled face. Should I speak up firmly here?
"That's my seat, though?"
"Does it matter where the seat is?"
Nishimatsu-kun says with a feigned innocent face.
"Toya-kun should just sit next to me~"
Saying so, Hanayama-san appeals that the seat next to her is vacant.
"But I brought Airi's salad..."
With a flick, Nishimatsu-kun takes the plate I brought and hands it to Airi. Airi laughs seeing that.
"As I thought, it seems my side has to be Toya-kun, right? Is that Toya-kun's plate? Didn't you notice? There's nothing but lettuce in it. Toya-kun only eats lettuce. Besides, it's decided that Toya-kun has Japanese-style dressing and I have sesame dressing~"
"I think a man who is a picky eater is no good"
"I like him including the parts that are no good, so it's fine. I've been taking meat for Toya-kun too, look, change. Apparently the seat next to Hanayama-san is empty"
"Nishimatsu, I think a persistent man is even worse"
Kanna also seems to be on Airi's side.
"That's right, that's right. Persistent guys are hated"
When Mika-san says that, Nishimatsu-kun reluctantly gives up the seat.
But it's not much of a problem. Because the seat next to Hanayama-san is right in front of Airi.
After drinking all the seaweed soup and finishing the rice with meat, I press the call button. The meat is running out, so it's a good time.
"Toya-kun, you were interested in Cassis Orange, right? Shall we try ordering it? There's non-alcoholic too. It's just right"
Airi remembered.
"Airi, you go with that. I'm curious about this non-alcoholic plum wine, so I'll have that"
"Then, let me taste a bit♪ I'll let you taste mine too♪"
The staff member arrives.
"Excuse me, five servings of special top Kuroge Wagyu kalbi, five servings of hormone, five servings of tongue..."
Poke
"Toya-kun, we have time, so let's eat slowly, okay?"
"...And a large serving of rice, seaweed soup, a non-alcoholic Cassis Orange, and a non-alcoholic plum wine on the rocks"
On the rocks... that's a word I've wanted to try using once.
"Is Tosaka-san not allowed to have alcohol? You should try drinking it once"
"I think recommending alcohol to a minor is questionable, besides, I've decided that the first time I drink alcohol will be alone with Toya-kun"
"You're really clingy to Toya-kun, aren't you~, isn't that kind of thing annoying~?"
"I think it's Airi's consideration because I can't drink alcohol, though?"
"I have things I want to say while everyone is still sober, so listen up"
Everyone focuses on Watanabe-kun.
"Keep the first half of the consecutive holidays open, we're doing another training camp. The location is Eguchi-san's villa"
"Can 20 people fit in there?"
"Apparently there's an even larger villa"
"It was originally built for employee training, so there's plenty of room. However, this time we're making it so men and women sleep separately"
Eguchi-san adds.
"N-no way, it's not like there'll be training again, right?"
Sakai-kun asks.
"If there's such a request, I'll do it, though?"
"N-no, that's quite alright"
"A training camp~ I'm looking forward to it, Toya-kun. This could be the chance to suddenly become close..."
"Not happening"
I dismissed Hanayama-san's possibility.
"To reject a woman's invitation, Katagiri-senpai is showing quite a bit of composure"
"Then, why doesn't Nishimatsu-kun just become close with Hanayama-san?"
"I'm a devoted man too, so right now I can't love anyone other than Tosaka-san"
"I'm also devoted, so I can't love anyone other than Toya-kun, so I'm sorry"
Airi replies without delay.
"Um, what do we do at the training camp?"
Takemoto-kun asked.
"What do we do... nothing in particular? Maybe just a BBQ?"
"Everyone just hangs out and has fun~"
Airi and I explain.
"That sounds fun, how nice..."
"How nice, Takemoto-kun, aren't you coming?"
"I am coming, you know? I've kept my part-time job schedule open"
"Then there's no problem. Let's enjoy it together..."
"Toya-kun, the meat for grilling is gone, is that okay?"
When Airi says it like that, it's a sign for "don't say unnecessary things." I silently choose the menu to order.
"Excuse me, special top Kuroge Wagyu kalbi and... Airi, do you want a drink?"
"Another Cassis Orange~"
"Ah, me too please~"
"I think I'll request one too"
"Me too, please"
Four people ordered drinks.
"Takemoto-kun, something happened today, didn't it~"
"Eh, nothing happened"
"No use hiding it. It's on your face~"
"It's not a big deal, really..."
"Which means something did happen, right?"
Airi is good at this kind of interrogation.
"Ah!" he hurriedly covers his mouth with his hand, but it's too late.
"Tell us whatever it is. I'll give you advice..."
When Airi says that, Takemoto-kun thinks for a while, and then begins to tell.
"Naive! You're naive, Takemoto!!"
The one who shouted that was Mika-san.
