Chapter 216 - Tonight
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
December 23rd.
Today is Sunday.
There are no club activities.
That's why I'm sleeping.
"Sakura-san told me, 'Please let Toya-kun train even on his days off to build up his physical strength.'"
"Is there really nothing else to do in the morning?"
"If we don't do it in the morning, we're going out in the afternoon, okay?"
"Where to?"
Poke
"Today is Eve-Eve!?"
"Airi... the term 'Eve-Eve' is wrong."
"Hoe?"
"Christmas Eve doesn't mean the night before; it refers to December 24th, so your usage is logically incorrect."
"But Eve is the Christmas party for Watanabe's group. Because the 25th is a weekday."
Ah, that's right.
"Do you understand? Now, change into your training gear and let's go to the park, okay?"
As Airi said that, she also began to change.
Good grief.
I also began to change.
The park has a jogging course and a room where you can use training equipment.
"Katagiri-senpai has no issues with the technical side, so please just strengthen his physicals."
That was Sakura-san's opinion.
Airi is also accompanying me and training.
"This is pretty tough, isn't it?"
Even as she said that, she continued training, though her menu was different from mine.
As for me, I don't really want her to train too much.
"Why?"
"Because your chest will disappear, right?"
Poke
"Why do you only look at things like that~"
After completing the menu given to me by Sakura-san, I took a shower and changed.
Airi seemed to have finished as well and was waiting outside.
"Well, shall we go home and get ready?"
With Airi in the car, I headed home.
Once home, I changed and headed toward the city.
The hotel to stay at and the dinner restaurant had already been decided.
Since French is always the same and boring, I chose a Spanish restaurant.
The hotel was the usual one.
We had decided to choose our presents together.
Though it seemed we both had already decided what we wanted to buy.
I parked the car in the parking lot and we had lunch for the time being.
After that, I went to the station building with Airi and we chose presents.
We both chose wallets.
After that, we strolled through the city to kill time.
The city was bustling.
I wonder if everyone thinks the same way?
Couples choosing presents together.
Mixing in among them, we too enjoyed the atmosphere.
(2)
That day, I was staying at Makoto's house.
A long-awaited three-day weekend.
Since Makoto said he had no plans, I had been staying there since Saturday.
On Sunday morning, I woke up to the sound of the television.
Makoto was watching some magical girl warrior anime.
This guy, from the morning...
"I-it's not because there's nudity or anything like that at all!"
"I know."
There's no way this is an anime for young girls.
"I'm interested in the super tokusatsu show that comes after this."
"Did you have a hobby like that?"
"No, it's just that Eita keeps recommending it."
Because he's the only friend in Watanabe's group who goes to the same university... huh? It seems he gets along well with Eita.
I'll have to keep an eye on the interactions between those two, though.
"Speaking of which, is Eita doing well?"
"Yeah, apparently he's been playing games with Sashihara-san lately."
Ai has it rough too.
"So, where are you taking me today?"
"Ah, for now, I'm thinking we'll go to the city by train."
"By train?"
"We're going to be drinking anyway, right? Tomorrow too."
"Well, I guess so..."
"In that case, the train is better than going by car."
"Got it."
Having said that, he began preparing to go out.
Upon arriving in the city, we entered a jewelry store on the edge of the shopping district.
And he bought a ring.
Not a diamond, but a birthstone ring that meant "marital bliss."
"Christmas present."
Saying that, he handed the ring to me.
"Thank you."
I said and accepted it.
After that, we strolled through the city, had dinner, stopped by a bar, and returned on the last train.
On the way back, we bought alcohol and snacks at a Convenience Store and drank at Makoto's house.
"Don't drink too much, okay? We've still got tomorrow."
"I know."
I intend to drink thoroughly with Mika tomorrow.
"Hey."
"What is it?"
"Do you think about the future and things like that, Makoto?"
"I guess."
"Is it soccer, after all?"
