Chapter 181 - Loneliness
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
When I woke up, it was 6:00 AM.
"Let me sleep a little longer..."
"Uuu... not today!!"
Airi stripped away the duvet.
Airi said she had to wake up early to prepare breakfast.
Since "education" awaits me even after waking up in the morning, I don't really want to get up early.
"Toya-kun, didn't you say there would be no education today? There's no point in doing it. Or do you want to put your fiancée in danger again?"
That was it. I changed my clothes while enduring the pain running through my body. I also organized my belongings.
By the time I was ready, Airi had also changed.
"Well, let's go♪"
When I left the room with Airi, I saw Nishimatsu-kun being dragged along by Watanabe-kun and Makoto, and Hanayama-san being escorted by Kanna and Sashihara-san.
I greeted the six of them.
"Ossu! Toya. You're protecting Airi properly, huh? I'm impressed," Kanna said, adding, "Let's go to the cafeteria together."
The two of them had been lying in wait in front of the room.
It seemed they thought Airi would come out first. ...That was close.
Once we reached the kitchen, Kanna, Airi, and Mika-san were already at the forefront making breakfast.
Mika-san seemed unable to move much because her hangover was severe, but the other women were supporting her there.
"Toya-kun. I'm bored, want to chat?" When Hanayama-san called out to me, Sashihara-san replied, "If you're bored, help out! I'll teach you how. You can at least wash the rice!"
"I don't want to, my hands will get rough~" she said, trying to cling to me, but it was my job to dodge her.
I couldn't possibly do such a thing in front of Airi.
Would I do it if Airi wasn't looking? It's also my job to make sure things don't get to that state.
Today's breakfast was also Japanese food. The scent of miso soup and salmon wafted through the air. Making the rolled omelets was Airi's job.
As a boyfriend, you'd want to see it at least once, right? The sight of your girlfriend cooking.
Since I happened to be up early, I watched Airi making the rolled omelets, making sure not to get in the way.
Airi looked shy under my gaze while thinking about something for a moment.
"Toya-kun, if you're free, could you prepare the plates?"
"Sure."
I placed the plates on the cooking counter as Airi told me.
Then, I was worked like a dog by the other women as well.
If I kept moving like this, it would be harder for Hanayama-san to make contact with me; Hanayama-san seemed to head toward the dojo where the men were, muttering, "How boring~"
"If she wants to lure Toya-kun, learning to cook is the best way," Airi laughed.
"No one can beat Airi at cooking anyway. Airi is the only one who knows the taste Toya prefers."
When Mika-san let that slip, Airi gave a little "Ehehe~" and stuck out her tongue slightly.
By the time the lunch preparations were mostly finished, Ai said, "I'll go call the guys."
I lined up the plates served on the table.
By the time I finished arranging them, the men arrived in a crowd.
Once everyone was gathered, we began eating with an "Itadakimasu."
Speaking of morning, TKG (Tamago Kake Gohan) is a must.
Bonk
"Eating too many eggs isn't good, you know?"
"That's why I only used one, right?"
"To match Toya-kun's preference, I put an egg in Toya-kun's miso soup, you know?"
When I looked at the bowl of miso soup, something white was floating in it.
"Airi said 'Toya-kun's miso soup can be last,' so I wondered what it was, but it was that, huh."
Kanna looked impressed.
"Also~ he's happy when I put in tofu and green onions~" Airi said happily.
Even so, I'm eating two eggs; is that really okay?
"Listen to me while you eat breakfast. I want us to disband once the cleanup is done, but I'm thinking of going to the park with only those who want to. What do you think?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone raised their hands.
"Shall we go too?" Airi asked.
"Yeah," I answered.
"In that case, there's no reason for us not to go," Nishimatsu-kun said.
"Maybe I'll go too!" Hanayama-san added.
Is it my imagination? Hanayama-san lacked the vigor she had until yesterday. She seemed to be hesitating about something.
I wonder what happened?
Once everyone finished breakfast, we all did the cleanup together.
Airi and I naturally joined in. I've learned that acting together with everyone is the safest.
