Chapter 202 - The Unstealable Jewel
(1)
Leaving the hotel, I head toward National Route 1.
From National Route 1, I head east, go north from Otsu via National Route 161, and travel counter-clockwise along the lakeside road.
I cross the Omi Bridge, turn left onto the lakeside road, and continue heading north.
I take a brief break at a roadside station in Kusatsu.
I check the map.
Airi has gone to buy drinks and other things.
When Airi returns, I start the car again.
By the time the Biwa Lake Bridge comes into view on the left, Airi exclaims in surprise, "It's so wide~"
Even I, as the driver, can tell how wide it is.
The vast lake, which feels as if I am driving along a coastline, continues endlessly.
I stop at a convenience store along the way. It is already almost noon.
I figured Airi's stomach had reached its limit.
I had reached my limit too, but I could endure it for the sake of the destination ahead; Airi is different.
Thinking that, I stopped at the convenience store, and as expected, Airi came back with snacks.
Also, some gum to prevent drowsiness, which was running low.
I replace the empty gum case that was in the drink holder with a new one.
"Sorry, Airi. I think you're hungry, but please bear with it a little longer."
"It's okay. Are you okay, Toya-kun?"
"Yeah. I think we'll arrive probably after noon."
"Oka~y."
The car continues north, and around the time we pass Nagahama Station, we leave the lakeside road for a moment.
Heading toward National Route 8, the ramen shop we are aiming for is located along the way.
"It really is ramen, after all."
Airi said this with a smile.
Airi ordered onion ramen, normal noodles, light flavor, no back fat, normal chashu, normal onion, and no chili pepper.
I ordered the special ramen, firm noodles, strong flavor, extra back fat, fatty chashu, extra onion, normal chili pepper, a fried rice set, and gyoza topped with cheese.
"Toya-kun, are you thinking about dinner too?"
"I've already decided."
"I see..."
"Is there something you want to eat, Airi?"
"No, nothing in particular. How about you, Toya-kun?"
"That's a surprise for after we get to the hotel."
"Which means... we're eating at the hotel, right?"
When the ramen arrives, I devour it all at once.
There is a reason why I didn't get a large serving.
Because I know Airi will leave some.
Despite that, she says things like, "Give me one gyoza."
She was probably curious about the taste.
As expected, Airi left some ramen.
I eat the leftovers.
"Airi, you always eat so little, are you okay?"
"Yeah. I feel like whenever I eat with Toya-kun, I end up feeling full too."
"...As I thought, are you not fond of ramen?"
"No. I told you, didn't I? I'll go anywhere as long as it's with Toya-kun."
"That's right."
After eating Airi's portion, I am finally full.
Once lunch is finished, we return to the road along the lake, and the car proceeds counter-clockwise.
Airi spent the whole time looking at Lake Biwa.
The road leaves Lake Biwa and runs along the mountains.
When we hit National Route 8, we turn left.
Right around the time we've completed half a lap of Lake Biwa, we enter National Route 303.
We pass through the mountains. When autumn comes, the colored leaves must be beautiful.
When we hit National Route 161, we turn left. After that, it's just heading south.
Why did I choose the left-hand loop?
Because the scenery is easier to see from the passenger seat, right?
The car proceeds while looking at the mountains and the lake.
There is still time; the car turns left and runs along the lakeside road.
Around the time the sun sets, we arrive at the intended hotel.
We've just finished one full lap of the lake.
When I park in the parking lot, she pats my head and says, "Thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you," I say, and get out of the car.
Today doesn't end here. After this, I have to give her a proper welcome.
(2)
"Ishihara-kun, please make a copy of this."
"Yes."
"Ishihara-kun, please file this."
"Yes."
I am working part-time at Emi's mother's company.
Though I say part-time, it's mostly chores.
Because I am the boyfriend of the president's daughter, they probably aren't conscious of it, but they treat me like I'm a fragile object.
Conversely, I am also nervous.
I can't let Emi be embarrassed, and I can't make Emi's mother lose face.
"Ishihara-kun, you can leave for the day."
When told that, I stand up and leave the room.
There is one more reason why I'm treated like a fragile object.
When I leave the company, a luxury car is parked there.
The rear seat window opens and Emi smiles brightly.
"Isshy, good work today."
A part-time job with a shuttle service.
Moreover, the one providing the shuttle is the president's daughter.
Such a rumor spread in the blink of an eye.
"Listen, Emi."
"What?"
"I'll come on my own after all."
"If you do that, you'll spend money on transportation, right? Then there's no point in working part-time."
