Chapter 204 - Please Give Him to Me!
(1)
Perhaps it's because the sound of the ship bothers me, but whenever I'm on a boat, I always end up waking up early.
I want to breathe in the morning air, but Airi is still asleep.
"Airi, wake up."
As I say this and kiss Airi's lips, she wakes up with a "Uuu..."
She is clearly still sleepy.
"I'm going to go get some fresh air for a bit."
When I say that, her eyes snap wide open.
"I'm coming too~"
Saying that, she goes downstairs and begins to change clothes.
With a sigh, I change as well and head down the ladder.
Airi had finished changing and was tidying her hair with a brush.
"Airi, are you okay without more sleep?"
"I'll sleep plenty once we get home, so it's okay."
"I see."
"Toya-kun, you have to sleep too!"
"I'm fine."
"No!"
"I don't get sleepy during the day."
"I'll cuddle with you to help you sleep."
"Isn't it just that you want to cuddle?"
Poka
"You're saying mean things again~"
"For now, shall we go outside?"
"Yeah."
With that, we stepped out onto the observation deck. August was nearing its end, and the sunrise had begun to arrive later.
I look at the still-dim sky; it's a bit chilly in short sleeves.
Just then, Airi clung to me.
"What is it?"
"Because Toya-kun looks cold."
"?"
"I thought I'd warm you up."
She is certainly warm. I've heard that women are said to have lower body temperatures, but putting aside such medical facts, she is warm.
Is it simply a matter of mood? Is it a case of Airi's kindness translating into warmth?
"That's enough, right? Toya-kun, you'll catch a cold."
"True, shall we head back soon?"
Returning indoors, we organize our luggage and wait for the arrival time while watching television.
Before arrival, we take our luggage, leave the room, and move to the car.
Following the instructions of the guide, we leave the ship, and a familiar landscape spreads out before us.
Then, after parking the car, we go to Airi's house to give our greetings.
"Oh, welcome back, Airi-chan~"
"Rie-chan, I'm home~"
"Toya-kun, thanks for your hard work~"
"...No. Ah, this is a souvenir."
"My, you didn't have to go to such trouble~"
And so, after talking for a bit in the living room of Airi's house, we return home.
"Welcome home. Airi-chan, your package arrived. Thank you for the sweets."
"You're always taking care of me, after all~"
I wander back to my room.
"Toya, are you alright?"
The sense of relief from returning home and the fatigue from driving all this time hit me only now.
"I'm going to lie down for a bit..."
"You must be tired, so go ahead. Airi-chan, you should get some rest too."
"Oka~y."
And so, we lay down on the bed in the room and fell asleep.
(2)
Karan karan.
The doorbell rings.
Nakajima-kun has come, hasn't he.
He's unusually depressed.
I wonder if that incident from last night is the cause?
"Is Honoka here?"
"Ichinose-san is currently in the middle of preparations. Did something happen?"
"...It's Yoshiyuki's bad habit. You know it well, yet you still ask."
I know. It was resolved safely, right? Which is why I'm very interested in why he's so depressed.
"You made up with Ichinose-san, right? Why are you depressed?"
"...Only one night has passed since then, and this is the first time we're facing each other after that. I don't know what kind of face to make, you know?"
"Then, wouldn't it be better if you just didn't come?"
"It doesn't work like that; we're going on a trip together starting tomorrow."
Ah, they were going to Osaka. I guess a different world is better than a dreamland.
I heard Katagiri-kun went to Kyoto and Shiga, but is everyone heading to Kansai rather than Kanto? Is it simply a matter of travel expenses?
"Sakai-kun, is there a customer... ah."
"Honoka..."
When Ichinose-san came out, Nakajima-kun's expression became even more solemn.
"Honoka, sorry about yesterday..."
"Private conversations are forbidden."
The shop rules are certainly like that.
But this shop is already occupied by the Watanabe Group, and about 30% of the shop's sales belong to the Watanabe Group, so I thought there was a tacit understanding.
