Chapter 238 - Wings That Can Fly
(1)
My body is hot.
My heart is warm.
What is this warmth...
When I opened my eyelids, Toya-kun's face was right before me.
I had been sleeping while held tightly by Toya-kun.
No wonder...
I can't do anything in this position.
I can't see the morning sun yet, but since I've woken up, it's probably morning.
I whisper in Toya-kun's ear.
"Toya-kun, it's morning."
When Toya-kun wakes up, he says, "Good morning, Airi."
The two of us get up, change, and leave the house.
I straddle my bicycle while Toya-kun does some light stretching.
"I'm ready,"
I tell Toya-kun, and he begins jogging.
He continues to run around a large nearby park.
It's a perfect course with both downhill and uphill sections.
After continuing for about an hour, he returns home.
After stretching and going inside, Toya-kun takes a shower.
In the meantime, I prepare the meal.
By the time I finish preparing the food, Toya-kun's parents wake up.
"Good morning, Airi-chan,"
the parents say as they take their seats at the table.
Maya-san helps me with the serving.
When Toya-kun returns from his room, he says, "Itadakimasu."
Once the meal is finished, I leave the cleanup to Maya-san and take a shower.
Then, I pour coffee into mugs, put milk in one of them, and return to Toya-kun's room.
Toya-kun is watching television.
I don't have much interest in Saturday television.
It seems Toya-kun feels the same, as he is fiddling with his smartphone.
Then, after finishing his coffee, he stands up and turns off the TV.
"Shall we head out soon?"
"Yeah."
I also take my bag and leave the room. After wrapping the lunch that had been cooled down and putting it in my bag, I leave the house.
(2)
"Good morning, Kazu-san, it's morning."
When I wake up, Kana in her pajamas is shaking my body.
Ah, today is finally the last day.
"Good morning, Kana."
As soon as I wake up, I change clothes.
In the meantime, Kana sets about preparing breakfast.
By the time I've changed and gotten ready, breakfast is finished.
Once it's laid out on the table, we take our seats, face each other, put our hands together, and say, "Itadakimasu."
After finishing the meal, I watch TV in the living room while Kana cleans up.
When Kana finishes cleaning, I pack the side dishes for the lunch she made last night into the lunch box and change in my room.
Once Kana has finished changing, I put the lunch in the bag she is holding.
"Kazu-san, let's go soon."
"Yeah."
Saying that, we leave the house.
"Today is the last practice, isn't it?"
Kana speaks to me from the passenger seat.
"That's right."
"Will you continue even after you become a working adult?"
"My company won't have one, but I've heard there are corporate teams, so I'd like to continue if possible."
"I see..."
Kana looks lonely. I can guess the reason.
"Don't make that face. I'll make sure to make time for you too, Kana."
"Yes!"
After parking the car, we hurry to the gymnasium.
Looking at the locker room, it seems everyone has already arrived.
I hurriedly change and head to the court.
On the court, both the men and women had already begun practicing.
"Yo, Kimoto-senpai!"
Sota's voice rings out, and everyone notices me and greets me.
"Kimoto-senpai, please stretch before joining the practice."
As Sakura says, I stretch and then enter the practice.
It was defense footwork practice.
After that, we enter 5-on-5 practice.
Perhaps it's because Sakura's instruction is good, but the first-years are doing quite a good defense.
I can't find a passing lane.
"Senpai, over here!"
Before I know it, Toya shakes off the defense and comes to receive the pass.
When I pass the ball to Toya at the top, Toya tries to drive around to the left side with a dribble.
Another person attaches to his direction of travel. A strategy to seal Toya with a double team, perhaps.
However, Toya had already reached a realm where he could not be stopped even by a double team.
He brakes suddenly, moves the ball he was dribbling with his left hand behind his back, and while dribbling with his right hand, he pivots his body and tries to drive to the right side. A third person comes around from the post.
Before that defense can attach, Toya sends a bounce pass under the goal.
Kyota receives it, pivots immediately, and shoots.
"Nice shot!"
Kyota and Toya high-five.
"Senpai, as soon as you make a shot, get on defense immediately!"
Sakura's relentless instructions fly.
