Chapter 183 - The Quest
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun! It's morning~! You have school today too~!"
"Good morning, Airi..."
Complete sleep deprivation. It was a wonder why Airi was so energetic.
I think this every single time. I wonder if Airi is sucking the energy out of me.
Last night was passionate.
Marriage. Airi becoming my bride. It had seemed like a fantasy, but last night, a single piece of paper made it concrete.
The biggest obstacle in marriage is likely the existence of the partner's parents.
That barrier doesn't exist. Not at all. In fact, they're in a state of welcoming me.
Airi becoming my bride. When that gained a sense of reality, a feeling of happiness and liberation arrived along with the tension.
I finally got it. The greatest treasure.
That drove us toward the pleasures of the night.
The time of pleasure continued until late at night. Airi had embraced me and fallen asleep after I was completely exhausted in both spirit and body.
That Airi is now starting to change her clothes alone.
Airi apparently prefers greens and blues over reds and pinks. Specifically, light pastel tones.
Of course, she seems to own the others too. But she only wears them on special days, like when we go on trips or on Christmas. Since she wears them on special days, I wonder if those are her true favorites?
Noticing my gaze, Airi approaches. What, it's not like there's any reason to be embarrassed at this point.
Poke
Apparently, there was.
"It's embarrassing when you stare so much. Toya-kun, you pervert."
"If you think so, then why don't you stop changing in front of me?"
"Uuu... but this is the first time Toya-kun has looked at me with those eyes."
"What kind of eyes?"
"Some kind of really lewd eyes."
"Airi, can I say one thing?"
"Wha~t?"
Airi asks back while changing.
"I think it's because you're wearing the lingerie that I'm getting excited."
"!?"
"It's not that I'm interested in the lingerie itself... ow!"
Poke poke
"Toya-kun, you idiot! I'm going to tell Maya-san!"
"Ah, wait, hold on!"
That would be very problematic.
"Booo! That's it. Now, I'll give Toya-kun a penalty game~"
"What?"
"Change your clothes."
Excuse me?
"Come on, there's no time, hurry hurry!"
I change as told.
Airi leans over and stares intently at me.
"Airi, it's hard to change when you stare so much."
"Toya-kun stared intently at me changing, so it's unfair that Toya-kun won't show me!"
I understood what Airi was trying to say.
I change while being mindful of her gaze.
"Hey, Toya-kun."
"What?"
"Why do you have such a good body? Even though you eat so much, your stomach doesn't stick out at all."
I don't think I'm that muscular, though. Rather, Makoto has a better build, right?
"...Ask Makoto to show you next time. I think he has a much better physique than I do."
"When will I see it?"
"We'll probably all go to the beach again in the summer, right? If you ask him to show you then..."
Poke
"Toya-kun is being way too mean today. I'm going to cry. I want to see it because it's Toya-kun's body! I have no interest in other people. Though Toya-kun seems to be different."
"That's not true, I told you before, right? It's that the combination of Airi's body and lingerie is great."
What am I speaking so passionately about this early in the morning?
"That's a lie! I know Toya-kun likes people who are tanned or people with a body type like Kanna!"
"How did it come to that?"
"Because the videos Toya-kun watches are mostly people like that."
"...How do you know that?"
"...There are no secrets between husband and wife."
"?"
"I peeked at Toya-kun's desktop... tehe♪"
"Airi..."
"T-there's no need to get that angry. If you're not doing anything shameful, you're fine, right? It's Toya-kun's fault for not having a password."
Airi makes desperate excuses.
"You just said it, didn't you?"
"Hoe?"
"Then, Airi won't be troubled if I peek at your laptop, right?"
"Uuu... then, after we eat..."
I've wanted to see it once. The contents of a girl's computer?
After finishing breakfast and Airi's chores, when Airi brought over the mugs, I was sitting in front of the table.
Airi placed the mugs on the table and started up her laptop.
The password was apparently my birthday.
"Here you go!"
Airi hands me the laptop.
I look at the desktop screen. It's surprisingly plain. I thought it would have a cuter background.
Only the bare minimum of icons are displayed.
The contents of the PC only contain things like a household account book and university materials. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Airi touch a PC that much. Her main focus is the smartphone.
I check the web browser too.
Just SNS and shopping sites.
The contents of the SNS are... I glance at Airi.
"It's fine~"
She seems to have auto-login enabled. Memory images and diaries from trips they've taken until now. In her favorites, she seems to look at celebrities, cooking recipes, and fashion-related things mainly.
I return the laptop to Airi.
"You thought it was boring, didn't you?"
"Not at all, I just thought it was surprising; I imagined something cuter."
"You're just saying 'I'm not cute anyway'~"
Airi pouts and sulks.
She sulks so easily. This princess.
"I didn't say Airi isn't cute, did I?"
"It's the same thing."
