Chapter 239 - I Only Need Your Love
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning."
I wake up to Airi's voice.
When I try to get out of bed, Airi firmly grips my waist.
"Just a little longer."
"Airi, you're the one who woke me up saying it's morning."
"I woke you up thirty minutes earlier than usual."
I look at the clock; it is certainly early.
Then I shall sleep.
Poof
"Airi, you just want to flirt with me, don't you?"
"Yes♪"
"And I want to sleep."
"Uuu..."
"So, I'm going to sleep, so do whatever you like."
"Then that's not flirting!"
I seem to have spoiled Airi's mood.
"I'm happy that I can feel Airi's warmth."
"Then, please give some happiness to me too."
"What should I do?"
"Pay attention to me~. Lately, Toya-kun hasn't paid attention to me at all."
While we have this exchange, time passes.
The time left for me to sleep has become meager.
"What a handful of a bride."
I hold Airi.
"You should have just done that from the start~"
"It's time now, shall we go jogging?"
"Yes~"
We change clothes and head to the usual park.
Airi stands at the entrance of the park holding a stopwatch.
Since we just run around the park, she probably thought it would be better to measure the lap times?
We return home after running for about an hour. Of course, we run back.
Then we stretch in front of the house and go inside.
As I take a shower, the scent of the breakfast Airi is making wafts over.
When I take my seat at the table, plates piled with breakfast are lined up.
My parents also woke up.
After finishing breakfast, I go into my room and watch TV.
This is my revenge for the morning.
I cling to Airi just as she is about to change clothes.
"Wai—wait a minute, Toya-kun!?"
"You want to flirt, right?"
"Just wait a little longer~"
I wait for Airi to finish changing.
As if remembering something, Airi leaves the room,
and brings back a mug.
"I forgot~"
The two of us flirt while drinking coffee and watching a TV show we aren't particularly interested in.
Since the TV is boring, we watch a DVD.
It's a story about two people who love each other, but the man starts dating an arranged marriage partner because he obeys his parents.
As for my parents, that won't happen.
While I am thinking about such things, Airi suddenly speaks up.
"If Toya-kun's parents told you to date an arranged marriage partner, what would you do?"
I think that would absolutely never happen, but.
"I'd choose Airi, of course. Even if I were disowned, I'd choose Airi."
"What if, like Miyuki-san, the family business would collapse if you didn't unite with the arranged partner?"
"Hmm..."
"You're conflicted after all, aren't you?"
Airi's voice sinks.
"I'll work hard so that both Airi and the business do well. Even if it doesn't go well, I'll show you that I can earn enough to feed Airi."
"That's right!"
Why did she suddenly bring up this topic?
It seems better to change the subject.
"By the way, Airi. Shall we cancel the drive today?"
"Eh~ why?"
"I want to do some shopping. You haven't bought this year's spring clothes yet, right?"
"Ah, that's true!"
I seem to have succeeded in distracting Airi.
It's almost time; when I tell Airi "let's go," she prepares and we leave the house.
After training, we change clothes, eat lunch, go shopping, and use the remaining time to drive.
We also eat dinner out before returning.
A single word Airi asked casually.
What would you do if your family decided on a marriage partner for you?
I thought such stories only existed in movies.
(2)
I go to pick up Rui at her house.
When I call Rui, she comes out immediately.
It is the first time I see Rui in casual clothes.
She is wearing a cardigan over a shirt and denim.
"It suits you."
"A-ah, thank you."
"So, what shall we do? What do you want to eat?"
"Ah, um..."
As expected, she is troubled.
It was something I knew.
"I've reserved a restaurant, is that okay?"
"Y-yes. I'll leave it to you."
The place we arrived at was a restaurant in the city center.
The two of us enjoy a meal together.
Since the game is tomorrow, I refrained from alcohol.
Apparently, Rui becomes talkative when her tension rises.
She easily lets slip that Umino and Todo are interested in Yohei and Yuki.
"Is it okay to say such things?"
"Ah."
Rui hurriedly covers her mouth.
"It's okay, I'll keep it a secret."
"Thank you. It's a promise, okay?"
"Yeah."
I tried bringing up other topics, but in the end, the conversation always returned to tomorrow's game.
"Let's win, both the boys and the girls! Definitely."
"The girls' basketball team should be fine."
Since they've been winning until now.
"Since we were trained by the boys this time, it's perfect."
"We were the ones who were trained."
"That's not true, it ended with Katagiri-kun having stirred everything up."
"Toya is an exception. It's better not to worry about it."
"Katagiri-kun's goal... I heard about it."
"If it's him, I think he'll do it."
"I agree..."
Then there were Rui's worries.
"It seems I'm really tall, so I can't wear things like one-piece dresses."
"Why not? Just wear them."
"They don't suit me."
"They'll suit you; I'll help you look for some next time."
"Thank you very much."
After eating everything, we leave the restaurant.
