Chapter 224 - The Reason for the Tears
(1)
"It's the last one! Do your best!"
When Airi calls out to me, strength wells up inside.
Squeezing out every bit of willpower, I finish climbing the final uphill slope.
Once I reach the goal, Airi stops the stopwatch.
"Your pace seems better than yesterday."
Airi says this with a smile.
Jogging in the early morning.
Once that was decided, Airi had bought a stopwatch.
And she accompanies me on my morning jogs.
Though Airi follows along on a bicycle.
"I need to exercise a little too... um..."
I don't ask what comes next, because I feel like I'd get hit if I did.
After finishing the jog, I go home and stretch.
Then I eat breakfast. I get ready and return to my room.
Once Airi is ready, we go to school early to do morning practice.
Since there are also activities for the Watanabe group, I want to set aside even a little more time than others.
And while I'm doing morning practice, Sakura-san and Mizushima-kun arrive.
Before class time, I change and head to the building.
Then, when the morning classes end, I have lunch at the school cafeteria.
Everyone from the Watanabe group gathers around.
Sakura-san is probably accompanying them for lunch break practice, right?
"Toya, don't you need to practice?"
Kanna asks.
"I'm fine. I did it this morning."
"Everyone else does it in the morning too, right?"
"Apparently, it's not a matter of just doing it as much as possible; if you do it all day, you won't be able to maintain your concentration, right? Besides, it's almost time to start studying for exams."
Airi answered.
Speaking of exams, Airi obtained a qualification as an Athlete Food Specialist.
I wondered when she had the time to study for that. Well, I suppose it's possible because it's Airi.
The menus have been changing too.
Then, after finishing the afternoon classes, I stop by the Blue Bird once before returning to the university.
It was almost too early.
The locker room was empty, so I used it and went to the court.
With Airi helping me stretch and accompanying me in shoot practice, Mizushima-kun arrives.
Mizushima-kun stretches, stands in front of me, and lowers his body into a defensive stance.
I wonder what's going on?
"Your issue is the inside, right? I'll play along, so come at me."
"Don't you need to do shoot practice?"
"Despite how I look, I'm confident in my defensive power. Just come on."
He doesn't answer my question, but it seems he intends to play 1-on-1.
Airi must have sensed this as well, as she moved away from under the goal.
As I begin dribbling with my right hand, Mizushima-kun defends in a low posture, ready to respond from both the right and the left.
With this posture, if I shoot, it'll go in. But since this is practice to cultivate inside breakthrough power, I intentionally seal that away.
I continue dribbling for a while.
Mizushima-kun also continues to wait persistently.
It seems I'm the one who has to move.
The attack time is only 24 seconds.
I dribble, aiming for Mizushima-kun's right side. Mizushima-kun moves to the right. Behind him, I switch the ball to my left hand and circle around to Mizushima-kun's left.
If I charge in even with a half-turn, I won't be called for charging. I finish it with a layup.
"Toya-kun. You're trying to aim from the right again. If the opponent has studied you, they'll target your right hand."
Airi's critique comes in.
"I broke through from the left, so isn't it fine?"
When I say this to Airi, a critique also comes from Sakura-san, who had been watching without me noticing.
"If the opponent is someone called an Ace Killer, they will mark the right hand thoroughly. You'll get a Steal. Above all, if Katagiri-senpai were defending, that's what he would do, right?"
I receive the ball from Mizushima-kun. It's a sign that he wants to go again.
As I continue practicing like that, everyone gathers.
The coach arrives last, and practice begins.
Practice continued until 19:00.
Even at 19:00, there were people continuing to practice.
I cool down, go to the locker room to change, and go home with Airi.
Practice is important, but there's no point if I fail my credits.
I eat, take a bath, have Airi give me a massage, and study.
Airi fiddles with her laptop as usual.
Around the time it passes 24:00, I get into bed with Airi.
Once in bed, Airi is sleeping peacefully.
She grips my arm tightly and won't let go.
I gently stroke Airi's head.
The arm Airi used to grip mine moves to wrap around my waist, pulling our bodies close.
I also wrap my arm around Airi's back, and as I hold her, Airi opens her eyes slightly.
"...Are we doing it now?"
What is this girl saying...
"Sorry, can we do it on a day off? I'm tired."
"Okay~, sorry. Since Toya-kun is so kind, I just thought..."
"Airi, I want you to listen to what I'm about to say. It's something I've been thinking about since I started basketball in earnest..."