"For now, scouts have come from the local club."
"I see."
The thing called a promised future.
"What about Kanna?"
"I'll probably just get a normal job."
"There's no need for that."
"Eh?"
Could that possibly be...
"I'll show you that I can earn enough to support Kanna."
As I thought.
"I refuse."
"Eh?"
Makoto looked disappointed.
"There's no way your annual salary will be that good right from the start, right? I'll work too."
"I see... which means then..."
"Thank you, Makoto."
"Hell yeah!"
Makoto expressed his joy with a loud shout.
Looking at such a Makoto, I shed a single tear.
It seems my future has been promised as well.
"Don't say you forgot once tomorrow comes."
"As if I'd forget!"
Saying that, Makoto hugged me.
"I love you, Kanna!"
"I love you too..."
The person who made me forget about Toya. A precious person.
We were always clashing, but without shattering, we kept rolling toward the goal.
And now we've arrived.
I still can't quite believe it.
I needed a little more time to make it feel real.
(3)
"Ai! Give me support!!"
"Coming!"
While giving instructions to Ai, I engaged in a PvP battle.
And it ended at 22:00.
"Good work~"
"...Good work."
Ai seemed to be in a bad mood for some reason.
Was there some problem even though we won?
If she has a complaint, it's better to ask.
I tried asking Ai.
"Did something happen?"
"...Nothing?"
Ai was curt.
"Did Eita buy Ai-chan a Christmas present?"
Someone said over voice chat.
Ah, is that it!?
I thought tomorrow would be fine, but tomorrow was the day Watanabe's group gathered.
Speaking of dinner, tonight was pizza and beer ordered for delivery.
What should I give her?
"Ai, let's go out tomorrow from noon! I have to buy Ai's present!"
"Finally..."
I understood that Ai's mood was bad. But I didn't know what to do.
For the time being, I set up a stall in the game and left it on idle, then Ai approached me.
"Ai, I'm sorry."
"It's the same every year."
This is seriously bad, is Ai going to start getting angry again?
If I make her angry this time, she'll definitely start saying we're breaking up.
"I'll absolutely make it up to you tomorrow, so please forgive me today!"
I seriously performed a dogeza.
"It's too late for that, don't worry about it. I'm used to it now."
She seemed exasperated. Why am I so useless?
"...I'm used to it, but still, I'll consider it a win just to be able to be with you. Even so, I love Eita. It can't be helped, right?"
Ai said that and hugged me.
"Just being together is enough. That alone is a sufficient present."
Is Ai crying?
"I'll give you a ring tomorrow. Not a game one! A real one!"
A proper diamond ring...
"I don't need something that expensive."
"It's the best I can do right now, so please accept it."
"Then, shall we choose one in the city tomorrow?"
Ai's mood seemed to have recovered.
After that, I took a shower and slept in bed with Ai.
Ai understands me.
Now it's my turn to understand Ai.
(4)
After eating dinner at a family restaurant and buying fried chicken and drinks to take home, we took turns in the bath.
While Saki was in the bath, I watched television while drinking.
When Saki returned, she sat next to me and watched television.
Once we finished eating the fried chicken, Saki took it to the kitchen.
Then she brought a white box from the refrigerator and placed it on the table.
"Ta-da!"
The contents of the box were a Christmas cake.
"It's not homemade, though... I'll do my best so I can make one next year."
"Can we eat all of this?"
"We don't have to eat it all in one day, right? I've always wanted to try doing this once."
Saying that, she took the box in her hand and bit into the cake.
"Mm, it's delicious."
She seemed satisfied.
I laughed looking at such a Saki.
"Saki, you have whipped cream on your nose."
"S-shut up! You try some too."
Saying that, she offered the cake to me.
I bit into the cake.
"It's delicious, isn't it?"
"Right! I had it reserved at a famous shop."
Then Saki and I exchanged presents.
Both of us said "Thank you."
