Chapter 190 - Longing of the Wind
(1)
The season had turned to the time of clear and mild weather.
This year, not a single person fell victim to May sickness, and everyone spent their days in peaceful tranquility.
In the mornings, I was woken up by Airi, changed my clothes, ate breakfast, got ready, and spent time relaxing in my room.
When it was time, I would go to the University, attend classes, eat lunch, attend afternoon classes, and then head to Aoi Tori.
I was spending days that were entirely unremarkable.
If there was anything that had changed...
Clink-clink.
There she is.
Takashina Miyuki. Nishimatsu's childhood friend.
She visits Aoi Tori frequently. She seems desperate to become close with the Watanabe Group.
Perhaps because her earnestness reached everyone, people gradually began to grow fond of her.
Airi was one of them. It was as if her previous wariness had been a lie as she grew close to her.
As for me, I continued to observe her as always. I couldn't afford to let my guard down around her.
The fact that she was Nishimatsu's childhood friend was one reason, but there was one thing that bothered me. She was hiding something. I was nearly certain of it.
Whenever I asked a certain question, she would clearly try to avoid it. Was there something she couldn't answer?
And so, while I was killing time at Aoi Tori as usual, the door bell rang with a clink-clink.
"You're really always here, aren't you?"
Takashina-san arrived today bringing Nishimatsu-kun along.
The two of them sat opposite us.
Then, as usual, the conversation began under Takashina-san's lead.
A conversation between women, with Airi. Airi looked happy as she spoke.
Nishimatsu-kun and I listened in silence.
I observed Nishimatsu-kun.
As I thought, he's plotting something. Nishimatsu-kun looked at Airi and gave a smirk.
Then Shimizu-san, Eguchi-san, Ishihara-kun, and Oshima-san arrived.
Oshima-san joined the conversation. Shimizu-san and Eguchi-san seemed to be discussing something.
Eventually, the atmosphere changed with a single word from Takashina-san.
"Toya-kun, what was it about Tosaka-san that you came to like?"
It was the moment her interest turned toward me for the first time.
It was the moment the claws she had been hiding were first revealed.
"Is there a need to answer that?"
There wasn't any particular need to hide it, but perhaps some kind of defensive instinct had unconsciously kicked in against her.
Right now, I was wary of her.
"You don't have to hide it. You know..."
"Airi! It's about time."
Not wanting to give Takashina-san any unnecessary information, I stood up and pulled Airi's arm.
"I'm sorry if I offended you; it must have been a reason you really didn't want to talk about."
Stop acting such a transparent part.
As if to say that, I took Airi's hand and settled the bill.
"Sorry, Tosaka-san. See you later."
When Takashina-san said that to Airi, Airi replied, "See you~."
Once we got into the car, Airi spoke.
"What's wrong, Toya-kun? I think that kind of attitude is rude."
"Maybe so. Sorry."
"You have to apologize to Miyuki-san, not me."
Almost none of Airi's words were entering my head.
Am I overthinking it? But my intuition views her as an enemy.
There's no way I should easily leak information to a hypothetical enemy.
"I'll apologize next time I go."
"You said that before, too."
The enemy this time seems to be a completely different type than before.
First win over Airi, then try to win me over... I see. Her target is me.
Instead of trying to forcibly tear us apart like before, she's resorted to a strategy of naturally separating us.
"...That's true."
"Right?"
"It might be better not to go to Aoi Tori for a while."
At least until Eguchi-san and the others grasp the information.
"Why are you trying to avoid her so much? Takashina-san is a good person, you know? At least, she's not the kind of person you think she is, Toya-kun. You're overthinking it."
"I can't think that."
She's plotting something.
But Airi was not listening.
"If you won't let me, fine. I'll go to Aoi Tori by myself!"
"...Do as you please."
If I don't stay calm, I'll fall right into the opponent's trap. It might even be an option to let Airi swim for a bit so I can catch her tail.
When I stopped the car in the parking lot of Airi's house, Airi tried to get out of the driver's seat.
"Are you really okay with me going alone?"
"If you want to go, do as you please."
"Nishimatsu-kun is there, you know?"
"If you won't listen even when I tell you not to go, then it can't be helped."
"You don't care what happens to me?"
"You reap what you sow."
"Toya-kun, you're just viewing her as an enemy simply because she's an acquaintance of Nishimatsu-kun. She's not a bad person."
"Even if I concede a hundred steps and she is a good person, Nishimatsu is at Aoi Tori right now. If you still want to go knowing that, then do as you please. If you can't even trust your boyfriend's words, then that's that."