"I just thought Airi surprisingly prioritizes functionality. The SNS was very girl-like, though."
"It's not pleasing to be told that after the fact, you know?"
"What will it take to put you in a good mood, princess?"
"Hmm."
Airi begins to ponder.
She doesn't have to ponder that much; I'd grant her as many wishes as she wants.
Then Airi sits next to me and leans against me.
"Is that enough?"
"Yeah, I'm happy with just this."
What a devoted girl.
Maybe I'll give her a little extra service?
I wrap my arm around Airi's shoulder and pull her close.
Airi looks entranced.
My gaze drifts toward a bad place, but this time, I endured.
Then, both my and Airi's smartphones receive a message.
It's probably the Watanabe squad.
I was surprised when I saw the message.
"Takemoto-kun has disappeared."
I look at Airi.
What happened? Exactly what?
(2)
Around the time the dogwoods bloom.
I was sleeping in my car in a convenience store parking lot.
Waking up around 6 o'clock, I bought and ate an onigiri at the convenience store and departed again.
Although I was avoiding the commuting rush hour, it was a time of year with many people returning to their hometowns.
The cars progressed slowly.
During that time, I spent it leisurely listening to FM radio.
Once I left the city, the congestion cleared up a bit.
However, the next town was immediately there.
I was held up again there.
After passing that, mountain roads continued.
I intended to refuel at the next service station, but I couldn't find one easily.
After crossing the mountain, I finally found one.
After that, I drove south while passing through the bypass.
I headed toward the prefectural capital.
The shopping district was empty, to the point where I wanted to doubt if it really was the prefectural capital.
Going further into the suburbs, there was a supermarket.
In places like this, there are freshly baked bread shops.
I negotiated with the bakery. I was able to receive bread crusts at a very low price.
At the same time, I bought a portable gas stove and a small pot at a home center.
I bought a map at the convenience store.
I confirmed my current location while comparing it with the car navigation.
Leaving Route 10, I headed toward the southernmost cape of Kyushu.
Between the parking lot and Cape Sata, subtropical plants such as banyan and cycads grew thick.
When I arrived at Cape Sata, an emerald blue ocean spread out, and the sense of liberation was incredible.
I was moved that I could come this far just by stepping on the accelerator.
I worried about what to do after this.
I remembered Katagiri-senpai saying, "You should see Sakurajima."
I turned back and headed for Sakurajima.
I was moved by the scenery.
But it seemed that what Katagiri-senpai meant wasn't that.
The ferry crossing to Kagoshima City.
That was something exceptional.
Looking at the mountain from the ship, I was moved, thinking that I had gone to such a place.
There was a couple frolicking.
When my eyes met that couple, they asked, "Could you take a photo for us?"
I readily agreed.
Click
The couple thanked me and walked away.
At that moment, I noticed.
I saw a phantom of my cute light-pink-clad girl standing next to me.
Holding hands and taking a photo.
As I thought, I really love her. I was lost in emotion alone.
If I'm doing this, I might as well take a photo as a memento.
Thinking so, I tried picking up my smartphone.
The battery had run out.
I'll have to charge it later.
I gave a bitter smile alone.
Upon arriving in Kagoshima City, I wondered what to do.
I've seen the southernmost point, so there's no need to go all the way to Ibusuki.
It's not like I came for sightseeing purposes.
The sun began to set. I wanted to stay somewhere today.
I looked for a suitably cheap youth hostel.
There was one in the city.
It was a dormitory room, but I didn't mind.
I talked with the person I shared the room with.
That person seemed to be doing a tour of Kyushu.
A tour of Kyushu. That might be interesting too.
The purpose of my journey seemed to have been decided.
I don't know how far I can go.
I'll try to go as far as I can.
"Why are you traveling?"
I was asked that. I was at a loss for words.
"Well, there are circumstances you can't talk about. There's meaning in the act of traveling, so there's no need to think deeply about it."
"...I didn't... decide to travel. Before I knew it, I had left home. I wanted to try and see how far I could go..."
"...It's good to go as far as you can. The road continues forever. You should just keep pursuing that road."
The facility had a shared kitchen.
I made and ate the instant ramen I had bought.
I had also bought a pocket stove at a nearby home center.
Funds are limited. Gasoline costs aren't negligible either. I can't use a youth hostel every day.
I thought I needed preparations to cook for myself through suitable camping and such.
After that, I took a bath and fell asleep.
Everyone was probably tired, so they were sleeping.
I was tired today too, so I slept.
Ah, worried messages had come from everyone, so I replied to them.
"I am safe. Please don't worry," and so on...
Right now, I am doing what I like.
Is that a bad thing?
Sometimes, there are things I want to be scolded for...
Everyone seemed to be angry.
"Don't make us worry," they said.
I was grateful that such people existed.
Among those people was Kinoshita-san.
