Chapter 246 - Flowers Blooming in That Soul
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning."
I wake up to Airi's voice.
I get out of bed, change, and prepare for jogging.
I put on the new shoes that arrived from the sponsor.
My feet feel light.
I try a light hop. I see. These are good.
As I'm thinking that, Airi steps on my shoes with an "Ei!"
Even though they're new shoes.
When I protest to Airi, she laughs and says, "It's for good luck."
I run my usual course for an hour, and when I return home, I take a shower.
By the time I've changed, breakfast is ready.
After eating breakfast, I kill time by looking at my PC, fiddling with my smartphone, and listening to the TV, until Airi brings over a mug.
I sit with Airi and watch TV.
While watching the usual olive oil pour, I kill time watching the morning drama and then head to the University.
Since I'm early today, I take a shortcut.
I park the car in the parking lot and walk toward the building.
After taking class, I eat a bento at the school cafeteria.
While I'm eating, everyone from Watanabe's squad gathers around.
Watanabe-kun seems tired.
"Good work, Watanabe-kun."
"No, I'm beat, totally beat."
"What happened?"
Emi-san asked.
"Well, regarding the partner for Shiratori-san..."
"Is it difficult after all?"
"There are tons of guys who fit Toya's requirements."
"Katagiri-kun's requirements? What kind of requirements did you set?"
Akira-san asked.
"Let's just keep that as a surprise,"
Watanabe-kun replies.
"Do you think you'll find someone?"
I asked Watanabe-kun.
"No, it was easy... so easy that I'm troubled because there are too many candidates. Are there any conditions to narrow it down?"
"Let's see... as much as possible, someone devoted would be good, I guess?"
"You're contradicting yourself there."
"Don't tease us, Toya. Explain it clearly,"
Tasuku says.
It'll be faster if I explain it.
I explained it to everyone.
"This operation is Operation North Wind."
"Huh?"
Tasuku asks back.
"That's not an explanation, Toya,"
Kanna says.
"The shell of her heart is hard, and moreover, it has multiple layers. If we unravel them one by one, it'll take forever. So, the plan is to just smash it all at once."
"If you do that, won't she withdraw into her shell even more?"
Emi-san says.
"That's why I gave the order to Watanabe-kun. I asked him to find someone who would hammer a hole in someone's house and step inside with their shoes on."
"That's not a decent man, is it? She'll withdraw into her shell even more."
"I don't mean to remove it completely. I just need to put a crack in it. Light might shine through from there. She might show interest in that light."
"So, specifically, what kind of man is he?"
Shimizu-san asks.
"In a word, a playboy."
"Huh?"
I receive the cold gazes of the women all at once.
"Someone brazen, an unfounded narcissist who steps into people's personal space with their shoes on..."
"What are you thinking, Toya!!"
Kanna's angry shout flies over.
"It's just as Kanna-chan says. Do you understand the feelings of a woman who is paired with a man like that?"
Emi-san told me as well.
"That's why I said it, right? He also has a devoted side... I think Sakura-san would understand, someone like Hoaki-san."
"Where exactly is Hoaki-san devoted?"
Sakura-san's cold voice is heard.
"Then, wouldn't this Hoaki person be fine?"
When Kanna says that, I shake my head.
"Hoaki-san is no good. He seems to have lingering feelings for Sakura-san... I told you, right? A devoted person."
"Another difficult question. Give it to me concretely,"
Watanabe-kun says, and I think.
"As long as he looks like a playboy, it's fine. I'll judge the rest on this end."
"Is the rest an arranged marriage meeting?"
"Something like that, I guess?"
"Toya-kun, if Shiratori-san is forced into arranged meetings with only men like that, I feel sorry for her. She might become even more distrustful of men,"
Airi says, and I shake my head.
"Shiratori-san isn't distrustful of men. She's simply not interested. That's why I said 'smash the wall with a hammer.' A man who tramples over her wall regardless of anything is what's needed."
"I see, so that's why a playboy,"
Kanna seems convinced.
"What do you do after that? Do you pair her up with that man?"
"That's for Shiratori-san to decide. We have no right to force her that far."
"I have absolutely no idea what Katagiri-kun's goal is,"
Akira-san says.
"The goal is to peek through Shiratori-san's heart's wall, even if only a little. To cast even a small amount of light into Shiratori-san's heart. To make a flower bloom in that soul."
"Is that possible for a playboy?"
"I think it's impossible for the kind of quiet men we've seen until now."
"So, Watanabe-kun, do you think you can find one?"
"They exist. I just don't know if they'll fit Toya's other condition. Toya, come along for the interviews."
Watanabe-kun said.
"True. It might be better if I meet them. If possible, invite Shiratori-san too."
"What do you think? Shall we do it around tonight?"
"The sooner the better."
"Got it, I'll send the messages."
"And, assuming there's a good person, what happens after that?"
"There's the usual education, right?"
When Eguchi-san says that, I answer.
"A man like that is bound to run away, right?"
"Finding that is my job."
"Katagiri-senpai, you have basketball practice, is it okay?"
Sakura-san says.
"I'll find time in between."
"Well, if you say so..."
However, it didn't take long to find a good person.
(2)
Rumors of Watanabe's squad had spread through the local University.
There was no need to go so far as to put up a recruitment sign.
I don't know where they heard about me, but a large number of freshmen flocked in.