Whether she reacted to the words "that's that," Airi became calm.
"...Will you explain it to me properly?"
"Yeah, I'll explain it so that you're satisfied."
"Then I'm going home... and also,"
Smack
"Don't ever say 'that's that' or 'it's over' again! Toya-kun, you don't understand how much those words terrify me!"
"That's because if I don't say it with that level of resolve, you won't understand, Airi."
"...Is it really that dangerous?"
"Maybe."
Saying that, I took Airi home and, in her room, slowly told her everything I was thinking.
"Isn't that just your own assumption, Toya-kun?"
"I hope so."
Nishimatsu-kun has a prior record. If there is even a slight possibility, one should not take rash actions.
"...I understand. I'll make sure not to go to Aoi Tori. It's not a place worth going to if it means fighting with Toya-kun."
"It helps that you're such an obedient bride."
"Ehehe~. Oh, want to go shopping? I'll make something you like today, Toya-kun."
"I'll eat anything you make, Airi."
"Then there's no point! Oh, I have to tell Maya-san."
Saying that, Airi left the room.
In the meantime, I operated my smartphone to alert everyone.
"If Toya says so, then it must be true."
"Got it, I'll be careful."
Replies like that came back.
"Toya-kun! Let's go shopping!?"
I could hear Airi's voice. I also left the room and decided to accompany Airi on her shopping trip.
(2)
"Takemoto-kun!?"
When I entered Tange-sensei's preparation room, Umi-chan and Niina-san were there.
Umi-chan left the preparation room without saying a word.
You don't have to avoid me so blatantly...
"Takemoto..."
As Tange-sensei said that and approached me, I took a fist to the top of my head.
"You are forbidden from entering here unless you have business. You know the reason, right?"
When Tange-sensei spoke, I said, "I know." I didn't know what else to say.
"Sorry, Takemoto-kun. It seems Umi-chan is avoiding you..."
I know that much without being told.
"Doing completely unnecessary things... Umi has absolutely no resistance to that kind of thing. You know what happens if you make a move, right? I told you that, didn't I?"
"I think there's a better way to put that. Does a teacher have the right to interfere in someone's romance~?"
The one who arrived saying that was Hanayama-san.
"Takemoto-kun, if you don't have any particular business, won't you keep me company? Let's go to Aoi Tori. I've invited Manabe-kun too."
"I-I guess that's fine."
"Then, let's go."
Saying that, Hanayama-san took my hand and led me out of the preparation room.
On the way, we encountered Umi-chan returning to the preparation room.
Umi-chan gave a small bow. Just as she tried to run away as if escaping, Hanayama-san grabbed her hand.
Umi-chan stopped and looked at Hanayama-san.
Slap
A dry sound echoed in the hallway.
"Don't you think it's pathetic to just be running away at your age!? Have you ever thought about how much Takemoto-kun worried just to confess to you!? He confessed to you in a straightforward way, so don't you have an obligation to respond to that? Even if it's a cruel result, as it is now, you're only making Takemoto-kun suffer! This might sound like my own opinion, but don't run away!"
Hanayama-san rattled off in one breath. Overwhelmed by that intensity, Umi-chan was on the verge of tears. Even so, she looked at me and said one thing.
"I'm sorry. There's someone I love."
Having said that, Umi-chan ran away as if escaping.
"How is it? Your mood?"
"It hurts... but it's refreshing."
Just as the words said, I felt clear. I felt that I had finally brought it to an end.
"That's good. Then, it's the next person's turn."
Hanayama-san grabbed my hand again.
It wasn't just holding hands. It was interlocked fingers.
To my surprise, Hanayama-san said this.
"From now on, let's call each other by our given names, okay? Yuma-kun."
"Hanayama-san... I..."
"I know. I have no intention of using a cheap trick like winning over someone while they're depressed. I'll wait as long as it takes. Recover quickly. For now, being friends is fine, right?"
"I understand. Hanayama-san..."
"Do you understand what I just said?"
"Saki-san."
"Well, let's leave it at that."
We walked like that to the parking lot.
Hanayama-san... the gazes of Saki-san's entourage were painful, but perhaps the next flower has already bloomed.
(3)
"Honoka~. Are you working today?"
"Yeah, I'm working."
"Then, I was planning to go for a bit too."
As we walked together, we encountered a familiar figure.
It was Nishimatsu-kun and Takashina-san.
Well, since they're childhood friends, it's natural they'd talk alone sometimes.
But it didn't look like that kind of atmosphere.
