Chapter 182 - Overconfidence
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~. Today is a school day~"
Airi, sleeping beside me, announces the arrival of the morning.
May.
The time when the blossoms have passed, and primroses bloom on the highlands.
That said, the sweet scent wafting from Airi's hair invites sleepiness.
However, in order to fall asleep, I must first stop the alarm known as Airi.
For now, I try hugging her.
"Wait, Toya-kun!? I told you it's morning..."
"Shall we continue the penalty game?"
"Uugh... I'm telling you, we're going to be late!"
Poke
"I have to make breakfast too. I said let go."
Upon hearing the word breakfast, my hands naturally release her; slipping through the gap as my tightening arms loosen, Airi slides out of bed.
Then, Airi hurries out of the room with a clatter.
I suppose I'll get changed in the meantime.
As I heave my heavy body up to get out of bed, Airi rushes back in.
"Toya-kun!"
The moment Airi sees me, she leaps at me. I catch her firmly.
"What's wrong? Why are you in such a rush?"
"Maya-san already finished making breakfast. We overslept~"
"What about it?"
"Today is a weekday, you know? There's no reason for me to oversleep, right?"
Making breakfast is my role, but Mother beat me to it. When I apologized, I was told, "Go wash your face and things~." That was Airi's take. I thought it wasn't a problem at all, but apparently, it's a huge deal to Airi.
"I'm a failure as a bride~"
She really is a bride who gets depressed over the most trivial things. But that's also what makes Airi cute.
I pat Airi's head.
"You were up late last night too. It can't be helped."
"Uugh... but..."
"I think I've told you before, but Airi, you're not a bride yet."
"That's just an excuse."
"I told you, didn't I? 'Let's be pampered while we still can'..."
"Toya-kun, don't you think of me as a no-good bride?"
"You're my cute, precious bride."
Saying that, I embrace Airi.
"No one is perfect. Airi, you're the proof. Even you make mistakes."
"...Yeah!"
Whether the persuasion succeeded or not, Airi says, "Let go."
Once I release Airi, she goes to change her clothes.
"Go on down first, I'll be right there!"
"Got it. No need to rush, we still have time."
"Oka~y"
"Well, I'll head down first then."
"Yeah."
When I go to the dining room, Mother has finished preparing breakfast, and Father is reading the newspaper while munching on bread.
Though he only reads the sports section and the local edition.
Seeing me, Mother says, "Is Airi-chan okay? She seemed terribly depressed."
"I think she's recovered for now. She's changing and coming down."
"I see, as long as that's the case."
"It's not something for you to worry about, Mother. Leave Airi to me."
That might have been one word too many. Father reacts with a smirk.
"Tell those words to Yuta-san. I'm sure he'd cry with joy."
Yuta-san is Airi's father. I'm sure he'd welcome it... but he'd probably run wild with too much momentum, so I'll pass.
"Maya-san, I'm sorry! I'm still an inexperienced person with many shortcomings, but please forgive me."
As Airi comes downstairs, she apologizes to Mother.
"Just having you wake up the sleepyhead Toya is a help. Don't worry about it. Oh, that's right. More importantly..."
"?"
Mother tries to change the subject.
"Toya said something just now: 'Leave Airi to me.' It seems Toya has finally become aware."
Halfway through Mother's sentence, Airi leaps at me.
"You say such happy things! Thank you, I'm counting on you, Husband!"
"I get it, so Airi, eat your food too. You'll run out of time to relax."
"Oka~y♪"
Airi operates her smartphone while eating.
Then, Father's smartphone receives a message.
Father looks at it, laughs, and replies.
Did something happen?
After eating, I brush my teeth, shave, and wash my face. I return to my room and look at a site until Airi returns.
It's not some suspicious site; it's the top article of a news site I've set as my homepage.
I don't look at difficult things; I don't care much about who hit how many home runs or whether the Japan national team won or lost.
There's no news that particularly catches my eye.
By the time I shut down the PC and turn on the TV, Airi has returned to the room carrying two mugs.
"Hey, hey, did you see the group chat?"
"No?"
"Look at it~"
I look at my smartphone. In the "Watanabe Group," there is nothing particularly eye-catching.
I look at the "Katagiri-Tosaka Family" one. I almost spit out my coffee.