I told Airi about my determination.
"Is that what you've decided, Toya-kun?"
"Yeah, it's something I decided for myself."
A will decided by myself, not swayed by anyone's opinion.
"If Toya-kun says so, then that's fine."
"Thank you, though it's not settled yet."
"Mm, but if it's Toya-kun, it'll definitely be settled."
"Thank you. Well, that's the end of the talk. Let's sleep?"
"Mm."
Airi says this, closes her eyes, and begins breathing in sleep again.
I also close my eyes.
Determination.
I don't know if it's a dream or a goal, but it's a destination.
It might be a bit of a detour, but once I've decided, I'll set a proper objective to some extent and bring it to a conclusion.
Thinking about such things, I fell asleep.
(2)
Mizushima-senpai is still doing shoot practice.
I took the defensive position.
"Is this okay? You're cheering for Toya, right?"
"That's why. Strengthening a rival is necessary."
"...I see."
Mizushima-senpai spoke to me while practicing his shots.
"I heard you've been following him since middle school? Toya."
"I played soccer in middle and high school, though. He was amazing at soccer too."
I explain how amazing Katagiri-senpai was back then.
"I guess geniuses can handle anything..."
"If only he had the motivation, he'd be flawless..."
"So he made him motivated through basketball. Are we just stepping stones?"
"The stepping stones were the Japan national team. I never imagined he would actually win. I think all of you actually possess great skill. It's just that Katagiri-senpai drew it out."
"In the end, it's Toya, huh..."
Mizushima-senpai gives a wry smile.
"Sakura-san, there's a man waiting at the entrance. He's incredibly handsome."
Tanimura-san from the women's club informed me.
I wonder who it is?
When I look at Mizushima-senpai, he says, "Go on."
"I'm about to wrap up too, so go home first. It's already late."
"Understood. Please make sure to cool down properly."
Saying that, I leave the court and go to the locker room.
Members of the women's club were in the locker room.
"I heard from Iori. You've got a guy waiting for you?"
Umino-senpai says.
"No, I'm not interested in that sort of thing right now..."
"Is he in the Basketball Club?"
"He's not. I'm just thinking about how I can be of help to everyone."
"Then you have to take care of the mental side too."
"I suppose so..."
Cutting the conversation short, I finish changing and leave the locker room. When I go to the entrance, as she said, a handsome man with long hair was standing there.
It's Hoaki-senpai from the university in Beppu.
I try to leave the gymnasium, ignoring him.
"Wait, I went through the trouble of picking you up in my car."
"That's what you call a stalker."
"Let's continue the conversation from the other day. I'm serious."
"I know, which is why I believe I declined you seriously and politely."
"Why? Is it because I'm a member of the Beppu university? You can't date me because we're enemies?"
"I think that's strange, considering common sense."
"Would it have been better if I were a member of the local university's Basketball Club? Would it have been better if Sakurako-chan were the manager for Beppu university?"
I spin around and shout at Hoaki-senpai.
"Unbelievable! How can you say such things so nonchalantly! I have nothing left to say, please go home."
"Sorry, Sakurako-chan. I'll apologize if I offended you."
"Don't call me by my name so familiarly! I never want to see you again!"
As I try to walk away from Hoaki-senpai, someone grabs my shoulder.
Turning around, Mizushima-senpai was standing there.
"Who are you?"
Hoaki-senpai snaps at Mizushima-senpai.
"Sakura, who is this guy?"
Mizushima-senpai asks.
"He's someone who was a Small Forward at the university in Beppu."
"Ah, I see."
Mizushima-senpai puts his arm around my shoulder.
"So, what business do you have with our precious manager?"
Hoaki-senpai is surprised seeing this.
"Is this person Sakurako-chan's boyfriend?"
"He's not."
"Then don't stick to her!"
To Hoaki-senpai, who tries to make a move, Mizushima-senpai responds resolutely.
"Is that okay? You're from a prestigious basketball school, aren't you? Wouldn't it be a problem if you caused a violence incident?"
Hoaki-senpai fell silent.
"I'll come again..."
"I never want to see you again."
Without looking back, Hoaki-senpai headed toward the parking lot.
"Mizushima-senpai, you saved me."
I thank Mizushima-senpai.
"Don't worry about it. I just happened to see you while I was doing my cool-down run, so I couldn't just leave you. ...Get home safely."
Saying that, Mizushima-senpai begins running.