We instinctively hid in the shadows and observed the situation.
"How are the arrangements?"
"Have I ever made a mistake? It's going well."
"As expected..."
"However, it seems Katagiri-kun has noticed. Those two have stopped showing their faces at Aoi Tori recently."
"Katagiri-senpai has a sharp intuition, after all."
"But the exchange of messages is continuing, so there's no hindrance. Let's move to the next phase."
"I leave it to you."
What are they talking about? Was every interaction until now a lie? Were we being deceived?
I looked at Ai's face. Ai was listening to the two of them while thinking about something.
And in the next moment, we were stunned.
They were kissing in broad daylight.
"Well then, see you tonight."
"I understand, Keisuke."
Saying that, Nishimatsu-kun departed.
After confirming that Nishimatsu-kun's figure had disappeared, Takashina-san spoke.
"It's obvious you're hiding. Why don't you come out already?"
We'd been found. We went over to Takashina-san.
"Takashina-senpai, what on earth was that just now?"
Ai spoke directly.
"What do you mean 'what'? It's natural for lovers to kiss, isn't it?"
Lovers!?
"Actually, perhaps it's a stronger connection; I've been raised as his fiancée since the moment he was born."
F-fiancée!?
"It's not very relaxing here. Shall we go to Aoi Tori?"
And so, we headed to Aoi Tori.
Ai and Takashina-san sat at a table.
I took the order, attached the slip to the kitchen, and then observed the two of them.
"What do you mean, fiancée since birth?"
"Literally. Our hospital was small. Well, we were wealthy, but we wanted to save patients' lives more than make a profit. We operated with that single-mindedness, but the management became unsustainable, and that's where Keisuke's hospital provided support. I was the return for that."
It's a story that could become a drama.
"When I heard it at age six, I doubted my ears. But after hearing my father's single word, 'Sorry,' my resolve hardened. ...He's an only son. He was raised to do whatever he wanted. That might be why he became that kind of personality."
"I understand the circumstances. But what do you mean by 'arrangements'? What is the 'next phase'?"
"For that, I'll need to explain his plan."
Nishimatsu-kun's plan was this.
First, make Takashina-senpai and Katagiri-kun a couple. Then, approach Tosaka-san, who has become alone.
It's simple, but I know that such a trick won't work anymore, so why does he try to repeat the same failure?
More than that...
"Is it really okay to talk so freely? We're enemies, you know?"
When Ai said that, Takashina-senpai chuckled.
"The moment you all saw that scene, the operation was as good as a failure. It's not my fault. It's his fault for talking so freely in a place like that."
"Even if he's your fiancée, don't you feel anything about him cheating?"
"I've never really felt anything. I don't feel anything for him. He's just a fiancée decided by my parents; it's not as if I fell in love."
"I think it's questionable that you're helping with that, though?"
"I got used to it after doing the same thing a few times. He's just that kind of man, after all."
"As a fellow woman, have you ever thought about it from the position of having the person you love stolen!?"
Ai appealed desperately, but it did not reach her heart.
"Then I'll ask as a fellow woman. Do you understand the feeling of suddenly being told this person is your marriage partner shortly after you became self-aware?"
Ai was at a loss for words.
"Since then, I haven't even experienced romance; I've never once liked another person. I made an effort to try and like Keisuke, but he's like that..."
I felt bad for Tosaka-san, but I ended up sympathizing with Takashina-senpai.
"I'm telling you, I'm not saying this because I want sympathy. In fact, you can think of this as part of the operation."
She says that, but it doesn't sound like a lie. As proof, Ai didn't know what to say.
"I see. So that's what Katagiri-kun meant by 'something that is bound'."
"What a vulgar man to the end. It's utterly unpleasant."
Shimizu-san and Eguchi-san had arrived before we noticed.
The two of them ordered "the usual" and sat at the counter.
"So, what do you intend to do now, Takashina-senpai?"
Eguchi-san asked.
"There's nothing to it; I'll just execute the operation as told. What about you all? What will you do with me? Are you going to keep me in the group just like this?"
"We'll do nothing, just as before. As Airi-chan said, the one who moves first loses. It's as simple as that."
"Yes, I'm envious. To be able to hold such emotions..."
I wonder how Takashina-senpai views Tosaka-san, who called herself a wife? How does the longing to be united with a loved one look to her?
"Well then, I'll go ahead and execute the operation. Since I want to get along with everyone, I think a movie together would be nice, but what do you think?"
Takashina-senpai spoke in a mechanical tone.
"Is that something we can't decide on our own?"
