Chapter 222 - Reach Out and Touch Me
(1)
"Be careful over there—"
Today was Kanna's moving day.
I had come to help.
The only others who came were Makoto-kun, Kiritani-kun, and Ai.
Kanna wasn't the only one moving today.
Apparently, Kana and Emi were moving as well.
Emi and Ishihara-kun had been looking for a place to move since before New Year's Eve.
The Watanabe group had gone to help them too.
Toya-kun was at club activities.
Even though I said I came to help, it was really just minor tasks; the professionals handled the heavy lifting.
Kanna's parents had also decided to move.
Apparently, the surname for Kanna's parents would change from Otonashi to Mozu.
Though Kanna would be changing hers to Tada.
Apparently, they had already submitted the marriage registration.
This year really is a marriage rush.
Once the luggage was finished being packed into the truck, we moved from the apartment to the new home.
Kanna didn't dwell much in tears of emotion.
She's probably used to moving.
We traveled in Makoto-kun's car.
"Sorry for making you help, Airi."
"It's fine, don't worry about it. But are you okay?"
"I've increased my part-time work hours, and apparently Makoto is doing late-night shifts too."
"Is Makoto-kun going to be okay with that?"
"He says he's securing time to sleep."
Makoto-kun is motivated too, I see.
Though it seems he was working part-time even when he gave the ring to Kanna.
"Tosaka-san and the others should just register their marriage already,"
Makoto-kun said.
"Toya-kun won't listen, saying it should be after he becomes independent. Besides, Toya-kun is having a hard time with basketball right now."
"Ah, right. He's not in the headspace for that."
Arriving before the professionals, we started by organizing Makoto-kun's room.
We had to think about the space to place the furniture Kanna was bringing.
We decided to throw away any furniture that wouldn't fit.
Then, when the professionals arrived, we gave instructions on where to place the furniture.
Leaving the unpacking for later, Kanna prepared moving soba for us.
"Thank you everyone for today."
"Thanks, everyone."
As Kanna and Makoto said that, we began eating the soba.
"Are you and the others not moving, Ai?"
"The university would get further away, and besides..."
"Besides?"
"I thought it'd be fine to stay as I am until Eita becomes independent."
Apparently, Kiritani-kun lives on allowances from his parents alone.
"I-If you marry me, I'll work too."
"In that case, look for a part-time job right now. If things go well with that, I'll consider it,"
Airi said, and everyone laughed.
On the way back, Makoto-kun and the others gave me a ride.
"Airi, thank you so much for today. It was a big help."
"I hardly did anything, Kanna."
"I'll help when Tosaka-san and the others move."
"Thank you."
The day I'll live with Toya-kun alone.
I wonder if such a day will come?
There's no point in thinking about the future.
I'll settle the problems in front of me.
Toya-kun is having a hard time right now. I have to support him.
Speaking of hard times, there's Sakai-kun and the others.
Apparently, the wedding ceremony will be in March.
They're proceeding with preparations at a frantic pace.
Apparently, their parents secured the venue.
They're apparently consulting with a wedding planner.
I received a message saying they wanted my address because they're sending out invitations.
It looks like Sakai-kun and his partner will be the first in the Watanabe group to have a ceremony.
I arrived home.
"Well then, I wish you two happiness."
"Thank you, see you again at the New Year's party."
"Yeah."
Saying that, the two of them drove away.
I returned to Toya-kun's house.
Toya-kun hasn't come home yet.
I'll quickly finish the housework before he returns.
While cleaning the room, I'll run the washing machine, and once the washing and drying are finished, I'll fold them, iron them...
After going shopping by car and returning while thinking about today's menu, Toya-kun's parents had returned.
"Oh? What are we having today?"
"I was thinking of making oden."
"Then, maybe Auntie will help too?"
"It's okay, you must be tired since you just got back."
"I can't just leave the housework to Airi-chan alone. Besides, cooking together is surprisingly fun."
I feel like I understand that.
And so, the two of us began preparing the oden.
All that's left is to simmer it.