Hanayama-san and Nishimatsu-kun were not there.
"I wonder what's wrong with Hanayama-san? She seems to lack her usual energy."
Since Airi is the one saying it, there's no doubt.
Something must have happened.
"She was acting strange when talking to me too; she was talking about various things excessively."
"What was she talking about?"
"...That's a secret, even for Hanayama-san's sake."
While Manabe-kun and Takemoto-kun were talking about that, Niina-san joined in.
"She was acting strange when going to bed yesterday too, as if she were brooding over something..."
Did Watanabe-kun sense something?
"Well, it's probably just a matter of time, right? Now it's up to Nishimatsu," Watanabe-kun said.
Hanayama-san surrendering? Could such a thing happen?
But her demeanor this morning was certainly strange. She lacked her usual spirit.
Does it have something to do with what she talked about with Takemoto-kun last night?
Takemoto-kun did not reveal the contents.
(2)
"Are you listening, Hanayama-san?"
Hanayama-san was thinking about something else.
"I-I'm listening. Going to the park today is the last chance this time, right?"
"That's right. We're moving in such a large group. A time will surely come when you are alone."
"About that... I have some business with two people, so I'll pass."
Business?
"What is this 'business'?"
"I can't really say right now."
Business so important that Hanayama-san, who had boasted so much about bringing down Katagiri-senpai, would waste her chance.
I can't quite fathom it.
"So, from here on, do your best on your own. I'll give you a hand, though."
"Does that mean you're admitting defeat?"
"Isn't it? I just want to confirm my own feelings..."
"Confirm your feelings? Doesn't that mean your heart is wavering?"
"That might be the case."
Saying that, Hanayama-san fell silent.
Has Hanayama-san fallen into the plans of the Watanabe group?
Has she given up?
"Doing that would be playing right into the Watanabe group's hands, you know?"
"I know that without you telling me!"
Hanayama-san replied like that.
She tends to become emotional easily. And such women are the easiest to bring down.
"My apologies. So, what happened?"
What was the incident that drove her into this state?
"Sorry, but that has nothing to do with you."
Hanayama-san stubbornly kept her mouth shut.
"Sometimes it becomes easier if you talk about it. If I'm good enough, I'd like to be your listener."
Even knowing that the victory or defeat isn't decided just by bringing her down, is it human nature?
When I see a weakened woman, I inevitably want to seduce her.
Then, what happened? As far as I know, only Tosaka-san has shown this kind of expression.
She stared at me blankly.
And then she suddenly burst out laughing.
"Ahaha, so that's how it is. I finally get it. How foolish the things I've been doing were."
"It's not foolish. It's the path you walked yourself. There is no one who has the right to criticize that."
To deny the path one has walked is the truly foolish thing.
"Thanks to you, I finally noticed. I finally feel refreshed. Now, all that's left is action! Thank you."
Saying that, Hanayama-san walked away with her chest held high.
It seems Hanayama-san's mind is made up.
"Thank you, Nishimatsu-kun."
Leaving those words behind.
If you regret the morning you arrived at, there is no need to pursue further pain.
If you affirm the night you go toward, the Watanabe group will welcome you warmly.
At any rate, I am now isolated.
I must face them alone.
The toughest opponent among those I've dealt with so far. The Watanabe group...
How should I face them?
I thought about that, all by myself.
(3)
Kokonoe Park, a place I had visited when I was in my second year of middle school.
A park colored by various flowers depending on the season.
Because it was excursion season, it was crowded.
"Well, shall we set a time and move freely?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone acted individually.
As I took Airi's hand to buy tickets, Hanayama-san called out to me.
"Toya-kun, I have something I want to consult with you about, is that okay... it's fine if Tosaka-san comes along too."
"?"
What is she plotting this time?
Inside her heart was a very anxious color. Like a girl who had become all alone.
"Is it okay if I come too?"
"Yes, it's fine if you come."
"Then may we come along as well?"
Watanabe-kun joined in. After that, Sashihara-san and the others joined too.
"...If you promise not to tell anyone."
Given that serious expression, no one was in a position to deny her.
And so, the seven of us entered the park.
