Chapter 236 - Tears That Cannot Be Hidden
(1)
Ring-ring.
I woke up to the sound of my smartphone.
I checked the time—oh crap!!
"Airi, wake up! The time is terrible!"
"Hoe... ah, you're right!"
Airi and I hurriedly got up and changed.
This happened because we started playing a game last night.
It wouldn't end, and by the time it did, dawn was almost breaking.
When I went downstairs, Mother had made lunch boxes for us.
"Maya-san, I'm sorry!"
Airi bowed her head.
"Toya is the cause anyway, right? You don't have to worry about it. Right, Toya?"
"W-well, that's true, but..."
"But I'm the one who invited him to play until morning,"
"And Toya is the one who created the reason to invite you, right? Otherwise, there's no way Airi-chan would be so absorbed in a game until morning."
Are all women this sharp with their intuition?
"U-uugh..."
Seeing Airi unable to talk back, I smiled and said, "Isn't it bad if we don't hurry?"
"Well, I'm off."
Saying that, I left the house.
When I arrived at the gym, I quickly changed and headed for the court.
Everyone was practicing.
"You're late, Katagiri-senpai! Don't tell me last night again..."
"That's not it, Sakura-san."
"Enough with the excuses, please start stretching quickly."
In the Basketball Club, my secret is known only to Sa, Kimoto-senpai, and Sakura-san.
Once stretching was finished, I joined the practice.
After individual practice ended, we did things like 3-on-3.
Next week is the retirement game for Kimoto-senpai and the others.
The opponent is the Medical School.
At this stage, they are the superior opponent, but I feel like we can win now.
The women's basketball team felt the same.
When lunch break came, we had another meeting while eating.
"Toya, what were you doing? It seems Sa and the others know,"
Sota asked.
"Ah, I was just playing games until morning."
"You've got no self-management, do you?"
Sa said.
"It's just as Sa says. You're a bit sloppy, Toya."
"I'm sorry. I'm the one who invited him,"
Airi apologized to Akai-kun and explained the circumstances.
"Yesterday, Toya-kun seemed unable to sleep for some reason, so I invited him saying, 'Want to play a game for a change of pace?' and it ended up being morning."
"Tosaka-senpai has nothing to do with this. As I thought, staying up until morning is Katagiri-senpai's own problem,"
Sakura-san said.
"Lately, Senpai is showing too much composure. Are you taking it for granted that you'll absolutely never be removed from the starting lineup in this team?"
"That's not the case."
"Then you should be practicing first thing in the morning like before. You'd absolutely never play games until morning. You wouldn't normally drive until late at night. You have no intention of managing your physical condition at all, do you?"
"Wait a minute. What's this about driving until late at night?"
Sota asked.
"Sakura-san, we agreed to keep that a secret,"
Kana-san said, but Kimoto-senpai interrupted.
"Kana, at this point, it's better to let everyone know. I think it's a good way to stop Katagiri-kun. Everyone, listen. Actually..."
Kimoto-senpai told them about my nighttime activities.
"Seriously? The Blue Flash was Toya?"
Sota-kun was surprised.
"We have to make him stop, or it'll be dangerous. Moreover, if he does that while exhausted from practice, it'll be a huge problem,"
Shinji said.
"Katagiri-senpai's body is no longer just his own. No, it's been that way for a while. You're carrying Tosaka-senpai's future too, right? If so, please think a bit more before you act."
When Sakura-san said that, I had no choice but to nod.
"Well, I can't say I don't understand Toya's feelings. Suddenly being burdened with expectations and pressure, it's natural to want to vent,"
When Sa said that, Sakura-san admonished him.
"Sa. Don't spoil him. Katagiri-senpai is..."
"And that's how Toya is being pressured without even realizing it, and he's absorbing it. He needs a way to let off steam, right? Toya is a human being too, you know? Though there's a problem with the method."
"Yes, that's why I told him to endure it with games,"
Airi said.