"...Then, how about we split the wedding expenses equally between both families?"
"As for us, we intended to pay the full amount. In that case, let's do away with the betrothal gift."
"...I'm sorry, considering our daughter is in your care."
"Since they've finally both felt that way, let's consider it a good thing."
Wait wait wait wait.
Why has the conversation turned into this!?
I scroll back through the logs.
"Toya-kun told me to leave her to him~"
"Oh, congratulations~ Airi-chan."
"...Hmm, I can leave it to Toya-kun. ...Have you finally made your decision? Katagiri-san... these things are better done with momentum."
"I agree, we should probably start the wedding arrangements."
"We'll have to decide on a date for the betrothal gift too~"
The culprit is Airi!
I glare at Airi.
"Uugh... but Maya-san said Toya-kun told her that."
She looks up at me. When she makes a face like that, I can't say anything. For now, I send a message.
"I didn't say I'd get married right away!"
"Hmm... do you have some dissatisfaction with our daughter..."
"No, it's not that. We're still students. I'm not even working a part-time job."
"It's fine if you just register the marriage. I'm not telling you to become independent immediately."
"I'll think about it after graduation."
"...Does that mean you'll marry once you get a job?"
"I'll think about it once I'm able to live a stable life."
"...Katagiri-san, may I visit you tonight?"
"Yes, it seems better to meet and talk slowly."
With that, the messages subsided for a moment.
However, a new problem arises.
"Toya-kun, do you hate the idea of marrying me?"
That kind of sad face is foul play, Airi.
"Airi, don't you think a marriage in name only is too late now? We can be under the same roof like this. That alone makes me happy."
"Uugh..."
"I promised, didn't I? That once I can become independent, I'll properly propose to Airi."
"Then there's no point in proposing, I'm saying I want to marry Toya-kun, you know?"
"I want to settle things properly. I want the confidence that I can support Airi. Is that not okay? I don't want to do something unsightly that would make Airi feel ashamed."
"...I understand. But hurry up, okay? Rie-chan said, 'There isn't that much time to have children~'"
"It's okay, don't worry. I have to do it before someone else takes Airi away, after all."
Poke
"Toya-kun, you don't trust me. I already belong to Toya-kun. Don't say things like that!"
"Then, there's even less need to rush, right?"
"Uugh... it's frustrating, but you're right..."
I glance at my wristwatch. Oh no!
"Airi, it's almost time!"
"Eh!? Ah!! Yeah!"
The two of us hurried out of the house.
(2)
Cafe "Blue Bird"
Clink-clank
The door bell rings, announcing a guest.
"Huh? Where are Katagiri-kun and the others?"
Akira-chan said as she looked around the shop.
"I heard they aren't coming today; apparently, there's some family matter."
Ichinose-san answered in their stead.
"I see... the usual, please."
"Understood."
Saying that, I write it on the slip and stick it in the kitchen.
"Few customers today," the Master says.
Clink-clank
Takemoto-kun and Manabe-kun. Niina-san entered.
"Wow, so stylish~"
Niina-san was surprised.
It seems Kinoshita-san isn't here.
After that, Sashihara-san and Eguchi-san entered.
Everyone's order is decided with "the usual."
Only Niina-san asked for a "cream soda."
"Now then... today's topic is..."
Sashihara-san looks at everyone.
"Is it Takemoto-kun after all?"
Eguchi-san answered.
"Since the results of the coaching for Takemoto-kun didn't appear, I've been wanting to talk to him once when the opportunity arose."
"That's true, it seems he won't get it unless told directly, right? He doesn't even seem to understand what it's about himself."
When Sashihara-san says that, Takemoto-kun asks, "What is it about?"
"Don't 'what is it about' me. During the training camp, you did nothing but talk to Saki and didn't talk to Umi-chan at all!"
Takemoto-kun nods in understanding.
"What were you thinking? Even though a great stage was set for you. If you were to step off the stage yourself, that's one thing, but to call out to another woman. Which one do you like?"
When Eguchi-san says that, Takemoto-kun answers, "I told you that before, didn't I?"
"Then act accordingly!"
Sashihara-san shouts.
"I think that's better too, Takemoto. Just try confessing even if it's a long shot. If that doesn't work, you can give up and accept it, right?"
When Manabe-kun says this to Takemoto-kun, Takemoto-kun falls into thought.
