Chapter 232 - It's Lovely
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
I wake up to Airi's voice.
I get up and change clothes.
Then I go through my usual routine.
I run for about an hour and come home.
"I have to make breakfast..."
Airi staggers toward the kitchen.
In the meantime, I take a shower and finish getting ready.
When I return to the dining room, everyone is gathered.
"Itadakimasu."
Saying that, I eat.
Once the meal is over, I return to the room. Airi goes to take a shower.
During that time, I quickly check the internet and such.
I turn on the TV and shut down the PC.
While I'm watching TV, Airi returns.
"Good work."
I give Airi words of appreciation.
When Airi collapses onto the bed, I straddle her.
"W-Wait, Toya-kun, not from the morning~"
She doesn't seem to dislike it much, but I ignore her and carry out my objective.
I massage Airi's waist, shoulders, and back.
Wow, she's really stiff.
"Airi needs massages too."
"Thank you~♪"
I'm a guy, after all; it's natural to want to be a bit mischievous.
"I wonder if it's stiff here too."
"Kya! Not there~"
Airi looks happy.
"Toya-kun, if you don't change and get ready, you'll be late, you know?"
"Today is an off day, right?"
"But it's the wedding, isn't it?"
"Ah, that's right."
Today is the wedding of the Sakai couple.
I was supposed to change from the morning and stop by the hair salon.
I guess the suit from my coming-of-age ceremony will do.
Airi was wearing the party dress she bought the other day.
Once the two of us finished changing, we headed to the hair salon.
Airi had made a reservation.
I told her it wasn't necessary, but she told me, "At least at times like this, dress up!" so I came reluctantly.
Airi didn't cut her hair, she just had it styled.
Since I was already there, I had mine cut.
When having my hair washed, the salon lady's breasts...
I felt them through the towel pressed against my face.
She asked for my specific requests in detail.
And halfway through, she offered me coffee.
Airi seemed used to it, as she was touching her smartphone while getting her hair styled.
Once both of us were finished, we returned home once and had Mother drive us to the venue.
At the venue, we signed the guestbook and handed over the congratulatory money.
Tasuku and the others were also in the lobby.
"Katagiri-senpai!"
It seems Sakura-san found us.
"No, I'm still not used to it. To this thing called the Watanabe group."
"Once class is over, you should come to the cafe called Blue Bird. Someone will be there."
"Oh, are you increasing my customers again?"
The one saying that was the master of Blue Bird.
"N-Nice to meet you."
Tasuku really seems to be nervous.
The chapel opens.
Everyone takes their seats.
Once everyone is seated, the chapel doors close and a solemn pipe organ piece begins to play.
Sakai-kun and his parents are standing on the altar.
Then, the doors open.
(2)
"Are you really going to be okay?"
Words I was asked many times by Father.
"I'll manage somehow."
Words for Father, who asked many times.
Then, I ascend the altar.
Everyone has gathered.
As the solemn sound of the pipe organ flows, the doors open.
Akira-chan walks the virgin road with her father.
She walks step by step, with a slow, confirming gait.
Then, when she stands before me, he says a single word: "I leave my daughter to you."
Taking Akira-chan's hand, I lead her before the priest.
I hear the vows.
Hearing that, I say, "Yes, I do."
Akira-chan also says, "Yes, I do."
"Now, the exchange of rings."
I place a ring on the ring finger of Akira-chan's left hand, and one is placed on my finger as well.
"Now, these two have made their vows as husband and wife before God the Father in Heaven. Let no one separate those whom God has joined together."
As that is said, applause is sent.
The two of us leave the ceremony venue.
After leaving the ceremony venue, we wait in the waiting room until the reception venue is ready.
"It was quite stiff and tiring, wasn't it?"
Akira-chan is saying such a thing.
"You're beautiful, Akira-chan."
"Thank you. I'm very happy right now."
"Me too."
"Please move toward the venue now."
Being told that, we headed to the venue.
(3)
When the MC says, "Entrance of the bride and groom," BGM plays and the Sakai couple enters.
Once the entrance is complete, the start of the reception is declared and words of thanks are spoken.
After that, the bride and groom are introduced, and a welcome speech is given.
Sakai-kun says, "Thank you very much for coming today. Thanks to everyone, we were able to hold the ceremony without incident. I have arranged this occasion because I wanted to convey my daily feelings of gratitude." and Akira-san says, "Thank you for coming today. We are very happy to be watched over by people who are important to us. It is a modest gathering, but please relax and enjoy yourselves until the end."
After that, there were greetings from the guests of honor. It seems both were chosen from relatives.
Once the guests of honor's greetings end, we toast.
After that, there is the cutting of the wedding cake, and they do the first bite.
Once the MC gives a greeting, the conversation begins.
At my table, there were Kanna, Makoto, Tasuku, and Sakura-san.
