Chapter 218 - A Night Without a Sun
(1)
"Well then, let's all celebrate this auspicious night. Cheers!"
With those words from Watanabe-kun, the banquet began.
First, we offered our congratulations to the couples whose engagements and marriages had been decided.
"I never imagined even Ishihara-kun would get engaged."
"Well, there are various reasons. Katagiri-kun, aren't you told to do the same by Tosaka-san?"
Ah, I see. Even if the words are lacking, I can imagine the gist of it.
"Isshy. You're making it sound as if I forced you to, aren't you?"
"N-no, it's not like that! I purely love you, Emi!"
To be able to say such a thing so naturally—has the alcohol already hit him?
Once the round of greetings was finished, I returned to my seat.
Small plates of sashimi and other dishes were piled up.
"Senpai, even if it is a banquet, please be careful not to overeat."
Sakura-san said.
"Toya, you should have just started soccer if you were going to do that anyway..."
Makoto approached, holding a beer mug.
Either one would have been fine, though.
It's just that I think I prefer basketball.
"Defeating the Japan national team right out of the gate is just too much of a cheat. And for someone who says they can't play full-time, I heard you were called up for the Universiade."
"There is no problem on that front; by next year, I should have the stamina to play full-time,"
Sakura-san said.
"Sakura, I heard you're the manager for the Basketball Club?"
Makoto was asking Sakura-san. I see, so they were in the same club during middle school.
"Yes, it's almost as if I entered the local university specifically to make Katagiri-senpai play sports."
"I'm impressed you managed to persuade Toya."
"It took a long time. I used forceful means at the end. But I'm glad."
"You used a different approach than Tosaka-san, huh. And I heard you confessed to him."
"I got rejected, though."
Sakura-san said this and stuck out her tongue.
"It seems I'm no match for Tosaka-senpai. But I haven't given up. I'm a patient person."
Makoto let out a long whistle.
"Just so you know, Toya is more stubborn than he looks. The reason he started dating is simple, but his feelings are strong. You'd be faster looking for another man."
"I'll consider it if I find someone who surpasses Katagiri-senpai."
"What, what? If it's that kind of consultation, the Watanabe squad is here for you."
Sashihara-san arrived.
"Hi, Sashihara-san. I heard you got a ring too?"
When I asked Sashihara-san, she happily showed me the ring finger of her left hand.
A ring set with a small diamond was adorning it.
"I told him I didn't need anything expensive, but it seems this was Eita's maximum expression of affection in his own way."
Everyone proposes on Christmas Eve and such, I see.
Perhaps because it becomes an anniversary.
An anniversary, huh. If it's an anniversary...
"Oh? Katagiri-kun, are you thinking about something? What's wrong? Did Katagiri-kun decide he wants to propose to Airi too?"
When Sashihara-san said that, I shook my head.
Apparently, my mouth becomes loose when alcohol is involved.
"No, I was just thinking about when I should propose... If I'm going to do it on an anniversary anyway..."
"Toya, Airi is listening! It sounds like you're proposing right now!"
Only after Kanna told me did I realize.
Airi was by Eguchi-san and Shimizu-san's side, but she was eavesdropping.
She always seems to be searching for my words.
When my eyes met Airi's, she smiled brightly.
"I'm fine whenever," Airi smiled.
"Toya! If that's the case, the sooner the better! Just say it right here, right now!!"
When Mika-san said that, everyone who had been making noise fell silent.
"Sorry, I've decided to do it after graduating from university."
"Will you say it immediately after graduating?"
"No, after my life has stabilized."
"Well, Toya has probably thought various things through, right? Tosaka-san is probably planning to wait for that, too, right?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, Airi nodded.
"Toya-kun, for the anniversary, just submitting the marriage registration is fine."
Airi said.
Which means I have to say it before that... in that case, will it be Christmas after all?
"How tedious. You two intend to marry, right? Just do it already."
When Mika-san said that, everyone began to cheer and egg them on.
"Since we've decided to do it, I want Toya-kun to be the one to decide the proper timing. I'm sure he'll give me a wonderful proposal."