While it simmered gently on low heat, I waited for Toya-kun's return.
He came back around 7 PM.
"Welcome home~!"
I greeted Toya-kun energetically. But...
"I'm home..."
Toya-kun's manner is strange.
Did something happen?
I'll ask him later.
After finishing the meal, while Toya-kun was in the bath, I finished cleaning up and then I took a bath myself.
I took a chu-hi to the room, placed it on the table, and began drying my hair.
Toya-kun was playing a game.
But by the time I finished drying, he had stopped the game and started watching TV.
"You could have kept playing your game."
Toya-kun drank the chu-hi without saying anything.
He drained it vigorously.
Letting out a "phew" sigh, he headed to the kitchen for another one.
"I'll get it for you."
Today's Toya-kun seemed to be depressed about something.
When I returned to the room with a few cans, Toya-kun was watching TV.
Noticing me, he said "Thank you" and accepted the drink.
Did he regain some composure? The pace of his drinking became normal.
"Toya-kun, what happened?"
When I asked, Toya-kun began to talk.
"I wonder if my thinking is naive...?"
Toya-kun let out a deep sigh and began to speak.
(2)
When I headed to the gymnasium, everyone had already started practicing.
As I tried to join the practice, the coach said, "Katagiri, stretch outside the court!"
When I stretched as told, he said, "Observe from there."
The regulars and the substitutes were practicing 5-on-5.
On another court, the girls' basketball club was practicing.
As I watched the practice blankly, Sakura-san approached.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean...?"
Because the coach told me to observe...
"...Senpai, what were you doing yesterday?"
"What do you mean? I did my training properly."
"...Everyone else practiced properly yesterday, you know?"
"Wasn't it said that practicing on the days you can come is fine?"
"You don't think it's okay to be a Sixth Man forever, do you?"
Sixth Man... who was the one who said they'd let me play the full game?
"The genius probably takes it for granted that he can enter the court whenever he wants."
Mizushima-kun said as he approached.
It seemed they had entered a break period.
"Sakura, it's useless to say anything to this guy. His place is properly prepared for him. He's probably looking down on us from above."
That ticked me off.
"It's not like I'm doing this because I want to, though?"
Slap
Sakura-san slapped my cheek.
"If you have no motivation, please go home! You're in the way of everyone's practice! With that mindset, you won't make it even if you go to the national training camp!"
"Mizushima, resume practice! Get back to the court!"
When the coach gave the order, Mizushima-kun returned to the court.
"Senpai's biggest flaw is a lack of motivation! You think you're fine. You think you can enter the starting lineup whenever you want, don't you?"
If anything, I don't want to be in the starting lineup. It's tiring...
"Just stay there and watch the practice quietly today. ...If you don't change your way of thinking, the same thing will happen at the national training camp."
Good grief, this is why I hate this. Doing sports.
Since when did this become a hot-blooded sports story?
I blankly watched the scene of the practice.
Everyone was desperately sweating.
Mizushima-kun was desperately attempting long threes, but they wouldn't go in at all.
It seemed he was hated by the ring.
Even so, he desperately lunged for loose balls, desperately tried to get passes, and appealed with "me, me!"
But if he was that panicked, there was no way his play would go well.
Gradually, no one passed to him.
And then the whistle blew.
"Tasuku!! Switch with Katagiri."
Was it a lie when he said there was no turn for me earlier?
This coach's opinion changes constantly.
I did some light squats and tried to switch with Mizushima-kun. However...
"Coach, I can still do it! Please let me!"
But the coach wouldn't listen.
"Katagiri! Why are you idling! Get on the court quickly!"
"Coach!!"
Mizushima-kun's painful plea reached the coach in vain.
"Tasuku, you're too panicked. Your play is erratic. First, leave the court and calm down,"
Akai-kun said, trying to soothe him.
Perhaps it was unbearable to watch.
"Coach, my knee is in bad shape today, so please let me rest."
When I said that, Mizushima-kun glared at me.