I mean, they were talking away yesterday.
"...Then, I'll say this as a monologue. I'm sorry about yesterday."
"..."
"I won't do it anymore from now on."
"..."
"Won't you forgive me?"
"..."
It's truly like pushing against a curtain. Ichinose-san gives no reaction.
By the way, Akira-chan is next to her, looking at Nakajima-kun with judging eyes.
Unable to just watch, I decide to throw him a lifeline.
"Come to think of it, I heard you're going to Osaka starting tomorrow."
"Yeah, we plan to go by Shinkansen. I've already bought the tickets. If I pick her up at 6 AM, we should make it in time..."
"Are you in a position to say such things? Have you still not realized your place?"
Sorry, Nakajima-kun. When this person glares, I can't resist.
"6 o'clock is fine."
"Honoka?"
"Ichinose-san?"
Both of them are taken aback.
This person just spoke so easily...
"I mean, why didn't you tell me that first? I hate people who mope over things that have already passed. Don't make me remember unpleasant feelings."
"A-ah, sorry."
"So stop apologizing."
I think it's a bit much to cry while serving customers.
"Ichinose-san, leave this to me and come back after you've calmed down a bit."
"Yes... I'm sorry."
With that, Ichinose-san returned to the break room.
After a while, Ichinose-san returned with a smile.
"Customer, please excuse my rudeness from a moment ago."
It's a total business smile. Well, she's working, so it's only natural.
Karan karan.
New customers.
It's Takemoto-kun and Hanayama-san.
"Yuma, you should drive my car too and get used to it."
"I've never ridden in a foreign car, so I'm not good at it."
"My car is right-hand drive. You haven't looked properly, have you?"
"Ah, the usual, please."
It seems Takemoto-kun and Hanayama-san are moving tomorrow and will start living together from Monday.
The Watanabe Group members remaining in the local area are supposed to go help them.
"Welcome, are you two having a meeting for tomorrow?"
I spoke to the two of them while carrying coffee and a cream soda.
"No, we're about to take Saki to my parents' house."
"Ah, the so-called formal introduction."
Do women get nervous too, after all?
"No way~ it's not like we're getting married, so it's not like I'm nervous~"
Hanayama-san's expression as she says this is somewhat stiff.
Her shoulders are too tense. If she's like this now, she won't be able to say anything when the actual meeting happens. Takemoto-kun, please help her relax.
"It's just as Saki says, my parents have coarse personalities, so Saki doesn't need to worry."
When Takemoto-kun says this, Saki-san puts on a forced smile.
"W-what are you talking about, Yuma-kun. I'm just my usual self."
The hand holding the glass is shaking. This is a severe case.
Karan karan.
There are many visitors today.
Oh, Katagiri-kun and Tosaka-san have come for the first time in a while.
"Hello~ long time no see~"
"Long time no see~ welcome~"
Tosaka-san and Ichinose-san are greeting each other.
In the meantime, Katagiri-kun hands me a paper bag.
"This is a souvenir, please share it with the shop staff."
"Thank you for going out of your way."
"The Watanabe Group is always in your care, so this is nothing."
When I take that and tell the master, the master says loudly, "Thank you!"
"Huh? Hanayama-san, you look pale, what's wrong?"
Katagiri-kun looks at Hanayama-san curiously.
"I-it's nothing. Ahaha."
You're incredibly shaken, aren't you.
"What happened?"
Tosaka-san asks Hanayama-san.
"Tosaka-san, how was it when you went to give greetings at Toya-kun's house?"
"Greetings?"
"You know, when you're going to live together, you go give greetings, right?"
"Ah, Maya-san and I have known each other since elementary school, so there was no such thing. My parents are even noisy about it, saying 'Hurry up and file the marriage registration.' Right, Toya-kun?"
"Ah, that's true..."
Katagiri-kun gives a wry smile.
There are parents like that, huh.
But it's a bit surprising to be told that by your parents.