Airi casually raises the hurdle.
She said long lines are no good.
Or rather, she said she'd say "yes" before I even finished the line... Still, I really have to mark the occasion properly.
(2)
"Shimizu-san, Emi... and Kana, congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Thanks."
"Thank you very much."
The four of us toasted to celebrate the reports of the three.
"Next year looks like it'll be hectic. I wonder who will hold their ceremony first?"
Takashina... Nishimatsu Miyuki-senpai said.
"That's for you to tell us, Senpai," Kana said.
"Oh? Wouldn't it be fine for Oshima-san to be early too?"
"I haven't even finished reporting it to my parents yet."
Let me organize this. Those currently married are the Nishimatsu couple, the Watanabe couple, and the Tange couple. Those who were proposed to are Emi, Shimizu-san, and Kana. Close to that are Kanna and Ai.
"Tange-sensei, when will you hold your ceremony?"
"Hmm? Probably after Umi graduates from junior college?"
Tange-sensei answered.
As I thought, Miyuki-senpai will probably be the fastest~
"Isn't this no time to be worrying about others? Airi-chan."
"Hoe?"
Eguchi-san pointed toward Toya-kun.
There was Toya-kun, eating happily with Sakura-san.
"Forget about us, wouldn't it be better to go over there?"
I wonder~?
While saying that, Toya-kun's voice reached me.
"No, I was just thinking about when I should propose... If I'm going to do it on an anniversary anyway..."
It seems Toya-kun's voice gets louder when he's drunk.
I can hear him clearly even from here.
A proposal... will he do it for me? An anniversary... does that mean... that day?
"Toya, Airi is listening! It sounds like you're proposing right now!"
That's right, it's okay to say it now, you know?
My mental preparation... is complete.
"I'm fine whenever."
I was waiting for a single word from Toya-kun. But...
"Sorry, I've decided to do it after graduating from university."
It seems it's still a story for far in the future.
But if it's Toya-kun, I'm sure he'll say wonderful words.
"But wouldn't it be better to decide sooner? A rival has appeared, after all."
By rival, does she mean Sakura-san?
"I heard they clashed once, didn't they?"
When Emi said that, I shook my head.
"After that, I went back to my parents' house."
"Eh!?"
The three of them were surprised.
"Then Rie-chan... was scolded by my mother. 'If you've decided to marry, don't come back over something like that!' she said... So I'm fine now. I swore that I wouldn't break over something like this."
"And what did Katagiri-kun say?"
"Hoe?"
Emi asked.
"Listening to this, it sounds as if only Airi-chan is in the wrong, doesn't it? Is there nothing regarding Katagiri-kun?"
"Toya-kun took me to the hill."
"?"
"The scenery was incredibly beautiful. There, Toya-kun told me, 'There's nothing binding Airi anymore. It's Airi's freedom. You can do as you like.' I was lonely. I asked, 'Is Toya-kun going to disappear?'..."
Shimizu-san began heading toward Toya-kun with a menacing expression. I stopped Shimizu-san and continued the story.
"And then, there's a continuation. He asked, 'How do you feel?' If I were anxious, rather than feeling liberated, I would have felt abandoned. I realized it then. It's not that I'm binding Toya-kun, but because Toya-kun's existence makes me feel secure, and because my existence is there, the current Toya-kun exists."
I stay by his side because I become anxious if we are apart. It's just that simple.
"Once I thought that, I was fine. Toya-kun and I are stable because we are together. That's why there's no need to worry about anything."
All three of them were listening intently to the story.
"That said, I think you should do something about that situation, you know?"
Emi said and pointed toward Toya-kun.
There was Toya-kun, being fed "aan" by Sakura-san.
"..."
I stood up silently and smoothly.
Seen off by the three, I headed toward Toya-kun.
Toya-kun was eating motsunabe in a good mood.
Poke
"What are you doing, Toya-kun?"
Having Makoto-kun give up his seat, I sat next to Toya-kun.
"Ah, Airi. Where did you go?"
