Chapter 237 - Unwavering Love
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun. It's morning."
"Good morning, Airi."
As soon as I call Toya-kun, he wakes up.
He opens his eyes in response to my voice.
Once he gets out of bed, he changes clothes.
The temperature had risen to the point where a bench coat was no longer necessary.
A hoodie was enough.
I run for about an hour, stretch, and then return home.
While Toya-kun is taking a shower, I prepare breakfast.
By the time Toya-kun returns, his parents have also woken up.
We all eat breakfast together, and once we finish, I take a shower.
Then, I pour some coffee and return to the room, where Toya-kun is watching TV as usual.
Noticing me, he says thank you and accepts the coffee.
Once I finish my coffee, I hurry to the gym.
While waiting in front of the gym, Sakura-san and Mizushima-kun arrive.
"You're early today."
As Sakura-san unlocks the entrance, the two of them hurry to the locker room.
In the meantime, I have a brief chat with Sakura-san.
"Tosaka-senpai, how will you spend your weekend?"
"I'll help Toya-kun with his training, and after that, I'll probably just relax at home."
"I'm thinking of changing the training menu a bit..."
Sakura-san hands me a menu.
It had become a bit lighter.
It's likely an adjustment for the expedition at the end of the month.
"I want to bring the peak to the expedition," Sakura-san says.
I also ask for various pieces of advice regarding diet.
I know that much myself since I have the qualification.
"That's true," Sakura-san laughs.
In the meantime, the two of them return. Other members arrive as well.
As we stretch and begin individual practice, the girls' basketball team also arrives.
We've become quite close over these five days.
While everyone is frolicking, the girls' basketball coach arrives.
"Get to practicing, quickly!"
When the coach says that, the girls' basketball team hurriedly begins practicing.
During the lunch break, we have a meeting in the waiting room.
It's a briefing about next week's game.
"The opponents are all tall. Even the center is over 2 meters. Moreover, they'll employ a full-court press. Their set plays are also skillful."
Sakura-san explains while watching a DVD.
"Is there a countermeasure?"
Kimoto-senpai asks.
"There's only the basic strategy. I think it depends on how much we can disrupt the opponent with pass and run. Pass before being marked. Run so that you aren't marked. That's our basic strategy."
"A strategy for a shootout, then."
"It's a strategy that relies on Katagiri-senpai, but..."
Sakura-san's words trail off.
"Is there some problem?"
"Senpai, you have three games in a row at the end of the month, right? Since I want to bring the peak to that point, I wondered if having you play full time was a good idea."
"If that's the case, it'll be fine. Airi will look after me properly."
"I've given the menu to Tosaka-senpai. Please enter the adjustment phase with lighter training."
"...Understood. But I'll play in the game. My stamina has improved quite a bit."
Running for 40 minutes is nothing, Toya-kun says.
"Kimoto-senpai will also join; Toma-senpai is resting. Please watch Kimoto-senpai's movements closely."
"Okay~"
"Also, Akai-senpai, it might be tough, but..."
"No problem physically. No need to worry."
"Well then, this is Kimoto-senpai's final retirement game. Everyone, let's go for the win."
"Yeah!"
Everyone lets out a shout as if to encourage themselves.
Toya-kun also psychs himself up.
"Katagiri-senpai, just take it easy," Sakura-san instructs, but he says, "Everyone's hyped up, I can't just take it easy, right?"
I'm looking forward to next week.
(2)
I went to visit Haruki in the hospital again today.
I took the train to Beppu, and from there, a taxi.
When I entered the hospital room, a petite girl was with him?
The girl greeted me when she noticed me.
"Are you Sakura-san? Thank you for always taking care of my brother. I'm Haruki's younger sister, Suzuka. Pleased to meet you."
"Nice to meet you~ I'm Kanzaki~. Pleased to meet you~"
"Well then, you two please take your time. I'll be heading home soon."
"Wait, Suzuka. Stay and relax a bit longer."
"Are you telling a student preparing for exams to just hang out?"
"I want to talk a bit too~ and I bought cake, so how about it~?"
"...In that case."
The slightly tanned girl sits back in her chair.
"Suzuka-san, do you play any sports~?"
"A bit of hard-court tennis."
"Despite how she looks, she's a regular at the Inter-High."
Looking closely, she had a muscular build.
"She's planning to make a living with tennis in the future."
"I'm just thinking it would be nice if I could."
Apparently, he's soft on his younger sister.
After that, the boasting about his sister continued.
Apparently, he becomes loquacious when it comes to his sister.
I wonder what Suzuka-san's first impression of me was?
