Chapter 230 - To the Far Distance
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
I wake up as Airi shakes my body.
I get out of bed and change clothes.
Airi changes too.
Once we leave the house, we go for a light jog.
After running for about an hour, I was fine, but Airi was exhausted.
There are a lot of slopes around here, after all.
"Are you okay?"
"Ugh... maybe I should buy an electric bicycle~"
"Wouldn't a motorized scooter be even better?"
"But it would be terrible if I caused Toya-kun to get injured"
While saying such things, we enter the house and Airi begins preparing breakfast.
In the meantime, I take a shower, return to my room, and change.
When I return to the dining area, breakfast is ready.
After finishing breakfast, I get ready and wait in my room.
Airi, having showered and prepared herself, comes into the room carrying two mugs.
I watch television while Airi is changing.
They are giving a commentary on yesterday's game.
My plays are replayed over and over.
It's the same no matter which channel I watch.
As the one who did it, I'm fed up with it.
But since Airi is watching with a look of happiness as if it were her own achievement, I don't say anything.
"Airi, it's about time to go to morning practice"
Looking at my smartphone, I see a message from Sakura-san.
"Coming~"
Airi puts the lunch boxes into her bag in the dining area and we leave the house.
Something is strange.
Even though it's still spring break, there are an unusual number of cars.
Airi seems to have noticed as well, and we look at each other.
Airi must have noticed something. She walks in front of me.
She usually follows behind me, so what's wrong?
We arrive in front of the gymnasium.
A crowd has gathered.
When those people notice me, they surge forward like a wave.
Airi stands in front of me to block them.
"Kya!"
It was expected, but Airi is pushed aside and microphones are pointed at me.
"Katagiri-senshu, please give us a word about yesterday's game!"
"Are you considering going pro in the future?"
"Please give me an autograph!"
For the time being, I take Airi's arm and say, "We have practice now, so please let us through."
"Is that girl the 'girlfriend who makes the rice balls'?"
"A word from the girlfriend too! What is Katagiri-senshu like normally?"
Airi is also surprised and bewildered by this first-time experience.
"She's troubled, so could you please stop?"
"So she really is his girlfriend!"
They don't easily clear the way.
Then Mizushima-kun arrives and pulls my arm, saying, "Come on, let's go!"
I am gripping Airi's arm.
We manage to reach the front of the gymnasium and close the door.
People are clinging to the door like a scene from a horror game.
"Airi, are you okay?"
"Yeah"
"Mizushima-kun, thanks for the help"
"If you want to give thanks, tell Sakurako"
Huh?
"Good morning, Katagiri-senpai. I thought you were taking a while to arrive, so I'm glad I asked Sa"
Eh?
I look at Airi.
Then, simultaneously, we both look at the two of them.
"What's wrong?"
"What is it?"
Both of them have puzzled expressions.
"N-no, it's nothing. I'll change quickly and go to the court"
"Yeah, hurry up"
Saying that, Mizushima-kun headed toward the court.
Sakura-san followed after him.
"Hey, those two..."
I stopped Airi as she tried to say something.
"Let's just leave them be, okay? It seems they still have some hesitation"
"I get it~"
Saying that, Airi also goes to the court.
I change in the locker room and head to the court.
(2)
When I arrive at the court, everyone has already started practicing.
Since the coach is off, Sakura-san is giving the instructions.
"Katagiri-senpai, please start stretching quickly"
Told that, I begin stretching.
After stretching, we do shooting practice.
After that, we do defense footwork and then practice 5-on-5.
Airi's smartphone rings.
Airi looks at her phone and speaks to Sakura-san.
"In that case, please use the back entrance; there were no people over there. Please tell them to come so they aren't noticed"
When Sakura-san says that, Airi operates her phone while heading toward the back entrance.
The person who appeared from the back entrance was Kana-san.
However, those efforts were in vain. Many people enter through the main entrance. They seem to be reporters and fans.
"There has been no instruction that permission was granted. Please leave for today"
Even though Sakura-san says this, they don't easily leave.
Why did they enter from the front? Probably because the girls' basketball team arrived.
While Sakura-san is struggling with the response, the girls' basketball coach arrives.
