Chapter 195 - On the Shore of Dreams
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun. It's morning~"
Airi whispers in my ear.
"Good morning, Airi"
I whisper in Airi's ear.
I should be getting up after this, but Airi shows no sign of waking.
"Don't you have to get up?"
"It feels so good being held by Toya-kun. What about you, Toya-kun?"
Airi's faintly feverish body temperature and soft touch are pleasant.
"...You're right. Let's stay like this a little longer"
"Mm..."
I fall asleep holding Airi.
It's as if Airi is my mother.
I bury my face in Airi's chest.
Airi's arms wrap around my face.
"Let's stay like this forever"
"Yeah, like this forever..."
"Wake up!!"
Poke
It seems it was a dream.
"Ah, you're awake?"
The usual Airi looks at my face.
I try to hug Airi to savor the continuation of the dream.
"Toya-kun, that kind of thing is for nighttime enjoyment!"
Saying so, Airi slips through my arms, gets out of bed, and leaves the room.
While Airi prepares breakfast, I finish changing and turn on the television.
The topic was something about an idol unit disbanding.
After watching the TV for a while, Airi shouts, "Breakfast is ready~"
I turn off the TV and leave the room.
After eating breakfast and finishing my preparations, I returned to my room.
The news on the internet and the news on TV aren't much different.
I shut down the PC, and while I'm watching TV, Airi returns.
Perhaps it's the influence of the morning dream. I can't help but be preoccupied with Airi.
I try to hug Airi while she's changing, but Airi rejects me.
"I told you, it's for nighttime enjoyment~"
I know.
But the sensation from the morning dream was strangely sensual, and it keeps weighing on my mind.
Airi finishes changing, finishes her makeup, and sits next to me.
The scent of Airi's shampoo. No, is it the scent of perfume? It catches my attention, and I become conscious of Airi.
Without thinking, I pull Airi's shoulder close.
Airi does not resist.
Taking a leap, I push Airi down.
Airi does not resist.
I simply held Airi tight.
The sensation of the morning dream comes back to me.
"Toya-kun..."
"I know, I won't do anything more than this"
So just let me stay like this for a while.
"You're strange today. Did you have another weird dream?"
Since there was no reason to hide it, I told Airi.
"I had a dream where I was hugging you"
I felt as if Airi's body temperature rose slightly.
Her heartbeat is clearly faster.
"I even appeared in your dreams?"
Airi replies with a smile.
Why did I have a dream like that? I don't know.
Only that sensation remained forever.
Amidst the sound of the TV and the chirping of cicadas, we maintain that posture, gazing at each other.
Is Airi expecting a continuation? She closes her eyes without saying anything.
I agonized. Is it okay to push forward like this?
No, that's not right. I release Airi.
"Is that all?"
"The continuation is for tonight... right?"
"Yep!"
Saying so, Airi gets up and starts watching TV.
I am standing on the shore of a dream that I can touch at any time.
I will moor myself firmly and stay by her side.
So that I do not drift away again.
Because one never knows when the summer storm will visit.
(2)
Shiina-san seems to be truly capable. She goes to the site and gives instructions briskly. She returns to the company, scours through documents, and checks estimates.
She also handles coordination with clients perfectly. Although I am sandwiched in between.
She brilliantly handles two or more projects at once. While responding to client requests, she fits everything neatly within the budget.
"Phew, Manabe-kun, could you make some coffee?"
"Would you like iced or hot?"
"I'll go with iced, then"
"Yes"
"Manabe-kun, call the client and ask for their preference on the washbasin immediately"
"Understood. I should probably ask about the color too, right?"
"Yes, I think ivory is probably correct, but just in case"
I also carry out what I'm told.
Not just simply carrying out what I'm told, but moving by reading what comes next.
I learned the importance of that through this part-time job.
Of course, without forgetting that I am merely a part-timer.
I move while getting confirmation from Shiina-san and Chief Tomosaka.
"Manabe-kun certainly moves well"
"Right? He's an important asset for us"
I was praised like that by Shiina-san and Chief Tomosaka.
I carry out the assigned tasks dispassionately.
"Manabe-kun, don't you have a girlfriend?"
Shiina-san asked abruptly.