"Still, how did Haruki-nii get such a cute girlfriend?"
"Right? Sakura is the only one I can tell my true feelings to."
Aren't you saying some lovely things~.
Haruki's talk shifted from boasting about his sister to boasting about his girlfriend.
It's embarrassing just listening to it.
"She's called the princess at the Private University, you know? She even won the grand prix in last year's miss contest."
"Amazing!"
I wished he wouldn't bring that up.
There are times when I occasionally curse the version of myself that flattered everyone.
Being loved by just one person is enough.
From the moment I thought that, the miss contest became irrelevant.
"Can I borrow her for a bit? Haruki-nii."
"I don't mind, but don't blow any weird things into her ear, okay?"
"I know. Sakura-san, do you have a moment?"
"I do, but..."
Saying that, we leave the hospital room.
I wonder what's going on?
I buy some juice and hand it to Suzuka-san.
"Thank you."
Suzuka-san says thanks, accepts the juice, and sits in a chair.
"I'll ask straight out. What part of Haruki-nii did you fall in love with?"
"Eh?"
"He's cold to everyone. Just being a beauty isn't enough to make him sway. How did you manage to win over someone like Haruki-nii?"
"Hmm, my first impression was the worst."
"Eh?"
"Just as Suzuka-san says, he was overconfident and had a nasty personality. I was the one who was wooed."
"Is that so... Haruki-nii wooing someone... how were you wooed?"
I told Suzuka-san the story of how Haruki and I got together.
"I see~. That's very like Haruki-nii."
Saying that, Suzuka-san looked convinced.
"It's Haruki-nii's bad side. The part where he's overconfident that he's popular. The part where he thinks everyone is annoying. I was surprised when Haruki-nii actually got a lover."
"He did have an overconfident side~"
"He's got a bit of eighth-grader syndrome. Especially the part where he wants to act cool. I think Sakura-san is amazing for making Haruki-nii that passionate."
"You think so~?"
"I do."
Suzuka-san throws the empty can into the trash and takes out her smartphone.
"Shall we exchange contact info? Something might happen regarding Haruki-nii."
"Sure~"
Saying that, I exchange contact info with Suzuka-san.
"Well then, I'm going home. You two take your time~. Give my regards to Haruki-nii."
Saying that, Suzuka-san left.
When I return to the hospital room, Haruki is watching TV alone.
"Huh? Where's Suzuka?"
"She went home~"
"...Did she say anything?"
"Give my regards to Haruki~"
"No, not that..."
"It's a secret between women~"
Haruki turns off the TV and looks at me.
"By the way, is it okay for you to come visit every day?"
"Why don't you worry about yourself instead of worrying about me~?"
"...Sorry."
"For what?"
"Apparently, I've been a lot of trouble for the Watanabe group."
Ah, he saw the exchange from yesterday in the messages.
"There's nothing to worry about~"
"I see..."
After that, I talked with Haruki until the very end of visiting hours.
"Well then, I'll be heading home now~"
"Sakura!"
"What is it~?"
"...Thank you."
"No problem, see you tomorrow~"
Saying that, I leave the hospital room and go home.
I call a taxi and ask to be taken to Beppu Station.
I was remembering the time when I first met Haruki.
There is no trace of that Haruki in the current Haruki.
There was a Haruki who was flustered after being rejected by me.
I don't know which one is the true Haruki.
But I think either is fine.
Because both versions of Haruki are wonderful.
I... am satisfied with my current self.
It would be enough if I could be Haruki's only princess.
I've changed quite a bit in one year too.
Laughing to myself, I returned home.
(3)
"I'm home~"
When I return, Saki is struggling alone to make dinner.
"Want some help?"
"I'm fine here, so go change. Don't wander around the house while you're dirty."
"Then, my change of clothes..."
"I'll prepare the change of clothes, so just go straight to the bathroom."
Since I was told that, I take off my clothes in the dressing room and throw them straight into the washing machine.
While I'm taking a shower, Saki says, "I'll leave your clothes here."
After showering and putting on the prepared clothes, dinner is ready.
"Let's eat."
Saying that, I eat the meal.
"Saki, are you okay? Balancing club activities, part-time work, and housework."
"Housework is fine because Yuma helps me too."
"If that's the case, it's fine... but it would be terrible if you broke your health."
"You're worrying about me. Thank you."
Spring break is the time to earn. I can put in as many part-time shifts as possible.
But let's coordinate our days off.
That's what we decided.
"By the way, is the next break okay?"
"Yeah, I took a three-day weekend starting tomorrow."