"I agree with Mika. Takemoto, you like that Umi-chan girl, don't you"
"I don't know about that!"
"No, according to my intuition, you definitely like her!!"
"I agree with Kanna's opinion too! The fact that you're curious means that's it! You have to go for it even if it might fail!"
There's a limit to how reckless an argument can be.
But on their table, empty mugs with white foam remaining are placed.
Sorry, it doesn't look like I can be of help.
"The teacher's surveillance is strict. I can't just make a move. I can't even exchange contact information"
"The arts junior college, huh... Ai, can you do something about it?"
"Okay, leave it to me if that's the case. Nothing is impossible for me"
I've said it before, but how is it that Sashihara-san's information network is so extensive?
"Listen... have you forgotten about Hanayama-san?"
I intended to throw a lifeline.
"That's for later, Takemoto's will is the top priority, right?"
I'm lightly brushed off by Kanna.
"To use me as a safety school, you're quite composed, aren't you~"
"What's this about Hanayama-san~?"
Sakura-san asked. I see, I hadn't explained it.
"Actually, we're playing a game"
Eguchi-san explains.
"A game?"
Sakura-san asks back.
"Yes? You see..."
"You were doing such a foolish bet~?"
Sakura-san seems surprised.
"It's a foolish game, but this is the best way to make someone realize. It was unexpected for Takemoto-kun to like another woman, but that's convenient in its own way"
"It sounds as if you're talking on the premise that I'd like Takemoto-kun, but that's not happening~"
Hanayama-san laughs through her nose.
"The game has only just begun, you won't know how it turns out until it ends, right? You also intend to make Katagiri-kun fall for you, don't you?"
"That's right~"
How many foolish men are there who would be made to fall just by being told "That's right~"? Well, I suppose that's what her entourage is made of.
Why do these kinds of confident people declare "I'll make him fall starting now~" and then feel confidence that they can do it?
I'd like to know the basis for that.
"Saki!! Stop making it look like you'll make Katagiri-kun fall while actually making a move on our Eita! Eita spilled everything!"
A correction comes from Sashihara-san, but Hanayama-san doesn't seem to care.
"But that was the rule, right? 'Try to make anyone fall.' If so, Eita-kun is no problem, right~? Or does Sashihara-san lack confidence~?"
At the point where she admits that, making me fall is impossible, right? Has her mouth become so loose that she doesn't realize what she's saying?
"Sashihara-san, what Hanayama-san says is logically correct. Though she doesn't seem to realize she's self-destructing with it. Trust Eita a little more"
When Watanabe-kun says that, she looked like she still wanted to say something, but Sashihara-san backs down honestly.
"Hanayama-san, you..."
When I start to say something, Airi throws a properly grilled kalbi into my mouth. After that, she softly whispers in my ear.
"She's completely off guard and showing her true self. She doesn't seem to understand the purpose of this gathering"
Purpose? There was such a thing?
"To expose the true natures of Hanayama-san and Sakura-san. That seems to be the purpose. I heard it from Watanabe-kun earlier. Once they see that, everyone will surely lose interest, right?"
Ah, I see.
Sakura-san is engaged in a heroic struggle for possession with Sashihara-san and Kiritani-kun.
"Ah, Tosaka-san. You're going to the after-party after this, right?"
When Nishimatsu-kun suddenly questions Airi, Airi asks normally.
"I am, but what's wrong?"
"If you'd like, I'd like to talk with you alone at that time..."
"I refuse"
Airi answers instantly. However, he doesn't back down quietly. Nishimatsu-kun speaks toward me.
"Katagiri-senpai. I'd like to borrow Tosaka-san for just one hour... If you're confident she won't be swayed by me, there's no reason to refuse, right?"
I thought for a bit before answering.
"It's true there's no reason to refuse..."
Airi grabs my arm. But I continue.
"But there's also no reason to accept, right? I don't think any fool would leave Airi, who is nominally his fiancée, alone with a man trying to seduce her, right?"
"That means you can't deny the possibility that something could happen in one hour, right?"
"You're really dim, aren't you. I just judged that it's not even worth troubling Airi"
"If you believe in the bond between you two, I don't understand the reason for rejecting my proposal"
Just how dim is he?
Where is the fool who would take such a cheap provocation?
Above all, I couldn't forgive involving Airi in such a pointless game.
At that moment, there was a man pressing both my shoulders from behind. It's Watanabe-kun.
"Hahaha, Toya understands properly too. As expected, not taking the cheap provocation. There's no need to take it"
"It's as Masashi says. Toya looks quiet, but at times like this, he's a knight who properly protects a lady. He won't fall for such a trick"
Watanabe-kun and Mika-san say.
"Everyone is quite supportive of Katagiri-senpai. This makes me look like the only villain"
"I thought you understood that was the rule"
"Men who hit on me are all like that. Too many people don't understand the essential parts"
Airi says with a sigh.
