Chapter 233 - Tomorrow Carried by the Clouds
(1)
"Yo."
I greet them as I enter the court.
Airi is watching from the second floor.
"Yo, Toya. I heard the story from Kimoto-senpai and Sa,"
Shinji replied with a greeting.
"Promising to be the best in the world... that's a pretty flashy promise you made."
He talks to me while stretching.
"I figured they wouldn't be convinced unless I went that far."
Though it seems Sakura-san isn't convinced.
Once I finish stretching, I take a ball and practice my shots.
After finishing my shooting practice reasonably, I have Shinji help me out and we start 1-on-1s using the court opposite the one used for shooting practice.
I want to expand my options beyond passing and shooting. In that case, I'll train my dribbling.
With that thought, I decided to tackle man-to-man practice.
"Senpai, don't just use crossovers, use other techniques too. It's become a habit! You'll be seen through immediately!"
Sakura-san calls out to me.
Sakura-san shows me a video.
"Please do this with the intensity of memorizing every single dribbling technique in that video."
"...How many types are there in here?"
"If you don't memorize at least that many, being the best in the world is impossible!"
For now, I watch the video.
I try them out in practice, one by one.
Most of them were variations of leg-throughs or back-changes.
They're basic, but the key is not to focus your consciousness only on the ball, but to look at the opponent's hands and feet. Something like that.
I understand. Now, all that's left is practice.
I ask Shinji, and we start man-to-man again.
However—no offense to Shinji—I can get past him using only basic techniques without needing such advanced skills.
Even with the handicap of only dribbling.
"As I thought, there really isn't a player in the country who can stop Senpai one-on-one, is there?"
Sakura-san worries.
"Shinji, I'll help too. Defense shouldn't be a problem, right? Sakurako."
When Sa says that, Sakura-san adds a word: "Don't do any impossible defense."
"Alright, here I go!"
There was something I wanted to try.
I dribble and charge toward the two of them. As the two of them block the center, I switch the ball to my right hand with a back-change while spinning once to the right.
Stepping lightly, I catch the ball in mid-air and continue dribbling.
I turn my back to the defense and cut in further.
The path ahead is open. I leap toward the goal.
I take a block from behind, but I rotate my body while switching the ball, evade the block, and shoot.
"Even a double team doesn't work!?"
"...If it were a triple team, it might actually be tough with just dribbling."
"There's probably no situation where you'd be facing a triple team and try to get past with just dribbling,"
Shinji says with a laugh.
As it nears noon, the girls' basketball team gathers.
"Good morning!"
The bright voices of the girls' team echo.
Once the girls' team finishes stretching, they begin individual practice.
I was watching number 7's 3-pointers.
They don't seem very stable.
The player, Murakawa-san, seems to notice my gaze.
"Hahaha, I don't have much arm strength, so I'm not good at long shots with one hand."
It seems all women are like that.
"I'd love some advice if you have any~"
I feel like you shouldn't tense up too much. Also, when you jump, jump straight up rather than forward. Use the snap of your wrist to add rotation. At that time, don't tilt your hand too much. Lift the ball high and softly. Jump using your ankles. Instead of the arm, aim your hand toward the ring when you shoot, I suppose.
The one who gave that advice wasn't me. It was Sakura-san.
"Why are you zoning out staring at the girls' play!? If you have that much free time, keep shooting 3-pointers until you make ten in a row!"
Sakura-san isn't the only one angry; Airi's gaze from above was also scary.
And it wasn't just the women who were angry.
"Toya! Why are you hitting on my Marina!?"
"I'm not!"
"Toya, if you have time to teach Marina, teach me 3-pointers."
"Even if I say 'teach'..."
"Anything is fine, just tell me the knack for it."
"...Anything is fine?"
"Yeah."
"If you look at the goal, you can kind of see the trajectory, right? Just shoot as if tracing that. The rest is a matter of strength and weakness."
"...I was an idiot for asking."
See? I told you.
(2)
Akira-chan and I arrived at Narita Airport.
"By the way, where are we going?"
"You don't know? It's a honeymoon."
"I know that part."
Akira-chan arranged everything, including the destination and the tour.
Normally, I'd think it's Hawaii or something, but...
"Could you at least tell me the destination?"
"Isn't the fun in finding out once we get there?"