The place she specified was a spot with a bench under a flower arch.
"Could you take a photo of us together as a memento?"
Airi tried to say something, but I readily accepted.
Because Hanayama-san seemed to have absolutely no intention of doing anything to me.
Hanayama-san handed her smartphone to Airi and asked her to take the photo.
Airi reluctantly accepted.
It seemed she accepted on the condition that "I'll take a photo of you two later."
We sat side by side on the bench and took the photo.
She didn't do things like link arms.
After that, each couple took photos in turn.
Then, Hanayama-san faced me.
"Toya-kun, I love you. Please go out with me."
Normally, I would finish it with a single word—"Impossible"—but I didn't understand her intention, and she had a serious expression different from usual.
I judged that I must respond seriously in return.
"I'm sorry, but I have someone precious to me named Airi. I cannot go out with you."
Hanayama-san fell silent. As if confirming her own heart. A quiet time flowed.
"I'm glad I came along after all. That wasn't a consultation or anything, you're just trying to seduce Katagiri-kun again without learning your lesson!"
"Give up on Toya. He will absolutely never be swayed by you."
Even when Sashihara-san and Mika-san said that, she listened in silence. It was doubtful if she was even listening. It was as if she were constantly questioning her own heart.
And then, Hanayama-san, who had continued her silence, suddenly burst out laughing.
"Ahaha, how stupid. I was right, it was different. I've felt that way since last night~"
What does that mean?
"It was a consultation, right~? It's a bit weird to just stand here and talk~ shall we go to that cafe over there~?"
Saying that, Hanayama-san started walking.
Upon entering the cafe, we split into two seats. Me, Airi, and Hanayama-san. The remaining four took the neighboring table seat.
"So, what's the consultation?"
When I asked Hanayama-san, she looked at everyone's faces in order... and then bowed her head deeply.
"I surrender. I'm beaten. Everyone, I'm sorry!"
"?"
"Could you explain what this means, step by step?"
Watanabe-kun asked the question instead of the bewildered me.
"I fell in love. I thought it was Toya-kun. But it wasn't. When I was rejected by Toya-kun just now, I didn't feel anything. Rather..."
"Rather?"
"Yesterday, when Takemoto-kun was talking with Niina-san and the others and denied me, I felt my chest tighten more. I didn't want to admit it, and I thought it was because of the drink, but I couldn't forget it even in the morning. So, wanting to confirm it, I tried confessing to Toya-kun as a test. Just in case."
We couldn't say anything. Even though we had tried to steer things that way, seeing that fact actually manifest left us at a loss for words.
Seeing us like that, Hanayama-san was laughing.
"You can laugh. In the end, things proceeded exactly as the Watanabe group wanted. I'm embarrassed. To think I'd seriously fall in love with Takemoto-kun, whom I thought was impossible..."
There was no one in the Watanabe group who would laugh at such a Hanayama-san. They just didn't know what to say.
"There's no one in the Watanabe group who would laugh at the current Hanayama-san. Though there are those who would encourage you."
Watanabe-kun answered.
"The problem is Takemoto-kun, right? He seems to have feelings for Kinoshita-san, so unless that's settled, the conversation won't move forward."
When Sashihara-san said that, everyone began to worry.
"Is everyone giving me consultation~?"
To the surprised Hanayama-san, Sashihara-san answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Of course. Everyone knows Saki is serious. Helping you with that is the role of the Watanabe group."
Hanayama-san's eyes were moist.
Airi patted the head of such a Hanayama-san.
"It's okay~. Everyone will figure something out."
"But look, if Hanayama-san seriously likes him, isn't it just a matter of confessing?"
"Eita! You shut up!"
"Kiritani-kun, I told you earlier, right? Takemoto-kun has someone he likes, so he won't easily turn around."
"Ah, right."
When I explained, Kiritani-kun seemed convinced.
Even so, this shop has so many types of soft-serve ice cream, maybe one more...
Bonk
"Just one more, okay?"
Then why do I have to be hit?
