Chapter 225 - Coming-of-Age Ceremony
(1)
"Toya-kun, I'm ready~"
I woke up to Airi's voice and was surprised by her appearance.
Her hairstyle had changed, held in place by a hairpin. Dressed in a furisode, she wasn't the usual "fairy," but a proper "woman."
"You're beautiful."
"Thank you."
Airi said this with a smile on her face.
"Want to stop by my place first? I want to show Rie-chan and the others."
"Don't we need to take photos?"
"We have time, so it's okay~"
And so, we stopped by her place.
When we arrived at Airi's house, Airi's mother said, "Oh my~ you've grown up so respectably~"
As for Airi's father, he was immersed in emotion, muttering, "...U-um."
"We should call Toya-kun's parents too~"
As Airi's mother said that, she called my house.
When my father and mother rushed over, they let out sighs of admiration at Airi's appearance.
"As expected of Tosaka-san's daughter. She's truly beautiful~"
"Toya, take good care of her."
"I know."
Perhaps that was too much, because Airi's father said, "I-I see... you'll take care of her... Katagiri-san, would you like to go for a drink tonight?"
"Yes, let's drink tonight."
It seems the parents just wanted to drink.
"It's almost time to go to the photo studio," Airi said, and she drove the car.
I was captivated by the way Airi moved as she got into the car.
"Airi. Is the obi okay?"
"I was taught properly how to get into a car and things, so it's okay~"
When we arrived at the photo studio, we waited for the photo shoot.
Airi said, "Let's take one together," but I told her, "It's a commemorative thing, so take one by yourself."
"Because it's a commemoration, I want to take one with the two of us."
"...Are you thinking about what happens if we break up?"
This is a lifelong photo, you know?
Smack
"We're absolutely not breaking up, so it's fine!"
I knew she would say exactly that.
Since it would be bad to keep them waiting too long, we eventually decided to take two photos.
After that, we parked the car in the station parking lot and went to the hall near the north exit.
After finishing the reception, we waited near the entrance of the venue.
Everyone else was meeting elementary or middle school classmates, but we had absolutely no one like that.
I thought it would just be the two of us, but...
"Toya, Airi!"
I heard Mika-san's voice.
Mika-san appeared, also wearing a furisode.
Watanabe-kun also appeared, wearing a hakama.
This couple really stands out.
While that was happening, the Watanabe-han began to gather.
The remaining four were Sashihara-san, Kiritani-kun, Makoto, and Kanna.
Once they arrived late, we went inside and the ceremony was held.
We received grateful words from grateful people, sang the city anthem and such, and it ended.
I'll probably never sing the city anthem again in my life.
After receiving celebratory gifts, the Watanabe-han left the venue.
It must be tough for the women to stay in their furisode. We decided to gather again in the evening.
"I've already booked a place, so it's fine."
Watanabe-kun's ability to act in these situations is fast.
We ate light meals at a cafe in a nearby department store, then I went home and ate cup ramen while Airi was changing—getting smacked by Airi in the process—and killed time in my room.
Airi had been sleeping. Coming-of-age ceremonies are hard for women.
I let her sleep until the last possible moment.
When the time came, I woke her up gently, saying, "Airi, it's time."
Airi got ready and we headed to the bus stop.
Even on the bus, Airi leaned on me and slept.
Airi must be tired too. I let her sleep.
When the announcement for our stop played, I woke Airi up.
"Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"
Airi was angry.
"Sorry, I thought you were tired, so I let you sleep. Nothing happened, so it's okay."
"Uuu..."
"Airi, isn't it great that you got a memory of sleeping while snuggling with me?"
"...Yeah."
Airi seemed convinced.
After getting off the bus, we headed to the restaurant Watanabe-kun had specified.
(2)
When I woke up, Kanna was gone.
I've been staying at Kanna's house since yesterday.
Ah, she's getting dressed.
I waited quietly in the room.
Then, Kanna returned.
She was wearing a furisode, with a hairpin decorating her usual side-ponytail.
"It suits you."
When I said that, Kanna said, "It's too formal and stiff for me."
After greeting Kanna's parents, we left the house.
I intended to leave early, but the cars were congested.
And every parking lot around the station was full.
Having no choice, we parked in a distant lot and decided to walk.
"Kanna. Is walking too much for you?"
"I'm okay."
I walked slowly, matching Kanna's stride.
I took Kanna's hand and guided her.
Kanna was looking down. She was surely embarrassed.
When we arrived at the venue, we reunited with elementary and middle school friends.
I introduced Kanna to them.
"I'm envious that you're dating such a beauty," they told me.
Kanna had a smile, but her expression was stiff.
We ended the conversation quickly, and I took my smartphone in hand to look for the Watanabe-han gathering spot.
They were gathered around the entrance.
It seemed we were the last ones.
After the coming-of-age ceremony ended, it was decided that everyone would go back once to change before gathering.
When we returned to Kanna's house, Kanna changed.
Ah, I made sure to take plenty of photos.
She probably won't wear a furisode often.
Once Kanna finished changing, I went home, and upon returning home, I changed into my usual clothes.
I washed my dress shirt, and Kanna ironed it for me.
