Chapter 220 - Even If the Sun Freezes
(1)
New Year's Eve
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
It seems Airi's day never changes.
I want to stay asleep, unchangingly.
"Uuu... it's the last day of the year. Get it together."
Saying things like that, once tomorrow comes, she'll probably say, "It's the start of the year!" right?
"Muu... I don't care anymore! You can just sleep forever!"
Huh? Is this bad? Did I anger Airi?
When I suddenly opened my eyes, Airi was about to leave the room.
I sat up and hurriedly hugged Airi from behind.
"Wah, sorry, sorry. I'm properly awake. I just wanted to be a little mean to my cute bride. See, I'm definitely awake, right?"
Calling her "cute bride" is the key point.
Airi spun around. Her face was the very image of a smile.
"I know~. That's why I just played a little mean in return~"
Airi clung to me and kissed my cheek.
"Now, let's eat. I'll have to make Toya-kun work hard today, too."
At the end of the year, the parents of both the Katagiri and Tosaka families are absent.
Even though she could just spend it sloppily as she pleased, Airi is starting preparations for the year-end big cleaning.
"Toya-kun, I'm asking you to clean the ventilation fan, the toilet, and the bath. Also, it would be nice if you could wash the screen doors and things like that."
"...And after that?"
"Hmm. Maybe washing the car~? Oh, I bought a shimenawa, so please put it up. And then maybe garden maintenance."
There's a lot to do.
For now, I'll take care of them one by one.
By the time I finished, it had become night.
When I returned to the house, there was a delicious smell. This smell is...
When I went to the dining room, there was sukiyaki bubbling away on a portable gas stove.
"Hurry up and wash your hands."
Doing as Airi told me, I washed my hands, and once I sat at the table, the two of us picked at the sukiyaki.
While drinking beer to act a bit like an adult.
Hmm, I definitely prefer highballs.
Once we finished eating the sukiyaki, it was time to clean up.
Even though I told Airi I'd help...
"You can just go take a bath."
Being told that, I obediently entered the bath.
After getting out of the bath, I took a few drinks from the refrigerator and went up to the room.
While I was watching TV, Airi came to the room to get a change of clothes and headed for the bath.
After a while, Airi also brought drinks and began drying her hair.
Once she finished drying her hair, she sat next to me and drank her drink.
Eventually, Airi placed her laptop on the table and launched spreadsheet software.
It's something she does every day.
Even though it's something she does every day, it feels nostalgic.
How long has it been since I had such a relaxing time?
I didn't have it for a while after I started basketball. I might have, but I don't remember.
Around after 11 PM, Airi headed for the kitchen.
And after a while, she brought two bowls of steaming soba.
After eating those, Airi began cleaning up again.
By the time Airi returned to the room, it was already five minutes before the year ended.
"A lot happened this year, didn't it~"
Airi suddenly began to speak.
"Yeah."
"I'm sure a lot will happen next year, too."
"Probably."
Next year is the year of the Universiade.
For now, I've been called to the intensive training camp.
Next year is also the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
I'm looking forward to seeing Airi in her formal kimono.
While thinking about such things, the year turned.
"Happy New Year."
Once I finished exchanging greetings with Airi, my smartphone rang.
It's the Watanabe squad.
I sent a message.
Once the TV program ended, I thought about what to do after this.
They're doing a music program, but...
Airi's eyes are pleading.
Let's just sleep already today, okay?
"Airi, shall we go to sleep soon?"
Airi smiled brightly and nodded.
Entering the bed, I turned off the TV and lowered the lighting.
Airi clung to me.
I met Airi's eyes.
You understand without me saying it, right?
Yeah, I understand.
It looks like I'll be able to have a good first dream this year, too.
(2)
I ate the soba that arrived from my parents' house.
This year, the Red Team won.
I wasn't interested in either side, though.
I just watched the New Year's Eve programs.
I watched TV while inside the kotatsu, peeling mandarin orange skins.
When the year turned, I exchanged greetings with Saki.
After that, I sent a message to the Watanabe squad's message group.
I changed the TV channel.
A music program was on.
I'm not very interested, but since nothing else good was on, I watched it.
Saki seemed to be interested.
Saki seems to be interested in Johnny's idols.
She was watching intently.
Even such a Saki was yawning around after 2 AM.
