Chapter 244 - A Dazzling Tomorrow
(1)
"I've asked everyone to gather today to celebrate Kimoto-senpai's graduation and Toya's triumphant return..."
Watanabe-kun is giving a greeting.
"Now then, let's all have a great time today! Cheers!"
Clink.
The sound of glasses echoes.
At my table are Airi, the Tada couple, Tasuku, and Sakura-san.
"Toya, is your leg okay?"
Makoto asked with concern.
"It's fine. I did some light practice today, too."
When I said that, Airi added as well.
"It was just swollen because it got stepped on, so it's no problem. They said there's nothing wrong with the tendons or the bone."
"Be careful. Like I told you before, your body is your capital."
Even if he tells me to be careful, in this case, there was no way to be careful, right?
"But that last game was brutal. I was terrified just watching it,"
Kanna says.
"If they didn't stop Toya, the score gap would just keep widening. The opponents probably felt they couldn't afford to be polite,"
Tasuku says.
"It wasn't just me; everyone's contact play was being shut down. They'd fall immediately and appeal. And then the referee's whistle would blow."
"So that's why that play happened. That play will be a good reference for our team,"
Sakura-san said.
"The team Katagiri-senpai joins will probably become a similar kind of team. They'll likely demand the speed to connect to a fast break after killing the opponent's first move."
Since I defend, steal the ball, and then lead the fast break myself, it can't be helped.
Even if we give up a point, I'm the first one to enter the opponent's court to receive the ball, so the speed of the passes is naturally demanded, so it can't be helped.
That's what Sakura-san says.
"Sota was intimidated. Sakura told him, 'If the ball reaches Toya, there's no way to stop him. In that case, the standard move will be to block the pass to Toya. The PG will be targeted.'"
"It was the same in soccer. The most terrifying thing is for the ball to be passed to you. I guess your play always ends up like that,"
Makoto says.
Is that why I'm envied by everyone, because I lead them like that?
In fact, am I not putting a strange pressure on the basketball club of the local university?
"But Toya, I never thought you'd actually lead the Japan national team. Your talent really is on another level,"
Makoto says while ordering a refill of his drink.
I also ordered another highball.
"It's great that you were able to secure your own position on the national team,"
Tasuku says.
"And you're even listed as a candidate for the Asian Championship representative, right? Beyond being amazing, it's actually scary,"
Kanna says.
"You're moving smoothly toward your dream, aren't you, Toya?"
Makoto pats my shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess so. But from here on, I can't afford any injuries. I have no choice but to win it myself. The hurdle is high."
"It's not something you can handle all by yourself, Toya,"
Tasuku says.
"Based on the game today, you're probably a head above the rest within Asia. At the very least, there's no one who can stop you. The question is what level you're at globally."
"I can't tell just from watching yesterday's game. Though there's no doubt Katagiri-senpai will be marked,"
Sakura-san also said.
A team that seriously studies national team matches will undoubtedly choose to either shut me down or shut Masato down.
But I'm not the only great one on the national team; there's Aya and Kazuto too.
And even among them, I have to demonstrate my own reason for existing.
"Well, tonight is also a victory party. Forget about basketball and drink!"
Kanna says.
"True. Miss, another beer please!"
"One highball for me too."
While everyone was ordering drinks, Watanabe-kun came over.
"Can I borrow Toya for a bit?"
"...What's wrong?"
Airi asks Watanabe-kun.
"Well, it would be bad to hide it from Tosaka-san. It's about a new member."
"By new member, do you mean Shiratori-san?"
When Airi says that, Watanabe-kun nods.
"Actually, she was Hiyama-senpai's arranged marriage partner."
"What!?"
Everyone at the table was surprised.
"And Hiyama-senpai tried to call off that arrangement, but..."
Watanabe-kun explains the circumstances.
I had heard the details about this during the boys' gathering.
"And you actually think she can join? Aren't you ignoring Sakura's feelings?"
Kanna gets angry.
"It's been a bit of a mess. I want to borrow Toya's help."
I'm the one helping?
Well, whatever. I'll go for now.
I stand up holding my mug.
"Okay, Airi, I'll be right back."
"Mm."
And so, I moved to another table.
(2)
At Watanabe-kun's table, there are five people: the Watanabe couple, Hiyama-kun, Sakura-san, and Shiratori-san.
I sat in the empty seat opposite Shiratori-san.
As usual, I can't tell what she's thinking.
"Oh, Toya. Glad you came!"
Mika-san seems to be in a good mood.