After putting the dress shirt away, I headed to the station.
Customers in furisode were prominent at the station.
It might be because it's a station near the university.
When the train came, I boarded.
I got off at the terminus four stations away.
There was still plenty of time.
I went on a town-strolling date with Kanna.
When the time came, we headed to the specified restaurant.
Watanabe-kun and the others were waiting.
It was a restaurant that boasted sofa seats in a spacious area.
Some members had already arrived.
Those coming today were the Watanabe couple, the Ishihara couple, Toya, Tosaka-san, Sashihara-san, and Kiritani-kun.
The ones already there were the Watanabe couple, the Ishihara couple, and us.
We killed time by talking until the appointed hour.
(3)
"Come pick me up!"
The message from Ai arrived after 10 o'clock.
Isn't that a bit too early, no matter how you look at it?
But if I say that, I'll be scolded again, so I got ready.
While I was struggling with my tie, a call came from Ai.
Since she said she'd confiscate my game console if I didn't answer within three rings, I answered in a panic.
"Yes, hello."
I put it on speaker and answered the phone while tightening my tie.
"Where are you now?"
"I'm still at home. I just woke up from your message."
"The ceremony is at 12! Do you understand!?"
"I'll fly there, so it's fine!"
"An accident on the day of the ceremony is no joke, so drive safely!"
This contradiction of telling me to hurry while telling me to come slowly.
Once I finished tightening the tie, I told her I was ready and was leaving now, and the phone hung up.
With my suit and coat in hand, I put on my leather shoes, got into the car, and drove.
Thanks to my rushing, I arrived at Ai's house by 11.
I called Ai.
"Since you're here, come inside for a bit, you should give your greetings!" was the message from Ai.
Greetings. I suddenly became nervous.
Now that I think about it, I haven't met Ai's parents since the proposal.
After confirming in the side mirror that my tie wasn't crooked, I pressed the doorbell.
"Oh, welcome."
Ai's mother answered.
"You have a little time, right? Come inside for a bit."
As told, I entered the house and was led to the living room.
I was stunned seeing Ai sitting on the sofa.
I was captivated by her proper furisode appearance and was speechless.
"How is she? Our daughter?"
When Ai's father spoke, I said a single word: "She's beautiful."
"Well, sit down."
Told so, I sat next to Ai.
"I've heard the story from my daughter. Congratulations."
Does that mean I've obtained permission?
"However, I haven't heard anything from you. Isn't there something you should say?"
"U-um..."
Now that I've come this far, I have no choice but to say it, right?
"Please let me marry Ai-san."
"...Can you support my daughter?"
"I'm looking for a part-time job now. I'm not saying right this moment. It can be when the time comes."
"If that's the case, isn't it fine? Father."
Perhaps due to the mother's intervention, the father seemed satisfied as well.
"I'm not in a position to be angry that you've laid hands on someone's daughter, but the feeling of not wanting my daughter to shoulder unnecessary hardships is no different from any other father."
"Eita seems to have become motivated, so it's probably fine."
When Ai said that, the father seemed satisfied, humming in agreement.
"Get along well."
"Eita! It's almost time!"
Ai stood up.
I put Ai in the car and headed for the venue.
"I wonder if I should sell this car?"
"Eh?"
"The maintenance costs for this car are high, and it seems I can still sell it for a pretty high price right now."
I had looked it up on a buy-back site.
"Buying a fuel-efficient car to have even a little more leeway would be..."
"You still have a car loan!"
Ah, that was right.
"You don't have to rush so much. I understand the feeling of impatience when everyone else is registering their marriage, though."
"I-I see."
"Well, once Eita's part-time job is decided, we'll move. It'll be easier to save money if the two of us live together."
"Then, I'll have to look for a place to move during spring break."
"That's right..."
Ai's behavior was strange; when I glanced at her, she was crying with a handkerchief pressed to her eyes.
"What's wrong!?"
"No, I'm just a bit overwhelmed that a day like this has come..."
After parking the car, I tried to go quickly.
"Look at my outfit and think before you walk!"
I walked slowly.
"You don't have to rush, there's still plenty of time," Ai said.
"Yo! Eita!"
Watanabe-kun called out.
"Only Makoto-kun and the others left, then."
As Watanabe-kun said that, Makoto-kun and the others arrived.
"Sorry, there was no parking nearby."
"It's fine. Well, everyone's here, shall we go inside?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone entered the venue.
After the ceremony ended, it was decided that everyone would go home once and gather in the evening.
I dropped Ai off at her house.
While Ai was changing, the father suggested, "How about a drink?"
"No way, Eita is driving after this!" Ai told him, and the father gave up.
"Eita, you're changing too, right? Let's go soon," Ai said, so I gave my greetings and left the house.
When I returned home, I changed.
While I was changing, Ai was watching TV.
Once I finished changing, I watched TV next to Ai.
"It's almost time for the train, aren't you coming?"
It was about a 10-minute walk from my house to the station.
I should probably head out soon.
When I arrived at the station, the train had just left.
Another one would come in 30 minutes. Until then, we talked a bit.
We didn't run out of things to talk about.