And so, the morning practice ended.
A meeting during the lunch break.
"The opposing team this time has almost no shots from out of range. If we're going to engage in a shootout, I think we should solidify the Zone firmly,"
Sakura says.
"I'll have Katagiri-senpai cover the top. Please seal the opponent's PG. The problem is when they enter the post."
"Was it that they were over 2 meters?"
Kyota says.
"Don't let the opponent head for the goal. Even if you let them, don't let them pass. Just focus on draining the opponent's stamina. I think Akai-senpai's stamina will also be consumed, but that's where the battle is. Also, don't try to stop them by force. This is a tactic where we are prepared to concede points."
"Got it."
"The representative's center is 198 cm. I won't let the height difference be an excuse!"
"How harsh."
"Additionally, based on the opponent's positions, I'll have Kimoto-senpai cover the right side."
"Why?"
I try asking Sakura.
"Because the opponent's ace is on that side. Please prevent the opponent's passes and drives."
"OK."
"The afternoon is practice in a game format with the women. Let's try it out immediately. Please keep in mind to use low passes. Assume that any high passes will be cut."
"Alright, then let's go!"
When Shinji says that, everyone stands up.
The remaining half-day of practice begins.
The game-format practice was a confirmation of tactics assuming the opposing team.
Perhaps sensing this, the women's basketball coach also implemented an all-court press.
"Coach, it's impossible! Marking Katagiri-kun alone is impossible!"
Todo-san cries out, but the coach is relentless.
"If you're going to whine, you can leave the court! The number one player in Japan is playing against you! Defend aggressively!"
"Hieee~"
During the half-court practice, whether it was because he was conscious of set plays or conscious of overcoming weaknesses, I don't know, but Toya didn't go for shots on his own; however, once it became game-format, the moment he entered the opponent's court, Toya would shoot without question.
Even if two, or even three people attached to him, he would send passes as if sewing through the gaps.
During the break, the women's basketball members consult.
And when the break ended, they launched a double team at me.
"Senpai, sorry, but I won't let a pass through to Katagiri-kun!"
"It's not interesting unless you come at me like that."
The tactic isn't bad, but the opponent is too bad.
Toya shakes off his marker and comes to receive the pass on his own.
Then, upon receiving the ball, he immediately passes it with that one hand to a teammate who has become free.
Toya seems to be an all-rounder as well. In terms of height and physique, he doesn't seem suited for center, though.
Even so, when Kyota entered the high post, Toya entered the low post himself, received the ball, and brilliantly made a hook shot.
He forcibly took a ball that Kyota missed and turned it into a dunk.
In the end, there was no choice but to put three people on Toya, but even then, it seemed impossible for the women's basketball team's stamina to suppress Toya.
"Sorry, Toya-kun, we're just not in your league."
Far from stopping Toya, Umino-san, whose specialty drive had been sealed instead, apologized.
"It's okay, sorry for pushing you too hard."
Toya seemingly still had energy left and began practicing shots alone.
Seeing that, the guys from the men's basketball team also began practicing shots.
The men's basketball guys all had energy left.
Because Toya had handled most of the play by himself.
"Katagiri-senpai, member change! Swap with Tasuku!"
Toya makes a face as if to say, "Eh?"
"We can't confirm the formation. Everyone else isn't tired at all."
Following Sakura's instruction, Toya leaves the court.
After that, practice continued.
Around 17:00, everyone began to cool down.
And then, practice ended.
Now, only the retirement game remains.
With that, my university basketball will come to a close.
"Senpai, thank you for everything until now!!"
When Sota bows his head, everyone bows their heads.
"Hey now, I intend to be active until next week's game."
I say that to everyone, but...
"Senpai, thank you for staying until the end."
Even Sakura...
"I'm looking forward to the next game. Please do your best and play without regrets."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Well then, let's go all out today as a pre-celebration!"
"No! The celebration is after we win!"
Sota's proposal was flatly rejected by Sakura.
I remain alone on the court, staring at the basket.
Someone approached.
"Good work today."
Kana called out to me.
"I'm still active, it's too early to cry."
"That's true."
Kana said that and laughed.