"You are interfering with the other players' practice. At the very least, please observe from the second floor"
Overwhelmed by the coach's intensity, the press moves to the second floor.
"What happened to Ozaki-san?"
Ozaki-san is the name of the boys' basketball coach.
"He hasn't come at all during spring break," Sakura-san says.
Coach... is that really okay?
"Yes. If they get distracted this much just by starting practice, they won't be able to concentrate during a game"
The girls' basketball coach says.
"It's just as the girls' coach says. Please ignore this and concentrate on practice"
At noon, we have a meeting while eating lunch boxes.
Sakura-san uses a board to explain various formations.
"Toma-senpai was splendid in the previous game. As expected"
"Well, that's because a mixer with the girls' basketball team was on the line"
"...If only those mood swings weren't there, it would be perfect"
"Speaking of mixers, you absolutely have to come to tonight's victory party! Toya"
"Why?"
"It won't even be a conversation if you, the guest of honor, don't come!"
"...Sota invited the girls' basketball team. He said you're coming, so they absolutely have to come"
Akai-kun explains.
I see...
Well, as long as it's not tomorrow, it's fine, right? Watanabe-han said they were having a victory party tomorrow.
"If you'd like, how about Tosaka-senpai and Kimoto-senpai too? Katagiri-senpai and the others are probably free"
Sakura-san calls out to Airi and the others, perhaps being considerate.
"Is it okay? We're outsiders, you know?"
"I'm an outsider too"
"You both are worried about your boyfriends and husbands, right?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
"But is it really okay?"
Kimoto-senpai and I were not in a position to say no here.
"Kimoto-senpai aside, I wanted to talk with Tosaka-senpai"
"Talk about what?"
"Ah, a personal consultation and about Katagiri-senpai"
"I get it~. Then I'll go with Toya-kun"
"I will go with my husband as well"
"Wait! Toya has to be free!"
Toma-kun gives a rejection. What's wrong?
"What's wrong with that?"
"Because girls who are targeting Toya might stop coming in the future!"
In short, he was using me as bait.
"Sota, you have Murakawa, don't you?"
Akai-kun says.
"Well, that's true, but..."
"Then there's no problem"
When Akai-kun says that, Toma-kun falls silent.
"It seems I really do need to go"
Airi says.
"I've decided I want to go too. I'm curious about how my husband acts at drinking parties"
Even Kana-san...
In the afternoon practice, we confirm formations and do game-style practice with the girls' basketball team.
However, even without me participating, the fact that our team can compete on equal terms with a top division girls' team means our team has leveled up quite a bit, hasn't it?
"How does it feel not being able to enter the game?"
Mizushima-kun asks me.
"I think it's different from you, Mizushima-kun. I probably don't understand your feelings"
"You say it bluntly, don't you"
I thought I shouldn't use easy words like "I understand how you feel."
"I do have the feeling of wanting to play, though"
"It's pretty tough, right?"
Mizushima-kun says and laughs.
"Yeah, my body is itching to move..."
"So you do get it"
Ah, so that's how it felt.
"Katagiri-senpai is not allowed! Practice games are forbidden for one week!"
"If I rest for that long, my body will get rusty"
"Once March begins and the expedition gets closer, I'll have you adjust"
"We did 5-on-5, right?"
"Katagiri-kun, you mustn't make things hard for the manager"
The girls' basketball coach arrived.
"It seems you've played quite a flashy game. Fatigue must have accumulated"
Even if you say that, next time it's three consecutive days of games.
"The burden is completely different between playing on a half-court and using a full-court. Rest as you were told"
"A week is nothing. I was out for a month. Even though my shoulder is already healed..."
"Tasuku! Did you forget what the doctor told you!?"
"I know!"
Watching that absentmindedly, I killed time during the afternoon practice.
(3)
At night, arriving at the station 30 minutes early, several people have already arrived.
Members of the girls' basketball team were there too.
Airi is gripping my arm, asserting ownership.
Regardless of that, the members of the girls' basketball team talk to me.
"What does it feel like when your hang time is that long?"
"I've never felt it was that long. It feels like it's over in an instant. Though it feels as if time has stopped"
"I'm so jealous. I want to experience that too"
Once everyone gathered, we moved to the restaurant.