"Hey?"
"What?"
"Is Yuma happy?"
"I'm happy."
What's with this sudden question?
"I'm glad. I'm happy too. When I first enrolled, I couldn't even imagine it. That I could be satisfied with such ordinary happiness. But after joining Watanabe's group, I realized. That obtaining this kind of ordinary happiness is actually this difficult. I'm glad I joined Watanabe's group."
Saki was unusually talkative. Saki has changed too, compared to when she first joined.
"I don't know what Yuma thinks of me, but I'm glad I met Yuma."
Saki said that and hugged me.
"I'm glad I met you too."
Saying that, I hugged Saki gently.
"Thank you."
"Likewise."
Saying that, we enjoyed the long night.
(5)
December 23rd, Sunday.
I was helping out at the shop.
My family runs a liquor store.
Of course we have Japanese sake, but recently we've also been handling Western liquors.
Most of the customers are regulars, and young customers mostly go to discount stores, but we still make efforts to expand the customer base even a little.
On this day, wine and champagne sell well.
Vintage wines that we had ordered specifically for this day were selling well.
An unusual number of customers came for a modern-day liquor store.
My older brother has obtained various sommelier certifications, so he recommends drinks, saying this one is good or that one is good.
Various customers visit, from young couples to elderly people.
Because it's a holiday, today is the day young couples spend the night together.
I don't have such a partner.
There's no invitation of any kind from Manabe-kun.
Far from an invitation, there isn't even any contact.
He's probably busy since it's before the long weekend.
I'm busy too.
I like being busy.
Because it keeps me from thinking about unnecessary things.
After 22:00, we close the shop.
After finishing the closing duties, I took a shower and returned to my room.
I watch television quietly alone.
When I get lonely, I call Shiina-san.
"Hello? Shiina-san? Wait a moment, I'll contact you again later."
Is he in the middle of something?
Is his work still busy?
Even though he told me to call anytime.
I wonder what he's doing?
Before I knew it, I was thinking only about Shiina-san.
Something is wrong with me.
Just as I thought I should go to sleep.
The doorbell rang.
Who could it be at this hour?
"Mirai! You have a guest."
For me?
When I went to the entrance, Shiina-san was there.
He looked terribly exhausted.
"Sorry for coming so late at night."
Shiina-san said and smiled.
"No... the business trip...?"
"It finished today, and I managed to make it back."
"Well, Shiina-san. It's not great to talk standing up. Why don't you relax in Mirai's room!"
Shiina-san seemed to have succeeded in winning over Father.
"Then, I'll take you up on that. Shiina-san, is that okay?"
"W-wait a moment please."
I returned to my room, hurriedly tidied up, and went back to the entrance.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. This way."
Saying that, I guided Shiina-san to my room.
"It's a bit cluttered, but..."
Upon entering the room, he asked, "May I sit?"
When I said "Please do," he sat on a cushion.
I sat on the edge of the bed.
"Sorry for the sudden visit."
"No, though I was surprised."
Somewhere in my heart, I was relieved.
"But why at this hour?"
He remained silent. Does he have some important matter?
"Why, you ask... it's because I wanted to see you."
Thump
My heartbeat echoed loudly.
I wonder if it reached him too?
"I-I'll go get some drinks, okay?"
As I stood up, Shiina-san's hand grabbed my arm.
"It's okay, just let me rest a bit."
Saying that, he collapsed.
He must have been exhausted.
"Shiina-san, it's late tonight. I told you it'd be fine to stay over—hey, he's already asleep!"
Father, please knock when you enter the room.
"Well, whatever. Mirai, he's in this state, so let him stay in your room."
What are you saying, Father, Shiina-san is a man!?
"There's no mistake if it's Shiina-san! Well then, I'll leave it to you."
I put a blanket over Shiina-san and fell asleep in the bed as well.
I am holding hands with Shiina-san.
Just that made me feel somehow at peace.