"...Toya-kun really can't be left alone for a second, can he?"
That's why I become anxious, isn't it.
The one who removes that anxiety was Toya-kun.
Toya-kun hugged me.
"Wait, Toya-kun!?"
Toya-kun buried his face in my cleavage, and then said.
"As I thought, Airi is the best."
The people around us began to cheer.
Toya-kun, saying things he would absolutely never say normally.
Is that his true feeling?
"Wait, is Katagiri-kun's drinking habit bad!?"
Ai said.
I don't think he's particularly strong.
But it seems certain that his guard becomes loose.
He's hopeless.
"I get it, now look, the pot is going to burn."
"Katagiri-senpai, there's still one more helping~"
Sakura-san scooped the contents of the pot into a bowl.
"Thank you~"
Toya-kun ate it.
"Looks interesting... Airi, switch seats with me for a bit."
"Absolutely not."
I smiled and rejected Kanna's request.
"Che... how boring."
"I'll let you do it, Kanna," Makoto-kun said, leading Kanna away.
"Even if Makoto does it, it'll just be creepy!"
Even while saying that, Kanna was led away by Makoto-kun.
"Everyone, about how many of you can make it to the after-party?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, most people raised their hands.
We declined.
Because Toya-kun is like this.
"Toya's not coming?"
Mika-san said. I can't take him along in this state. Absolutely not.
"I'm going~"
Poke!
"You have class tomorrow! No!"
"Well, Toya is like this, so it can't be helped. ...The usual place should probably be fine, right?"
Saying so, Watanabe-kun made a phone call.
"Toya-kun, here's some oolong tea."
Saying that, I made Toya-kun drink oolong tea.
It seems the first party is over.
"Well then, to celebrate the future of the couples whose marriages were decided, let's do a single clap."
Clap!
And so, the first party ended.
(3)
I go home by bus with Airi.
The drunkenness had faded considerably, but... I tried acting spoiled with Airi.
Resting my head on Airi's shoulder and sleeping...
Poke
"You're actually awake, aren't you? I know."
It seems I was found out.
"...Pretending to be drunk to do whatever you want... honestly!"
Just how much is she seeing through?
"I knew from the start. You actually remembered last night too, didn't you?"
"I really forgot yesterday."
"Which means you remember today?"
"...Well, yeah."
"You were acting so spoiled with Sakura-san."
Is Airi's mood not very good?
I try to read Airi's heart... it seems that's not the case.
"That's because Sakura-san kept suggesting it."
Sakura-san was always by my side, suggesting I take some and help herself.
Sakura-san might have become cheerful too.
"I'll act spoiled with Airi once we get home."
"I wonder what you'll do for me~?"
"I told you yesterday, right? I'll keep my promise."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'm okay now. My consciousness is quite clear."
"Yay!"
Getting off at the bus stop, we walk home.
At that moment, I noticed something white and flickering waiting for us.
"It's snowing."
"Airi... want to go to the park?"
"Hoe? ...I guess that's okay?"
I go to the park with Airi.
Airi, perhaps sensing something, sits on a bench.
I link my arm with Airi's.
"Seven years have already passed since then, huh."
"That's right."
"Toya-kun, how do you feel about that night now?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm curious."
"...I think it was good. Because I feel like we were able to properly recognize each other as lovers from then on."
Then, Airi puffs out her cheeks.
"Cruel, so we weren't lovers until then?"
"We were lovers."
"?"
"It's just that I realized it anew. That there is something precious called Airi, that it is now within this hand, and that it is something I must never let go."
"..."
"Do you regret it, Airi? Forgiving me at that time."
"Of course not. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been dating you all this time."
"That's true too."
I give a wry smile.
"Let's go soon, it's getting cold."
Saying so, I call out to Airi as she stands up and begins to walk.
"Is there something else?"
I also stand up smoothly and said to Airi in a loud voice.
"Three years!!"
"Eh?"
"Wait another three years! Then I will definitely propose to Airi!"
Silence falls.
Occasionally, the sound of a cold wind blowing through can be heard.