"Do you think you're sympathizing with me? Must be nice! The talented ones are always given preferential treatment. You think a seat in the starting lineup is always prepared for you, don't you!"
Saying that, he left the gymnasium.
Kimoto-senpai tried to follow him, but the coach stopped him.
"Kazuya! Leave him be! Get to your position! Toya, stop making excuses and get ready quickly!"
The coach is working unusually hard today.
After practice ended, we all looked for Mizushima-kun.
Mizushima-kun was practicing alone behind the gymnasium.
Mizushima-kun, practicing shots alone toward a basket that had been placed there by someone unknown.
The starting members gathered there and sat down.
"We used to practice here a lot during our first year, didn't we?"
Toma-kun reminisced.
"The regulars of second year and above monopolized the court, so there was no place to practice."
"Though we did get scolded when we put the basket there,"
Kira-kun said with a laugh.
"I don't need sympathy. I'll take the starting spot with my own skill."
"Don't be stubbornly boring. Everyone is practicing with the same feeling. At least vent your weaknesses to us,"
said Kuroda-kun, who was like a Sixth Man.
"I have no intention of ending as a substitute either. I intend to enter the starting lineup someday."
Everyone admires the starting lineup, I see.
It was an emotion difficult to understand for me, who has never felt such a thing.
"You don't have to rush. Your turn will come eventually. You're an all-rounder. There are times when other positions open up,"
Kimoto-senpai persuaded him.
"Don't lose sight of your own play. Utilize your strengths. What are your strengths?"
Then Mizushima-kun stood up abruptly and took a shot.
The ball went smoothly into the goal.
Seeing that, Kimoto-senpai said.
"That's it. Our team is weak on the inside. Shots from the outside will definitely be effective. Your defense isn't losing to anyone either. Your turn will surely come."
"In short, just use your strengths, right? There are first-years who are good at 3Ps too. Don't let those guys steal your current place,"
Akai-kun said and walked away.
"That guy..."
Kimoto-senpai stopped Mizushima-kun, who tried to follow.
"Even Kyota is agonizing. There are centers over 2 meters among the first-years. He's desperate not to have his position stolen by them. He secretly does weight training and such."
"Was that so..."
"Everyone is like that. They're doing their best just to protect their own position. You're not the only one; understand your own role."
Whether Kimoto-senpai's persuasion worked, Mizushima-kun regained his composure.
Everyone is doing their best to protect their own position...
It was an emotion I couldn't understand.
"The change in everyone's awareness is thanks to Katagiri-kun... thanks to you. They've become obsessed with winning. They've started thinking they want to be active like Katagiri-kun. As a result, it led to this competition for positions, though."
"I can't understand it. Wouldn't it be fine if we could just play basketball enjoyably?"
Even without being so obsessed with winning.
"A genius can't understand. Because you're in a position we can't reach even if we effort our whole lives,"
Mizushima-kun said.
"At the national camp, please do your best as our representative,"
Kimoto-senpai said.
I could only nod.
And that turned into hesitation. Is my thinking wrong? Is there no meaning if you don't win?
Unwillingly, I was being dragged into the struggle for survival.
(3)
"I see~"
Airi listened to the story in silence.
"Toya-kun was like that during soccer too, wasn't he? You said you grew tired of it because everything was pushed onto you as your responsibility."
"Yeah, that's right."
"Is it like that now too?"
Airi questioned.
I wonder if I'm growing tired of it now.
"I'm not tired of it. It's just that enduring the pressure is tough..."
"You don't have to endure it,"
Airi gave an answer with startling simplicity.
"But..."
"There's a limit to what a human can do. Basketball is a team play too, so there's a limit to what one person can do."
What Airi says has a point. The amount of things one person can do is limited. It's just a difference of whether that upper limit is low or high. That difference isn't even that great.
"In that case, just be defiant. No matter how much you're expected, say 'I can't do what I can't do!' Instead, don't be swept away, don't waver. Toya-kun just needs to keep being the usual Toya-kun."
"I guess so..."
"If you're still lost... tell me again. Since the only thing I can do is be someone to consult with."