(6)
Some time has passed since I started dating Haruki.
Today, he took me on a normal date.
Yes, always a normal date.
Nothing happens.
Occasionally I tried to make a move myself, but I couldn't feel any response.
We could do the obvious ways of showing affection, like kissing or hugging, but.
Does he really like me?
Today was also a normal Christmas date.
Since it was a Christmas date, we went into a decent restaurant and exchanged presents.
We enjoyed the illuminations. We parted at the station.
...It wasn't much different from usual.
"...Well then, see you~"
Saying that, I boarded the train at the usual time.
Then, his hand grabbed my arm.
"Wait, Sakura."
My heart leaped and I looked at him.
In that time, the train doors closed and the train departed.
"Um~ that was the last train..."
While still holding my arm, he went down the escalator to another platform.
That way was the inbound line, the opposite direction.
Without hesitation, he took my hand and boarded the train.
"What are your intentions~?"
"...Today is special."
The train stopped at Beppu.
From there, we caught a taxi and he said, "To Ogiyama."
The taxi stopped in front of an apartment.
"This way."
When the door to the second-floor room opened, there was a kitchen, and beyond that, one room.
"It's cluttered, so just sit anywhere,"
Haruki said, but it wasn't as cluttered as he claimed; rather, it was cleaned neatly.
The curtains were closed, and tropical fish were kept in a small aquarium.
A glass table was in the center, and a pipe bed was placed against the wall.
On the opposite wall, racks and bookshelves were placed, and clothes were neatly organized inside the built-in closet.
While looking around, I sat on a cushion.
Haruki turned on the television and said, "I'm going to take a quick shower, so just relax," and went to take a shower.
Could it be... an overnight stay?
After repeatedly rejecting staying at my house until now, he easily invites me into his own territory.
Rather, did he think he could do as he pleased because it was his own territory?
Speaking of taking a shower, it reminded me. I didn't prepare a change of clothes.
If that was the plan, I wish he had told me from the start.
Eventually, Haruki came out of the shower and said, "You should take a relaxing one too."
I washed my body carefully and stepped out of the shower.
He lent me his sleepwear. It was quite baggy.
He was watching television while drinking brandy.
Noticing that I had come out, he took a drink from the refrigerator and handed it to me.
It's not that I hadn't prepared at all. I had made minimum preparations thinking that such a day would come eventually.
"...Shall we sleep soon?"
When Haruki said that, my heart leaped.
I was told to get into the bed.
I entered the bed as invited.
And then...
"Hey, Haruki~?"
"What?"
"Why today~?"
"Everyone's going to be making a fuss tomorrow, right? And the day after is a weekday."
"Have you been waiting until today~?"
"...Doesn't one normally think that the first night should be on a special day?"
Saying that, he fell asleep.
I was too nervous to sleep.
I finally did it with Haruki.
That was an unexpected event, but.
Haruki had been thinking about things with me in his own way.
I was so happy I couldn't sleep.
When morning comes, I'll make him breakfast.
I was thinking such things.
(7)
That evening was dinner with Kazu-san.
Since I intended to stay at Kazu-san's house, I had made preparations for that.
Today, we enjoyed dinner with a Christmas course.
The second Christmas spent with Kazu-san.
It was a very enjoyable thing.
But why is it?
Kazu-san's expression is somewhat stiff?
Is he nervous?
I wonder what happened?
When the meal finished, we drank post-meal coffee.
That's it!
I handed him a present from my bag.
"This is from me..."
"A-thank you."
"?"
He seemed to be happy, but he still seemed nervous.
He also looked like he was timing something.
He seemed unable to grasp the timing.
I'll create the opportunity for him.
"Did something happen?"
"Ah, no..."
"You've been acting strange for a while now, you know?"
"I-is that so. That's odd."
Kazu-san gave a forced smile.
What on earth is the matter?
About ten minutes have passed since we finished our coffee.
