Chapter 194 - The News Carried on a Summer Breeze
(１)
July.
The arrival of summer.
Even after changing into summer clothes, the heat remains unchanged, so I spend my time with the air conditioner blasting.
I hate summer. Because it's hot.
However, the act of wrapping myself in a blanket while the air conditioner is running is quite appealing, and I find myself wishing this happiness could last forever, but...
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
Some people get more energetic when summer comes. For the record, that isn't the case with Airi. She's like this all year round. She doesn't know what a season is.
"Wrapping yourself in a blanket when it's this hot will give you heatstroke! I have a duty to manage Toya-kun's health, you know!"
When Airi strips away the blanket, I am exposed in nothing but a T-shirt and boxers.
"Kya!"
She says it with her mouth, but Airi's gaze is glued to me.
"You wear a blanket when you think you'll catch a cold because the air conditioner is on, and then you dress like that when you think it's too hot. What you're doing makes no sense, Toya-kun."
"Airi, you wouldn't understand... this feeling of comfort..."
"I don't want to understand. Put on some proper pajamas and go to sleep!"
"Hugging a blanket feels good."
"Hmm..."
Airi is thinking. At times like this, what Airi thinks about is usually something trivial. This time was no exception.
Airi suddenly hugs me.
"Which feels better, the blanket or me?"
If there is any brave soul who could answer "the blanket" here, I want them to step forward.
Airi's slightly high body temperature and soft body press against me, and it feels good in a different sense.
"It's obviously Airi."
"Then it's settled. I'll go get a towel blanket from my house today. I wondered why there wasn't one in Toya-kun's room, and it turns out that was why."
Speaking of towel blankets... Makoto mentioned it. That Kanna sleeps naked, wrapped in a towel blanket... and that it's irresistible... I wonder if Kanna doesn't catch a cold?
I look at Airi.
"W-what is it?"
I tried imagining it, replacing the image with Airi. White skin and a balanced figure. Such an Airi sleeping next to me with only a towel blanket... Yeah, that might be good.
"Ugh... Toya-kun, your eyes look kind of lewd. You're thinking about something naughty again, aren't you?"
"Airi, you said a towel blanket if it's too hot, right?"
"Hoe?"
"I just thought, then maybe it would be okay for Airi to take off her pajamas and sleep too."
Poke poke
"Makoto-kun has been whispering things into your ear again!"
"I told you, didn't I? I have no interest in women other than Airi."
"Well... after doing it at night with Toya-kun... I might think about that too."
"Eh?"
"If Toya-kun feels that way, I'd be happy to do it, but Toya-kun hasn't invited me at all lately."
"Ah, it's hot, so I thought maybe Airi was exhausted too."
"Ugh... Toya-kun's meanness is showing again..."
Airi remained clinging to me.
Isn't it getting bad if she doesn't change her clothes soon?
"I told you before. Whenever Toya-kun is in the mood, it's always fine. I mean... actually, I think it's a bit much to make a woman say things like this."
Poke
Saying that, Airi pulls away from me and begins to change.
I also got out of bed and began to change.
Once I finished preparing, I waited for Airi in the room.
Then, as usual, Airi sat next to me and pressed herself against me.
I feel like she's pressing closer than usual.
I can see Airi's face; she looks a bit embarrassed, and her expression seems as if she wants to say something.
Is she worried about what happened earlier?
"Women have lonely nights too, you know?"
Airi muttered those words.
She is worried about it after all.
I place my hand on Airi's face and give her a gentle kiss.
Is tonight okay?
That was the sign.
Airi returns the kiss.
It's okay.
That was the sign.
"I'll prepare some special lingerie for tonight,"
Airi whispers in my ear.
The usual would be fine.
I felt an affection for Airi as she worried over which one to choose.
(２)
"Umi-chan, is this all of them?"
I carefully pack the paintings Umi-chan asked me to and load them into the car.
Umi-chan nods.
With Umi-chan and Niina-san on board, I drive the car.
Umi-chan doesn't do her school assignments at the arts junior college, but instead does them in Tange-sensei's preparation room at the local University.
It's not just school assignments. She enters various open exhibitions. She has been sweeping the awards there.
Various critics have already come to see her work.
Couldn't she already hold a solo exhibition?