Katagiri-kun was shaken in a different sense.
"What what? You two are living together? Ah, you wrote that somewhere."
"Y-yes. Though, it's just that Yuma-kun is moving into my house."
"...Hanayama-san, you should relax. It'll probably be fine. Hanayama-san is cute, and above all, she's a princess."
If it's about being a princess, I think it's absolutely no good, but I wonder.
"Hmm, Toya-kun, what do you think should be done?"
Tosaka-san asks Katagiri-kun.
"I've never experienced it, so I don't know. Airi has been on good terms with my mother since a long time ago, right?"
"That's true~"
"Takemoto-kun, how many people are in your family?"
"It's a family of three: my mother and stepfather."
"Yes, my mother and my father were bereaved by death when I was small, and then around high school, she started dating my current stepfather. Until then, I had the goal of becoming independent quickly to make things easier for my mother, but when my stepfather appeared, that goal disappeared, and I wondered what I should do. But now, I feel I have to work hard for Saki's sake."
"What type are Yuma-kun's parents?"
"My mother is a quiet person, and my stepfather is truly coarse."
Takemoto-kun's mother is a nurse, and it seems they met when his stepfather was hospitalized for a fracture.
Apparently, it was love at first sight, and she pushed and pushed until they reached the goal.
"When I told them over the phone that I was bringing her, they were surprised, but now they're looking forward to it."
"You make it sound so easy, but Yuma, you were nervous at my house too!"
"That's how it should be, right?"
"Eh?"
"Relax, relax."
"I think so too," Tosaka-san says.
"I think it's fine to be the usual bright Hanayama-san."
Was it good to ask these two? I'm becoming slightly anxious.
Karan karan
The Watanabes arrived.
As soon as Mika-san sees Nakajima-kun, she questions him, "Nakajima! You bastard..."
"That matter is already settled, and I don't want to remember it now," with Ichinose-san's follow-up, it ends without issue.
"You came at the right time, Mika-senpai. Mika-senpai, how was it when you met Watanabe-senpai's parents?"
When Hanayama-san asks Mika-san, Mika-san's expression clouds over.
"It was tough... unfamiliar etiquette and sitting seiza, right? I couldn't even swallow my food."
"Uwaa..."
Hanayama-san becomes even more depressed.
"Saki, you really don't have to worry. I bought the yokan that my stepfather likes too."
"U-un."
Are these two going to be okay? I was a bit anxious.
(3)
Yuma's house was in the mountains of Taketa.
Apparently, they run a farm.
It was a large house, as is typical for a farmhouse.
Cultivators and other equipment were placed on the grounds.
"Oh, it's Yuma-kun's boy, you've been doing well?"
A neighborhood old man calls out.
Yuma responds with a smile.
It was a peaceful farming village that looked like something out of an anime.
Yuma presses the doorbell.
"Yes— who is it?"
"Mother, I'm home."
When Yuma says this, there are thumping sounds.
The door slides open with a clatter.
Yuma's stepfather greeted us.
"Oh, Yuma, welcome back."
"Where's Mother?"
"Ah, she felt a bit unwell yesterday, she's sleeping now..."
Faster than he spoke, Yuma had already entered the house.
I and Yuma-kun's stepfather were left behind.
Wait, if you don't stay with me, it'll be awkward!
"Are you Yuma's girlfriend?"
"Y-y-yes, nice to meet you, thank you very much for inviting me today..."
I intended to answer clearly and refreshingly.
The stepfather smiled broadly and answered.
"Yuma's brought quite the beauty along. Well, for now, come on in."
"Excuse me."
I had heard that the door to a boyfriend's house is very heavy and the threshold is incredibly high, but it was unexpectedly normal.
I am guided to Yuma's mother's room, where Yuma is.
"N-nice to meet you. I am Hanayama, and I am dating Takemoto-kun. Thank you for inviting me today..."
"Oh, what a lovely girl. I'm sorry for being in this state even though it's the first time Yuma has brought a girlfriend."