"If I could just say it, I wouldn't be struggling. It's just that this is the first time I've liked someone of my own accord... and I don't know what to do. I told him, 'You're just using that as an excuse for not liking me.' At that moment, I realized. I'm the same... that's why when I look at him and speak, I get irritated for no reason..."
"You finally admitted it, huh..."
When I said that, Hanayama-san nodded.
"Yes, I was finally able to face myself. I found the courage to admit it. That's why I thought I'd consult you."
What a complicated story. Hanayama-san likes Takemoto-kun, Takemoto-kun has someone he likes, and that person likes someone else. Moreover, everyone is unable to take action.
"What does Hanayama-san want to do?"
Watanabe-kun asked Hanayama-san.
"I already told him, 'I refuse to have you come to me without even having the courage to tell me you like me'... so I guess I just have to wait?"
"But isn't that the same for Hanayama-san? You have to have the courage to tell Takemoto-kun you like him..."
Sashihara-san answered.
"But if I say it now, isn't a crash-and-burn guaranteed? Takemoto-kun is pure-hearted."
"Why not just make Takemoto-kun fall for Hanayama-san?"
I said that.
"If we just make Takemoto-kun like Hanayama-san, wouldn't that solve it?"
"If we could do something like magic, we wouldn't be struggling, right?"
"We've been doing it until now, haven't we? It'll work out somehow."
When Watanabe-kun spoke, I answered.
"Well, in the end, that's probably the best way, right? There's also the matter of Niina-san..."
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone nodded.
Sashihara-san was already informing Shimizu-san and Eguchi-san about the current situation.
"Thank you, everyone. And I'm sorry for everything until now."
"It's okay. You're a comrade now."
"Yeah, yeah! Now it's just Nishimatsu!"
Airi and Mika-san comforted the crying Hanayama-san.
"It's about time. Shall we head out?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone left the park.
At the exit, Shimizu-san and Eguchi-san were waiting.
"Hanayama-san... I heard the story."
When Eguchi-san said that, Hanayama-san's body flinched.
However, Shimizu-san patted Hanayama-san's shoulder.
"How is it? Your current mood?"
"It's painful, my chest feels tight."
"True, it can't be helped until he turns around. But the feeling when he does turn around is exceptional."
Shimizu-san said and laughed.
When everyone gathered, Watanabe-kun spoke.
"Well then, good work everyone. For now, we disband. Good work!"
Saying that, everyone got into their cars and headed home.
(4)
"Hmm..."
Toya-kun was troubled.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's just that I really couldn't imagine her coming to like Takemoto-kun."
"Could it be that you feel it's a pity? That it was a waste?"
"No way, right?"
That's true.
"The problem is Nishimatsu-kun."
"That's true~"
"Also, I have to find a partner for Sakura-san. And there's the problem with Niina-san and Kinoshita-san..."
"I think you should just solve them one by one. That's how you've done it until now."
"True."
This is no time to be worrying about other people, Toya-kun.
"By the way, Toya-kun, you haven't forgotten tonight's penalty game, have you?"
"Yeah, I remember."
Yay♪
It was a tough three days, but once they ended, one problem disappeared and another problem increased.
In the end, the level of hardship didn't change, but we are certainly moving forward step by step.
Nothing changes.
But it's okay.
Because I'm not alone, I'm not lonely.
"Airi..."
"Yeees?"
"It's gotten late and you're tired, right? I want to finish dinner somewhere nearby..."
These days, I've started to vaguely understand what Toya-kun is trying to say.
But I'm going to be mean to him.
"Wouldn't a family restaurant be fine?"
"Ah, no. Once in a while..."
"Hmm, you're right! A shop in the shopping mall might still be open!"
"No, not that..."
"...I know. You want to eat ramen, right?"
"Thank you!"
"In exchange, it's the penalty game when we get home!"
"I know, I'll even take a bath with you if you want."
Bonk
"It's Toya-kun's penalty game, you know! I'm not doing something that makes Toya-kun happy!!"
"I know, I know!"
Hmm, lately Toya-kun does it happily.
That's a happy thing.
But maybe I have to think of a different penalty game?
I know there's no need to think about such things.
Because I'm happy too.