Chapter 196 - Wind, Stars, and Waves
(1)
July. A summer morning.
"Toya-kun, breakfast is ready~"
Airi is energetic today as well.
Final exams are coming up soon, but since Airi has been adjusting my schedule, I've been able to get through this summer without any issues.
I've even found a bit of breathing room.
Because of that, we're all planning to go see fireworks at the end of the month and the beginning of August.
The reason it's twice is because there are people who can only go to one or the other.
Apparently, everyone is busy with part-time jobs or club activities.
Me and Airi, Makoto and Kanna, and Watanabe-kun and Mika-san all seem to be going to both.
Oh right, Mika-san's surname has apparently changed from Kuze to Watanabe.
I heard they submitted their marriage registration.
They apparently gave their greetings to the parents.
Though she didn't visit Mika-san's place, Mika-san apparently visited Watanabe-kun's house to give her greetings.
She said she was nervous in a way that wasn't like her and felt exhausted.
Just to be clear, it's not a "we had an accident" kind of situation.
They simply talked about how they've both turned twenty and decided to settle things properly.
We all celebrated.
I kept it a secret from Airi, but I was envious after all.
Apparently, a marriage registration is still sitting at the Tosaka house. Airi told me that if I wanted to submit it, I could do so at any time.
But I've already made a decision. I felt that if I submitted it half-heartedly, it would end half-heartedly, so I declined.
That said, my feelings still waver.
Airi said she would wait for me. In that case, I'll have her wait.
The deadline I promised Airi's papa is within one year after graduating from university.
If I don't decide by then, he told me he'll make me marry her no matter what.
Did I think that since I'm getting married either way, it's fine?
Isn't a forced marriage kind of uncool?
I want to tell Airi properly on my own.
For that, I have to work hard.
For now, though, there are the final exams.
"First, breakfast!"
"Ah, Airi."
"Geez. You're zoning out and thinking again first thing in the morning."
Airi had finished changing.
I hurriedly changed as well.
Then the two of us left the room.
When I returned, I checked the homepage on my PC and shut it down.
While I was watching TV, Airi came back. Then the two of us drank coffee while watching TV.
The TV was boring, so I looked at sites on my smartphone.
It seems the schools participating in Koshien have already started to be decided.
By the way, my alma mater has already lost.
The regional qualifiers for the Inter-High had also ended.
I felt the reality that summer had arrived.
"What are you looking at?"
Airi tried to peek at my smartphone.
"Nothing, just looking at the news. Thinking about how it's already summer."
"Speaking of which, Toya-kun, can you eat eel?"
I wondered what she was suddenly talking about.
"I haven't eaten it much, but it's not like I can't eat it."
"Thank goodness~ This Saturday is the Day of the Ox, so I thought we'd have eel."
"You've gotta build up your strength!" Airi said with a laugh.
"Also, I'm going back to my parents' house this Sunday, so Toya-kun, come with me."
"I'm fine with that, but did something happen?"
"We're going to the fireworks festival, right? I thought we'd go in yukata."
"Ah, I get it."
A fireworks festival, huh. I didn't have that kind of leeway last year.
This year, for one reason or another, I have some leeway.
Of course, I was busy, but it wasn't to the point where I had no room to play.
I don't know if I've learned how to pace myself or if it's the result of Airi's schedule adjustments, but I really have to thank Airi.
Considering the time it takes to dress Airi, it'll probably be after noon...
I'll have to find a parking lot.
"Airi. Can you get dressed in the morning?"
"Do we have to go in such a hurry?"
"I want to secure a parking spot early."
"Oka~y."
While talking with Airi, I gazed at my smartphone.
However, I would later find out that there was no need to think about such things.
(2)
"Just what the hell are you thinking!"
I was shouting at the man standing blankly in front of me, Yuma Takemoto.
"Not really anything?"
"You weren't thinking anything, and you were getting along with your girlfriend!? I can't believe it! Weren't you dumped?"
"I was. But after that, she told me, 'Please stay friends.'"
"To me, it didn't look like just friends!"