"If it's games, he won't cause trouble for anyone, and I think I can take responsibility for Toya-kun's physical management."
"...Toya is lucky. To have such a great girlfriend."
Though she says she's not his girlfriend, but his bride.
"Sa, you found a great partner in Sakura-san too."
"M-my business doesn't matter!"
Sa was flustered.
"We're talking about Katagiri-senpai right now. Why is it becoming about us!"
"No need to be embarrassed, right?"
"Toya is right. Why are you flustered now, Sa? I heard you're being driven to and from school every day?"
When Kyota said that, Sakura-san became flustered.
"T-that's just as a manager, in case something happened to Sa on the way to school."
"Sa, Sa... did you become Sa's manager?"
Kyota said and laughed.
"T-that's why..."
As Sakura-san tried to say something, Shinji threw her a lifeline.
"Setting Sakura's story aside, what are we doing about the upcoming retirement game? Are the seniors still going to be the only ones playing? If so, wouldn't it be better to start practicing as a group of five soon?"
"About that... actually, there was a proposal from the seniors..."
Sakura-san was trying to say something.
"Many of us have already retired from the club. I'm about the only one left. I'm only staying because I want to stand on the court with Toya even for a little while. Think of it as the debut match for the active members."
"Is that okay? Even though it's a precious retirement game,"
Sota said when Kimoto-senpai spoke.
"I want to end on a high note. In exchange, absolutely do not lose,"
Kimoto-senpai said.
"Roger that. Let's win and then have a blast at a mixer to finish things off."
"You're not the one retiring,"
Sota said, and Kimoto-senpai laughed.
"A mixer? Are you still not satisfied?"
"There are quite a few circles that want to have mixers with our club."
"Is that okay? Saying things like that. I'll tell Murakawa,"
Kyota said, and Sakura-san added.
"I've already properly set up a mixer with the women's basketball team, so there's no need to worry."
When Sakura-san said that, everyone laughed.
I wonder how many more days I can laugh with everyone like this?
Once the retirement game is over, Kimoto-senpai will retire.
And next month, the newcomers will arrive.
It will probably become a harsh struggle for regular spots again.
I'm not an exception either.
If I could, I want to fight for the remaining two years with this membership.
That's what I thought.
(2)
"Hey, what do you think about the upcoming retirement game?"
Yukina was talking while fiddling with her braided hair.
"It feels like, 'even though we don't have any 4th years left'~"
Kaori joined the conversation. These two are close.
"Looks like the men's basketball team is the same. Lately, I only see Kimoto-senpai,"
When Kiyomi said that, the two nodded.
"I mean, it's strange, right? That both teams have no 3rd years."
"Thanks to that, our turn has come, though,"
Kaori and Yukina were talking.
I had a feeling I knew why.
For the women's team, it was because practice became grueling after the coach took over. For the men's team, practice became serious after Katagiri-kun and Sakura-san joined, so the 3rd years, who had viewed it as just a circle activity until then, fled.
Though it seems Katagiri-kun didn't intend to be that serious, Sakura-san didn't allow it.
As a result, it seems they made an incredible promise.
"By the way, aren't you looking forward to next year's men's basketball team?"
"Right? Everyone's level has improved significantly. Just having Katagiri-kun there is tough, but it's like Katagiri-kun is raising everyone's floor, and they're getting stronger."
I think that's a bit different. It seemed to me that Sakura-san was the one raising the overall floor. To think she's a basketball beginner is amazing.
"We've also leveled up since practicing with the men's team. For next year, I want to win the spring tournament for starters,"
Kiyomi said.
"True~ we were so close this year~"
"Kiyomi-chan probably wants the men's team to do their best too~"
"T-that's the same for everyone, right?"
"Here we go again~ Kiyomi-chan just wants to see Kira-kun's success,"
"They're so lovey-dovey~ Kiyomi-chan and him."
"T-that's not just me!"
I was eating a sandwich while listening to the exchange between the three.