"Even just that is a help."
"I'm happy you say that."
Do what I can... huh.
No matter what others say, I'll just do what I can.
That's fine.
If that result leads to achievements.
"Hmm..."
Is Airi troubled? I wonder what's wrong?
Airi was playing a game.
A mid-boss, she had already progressed that far.
"This part gets stiff halfway through, and then everyone dies from a strong attack."
"There's a trick to that."
When the controller was handed over from Airi, I changed the party composition a bit.
Then I challenged it, attacking while changing the composition.
Then, I defeated it in no time.
"Amazing, I couldn't win at all even after making them really strong, but you defeated it so easily."
"Yeah, you had made them very strong."
I want to praise her for managing to grow them this much.
"It's just like a game. Enemies I can't defeat, Toya-kun can clear away in no time. Everyone just summarizes that as 'talent' in one word. Even though you're actually putting in effort."
"I see..."
"Toya-kun has too many special skills, though. Because you got motivated, it's probably what they call breaking the limit."
"I wish Airi could use them too. Special skills."
"I'm always using them."
Airi smiled and whispered in my ear.
...I wonder how she can say things like that without any shame.
"Toya, a moment?"
It's Mother.
"What is it?"
"I'm going shopping tomorrow, so Toya, come along."
"Shopping?"
"Are you going to the coming-of-age ceremony in a recruit suit?"
Ah, I see.
"Maya-san, I'll go too."
"Yes, that's fine."
"Yay~!"
"Airi, don't you need to choose a furisode or something?"
"I've already ordered one of those."
Is that how it is.
Airi in a furisode.
She must look very lovely.
"Toya-kun, let's take a photo side-by-side, okay?"
"Airi... are you telling me to wake up early?"
"To be precise, 'stay awake!' I guess."
Airi said and laughed.
The coming-of-age ceremony...
The Watanabe group will probably make a fuss anyway.
They said they'd have a New Year's party, and there's the basketball club's New Year's party too.
I'm very busy.
There are also the second-term finals.
When I think about it, various things come up.
I'll settle them one by one.
That's what I decided.
(4)
"Ishihara-kun, where should I put this?"
"Ah, please put that in the room over there."
Today was the day Emi and I moved.
It overlapped with the moving day of Otonashi... Tada Kanna-san.
The Watanabe group came to help.
The professionals did most of the work, though.
"But why is it a 2LDK? Isn't a 1LDK enough?"
I don't want to be told that by Shimizu... Sakai Akira-san, who bought a house.
Emi gave a shocking answer to that question.
"What do you mean why? We'll need one room when we have children, right?"
"Emi, you already have children!?"
"No, not yet... but twins are a possibility. When we have children, we'll move again."
You don't have to think about that while we're students!
Those who came to help were the Sakai couple, the Watanabe couple, the Nishimatsu couple, Ichinose-san, and Nakajima-kun.
Since the professionals were there, the luggage was finished being moved in no time.
"Everyone, you were a big help. The two of us will do the rest of the unpacking, so please eat some soba."
Saying that, we ate the zaru soba that had been ordered for delivery.
Once we finished the soba, the professionals left, and everyone else also left, saying "Well then, take your time."
After that, the two of us decided on priorities and proceeded with the unpacking.
While we took our time, the clock had passed 8 PM.
"I'm starting to get hungry."
"Shall we go to the neighborhood champon shop?"
"Is champon okay? We had noodles for lunch too."
"...Then shall we go to a family restaurant?"
"That sounds good."
Saying that, we finished dinner at a family restaurant and returned, took a bath, and unpacked again.
The portion for our own rooms was finished.
All that was left was the kitchen and living room.
The kitchen was Emi's responsibility. I was in charge of the living room.
By the time the unpacking was finished, the date had changed.
"I'm tired, shall we sleep?"
"Yes."
Both of us entered the bedroom and tried to lie on the bed.
However, Emi sat in seiza on the bed and suddenly bowed her head.
"I am inexperienced, but I look forward to your kindness from today."