While talking with the six of us, I concentrate on eating.
Then, I receive drinks from Sakai-kun's parents and Akira-san's parents and give simple greetings.
Watanabe-kun... and I and Airi were supposed to give speeches.
Watanabe-kun aside, I haven't heard about this.
Airi apparently knew. You plotted against me!!
"Come on, if you don't go quickly..."
Urged by Airi, I stand before the microphone.
"Congratulations to you both. ...I envy the relationship of two people who stick together like mochi and can't be peeled apart. I wish you happiness from here on."
Saying that, I return to my seat.
After that, Airi gives her greeting.
Following that, Nakajima-kun and Ichinose-san, as well as Akira-san's friends and others gave greetings, and the two went in for their outfit change.
"Do you always use food as a theme, Toya?"
When Tasuku says that, Airi gives him a light smack.
"That's how it is. It's a problem."
Even though she's not that troubled.
While conversing for a while, the lights go out.
The two, holding candles, go around lighting the candles at each table.
When finished, the lights come on, and Kanna showcases her beautiful voice.
After that, the program proceeds and the bride and groom exit.
Then they go out to the garden and the women surround the bride and groom.
It's the bouquet toss.
The bouquets thrown by the two draw a parabola and are delivered to one woman.
The one who received it was Miyuki-san.
Miyuki-san looks happy.
Watanabe-kun indicates the location for the after-party.
Apparently, the after-party will be held by the Watanabe group alone.
We used a taxi to get to the after-party location.
"They both looked happy, didn't they?"
"They did."
Airi is staring as if wanting something.
"I know... I'll keep my promise."
"...Yes. I'm looking forward to it."
(4)
The after-party was held in the basement of a hotel near the station.
It's a private party hall.
At a buffet-style restaurant, I hold two plates and take dishes one after another.
Smack
I knew this would happen, though.
I get a lecture from Sakura-san and Airi.
"Are Katagiri-kun and the others enjoying themselves?"
The Sakai couple came around to give greetings.
"Akira, congratulations."
"Thank you, Airi. How about it? Have you felt like doing it too, Airi?"
"I have, but Toya-kun is..."
"Didn't I say just now that I'll make you wait?"
"Uuu... I know~"
"I will definitely do it, so please wait."
"I always say this, but that's unfair, you know? There isn't a woman who wouldn't expect it after being told 'I'll propose when I've reached my goal'."
Being told that, I suppose so.
"Katagiri-kun, momentum is also necessary. Wouldn't it be fine to just register the marriage first?"
"That's something only Sakai-kun can say. Because he's making a living with a part-time job. I can't take a wife while I'm still relying on my parents."
"Then, once you're independent, will you marry Airi?"
When Akira-san says that, it falls silent, as if everyone was listening.
I must have been feeling high-spirited too.
"I've already decided the day I'll propose, and I've decided the day we'll register the marriage."
It falls completely silent.
"Well, that's how it is. Just wait for him, Tosaka-san."
When Watanabe-kun says that, Airi just nods silently.
"What about Nakajima-kun and the others, compared to us?"
When we look for Nakajima-kun and the others, they are talking together in a corner.
Another breakup talk?
"Hey, Nakajima-kun, what's wrong!"
"Ah, no. Just a little talk."
"You two aren't still thinking about breaking up or something like that, are you!"
Mika-san says.
"Mika. That's not something to say today. It's bad luck."
Kanna admonishes her.
"It's the opposite... We were saying that we should become happy too."
When Nakajima-kun says that, everyone gets excited.
Fun times pass in the blink of an eye.
The time soon comes.
But the Watanabe group does not sleep.
"Everyone, I've properly set up the venue for after this too. I won't let you sleep tonight!"
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone's cheers echo.
I look at Airi's face.
"It's a special day. Let's celebrate for them!"
After that, we headed to karaoke.
(5)
A karaoke place with a party room that can accommodate nearly 30 people.
"Next is Nishimatsu-kun and the others' turn."
When that is said, Nishimatsu-kun and the others laugh bashfully.
"I wonder who's after that?"
Airi asks.
"The ones being talked about are Tange-sensei and the others."
"Is the rest after everyone graduates?"
"What are Watanabe-kun and the others doing?"
"Us? We're thinking about a plan right now too."
"Ah, you're doing it soon?"
"I'm thinking around this autumn."
"Toya, worry about yourself before worrying about others! I heard that several major manufacturers want to sign an exclusive contract with you, isn't that right? Can't you already make a living on your own?"
Tasuku exposes.
"Is that true!? Toya-kun!"
It was something I hadn't told Airi either.
"Well, yeah, a few have come."
Like a certain famous manufacturer.
"What's that, then there's no meaning in waiting!"
Kanna says.
"...First, I'll settle things one by one. The immediate goal is the Korea match in March."
