Chapter 199 - Unforgettable Feelings
(1)
There are times when I wake up in the middle of the night.
Since Airi is clinging to me, she'll notice if I try to move.
"Toya-kun. It's still nighttime, you know?"
Airi lifts her upper body.
Her hair isn't exactly bedhead, but it's messy.
Her eyes are only half-open, likely because she's still sleepy, but she seems fully conscious as she grips my arm and won't let go.
"I'm just going to the bathroom for a bit."
As I say this while stroking Airi's head, she says "Oka~y" and releases my arm to fall back asleep.
Just in case, I step outside the room and wait for some time to pass.
Judging the timing, I enter the room, sit in the chair at the desk where the desktop is, and lightly move the mouse with my right hand.
The screen lights up, displaying the game screen.
It seems the items haven't sold yet.
After that, I close my stall for a moment and look around at other people's stalls.
Occasionally, there are shops that have gotten the number of digits wrong in their pricing, so I buy from them and put the items up for sale at the normal rate.
Then, just as I return to my original position and try to open my stall, I feel a presence behind me.
Well, it can only be Airi.
The room lights turn on, and Airi is glaring at me.
"I thought it would be something like this."
"I was just curious about the stalls, so I took a peek."
"Whenever Toya-kun wakes up in the middle of the night, it's always when you're secretly doing something! Whether it's the car or the game!"
Saying that, Airi sits on the bed.
I open my stall, then stand up and sit down next to Airi.
"I'm a new player, so I have to manage my funds."
"Why do you do things secretly from me?"
As Airi says this, she sits a bit further back, hugging her knees and placing her feet on the bed.
"Are you scared of me? Did you think I'd get angry?"
"There's no way..."
"Then why did you lie and say 'I'm going to the bathroom'?"
"That's... sorry, I won't do it again."
"Toya-kun, you think I'm angry, don't you? Read my heart properly."
A very lonely-looking girl is trembling while hugging her knees, just as Airi is now.
"That's right, I'm lonely. I listened to your request, Toya-kun. Now you listen to mine."
"If it's something I can do. What do you want?"
Airi clings to me and pushes me down onto the bed.
"Toya-kun said 'save it for next time,' but you never invite me at all. Once I started the game, all you do is play the game."
"Ah... so that's it."
"You should notice without me having to say it... I've been sending signs this whole time."
"Signs?"
"I was giving very obvious signs so that even Toya-kun would understand."
No way...
When I remove Airi's pajamas, I see a bra with pink patterns on a white background.
"I didn't notice at all."
Pout
"Toya-kun is mean..."
Saying that, Airi places her lips upon mine.
"If Toya-kun won't notice, I have no choice but to move myself."
I embrace Airi and twist my body, reversing our positions.
Airi closes her eyes.
I turn off the lights.
(2)
Summer break.
I work with a packed schedule of part-time jobs.
"My, my—it's a real help having Manabe-kun here."
"Thank you very much."
"Manabe-kun, are the drawings for tomorrow's meeting ready?"
"Yes, here they are."
I hand the drawings to Shiina-san.
Shiina-san doesn't say a word about that night.
"Why don't you ask her?"
He deflects me.
"By the way, Shiina-kun, was it Niina-san? How are things with her after that?"
When Chief Tomosaka asks, Shiina-san gives a small chuckle.
"We just exchanged contact information."
"As expected, handsome guys move fast."
Chief Tomosaka says and laughs.
"What do you plan to do after exchanging contact info?"
I was asking Shiina-san.
"Do I have an obligation to explain that to Manabe-kun? What is Niina-san to you, Manabe-kun?"
"...A friend."
"So you're protecting her out of friendship?"
"She's pure; I absolutely won't allow anything that would hurt her."
"So you're keeping her as a backup for after your main target fails? Isn't that more cruel? You're playing with her feelings."
"That's not my intention."
"Then it doesn't matter who she falls in love with, right?"
"...I suppose so. If it's a sincere love."
"You just affirmed it. You admitted it, didn't you?"