I turned off the TV.
"Shall we sleep soon?"
Saying that, I turned off the kotatsu power and entered the bed.
Saki entered as well.
"The year turned, didn't it."
Saki suddenly started talking.
"It did."
"It seems like I'll be able to spend this year happily, too."
"Why do you think so?"
"Don't they say the plan for the year is made on New Year's Day?"
"Yeah."
"Since I was able to feel this happy right at the start of the year, this year will surely be happy."
I see.
"I'm counting on you this year, too."
"Yeah, you too."
"..."
"Saki?"
Saki is sleeping with her face pressed against my chest.
It looks like I'll be able to have a good first dream, too.
Thinking that, I also closed my eyes.
What floats behind my eyelids is Saki's smile.
As expected, it's a happy dream.
While thinking about such things, my consciousness drifted into a slumber.
(3)
"Happy New Year."
Amidst the crowd, Emi and I exchanged greetings.
"Even so, there are so many people, what is this line?"
Emi voiced her dissatisfaction.
If you keep complaining right at the start of the year, it won't be a good year.
I proceeded through the crowd while protecting Emi.
And when we finally arrived, I threw in the offering coin, performed two bows, two claps, and one bow.
It looks like it'll be a struggle just to leave the shrine.
"Huh? Isn't that Isshy?"
Looking toward the voice, Otonashi-san and Tada-kun were there.
"Coincidences are scary,"
Tada-kun said.
"Huh? Isn't that Kanna-chan!"
Emi seemed to have noticed as well.
We began talking in a place away from the crowd.
Tada-kun and the others apparently came by car.
They said they're going to drive back through the night.
"Are Emi and you being driven?"
"It's crowded if you use a car, right? That's why we used public transportation. We intend to stay one night in Fukuoka before returning."
"I see~."
While Otonashi-san and Emi were talking, Tada-kun spoke to me.
"Hey, around when do you plan to move?"
"Eh?"
"You got engaged, right? Aren't you going to live together?"
"No, I haven't thought about it. Is Tada-kun going to live together?"
"Kanna seems to intend to. Look, her parents registered their marriage, right? It seems she finds it uncomfortable to be in a house of newlyweds."
"Ah, I see."
"Kanna seems to be thinking about living alone, but if that's the case, considering the trouble of searching for a new place, wouldn't it be quicker to move into the house?"
Isn't that just Tada-kun's desire?
"I haven't earned enough to support Emi yet."
"Late-night part-time jobs are great. They pay quite a premium."
I wonder what kind of part-time job it is?
"Isshy doesn't need to think about such things. I'll prepare my own living expenses myself."
Has Emi ever had a part-time job?
"Makoto, don't go blowing unnecessary things into Isshy's ear."
Otonashi-san cautioned Tada-kun.
"There are things men consult each other about, right?"
"Your consultations never lead to anything good, so no."
"Isshy, increasing your part-time jobs any more is a no-go."
"But has Emi ever had a part-time job?"
"I haven't. I don't need to."
"Then, how do you get your living expenses?"
"My parents aren't heartless; they'll at least give me an allowance. I'll manage with that."
In Emi's family's case, I heard the amount of the allowance is the problem.
"For that reason, Isshy, let's decide during the winter break. The new home."
"...Please keep the rent within a normal range."
"That's fine, about how much is 'normal'?"
I showed the number with my fingers on my right hand.
"It costs that much!? Wouldn't it be faster to just buy one!?"
Emi, you've got the digits wrong. Definitely.
"Well, a single room probably wouldn't be enough for living with Emi,"
Otonashi-san said.
Come to think of it, I recall Sakai-kun saying that Shimizu-san gave him a house as a Christmas present.
"Let's look for a house together. I'll listen to Emi's requests, too."
"I don't mind even a run-down apartment."
If I let her live in a place like that, Emi's father will strangle my carotid artery.
"Emi, it's almost time for the train..."
"It looks like we should go early."
"Got it, well, see you later, Kanna-chan."
"Yeah, see ya~ next is the New Year's party."
Saying that, I parted with the two of them.
"Living together~ I'm looking forward to it."
It seems that in Emi's mind, living together has been decided.
I've been saving money. Actually, I thought of it as marriage funds.
Well, I can just save again after we start living together.