"Does that have to be right now?"
"Huh?"
"What I want to do, what I can do? Do I have to produce an answer right this second?"
"That's just an excuse to run away, Takemoto-kun."
Shimizu-san answered.
"What you want to do, what you can do? The answer is already out, isn't it. You're just turning your eyes away from that answer."
"...That's true. I might just be running away. By myself..."
"If you understand that much, then shouldn't you already know what you ought to do?"
"I'm fine with continuing to run away. Because I'm happy as I am. It's enough."
"Is that really true?"
I accidentally interjected.
"I understand Takemoto-kun's feelings well. Because I was the same. I thought it was fine to stay in the shadows forever. I didn't need a grand stage in life. That's what I thought."
Whether cursed as a coward or looked down upon as a timid person, I thought I could just live my life with my ears plugged and eyes closed. But...
"A tunnel is like those unpleasant times, isn't it. Being all alone and cold... but, you eventually come out. Just as the sun shines through, the time will come when you'll be bathed in the spotlight."
I don't know if the meaning of my words got through, but that's all I can say.
"Are you trying to say that I'm standing still in a tunnel?"
"There's no time to stand still in life. Getting off midway is not permitted. You're always moving toward your destination."
"Ah, this is so frustrating! If you can't say it, I'll say it for you!!"
I stop Sashihara-san's hand as she tries to operate her smartphone.
"Only that is absolutely forbidden. It will leave bad blood for both parties."
"But you know, we can't just leave it like this."
"The one who must reach a conclusion is Takemoto-kun."
"I'm going home..."
Saying that, Takemoto-kun settled the bill and left the shop.
"Why are you in such a rush, Sashihara-senpai? Did something happen? This is strange."
When Manabe-kun asks Sashihara-san, she sticks to "I can't say."
Akira-chan and Eguchi-san also fell silent.
After that, contact with Takemoto-kun was severed.
(3)
There is no time to stand still in life.
Even while spacing out, the train continues to run.
A journey where getting off midway is not permitted.
What I want to do, what I can do—are you telling me to produce that answer now...
The answer is already out, isn't it!?
The words Shimizu-san said to me.
Is the answer really out?
I didn't know.
Is it really just an excuse to run away?
I worry and think alone, but I can't even grasp a clue to the answer.
When I close my eyes, a single girl is standing there.
That girl smiles when she looks at me.
Something sweet and painful, like a wild strawberry that seems reachable but cannot be grasped.
Only the sounds of the air conditioner and refrigerator can be heard.
Ah, come to think of it, I have no food for today.
It's a five-minute walk to the Convenience Store.
But for some reason, I grabbed my car keys.
Without knowing where I was headed, I drove the car aimlessly.
The roads that were initially lit by streetlights eventually became places where I relied only on my car's headlights.
Occasionally I encountered long-haul trucks, or was overtaken by cars running with loud explosions of sound, but I just continued driving along National Route 10.
I just raced through the mountains.
Going up the slope and then down, then up and down again, I drove on.
I continued driving, relying on the lights of passing cars and my own car's lights.
How far would I go?
I wasn't thinking about anything.
Eventually, after crossing the mountains, the lights of a town shone.
Is this what Sakai-kun was talking about?
However, the midnight town was lit only by streetlights and the shops were closed.
The town was sleeping.
I started to feel sleepy too.
It would be dangerous if I didn't take a short break.
A large factory on the left is brightly lit.
Around past that, there is a Convenience Store.
A Convenience Store with a large parking lot.
Long-haul trucks are resting.
I also stopped my car in the parking lot, bought and ate a midnight snack, and fell asleep.
The clock had passed 23:00.
(4)
Past 20:00.
Airi's parents visited the Katagiri house, and a meeting was held in the living room.
The agenda goes without saying: the marriage between me and Airi.
The opinions were parallel lines.
The Tosaka family's opinion: "For Airi's sake, couldn't you at least submit the marriage registration?"
And my opinion: "I want to properly propose again after becoming independent and stable."
My parents were already persuaded.
All that was left was to persuade the Tosaka parents.
"...I understand Toya-kun's opinion. However, I hear there are other women pursuing Toya-kun. As parents, we are worried. ...We want to create some kind of certain form."
"I persuaded Airi. That I'll propose once I'm able to properly support her."