As we each take our seats, Airi is next to me, and the Kimoto couple are lined up. Also Toma-kun and Natsukawa-san. Aoyama-kun and Murakawa-san. And... as expected, Mizushima-kun and Sakura-san are side by side.
"Now then, a toast to celebrate Toya's triumphant return!"
Sakura-san is the only one drinking a soft drink.
"Sakura, you should drink too!"
Toma-kun encourages Sakura-san.
"Sakurako is a minor, so she can't"
"It's just as Tasuku says. Encouraging a minor to drink alcohol is a crime!"
When Mizushima-kun and Sakura-san say that, Toma-kun teases the two of them.
"Look at that, calling each other by their first names... are you already dating?"
Toma-kun, asking that is tactless...
"We are, but what about it?"
Mizushima-kun says nonchalantly.
"W-wait, Tasuku, what are you saying!?"
Sakura-san's face is red even though she's drinking a soft drink.
"It's not something to hide, right? Or do you dislike it?"
"I-it's not that I dislike it, but..."
"Then just be resolute as usual"
"Tasuku, you idiot"
"You two really get along well, Sakura-san"
When Airi says that, Sakura-san, still looking down, says, "Even Tosaka-senpai!"
"That's great, congratulations Mizushima-kun"
"...I've been meaning to say it for a while. Tasuku is fine. I call Toya by his first name without honorifics too"
"That's right, Toya. We're comrades, right? Stop acting so formal"
Akai-kun... since even Kyota started saying that, I decided to call them by their first names from now on.
"Katagiri-senpai, I've been watching you, and you're eating too much. Please exercise some self-restraint. You're taking in too many carbohydrates!"
I suddenly receive a warning from Sakura-san.
"You're really hopeless... this is confiscated!"
Airi noticed. It's all over.
From then on, I only eat what Airi gives me.
"Sakura-san, we have to ask Mizushima-kun's intention too, but why not invite him to the Watanabe-han?"
"Eh?"
"Is that the Watanabe-han!? The one where you're guaranteed to get a lover... I want to join too!"
"Sota, you have me! There's no need to join"
"No, I just thought I'd join together with Marina..."
"...What do you think? Tasuku"
When Sakura-san asks Tasuku, Tasuku agrees, saying, "If Sakurako is in, I'm fine with it."
Sakura-san immediately invites Tasuku.
"Then, this is sudden, but there's a victory party tomorrow, so please come"
Airi says with a smile.
"Two days in a row, huh. If the noisy manager says it's okay, I'll go"
When Tasuku says that, Sakura-san says, "I wonder who that's referring to? Tasuku?"
"March is busy, Tasuku"
When Sakura-san says that, Tasuku asks, "Why?"
"There's a wedding for a member of the Watanabe-han. Also, considering Katagiri-senpai's expedition, I want to hold the retirement game for the seniors graduating this year early"
"Marriage, huh. It really feels like a matchmaking circle"
Tasuku was impressed.
Still as if it were someone else's business.
It didn't take long to realize that this was something that would soon befall him.
(4)
"Nice to meet you, I'm Mizushima Tasuku. Please treat me well"
The next night. Tasuku debuts at the Watanabe-han drinking party.
"Nice to meet you, Mizushima-kun. I'm Watanabe, the representative of the Watanabe-han. I'm counting on you"
After Watanabe-kun introduces himself, everyone else introduces themselves.
Then, Mizushima-kun is bombarded with questions.
Why did he decide to date Sakura-san?
What were the words of the confession?
How far have they progressed?
They were questions like those of an old man, half-sexual harassment.
"Tasuku will be troubled if you ask so many questions all at once"
"Heh, so you call each other by your first names"
Kanna grins.
"Sakura! Sakura, what part of Mizushima did you come to like?"
Mika-san asks.
"T-that is..."
"That is?"
"Just somehow, while watching him"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"H-he's surprisingly kind, Tasuku. I think I also liked how he's single-minded, similar to Tada-senpai"
"Sakura, did you like Makoto?"
Kanna asks.
"No, if anything, I liked Katagiri-senpai, whom I had heard about from Tada-senpai"
When Sakura-san says that, the surroundings stir.