About games, part-time jobs, everyone, and about our future.
The train came. Once we boarded the train, both of us became silent.
After getting off the train, we passed through the ticket gate and headed for the restaurant.
On the way to the restaurant, we met Toya and the others.
The two girls' tension rose.
Why is it that whenever the girls get together, their tension rises uselessly?
When we arrived at the restaurant, everyone except us was already there.
As everyone ordered drinks, Watanabe-kun stood up.
The banquet had begun.
(4)
"It's been a while since the ten of us gathered!"
Sashihara-san said.
It certainly was rare.
The other members had apparently been invited to reunions and such, and prioritized those.
"Maybe once in a while isn't so bad."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Makoto, Mika-san, didn't you have any reunions?"
When I asked, both of them shook their heads.
"It's more fun being with you guys," Mika-san said.
"I can't leave Kanna alone, right?" Makoto said.
"More importantly, Toya, do you have the leeway to worry about other people?" Watanabe-kun said.
"Why?" I asked, and Watanabe-kun said, "Out of these ten people, you're the only ones whose marriage registration isn't decided, right?"
So it's that kind of talk.
"Listen, Toya-kun is unfair. 'I'll propose in three years'... isn't that basically the same as having already proposed?"
Airi, are you saying that now?
"Ho ho, I see," Kanna said, grinning.
"I'm looking forward to three years from now, Airi-chan," Emi-san said, and Airi nodded happily, "Yeah."
"Is there a reason you have to wait three years?" Kiritani-kun asked.
When I explained, "Because with club activities, there's no room for a part-time job. Even if we live together, it's at the parents' house."
"It's possible to have a part-time job while doing club activities, you know?" Makoto said.
I answered.
"Since I decided to do it, I have to do it properly..."
I explained that it would be bad for Airi and Sakura-san, who were considering my health and condition.
"I see, it's tough. Toya too... You're carrying everyone's expectations," Makoto said.
"We're expecting great things too," Emi-san said.
"Thank you, I'll go and work hard to live up to the expectations," I said.
"Now then, Toya-kun and the others are fine, but what about next year?" Sashihara-san said.
"What do you mean?" I asked, and Sashihara-san grinned.
"Next year, are you going to let new people in? To the Watanabe-han."
If it increases any more, won't various problems arise?
"For now, I'm not thinking about it. If there are applicants, I'll let them in, but I won't recruit," Watanabe-kun answered.
"I see~" Sashihara-san said, sounding disappointed.
"Everyone will be busy next year too, right? With their own lives," Watanabe-kun said.
"Surely it's not the case that there won't even be gatherings, right?" Emi-san said.
"There's no need to worry about that. We'll find a holiday and just coordinate somehow," Watanabe-kun said.
"Even if the boys don't do it, we'll have girls' nights, so it's fine," Sashihara-san said.
How much time is left for everyone to be able to gather like this in the future?
While thinking about such things, everyone spent a pleasant time.
"What about the after-party?"
Mika-san said.
"The usual place is fine, right?" Watanabe-kun said.
"Toya-kun, are you okay? Won't it cause various problems?" Airi was worried.
"Is there any problem with an adult male drinking alcohol? Unless I get drunk and violent," I answered Airi.
"That's true!" Airi laughed.
When we arrived at the restaurant, we sat at a table and passed the ordering terminal around.
Just before midnight, everyone dispersed.
Because classes start again tomorrow.
"Let's gather again after final exams are over,"
Watanabe-kun said.
Everyone nodded and started walking.
We scattered at the bus terminal in front of the station.
Our bus came, so we boarded.
"That was fun."
Airi suddenly spoke to me.
"Yeah."
"I wonder if we can have fun like this this year too?"
"It'll be fine, right?"
"'It'll be fine, right?'... Toya-kun, won't you be busy with basketball from next year?"
Ah, so that's what she meant.
"I'll find a good balance and make it work."
"Yeah."
"More importantly, first there are the final exams in front of us."
"Oh, there was that."
When we got off at the bus stop, I started walking while holding hands with Airi.
"The stars are so pretty~"
Airi said, looking up at the night sky.
"You'll bump into something if you don't look ahead while walking."
When I cautioned Airi, she said "Oka~y" and started walking.
When I got home, I took a bath and watched TV.
Airi brought two cans of chu-hi and gave one to me.
While drinking that, Airi operated her laptop.
After finishing the operation, Airi said, "Shall we sleep soon?"
As told, I got into bed.
"It'll be tough again from tomorrow. As for the exams, it's fine. I've got a proper grasp on them."
"You've grasped even that?"
"Yeah, the seniors in the Basketball Club tell me. Like, 'this subject is a piece of cake,' or 'they only give template problems every year.'"
"Wasn't asking about that kind of thing forbidden?"
"It can't be helped if I've already heard it."
Airi said that and laughed.
"Can't be helped,"
I muttered.
"Was it bad?"
"No, I don't mind."
"Thank goodness~"
Airi hugged me.
"Toya-kun, I'm drunk right now, so I won't remember no matter what you do to me."
I didn't answer those words.
Because I was already asleep.
Smack
Airi also gave a sigh and fell asleep while still holding me.