Even so, I don't think there's anyone who comes to a part-time job with a shuttle service. Wouldn't the labor cost for that be equal to the part-time pay?
"I'm working part-time for date money with Emi, but also because I want to gain some social experience."
"You don't have to worry about date money..."
Well, for the most part, I pay with Emi's card.
I hate it because it feels like something of a string or leash.
That said, half of my part-time pay will probably vanish at the dinner we're going to today.
Today we are going to a dining bar I heard about from Watanabe-kun.
One of the few shops where you can hear live jazz piano.
Dinner is at that shop today.
A place to enjoy a meal while getting intoxicated by the live performance and drinking wine.
"Isshy, when did you take your days off?"
"Saturdays, Sundays, and the days the Watanabe group meets."
"Just Saturdays and Sundays aren't enough, are they..."
Emi mutters this.
"What's not enough?"
"Ah, I was thinking of going to a theme park in Tokyo again."
"Eh?"
"Look, during the school trip, we only went to the 'Land' side and didn't go to the 'Sea' side, right?"
I see.
"If that's the case, you should have told me much sooner."
"I didn't want to go right when it's crowded during a long holiday."
"Is there anywhere nearby you want to go?"
"...Anywhere is fine?"
"As long as it's a place we can go."
"Then the aquarium in Fukuoka... I'm tired of the ones in my hometown."
"Aren't aquariums all pretty much the same?"
"You don't get it, Isshy. Isn't it better for the two of us to enjoy a unique place?"
Is that how it works?
Once the meal is finished, the bill is settled.
When I try to take out my wallet, Emi pays with her card.
I try to give her at least my share, but Emi doesn't accept it.
And then, when we go to the bar, I decided to speak up to Emi.
Perhaps it was the momentum of the alcohol.
"I hate feeling like Emi's kept man."
"...You were thinking that way?"
I nodded.
Not knowing that this would end up hurting Emi...
"...Don't misunderstand. I'm not paying money with that intention."
"Whether Emi thinks so or not, isn't that the fact!"
"I'm just shopping. I'm just buying the precious time that is the time spent with you..."
That's just an excuse.
I intended to say that, but I stopped because Emi was crying.
It's rare for Emi to cry... wait, this isn't the time to be impressed.
"Sorry, I didn't say it with the intention of making Emi cry..."
"I know. But it's also a fact that I lacked consideration, right?"
"I didn't think about Emi's feelings either."
Was it just my own inferiority complex?
"I'm thinking about what I can do to win your heart. But I just don't understand. I can't think of anything else I can do."
"That's not true. Emi is always by my side."
"I want to be by your side. I want to obtain the jewel that is your heart. But no matter what, I can't steal it."
"That's obvious, because it's already in Emi's hand."
"Is it?"
"Yeah."
Emi seems to have stopped crying.
"Let's change shops, shall we?"
Emi says. Looking around, people are glancing our way.
Is it because Emi was crying?
We moved to another bar.
Emi also seems to have calmed down.
"...So, that's why, I want you not to worry about it."
"Yeah..."
She says while drinking a reddish-brown transparent cocktail.
I listened while drinking an orange-yellow cocktail.
"Then, why don't we do this?"
"?"
Emi seems to have thought of something.
"I'll buy your jewel. In exchange, give me your jewel."
"Does that mean things stay as they are?"
"No, I want you to give me your feelings and thoughts as a present in a tangible form."
"?"
"Just giving me a present on a special day is fine. But if possible, I want you to present your feelings and thoughts to me with your own mouth and your own words."
"What do you mean?"
"You still haven't noticed? I want you to give me an engagement ring. I'm not saying right now. Just when you're ready."
I felt like I sobered up in an instant.
Was she the type of character to say something like this?
Is it the alcohol, or is it because of the alcohol?
"It's not like we've decided to get married yet—"
"Oh? Are you saying you have no such intention?"
A frown forms between her brows.
"I-I didn't mean it like that. Isn't it too early? We're still students, right?"
"That's why I said when you feel like it, when you're mentally prepared. I'll wait until then..."
Emi says this and smiles.
It's already decided in her mind. Her lifelong partner.
Will I be able to respond to that?
Emi sometimes says things I never would have expected.
That isn't madness; it's pure love.
"It's about time, isn't it? You have your part-time job tomorrow, right?"
"A-ah. Yeah."
"Then, I'll call the ride soon."
Saying that, she calls for her ride.
I get in the car and go home.
Emi says nothing, looking down.
Did she feel embarrassed by what she said after sobering up?
The car arrives in front of my house.
"Well then, I'll come pick you up again tomorrow."
"Yeah."