"Um... are you alright?"
"Just a bit of a cold, my husband is an exaggerator."
"Sayaka-san always overdoes it. Even though I tell her to rest once in a while. But she was always worrying about Yuma."
"Sorry..."
Yuma said this while taking his mother's hand.
"I have to prepare dinner. Wait a moment. I'll make it right away."
Yuma holds back the shoulder of his mother who tries to stand up.
"Mother, just relax, I'll order some takeout."
"That's far too simple."
"You can rely on me at times like this. I didn't live alone for nothing! Leave it to me. I'll go shopping for a bit. Yuma, I'm counting on you for Sayaka-san."
With that, Yuma's stepfather went out.
"I'll change too, so wait in the living room."
When told that, Yuma guided me to the living room.
"Mother's body felt smaller than before."
A single word muttered softly.
"It's strange, since it hasn't even been half a year."
Yuma says this and smiles.
I suddenly noticed. Yuma is holding my hand.
After a while, Yuma's mother appeared in the living room.
"This is a small thing, but..." I hand over a local famous confection.
"Thank you. You've brought a very beautiful girlfriend."
"She's called 'the princess' at university."
"Oh, is that so. How were you able to date such a young lady?"
Yuma, you idiot, saying unnecessary things.
I had no choice but to put on a forced smile.
Then the stepfather returned.
He prepares the hot plate for yakiniku.
"At times like this, this is the only way!" he says while laughing.
The conversation continues while we eat meat.
At times like this, should I give meat to Yuma?
"Takemoto-kun, the meat is grilled."
"A-ah, thank you."
"You two are so close."
I am teased by the stepfather. It didn't feel bad.
"You're moving tomorrow, was it?"
The stepfather asks. Yuma answers.
"Yeah, I'll carry the unnecessary home appliances tomorrow."
"Oh, I've cleared the warehouse. By the way, I've been wondering... what was the trigger for you two to start dating?"
"Eh?"
"No, for Yuma, she's a flower on a high peak, right? I'm curious how you ended up dating."
"That's..."
Yuma was at a loss for words.
He was probably worrying about whether to talk about the game.
I answered in his place.
"I fell in love with Takemoto-kun at first sight. So I confessed, and after a while, I got an OK."
I didn't tell a lie.
"Was there some circumstance since you got the OK after a while?"
"I had someone I liked. I was rejected by that person, so I wanted a bit of a cooling-off period."
"I see, so you targeted Yuma while he was weak."
Well, that's correct.
"Eiji-san, that way of speaking is rude. Hanayama-san, I'm sorry."
The mother apologized for him.
"It's okay. What he's saying is correct."
There might have been something calculating back then.
But I didn't lie about my feelings.
The stepfather was opening his third can of beer.
"Eiji-san, you shouldn't drink too much today..."
The mother admonishes him.
However, the stepfather doesn't pay any attention.
"It's fine, Sayaka-san, this is a pre-celebration for their marriage."
I almost spat out my juice.
"What are you talking about, Stepfather!"
"Huh? Doesn't living together mean that sort of thing!?"
"That might be so, but there's an order, right? First we live together and confirm if that's really good..."
"Confirm?"
"...Confirm her feelings. Then I'll think about it."
I know there are people who say let's live together without those feelings, but I'm different.
After eating yakiniku and being asked various things, around 22:00, Yuma said it was time to go home.
"Why? I thought you were staying over today, so I prepared the futons."
"I have the final preparations for the move after I get back."
"I see, then it can't be helped."
"Well, shall we go soon, Hanayama-san?"
As Yuma stands up, I stand up too.
Because I had been sitting seiza for a long time, my legs were numb.
My legs faltered and I lost my balance and was about to fall, but Yuma caught me.
That was the first mistake.
"Thank you, Yuma."
"Yuma?"
The mother asks back.
The second mistake.
"You guys are real close, aren't ya! Yuma!"
The stepfather says this and turns it into a laugh.