The little artist praised as a genius by those around her was sleeping in the backseat.
"She's been busy lately... Umi-chan,"
Niina-san, sitting in the passenger seat, says.
That is obvious if one looks at the numerous masterpieces loaded in the back.
Additionally, there is the matter with Takemoto. Takemoto has stopped appearing in the teacher's preparation room since then.
Umi-chan has also stopped coming to Blue Bird as much.
There is likely the circumstance that she is painting.
She comes to the University together with Niina-san.
When Niina-san cannot go, the teacher goes to pick her up.
The reason she must be by the teacher's side to that extent. It is likely for emotional stability.
Even to an amateur's eye, it is clear.
The difference between the paintings she creates at the University and those she creates at the arts junior college.
There is hesitation in the colors.
Can a painter's emotions affect a work to this extent?
Upon arriving at the arts junior college, I carefully carry the canvases one by one to the designated locations.
There were over a dozen.
She gazes at the subject as if inhaling, and paints onto the canvas as if exhaling all at once.
She paints as if she is breathing.
For her, painting is breathing.
Just as breathing becomes irregular when her feelings waver, it affects her work.
That is precisely why Tange-sensei tries to cut off her contact with other men.
However, isn't that too overprotective?
Is he thinking about her, who must eventually become independent?
Does he intend to take care of her for the rest of his life?
Does she intend to spend her life without ever knowing love?
It seems famous female painters lead lives full of ups and downs.
Will she also live without knowing love?
No, that's not it.
I chuckled to myself.
She is already in love.
She lives with a small love held in her chest.
Does Tange-sensei know that?
I've never heard of it.
Even if I asked, he probably wouldn't tell me.
"Thank you, Manabe-kun. It was a help to have a man's strength. In return, maybe dinner..."
Just as Niina-san says that, a smartphone rings.
It's from Harada-san.
I answer the phone; it seems she has something to discuss.
"Sorry, I got a call from my part-time job. I have to go for some business. Can you two get home on your own?"
"We can get home, but are you going to work now?"
"It seems there's something to talk about. It looks like an emergency, so I'll be going."
"I see... understood."
I headed to the company.
When I arrived at the company, Chief Tosaka, Kondo-san, and someone I didn't know were there. He's handsome.
"Let me introduce you, Shiina Yamato-kun. He's a capable veteran who just joined,"
Harada-san says, and Shiina-san bows his head.
"Are you the rumored capable part-timer? Nice to meet you."
Saying that, Shiina-san sought a handshake.
"I'm Manabe, nice to meet you."
I shake hands with Shiina-san. Then I asked Harada-san.
"Was this the emergency?"
"Yes... Sorry, was I interrupting something?"
"No, there is no problem at all."
But why at this hour? She could have just told me on a day I was working.
"No matter how much of a veteran he is, he just joined the company, right? Since he won't know the ropes, I want you to support him,"
Harada-san says, and Chief Tosaka spoke.
"I spoke with the President. We've decided that from now on, these four will form a team. There are many things that will progress better that way. Of course, Manabe-kun will still take care of the President too."
"...Understood."
"Well then, I'll leave it to you starting tomorrow. I'm going home today. Please coordinate the future plans among the four of you."
"Ah, in that case..."
"I'm going home by taxi today. The meeting is also important work. I'm counting on you."
Saying that, Harada-san went home alone.
Another new wall had been built.
"Well then, at the nearby okonomiyaki shop."
When Tosaka-san says that, the four of us head to the okonomiyaki shop and coordinate future plans.
(３)
Local University.
I got separated from Mirai.
I don't even know the way to Shuji-chan's classroom building.
Where am I?
As I look around, a couple approaches me.
"Huh? Kinoshita-san? That's rare. Are you alone?"
I remembered. It's Katagiri-senpai and Tosaka-senpai.
"H-hello..."
Since I haven't spoken to them much, I don't know what to talk about.
While I'm troubled, Katagiri-senpai speaks to me.
"By any chance, are you lost? Don't know the building?"
"Was it the Faculty of Science and Engineering? There are a lot of buildings over there."
While saying that, Katagiri-senpai operates his smartphone.
"Manabe-kun said let's meet at the cafeteria. Niina-san is coming too."