"...Is it a nuisance?"
"...It's okay."
I learned her feelings. I accepted them firmly. If so, I just have to respond to them.
"Emi, you said you wanted me to put my feelings into a tangible form, right?"
"Yes... and?"
I gave her a gentle kiss.
She is surprised.
I say one thing to her.
"These are my feelings with all my might. I've put them into a form. Someday, I'll definitely give you a present in an even better form."
"...Thank you. This is enough for now."
"See you," she said and went home.
Shooting stars fall.
I swear to the shooting stars.
That someday, I will definitely confess to her.
(3)
"Masashi—wake up—! It's time!"
Mika shakes my body.
I open my heavy eyelids and confirm Mika's presence.
Again...
"I'm always telling you to change in the dressing room."
"That's why I'm properly hiding with a bath towel, so it's fine, right?"
That's not the point.
I gave a wry smile.
I look at the clock. It's only 10 o'clock.
"What's the plan for today?"
"Isn't the usual fine?"
The usual is a plan where we eat lunch at some shop, kill time at Blue Bird, wander around on the way back, eat dinner, and then go home.
Well, if she says that's fine, then we'll do that.
"Got it. Then I guess I'll take a shower too."
"Want me to wash your back~?"
"Our unit bath is narrow. I'll just take the thought."
"Then let's go to a family bath on the way back."
"I might do that if you say you won't drink on the way back."
"We can just take a taxi after we get home, right?"
Apparently, I have to be the one to manage the household finances, splitting expenses and managing the budget.
"Taxi fares aren't cheap, you know."
"I'm earning enough for that, aren't I? Even Masashi is working part-time..."
"We don't earn enough to spend every night playing around, do we? Let's just buy something at the convenience store and call it a day."
"...Fine. If Masashi says so, I'll do it."
"It helps that you're an obedient wife."
Saying that, I pat her head.
Then I took a shower, changed, and went out.
We entered a creative cuisine restaurant and ate lunch, and Mika took notes.
With just one bite, Mika covers everything: cooking method, ingredients, seasoning, degree of grilling, and so on.
She performs the feat of writing that in a recipe notebook and trying it at home.
Not only does she reproduce it faithfully, but the way she modifies it to a taste I prefer is amazing.
"Isn't it a pain to write in a notebook? Why don't you just buy a laptop?"
Mika, who was trying to take photos of the food to post on SNS later, said.
"I don't know how to use one."
"I'll teach you."
"Then let's go buy one on the way back."
Good grief, my to-do list is growing.
Cafe Blue Bird
Clink-clink.
The door bell rings.
"Welcome."
I hear Sakai-kun's voice.
"Ah, Watanabe-kun, it's been a while."
There was the pair of Oshima-san and Kimoto-senpai, and Shimizu-san and Eguchi-san, and Sakura and Hiyama-senpai.
Sitting across from Oshima-san and Kimoto-senpai, I place my order.
"Everyone seems to be enjoying their summer vacation."
"It seems so."
Shimizu-san answers.
"Thanks to that, I'm living easily. My employment is decided, so all that's left is the graduation thesis."
Kimoto-senpai says.
"Haruki-senpai, aren't you going to do job hunting~?"
"...Don't worry, I'll do job hunting after summer vacation ends. I'm participating in internships. Also, I've said this many times, stop calling me senpai."
Sakura and Hiyama-senpai also seem to be doing well. I was nervous at first, but for some reason, Hiyama-senpai seems to have fallen for Sakura.
"Hey, what part of Sakura did Hiyama-senpai fall for?"
When Mika asks, Hiyama-senpai answers as if it's a bother.
"To put it simply, her attitude, I guess? Sakura was the first person to take that kind of attitude toward me."
"Isn't that just making her worth the effort of winning over?"
"...I don't know. Before I knew it, I was desperately apologizing and then we started dating. Thanks to that, I got caught up in some troublesome things, though."
Hiyama-senpai was talkative despite acting like it was a bother.
"That aside, I have something to consult Watanabe-kun about..."
Eguchi-san began to speak.
"Do men really feel that it's uncool or pathetic if they don't pay?"
"What do you mean?"
Eguchi-san began to talk about what happened last night.
"I see. Isshy has his pride too, right?"
"All men are like that, aren't they? They've convinced themselves that they have to pay. Though it seems there are some women who think the man must pay the full amount."
"Well, they don't want to show their uncool side, right?"
Shimizu-san and Hiyama-senpai say.
"Well, it might be necessary to save Isshy's face."
"...I think of it as an equal exchange."
Eguchi-san said.