"That's true."
Saying that, Takashina-san sent a message to the group.
Everyone had grasped what Takashina-senpai said through the secret group.
"Isn't it fine?"
The one who said that was Katagiri-kun.
Katagiri-kun, who had refused contact until now, moved.
Does he have some kind of strange strategy?
Clink-clink
"I'm late~"
The ones who appeared saying that were Hanayama-san and Takemoto-kun.
Hanayama-san and the other were talking together in the back seats.
We did not involve ourselves. As if asserting that.
"If there are no other opinions, then it's decided."
Watanabe-kun said.
Indeed, there was no one who opposed.
"Is this coming weekend okay?"
When Watanabe-kun sent that message, Takashina-senpai sent back, "It's fine."
"Then, I'll look forward to the weekend. I've conveyed what needed to be conveyed. Make sure you devise your countermeasures properly."
Saying that, Takashina-senpai left the shop.
"Somehow, Takashina-senpai seems pitiful."
I sympathized with Takashina-senpai.
"Me too... I've started to feel like she's not an enemy."
Ai agreed.
"That might be a trick, you know."
When Eguchi-san said that, Shimizu-san shook her head and placed an envelope on the table.
On the envelope, "Investigation Report" was written.
"What she's saying is true. Her hospital was on the verge of collapsing due to management difficulties and was saved by Nishimatsu. The conditions are undoubtedly correct."
"But what should we do now?"
When I asked, no one answered.
Everyone racked their brains.
Clink-clink.
I saw familiar faces.
Katagiri-kun and Tosaka-san.
"Oh, it's been a while. The usual, right?"
When the master called out, he nodded.
"It's been a while since I've been eager to show my skills!!" the master exclaimed.
"Did Takashina-senpai already go home?"
Katagiri-kun and the other sat opposite Ai.
"She just left."
"I see, I heard the story. Isn't that great?"
"'Isn't that great'—how could it be great! She's the hardest opponent to deal with so far. I've never sympathized with an enemy until now."
"I feel like we've finally grasped a clue to the solution, though?"
Sometimes I don't understand what Katagiri-kun says.
"A clue?"
"Yeah, it's like a daikon radish."
"Daikon!?"
Ai asked back. I really don't understand what Katagiri-kun says.
"In short, if you simmer it, it becomes soft and the flavor soaks in... I think he wants to say that affection also soaks in if you give it time."
Tosaka-san translated for us.
"If those two properly get together, it's our win, right?"
Katagiri-kun says it simply, but will it go that smoothly?
"Listen, Katagiri-kun, did you properly read the message? Takashina-senpai..."
"That's why I said it soaks in if you give it time, right? Even tonkotsu takes time to get a good broth..."
Smack
"What Toya-kun wants to say is: haven't those two already developed those kinds of emotions? Like straining the broth, like removing the scum. If we let them taste it, won't they easily notice the deliciousness?"
"I see~. Then we can do it without hesitation."
"It might take time, but this is the decisive moment."
"So the time to finally make a move has come. Oh no, I'm getting nervous!"
When Tosaka-san translated, Ai and Eguchi-san discussed it.
"Then, for now, the upcoming movie is the first battle!"
When Ai said that, everyone nodded.
(4)
The day of the weekend.
I was heading to the city's station building in Toya-kun's car.
I wonder if Toya-kun is really okay?
"Actually, there's a quick drastic remedy... but it's too dangerous, so I didn't say it."
"Huh?"
"Ah, no. You can just forget it... it's really something trivial."
"Wha~t"
"Can't it be a secret...?"
"No secrets between husband and wife, okay?"
"Listen..."
Smack smack!
"Toya-kun, you idiot! I'll absolutely never forgive that!"
"That's why I said it was scrapped."
"You can't even think it!"
He really never thinks of anything good.
We arrived at the movie theater. We decided to split into several groups.
Toya-kun and I decided to watch a spin-off work of the mage series.
"The one with Tosaka-san."
"The one with Katagiri-kun."
As expected, the two of them followed. The others apparently watched something else.
I stayed by Toya-kun's side the whole time. When buying popcorn and drinks, during the time we killed at the game center until the screening started, and while watching the movie, we were stuck close together.
The only time we separated was when I went to the restroom after the movie ended.
Toya-kun was waiting for me at the entrance.
"It seems you've listened to the story properly. There's no opening at all."
Takashina-senpai spoke to me while I was washing my hands at the mirror.
"This is the end... there's no way that's it, right?"
"That's right, there might still be a time to make a move."