"I did."
Shiina-san grins and stands up from his seat.
"Boss, I'm leaving early today."
What!?
"Wait, Shiina-kun, what about the preparations for tomorrow's meeting!?"
"They're already done. I'll be back by the time it starts."
Chief Tomosaka tries to stop him, but he brushes her off and leaves the office.
"Wait, Shiina-san!"
I also try to chase after Shiina-san, but I am stopped by Chief Tomosaka.
"All the drawings for tomorrow are finished."
"Then please prepare the materials for next week. You had the weekend off, right?"
When asked to do work, I cannot refuse.
"Is there a reason you don't want me to go?"
"Shiina-kun probably went to Niina-san. And Manabe-kun is trying to chase after him."
"...Isn't that natural?"
"That's exactly why it would only complicate things further. It's fine to leave it to him."
"How can you say that?"
"...I heard he went to the TV Tower that night."
The TV Tower? That local night-view spot. Any man with a car definitely takes a girl there at least once.
"I've heard him say it before. 'Aren't there plenty of women I could invite so I wouldn't have to go alone?' When he did, he answered like this: 'I'll go once I find a woman like that.'"
I've never heard that story before.
"Even a man like that can fall in love at first sight; he's probably serious. It won't turn into the situation you're imagining."
"Does Manabe-kun have someone he likes too?"
Harada-san asked.
"Ah, it seems so. Well, he's a young man, so it's only natural."
Chief Tomosaka skillfully covered for me.
"I see..."
Harada-san smiled. There's no way she'd realize it's her.
I see, so Shiina-san went to the TV Tower.
The first night view he saw with a woman—I wonder what the scenery was like? I've become a little curious to hear about it.
(3)
"I was very rude the other day."
Shiina-san was bowing deeply.
"W-well. Just be careful from now on."
He hands a gift box to my father, who says that.
"It's nothing special, but please accept this as a token of my apology."
"Oh, thanks, young man. Come on in."
It seems Shiina-san has been taken a liking to my father.
"No, I have some business with her, so would it be alright if I borrowed her for a bit?"
"What, Mirai. Did you have plans?"
"Y-yeah."
Though it was just via message a moment ago. Is his work really okay? Manabe-kun said he was working his part-time job.
I also got a message from Manabe-kun saying "Be careful of Shiina-san."
I'm already prepared to go out. There's something I have to tell him too.
This is a perfect opportunity.
I climb into the passenger seat of Shiina-san's one-box car.
"Um, where are we going today?"
"Which do you prefer, soba or udon?"
"Huh?"
"Either is fine. You choose."
"Then, soba..."
When I say that, he starts the car.
We take the highway to Yufuin and arrive at a soba shop.
"Um, I..."
"Let's eat soba first. I'm starving."
Saying that, he takes out the menu.
We order kamo seiro.
We finish eating the soba.
"Um, I..."
"Well, shall we head back soon?"
Shiina-san says this, settles the bill, and gets in the car.
"We'll get scolded again if it gets late, so let's go back."
I sit in the passenger seat of Shiina-san's car, and the car departs.
"Shiina-san, please listen to me. I..."
"You like Manabe-kun. ...Right?"
He said it first. If he knows, then why?
"I can tell just by looking at you, something like that."
"Then why..."
Why do you care about someone like me?
"But Manabe-kun has someone he likes too... doesn't he?"
"I know..."
"The fact that you still like him despite that is so admirable, I just can't leave you alone."
"..."
"I told you, didn't I? If you have complaints or worries, I'll give you a consultation."
Is this person coming to see me out of genuine goodwill?
"Unforgettable feelings... I don't think that's a bad thing."
"Is it just my selfishness?"
"Isn't love just like imposing one's ego? In fact, Manabe-kun is imposing his ego on the President."
"Why do you care about someone like me?"
"Maybe it's because I envy you... I just can't leave you alone."
That makes me happy—happy?
This person is acting on his own goodwill. Is that really all?
"I'm sorry, I cannot respond to your feelings, Shiina-san."