"Takemoto-kun, are you okay?" she seemed to be worrying.
"I'm okay," I replied.
When I return, there's something I want to tell you.
It will probably trouble you.
It will probably just be making you go along with my self-satisfaction.
But please, I want you to listen.
(3)
We decided to step into Takemoto's room with Tange-sensei present.
The inside of the room was moderately cluttered, giving the feeling that he had just stepped out for a bit.
"I don't feel like he left with any particular purpose."
"True... Manabe, do you have any leads?"
Tange-sensei asked, but I didn't have any particular leads... wait, I did.
"There was a bit of a trouble yesterday and we clashed. After that, he just wandered home... he was brooding."
"Isn't that bad? Maybe we should file a missing person's report..."
When Niina-san said that, Tange-sensei seemed to think of something and suddenly started laughing.
"So that's how it is... I don't think we need to file a missing person's report."
"Sensei! Aren't you worried about Takemoto-kun? We can't get in touch with him! It seems his smartphone is powered off. He doesn't answer direct calls either."
"Shuji-chan, you're a bit cold."
Even Kinoshita-san joined in.
I thought about it too. The reason Takemoto disappeared. He vanished suddenly. No contact. But not to the extent of filing a report... could it be!
"I see... so that's it."
"That's it, Manabe."
If you say it's typical of him, it's typical of him.
"It might be better not to make this a big deal."
"Right?"
"Shuji-chan, do you know where Takemoto-kun went?"
Kinoshita-san was asking Tange-sensei. Tange-sensei shook his head.
"I don't know, but he's surely safe. That much is certain."
"How can you say that for sure?"
"Umi... there are things people don't want others to touch upon."
"?"
"Sensei, I have a place to go, so I'll be going. Niina-san, you're coming too, right?"
"Cafe Blue Bird, right? I'm going, I'm going. Umi-chan, you come too. Let's all consult!"
"Shuji-chan, can I go too?"
"Is the way back okay?"
Tange-sensei glanced at me.
"I'll escort her back."
"Then, just don't be too late."
When Tange-sensei said that, we left Takemoto's apartment.
Cafe Blue Bird.
A large number of people had crowded in today.
Because the theme was Takemoto's emergency.
Only specific people know the reason he disappeared.
"Maybe I said too much..." Sashihara-senpai says.
"Takemoto's spirit is fragile if he vanishes over just that much," Eguchi-senpai says.
"It seems there's a need to train him again," she added.
"Listen... Manabe-kun seems to know something?"
Katagiri-senpai says to me while eating a cutlet sandwich.
Katagiri-senpai's intuition is sharp at times like this.
"Well, I do have some leads."
"Exactly! Katagiri-senpai! Tange-sensei seems to know too, but he won't tell me anything!"
Niina-san appeals to Katagiri-senpai.
Katagiri-senpai looks intently at me. Then he said one word, "I see..." A smile leaked onto his face. Just how far does this person enter into people's hearts?
"Wait, Toya-kun. This isn't the time to be laughing!"
Tosaka-senpai admonishes Katagiri-senpai.
Katagiri-senpai deflects it like a willow, and after polishing off the Napolitan and cutlet sandwich, he stands up, saying, "Well, we'll be off. Tomorrow is early."
Poke
"Toya-kun, you heartless person! A comrade has disappeared! Couldn't you be at least a little worried?"
When Tosaka-senpai says this to Katagiri-senpai, Katagiri-senpai whispers in Tosaka-senpai's ear.
"Ah, I see..."
It seems he explained the reason to Tosaka-senpai.
"Well, see ya."
Saying so, Katagiri-senpai and the others left the shop.
"Let's disband as well. He'll contact us eventually."
Just as Watanabe-senpai was about to leave, everyone's smartphones rang.
"I am safe. Please don't worry."
After that, several photos were sent.
"Where are you now?"
Kinoshita-san sends a message.
"Kagoshima. Kinko Bay was beautiful."
"Kagoshima!? I don't understand the meaning!!"
Sashihara-senpai is angry.
"Manabe-kun. Since we're at it, confess! Why is he in Kagoshima!?"
I am asked by Shimizu-senpai. I wonder how I should answer.
"Takemoto-kun probably had his own thoughts, right? It's fine to be youthful."
Watanabe-senpai said so and left.
Passing by him, Nishimatsu-kun entered.
"Oh? I heard everyone was summoned today."
"There are people who can't come because they have errands!"
Sashihara-senpai's mood is bad. He came at a bad time.
Regardless of that, he sits next to Eguchi-senpai.
"Is Ishihara-senpai not here today?"
"Part-time job. He's serious. Even though I tell him it's fine, he's desperate to secure date funds."
"It's tough having a commoner boyfriend."
"I wouldn't want to date a confident person like you, though."