I can only feel terror.
"Um, everyone on the honeymoon tour, please gather under this flag."
"Look, let's go."
Akira-chan grabs my arm and pulls me.
"Thank you for participating in our travel tour today. Please enjoy a relaxing eight days."
Eight days!?
"No wonder I thought there was a lot of luggage."
"Now, I will guide you to the boarding procedures."
We move as a group in a slow stream.
After the boarding procedures, we check our luggage. We check our carry-on bags.
After that, we go through immigration and customs.
Then we head to the boarding gate and kill time. When the time comes, we board the plane.
"Today... thank you for using... Airlines..."
I feel like I heard a ridiculous country name.
Since we have pair seats, Akira-chan is next to me, relaxing while listening to the cabin announcement.
"This flight is... arriving in... the time is..."
Huh?
"Just so you know, this isn't the destination. Apparently, it's a transfer."
While she's saying that, the plane takes off.
"You can tell me by now, right?"
"I suppose so, it's too late to turn back now, isn't it?"
"Where is it?"
"Spain."
"Huh?"
"I considered Italy as a safe bet... but, well."
That "well" is very questionable.
Carrying many anxieties, we transferred through domestic European flights and headed for Spain.
(3)
"I'm home~"
"Welcome back~, the bath is ready."
"Thanks."
When I returned home, I took a bath.
Meanwhile, Emi was preparing the meal.
Today was a fish dish.
I'm not fond of fish dishes, but there's no way I could leave food that Emi made.
After eating, I clean up while Emi is in the bath.
When that's finished, I take a beer from the refrigerator and watch TV while drinking a glass.
When Emi returns from the bath, she says, "Give me a glass too," and I pour it into a glass.
After that, we watch Emi's favorite drama.
A program featuring an actress I like.
A commercial plays during the program.
It's a commercial for basketball shoes.
I pay attention to it.
Katagiri-kun is in it.
It seems Katagiri-kun ended up signing a contract after all.
I heard a two-year contract was granted because it was his first time.
He conveyed that he had no intention of turning pro, but the manufacturer apparently compromised, saying that was fine.
The contract amount was not disclosed.
Even so, the contract and the commercial filming were too fast.
Was it already prepared?
When the drama ends, I watch the news.
The topic is still dominated by Katagiri-kun.
It's rare for basketball to be featured this much.
After a while, Emi says, "Shouldn't we get to sleep soon?"
Entering the bedroom, I get into bed and talk with Emi.
The topic is about Katagiri-kun.
"He's completely become the man of the hour."
"Yeah."
"It feels like he's become a distant existence."
"That's not true, I think his essence hasn't changed."
I heard he's even getting offers for cup noodle commercials.
If it were Toya-kun, he'd probably be happy to appear in them.
"Now Airi-chan can marry with peace of mind. Katagiri-kun has obtained a lifetime's worth of money."
"I wonder. I think he's thinking about it only until he finds employment?"
He seems to be seeking a stable life.
Otherwise, he wouldn't think of getting a job even at the cost of throwing away the chance to become a pro, right?
"I want us to have our wedding soon, too."
When will you do it for me? Emi urges.
"Wait a little longer."
In the end, Emi bore the full cost of the moving expenses. I still have money. At the very least, I want to split it half-and-half.
"I'll wait forever,"
Emi says with a smile.
"Sorry."
"It's fine, just work hard until you're satisfied."
Saying that, Emi fell asleep.
I decided to sleep too.
(4)
It was a bolt from the blue.
Haruki had an accident.
Impossible.
For an accident to happen while Haruki was driving.
Was he caught up in something?
I rushed to the emergency hospital in Beppu in Eita-kun's car.
The members of Watanabe's squad had also rushed there.
I heard the circumstances.
"Apparently, someone hit him from behind unexpectedly on a curve."
Because of that, he lost control and had an accident, so they said.
My face was pale.
"Is Haruki okay?"
"Apparently his life isn't in danger, Sakura-san, please calm down."
After that, a nurse and Haruki's parents came out of the hospital room.
"Our son says he has something to tell everyone. Please listen to him."
We enter the hospital room.
Seeing Haruki lying there with casts on his arm and leg, I unintentionally burst into tears.
"Is Katagiri here?"
"He is, but?"