"Wait, Rui-chan. Don't listen like it's someone else's business! Your material is coming up too!"
"That's right, you've stealthily become close with Akai-kun. I heard physical contact has become frequent?"
"Eh? Was that so? Rui, you're doing well with Akai-kun."
I was flustered by the three of them pouncing on me.
"Doing well just means I was invited on a date."
"You even managed a date!? Akai-kun is surprisingly fast!"
"When are you going on the date?"
Kiyomi asked, so I answered.
"This weekend, Saturday. Meeting in front of the station after practice."
"This weekend, huh. I'm looking forward to next week's after-party, Kaori."
"Me too~ Yukina."
"W-what about you two? Isn't there anyone you're dating?"
"We're devoted only to basketball, unlike a certain someone."
"That's right, sadly. To be this age and not have a lover."
"For that, you seem quite sensitive to other people's romantic affairs."
Coach Hikawa entered.
"Well, it's fine to get excited with those kinds of talks. But perform your roles properly. If you can't, I'll swap the members."
"Yes~"
Everyone replied.
Seeing that, Coach Hikawa nodded.
"That's it. You can only win a game after you've first survived and won within the team. That's the kind of team I'm aiming for."
"Yes!"
"...That said. It seems to be a good stimulus for Kojima-san. Your play, which used to be timid, is becoming aggressive. It would be a problem if it were limited to Akai-kun, though."
"T-that's not the case!"
Probably...
"The biggest problem is Murakawa-san. Stop playing as if you're frolicking with Toma-kun. If it gets too bad, I'll stop the practice with the men's team."
"Y-yes."
Murakawa-san is also dating Sota Toma from the men's team.
"For now, the goal is the May tournament! New members will be joining, so if you don't put your spirit into it, you'll be left behind!"
"Yes!!"
"Now, those who are ready, come to the court and practice as usual."
Saying that, Coach Hikawa left.
"For now, the thing to put our spirit into is next week's after-party, right?"
"Exactly. We have to get boyfriends so we don't lose to those three."
"D-does that mean you two already have someone in mind?"
I asked.
"Of course. For me, it's Kuroda-kun," Yukina said. "I think for me, it's Aoyama-kun," Kaori said.
I see.
"Well, that's enough chatting, let's go practice."
When Kiyomi said that, everyone stood up and headed for the court.
"Sota-kun~"
"Marina~"
Those two are like that.
I face the jump ball with Akai-kun.
"No holding back."
Saying that, Akai-kun wore a smile.
"I know."
Concentrate on practice!
The ball was tossed, and we leaped.
(3)
Led by Kanna-senpai, I head to the hospital in Beppu.
"Sorry~ just because I don't have a car~"
"Don't worry about it, I happened to be free."
When we arrived at the hospital, Kanna-san sat on a bench in the waiting room, saying, "I'll wait here."
"Hello~"
"Ah, you came today too..."
Haruki gave a rather cold greeting.
"Well~ I want to come even every day~"
"Are you that worried about me? Did you think I'd cheat with a nurse?"
"No such thing~"
"Then why do you come?"
"It's a precious day off and I can see your face~ Is there something bad about coming~?"
"...I just don't want to show such a pathetic side of myself."
Even Haruki thinks that sometimes.
No, it's precisely because it's Haruki that he feels that way.
"I brought dessert today~"
"Thanks."
I put the cake I brought on a paper plate and handed it to Haruki. Along with a plastic fork.
Haruki apparently has a weakness for sweets. A side unimaginable from the usual Haruki.
"For the discharge celebration, an all-you-can-eat cake place would be good, right~?"
"Does such a shop exist locally?"
"It's in the station building~"
"I'd like to go there."
After finishing the cake, I cleaned up the paper plate and fork.
"Is Katagiri... okay?"
"Why do you ask~?"
"Because he was worried about the other party."
"We all persuaded him, so he's fine~"
"I see, then it's good... but that guy seems like the type to get heated quickly, so I'm worried."