"Yeah. So, what's going on?"
When I ask Mika-san about the situation, Watanabe-kun explains.
Apparently, they were drinking normally at first.
Of course, Shiratori-san was having soft drinks.
Then, Sakura-san suddenly asked Shiratori-san.
"Why did you think you'd want to join the Watanabe group~?"
"Why? Because Hiyama-san told me to join."
"Couldn't you have just refused~?"
"Because he said he'd change my values... though I don't think they're things that can be changed at this point."
"Then there's no meaning in joining, is there~?"
"He said it would be killing time."
She apparently thought that since she had nothing she wanted to do anyway, if he went that far, she might as well try joining.
"Haruki, why did you invite Shiratori-san~?"
"Because I thought that in the Watanabe group, Shiratori-san could be changed."
"Shiratori-san doesn't actually want to change, does she~?"
"That's right. I've never thought that I wanted to change."
"Isn't that just a waste of time~?"
"Perhaps it is."
Yeah, I don't get it. I have no idea what Shiratori-san is thinking.
"And since he said things would change if she talked to Katagiri-san, we had him called over."
"...I see."
"So, what do you think? Is there some way to change?"
Shiratori-san asks me.
I answered immediately.
"There isn't."
"Hey, Toya!"
"Toya, that's a bit much..."
The Watanabe couple says.
I continue speaking.
"I don't know what Shiratori-san is seeking. She doesn't even have the will to change. Therefore, I don't know how to change her."
"...It wasn't even killing time, then."
Shiratori-san tries to leave her seat. Hiyama-kun panics.
"You shouldn't give up."
I call out to stop Shiratori-san.
"Give up?"
"The fact that you don't even have the will to change—doesn't that mean you've given up on the idea that you yourself can change?"
"I've never even thought about wanting to change."
"That's what I'm expressing as giving up."
Shiratori-san listened to me in silence.
However, Shiratori-san spoke immediately after.
"Are you saying that you all can make me want to change?"
"If you have that desire, I'll lend you my strength."
In the first place, I don't even know how she wants to change.
Why are you shutting yourself inside your shell so much?
What is making you so stubborn?
Shiratori-san just listened to me intently.
I suppose my role is finished. The others, like Watanabe-kun, will probably handle the rest.
"Well, I'm going back."
"Wait."
As I try to stand up, Shiratori-san stops me.
Shiratori-san has already returned to her seat.
"Everyone was praising you, so I wondered what kind of person you were, but aren't you just an idiot?"
I get told that occasionally.
"Even if I notice that 'something,' what benefit is there for you all? I might end up falling for Hiyama-san, you know?"
"That won't happen."
"Why?"
"I haven't heard what it is that Shiratori-san has given up on, have I?"
Do you want to know what love is?
When I say that, she seems to understand the meaning of her own words.
"You all wouldn't understand... because you think it's natural to have it."
Finally, I can see her heart.
"See, it really was a good thing you met us,"
I say and smile.
Shiratori-san looks bewildered.
"The thing you want is right here around you, isn't it?"
"...It's not something so shallow."
"Everything is shallow at first. It's like a mille-feuille. You build it up by layering it over and over."
"I've come to understand that you are an interesting person."
Everyone says that.
"So, what will you do for me next?"
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't particularly have anything I want to do."
"Let's search for that together. If I don't know what you want to do, I won't know how to help you."
"...So if I act within this 'Watanabe group' or whatever, I'll find out?"
"Probably."
"...I understand."
Shiratori-san seems convinced.
Persuasion will likely take time.
Even if you fry karaage suddenly, it won't be delicious unless you season it first.
Shiratori-san is currently at the seasoning stage.
"Toya, come here right now!"
Kanna is screaming.
I wonder what happened?
When I hurry back to the table, Airi is crying.
"What happened?"
"She started crying because Toya isn't paying attention to her..."
"...Airi?"
"...Toya-kun~"
Airi clings to me.
"Toya-kun isn't paying attention to me~"
"See, he's back."
"Yay~♪"
When I look at Kanna, I hear the details.
Airi smells of alcohol.
"How much did she drink?"
"...About ten Kahlua Milks and a few chu-his..."
I've learned that Airi's drinking habits are bad.
"By the way, what are we doing for the after-party?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"I'm going since we're already here. What about you, Toya?"
Apparently, Kimoto-senpai is going.
I want to go too, but...
"Toya-kun, let's go, let's go~♪"
Since Airi is like this, I want to refuse, but...