Yuma's smile is slightly embarrassed.
The third mistake was the blunder of walking while being supported by Yuma because I couldn't walk.
"I-I'm sorry."
I really did it. I made Yuma lose face. I feel pathetic.
Yuma says gently.
"It's okay, even if I make enemies of Mother and the others, I'll stay by Saki's side."
"Well said! That's what a man is all about! Right, Sayaka-san!"
The stepfather says. The mother also says with a gentle expression.
"That's true... now I'm relieved. I can see Yuma has found a proper girlfriend. Be happy together."
"Thank you very much."
"Please come visit again."
With that, we left the house.
"Ah~ I panicked~ I've had enough of experiences like that~"
"Saki, good work. Are your legs okay?"
"Yeah, the moment I thought 'I've messed up,' that feeling just blew away."
"All that's left is to move."
We arrive at my house.
"Well, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Saying that, Yuma returned to his own apartment.
Returning to my room, I first make space in the room.
I guess I can put most things in the loft?
I hardly use the loft.
Then I take a shower. I watch television and spend my last night alone.
(4)
"Hmm."
Airi is troubled.
It's probably something trivial, but thinking it would be bad to ignore it, I asked.
"What's wrong?"
"Greetings to parents, huh~ I was thinking that I've never done that~"
"Isn't it a bit late for that? Besides, you gave greetings simply. Saying 'I'll be in your care'..."
"Is that enough, I wonder~?"
"Since the parents said it's fine, isn't it fine?
"Hmm..."
Airi is still troubled while keeping the account books on her laptop.
A while ago, I gave greetings saying, "Would you please give me Airi?"
"If it bothers you that much, shall we do it now?"
"Eh?"
"I think my parents are still awake."
"U-un... is it okay in this outfit?"
"Isn't it no problem?"
It really does feel a bit late, though.
Going to the first-floor living room, my parents are watching television.
When we stand side-by-side and say we have something to talk about, Mother turns off the television.
"What is it? So suddenly."
"It seems Airi has something she wants to say."
"What is it, Airi-chan?"
Mother asks Airi suspiciously.
"...Please give him to me."
"Eh?"
"Please give Toya-kun to me!"
My parents are stunned by Airi's words.
Airi, that way of speaking will lead to various misunderstandings.
"Toya, did you propose to her?"
"No, I haven't yet."
"Then, what happened so suddenly?"
They'd think that. It was an expected answer.
"Because I hadn't given proper greetings until now, I thought I should give proper greetings."
When Airi says that, my parents seem to understand, as if saying "I see."
"You don't have to be so formal. Just as you've been until now is fine."
"Did our Toya say something to you?"
When Mother and Father say that, Airi shakes her head.
"A friend said they give greetings when they start living together, so I thought that I hadn't done it either."
"I see... but the relationship between you two is already something we know, so you don't have to worry about it."
"Our Toya is the one being taken care of. I'm sorry he's just been spoiled by Airi-chan."
The two of them say that and start watching television.
"That's enough, right? Let's go."
When I say that to Airi, she returns to the room.
At that time, Mother told me, "Toya, stay for a moment," so I stayed.
"Airi-chan gave her greetings, but originally, you should have given greetings to the Tosaka residence first, right?"
When Mother says that, I explain that I've already done so.
"Then it's fine. Since Airi-chan has been entrusted to you, support her firmly."
Mother says that and begins to laugh while watching television.
I returned to the room.
"What about Maya-san?"
"She asked if I gave greetings to Airi's house."
"Sorry, I never thought it would become something where Toya-kun would get scolded."
"I wasn't scolded, so it's fine. Don't worry about it."
Saying that, I sit next to Airi and pat her head.
"Shall we sleep soon. Tomorrow we have to help Takemoto-kun with his move too."
"That's true."
Saying that, I turn off the television and lower the lights, and we both enter the bed.
Today, the fatigue had not yet completely left me. Both of us fell asleep immediately.
It was a night of the bow-shaped moon.