"Shall we head out soon?"
When I said that and tried to stand up, he said, "Wait."
As I sat back down, Kazu-san took a deep breath.
It's a French restaurant, and there's no dress code, but for some reason, he's wearing a suit.
Why are you so formal?
I tried to think about it in my own way. Today is the day before Christmas Eve.
But a Christmas dinner... it's a bit funny.
He's wearing formal clothes even though there's no dress code.
And there are some points where he's acting suspiciously.
It seems there's something he wants to say.
...He wouldn't be this formal just to break up.
Then, the opposite?
He'll be a working adult starting next year.
It might not be strange for such a thing to happen.
Oh no, I'm starting to get nervous too.
A period of silence flowed.
The one who broke the silence was me.
"Kazu-san..."
"Yes!"
He's nervous to a funny degree.
Don't put so much tension in your shoulders.
"You can just be your usual self. Don't be so tense."
I wonder if he realized that I've noticed. Kazu-san placed a small box on the table.
"It's only been about a year and a half since we started dating, but I believe I've seen the real Kana."
"Yes..."
"With that said, I'll ask. Please marry me."
"...Yes."
I pressed a handkerchief to the corners of my eyes.
He is holding back the urge to shout out of sheer happiness.
I took the ring out of the small box and handed it to him.
"Could you put it on for me?"
When I said that and held out my left hand, he placed it on my ring finger.
"It's not Christmas or Christmas Eve, but today is an anniversary, isn't it?"
Oh no, the tears won't stop.
"I'll absolutely make you happy."
"No."
"Eh?"
"Let's become happy together."
When I answered that, he nodded.
After his great event ended, we spent time stopping by our usual bar, returned to his house, and spent the night.
(8)
We strolled through the city, went to karaoke, and spent time.
After that, we went to the Spanish restaurant we had reserved and enjoyed the food.
If you drink that much just because the sangria is delicious, you'll get drunk, you know? Toya-kun.
After that, we went to a bar I found and drank alcohol.
Since we had already checked into the hotel, we hopped through two or three places.
The distance from the entertainment district to the hotel was short, so we walked back to sober up.
When we returned to the hotel, there was some kind of small box.
When I opened it, it was a Christmas cake surprise.
We ate it together with the alcohol we bought.
Toya-kun seems to get a bit frisky when he drinks.
"Want to take a bath together?"
Only to me, okay, that you say those lines.
After taking a bath with Toya-kun, we watched television.
Can I have expectations for tonight?
Just as I thought that...
Toya-kun was asleep.
...Well, he did drink a lot.
I cover Toya-kun with a duvet.
I take back what I said. The part about wanting to take a bath was probably his true feeling.
While I'm happy, I'm also lonely.
Isn't it a bit much to make me expect something and then do that?
Poke
I lightly flick Toya-kun's head.
At that moment, words leaked from Toya-kun's mouth.
"Airi... I love you."
Please say things like that when you're sober.
I'm happy, but he'll probably forget by tomorrow.
After that, I tried to watch television, but just as I thought Toya-kun had suddenly woken up, he hugged me.
"We'll be together forever."
Yes, yes. I'm right here, so you don't have to worry.
I'm worried about him drinking with everyone tomorrow~
While soothing Toya-kun and watching television, my smartphone rang.
"I was proposed to by Kazu-san."
A message like that, and an image of a diamond ring placed on a left hand.
I replied, "Congratulations."
And then I looked at Toya-kun.
Toya-kun says it'll be after he becomes a working adult.
Isn't that practically the same as a proposal?
Moreover, it's been recognized by both families' parents, and now it's just waiting for Toya-kun's will.
Toya-kun had said.
"We are in a common-law marriage," he said...
I grip Toya-kun's hand tightly.
I turn off the television, dim the lights, hug Toya-kun, and close my eyes.
Dreaming of the wedding of Toya-kun and me, which will surely happen someday.