"I'm buying the time that I want to be with Isshy with money. It's just that, and yet..."
"Couldn't the same be said for Isshy?"
"?"
"Couldn't Isshy also want to buy the time he spends with Eguchi-san? Have you never thought that he might feel that way?"
"...I suppose. But since I'm the one choosing the shops, I thought it was natural that I pay."
"Emi... why don't you try going along with Isshy's date plans once in a while?"
"Eh?"
When Shimizu-san says this, Eguchi-san asks back.
"Go along with a date plan that isn't too much for Isshy. Then there wouldn't be a problem, right?"
"But he'll overdo it. Just because the partner is me..."
"In that case, you can just quietly pay the bill after the checkout~. Saving her boyfriend's face is also a woman's duty~."
Sakura-san said.
"But Ishihara-kun's way of thinking is also admirable. That he's working part-time, so he'll pay for himself."
"Well, if the partner is Emi, it wouldn't be strange if there were men who tried to make her pay the full amount."
Ichinose-san and Mika say.
"Well, I can understand Ishihara-kun's discouragement. I'm the same... it really does feel miserable."
When Sakai says that, the men agree.
"Well, maybe it would be good to try depending on Ishihara-kun once in a while?"
When I say that, Eguchi-san answers, "I suppose."
"Ah, I have to go pick up Isshy soon. Well then, see you."
Saying that, Eguchi-san left the shop.
Oops, we also have to buy Mika's laptop.
"Shall we head out too?"
I stand up and prompt Mika.
We settle the bill and leave the shop.
"Hey, Masashi."
"What is it?"
"Have you also felt inferior before?"
"Well, I'm a man too... I can't just keep depending on Mika."
"I see..."
"But right now we're splitting things and managing, right?"
"That's true!"
Buying an unstealable jewel with a large amount of money, huh.
But isn't it actually already stolen?
The reason it can't be stolen is because they don't notice the jewel they've already obtained.
At the very least, Isshy obtained something important.
Something that can never be obtained even if you pay money.
Eguchi-san's heart.
It would be good if both of them noticed that soon.
I was driving the car while thinking about such things.
(4)
"Eh? A business trip?"
Did I ask back?
"That's right. We got work in Kitakyushu. The president is going, but she can't exactly take a taxi all the way to Kitakyushu, right?"
"If it's Kitakyushu, using the train..."
Chief Tomosaka puts her arm around my neck and whispers in my ear.
"I'm making an excuse to leave you and the president alone together, so be grateful."
"It's as Manabe-kun says. Use the train and then a taxi..."
"No, there are various things that need to be transported. In that regard, Manabe-kun's car is no problem at all. Actually, I or Shiina-kun should accompany her, but we have work we can't step away from."
"...Is Manabe-kun okay with that?"
"Ah, no. I'm fine. I was hired for the president's chores in the first place."
"Then, I'll take you up on that..."
And so, the business trip for me and Harada-san was decided.
I can keep some distance from Niina-san, so it might be just right.
I gave notice to the Watanabe group.
"Some work came up, so please cancel my overnight stay in September."
"Got it. Good luck with work."
Watanabe-senpai said that.
After that, I get a call from Niina-san.
"I thought you had taken time off for work?"
"I'm going back and forth between Kitakyushu and home as the president's attendant."
"With Harada-san...?"
"Yeah, that person doesn't have a car, so moving around in small bits is hard. Apparently, there's luggage too."
"I see..."
"Enjoy it for my sake too."
"Got it..."
"Well then, see you..."
From the next day, the day-trip business trips began.
Leaving the company early in the morning and returning late at night.
I was also transporting antiques specifically for model rooms.
The scenery of searching for which one is best was almost like a date.
Occasionally, meetings continued late, and we stayed at a business hotel. Naturally, the rooms were separate, though.
I also brought catalogs and such.
It was undoubtedly more convenient to use a car than the train.
Harada-san gave brisk instructions, and the construction progressed.
"I'm constantly relying on Manabe-kun."
Harada-san said.
"This is also part of the job."
"Everyone recognizes you as a vital asset. I have to thank Tange-kun too."
"I'm honored to be told that."
"When you graduate, I'll have to find a place of employment for you..."
Another wall was built.
Is there no way to break through?
Takemoto failed, but he said that because of it, a boundary was set.
It might be pointless to just keep dragging things along like this.
Even if I fail, Niina-san is there. I didn't have that thought.
That would be far too rude to Niina-san.
I made up my mind and spoke.
"Could you let me work at the president's company?"
"Eh?"
Harada-san was bewildered.
I had clashed head-on.