"Actually, how is it? Regarding Nishimatsu-kun?"
"Didn't you hear everything?"
"I think there's more than just that, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"I only heard it from Toya-kun, so I don't know."
"I see..."
When we came out of the restroom, Toya-kun and Nishimatsu-kun were waiting.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Welcome back."
In contrast to Toya-kun, who wore a smile, Nishimatsu-kun had a bitter expression.
We decided to wait until everyone finished their viewing.
"Airi, that seat is open."
Toya-kun found an open seat and offered it to me.
Nishimatsu-kun sat next to it as if it were natural.
I looked at Nishimatsu-kun with disdain.
"No matter if you're childhood friends, shouldn't you offer the seat to the woman?"
"Y-you're right. Miyuki, here, sit."
"Thank you."
Saying that, Nishimatsu-kun gave the seat to Takashina-senpai.
"Takashina-senpai, have you always been treated like that? Toya-kun would absolutely never do that."
"We're childhood friends, so that's just how it is."
And she added, "I'm older, after all."
"That's why you end up like Nishimatsu-kun. You have to be thorough about lady-first."
"Tosaka-san is lucky, having a boyfriend who is a gentleman."
"Takashina-senpai, why don't you find someone else instead of being with Nishimatsu-kun? I don't think there's a need to be together forever just because you're childhood friends, you know?"
When I said that, I didn't miss the way Nishimatsu-kun's eyebrow twitched.
It's just as Toya-kun said.
"How about it, Takashina-senpai? If you leave it to the Watanabe Group, they'll find you a good man."
When Toya-kun said that, the smiles vanished from both their expressions.
"Despite how it looks, Keisuke has his good points, you know?"
"Eh? I can't tell!? I thought he was an incredibly bottom-of-the-barrel person."
"I thought Tosaka-san was a more polite person, but I guess not. You don't normally tell someone's boyfriend they're bottom-of-the-barrel."
"Ah, I'm sorry. So you were dating. I thought you were just childhood friends. Normally, one gets angry when someone badmouths the person they love, right?"
Takashina-senpai had an expression as if she had accidentally let something slip!
Nishimatsu-kun held his head in his hands.
"I'm really sorry. But, it was as I thought. You two were dating. Just as Toya-kun predicted."
"It's not like that..."
"You don't have to hide it; no matter who the partner is, when you pass them through the filter of 'love,' they look wonderful, don't they? You even accept their bad points..."
"Airi... weren't you told that's not romantic love, but deep love?"
Toya-kun is quite the actor. He can deliver his lines so smoothly.
"Ah, that's right. Sorry. But looking at Takashina-senpai's state..."
"Tosaka-san is mistaken. We aren't in that kind of relationship."
"I think such a one-sided assumption is questionable. Did you properly confirm her feelings?"
"T-that's..."
Nishimatsu-kun panicked.
At that moment, everyone gathered.
"What's wrong, Airi?"
Kanna asked.
I explained the situation to everyone.
"It really was like that, huh, Honoka."
"Ai-chan wasn't mistaken! I saw the two of them kissing."
When they said that, everyone got excited.
"Surely Nishimatsu isn't the kind of vulgar man who would kiss a woman he doesn't love, right?"
Kanna pressed him.
"I-I'll be leaving for today. Let's go, Miyuki."
"Eh, ah. Yeah..."
Saying that, the two of them departed.
That night, we all held a banquet.
"Man, Toya, you're amazing as always!"
Makoto-kun slapped Toya-kun's back.
"I didn't think it would fit together this well."
Toya-kun really is a fantasista. Creating dramatic moments is a talent.
At that moment, the women's smartphones rang.
It was the girls' group chat.
"It's been a while since I've seen Keisuke so flustered. You all did well... but be careful. He's not the type to just take the hits."
The women showed that message to their respective partners.
"Everyone, the counterattack begins from here. Let's tighten our resolve."
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone shouted, "Oh!"
After the banquet ended, everyone headed home.
"Anyone going to the after-party, follow me!!"
Watanabe-kun said that and went to the after-party.
We decided to go home.
After returning home, I took a shower and dried my hair in the room.
Toya-kun was drinking juice while watching TV.
"Today was fun for the first time in a while."
"Is that so, that's good."
"Don't say it like it's someone else's business!"
"Yeah, I just can't quite feel it. It's been a while since I've set someone up."
"It's thanks to Takashina-senpai."
"That person also actually notices. The longing of the wind..."
"Longing, huh..."
Longing is something that will one day be realized.
I believe that.
Because my longing is always by my side...