Watanabe-kun says to Nishimatsu-kun.
"You might have just wanted to join the Watanabe Group to stir things up, but despite how it looks, everyone's unity is firm. That applies to Hanayama-san too"
"It's as Watanabe says. The women around Nishimatsu might have been easily swayed, but the women of the Watanabe Group aren't like that"
When Kanna says that, I felt like a vein popped out on Nishimatsu-kun's temple, but it's probably not my imagination. He fell silent after that.
Hanayama-san is the same, glaring hatefully at Kanna.
Because they expose their true natures like that, the surrounding men look at her with cold eyes before happily sharing meat with their own partners.
"Well, there's plenty of time. Please savor the feeling of humiliation slowly. Though I'm not one to talk"
When Shimizu-san says that, the time for the last order arrives.
Shimizu-san orders and eats meat while talking with Sakai-kun.
"I-I haven't admitted defeat yet, you know"
Without paying any attention to Hanayama-san's words.
Our seat has become an awkward table.
Airi, without stopping, grills meat and puts it on my plate.
"Toya-kun always says to eat it before it gets cold, right?"
"It's as Airi says"
I eat the meat. With what feelings were they watching such a sight? Nishimatsu-kun and Hanayama-san stared at us while drinking their drinks.
(4)
After the yakiniku, next is the karaoke place.
As expected, there are probably few karaoke places with a room for 20 people...
"If it's about 20 people, couldn't we use that shop? Masashi"
"U-um, it's not that we can't use it, but..."
Is it a shop with some problem?
"Wouldn't it be better to split into halves?"
When I say that, they agree it's a good idea, and we move to the karaoke place and divide the rooms.
I divided it into 10 people—me and Airi, Kanna and Makoto, Watanabe-kun and Mika-san, Shimizu-san and Sakai-kun, Takemoto-kun and Sakura-san—and the remaining 10 people.
Hanayama-san and Nishimatsu-kun protest, but it's rejected.
"I told you, right? It's the two of you against the Watanabe Group" Watanabe-kun says smoothly.
"Isn't this too unfair!? Are you that afraid of us?" when Hanayama-san says, Kanna says, "Think about the feelings of the person who has to reject you every single time"
"Even so, Toya, well said. Airi really is a lucky person"
When Kanna lets slip, Mika-san also praises me.
"Toya is truly a knight. He properly knows how to treat a lady"
"Hey now, it's as if I don't know how, Mika"
"Kanna too, I also..."
"Makoto doesn't know how"
"That's right, he doesn't know how!"
Makoto gets depressed being pointed out by the two of them.
Actually, it might have just been that I was simply afraid of leaving them as a pair. I trust Airi. But I don't know what Nishimatsu-kun might do.
I can't let Airi be exposed to such danger. Even if that weren't the case, I've already let them meet once.
"Even so, it's okay, you know?"
Airi says as she looks into my face.
"...Airi says I'm an amazing person who can understand other people's hearts, but can't you read them too, Airi?"
"I only understand Toya-kun"
Saying so, she clings to my arm.
"Toya-kun and I are one in heart and body. That's why we understand each other. I'm sure I feel the same things Toya-kun feels toward me, so don't worry"
"M-meaning?"
"To tell the truth, when Toya-kun is being seduced by Hanayama-san, I get anxious that Toya-kun might fall. It's not that I don't trust Toya-kun, but..."
I see, so that's it.
"It can't be helped. That's what romance is"
Watanabe-kun says while taking a sip of a drink in a ceramic mug.
"You never know when something will happen and cause a crack. That's why you cherish each other, right? You think of each other as precious, right? That's how it is"
It's such a precious thing. I feel ashamed of myself for treating it carelessly.
"Though Makoto probably thinks of me as nothing more than plastic" Kanna laughs.
"That's not true, I've been intending to treat you carefully lately" when Makoto says, Kanna says, "I know"
"Masashi is also ve~ry kind. Though I don't know about myself..."
When Mika-san says that and sinks, Watanabe-kun says gently, "I think I'm the one being cherished," and Mika-san's smile returns with a "I see"
"You, looking closely, are cute! Hey, you said you don't have a girlfriend, so how about me?"
"H-how about... even if you ask that..."
Sakura-san, who was clinging to Kiritani-kun until a moment ago, is hitting on Takemoto-kun.
"Should we stop them?"
"...Yes"
When Watanabe-kun and Makoto say that, the two of them stand up and go toward Takemoto-kun and the others.
"Hey, Toya-kun?"
"What is it, Airi?"
"I know I'm being cherished too. I cherish Toya-kun too"
"I know"
"So, it's okay to say clearly if there's something Toya-kun thinks is unpleasant, okay? I want you to tell me, okay?"
"I understand"
"Yay~"
Airi frolics on my lap like a kitten.
While retaining the spring warmth, the season shifts to the next.