"That's just you overthinking it, Hanayama-san. I've moved on. That's why I can interact with her normally. I'm interacting with you normally too, right!"
"...You can't possibly be unaware of my feelings, right?"
"You said yourself you'd wait, right? I still don't really understand."
I was lost for words.
I didn't think I'd get a "yes" immediately.
But I didn't have enough composure to remain calm while being shown him getting along with his former main interest.
I was panicking. I was jealous.
"Don't you realize that you won't be able to stay friends?"
Why did I think that?
It's because that's how I am; because I've come to like him so much that I can no longer fit within the frame of "friends."
"Calm down, Hanayama-san."
Calm down? How could I possibly be calm? Isn't that something he should know best?
As we were arguing like that, my clique approached.
"I'm off from my part-time job today. Want to go to Blue Bird?"
I couldn't talk calmly here. I agreed.
Blue Bird had customers today as well.
Mostly members of the "Watanabe Group."
I drank a cream soda and calmed down a bit.
My position, my feelings, and Yuma's feelings...
No good, it doesn't seem like I can become rational.
"...Today seems no good. I'm going home."
"Eh? You just got here!?"
Takemoto-kun hurriedly tried to stop me.
I might never come back. If it means feeling this miserable...
Just then, the doorbell rang.
It was Toya-kun and Tosaka-san.
"Oh? You two are together today. You're getting along well."
"Toya-kun, that way of speaking is rude! Sorry, Hanayama-san."
"It's fine, I was just about to leave."
"But it seems he doesn't want you to?"
"Hanayama-san, let's calm down a bit."
Yuma was holding onto me.
"It seems we need to hear the story from you two."
Tosaka-san said that with a smile.
The four of us took table seats and talked.
When I explained the situation, Toya-kun suddenly burst out laughing.
"What, it's just that!"
"There's no need to say 'just that,' is there? Hanayama-san is hurt."
When Tosaka-san admonished him, Toya-kun apologized with a "sorry."
"Then, I'll explain to Takemoto-kun step by step."
When Toya-kun said that, Yuma nodded.
"First, what do you want to do with Kinoshita-san?"
"There's no 'want to do,' I just want to interact with her as a friend."
"Then, how do you want to be with Hanayama-san?"
"I don't know. We're just associating as friends..."
"Then, how would you feel if Kinoshita-san became close with Tange-sensei?"
"Not particularly. Things are already over with her. I mean, why bring up Tange-sensei's name?"
Yuma was surprised. "Was I wrong?" Toya-kun nodded. Yuma shook his head.
"But I didn't tell anyone."
"That's not the problem. Why were you desperately trying to stop Hanayama-san when she tried to leave?"
"That's because I thought if I let her go, I wouldn't be able to see her again..."
I had no intention of seeing him. But he feared that?
"Is there a problem if you can't see her? Even though you're just friends."
Aren't you already answering it yourself? Toya-kun's expression seemed to say.
"Rest assured, Hanayama-san. It seems he does consciously see you as a special member of the opposite sex."
Tosaka-san said that. Perhaps that was indeed the case.
"Takemoto-kun is just as dense as Toya-kun. There aren't many people Toya-kun points things out to."
"But I still..."
"The fact that you say 'still' means you're already trying to understand, right?"
Tosaka-san's words didn't allow for denial.
Yuma could only manage a nod.
"What Takemoto-kun is doing is a bit lacking in consideration for Hanayama-san. If you care for her that much, please act with a bit more consideration. She's the same as you, Takemoto-kun; she's not used to it yet. To romance."
"...Yes."
"Hanayama-san, Takemoto-kun has properly started to be conscious of you. It might take some time for the sprouts to appear, but just because you give a lot of fertilizer at once doesn't mean it grows immediately. Please wait patiently."
"I understand."
"Well then, putting this conversation aside. You two are both going to see the fireworks next time, right?"
Tosaka-san changed the subject.
"I'm going. We were meeting at Sakanoichi, right?"
I followed that conversation.
I wondered why we were meeting at Sakanoichi to go to Beppu?
That was the topic.
(3)
"Does this suit me?"