"I'm worried about Haruki too~"
"Eh?"
I was hugging Haruki.
"...Please make it so you never go to the night mountains again. If you want to do that, please do it at a circuit. Get a license."
"Sakura..."
"Why does everyone do such dangerous things~? Do you really understand how worried your girlfriend is~?"
"...Sorry."
My heartfelt request. I want him to stop the reckless driving. This is probably what all the women in Watanabe-han are thinking.
"This turned into a gloomy conversation~ Shall we change the subject~?"
"True..."
After talking for about an hour, I stood up.
"I'll be heading back soon, it's bad to keep Kanna-senpai waiting."
"Yeah, take care."
"Haruki, don't overdo it either~"
"I got it."
When I called Kanna-senpai in the waiting room, Kanna-senpai asked, "Are you done already?"
"Yes~. I thought it would be bad to keep you waiting."
"You didn't have to worry about me. You could have stayed a bit longer."
"No, I'll come again next time~"
"I see."
Saying that, I was driven home.
"How is Hiyama-senpai?"
"Relatively normal~ she was worried about Katagiri-senpai~"
"I bet... that idiot gets heated quickly."
The car entered a section of Route 10 where there are particularly many speeding cars.
A car closes the distance to the rear to the absolute limit.
Kanna-senpai lightly taps the brake with her left foot.
Then the brake lights illuminate, and the other party leaves a gap.
However, just when it seemed they left a gap, they suddenly attempt a reckless overtake and force their way in.
After that, other cars similarly overtake the car in front.
"...Why do men want to drive so recklessly?"
"They say incomprehensible things like wanting to taste the thrill or wanting to see the other side of speed, but in short, they're just idiots."
"Does Tada-senpai say similar things~?"
"In a sense, he's worse than Toya. Toya absolutely never speeds in the city. He only drives recklessly when he enters the mountains. Makoto speeds like an idiot in the city."
"...I wonder what's in the mountains~"
"...Nothing~. Only danger is waiting. Men run while closing their eyes to that. Convinced that they'll be fine. Closing their eyes to everything and plugging their ears. That's why they don't notice the important things."
"I see~"
"That said, I can't talk since I'm riding a car like this. You don't understand until you've had a painful experience. There are things you realize after experiencing terror. If you don't realize it then, you're just an idiot."
I wonder if Haruki has realized it?
When we arrived in front of my apartment, I got out of the car.
"Thank you very much~"
"It's fine, see you later."
Saying that, Kanna-senpai went home.
After returning home, I sent a message to Haruki.
"What do you think 'the other side of speed' is?"
"What the hell is that?"
"What do you think, Senpai?"
"There's no such thing. Even if there were, you could never reach it. There's a limit before that."
"Are you aiming for the limit, Senpai~?"
"Don't worry, I won't be reckless anymore. I don't want to see your crying face."
"Yes~"
Haruki will surely be fine.
He absolutely won't drive dangerously when he's carrying me.
I'm anxious when he's alone, but he promised he wouldn't do that either.
I'll believe those words.
(4)
Day 4.
We toured Seville.
We saw the Cathedral, the Giralda Tower, the Alcazar, the Santa Cruz district, and the Plaza de España.
In the afternoon, we moved to Granada and saw the Alhambra Palace and the gardens of the Palace of Generalife.
At night, we watched a flamenco show.
After the flamenco show, we went outside and enjoyed the night view of the Alhambra Palace.
Akira-chan is in the bath right now.
I came out and am relaxing.
There is Wi-Fi, but I'm intentionally not exchanging messages with everyone.
Because the time alone with Akira-chan is more important than that.
For just these 8 days, let's forget about everyone.
That's what I promised Akira-chan.
"Zen-kun, sorry to keep you waiting~"
Akira-chan returned.
"Dry your hair. If you catch a cold in a place like this, it'll all be for nothing."
When I said that, she began drying her hair with a dryer.
Even the layout of the room is a stylistic beauty different from Japan.