"Then, shall we go to the cafeteria?"
When Tosaka-senpai says that, I nod.
When we arrive at the cafeteria, Katagiri-senpai treats me to a juice.
"So, how are things with Takemoto-kun after that?"
Tosaka-senpai asks.
"...I haven't even met him since then."
He didn't appear in the preparation room after that.
Even after he apologized and said sorry.
Takemoto-kun is keeping the promise he made to Shuji-chan.
When I think about Takemoto-kun, my chest feels tight.
Is it guilt? Or...?
That's not it, what is inside my chest is...
"You don't have to worry about Takemoto-kun. He seems to have moved on already."
Throb.
I felt relieved, but also somewhat lonely.
"Ah, there she is, Umi-chan~"
It's Mirai's voice.
"Sorry, I looked away for a moment and she suddenly disappeared, so I was surprised."
"Sorry, Mirai-chan."
"Senpai, sorry, thank you very much."
When Manabe-kun thanks Katagiri-senpai, we also bow our heads.
"Well, I'll leave the rest to you then."
Saying that, Katagiri-senpai and the other leave the cafeteria.
The two of them seem very close.
Apparently, they are a couple who have promised their futures to each other.
I felt envious. I want to become like that someday... with Shuji-chan.
"Well, the teacher is waiting, so shall we go?"
When Manabe-kun says that, we move.
When we arrive at Shuji-chan's room, I tie my hair and begin to paint.
I am in the best condition when I am painting with Shuji-chan.
I feel the most secure when I am with Shuji-chan.
I love Shuji-chan.
"Speaking of which, how is Takemoto doing?"
When Shuji-chan uttered Takemoto-kun's name, my brush stopped dead.
"He's doing well... on the surface."
"I see..."
Shuji-chan glances at me.
I return to my work.
"That guy... seems to have made a new girlfriend."
Tosaka-senpai had said so.
"He's a guy who switches over faster than I thought."
"Eh~! Was that within the Watanabe group!?"
Mirai-chan doesn't seem to know.
"That's right. Apparently, Hanayama-san fell for Takemoto."
Those two were getting along well during the training camp...
"So, how about Takemoto?"
Shuji-chan was asking Manabe-kun.
"He's still... it seems he's still concerned about Umi-chan, so it seems he can't move on to the next love."
He's still concerned about me...
"But Hanayama-san seems to be pushy. She'll make him forget eventually."
Slash!
I had stabbed and ripped the canvas with a painting knife.
"Umi!? What's wrong?"
Faster than Shuji-chan could speak, I had bolted out of the room.
I run through, not even knowing where or how I went.
By the time I stopped, out of breath, I didn't know where I was.
I call Shuji-chan on my smartphone.
"Where are you now!?"
Shuji-chan asks.
I look for something that could be a landmark.
"...In front of the classroom!"
"...Don't move from there!"
With that, the phone cut off.
"Umi-chan?"
When I looked back, Takemoto-kun was standing there.
(４)
"Umi-chan?"
You, appearing suddenly in pale pink, were stained with oil paints and crying.
"What happened?"
"Shuji-chan told me to wait here."
"Right, then it's okay."
As I, who had been forbidden from unnecessary contact, tried to leave the spot, she grabbed my arm.
"What is it?"
"I'm sorry! Am I making Takemoto-kun suffer?"
Did she hear something from Manabe-kun?
"Did you hear it from Manabe-kun?"
She nodded silently. Then, she knows everything.
"What Manabe-kun said is probably correct."
An expression that looked relieved, yet somehow lonely. I wonder if there's a bit more time before the teacher arrives.
"Thank you. I'm glad I could tell you properly. I'm glad I got a proper answer. Even so, I feel refreshed. Though I'm still dragging it along."
"What about the part about getting a new lover?"
"We aren't officially dating yet. We're just seeing each other as friends."
"I see..."
"I was troubled because I couldn't properly thank Umi-chan. I've finally sorted out my feelings. I can knock on the next door."
"Does that mean you'll date Hanayama-san?"
"I don't know, I still don't know how I feel about Hanayama-san, and... it would be rude to Hanayama-san to date her with half-hearted feelings."
"That's true."
"Umi!!"
Tange-sensei arrived.
"Well, I'm going now."