"I see, then we can go cheer together."
"That's right."
The cheering refers to the retirement game of the local university's basketball club.
Kimoto-senpai's final game. Everyone in the Watanabe group said we should go see it together.
Apparently, Kimoto-senpai will work at Akira-san's parents' company starting next month.
I've started to feel that nothing is impossible for the Watanabe group.
Of course, my own effort is also necessary.
"What about the remaining two days?"
Let's see...
"Assuming we spend Saturday relaxing at home, shall we go out for one day?"
"There's a place I want to go."
"Where?"
"Dolphin Island in Tsukumi."
"Why?"
"The local aquarium would have been fine too, but I can go there anytime."
"You want to go to an aquarium?"
"Going to an aquarium with someone you love is something people long for, isn't it?"
Someone she loves...
I wonder if Saki didn't have anyone until now?
"Saki, did you not date anyone other than me?"
"I did, but I think Yuma is the first person I actually fell in love with~. I didn't think I'd be able to marry the person I loved, though."
Saying that, Saki laughs.
"Saki was the first for me. And I married my first love."
"You seemed like you weren't interested in that kind of thing. But you did have someone you loved, right?"
"I had a heartbreak, though."
I laugh self-deprecatingly.
"Stop that face. You're happy now, aren't you?"
If I said I wasn't happy, it would be a fight.
"I'm happy."
"Then that's fine, smile more brightly."
"Sorry, I'm not good at smiling properly..."
When I say that, Saki approaches me and starts tickling my body.
"Wait, stop it, Saki."
"You can laugh like this!"
I roll around laughing.
The Watanabe group brought this kind of delicate happiness to me.
I want to give something back too.
"I don't need something like that. It's a happiness that you two created. But if you absolutely insist, there is one thing."
"What is that?"
"Show us an unwavering love. That's your greatest happiness, isn't it?"
I had that conversation with Watanabe-kun.
Unwavering love.
So as not to forget.
So it doesn't disappear, so it doesn't sicken.
That is probably the greatest way to repay them.
Thinking about it that way, my heart was strangely dyed in happiness.
(4)
Fifth day.
Leaving Granada, we stroll through Mijas, the white village overlooking the Mediterranean.
After that, we move to Malaga and take the AVE to Barcelona. It's a five-and-a-half-hour trip.
With so much travel, I was naturally exhausted on this day.
Once we arrive at the hotel, the two of us fall asleep.
I wake up in the middle of the night and turn on the TV.
I don't understand what they're saying, but I just watch for a while.
Perhaps noticing the brightness of the TV, Akira-chan also wakes up.
"What's wrong?"
"No, I just woke up."
"Jet lag... it's too late for that, isn't it?"
"I think I just woke up because I went to sleep early."
"We can take it easy tomorrow, so you should sleep soundly."
"I'll do that."
Akira-chan slept, undeterred by the noise or the brightness of the TV.
Looking at Akira-chan's sleeping face, I even forget that we are on a trip.
And I even forget that we are on a honeymoon.
Newlyweds... we got married.
Even that realization doesn't well up.
Is it because our cohabitation life was so long?
I look at the ring finger of my left hand.
The proof of marriage is certainly there.
We really did get married.
Happy?
To be honest, I don't know yet.
Because I haven't experienced married life yet.
What kind of happiness is waiting?
You're thinking, "Aren't you already living a married life?"
Not since the ceremony.
We had the third after-party, slept the next day.
The departure for the trip the following day was early, so we slept early and prepared.
And that brings us to now.
It'll surely be tough after we return.
Saying thanks, writing thank-you letters.
Let's forget it for now.
Let's immerse ourselves in this trip that is far removed from reality.
As I was thinking, I became sleepy.
I'll go to sleep soon.
I lie down next to the bride.
Goodnight, Akira-chan.
And I closed my eyelids.
(5)
"Manabe-kun, how much longer until those drawings are finished?"
"Let's see, if I include the check, within an hour."
"Finish them in 40 minutes, including the time I take to check. After that, prepare for the meeting!"
"Yes."
I watch the interaction between Manabe-kun and Harada-san.
The atmosphere has changed somehow.
Occasionally, Manabe-kun says something silly and earns a cold laugh from Harada-san.
And then, Harada-san starts laughing.
Manabe-kun is laughing too.
I watched, thinking that they've become close enough to allow those kinds of smiles.
But there is no longer any suffering there.
My heart has been released from the chain called Manabe-kun and is wrapped in Shiina-san.
"Shiina-san, replace all the decorative board catalogs on the shelf with new ones."
"Yes."