"Absolutely do not go to the mountains of Beppu. Those guys find it amusing to cause accidents. Katagiri, you have the basketball matter too. Act considering the worst-case scenario."
"I'll absolutely not let him go, so it's fine,"
Airi says, but Toya-kun's will seems to be directed elsewhere.
"But..."
Unforgivable.
It seems Katagiri-kun's heart was not at peace.
"Toya, this is an order as a member of Watanabe's squad. Absolutely do not go! You have the Korea match and the Universiade, right? Even you should know what would happen if you caused a scandal now."
"...I get it."
He seems to have accepted Watanabe-kun's persuasion.
"But how did it happen?"
"...I was drifting on a corner and got hit lightly from behind. I lost control, hit a pole, and I don't remember after that."
"I see. They're terrible people."
"Yeah, they're malicious. Don't get involved. Those guys aren't seeking a race. They're just trying to crush people."
"Doesn't that mean it's not just the mountains of Beppu?"
"...Maybe so."
"Toya-kun is forbidden from going to the night mountain runs!"
Tosaka-san suddenly spoke.
"Toya-kun, you said it, right? 'I'm going to do basketball seriously'... if so, you mustn't do things where you might get injured! This is a request from me. Since you're listening to my requests, at least follow this much."
Tosaka-san clings to Katagiri-kun.
"It's Toya's flaw. He lets the blood rush to his head and you don't know what he'll do. Just this once, listen to what Airi says," Kanna-san says.
"I'm asking you too~ Please don't think about revenge or anything~"
I asked as well.
"Airi, keep a close eye on Toya at night! I don't know what this idiot will do if you take your eyes off him."
"I understand."
Katagiri-kun scratches his head with a sigh.
"Um, visiting hours are almost over, so..."
When the nurse says that, everyone leaves the hospital.
After that, a strategy meeting at a family restaurant.
"This time, ignoring the opponent is probably best."
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone nods.
"I'm asking you too~" I say.
Only Katagiri-kun doesn't seem convinced.
"Toya, are you listening...?"
"I'm listening."
"Toya, as a fellow athlete, let me warn you, your crisis management is far too lacking. It's fine that you've been safe until now. But the environment is different from before. Your body is your capital. Value yourself more."
When Tada-kun persuades him, Kanna-san continues.
"Think of yourself, but also think of Airi. Even Sakura gets distraught. You should know what would happen to Airi, right?"
"I told you I know!"
"Then why are you so irritated?"
"A street racer who doesn't value their car is unforgivable, right?"
"You don't understand anything! Throw away that consciousness of yourself being a street racer! You're already a full-fledged basketball player!"
Kanna-san shouts.
"Toya-kun, you said you wouldn't go play without me, right? You said you wouldn't drive dangerously if I rode with you, right? Then keep that promise."
Tosaka-san clings to Katagiri-kun's arm.
Hearing Tosaka-san's tearful voice, did he come back to his senses a little...
"I get it," he said in one word.
However, this matter did not end with just this.
(5)
On the way home that day.
I drive home with Airi in the car.
I couldn't forgive the person who put Hiyama-senpai through that.
They hit him on purpose?
It's an absolutely unforgivable act.
The valleys of the Beppu mountains are deep.
It makes me shudder to think what would have happened if it had been a valley stream instead of the cliff side.
"Hey~"
Airi is saying something.
"You're thinking about that thing from earlier again, aren't you? You can't!"
As a basketball player, and especially in the current situation of having short-term contracts with sports and beverage manufacturers. If I caused an accident and was charged a penalty fee, it would be disastrous.
As I thought, maybe I shouldn't have signed a contract?
"It's not that, just graduate from cars already. I absolutely cannot forgive Toya-kun going to the mountains when there are such scary people. Sakura-san would stop you too."
"...I know."
"You're worrying because you don't know!"
"Airi, then where should I vent my stress?"
"Toya-kun, are you holding onto stress?"
"When you're immersed in basketball every day, you're bound to have stress."
"Uuu... am I not enough?"
"It's impossible to complain to Airi, right?"
"I thought I'd developed enough capacity to handle that much? Or is being with me also stress?"
"That's not it."
Even though I've become serious, I still want a breather. I don't know how to take a breather.
"Toya-kun used to spend time idling, so you had leeway, but now you're tired from basketball practice, right? In that state, that kind of dangerous driving is absolutely forbidden."