"That's irrelevant, isn't it!? The contract money is amazing, right?"
"Well, it is, but..."
"Toya-kun said not yet, so isn't that fine?"
Airi said that, perhaps having sensed something.
Kanna also seemed to notice something.
"You're hiding something from us, aren't you?"
I don't answer Kanna's question. That was practically the same as affirming it.
"Don't just stay silent, say something!"
Kanna heats up.
"Toya-kun has his own circumstances! Please understand."
Airi soothes her.
"T-That means Tosaka-san knows? Toya's secret."
At Watanabe-kun's words, Airi nods.
"And are you satisfied with that?"
"Since it's something Toya-kun decided, I decided not to interfere."
"Senpai, aren't you thinking of something strange again?"
Sakura-san asked that.
"Senpai is unfair! Even though a stage is prepared for you to stand on, you try to run away! It's a stage that others couldn't stand on even if they struggled their whole lives!"
"That's why I'll take responsibility and do what needs to be done. After that, you can let me be free, right?"
"What do you mean by 'free'?"
"Well, isn't it fine? If Toya decided for himself and Tosaka-san is satisfied, it's not our place to step in, right?"
Watanabe-kun says that for me.
"...Toya, you won't regret that, will you?"
Tasuku says.
"I intend to conduct myself in a way I won't regret."
"Ah, this is so frustrating! Airi, tell us. What did Toya say?"
Mika-san presses Airi.
Airi looks at me.
At this point, hiding it will only make things complicated.
"It's fine, say it from Airi's mouth."
"Is it okay?"
"Yeah."
Airi looked around at everyone and spoke.
"Toya-kun said this: 'I'm going to see the top of the world, so once I've done that, I want you to let me do as I please'..."
"Does that mean you'll stop basketball once you become number one in the world?"
When Kanna says that, I simply nod.
"Instead, he also said that if he couldn't stand at the top of the world, he would continue to challenge it."
Everyone fell silent.
"Isn't that fine? He's decided to settle things in his own way, right? Challenge the world, win, and then quit. I think that's cool."
Watanabe-kun says.
"You're saying that knowing the rankings in Japan, right?"
When Tasuku says that, I nod.
"Then try it. If you can."
"Because I promised Airi, I will definitely keep it. This year the Universiade, next year the Tokyo Olympics. I'll keep winning in two tournaments."
Everyone becomes restless.
"Is it okay to say such a thing? That means if you lose, you'll play basketball forever, right?"
When Ai-san says that, I nod.
"I'll continue until I become number one in the world."
"So you've finally become serious, huh?"
Tasuku says that and grins.
"I've been serious for a long time."
"Then, try it. If you can do that, no one will complain."
"Yeah."
"Wait, someone stop Tasuku! No one will forgive Katagiri-senpai for stopping basketball!"
"I'll forgive him. If he can do that."
"I think I want to support him too. If I can see Toya's seriousness, I have no complaints."
Watanabe-kun and Tasuku seemed to understand.
Among the other men, there wasn't a single person who complained.
"It's a heavy responsibility, Sakurako, because you have to take care of a guy aiming to be the number one player in the world, you know?"
"...I understand. Though I'm not convinced."
Sakura-san reluctantly accepts.
"I find it hard to understand. Why refuse when you could get money that could support Airi for a lifetime?"
Akira-san says.
"I'm not refusing. It's a story of 'if I can see the top of the world.' If I can't see it, I'll continue."
"Isn't that unfair? If you say that, no one will be able to stop Katagiri-kun!"
Ai-san says.
"But rather than letting him continue sluggishly and lazily, I want to see Toya-kun's seriousness, which no one has ever seen, even for a moment. He'll surely be lovelier than a Toya-kun who is always worrying and suffering."
When Airi says that, the women also stop saying anything.
"A serious Katagiri-kun, huh. We'll finally get to see it at this point."
Emi-san says with a grin.
"You've already decided on participating in the Universiade main tournament this year, right?" when Sakurako-san says that, Tasuku nods.
"Alright! For now, the Korea match is Toya's world debut match, so let's support that."
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone lets out a "Oh!"
"As a manager, I have no choice but to provide full support."
Sakura-san also seemed to be convinced.
"Well then, we're also celebrating Sakai-kun and the others. Let's all get hyped! Toya, sing something to set the mood!"
The device is handed to me by Watanabe-kun.
A song to celebrate Sakai-kun and to encourage myself.
When I put such a song into the device, everyone bursts out laughing.
"Toya, are you an old man!"
"The problem is that Katagiri-kun's sense isn't displayed in places like this, isn't it?"
Kanna and Ai-san say that and laugh.
When the subtitles appear, I begin to sing.
Bathing your body in tomorrow's light.
Without looking back, proceed just as you are.
I was now exactly beginning my challenge toward tomorrow.