"Shiina-san, where are the samples we ordered the other day?"
"Those are in the equipment room."
That day was overtime.
Manabe-kun and Harada-san return from a meeting in the middle of the night.
"Good work."
"Good work. President, I'm going home after I eat."
"It's fine, you went home yesterday too."
"You were checking drawings after that, weren't you? I saw the file update history."
"That's because I thought I had to do it quickly."
"We have to go to Nakatsu tomorrow. Please go to sleep early."
"Does that mean I'll have your supervision this time?"
"If that's possible, I'd like to."
"I don't mind."
Harada-san laughs, saying that.
They've become the kind of relationship where they can make such jokes.
"Did everyone have a late-night snack?"
"Everyone was waiting for the President."
"Given the time, no delivery places are open. Shall we all stop here for today and eat at a family restaurant? We've had consecutive all-nighters."
Everyone begins preparing to leave.
"I'll drive Shiina-san home."
While saying that, Shiina-san is on the phone. He's probably calling my house.
"Understood," Manabe-kun says.
We split into those who eat dinner at the family restaurant and go home, and those who return to the office to work again.
Shiina-san also apparently has overtime after he drops me off.
"Shiina-san, is your body okay?"
"I'm fine."
While saying that, Shiina-san is drinking a nutritional drink.
"Please don't overdo it."
"Is there something on Monday?"
Shiina-san changed the subject.
"The people from the Watanabe group have a basketball game. I'm going to cheer them on."
"Ah, so that's why Manabe-kun is taking time off. I thought you two were going out to play."
"You don't have to worry, the Tange couple are coming along too."
"I see, then I'm relieved."
I don't know if Shiina-san is joking or being serious.
When we arrive at the house, I thank him, and then...
"Um, from now on, could you be the one to drive me instead of Manabe-kun?"
"...Is that okay?"
"I believe I conveyed my feelings the other day."
"...Understood. I'll tell the President myself."
"Yes, I'm sorry for making such a selfish request."
"That kind of selfishness is welcome. Well then, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Saying that, Shiina-san left.
When I return home, I tell Manabe-kun via message.
"I've asked Shiina-san to handle the driving from now on."
"Is that okay?"
"It's okay."
"Understood. It's weird for me to say it, but please get along."
"Thank you, you two get along too."
"Did you know?"
"Well, anyone would notice if they were shown that much."
"I see, well then, see you Monday."
"Goodnight."
A normal conversation without any agitation.
I've finally become able to do that.
Forgiving and being forgiven, and accepting a new love.
My love takes the next step.
(6)
"Ah, I got beaten again!"
Airi was playing an RPG on a game console.
One with beautiful graphics.
To be honest, defeating the turtle monster is far more difficult, though.
"Want me to switch in?"
"Uugh... I want to do the end by myself!"
I want to switch in right now. But it would be pitiful for the beginner Airi if I were to be naggy about this and that.
I spend a frustrating time in silence.
It takes about an hour, and Airi finally gets to the very last step.
Just a little more, hang in there.
Airi finally managed to defeat the last boss.
"I did it~"
Since she finally did it, Airi has to watch the ending properly.
Airi is captivated by the ending.
"Good job."
"Yeah."
Without taking her eyes off the screen, Airi watched all the way through the ending credits.
And when the ending credits finished, Airi sprawled out in a star shape, saying, "It's over~"
I'll play a prank on such an Airi.
"Well, this is next."
I show the game software to Airi.
"...There's a sequel to this!?"
"It's a trilogy in total."
"Uugh..."
"Shall we end it here for today and play a PC game?"
Given the time, Kiritani-kun and the others should be there.
"Yeah!"
Airi boots up the laptop. Then she logs into the game.
"Oh, Toya and the others are here."
Kiritani-kun and the others' voices flow from the speakers.
"Let's finish this quickly."
"Yeah, let's do that."
Since there's practice tomorrow too.
If we don't hurry, Airi looks sleepy.
"Airi, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm still okay. But Toya-kun, staying up late is strictly forbidden."
"I know. I'll show you I can finish this within two hours."
"Understood~"
And then we enter the dungeon.
Airi moves while listening to my instructions and the instructions of Kiritani-kun as the Guild Master.
We were able to clear it in about an hour and a half.
After handing the items to the settlement clerk, we say goodnight and log out.
After shutting down the PC, I get into bed with Airi.
Airi seemed tired and fell asleep immediately.
After thinking for a bit, I hug Airi and sleep.
Once in a while, the reverse pattern is good too.
Tomorrow is finally Kimoto-senpai's last practice.