"Takemoto-kun, wait!!"
"Umi?"
I stopped my feet. I must not look back.
But Umi-chan clung to my leg.
"You don't have to avoid me anymore! Please stay with me as a friend!"
...What should I do?
Can I properly draw the line as a friend?
I had no confidence.
Because there was a version of me shaken by her voice.
But there is no chest pain like before.
Ah, I've understood it within myself. I've properly put a period to it.
"...Understood."
"Then look this way."
When I looked back, Umi-chan smiled and held out her hand.
"Well then, I look forward to working with you from now on."
I shake hands with Umi-chan.
I look forward to working with you too.
A gust of wind blows.
This is the true end of my love with Umi-chan.
The wind was announcing that.
(５)
When we returned home, our parents were in the living room and stopped us.
When Airi and I sat side-by-side on the sofa, a single letter was presented on the table.
The address was written as Katagiri Toya and Airi-sama.
Is this some kind of sarcasm?
I pick it up and look at the sender.
Tachibana Akito and Ako...?
Who are they?
I look at the back of the letter.
Ako in a wedding dress and an unknown groom were in the photo.
"What does this mean?"
When I ask my parents, both say they don't know.
"Haven't you two heard anything?"
"We haven't heard anything, but?"
"I see... then it's fine."
When Mother says that, we return to our room.
While Airi is in the bath, I look at the postcard.
Why such a letter? I mean, marriage? What about the University...?
Thinking about it gets me nowhere.
I waited for Airi to return to the room.
When Airi returns to the room, "You were still worrying about it~" Airi says while drying her hair.
"I was waiting for Airi to come."
"Hoe?"
"I thought I'd try calling once Airi came."
"Ako-san...?"
Airi makes a puzzled face.
"It just didn't feel settled."
Once Airi finishes drying her hair, she sits next to me.
"Naturally, you'll let me listen too, right?"
"Yeah, sure."
Saying that, I dial the phone number written on the postcard and press call.
I had it on speaker.
"Yes, this is Tachibana."
It's Ako's voice.
"Hello, this is Katagiri."
"Ah, Toya-kun. What's wrong? At this late hour."
She laughed, saying my husband is sleeping.
"What does this mean?"
"Ah, I'm pregnant. I'm around the 20th week now."
"Pregnant!?"
Airi screams loudly.
"Airi-san is listening too, I see. Airi-san, you can be relieved now, right? You don't have to be afraid of me anymore."
"I-it's not exactly that... Congratulations."
"Thank you. It seems my older brother caused trouble again. It's okay now... he's in no position for that."
"!?"
"He plunged into the sea while driving with another girlfriend. Apparently, he injured the girlfriend who was in the passenger seat."
Both of us lost our voices...
"I don't know what will happen from here. It might even go to trial. Her parents seem terribly angry."
"It sounds like someone else's problem."
"It is someone else's problem now. I am one who has left the Inoue house."
"Can you really be that detached?"
When Airi asks, Ako laughs.
"Airi-san wouldn't understand, would she? This feeling of liberation from being able to leave a house I was disgusted with."
Certainly, Airi probably wouldn't understand.
"I understand the situation. I wish you happiness."
"Thank you, I'll take that as you blessing me."
"Well, it's late, so I'll hang up now. See you." With that, the call ended.
Airi is grabbing my arm.
I pat Airi's head.
"Ako said it too, right? It's okay now."
"No, that's not it. I just feel kind of frustrated... that Ako-san beat me to it."
"Sorry..."
"I'm just feeling down, wondering if what I'm doing is just playing house."
"Airi should just follow her own path. There's no need to worry about Ako, right?"
"Can Toya-kun say that he's fine?"
I nodded.
"Airi is my proper bride. Do you know about common-law marriage? We fall into that. There's no need to rush."
"Toya-kun, do you recognize me as your bride?"
I hug Airi.
"Want to confirm? If you're that worried, there's a much quicker way."
"?"
I whisper into Airi's ear.
Airi's face turns bright red.
Poke
"Even without doing that, it would be settled if Toya-kun just proposed sooner!"
"Well, let's go slowly without rushing, okay?"
Because our love won't change...
"Yeah."
Airi responds with a smile.
It was an event of early summer.
Summer has only just begun.