"I know. I can tell with you."
Then why?
"I told you, didn't I? It's the imposition of ego."
Is this person in love with me?
I might be overthinking it.
But I have someone I love.
Eventually, the car arrives at my house.
"Well, see you."
"Um..."
"Call me when things are painful; I'll accompany you in venting your frustrations."
Saying that, he leaves.
Without revealing his own feelings at all.
What is he thinking? What is he feeling?
Before I knew it, I was thinking about Shiina-san more than Manabe-kun.
But I love Manabe-kun.
What should I do?
Just then, my smartphone rings.
It's Manabe-kun.
I answer the phone.
"Niina-san, where did you go with Shiina-san?"
"We went to eat soba."
"Did he say anything to you? Did he do anything?"
"Nothing in particular..."
"Be careful of that man..."
"He's not the bad person you think he is, Manabe-kun!"
He absorbs my worries and suffering.
When worries and sadness pile up again, he'll probably just pop up to help.
"You can tell that Shiina-san is targeting you, right?"
"He understands my feelings!"
"That's also part of his plan!"
"Then I wish Manabe-kun would do the same!"
"That's..."
Manabe-kun's words trailed off.
"Is that all? I'm hanging up then."
"Wait, Niina-san!"
I hung up the phone.
Before I knew it, I called Shiina-san.
"Hello?"
It's Shiina-san's voice.
"U-um... I don't have anything in particular to talk about, but..."
"You just wanted to hear my voice? That's perfectly fine too."
After that, I told him about the phone call with Manabe-kun. I vented my complaints about Manabe-kun.
I might be a hateful woman.
But Shiina-san listened to everything in silence for a long time.
"I see..."
Shiina-san said that once I finished talking.
"I... what should I do?"
"I think you should do whatever you like. Just struggle as much as you can... maybe your feelings will change."
I feel like that won't happen.
Why won't this person tell me his own feelings?
Why does he care about someone like me?
Isn't he targeting me?
I felt a tightening in my chest.
"Is that the end of the story? Well, good work..."
"U-um... what do you think of me, Shiina-san?"
"A girl I can't leave alone, I suppose?"
Saying that, Shiina-san laughs.
"Well, see you. Call me anytime."
Shiina-san said that and hung up.
I lie on the bed and think.
Before I knew it, am I thinking only about Shiina-san?
Am I falling for Shiina-san?
No, the one I love is Manabe-kun.
But the more I think about it, the more I feel like I'm falling into Shiina-san's trap.
I stopped thinking and fell asleep.
I'll surely forget it by tomorrow morning.
And I'll spend another painful day thinking about Manabe-kun.
Then Shiina-san will save me again.
...Wait?
Am I already entwined by Shiina-san?
I shake my head and try to forget about Shiina-san.
But for some reason, I think of him.
Why?
While searching for the answer, I fell asleep.
(4)
"And that's it."
I load the luggage into the car.
It seems to have fit neatly.
After that, I go to pick up Saki at her house.
Saki also has a massive amount of luggage.
"You don't have to take that much..."
"When I thought about various things, the luggage just grew."
I load the luggage into the back seat and head to the meeting place.
The meeting place is the local campsite.
Is it about an hour from here?
I drove while talking with Saki.
When we arrived, everyone was waiting.
First, the tent setup.
Saki and I are in the same tent.
Once we finished setting up our tent, I helped set up Niina-san and Umi-chan's tent, and then joined the work of hanging a blue sheet over the top.
In the meantime, the women change into swimsuits in the tents. Saki was wearing a light blue bikini with a pareo.
We men also changed, and the first-year group began the work of starting the fire.
The women are cutting vegetables and meat.
Under Mika-san's guidance, Saki was diligently washing the rice.
It seems she's finally felt like learning how to cook.
Once the preparations were finished, we ate the bento we brought.
After finishing the bento, we washed the containers and tidied up, spending some free time.
Some played beach volleyball or frolicked in the sea; Katagiri-senpai and the others were rowing a rubber boat.