"I don't"
"You don't? I thought someone like Manabe-kun would be popular at University"
Kondo-san said.
"I don't have time for that"
"That's a waste. You should make one during your student days. Once you become a working adult, you won't have that kind of time anymore"
"Ah, that kind of thing is a hassle"
"This is no time to be talking about hassles"
Chief Tomosaka joins the conversation.
"Isn't Chief Tomosaka also single?"
"Ugh! You're going to say that? This is what happens when you immerse yourself in work"
"Chief Tomosaka is lovely, so it's not too late even now. If you'd like, I could—"
"Ah, I wonder if there's a good wealthy husband somewhere"
Kondo-san seems to admire Chief Tomosaka.
Chief Tomosaka brushes Kondo-san off lightly.
"Manabe-kun, is there someone you like?"
Chief Tomosaka asked.
"I-I don't"
I was slightly shaken.
"From that reaction, you do have someone~? A girl from University?"
"That's not it"
"The fact that you said 'That's not it' instead of 'I don't' means there is a girl you're interested in"
I fell for a simple leading question exactly as intended.
"I really don't. More importantly, is it okay for this shop to have no door sill?"
I try to change the subject.
"...The President, perhaps?"
Shiina-san suddenly mentioned Harada-san's name.
Shaken, I accidentally close the CAD.
"Looks like I hit the mark"
Shiina-san grins.
"What are you thinking? That person!"
"What's wrong? Some kind of problem?"
Harada-san approached.
"No, it's nothing. Manabe-kun, the client wants hanging doors, so the sill is not necessary"
"U-Understood"
"Check the height of the hanging doors. Make sure they don't rub against the floor and fail to open"
When Shiina-san said that, Harada-san returned to his seat.
I was saved by Shiina-san.
"You get shaken so easily"
Shiina-san was laughing.
"I-I intend to know my place. I know she's a flower on a high peak"
"But you've made a move"
"There's no way that's the case, right?"
"Manabe-kun, consider the height of the flooring. Also, with that, the board size will increase"
Chief Tomosaka pointed it out, so I correct it.
"...You did make a move, didn't you?"
My face turns red.
Shiina-san grins.
She's as difficult an opponent as Katagiri-senpai.
At this rate, everything seems like it will be exposed.
I suddenly look at the clock. Ah, it's already past closing time.
"I have plans after this, so please excuse me"
Saying so, I shut down the PC.
"Good work"
"Good work"
Saying so, I said "Good work" and left the office.
(3)
"Well then, let's have these two give a greeting this time"
When Watanabe-kun said that, Takashina-senpai and Nishimatsu-kun stood up.
"We have caused everyone a lot of trouble. I don't know how to apologize..."
"This is a celebratory occasion, so leave the miserable talk out of it!"
When Mika-san said that, Nishimatsu-kun bowed his head and spoke
"I am grateful that you all set up a gathering like this for someone like me"
"Thank you for coming all this way. Everyone, please be sure to come to the ceremony"
"Now, shall we toast!"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone stood up and clinked their glasses.
Thus, the banquet began.
Toya-kun and I first went to greet Takashina-senpai and the others.
"Congratulations to you both"
"I'm happy to be blessed by Tosaka-san and the others"
"I don't know how I should apologize to Tosaka-san..."
"This is a celebratory occasion, so let's leave that kind of talk out, shall we?"
Yes, tonight is a banquet to celebrate the engagement of Nishimatsu-kun and Takashina-senpai.
"I'm so envious~. It's finally marriage, isn't it"
"I don't know yet. There are things like broken engagements, after all"
Takashina-senpai says and laughs.
But I think there's no longer any worry for those two. As if to tell that story, the eyes Nishimatsu-kun uses to look at Takashina-senpai are very gentle. With this, it'll be fine. I was convinced of that.
"Around when is the ceremony?"
"We're planning for next June"
"It's a June Bride! How nice"
"Please be sure to come"
Toya-kun also seems to be talking about something with Nishimatsu-kun.
"Congratulations, Nishimatsu-kun"
"Marriage with her was decided from the start, though"
"There's no need to put it that way, is there?"