"That's true, but..."
Airi looks like she wants to say something, but Airi's mother started speaking.
"During the training camp, a consultation came from Airi-chan. That Toya-kun might go to another woman? That she might be hated if some other man did something strange to her... etc."
Airi's mother's tone was different from usual. Airi told her mother such things?
When I look at Airi, she is smiling awkwardly.
Airi's father holds out a piece of paper.
"Marriage Registration" was written in green letters.
The column for Airi to write in was already signed.
The level of seriousness of Airi's parents comes through. There was only one sheet.
"Toya, why not just register the marriage at this point? Or is there something inconvenient?"
"There isn't, but..."
Something is off. This way of doing things isn't normal.
"Could you please just wait? I promise. Once I graduate university, become a working adult, and can stand on my own, I will definitely come to greet you."
Saying that, I bow my head.
"...You understand the meaning of telling her parents to wait when they've gone out of their way to come here and tell you to marry her, right?"
When Mother says that, I nod.
"Tosaka-san, I'm sorry, could you please listen to my son's selfishness?"
"May I attach one condition?"
Airi's father proposes.
"Please, please. If you are willing to listen to my unworthy son's selfishness."
When Father says that, Airi's father raises his index finger.
"...One year. I will give you a grace period of one year after you graduate university. I cannot wait longer than that. No matter what, you will marry her."
"One year..."
I swallowed hard.
"Also... I too am the father of a precious daughter. If you ever do anything to hurt my daughter... you understand, right?"
I feel an angry aura from Airi's father's back that I've never felt before.
"Yes, I will cherish her."
"Rie... shall we head home?"
"Oka~y. Toya-kun, just to be safe, I'll tell you that it's not like Airi-chan is in a rush because she's expecting a child or anything like that~"
Don't say such shocking things... I look at Airi.
She's looking down bashfully.
Airi's father tore up the marriage registration in front of our eyes.
"Are you sure? Such a sweet deal doesn't come along often, you know?"
Father emphasizes.
"We're connected by a bond stronger than a single piece of paper."
"...Hmm. Tell me whenever you change your mind. And to emphasize once more..."
"You are still unmarried on paper, but your fathers are letting you be free as if you were married. Freedom comes with responsibility. You're not at an age where you don't understand that, right?"
When Father says that, I can only nod.
"Y-yeah..."
"Airi-chan, come home once in a while, okay?"
"Rie-chan. Papa said it. I've already gone to be a bride, you know?"
"At least come back for a visit~"
"Got it~"
Saying that, Airi's parents went home.
"But just like with soccer, you really are a stubborn one. I wonder who you take after."
"But Toya's judgment is always correct, so it'll be the same this time, right? Let's believe in our own son."
"...I suppose so."
Leaving my parents' conversation behind, I returned to my own room.
"Airi! I'm sorry!!"
The moment I reach the room, I bow my head to Airi.
"Hoe?"
"I didn't think you were worrying that seriously, Airi! I was thoughtless."
"Then, marry me!"
"T-that's why..."
"I know, I know~"
Airi embraces me.
"Because I love that earnest side of Toya-kun. You can do as you wish, Toya-kun."
"Thank you."
Airi sits in seiza on the floor and bows her head toward me.
"It's a bit late, but I still have many shortcomings, so I look forward to your continued kindness."
I also sit in seiza and bow my head toward Airi.
"L-likewise. I'm a useless man with many shortcomings. I look forward to your continued kindness."
Then Airi says "Boo!" and raises her head.
"How many times do I have to warn you before you understand, Toya-kun? You mustn't think of yourself as useless."
"Ah, sorry. I just..."
Well, if I said something that selfish to Airi's parents, I'd naturally want to say sorry, right?
"Boo! It's a penalty game."
"That's fine, but I have one proposal."
"Wha~t?"
"Since we're inside the house... shall we do it in bed? L-look, it's already a good time..."
Poke
"...Toya-kun has really become flirtatious lately."
Was that a mistake...?
"...Okay. It would be a problem if we were late again tomorrow morning."
"Then, shall I just whisper?"
"...I'll cry, you know."
"Right?"
"Yeah."
And so we get into bed and turn off the lights. I cling to Airi and whisper the ten-time charm into her ear.
The story in the gap between night and morning continues...