I also hurriedly sat in seiza.
"L-Likewise, I look forward to your kindness."
"Well, shall we sleep?"
Saying that, this time Emi properly entered under the covers.
I entered after her.
I'm nervous. Is this what they call the wedding first night?
I looked at Emi. She was sleeping peacefully.
While I was relieved, I also felt a bit lonely.
But Emi must be tired too.
I'll let her sleep tonight.
"Isshy... that way of reading is probably not good anymore, right?"
Weren't you sleeping?
"The way you call me doesn't matter. Use whatever is easiest to call."
"Nozomi-san... would that be okay?"
"You don't need the -san."
"Then... Nozomi... I love you."
"Thank you, Emi... I love you too."
When we said it together, we laughed.
"It feels like 'why now' doesn't it?"
Right.
"When do we want to have the ceremony?"
"Is... after graduation no good?"
"If that's what Nozomi desires... that's fine."
"Thank you."
"We have to consult with the others too. It'll be terrible if the wedding dates overlap."
"That's true."
After that, we spent the night talking about various things... and then fell asleep.
(5)
"Niina-san, put the necessary files for today on that USB memory."
"Yes!"
"Also, organize the documents. Since this is also for greeting visits, don't forget the gift boxes of sweets that have been prepared."
"Understood."
I move according to Shiina-san's instructions.
In between, I look at Manabe-kun.
Manabe-kun is also operating a PC while responding to Harada-san's instructions.
"I am from the 'Happy New Year' party..."
"Niina-san, the vendor person is here. Guide them to the reception. Also, prepare the tea."
"Yes."
While I was guiding them to the reception and preparing tea in the kitchenette, Chief Tomosaka spoke to me.
"Are you used to customer service? Did you work part-time somewhere?"
"I was helping with my family business."
"I see, you're moving better than I expected, which is a help."
"Thank you very much."
"By the way, are you the person who was mentioned in the stories?"
Stories?
"You know, that you like Manabe-kun..."
Clatter!
I dropped the teacup.
"I-I'm sorry."
Chief Tomosaka helped me clean up.
"It's fine, more importantly, it'll be bad to keep the guest waiting. Go quickly."
"Yes."
I poured tea into another cup and left the kitchenette.
In the reception room, Harada-san, Shiina-san, and the guest were there.
I handed tea to the three of them.
"Perfect timing, I'll introduce her. This is Niina, who has been working as an assistant here since this year."
When Shiina-san said that, I bowed.
"I am Niina. I look forward to working with you."
"Niina-san, you're fine here, please continue the previous work."
"Yes."
I bowed and left the reception room.
While I was working, Manabe-kun spoke to me.
"It seems you're doing well. Looks like there was no need to worry."
"Thank you."
Thinking that private chatter during work is not good, I greeted him curtly and concentrated on my work.
"By the way, I'll ask, what kind of talk do women prefer?"
"What do you mean 'what kind'?"
"No... when I talk with the President, no matter what I talk about, she's curt... I wonder if I'm hated."
"In other words, you're not getting along with the President."
"Ugh... does it come to that?"
"That depends on the person. Why don't you research hobbies and try bringing up topics randomly?"
"Wouldn't it be faster to find that out by asking other women? I wanted you to ask for me."
"...There are things that can't be told to men."
"Is that so?"
"Manabe-kun! Are the drawings I asked for yesterday done!?"
Chief Tomosaka is calling.
"Ah, they're done. I've copied them to the server."
Saying that, he headed toward Chief Tomosaka.
"I told you to move them because with copies, you won't know which file is the correct one!"
"That's right, I'm sorry."
Actually, I had asked Tange-sensei before.
"Satomi is the type who doesn't talk much when she's with someone she likes, and is just happy simply being next to them."
I'm not telling Manabe-kun!
Notice it yourself!!
On the way back, I was with Harada-san, Manabe-kun, and myself.
First, it seems he usually drops me off and then drops off Harada-san.
He probably wants to be alone with Harada-san.
Harada-san doesn't show any sign of disliking it.