I heard that places near the university are cheap.
I'll try searching as soon as I get back.
(4)
In front of Haruhi Shrine.
We, the Watanabe couple, and the Nishimatsu couple were all gathered.
"Everyone seems to have various errands,"
Watanabe-kun said.
"I suppose we'll each go our own way,"
I said.
"Well, no matter what happens, the Watanabe squad won't disappear. That much is certain,"
Nishimatsu-kun said. He's softened up quite a bit, too.
"Let's finish our prayers quickly,"
Akira-chan said, and after finishing the prayers, we drew omikuji.
For the time being, it seemed no one had anything bad written.
"Now, what to do from here," said Watanabe-kun.
"We're walking home," said Nishimatsu-kun.
"Then, shall we disband here?" When Watanabe-kun said that, Nishimatsu-kun said "See you later," and the two of them left.
Akira-chan has a ride arranged, and Watanabe-kun is arranging a taxi.
"Akira, you should just get married already. It's practically the same as if you already have," Mika-san said.
"That's the thing, Zen-kun tells me to wait."
When Akira-chan said that, Mika-san got angry.
"If you've proposed and are even living together, there are things like introducing each other to parents and such, right? I've decided! Get it over with during the spring break."
The things this person says are truly wild claims.
"Mika's point makes some sense. You proposed. Moreover, you're living together. You should at least report it to the parents."
"I guess it comes to that, doesn't it."
I let out a sigh.
"I get it. I'll be returning to my parents' house anyway, so I'll give my greetings then."
"Well said! That's a man!"
Watanabe-kun slapped my back with all his might.
Watanabe-kun's taxi arrived first. The two of us waited for the ride.
"Zen-kun, about what Watanabe-kun said..."
You don't have to rush that much.
"It's a fact that I proposed, and it's a fact that you accepted. Then, I have to settle things properly."
"...Thank you."
Shimizu-san has changed quite a bit since last year.
Perhaps the time has come for me to change as well.
A horn sounded—beep beep.
It seems the ride has arrived.
I climbed into the back seat.
"I wonder if Papa and Mama are awake?"
"I think they're relaxing at home, but..."
"Kazami, please stop by my parents' house."
"Hah!"
"Eh?"
"You decided to give your greetings, didn't you, during the winter break. If so, the sooner the better."
Socially speaking, how is it to come and give greetings in the middle of the night?
"Tomorrow is fine. I have to prepare a box of sweets and such."
"The shops will be closed tomorrow. Strike while the iron is hot, Zen." (T/N: Pun on the proverb "Zen wa isoge," which means "strike while the iron is hot," and the character's name, Zen)
Saying that, the car headed toward the Shimizu residence.
(5)
"Umi~ want to eat soba?"
"I do~"
I put down my brush, washed my hands, and headed for the dining room.
It was tsukimi soba.
Once I finished eating that, I returned to my work again.
"Don't push yourself too hard."
"I know~"
Once Shuji-chan finished his soba, he began cleaning up.
This year, there was a major event: marrying Shuji-chan.
The wedding ceremony was put on hold until I graduate from junior college.
There were not a few opposing opinions from those around us.
It was probably because of the circumstances of it being a cousin marriage.
It was probably because of the circumstances of it being an age-gap marriage.
But the two of us desperately persuaded them.
Shuji-chan stood at the forefront and took the brunt of the opposing opinions.
Everyone in the Watanabe squad congratulated us.
Naturally, I also began to be conscious of the thing called marriage.
I even bought marriage information magazines.
Now, as always, I continue to paint.
While also completing my junior college assignments.
Shuji-chan gives me various advice.
The two of us are already walking through life together.
Please give your life to me, Shuji-chan.
Shuji-chan literally entrusted his life to me.
I can't give anything back, though.
What can I do to make Shuji-chan happy?
Someone says that female painters cannot be happy.
But I am within happiness.
My paintings are selling.
I entrust the money to Shuji-chan, hoping it will help with living expenses even a little.
When I'm with Shuji-chan, various things start to look wonderful.
I capture that with my eyes and then paint it on the canvas.
Time passes quickly when I'm painting.
When Shuji-chan knocks and enters the room, he says, "Happy New Year."
Before I knew it, the New Year had arrived.
The first New Year spent together as two.