"I wonder how everyone is doing."
"I bet they're doing fine."
Having such a conversation, we fell asleep.
Without knowing what had happened to Toya-kun and the others at that time...
(5)
I had come to the SS.
The yellow EK9 from yesterday was stopped at the SS.
The driver of the EK9 was grinning.
Airi was desperately holding down my trembling right hand.
"Why didn't you come yesterday?"
I couldn't say anything back.
"You can't say anything, huh. Just say it honestly, 'I was scared and ran away'..."
He said and laughed.
This is the first time I've felt such humiliation.
But I cannot break the promise I made with Airi.
It wasn't a penalty game that would be problematic even if I broke it.
But it felt like it would destroy the relationship of trust with Airi.
Compared to that fear, I should endure this much.
"I said I'd bow in apology if you won. In this case, you lost, right? What are you going to do for me, brat?"
No, I have to restrain myself.
It's incredibly frustrating, but...
Just as I was about to drop to my knees and bow in apology, Airi stopped me.
"There's no need to do that, Toya-kun."
Eh?
"How stupid. To be happy about scratching someone else's car and causing injuries—you're far more of a child. Why don't you go home quickly before your mother scolds you?"
Airi's character is changing again?
"You're a pretty assertive woman. ...And you look cute. I don't need your bow, so give me that girlfriend of yours."
"I'm not his girlfriend, I'm his bride."
It hurts, it hurts, Airi. Those words.
"A husband protected by his bride, huh! That's hilarious!"
Shigeru-san and the others were also shaking with anger.
I can't endure this any longer.
"Aren't you the ones who are hilarious? You can do such dangerous things because you don't have girlfriends, right? If you had one, you'd absolutely never do it. Toya-kun understood when I told him. You poor people, you don't even have anyone to tell you."
"Wife, your husband ran away despite saying he'd compete with us. Isn't it a bit different from the story to have nothing happen?"
"We didn't make any promise?"
Huh?
The opponent had the same reaction as me.
"Toya-kun just said, 'I guess I'll bow if you win,' and you just said, 'I'll be waiting tomorrow night.' You didn't say a single word about a competition."
That's a quibble, Airi.
"I'm pretty sure I told you to compete first...?"
"I didn't say I would!"
"You're quibbling, but what does the husband think?"
How should I respond?
Isn't there no choice but to apologize after all?
"...Anyway, even if you called it a competition, you intended to crash into Toya-kun's car, right?"
"Well, that's what happens if Toya-kun's car is slow."
"Like the accident in the Beppu mountains or the accident in the local mountains, you'd make contact?"
"The other party was slow, so it couldn't be helped, right?"
"Even though they were following the speed limit?"
"Cars that follow the speed limit shouldn't go up the mountain at midnight."
Saying that, the man laughed loudly.
I understood what Airi was trying to do.
The man didn't seem to notice.
"I'll repeat, Toya-kun didn't run away, he just avoided dangerous behavior. It has nothing to do with Toya-kun."
"That's a quibble, right? It's true he didn't come, but he just ran away, right?"
"...So you admit Toya-kun didn't go to the mountain?"
"Yeah, he didn't come. He ran away."
Airi smiled.
"That's the one sentence I wanted to hear."
Then, from the white luxury car that had been stopped, a man, Ishihara-kun, and Emi-san got out.
"Who are you people?"
The opposing man asked, but Emi-san ignored him and told Airi, "That was skillful," and Airi laughed, "Ehehe~"
The man couldn't grasp the conversation.
The man who came out of the luxury car presented a business card.
He seemed to be a lawyer.
"The police are currently searching for the perpetrator of a malicious hit-and-run case."
The man who called himself a lawyer said.
"Was it Tosaka-san? Could you return it?"
When the lawyer spoke to Airi, Airi handed the voice recorder to the lawyer.
"This can be submitted as evidence. According to the conversation just now, it seems the gentleman over there is unrelated."