I waited at the gymnasium entrance for about 15 minutes.
Noticing this, Mizushima-senpai calls out.
"What are you doing! You'll catch a cold!?"
"You're the one who needs to deal with your sweat, Senpai."
"I still have stretching left."
"I'll help you."
"I can do it alone without you going that far."
"Then, please let me thank you. For helping me earlier."
"I told you it's fine."
"I won't be satisfied otherwise."
"What do you want me to do?"
"How about dinner at a family restaurant? Let's talk basketball. I've only just started learning."
"...You really will do anything for Toya, won't you?"
"I'm also devoting myself to strengthening the team now."
"...Well, fine. I'll just finish up, so wait for me."
Saying that, Mizushima-senpai went back inside the gymnasium.
After a while, Mizushima-senpai came back changed.
"Shall we go then? Is a nearby family restaurant okay?"
"Yes!"
I understand Mizushima-senpai's feelings toward Katagiri-senpai very well.
It's a story from when I was in SC as an elementary student.
A story about when I took a violent tackle and got a nosebleed.
And...
It was a humiliation for me.
I can never play soccer again.
Because that frustration exists, there is a part of me that cannot forgive people who have a stage but do not make an effort.
Mizushima-senpai probably feels the same resentment toward Katagiri-senpai, right?
We were talking about such things.
"Sakura, you've been through a lot too, huh."
The first kind words to come from Mizushima-senpai.
Before I knew it, I was attracted to such a Mizushima-senpai.
You don't know when, where, or what will happen.
I was listening to that kind of talk.
Is now exactly that time?
Even if I said it now, Mizushima-senpai would probably only take it as sympathy.
I don't know what to do about these things.
I think I'll try consulting the Watanabe group.
I'm sure they'll find a solution.
That night, I tried talking to the Watanabe group.
"I'd like to meet this Mizushima-kun once."
"If there's an opportunity, I'll invite him to the Blue Bird."
"Let me know when that happens."
"Yes."
After taking a shower, I dive onto the bed.
I set the alarm.
Tomorrow will be tough from the morning too.
Ah, before that, I have to analyze today's data.
In the end, I fell asleep around the time the date changed.
(3)
In the morning, I wake up to the sound of the alarm.
Stopping the alarm, I get out of bed.
I immediately set about preparing breakfast.
I'll make some for Makoto too.
He'll probably eat it later.
He's an athlete, so rice would be better.
I set the timer for the rice.
All that's left is to make the side dishes.
Then, suddenly, Makoto hugs me from behind.
"Good morning, Kanna."
"I believe I told you to stop doing that while I'm cooking, Makoto."
"You can let me taste the feeling of being newlyweds."
"Can we save that for after we have a ceremony?"
"Don't be so stiff."
It's not that I hate flirting; rather, I even think it makes me happy.
However, I'm telling him to stop doing it while I'm cooking or doing something else...
"Be quiet until the food is ready."
When I say that, Makoto lets go and heads to the washroom.
By the time breakfast preparations are complete, Makoto has returned.
Makoto and I eat breakfast together.
"But to think you'd wake up early to match me, I've got a great wife."
"It's not for that reason; I just hated the idea of getting caught in a traffic jam if I didn't leave earlier than usual."
Come to think of it, does Makoto have morning practice too?
"I see, so I'm just an afterthought."
"I intended to prepare breakfast and go. I just forgot about the morning practice."
Ah, I forgot about the lunch boxes.
"I forgot the time to make lunch boxes. Please buy something today."
"I'll eat at the cafeteria, so it's fine; my university has all-you-can-eat."
"Don't eat too much."
"I know, I can handle my own physical condition."
After finishing breakfast, I begin getting ready.
It takes about three times longer than the parts I had already finished.
Additionally, there's a traffic jam along the way.
Apparently there's a shortcut, so I want to leave early to verify it.
By the time I finish getting ready, Makoto was about to leave the house.
"Well, I'm off."
Makoto said he wanted to immerse himself in the feeling of a honeymoon.
"...Take care, Darling."
Saying that, I give him a light kiss.
"Whoa! Now I'm motivated. I'll come straight home without any detours!"
Saying that, Makoto left the house.
I've already finished the greetings to both sets of parents.
Chi-chan told me, "Please take care of my Big Brother."
The parents of both families didn't say much.
Maybe just "Please take care of our son."
My parents didn't say anything in particular.
Maybe just "Be happy."