The sea was lively. There were families with children, couples, and students playing in groups like us.
Umi-chan was making sand art on the beach.
Everyone was surprised by the magnificent sand art of a castle.
As the sun set and the number of people playing in the sea decreased, the BBQ began.
"Alright, let's get wild tonight. Cheers!"
When Watanabe-senpai said that, the feast began.
Everyone got very excited.
Though the center of it all were Mika-senpai and Otonashi-senpai.
Hiyama-senpai and Sakura-san are talking in a separate spot.
"Hey, Yuma! Don't just stand there dazed, you drink up too! I'm making you keep up with me tonight."
Saki says this and hands me a drink.
We had prepared as many drinks as meat, but they disappeared in an instant.
"Should I go buy some more?"
When Katagiri-senpai says that, Watanabe-kun says, "No, let's stop for tonight."
"Ehh—how boring. To-ya, go buy some!!"
When Mika-senpai says that, Watanabe-senpai admonishes her, "You've already drunk enough, haven't you!?"
"Is your group always like this?" asks the special guest, Tange-sensei.
"It's usually like this," I answered.
After that, we did fireworks.
While Tada-senpai, Katagiri-senpai, and Kiritani-senpai were having a battle with multi-shot fireworks, they were scolded by their respective partners.
During this, a multi-shot firework launched by Tada-senpai ignited a handheld firework, leading to an emergency where they all burned together.
Tada-senpai was severely scolded by Otonashi-senpai.
Once the fireworks ended, it was time for a midnight snack.
Rice balls made from rice cooked in a mess tin, and instant ramen made in a pot. Along with that, we ate roasted sweet potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil.
The one eating most of it was mostly Katagiri-senpai.
While the women were doing the dishes, the men gathered and talked.
Hiyama-senpai alone had already gone into his tent.
Katagiri-senpai and Tosaka-senpai went for a walk together.
Perhaps everyone was tired. Around 11 PM, everyone went to sleep.
When I woke up in the morning, Saki was gone.
I look at the clock; it's still 4 AM.
I left the tent and looked for Saki.
I found Saki standing alone, sitting on a piece of driftwood by the seaside.
"What's wrong?"
I hand Saki a juice and sit next to her.
"I was just thinking about things alone for a bit."
"Thinking about things?"
"When I entered university, I never thought I'd be enjoying myself like this."
That's the same for me.
I joined the Watanabe group with the desire to have a girlfriend. But I actually got one, and moreover, that girlfriend is a "princess," and now I'm talking to her like this. I never expected it.
After that, the two of us talked while looking at the sea.
"Saki! Help me make breakfast."
"Ah, I'm coming."
"I'll go too. We have to start the fire."
Saying that, we headed back.
Breakfast was rice balls and instant miso soup, plus fried eggs and yakisoba.
Once we finished eating, we began tidying up the equipment.
While the women did the dishes, we packed up the tents.
"Well, good work everyone! I've planned a resort hotel for mid-September, so look forward to it. Let's go play again if something comes up."
When Watanabe-senpai said that, we disbanded.
It was an ending where we enjoyed ourselves wildly but left simply.
Just like a wave that rushes in and then recedes.
"Want to stop by a hot spring on the way back? My body feels sticky."
Saki says.
I recall there was a public bath along the national highway.
"Sure. There should be one along the highway."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
"...Do you still think of me as a princess?"
"I do."
She looks at my face. An expression that is somehow lonely.
"Then, you're my prince."
Saying that, she laughs.
"A quiet and blunt prince. Keep looking at me properly, otherwise I might suddenly disappear somewhere."
"?"
"Don't think of me as a selfish girl; I'll even practice cooking. I can do it if I try. Because I'm the number one princess in the world to you."
"...That's true."
I say and laugh.
My girlfriend is undoubtedly a princess. I'll have to make sure I become a prince on a white horse too.
(5)
"Toya-kun, let's stop by the public bath on the way back, okay?"
Airi suddenly suggested.
"The sea breeze made my body sticky and it feels gross."