"Toya, you're one of the guests of honor! Stick it out until the end!"
Mika-san says.
"Toya... is Airi okay?"
Kanna worries.
"I'm fine~♪"
"Airi, let's just go home today, okay?"
"No! I'm going!"
It's the first time I've seen Airi throw a tantrum like this.
"Uuu... if Toya-kun wants to go home, then just go home. You're going home and leaving me all alone, aren't you?" she ends up sobbing.
"Alright, alright, so don't cry."
"Yay!"
At that moment, I actually noticed. She had long since sobered up. And that she was using alcohol as an excuse to be as selfish as she pleased.
"Toya, give in to Tosaka-san's selfishness once in a while. That's important for a husband, too."
Makoto, I'm not married yet.
(3)
Shiratori-san drove me home.
Sakura's gaze was painful, though.
Since it would be awkward to remain silent, I tried talking to her.
"How was today?"
"You're an interesting person, Katagiri-san. I feel like I understand why everyone is drawn to you."
"I see... by the way, what was the thing you wanted but couldn't get, Shiratori-san?"
"Hiyama-san is dull compared to Katagiri-san, isn't he?"
Isn't it just that Katagiri is too sharp?
"What would you do if I said I wanted you?"
"Sorry, but for me..."
"It's just a hypothetical. Don't worry about it."
Shiratori-san is looking at the sea—a sea with nothing in it. I wonder what she sees in the pitch-black sea?
"When is the next gathering?"
Shiratori-san asked.
"Probably after the entrance ceremony, since they're apparently doing cherry blossom viewing."
"I see..."
"Did you feel like you wanted to meet us again?"
"Yes. Just as Hiyama-san said, it seems like it'll be a good way to kill boredom."
"Do you want to see Katagiri?"
"I don't have those kinds of emotions. I just want to listen to everyone's stories."
She added, "Besides, Katagiri-san has Tosaka-san, right?"
"True. Since it seems fine to tell you, I'll say it. Being silent like this is boring too."
I wonder what she's going to say?
"What I wanted were friends. Best friends I could talk to without reservation. But because of my family circumstances, I didn't even have the freedom to make friends."
Is that what they call elite education? I wonder how many lessons she had to take?
"I think Hiyama-san was the same, but I was always the object of envy. No one ever climbed over the wall that covered my domain. And inside that wall, there was another wall—my parents."
"Shouldn't you have just jumped out on your own?"
"As I thought, Hiyama-san and I are incompatible. My world was always inside my parents."
A deep-chamber lady, huh.
"A long time ago, someone entered my domain. This was when I was a child. I remember being happy that I finally made a friend. A week later, that friend's family fell apart... apparently, the reason was that the parent lost their job. Even as a child, I understood. My parents had pulled the strings."
"I see... is that the reason you don't make friends?"
"Yes... because I've been told by my parents that I don't need them. Even if I try to make them, I'm pulled away. The Watanabe group might be dangerous too."
"Then why did you try to get close?"
"When I heard it from Hiyama-san, I was interested. Now it's different, though..."
"Friends... huh?"
The car stops. It seems we've arrived at my house.
"Well then, until next time. Thank you for inviting me."
"I'll contact you again."
"That's fine. It seems I can see everyone's conversations in that group chat thing."
With that, she closed the window and the car drove away.
When I return home, I look at my smartphone.
A message had arrived from Sakura.
I hurriedly call Sakura.
"What were you doing until this hour~?"
"I just got home."
"I sent you a message~"
"I just saw it."
"...Nothing happened, right?"
"Of course not, believe me."
"I believe you~. ...It's just that I can't read that person's actions."
That's true...
"Haruki needs to be careful too~"
"She told me we're incompatible."
"Is that so~? Well, see you tomorrow~"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
With that, the call ended.
Can't read her actions, huh...
Certainly, the thing Shiratori-san suddenly confessed she wanted.
Was that a trap to invite sympathy?
I didn't feel it that way.
However, I am clearly sympathizing.
So, what should I do for Shiratori-san?
The result of thinking about that was the cowardly method of dumping it all on the Watanabe group.
That is working out well.
After that, the Watanabe group will probably find a man from somewhere.
Just like they did for me.
The Watanabe group's eye for people seems reliable.
I can just leave the rest to them.
More importantly, about myself.
It's a fact that I was focused on Shiratori-san and neglecting Sakura.
Sakura, more than Shiratori-san...
However, my head was full of Shiratori-san.
Though it's just sympathy.