Did I mess up again?
I look at Airi. She was crying. I messed up after all.
"...That's unfair, Toya-kun."
"Eh?"
"You're saying that knowing I could never refuse, right?"
"Ah..."
"Yes, I'll wait. Definitely keep your promise... Also. You haven't forgotten, right?"
"What?"
"...You don't have to think of a long line, okay?"
Ah, that thing.
"I know."
"Yeah... then let's go home?"
Holding hands with Airi, I went home.
(4)
The after-party.
Everyone is making a racket at karaoke.
Makoto is talking about something with Sakura.
"Sakura, how did you persuade Toya?"
"I took drastic measures; the opponent was beyond reproach, after all."
"Still, Toya, who can crush the Japan national team single-handedly... it's just too much of a basketball anomaly."
The conversation seems to be about Toya.
It seems the basketball anomaly has spread nationwide.
Television crews had even come.
Since then, the Basketball Club has apparently leveled up.
Toya, who can compete with first-class sports cars regardless of the car.
Toya, who can develop even the most mediocre team to the point where they can compete with first-class teams.
"Katagiri-senpai is a player who would be viable even globally. However, if there is one missing element..."
"There's such a thing?"
I joined the conversation.
"'Setback.' Because of that talent, he doesn't know setback. Any great player must have been crushed at least once."
"Then there's no need to worry."
"Why is that, Tada-senpai?"
"Because he suffered a setback in elementary school. He was envied by everyone. Because of that, he swore he would never do sports again."
"I see. It would be good if he had someone he could call a rival, but he'll probably find that at the Universiade."
"Probably."
"Hey...?"
I had a sudden doubt.
"What is it? Kanna."
A sudden doubt that anyone would have.
"I heard from Makoto that he started soccer after I transferred. And I've known since second year of middle school. ...What was he doing in first year of middle school?"
When I said that, Makoto fell silent. Is it something that cannot be said?
"But Senpai, what's wrong?"
"N-no, ah, it's Kanna's turn."
When Makoto said that, I received the microphone from Isshy.
I thought about it while singing.
Toya's first year of middle school, which no one mentions.
What happened?
Was Sakura's word a setback?
But Airi also said she didn't know.
Just what on earth happened?
The only ones who know now are Toya and Makoto.
However, the two of them never speak of it.
Who will be the one to fill the blank year?
(5)
A girl is looking at me.
The usual dream.
She says nothing.
It's rare today.
The girl keeps looking at me.
Please let me forget already.
She says nothing.
She tells me nothing.
Tell me... how many more times must I repent?
"That's enough already!!"
"Fue?"
It seems I woke Airi with my shout.
"What's wrong at this hour?"
The clock was at 2:00.
Airi wipes me, as I am breaking out in a sickening sweat.
"You should just sleep for today, okay?"
"I woke you up... sorry."
"Did you remember again?"
"Yeah..."
Airi tells me to lie down.
As I lie down as told, Airi hugs me.
"I don't know if it'll be effective. But I'll stay like this, so sleep peacefully."
"?"
"I'll tell that person, 'Go away~' and drive them off for you."
"...Thank you."
"I'm the one who should thank you."
"Eh?"
"You were still wearing it. That ring."
"Ah..."
The ring on the ring finger of my left hand that I had been wearing as a matter of course.
Since I haven't done any maintenance or anything, it's damaged.
"Just like us."
"Eh?"
"Even if we become tattered, we'll be together forever... we'll never leave each other. Until now, and forever from now on..."
Airi placed her hand against my left hand.
The ring on Airi's hand was still beautiful.
Though, Airi's ring was something I had given her.
Before I knew it, Airi had fallen asleep while holding me.
Over and over, I think.
Even if I repeat mistakes time and time again.
I will make up for it the same number of times.
The day the sun comes to visit the night.
The day to raise a celebratory toast for tonight alone.
Let's dream again and again.
Airi will save me again and again.
Airi is always by my side.
One day, I will be made to realize how important that is.
You can always come back.
The day those words pierce my heart is not far off.