The man flinched.
"We also do not wish to make a fuss by making this a criminal case. If you can settle this with a settlement, we will hand over this evidence."
"...You guys trapped me! Are you even street racers?"
"Toya-kun isn't a street racer. He's a fine basketball player."
"If a basketball player gets involved in an incident, it's a scandal, right?"
"You said it yourself, 'Toya-kun wasn't at the scene.'"
"Kuh..."
"What will you do? Will you accept this negotiation or not? If you accept, we will take an appropriate response on our end."
"I get it!"
The man signed the written pledge handed to him by the lawyer.
Then he snatched the voice recorder, dropped it on the spot, and crushed it by stepping on it.
"I'll spread it all over the Kyushu area. That the local area only has cowards and cheats!"
"Please feel free to~"
"The local Blue Flash wasn't much either. It was a waste just coming here."
Saying that, the man got in his car and left.
"Airi, were you planning this from the start?"
"Yep, I had two goals. Both were successful~"
Two?
Assuming one was to trap the street racers, what was the other?
"Making Toya-kun admit he's not a street racer~ Toya-kun, you must not do dangerous driving in the mountains anymore."
It seems I was outplayed by Airi.
Shigeru-san said.
"I heard your circumstances from your girlfriend. I'm sorry. I won't do anything like relying on you guys anymore."
"Yes."
"Airi-chan, that was great."
"It's thanks to Emi's cooperation~"
"Katagiri-kun, everyone is waiting at the family restaurant, so shall we go?"
When Ishihara-kun said that, I got into the back seat of my car.
Emi-san said to the lawyer, "You were a big help."
"No, well then, goodbye," the lawyer said and left.
(6)
When I heard Airi's story at the family restaurant, cheers erupted.
"Geez, there's no enemy left for Watanabe-han!"
Mika-san said and frolicked.
"But Toya, you stop it too."
Watanabe-kun emphasized.
"I know."
When I said that, Watanabe-kun told everyone.
"From now on, the actions of Watanabe-han will affect Toya's future. Please refrain from rash actions."
Everyone said, "Understood."
"But Airi-chan's secret plan was brilliant."
Emi-san praised Airi.
"Actually, I was scared. If I made one mistake, I would have dragged Toya-kun into it."
"I'm asking you too~ I told Haruki as well~ It's a huge shock if a precious person gets injured or lost~ Please don't make Tosaka-senpai feel that way."
When Sakura-san said that, I only replied, "I know."
"Senpai, please face basketball more. To aim for the world's best with that attitude is making a mockery of it."
"I'll let you hear it from me too. If you're a sports player, even if Tosaka-san takes care of your mental state, your physical condition is ultimately your own responsibility."
I was told by Sakura-san and Sa to also refrain from binge eating and drinking.
The order arrived.
"Look, right after we said it!!"
"Ah, when did it become this much?"
"It's the usual order."
"No!"
Bonk
After leaving the family restaurant, I drove Emi-san and Ishihara-kun home.
When we arrived at the apartment, the two got out.
"Well, you mustn't trouble Airi-chan anymore, okay?" Emi-san said and waved her hand.
I went straight home.
Then I immediately took a shower and drank a chu-hi.
It seemed Airi brought some too.
Airi started up her laptop.
After finishing her usual work, she said, "Toya-kun, let's do it!"
I also started up my laptop and logged in.
Everyone was gathered.
I was invited to go to a dungeon, but Airi declined.
Saying, "We don't have that much time"...
I helped her level up Airi's new character.
After a while, we stopped the game.
I dimmed the lights and got into bed.
"Airi, thanks for today."
"This is part of a bride's duty."
"...I've got a great bride."
"Yay~"
Airi clung to me.
"No more of that, okay? If it's a drive, I'll go with you."
"I got it."
"Well, good night."
"Good night."
Airi fell asleep.
She must have been tired today.
Thank you, Airi.
I stroked Airi's head.
I fell asleep while holding Airi.