"It's fine, Mirai."
Umi-chan and I had our yukata put on for us. The two of us checked each other.
The meeting place was the wharf at Sakanoichi.
We hadn't been told why it was Sakanoichi.
However...
"If it's the Beppu fireworks festival, there's a special spot. I'll guide you."
It was decided by a single word from Nishimatsu-kun.
Manabe-kun would take us to Sakanoichi by car.
"You both look lovely."
Mother said that to us.
Knock knock.
Tange-sensei knocked.
"You two, Manabe is here."
When we said we could come in, the door opened.
"Oh, Umi. You're cute. It suits you."
When Tange-sensei said that, Umi-chan's cheeks turned red and she looked down. She must be happy.
I wondered what kind of reaction Manabe-kun would have.
When we went outside, Manabe-kun was waiting in the car.
"Oh, you're both in yukata. Get in quickly. Let's go."
No impression.
I was disappointed.
Tange-sensei sat in the passenger seat, and Umi-chan and I sat in the back seat.
Tange-sensei and Manabe-kun were chatting about various things, but the details didn't enter my head.
When we arrived at the wharf, Nishimatsu-kun was on a cruiser.
After parking the car in a nearby lot, we boarded the cruiser.
Manabe-kun boarded first and took my hand.
"Thank you."
"No problem. The yukata suits you."
Before I knew it, I was crying.
"Mirai, what's wrong?"
"N-nothing."
I was just happy. How much do many women struggle just to hear those words?
Once it was confirmed that everyone had boarded, the mooring ropes were released and the ship began to move.
Apparently, it was Nishimatsu-kun's cruiser.
Nishimatsu-kun held a first-class ship license.
He said it was an idea to watch the fireworks from the sea.
The entire Watanabe Group was present, but it was still a large ship with plenty of space.
While heading toward Beppu Bay, Mika-san was cooking.
Katagiri-senpai and the others ate it.
By the time we reached Beppu Bay, the sun had set and it had become dark.
Soon, the fireworks launched.
As most people probably do, I was captivated by a beauty that was a first-time sight.
"Mirai, it's beautiful, isn't it."
Umi-chan said that one phrase and gazed at the fireworks.
I wondered how they were reflected in her eyes.
As if catching her breath, she burned those fireworks into her mind.
We enjoyed both the fireworks and the night view of Beppu.
That luxurious time continued for an hour.
After that, we returned to Sakanoichi.
Upon returning to Sakanoichi, the men helped clean the ship while the women disembarked at the wharf first and waited.
"Those who want to go to the after-party, please stay."
We decided to go home.
Umi-chan was sleeping peacefully next to me.
"She must be tired from her first experience."
I felt like I was about to fall asleep too.
"Niina-san, you can sleep too if you're sleepy."
"I-I'm okay."
I couldn't sleep. No, perhaps there was a way to pretend to sleep and eavesdrop on the conversation between the men.
"Still, there are a lot of rich people in the Watanabe Group. First a villa, and now a cruiser."
"I was surprised too."
"A gathering of devoted women who chase the man in front of them without giving a glance to such wealth... I'm envious, Manabe."
"Being too devoted is also a problem, though."
"Well, good luck... though I think you're on the devoted side too."
"How am I supposed to try?"
"Just struggle as much as you can. There are things you can obtain by doing that, right?"
"Doesn't the teacher struggle?"
"I've reached an age where struggling is unsightly..."
"Age has nothing to do with romance."
"I don't want to hear that from you."
I watched the night view while listening to that conversation.
A devoted love, huh...
What lies beyond if one carries it through to the end?
For some reason, I was crying.
I can't let myself cry!
The more I thought that, the more the tears wouldn't stop.
I closed my eyelids and thought.
Of an irreplaceable, precious person.
The longing to walk through a park, arm in arm with that person, laughing and talking together.
While dreaming a dream that would never come true, I fell asleep.
(4)
"Toya-kun, that was amazing."
"It was."
To think he actually owned a ship.
However, even though I ate Mika-san's cooking, I couldn't enjoy the taste of the festival stalls.