What I'm painting now is a person painting with Takemoto-kun as the subject.
"Person of Youth," Shuji-chan titled it for me.
Once I finish painting this, I think I'll paint Shuji-chan next.
I've already decided on the title.
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
I was woken up by Shuji-chan.
Shuji-chan told me to come to the veranda.
From the veranda, I looked toward the sea.
After a while, the sunrise became visible.
The first sunrise.
I watched the sunrise with Shuji-chan for a while.
A new year begins.
I'm counting on you this year, too.
I bowed my head slightly toward Shuji-chan.
"I'm counting on you, too."
Saying that, Shuji-chan smiled.
The shutter of my heart captured that smile.
I'll keep it forever.
That is the only thing I did not put in the art exhibition.
(6)
I was woken up by Haruki early in the morning.
I was urged to change clothes.
Once I finished changing, we went out.
Where are we going at this hour?
"Where are we going~?"
When I asked Haruki, he said, "You'll find out soon."
I found out soon.
We were heading for the Mount Tsurumi observation deck.
Everyone went up to the rooftop and waited for that moment.
After about an hour, it became visible.
The first sunrise.
The two of us gazed at it for a while.
The first memory with Haruki of this year.
"It's cold, so shall we go soon~?"
When I said that, Haruki left the spot.
"...Sorry. I just thought since we were here..."
Haruki said.
"Please don't apologize~. This kind of thing isn't bad, either~"
When I said that, Haruki smiled.
Descending by ropeway, we went down the mountain.
I had heard that Katagiri-senpai's driving was good, but I think Haruki is good, too.
I don't know because he doesn't speed much.
Is it his policy not to have people in the passenger seat when he drives seriously?
But I think I'd like to ride once.
The car headed straight for Usa.
The purpose is probably the first shrine visit, right?
Without taking the highway, we proceeded slowly along the national road.
While enjoying the scenery.
Inside the car, songs by rock bands from the 70s and 80s were playing.
A selection typical of Haruki.
Perhaps because it was early morning, I slept amidst the noisy songs.
When I woke up, we were caught in a traffic jam.
"Are you okay~?"
When I asked, only "I'm fine" came back.
"But you sure slept well."
"Because it was early morning~"
"You're quite comfortable showing your sleeping face in front of your boyfriend."
"Did you not want to see it~?"
"...Keep it only for in front of me."
I know~.
Finally, after parking the car, we walked to offer our prayers.
"Well, our business is done, shall we go home and eat some mochi?"
"I'm hungry right now, though~"
"I wonder if they're still doing breakfast specials?"
We went home while having such a conversation.
(7)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
I'm woken up by Airi.
I smell mochi.
I get up immediately and head for the dining room.
Ozoni had been made.
I eat it together with osechi.
"Toya-kun, where shall we go for the first shrine visit this year?"
"Isn't Usa Jingu fine?"
"Then, I'll get ready as soon as I finish cleaning up."
Saying that, Airi finished eating immediately and began cleaning up.
Once I also finished eating, I took the dishes to the kitchen and had Airi wash them.
In the meantime, I finished my preparations, changed in the room, and waited for Airi.
I check the weather forecast.
It seems it's sunny today, too.
When Airi returned to the room, she changed and began applying makeup.
Waiting for that, I confirmed the locks, left the house, and climbed into the car.
If it's to Usa, the national road is fine.
Thinking that, I drove on the national road.
I played the CD Airi brought.
I, driving while humming along to the songs.
Airi also hummed along, imitating me.
It was a fun drive.
"Toya-kun, what was your first dream like?"
"Airi appeared."
"Really? What kind?"
"Airi and I are walking down a road, illuminating a dark road with light."
"And then?"
"The destination is very far, but it's bright, very bright, like a big city."
"That's all?"
"Yeah."
"I see~"
It seemed Airi was slightly unsatisfied.
"What kind of dream did Airi have?"
"Eh?"
"You didn't have a dream?"
"I had a dream about Toya-kun."
"What kind of dream?"
"Uuu... do I have to say it?"
"If you don't want to say it, you don't have to."
"Uuu... a dream about the Coming-of-Age Ceremony."
Airi said only that, looked down, and fell silent.
Her face is flushed.
I can tell just from that.
Another pointless dream...
And so, another year began.