"I'm confident I can change that value system. How about it? Dinner together tonight. I know a restaurant with a beautiful night view."
Splash!
Eguchi-senpai had splashed water on Nishimatsu-kun.
"I'd rather eat ramen at some random shop with Isshy than have dinner with you... you've spoiled my mood. I'll be taking my leave today as well."
"If Emi says so, maybe I'll retreat too. Zen-kun, what do you want to eat today?"
"An evening drink might be good once in a while."
"Your drinking habits are bad, but if it's at home, it's convenient. I'll make some snacks for the alcohol."
Saying so, Eguchi-senpai and Shimizu-senpai also left the shop.
"Since everyone's gone, maybe I'll go home too?"
It was when Sashihara-senpai said that.
Clink clink
One woman enters the shop.
"I flew here after hearing that Takemoto-kun disappeared~! Is he okay~?"
"He seems safe? Look at your smartphone."
Told by Sashihara-senpai, Hanayama-san looks at her smartphone. After confirming Takemoto's safety, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness~. So, why suddenly Kagoshima?"
"It seems Manabe-kun knows the reason."
Sashihara-senpai throws the conversation to me.
"Manabe-kun~ I wonder why~?"
It's a situation where I'm at a disadvantage.
Do I have to say it?
Sorry, Takemoto.
"He was worrying yesterday, after all. Maybe he went for a change of pace~"
Sakai-senpai threw me a lifeline.
"A change of pace to Kagoshima? I don't understand. That's not the level of 'just stepping out for a bit'."
What Sashihara-senpai says is perfectly reasonable.
"He probably had his own thoughts in his own way. Isn't a journey without a destination also good?"
When Sakai-senpai said that, Niina-san let out an "Ah."
She seemed to have noticed.
"What is it, Mirai?"
"Could it be that thing called a journey to find oneself?"
"Well, it's probably something like that... He probably had his own thoughts about yesterday's matter."
"Sakai-senpai, have you ever done it? A journey to find oneself."
"No. Because I knew who I was."
"How about Manabe-kun?"
"I haven't either. I've thought I wanted to, but I was busy during spring break too..."
"Are you idiots? I don't understand what men think! One's self is something that is established only after being recognized by others... ah!"
Sashihara-senpai seemed to have a realization.
It's not strange for Takemoto, who was self-denied yesterday, to go on a journey to look at himself again.
"Was it my fault?"
"No, what Sashihara-senpai said was also correct. But how he took it is up to Takemoto. Takemoto probably wanted to reflect on himself."
Since you're at it, look at yourself thoroughly.
He'll probably pop back eventually.
Running through, out of breath.
Just absolutely do not look back.
Let's look forward to a Takemoto who has grown one size larger.
(4)
"Hmm."
I was pondering while keeping the account books after returning.
Toya-kun is blankly watching TV.
Toya-kun is a person who doesn't watch TV much.
However, he doesn't turn on the PC either. I've decided it's not yet the time to rush into studying, and games... I absolutely won't let him play when I'm with him. I'm the one who manages the timing of his studies.
When it comes to that, the options become limited. And Toya-kun chose to watch TV.
Because he can enjoy watching it with me.
But honestly, right now I wasn't in the mood for TV.
I'm worried about Takemoto-kun. Is he really okay?
"You heard the story from yesterday, right? He probably stopped understanding himself."
Toya-kun says.
Toya-kun is smiling. And he is relieved.
"Toya-kun, have you ever thought you wanted to find yourself?"
I tried asking Toya-kun.
"Not finding myself, but I have thought I wanted to go on a solo trip."
Uuu...
"Am I in the way?"
When I said that, Toya-kun patted my head and said.
"No matter where I go, I'll be with Airi, right?"
"...Yeah!"
"Speaking of where to go, I remembered!"
Saying so, Toya-kun begins preparations for the trip starting tomorrow.
"I'm looking forward to it~ squid somen."
"Toya-kun is more suited for a food tour than finding himself."
"That's because there's no meaning in searching for myself."
"?"
"The me who loves food and Airi endlessly is who I am."
...He probably thinks he said something great.
Poke
"Am I the same as food? That's cruel, Toya-kun."
"Lately, eating Airi is also fun."
"Eating me?"
When I thought about the meaning and realized, my face flushed.
"I'm not that cheap, you know!"
"Then, since tomorrow is early, shall we sleep early?"
"Uuu... Toya-kun is really mean lately."
When I pretend to cry, Toya-kun hurriedly hugs me.
"I-it's obviously a joke, right? I'll let you be pampered properly."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"Then I'll be pampered~"
Saying so, I cling to Toya-kun.
"Are the account books finished already?"
"Yeah!"
"Then, shall we sleep?"
"Yes~"
And so, we turned off the TV, dimmed the lights, and the two of us climbed into bed.
In the gap between night and morning, stardust was sparkling.