Not knowing if it was a happy thing or a sad thing, I just gazed up at the fireworks in a daze.
Airi, wearing a cute pink floral yukata on a white background, seemed very lovely.
I felt lust for such an Airi.
There was a hotel district ahead.
Poke.
"You were thinking something strange again, weren't you?"
She sees right through everything.
"Airi is so cute. I just wanted to hug you."
"After we get home."
"When we get home, will you stay in your yukata?"
"Buzzz! No way. It'll get wrinkled, so I'll fix it properly."
Maybe I should have taken a photo.
I input it into my head, but I might have wanted to save it after all.
"I might want a new yukata soon... doesn't this one look a bit childish?"
"It suits you perfectly."
"Are you trying to say that I'm a child?"
"The vocalist of Elto. I heard they're called a fairy."
"?"
"No matter how old you get, cute things are cute."
"...Thank you. But I can't compete with Elto's vocalist."
"Airi is fine just as Airi."
"Eh?"
"The current Airi is the cutest in the world."
I wonder what kind of face I'm making. Me.
I wonder how I look to Airi.
I glanced at Airi.
There was Airi, looking down shyly.
Now is the shutter chance.
I burn that image of Airi into my mind.
They say male romance is "Save As," but in my head, there's a folder called Airi, and inside it, many files are saved.
The only file that is constantly updated is the one called "Instruction Manual."
I wonder how many thousands, tens of thousands of photos will be saved from now on.
While waiting for the signal, I glanced at Airi again.
Airi was asleep.
She must have been tired.
It's probably better to let her sleep until we get home, but...
"Airi, wake up."
I deliberately woke her up.
"No way, was I sleeping!?"
"Only for a little bit. I woke you up right away, so don't worry."
"Thank you."
Airi is this kind of girl.
She treasures the time she spends with me.
In that case, I'll treasure the sharing of time with Airi.
So that Airi wouldn't sleep, I talked to her a lot.
Airi worked hard to stay awake until we got home.
And once we reached the room, she fell asleep while still in her yukata.
Good grief, I'll take off Airi's yukata for her.
She said she wanted to fold it neatly.
How do you fold this?
After worrying, I put a towel blanket over Airi and called Mother.
When I spoke softly to Mother, she smiled, folded Airi's yukata, and left the room.
I took a bath and returned to the room to find Airi in her pajamas, keeping her daily ledger.
It seems she took the yukata back to her house.
She should just leave the yukata at my house too.
I sat silently next to Airi.
Poke.
"Toya-kun, you took off my yukata, didn't you!"
"I thought it would get wrinkled, so I took it off and had Mother fold it."
"Uuu... it would have been better if you woke me up."
"Because you looked like you were sleeping so comfortably. I thought you were tired."
"Toya-kun really is mean... didn't you notice when you saw my underwear?"
"Eh?"
"Today's underwear was for Toya-kun, you know?"
Ah, I was so captivated by the yukata that I didn't notice that far.
"Then, from now..."
"Buzzz! No way. I have to take a bath and sleep now. Exams start tomorrow, remember?"
Her awareness is lacking.
I laughed alone.
Airi closed her laptop with a snap and stood up.
"Well then, I'm going to take a bath."
Saying that, she left the room.
I watched TV until Airi came out of the bath.
"You're still awake?"
Airi returned.
"I stayed awake so you wouldn't play any pranks on me."
"Saying mean things again~"
Airi took the remote and turned off the TV.
"Let's sleep already. It's late."
Saying that, Airi got into bed.
When I got into bed too, I clung to Airi and slept.
"Wait, Toya-kun?"
"I can use you as a blanket, right?"
"...You're such a spoiled baby~"
I didn't answer.
Within a sweet scent and warm sensation, I fell asleep.
I don't know how, but Airi shook me off, turned over, and slept while clinging to me.
"If you're going to cling, do it like this."
Airi turned off the room lights and fell asleep.
The Airi who appears in my dreams is very beautiful, kind, and... cute.
I think it's better to do it this way.
It was the Airi from back then, when she first spoke to me.