"I know. However, I never imagined I could welcome it with these feelings. It's thanks to my seniors"
"The one who made you realize it in the end was Takashina-senpai. That you have to make her happy"
"Next is Katagiri-senpai's turn"
"I know"
Is the day of the proposal near?
Can I hope for it?
"Nishimatsu, congratulations!"
Kanna says.
Looking back, everyone is lined up. We gave up our seats.
Returning to our seats, I serve food onto Toya-kun's side plate.
Toya-kun eats it.
Everyone offers congratulations to the two one after another.
I watched that with envy.
Did Toya-kun notice that? He speaks to me.
"Airi, sorry for making you wait"
"It's fine. Just as Toya-kun said, there's no meaning if I don't become independent"
Toya-kun told me, you know?
That it's a common-law marriage.
Toya-kun is properly thinking about things with me.
Toya-kun told me to wait for the proposal, but there's no meaning to that anymore.
Because my answer... you already know it, right?
"Toya! You're coming to the after-party today, right!"
Kanna returned.
"Yeah, I guess I have to go today"
Toya-kun answers.
The after-party was held in a karaoke party room.
Everyone was singing wedding songs.
Toya-kun, as usual, was just eating, though.
The after-party lasted until morning.
With the dawn, the nighttime banquet comes to an end.
"Well, see you"
Saying so, everyone departed in different directions.
"Toya-kun, shall we go home too?"
"Ah, yeah. That's right..."
What's wrong? Something about his manner is strange.
(4)
Without going home, we were heading toward the sea.
Airi is bewildered.
"What's wrong?"
Airi asks.
"There's somewhere I want to go for a bit"
"?"
We were heading toward the coast along the national highway.
"Is the ground okay for your feet?"
"Yeah, I'm wearing sandals, so it's fine"
When we went to the seaside, the two of us sat down.
Airi is holding a parasol.
I kept a parasol in the car just in case. Because Airi's skin is sensitive.
"Why did we suddenly come to the sea?"
Airi asks.
"I just felt like it, somehow"
"Huh?"
"I was thinking that the timing for marriage is perhaps like a ripple?"
"?"
"It's washing in now, but eventually, it'll recede, right? If that's the case, if I don't propose to Airi now, I might regret it later, I thought"
Airi just listened without saying anything. And when I finished speaking, she started giggling.
"I didn't know Toya-kun could think of such poetic things. But Boo!"
Poke
"Toya-kun is making a big mistake first. Toya-kun is the one who said it's a common-law marriage, right? You're just a bride who hasn't registered the marriage"
Come to think of it, that was the case.
"Next, Toya-kun hasn't noticed that while it washes in and recedes... it washes in again, you know? We've always been like that. Various things wash over us, and every time, various things happen. Eventually, they recede. Surely it will be like that from now on, too"
I listened to Airi's words in silence.
"Even if the two of us drift apart, eventually we'll be together again. No, if it's Toya-kun, you should recede together with me. Because you should stay by my side until the next wave washes in"
It's just as Airi says. Why was I suddenly worrying about this? It should be something obvious.
"I think Toya-kun is just being swallowed by the wave called marriage right now. You're trying to propose to me on impulse. You're just rushing. It's only natural, right? Since you suddenly found out about two couples getting married"
"It might be just as Airi says"
"Toya-kun can just be Toya-kun, you know? Don't waver"
"Is it okay? If it's now, I might just propose to Airi"
"The fact that you're saying that makes me think it's a proposal, though?"
Now that she mentions it, that's true.
"So, the answer?"
"Ugh... just how dense are you, Toya-kun. I've been appealing to you desperately all this time"
"I want to know properly"
"Then, I'll tell you when you've proposed to me properly"
Airi's face was dyed red.
It's obvious, but I want to hear it properly from Airi's mouth.
To do that, first I'll convey it properly to Airi in my own words. I wonder what kind of lines would be good?
"Toya-kun, you haven't forgotten, right? It's useless to think of long lines. I have no intention of listening to the end"
That's right.
"Shall we head back soon? I'm getting sleepy"
"Yeah"
Saying so, we leave the shore.
Dreams that wash in, recede, and then wash in again.
If the two of us are together, such dreams will probably drift along harmoniously without wavering.
Never drifting apart, forever...