"I get it. There's a public bath along the highway, so let's stop there."
"Do they have family baths?"
"They should."
"Yay, let's go in together."
I let out a sigh of "good grief."
It's not that I dislike it at this point, though.
I park the car in the public bath's parking lot.
While Airi and I are putting our shoes in the lockers, a familiar face appears. It's Takemoto-kun.
"Oh? Takemoto-kun and the others are at the public bath too?"
"Yeah, Saki said she wanted to wash off the salt breeze..."
I guess the women are all thinking the same thing.
"Airi, it looks like Hanayama-san is here too, so why don't you go in with her?"
"Ehh~"
"Let's relax slowly after we get home, okay?"
"It's a promise, okay? I'll be angry if you play games."
"I know."
"Then, okay~! Hanayama-san, let's go in together. Let's talk about various things, woman to woman."
"I understand~"
I say to Takemoto-kun.
"This was what you wanted, right?"
"...Yes."
He looked like he had something to consult about. That was the vibe from Takemoto-kun.
The two of us wash our bodies and soak in the bath.
Going in with Airi is nice, but enjoying the sauna and massage baths is the real pleasure of a public bath.
"So, the talk was..."
"Actually, it's about Saki."
"?"
"I confessed to her the other day."
"That's great."
"Yes, that part is fine, but..."
Is there some problem?
"I just can't shake the feeling that it looks like I switched to Saki because I was rejected by Umi-chan."
"I don't think that's the case."
I answered immediately.
"Like I said before, you didn't think anything of it when you saw Kinoshita-san getting along with Tange-sensei, right?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
"I think anyone looking at the two of you would see you're lovey-dovey."
"Is that so?"
"Whatever you do, don't tell Hanayama-san. She'll definitely get angry."
"I know."
"I felt like you were overthinking it, so I wondered what it was, but it was just that."
I head toward the sauna, and Takemoto-kun follows.
"Do you think we'll work out?"
Will it work out dating a girlfriend who is like a flower on a high peak?
I've thought the same thing before.
Because I was always anxious regarding Airi.
That's why there's something I can say.
"It's not 'do you think we'll work out,' Takemoto-kun."
"?"
"You have to make it work. Be proud. Because you're the one who made her feel that way."
"...You're right."
"Also, I'll tell you the secret."
"The secret?"
"It is..."
When we leave the public bath, I head straight for the vending machine.
I chug a coffee milk.
While I continued talking with Takemoto-kun, Airi and the others returned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting~"
"Well, see you next time, Takemoto-kun."
"Yes, see you."
Saying that, I parted with Takemoto-kun and the others.
We head home by car.
"What were you talking about with Takemoto-kun?"
"A consultation about Hanayama-san."
"Toya-kun too...?"
"Airi too?"
"Yeah."
According to Airi, it seems Hanayama-san is anxious about Takemoto-kun, who apparently still feels a sense of inferiority toward her. She's worried he'll eventually be disillusioned.
We think the same things, after all...
"So, what did Airi answer?"
"I told her to believe in him. I said that just by saying 'it's okay,' he should be saved."
"I see."
"What did you say?"
"That he seems anxious because he reached for a flower on a high peak."
"And how did you answer?"
"I told him the same thing I told Airi."
"Huh?"
Believe in yourself, and interact with confidence. It might be impossible at first, but it's just right to be a bit conceited.
"I see~. That's true!"
Airi seemed convinced.
"Toya-kun is the same! Have more confidence in yourself."
"I intend to. I believe I'm the only one who can make Airi happy."
"Mm."
If you waver, you cannot support the other person.
Do not waver.
That's the greatest advice I can give myself.
Takemoto-kun should be able to do it.
Good luck.
"By the way, Toya-kun, you haven't forgotten, right? The promise."
"That you'd let me be spoiled for a while after we get home."
"Ah, that's right."
I'm tired and sleepy, though.
"...Just kidding. It's fine as long as you sleep with me."
"Thank you."
We returned home and rested slowly.