We head to the parking lot and get in the car, and I drive Rui home.
"Thank you for today."
"Let's go out again."
"Yes, if it's not a bother."
"How could it be a bother? We're lovers, aren't we?"
"That's right."
Rui says this and smiles.
"Well then, let's do our best tomorrow!"
"I'll come again tomorrow morning. You're meeting at the venue anyway, right?"
"May I ask you to do that?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you very much."
"Well, see you tomorrow."
"Yes, good night."
Saying that, Rui goes into her house.
Tomorrow's game, huh; he said the key is the inside.
I think it's still early, but I'm feeling fired up.
I went home, took a bath, and went to sleep immediately.
(3)
It was a bolt from the blue.
I heard from Haruki's mother that Haruki has an arranged marriage partner.
I am speechless.
Haruki grips my hand.
"Don't worry, I'll smash that marriage proposal to pieces."
Haruki says.
But...
"That is why, could you please give up on your relationship with our Haruki?"
I am pleaded with by his mother.
"I want to know Haruki-san's feelings."
"I should have told you I have no interest in any woman other than you."
"You've played around enough, haven't you? Enough is enough."
His father speaks, but Haruki does not listen.
"Disown me or do whatever you like. I can just live on my own."
"You are the heir to this house, I will not permit such selfishness."
"There's no such thing as an heir for a bank. I will live freely."
"Can you really live all by yourself?"
"I can live. If I have Sakura's love, that's all I need."
His father turns on his heel and leaves the hospital room.
His mother continues to speak to Haruki.
"I intended to find a partner more suitable for you."
"Whether someone is suitable for me is for me to decide, right? I chose Sakura. I'm not considering other options."
"What does Kanzaki-san think? Isn't this just a game to her?"
"Don't ask Sakura such a question!"
"I..."
I was at a loss for words.
Do I have the resolve to support Haruki for the rest of my life?
Can I, who am not yet even twenty, shoulder such a responsibility?
I...
"It's not a game. I want to live together with Haruki-san."
I honestly conveyed my current feelings.
"Can you swear that will never change?"
"I swear."
"I see. Then, I shall verify it. Haruki, accept the arranged marriage meeting."
"What are you talking about? Did you forget what I just said?"
"I haven't forgotten. Because I haven't forgotten, I'm going to verify it. If you two are serious, you should be fine even if you just attend a marriage meeting."
"...It's just a waste of time."
"I don't know about that. As soon as you are discharged, I will arrange the meeting."
Saying that, the mother also left the hospital room.
"Haruki-san, are you okay~?"
"Do you not trust me either?"
"I trust you~ but~"
Anxiety is anxiety.
I was shown a photo. She is a beautiful young lady.
Haruki says he intends to smash the marriage proposal, but.
Perhaps Haruki's mind might change.
And there is also the issue of the successor.
I didn't know. That Haruki was the son of the representative director of a bank.
Why didn't you tell me?
Did you think I only looked at your appearance?
Am I not trusted?
"There's nothing to worry about, I'll get a job that's enough to feed you alone."
"Yeah, but is Haruki okay with it?"
"With what?"
"My family is just ordinary office workers, you know?"
"That has nothing to do with it. Don't make me say it again, you're the only one I've chosen. Until now, and from now on."
"...I understand."
For now, I'll believe those words.
The spring storm was already raging.
(4)
Second date with Tasuku.
Partly due to my request, we headed to the aquarium.
We looked at beautiful fish, watched the dolphin show, and watched the sea lion show.
We bought a stuffed animal as a souvenir and went home.
On the way back, we entered a sporting goods store in the shopping mall.
I was looking at Tasuku's basketball shoes.
While we were at it, we entered a clothing store for my spring clothes.
No matter which one I tried on, Tasuku only said it suited me.
Is he actually looking?
After that, we walked around looking at various stores.
At a bookstore, I picked up a sports magazine.
It was discussing the predictions for the Korea match at the end of the month.
As expected, the lack of drives from Katagiri-senpai was being pointed out.
If a tall opponent marks him, won't he be unable to move freely?
That was the gist of the article.
Write things like that after doing proper research.
If you can say that after seeing the current Katagiri-senpai, then try saying it, I felt indignant.
"We don't need to buy this."
Saying that, Tasuku returned it to the shelf.
We had dinner at a restaurant inside the shopping mall.
"Toya has it rough too."
Tasuku said this and laughed.
He was being interviewed constantly during practice.
"I want them to stop because it distracts the other players from their practice, though."
"That just means the public's interest is focused on Toya, right?"
"Well, that's true."
"There will probably be many press people again at tomorrow's game, right?"
"Yes, I hope everyone can stay calm."
"As for Sakurako, how did you analyze tomorrow's game?"
"If the strategy succeeds, it's a big win; if not, it's a big loss. There's no doubt it will be a grueling game. It'll be a battle of stamina for both sides."
"Is the key man still Toya?"