Leaving the house, I head to the university.
After taking classes, I head to my part-time job.
By the time I finish my job, it's late at night.
When I tell Makoto "I'm coming home now," he replies, "Dinner is ready."
On the road home, I encounter a car that's tailgating me aggressively. It's a black car.
I put on my turn signal and pull to the left, and it speeds past me all at once.
It's dangerous to go that speed on a public road like this.
After driving for a while, it's stopped on the shoulder.
When I overtake it, it chases me again.
Perhaps because my car is that kind of car, it's competing with me.
Again, I pull over to the shoulder to give way.
Then it stops behind me and the driver walks over.
"...What, it's a woman. Competing was a waste of time. The car is crying."
Saying that, he returns to the car and drives away.
What an unpleasant guy.
That's all I felt.
When I go home and tell Makoto about it, he says, "Ah, the black Ghost."
"He's a guy who's appeared recently in the mountains near the Private University. Apparently, he beat the street racing team in those mountains. Probably the group Toya beat. There's nothing to worry about."
"Then he should do it in the mountains. Has he never thought that speeding on a public road like that is dangerous?"
"It's better if Kanna doesn't pay him any mind. I'm more worried about Kanna getting caught up in an accident."
"I know."
"More importantly, you haven't had dinner yet, right? Eat. I put a lot of spirit into making this."
There was a lot of meat, but since it was a dish Makoto made, I gratefully ate it.
"Well, I'm off to my part-time job now. I'm going."
"Is your body okay...?"
"I'm doing it as muscle training too, so there's no problem. I'm off."
Saying that, Makoto leaves the house.
I'll let him relax on his days off.
Speaking of days off, the next long weekend is Coming of Age Day.
I'm supposed to borrow Mother's furisode.
Mother can do the dressing.
I'll have Makoto drive me.
Should I just go and stay over from the night before?
I send a message to Mother.
A reply comes back saying she understands.
I take a shower and study while watching TV.
Since the courses I'm taking are different from Airi and the others, I have no choice but to self-study.
I acquired the knack for studying to some extent during my first year.
I go to sleep around the time the date changes.
While I'm sleeping, I hear the clatter of the door.
Has Makoto come home?
When the room lights turn on, I say "Welcome home" to Makoto.
"Ah, were you sleeping? Sorry."
"It's fine. You're hungry, right? I'll make some late-night snacks."
"Ah, I bought some at the Convenience Store."
"I see."
"Kanna, you stay asleep. I'll sleep soon too."
"Yeah, then I'll sleep first. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
I'll have to prepare late-night snacks for him from now on.
The lights and noises bothered me, and in the end, I stayed awake until Makoto got into bed.
(4)
Sunday.
I had come to the amusement park with Shiina-san.
We played by riding various attractions.
It was so fun that the excitement made me forget various things.
We have lunch at a restaurant.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
When Shiina-san asks, I, being cheerful, answer, "Yes!"
"That's good."
Shiina-san says this and eats lunch.
"Aren't you having fun, Shiina-san?"
I tried asking Shiina-san.
"I am. It's just that I've become too much of an adult to frolic."
"No matter how old you get, fun things are fun."
"I suppose so..."
Shiina-san seems to be troubled by something.
I wonder what happened?
"Did something happen?"
"No, it's not a topic to bring up while we're enjoying ourselves..."
"If you say that, I'll be even more curious and won't be able to enjoy myself."
"That's true. Sorry..."
Shiina-san thought for a moment and then spoke.
"Sorry about the other day, maybe I was a bit too mean? It seems I offended you."
"...It's fine. As long as I'm having fun now."
"...You wanted to come with Manabe. Isn't that your true feeling?"
"That's true. I really wanted to come with Manabe-kun. That's also my true feeling."
"I thought so."
Shiina-san says this and smiles.
"...But, right now I'm on a date with Shiina-san. That's fun. That's also a fact."
"It's not a date, I'm simply making up for the other day. Shiina-san, you don't have feelings for me, right? It's not a date."
I gently place my hand on top of Shiina-san's hand.
"Shiina-san?"
Won't you notice? My feelings.
"Won't you forgive me already? I've already experienced enough painful things. I want to be spoiled by someone soon."
"You just want to be spoiled by me?"
"It's not that. I don't know what I can give you, but..."
"...Just you being here is enough."
I fell in love.
That love was an unrequited love.
And then, someone else fell in love with me.