(4)
"How was it talking to Shiratori-san, Toya?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"How was it? Not particularly anything."
"When you first met, you said you 'couldn't read her heart,' right?"
"Yeah, I thought she had no emotions."
"What about now? It seems you've grasped something."
"I found a clue to the solution."
Though how to unravel it is the problem.
Sakura-san, who had been on the phone, returned.
"What? Hiyama-senpai."
"He's just saying there's nothing, so believe him~"
Well, I have no choice but to believe him.
"Anyway, why did you let Shiratori in, Masashi!"
Mika-san is angry.
"We want a reason that makes sense to us."
"The opponent was Hiyama-senpai's arranged marriage partner, for better or worse!?"
Emi-san and Akira-san are angry.
Watanabe-kun was laughing.
"That's exactly why. Hiyama-senpai was the one who asked. He probably wants me to push some other man onto her or some reason like that. I was also interested in what kind of woman she was."
"Do you have a specific man in mind?"
Sakai-kun asks.
"I don't. New students are coming in next month, so I plan to look then."
"Don't you think there's a task you have to handle before that?"
"Toya, what is that?"
"First, it's important for her to acquire something like romantic feelings. As she is now, it's like trying to make a vegetarian eat meat."
"Do you have a plan for that?"
"I don't... it would be good if there were some kind of trigger."
"So you need a man to create that trigger, right?"
When Makoto says that, I nod.
"However, it's a dangerous gamble. If handled poorly, she might develop an interest in one of the boys in the Watanabe group."
I warn them.
Watanabe-kun replied with a laugh.
"You're the most dangerous one, though."
That might be true.
Why is it always me?
I've been thinking that for a while.
"No need to worry! Because Toya-kun is mine forever~"
Airi says that and clings to me.
"Airi must have been bottling it up for a long time. This is the first time I've seen Airi like this."
When Kanna says that, Watanabe-kun says.
"Toya is also responsible. You were so absorbed in basketball that you didn't treat Tosaka-san properly, did you?"
"Well, yeah..."
I say while looking at Airi, who is clinging to me comfortably.
"Leave the matter of Shiratori-san to me. I've agreed to it. I'll take responsibility."
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone nods.
"Well, shall we wrap things up soon?"
"Masashi, aren't we doing this until morning today!?"
"We've already got Tosaka-san here, who's completely drunk."
"I'm fine~"
"...Right?"
"Can't be helped, I guess."
We leave the karaoke parlor.
"Well, let's do cherry blossom viewing before the first semester starts."
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone disperses.
Some of them went to a third party, though.
I hail a taxi in front of the station and ask to be taken home.
I stroke the head of Airi, who is sleeping on my lap, and say.
"Enough already, there's no one else here."
Airi opens her eyes and looks at me.
"...You noticed?"
"Completely... using being drunk as an excuse to do whatever you want. You're a troublesome bride~"
"Ehehe~"
Airi sits up.
"But it's true that I feel good~"
"I know."
"Are you two newlyweds, guests?"
"That's right~"
"You two are very close."
"Thank you very much."
After saying that, Airi grabs my arm.
"From your perspective, what did you think? About Shiratori-san."
"Eh?"
"See, I didn't talk to her at all, so I don't know."
I see.
"Well, she's a type I've never seen before. She might be close to Miyuki-san."
"?"
"Not just romance, but she's extremely afraid of interacting with people. A feeling like she doesn't try to become close. That's why I think it's better for her to become close with the same gender first."
"But if the other person has no intention, it's impossible no matter how much we reach out from our side, right?"
I think Airi is right.
If she were just a misanthrope it would be fine, but it's not a matter of like or dislike. She has no interest. How do you deal with a person like that?
But fortunately or unfortunately, she seems to have shown interest in me.
There's no point in forcing someone to eat something they hate.
No, wait, should I force her to eat it...
I look at Airi's face.
Airi looks at my face curiously.
"Bread and milk, huh..."
I mutter to myself.
Should I use a trick like the one Airi showed me back then?
Before I notice, Airi is operating her smartphone.
I wonder what she's doing?
"Here."
It seems Airi invited Shiratori-san to the girls' group.
"Nice to meet you."
That's the message left by Shiratori-san.
The new school year starts next week.
The matter of Shiratori-san and the matter of basketball.
I think to myself that it'll be tough.
"Don't forget about me too."
Airi says that and smiles.
"I won't."
Saying that, I stroke Airi's head.
A dazzling tomorrow for Airi, who is sitting next to me.
I'll search for it, over and over again.