"Yes. I think it depends on how much he can stir up the opponent's press."
"Sakurako is always calm; I rely on Sakurako's analysis."
"Thank you very much."
"By the way, there's one more thing I want to know."
"What is it?"
"What do you predict will happen to our future?"
I was shaken and dropped the fork.
I hurriedly had a replacement fork brought.
"Do people normally ask their girlfriend things like that?"
"I wanted to be coached by my calm manager, you see. How should I act after this?"
It took a little time to understand the meaning of the question.
Once I understood, it took time to calm my feelings.
Get a grip, today is the day before the game.
"Go straight home, rest, and prepare for tomorrow."
I was able to say it properly.
But Tasuku is unusually aggressive today.
"Then, if we win tomorrow's game..."
Tasuku whispers in my ear.
Hearing that, I became shaken again.
"Please tell me after you win the game."
"I get it."
Tasuku's face as he said that was smiling.
Leaving the restaurant, I drove Tasuku home as I said.
"Please rest well tonight."
"Yeah, I'll sleep immediately after taking a shower."
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Saying that, I drove away.
When I got home, I took a shower.
After showering, I picked up my smartphone.
A private chat had come from Tasuku.
It showed me in my yellow one-piece dress.
Today's outfit.
Today's clothes suited you.
A message was attached.
When did he take it?
Tasuku is good at surprising me and then making me happy.
I analyze tomorrow's game.
I envision various situations.
If they prioritize Katagiri-senpai and switch to the Zone, we can lead the game as we wish.
At that moment, the smartphone rings.
It's from Tasuku.
I look at the clock. It was past 22:00.
"I figured you were still awake."
"You too, Tasuku. Were you still awake?"
"Yeah, I was watching the opponent's game on DVD and it became this time."
"I told you to go to sleep early."
"You should sleep early too, Sakurako; it'll be no joke if the commander is nodding off."
"I was just about to sleep."
"I was just thinking I'd listen to Sakurako's voice before I sleep too."
...Geez!
"Well, good night. I'm going to sleep too."
"Yeah, night."
The call ended.
I shall sleep too.
I set the alarm early.
I want to let them win, for Kimoto-senpai's sake as well.
Thinking that, I fell asleep.
(5)
After taking a shower, I wait for Airi to return.
Today she brought juice.
While drinking juice with Airi, I prepare for the game.
The PvP matches had already begun.
"Got them! Toya, I'm counting on you."
"Roger."
I mow down the immobilized opponent.
"Nice, Toya!"
And then two hours passed and the match ended.
"Good work."
While everyone was saying that, Airi's smartphone rings.
Airi's expression darkens.
"What's wrong?"
"No. It's nothing."
After logging out of the game, I turn on the TV.
It's a drama Airi likes, but Airi is absorbed in her smartphone.
I wonder what happened?
"Airi, what happened?"
"Uuu... I told you it's nothing much."
"Which means something did happen, right?"
"Ah."
Airi is also weak to this kind of trap.
"What happened?"
"Sorry, it's a secret between women."
"You said the same thing the other day."
"Uuu... are you angry?"
"No, nothing good comes from sticking my nose into conversations between women."
"I see."
While Airi is fiddling with her smartphone, I fiddle with my smartphone while watching the drama.
When the drama ends, I start a game.
A fighter jet game.
I quite like the music.
It gets me pumped, or something like that.
Airi, who seems to have finished her smartphone business, immediately comes in to interfere.
Just because she clings to me doesn't mean my dogfight can be interrupted.
Then Airi snatches the controller from me.
In an instant, it becomes Game Over.
"I don't know how to move it~"
"Of course it's impossible if you haven't even looked at the manual."
"Then, teach me next time."
"...Are you interested?"
"I'm fine as long as it doesn't jam gushing out."
Is that the issue?
"By the way, isn't it bad if we don't sleep soon?"
The clock had passed 0:00.
I turn off the TV, dim the lights, and get into bed.
"It's finally tomorrow."
"That's right."
"Do your best."
"I have to do my best for Kimoto-senpai's sake too."
"Yeah."
"Well, shall we sleep soon?"
"Before that, one thing..."
"What is it?"
"We're going to the victory party too, okay?"
What about it?
"Because I won't forgive cheating."
Ah, so that's it.
"Didn't you say before that you'd forgive cheating?"
"Uuu... you only remember things like that."
"Well, I won't, so don't worry."
"Even if Toya-kun doesn't intend to, we don't know if the other person will."
"Well, I suppose so."
At most, I'll just be troubled by how to refuse.
I don't know if Airi has expressed her will or not, but Airi wraps her arms around my waist.
I gently pat Airi's head.
There is no reaction.
When I look at Airi's face, she is asleep.
Good grief...
I gently cover Airi with the duvet.
Kimoto-senpai's last game.
Even without consciously thinking about it, I'm feeling fired up.
But it'll be what it'll be.
Thinking that, I fell asleep.