That person faces me sincerely.
That person waits for me forever.
I don't know if I can say I love them yet, but...
"Shiina-san, what's wrong!?"
Before I knew it, tears were spilling from my eyes.
"I'm sorry."
How did Shiina-san interpret those words?
"I'm the one who's sorry. As I thought, it wasn't a topic to discuss while having fun."
No. These tears aren't those kind of tears.
"It's fine. I've eaten, so let's go to the next one!"
Wiping my tears with a handkerchief, I took Shiina-san's hand.
Shiina-san follows, carrying the tray with one hand.
Lastly, we rode the Ferris wheel.
The time spent together passed slowly.
Neither of us knew what to say to the other.
In the end, we didn't say anything while riding the Ferris wheel.
When we leave the amusement park, we have time for the two of us in the car.
I can't bear continuing in silence like this.
"Thank you for today. It was fun."
"That's good."
"Um... am I a nuisance?"
"Why?"
"Do you think I'm a selfish girl who still thinks about Manabe-kun?"
"You're not selfish. If we said that, every girl in love would become selfish."
"...Um, about what we talked about earlier."
"?"
"I think it is a date after all. Because Shiina-san likes me..."
Is it my vanity?
"And...?"
"There was progress in my relationship with Shiina-san. Don't you think that makes it a date?"
"Was there progress?"
"There was. Please let me keep liking Shiina-san just like this."
"...I understand."
At the point where I'm thinking that, haven't I already fallen in love?
I thought so too.
I see, I'm trying to change into a new love.
Goodbye, my first love.
I was shedding tears again.
They aren't sad tears.
They are tears of joy for the appearance of a new person who envelops me.
On the way, I'm treated to dinner and then go home.
The time to get out of the car arrived.
I want to follow them wherever they go.
"Shiina-san, we've arrived."
"The future is fine."
"?"
"Please invite me again."
Saying that, I make a smile.
"I understand. Well, see you."
Saying that, as I get out of the car, he drives away.
This is fine, right?
Next time he invites me, I'll say it properly.
I'll convey my feelings.
Ah, that's right. I have to tell Manabe-kun too.
...Is there a need to tell him?
Won't he stop me?
There is a part of me hoping for that.
Have I still not gotten over it?
It seems it will take some time.
But I have no choice but to wait for it.
I'm sure Shiina-san will make me forget.
How can I forget?
I'll think about that with Shiina-san, putting our heads together.
(5)
"Is this all correct?"
"Yes."
"Then, I will take your measurements, so please try it on once."
The clerk leads me to the fitting room.
As I try it on, the clerk measures the length of the hem and other details.
"Please wait a moment."
While I wait for a while, Airi begins choosing clothes.
"Airi, I only came to buy a suit today."
"It's fine, we rarely come here."
Airi chooses clothes without concern.
"Ah, this. I think this would be good for training,"
Saying things like that, Airi puts them in the basket one after another.
"Customer, it's ready."
By the time the clerk says this, it has become a tremendous amount.
"Well then, I'll take your card."
I hand the card to the clerk.
"Do you need a receipt?"
"Ah, please."
"Certainly."
After finishing the shopping, we get in the car.
"Toya-kun, next time accompany me for my shopping too."
"Airi's shopping?"
"Mm."
I wonder what she'll buy?
We arrived at a women's clothing store.
It seems she intends to buy a party dress.
Ah, is it because Sakai-kun said he's having his wedding in March?
The invitation had arrived.
Airi chose a pastel light blue dress.
She bought a shawl to go with it, bought shoes at a shoe store. She bought accessories and such...
"Mm, this is good."
After that, we went home and I played games with Airi.
"Toya-kun, wouldn't it be better if you slept a bit?"
"Why?"
"Did you forget? We're going out at 0:00 tomorrow."
"Airi, are you sure you're okay without sleeping?"
"Mm, I'll wake you up when it's time, Toya-kun."
"Then, maybe I'll sleep a bit?"
Saying that, I lie down on the bed.
Just when I thought I'd fallen asleep, I'm immediately woken up by Airi.
"It's time~"
Told that, I change into my suit, head to Airi's house, pick up the furisode, and go to the beauty salon with Airi.
Since we had a reservation, our turn came quickly.
After getting my hair set, I go in to change.
"Tell me when you're done, I'll be waiting in the car."
Saying that, I get in the car, recline the seat, and lie down.
While Airi was being dressed, I fell asleep.