Airi's words have a point. It's doubtful whether I could maintain that level of concentration.
"It's better to be absorbed in games. I'll play games with you, so let's distract yourself with that? Also, going for drives at noon or going on dates..."
Airi lists every possible method of refreshing one's mood.
Airi is thinking about me too.
"I get it, I won't drive like that anymore."
"Really?"
Airi's expression brightens.
"Yeah, on my days off, I'll spend time relaxing with Airi."
"Yay~"
To think that just looking at Airi's smile could make my feelings this calm...
(6)
Upon arriving in Madrid, we headed straight for the hotel.
We checked in and entered the room.
After eating and taking a shower, I dive onto the bed.
Man, being on a plane all day is tiring.
From tomorrow, it's Spain sightseeing.
"Tomorrow is early, so you should go to sleep early,"
Akira-chan says.
"By the way, why Spain?"
I thought Akira-chan would choose France.
"There's no particular reason. I heard it's the country of passion, so I just thought I wanted to go."
She added that there seem to be many tourist spots.
Akira-chan shows me a pamphlet.
"Look, isn't this place wonderful?"
There are many medieval-style buildings. Tourist attractions unique to Europe.
"It's nice."
"Right! So let's sleep early today and prepare for tomorrow."
Akira-chan says that and invites me into the bed.
I enter the bed as told.
The topic turns to Katagiri-kun.
Commercials are already airing.
Like a commercial for a certain sports manufacturer's basketball shoes.
It's too fast, not even a week has passed.
Did Katagiri-kun end up accepting the contract after all?
If so, he's already a respectable professional player.
Is it permissible to quit that in two years?
In the first place, can he clear the conditions for quitting?
Katagiri-kun seems to like cornering himself.
The reality is probably that he can't do anything unless he's cornered.
"Even so, I wonder what the path is that he'd choose over the path of a professional?"
Akira-chan wonders.
"In that case, I kind of understand the reason."
"What?"
"If you become a pro, the time you can spend at home decreases. Katagiri-kun is probably worried about that. But there's no way everyone would accept such a reason. That's why he's probably making them agree by presenting unreasonable conditions."
"Does he want to be by Airi's side that much?"
"He's probably anxious about being apart."
"...Airi said before, 'I can feel at peace because we're together.'"
"That's probably the reason."
"It's a difficult thing to understand."
"They're bound by that kind of bond."
"A bond, huh..."
Akira-chan is thinking.
Even I know what to do.
"We just pledged to each other too, didn't we?"
"That's true."
Saying that, we turned off the lights and fell asleep.
I hope your dream comes true, Katagiri-kun.
(7)
That night, Airi played games with me.
To be precise, I watched Airi playing games.
Airi is dexterous, but she seems to be bad at games.
She often dies while fumbling with the controls.
At times like that, I switch in.
After that, the two of us play PC games.
I play while giving instructions to Airi.
Occasionally, Kiritani-kun and the others invite us to go to a dungeon together.
Since there are rare items that can only be obtained there, I go along.
Airi comes too.
Occasionally, when the roar of a car is heard, my body jerks.
Airi steps in to stop me.
"I told you no, right?"
"I know."
I soothe her by saying that.
By the time the games end, it's sometimes past midnight.
I immediately turn off the PC and the two of us get into bed.
Occasionally, Airi turns on the PC and watches videos.
Videos of the commercials I'm in.
After that, I signed a contract with a sponsor.
I was able to obtain a large amount of contract money.
I could even buy a ring for Airi. But as expected, I decided to wait to buy the ring.
Airi agreed as well.
The money is saved.
Actually, I considered having my parents stop the allowance.
But my parents say, "Keep that money for emergencies."
I decided to entrust it to Airi.
Because managing my money seems fitting for Airi.
Airi created a separate account.
She's arranged it so that future income goes there.
"Airi, that's enough, right? Let's sleep today."
"Okay~"
Airi dives into bed and says to me.
"Was it really okay?"
"What?"
"Telling everyone. Toya-kun might become unstoppable."
"They say to keep moving forward. I have no image other than winning."
"I see~"
Airi seems convinced.
She's hugging me tightly.
So that I don't go out while she's sleeping.
Feeling Airi's warmth, I fell asleep that day.