(3)
"Hello~"
Sakura came over again today.
"...Don't you have plans or something?"
"I'm going on a date with my cheating partner now~ ...is that what you want me to say~?"
"That definitely wouldn't happen with you."
"Aren't you underestimating me~?"
"I didn't say it with that intention. I intend to trust you."
"Then it's fine~. I'm coming because I want to, so don't worry about it."
Even though Sakura came, there wasn't anything particular happening. While eating the dessert she brought as a get-well gift, we had trivial conversations.
"Speaking of which, it's the day after tomorrow. The basketball game. You're going to see it too, right?"
"Yes, Kanna-senpai said she'd give me a ride, so I'll go~. I'll cheer for Haruki's share too~"
"Yeah."
"Speaking of Katagiri, has he not gone toward the mountains since then?"
"It seems he doesn't have that kind of free time~. Practice during the day, and dealing with Tosaka-senpai at night~"
"I see."
Judging from Sakura's talk, it seems he has completely given up on the mountains.
Though it seems it required a considerable amount of persuasion time.
"Maybe I'll sell my current car too?"
"Eh?"
"Switch to a car with better fuel efficiency... Sakura would feel more at ease that way, right?"
"Because you have a car, you drive... is that what you want to say~?"
"Because the car is good, I want to drive... that's all I want to say."
"That's just an excuse to run away. The thing that's changing isn't the car, but Haruki's feelings, isn't it~?"
"I'm saying let's change the car in order to organize those feelings."
"The other side of speed."
"?"
Sakura began saying mysterious words.
"Kanna-senpai said it's what street racers aim for. That they drive seeking a drive that exceeds the limit."
The other side of speed, huh. I wonder if such a thing exists?
"But Katagiri-senpai said. No matter what car, there is a limit. And on public roads, that limit value is low. The road conditions aren't safe. That's why professionals don't speed, he said."
If Katagiri says so, he's probably not wrong.
"What about Haruki? Do you intend to speed in the city? Don't you actually know the limit? Don't you know that the one with the limit isn't the car, but the human?"
I just listened in silence.
The limit isn't the car, but the human. That's a poignant way of putting it.
"I get it... It's just as Sakura says."
"I'm glad you're such a compliant boyfriend~"
Sakura says that and laughs.
"Ah, it's about time. I'll come again~"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
"Yes~"
Saying that, Sakura left.
The one who entered as we passed was Mother.
"Was that your girlfriend?"
"Yeah, but."
Mother handed me a single matchmaking photo.
"...What are you thinking?"
"...Keep things with that girl as just playing around."
"What do you mean by that?"
"That young lady is the daughter of a business client..."
"I told you I have no intention of succeeding the business."
"I thought you were finally at an age to understand things."
"Sorry, but please decline. I'll decide my own partner."
"You haven't even decided on a place of employment, have you? If that's the case..."
"Could you please leave?"
"...I'll come again."
Saying that, Mother left.
I can only be free for now, huh.
I feel pathetic. No matter what I say, I'm still a bird in my parents' cage.
I want wings that can fly away.
I thought so from the bottom of my heart.
(4)
Sixth day.
Sightseeing in Barcelona city.
I climb the bell tower of the Sagrada Familia.
The scenery was breathtaking.
I am guided through Gaudi's architecture, such as Park Guell, Casa Milà, and Casa Batlló.
After the sightseeing is finished, there is free time.
Looking around the city, buying souvenirs and mementos.
I look around La Rambla, Plaça de Catalunya, Diagonal Mar, and Centro Comercial Arenas de Barcelona.
After that, dinner at a restaurant.
A restaurant where you can overlook the scenery of Barcelona.
After enjoying a slightly adult atmosphere, I return to the hotel and take a shower.
I return to Japan tomorrow.
It was a fun week.
Once I return to Japan, the busy daily life will begin again.
When I step out of the shower, Zen-kun is watching television.
A soccer match was on.
He probably didn't understand even if he watched others.
"It's finally the end today, isn't it?"
"That's right."
"It was fun."
"That's right."
"The real thing starts after we return, right?"
"?"
He looks at me curiously.
"Our newlywed life."