In other words, has it progressed to that kind of relationship?
While the three of us were together, Harada-san spoke to me.
"Have you gotten used to the work?"
"You can just learn it gradually."
That sort of talk.
I'll play a prank for once.
"Harada-san, aren't you going to remarry? Even though you're still young."
"Eh? ...Probably not yet, I think."
"Does that mean you have a partner?"
At that moment, I didn't miss the way he glanced toward Manabe-kun.
"Well... I do."
"You do. How nice~"
"Manabe-kun, the signal!!"
Harada-san shouted.
"S-Sorry."
"...Be careful with your driving."
Manabe-kun seemed shaken.
And then we arrived at my house.
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
"Good work."
Saying that, the van carrying the two of them drove away.
After returning home, eating, taking a bath, and returning to my room, I was on the phone with Shiina-san.
"Hello."
It's Shiina-san's voice. I feel relieved hearing it.
I told Shiina-san the details of what happened earlier. I don't think it's something that can be solved by telling Shiina-san, though.
"I see..."
Shiina-san listened to the story carefully.
"So, are you giving up?"
"Eh?"
"So you're being crushed by this?"
I was at a loss for words. Is there no longer any chance of winning? It was a fact that I felt that way.
"There's no need to rush. You've only been watching for two days, right?"
She probably intended to choose gentle words, but to me right now, it could only be received as cruel words.
"Why would you say such a thing?"
"Eh?"
"If I've watched for two days, I can tell how close the two of them are!"
Pfft...
No matter how I think about it, I'm being too selfish.
Just as I thought about making an apology call, a message arrived.
"Sorry, maybe I was a bit too mean. I'll take you somewhere next time as an apology."
Did she say it on purpose to create an excuse?
If I think that, I should refuse.
But I...
"Then, I want to go to an amusement park."
"OK, is this coming Sunday fine?"
"Yes."
Why did I say such a thing?
I'll consult the Watanabe group.
"Doesn't that mean you've already gotten over Manabe-kun? Even if you don't want to admit it."
Is that how it is...
I won't give up!
I felt that such a feeling was fading.
Ah, there's no chance of winning.
I was crying.
(6)
"Toya-kun, good morning... huh?"
He's not here.
It's still dark outside.
I rush out of the room.
The shoes are gone.
I go outside.
The car is here.
Where did he go?
"Huh? Airi, what's wrong?"
Drenched in sweat and out of breath, Toya-kun returned.
"Toya-kun wasn't here, so I wondered where you went."
"I see."
"You promised you wouldn't go play while leaving your bride behind, right?"
"Then, what were you doing?"
"I was jogging a bit."
"Why?"
"...Can I take a shower first? I'll catch a cold."
"Yeah, I'll make breakfast in the meantime."
"Thank you."
Saying that, the two of us returned to the house.
As I prepared breakfast, Toya-kun came back from the shower.
He was in his Basketball Club jersey.
"Let's eat."
I spoke to Toya-kun as he ate breakfast.
"So, why did you start jogging?"
Even though he hated it so much.
"I want to build stamina to move for a full 40 minutes. Even if it's just a little."
"But didn't you move for the full time the other day?"
"That game was thanks to Sakura-san's strategy. If I want to move more aggressively, my stamina is still not enough."
"Toya-kun, have you decided to play for the full 40 minutes?"
"I thought that if I'm going to do it, it'd be rude to others if I didn't do it seriously."
Toya-kun said that and finished his meal.
"Well then... I'll head to the university."
"It's still a holiday. Club activities are from the afternoon..."
"I asked Sakura-san to open the gymnasium for me."
I see, Toya-kun has become motivated too.
I'm both happy and lonely.
"The New Year's party is tonight, right? Thinking about going to that, it's almost too late even starting now."
"...I'll bring you a bento later."
"Thank you, could you buy some sports drinks while you're at it?"
"Got it."
Saying that, Toya-kun left the house.
Toya-kun, facing sports seriously for the first time since we started dating.
What kind of wonderful play will he show me?
I'm looking forward to it already.