"You told me I'm a vital asset. I want to work at the president's company."
"...The reason for your application?"
The interview began inside the car.
"Because it's the company that made me realize the reward of this work."
"...We are short-staffed. The burden on one person is tougher than elsewhere."
"It's natural for work to be tough. I understand it will become even stricter than now."
"...It's hard for me to decide on my own, but I'll see how it goes until you graduate... tell me again when you become a fourth-year."
On my end, I'd want to work there even if I had to drop out now.
"Also... I won't accept things like dropping out. Please make sure to learn what you should learn properly first."
"...I understand."
There are problems, but I feel like I've broken through one difficult barrier.
Time, please pass quickly!
"It's beautiful..."
She mutters alone while looking down at the night view of Beppu.
The car arrives in front of her apartment, and she gets out of the car.
"It's late and you must be tired, so go home quickly and rest well."
"I'm fine. I'm still young!"
"My husband said that and got caught in an accident."
"?"
"With driving, it's not limited to causing an accident yourself. You can also be caught up in one. Be careful on your way home."
"I understand."
Saying that it would be a problem if something happened to a new asset, she disappeared into the apartment.
I've been recognized.
I've finally overcome one wall.
How should I convey this sense of fulfillment to Takemoto?
While thinking about such things, I headed home, exposed to the moonlight.
(5)
A restaurant where Lake Biwa spreads out before my eyes.
What Toya-kun chose was teppanyaki.
We sat at the counter seats and enjoyed the course meal.
I can't drink alcohol yet, so I endured with soft drinks.
The dishes, which used Omi beef abundantly, were very delicious, and I realized that this is what it means for something to melt in your mouth.
For the rice, I chose seared beef sushi.
After enjoying dessert and tea, the meal was over.
When we returned to the room, Toya-kun took a shower first.
After that, I took a shower and left the bathroom, and Toya-kun was asleep.
I let out a sigh and dried my hair.
That's right, Toya-kun was tired today, wasn't he?
Letting him rest slowly is also a wife's duty, right?
Tomorrow is inside the ferry.
Not once during the trip, huh~.
I turned on the TV, drank the tea I bought, and relaxed.
A quiz show is on.
The program that I usually enjoyed while thinking of the answers with Toya-kun feels lonely when I watch it alone.
I look at Toya-kun.
He is fast asleep.
Sadness and anger mixed together.
I'm lonely. What are you doing when I'm lonely?
Toya-kun was the one who recognized me as his wife, right?
I'm not just a housekeeper!
You could at least pay a little attention to me...
I wonder what everyone is doing?
I check the messages on my smartphone.
It seems Emi had some kind of trouble.
It's about Ishihara-kun.
Is it what they call a worry unique to men?
Toya-kun entrusts his wallet to me.
Maybe I'll give him a wallet as a present again this year?
Though that Toya-kun is sleeping.
"What is Airi doing now?"
Ai asked me that.
"Just ate dinner and took a shower."
When I replied, I think Ai surely didn't mean any harm. Because it's normal to think that, right?
"Then, is it time for the fun part now?"
I hesitated on the response.
"Toya-kun seems tired, so he already fell asleep."
I replied honestly.
"What's that, I can't believe it!"
"Wake him up right now! If you can't, I'll wake him up!"
Such comments came one after another.
Should I wake him up?
While I was staring at the smartphone messages, I felt a presence behind me.
Who? Though I'm the only one here.
"Airi."
"Kya!"
Toya-kun was hugging me from behind.
"Sorry, I fell asleep while waiting for Airi."
"...If you're tired, it's okay to keep resting, you know?"
Toya-kun shook his head.
"Because I decided that today I'd give Airi some service."
As he says that, Toya-kun's right hand slips through the gap in the buttons of my sleepwear and kneads my breast.
Toya-kun's hand feels chilly. But soon, it feels hot.
"Shall we go to the bed?"
Just as Toya-kun tells me, I get into the bed, and then...
"Toya-kun, aren't you tired?"
"I'm fine. I'll stay with you until Airi falls asleep."
"Then, I'll never sleep."
When I say that, Toya-kun laughs.
"Do you know Sleeping Beauty?"
"The fairy tale one?"
"Yeah."
"I know it."
"...When should I wake up the princess called Airi?"
I understood what Toya-kun wanted to say.
"...Are you going to wake me up?"
"I told you, tonight is time for Airi."
"Then, I have to sleep quickly!"
Saying that, I hugged Toya-kun and fell asleep.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning.
I won't have to wait 100 years. I placed my hopes in the magical spell whose effect appears in a few hours.