"Ah, that's right. Please go easy on me."
That's my line, Zen-kun.
"I look forward to it as well."
I sit in seiza on the bed and bow my head.
"It seems we leave early tomorrow morning, so shall we sleep early?"
"That's right."
Entering the bed, the two of us fall asleep.
I wonder what is happening in Japan right now.
While thinking about such things, I was dreaming.
(5)
I eat dinner, take a shower, and wait for Airi to return.
Until then, I killed time by playing games.
I didn't choose it consciously.
The game I happened to pick up was just that.
A car game.
The kind where you buy a car yourself, customize it, and drive.
The engine sound is realistic and creates a fitting atmosphere.
But it seems that was a mistake.
Poke
"You still have lingering attachments to cars!?"
It seems she entered again; I hadn't noticed at all that Airi had returned to the room.
I hurriedly turn off the game.
Airi takes the controller from me and turns on the game console.
Then, she starts the car game.
"Uuu... the car I drive isn't here~"
Of course it wouldn't be...
"Ah, this game can be played competitively? Let's do it, let's do it."
"Is it okay...? It's a car racing game, you know?"
"If it makes Toya-kun feel better, I'll go along with it~. Let's do this tonight. Tomorrow is a holiday, after all."
"But I have to train, right?"
"If you know that, then it's fine!"
Should I give her a handicap? But this game...
No matter how much I choose a slow car and recommend a fast car to Airi...
"Toya-kun, I hit the wall! What should I do?"
"Back up for a moment..."
This is how it goes.
"Toya-kun, you recommended a difficult car on purpose! Mean~"
It's unreasonable.
But maybe it's better to let her get used to the controls with a slow car first...
I exchange controllers with Airi and let Airi operate my car.
By the way, the transmission is set to AT.
Leaving my own car aside, I'm holding Airi's hand and teaching her how to operate it, so...
"Yay, I won~"
Well, that's because I'm not the one operating it.
"I've already learned~. You can come at me seriously next time."
"You said it... don't regret it."
I operate the car that Airi struggled with with effortless ease.
The specs are different. Of course I'll win overwhelmingly.
Then Airi starts poking me.
"Toya-kun's car is too fast, it's cheating!"
It's unreasonable.
"Then shall we exchange again?"
"Let's use the same car model."
Then, the third match with a car recommended for beginners.
Secretly from Airi, I held back.
"Yay, I won~"
Airi seems satisfied.
"Toya-kun, isn't it about time for PC game time?"
Ah, about an hour has passed.
I hurriedly start the PC and log in.
"Toya, you're slow!"
"Toya came!? Now we can win!"
By the way, let me mention, Airi is here too.
The regulations for Saturday matches are different from Sunday.
I had Airi create a character for Saturday as well.
When I asked "What do you want?", she said, "The same as Toya-kun's~, because it looks strong."
I hurriedly leveled up Airi's character and gave her my hand-me-down equipment. Even so, she should be able to win sufficiently.
"Wow, it's so strong~" Airi is in high spirits.
After the matches are finished and we log out, it becomes time to sleep.
Tomorrow is early too.
Why? Ah, it's better to finish training quickly and play from the afternoon, right?
I dim the lights and enter the bed.
"What shall we do tomorrow?"
"Shall we go for a drive for a change after a long time?"
"Then, I'll make lunch~"
"Let's go straight after training?"
"What about changing clothes?"
"We can just change in the locker room, right?"
"I understand~"
I hold Airi and fall asleep.
Airi also clings to me and falls asleep.
I had many wings.
They were torn away one by one, until one pair of wings remained.
I dance in the sky using those wings.
What spreads beyond that is a beautiful world.
Someone said.
"Those with talent will one day stand on the stage where they should stand."
I was trying to challenge that stage.
It's okay if I fall.
Surely Airi will heal me.
Airi, with three pairs of wings on her back.
Because Airi is here, I can take the first step.
Airi illuminates the path I walk.
My comrades push me forward.
Isn't that enough?
For now, let's just think about adding grace to Kimoto-senpai's retirement.
Before that, maybe I should get on Airi's good side?
While thinking about such things and feeling Airi's warmth, I entered my dreams.