"But Katagiri-senpai has Tosaka-senpai. I thought I'd probably never fall in love in my life, and then there was Tasuku"
I see...
"Is that the story from when Tasuku's shoulder was injured?"
When I ask, Sakura-san nods.
So Tasuku also fell for Sakura-san's kindness.
In contrast to the embarrassed Sakura-san, Tasuku is composed.
"Well, looking at him, it seems there would be no problems with Mizushima-kun"
Emi-san says.
While the conversation about Mizushima-kun and Sakura-san heats up, I notice two people who feel contrastingly dark.
Nakajima-kun and Ichinose-san.
"Was there some problem with me?"
"No, it's not that. It's just that we haven't been able to meet lately"
"That's because we both have club activities and part-time jobs!"
"That's true, but..."
It doesn't feel peaceful.
Maybe it's better to watch the situation for a bit.
Just as I think that and try to stand up, Watanabe-kun moves first.
"What's wrong, Nakajima? You seem a bit strange"
"N-no... well..."
"Nakajima-kun started saying we should break up!"
When Ichinose-san says that, the atmosphere around them changes instantly.
"That's something I can't just overlook... what happened? Did Ichinose-san do something?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"No, it's not really like that. It's just..."
"Just?"
"We haven't met lately, and I thought there's no point in just dating sluggishly like this"
"You're saying that knowing it's your own selfishness, right?"
"Yes, that's why I thought I'd consult you"
"Nakajima-kun is popular, after all"
Sakai-kun says something unnecessary.
"No way, cheating?"
When Akira-san says that, Nakajima-kun shakes his head.
"It's not that! Please believe me"
"Then why!?" everyone clamors.
"If you eat hamburger steaks every day, you get tired of them, right?"
"?"
Probably a "?" is floating above everyone's heads, right?
"Whether it's Japanese-style, grated radish hamburger steak, or cheese-in hamburger steak, no matter what you eat, you get tired of it"
Everyone listens quietly.
"So, I think he's just feeling like he doesn't need hamburger steaks anymore. You can eat hamburger steaks again when you want to. But if you want to be with Ichinose-san again, you might not be able to get her back"
"Does that mean it's better to keep dating even if I have to endure it?"
"It's not about enduring, it's about innovating. Like setting rules together. I think if it's a consultation like that, the Watanabe-han can help you"
"In short, you just have to give them some stimulation, right?"
When Sashihara-san says that, I nod.
"I think that stimulation is probably not just for Nakajima-kun, but something everyone needs"
"Toya, did you notice... about us?"
"When I went to Nagano and came back and saw everyone's faces, I felt that something was a bit strange"
You don't notice when you're always together. There are things you only understand because you've been apart.
"We can all talk about what kind of stimulation is needed. Today, the fact that Tasuku joined seems to have been a stimulation. Maybe it would be good for everyone to go out and play? Now that Tasuku has joined too"
"In that case, there's the best event!"
Akira-san said.
"What is that?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"Our wedding. You should do your best to make our happy appearance your goal"
"Hahaha, that's a good idea"
Watanabe-kun agrees.
"It's true that we also have a feeling of rut. Maybe we were craving stimulation. It's the same for me and Nakajima-kun. Since we're the same, let's look for a solution together"
"...I understand. Honoka... sorry"
Nakajima-kun hugs Ichinose-san, who clings to him.
"This is a victory party, right? Toya"
Tasuku asks.
"It is, why?"
"Then, shouldn't everyone be more cheerful? It'll be tough again starting tomorrow. Marriage is normally a distant prospect. If we live while laughing cheerfully, it'll become a good memory"
"Tasuku, you say good things. Everyone, let's make some noise. That's what the Watanabe-han is all about"
When Sakura-san says that, everyone starts making a racket. However...
"Customers, it's almost last order"
The clerk asks.
"Second party! Nakajima and Honoka, you absolutely have to come!"
Kanna and Mika-san say.
Tasuku gauges Sakura-san's expression.
"It's fine. Tomorrow is an off day"
Sakura-san says it's fine. Airi surely will too.
"Since everyone's going anyway, shall we enjoy it together too?"
Airi also said it was fine.
That night, we drank, sang, and talked until morning.