"I want a girlfriend. You'll arrange one for me, right!?"
"Rumor has it you can even lead someone to marriage?"
"Please let me in too! I'll definitely make my girlfriend happy-ssu."
It reached the point where dozens of people were rushing in a day.
And I interviewed that many people in a day.
Toya would meet those applicants after club activities and shake his head.
Such days continued for over a week.
Are the conditions too strict after all?
It was just as I was thinking that.
I met one man.
That man had a two-block soft dreadlock style and piercings in both ears and his nose. He was dressed in hip-hop style with sagging pants. Rings, chain necklaces, bracelets.
From any angle, rather than a playboy, he was simply a delinquent.
"I'm Kusunoki Haruto-ssu. I came today because I want a girlfriend. I'm confident I can make a girlfriend happy-ssu. Totally easy-ssu."
Kusunoki-kun didn't care at all that the cold gazes of the women who had come to Blue Bird were piercing him.
Toya's reaction seemed good. For the first time, Toya opened his mouth.
"Kusunoki-kun, do you have a type of girlfriend you like?"
"Haruto is fine-ssu. My type of woman is someone kind who will follow me-ssu."
"Haruto-kun, what does your family do?"
"Just civil servants-ssu. Also, the 'kun' isn't needed-ssu. Let's go with casual speech!"
"Yeah, I've decided. I'll contact you next time. Watanabe-kun, I'll leave the rest to you."
"...Are you really sure?"
"It's fine."
I exchanged contact information with Haruto and added him to Watanabe's squad.
"I'm Haruto. Nice to meet you-ssu!"
When he confirmed that message, Toya said, "Today is fine, I'll set up the meeting with the girl next time."
"Is there already one!? A girlfriend candidate!"
"There is, though I don't know if she'll fit your taste."
"Thanks-ssu. Then I'll be looking forward to it."
When Haruto left the shop, Toya received the verbal attacks of the women all at once.
"What are you thinking!? This is the worst!" Akira-san said.
"For once, I cannot agree... I don't understand what Katagiri-kun is thinking," Emi-san said.
"That's Katagiri-kun's ideal!? In my mind, he's the worst," Ai-san said.
"...Is he the person exactly as Toya-kun requested?" Tosaka-san asked with a cold gaze.
Toya nonchalantly brushed off such attacks.
"Watanabe-kun, can you set something up for this weekend for starters? Or should I ask Ai-san?"
"I can, but you'll take responsibility, right?" Ai-san threatened.
"It'll probably be fine, it'll develop as predicted," Toya even showed composure.
What kind of prediction was Toya's prediction?
At that time, I didn't know yet.
(3)
Led by Hiyama-san, I arrive at the cafe near the local University, Blue Bird.
There were the members of Watanabe's squad and an unfamiliar, unpleasant-looking man.
When Katagiri-san sees me, he stands up. Next to him is the unpleasant man.
He is chewing gum noisily.
He was a man who looked unpleasant from the start.
"Shiratori-san, thank you for coming today. This is Kusunoki Haruto-kun."
"Haruto is fine-ssu. Nice to meet you-ssu."
Even his way of speaking is unpleasant.
I hope it's not the case, but is this man my partner?
Seeing me look at the man with suspicious eyes, Katagiri-san lets out a satisfied smile.
"Well, let's sit there and have some tea."
I sat next to Tosaka-san in the empty seat as told.
Everyone is looking at us.
"Toya-senpai, is this person the girlfriend candidate you were talking about the other day-ssu?"
Huh?
"That's right."
Katagiri-san said an unbelievable sentence.
"...Do I not have a choice?"
I asked Katagiri-san.
"You do. But have you had a choice until now?"
Katagiri-san asks back.
I hadn't. Even with Hiyama-san, I just let it pass with a "hmm."
"If I have one, then any further talk is a waste."
As I stand up from my seat, Tosaka-san grabs my arm.
"Trust Toya-kun here," Tosaka-san says.
What could this man possibly have?
I sat back down.
From there, it was the man's solo stage.
"What's your name-ssu? Ah, I'm Kusunoki Haruto. Haruto is fine-ssu."
"I am Shiratori Haruna."
"Then, I'll call you Haruna. How old are you now, Haruna?"
Suddenly calling me without honorifics?
"I am 18."
"Then, we're the same age-ssu. Casual speech is fine-ssu. Are you a student?"
"I've been attending APRU since this year."
"That's super cool-ssu. Ah, I'm a first-year at the local University-ssu. Do you live in Beppu, as expected?"
"I do."
"What are your hobbies? I'm the type to do anything outdoors, like driving or surfing-ssu."
"I don't have any in particular."
"Then, how about going for a drive together next time-ssu? I'm confident in my driving-ssu."
"I suppose."
"Then, I want to exchange contact info-ssu. Could you tell me?"
"Fine."
I operate my smartphone and present my number and ID to him.
The one called Haruto sees that and operates his own smartphone.
My smartphone rings.
It cut off immediately.
"I just did a missed call, so please register that."
I register that number on the spot.
And I add his ID.
"Ah, sorry. I've been doing all the talking. Is there anything you want to ask, Haruna?"
"Let's see... I want to hear the reason why you thought you'd meet me in that outfit."
"Eh? I thought I'd dressed up for this."
This is his formal wear...
"What is the reason for chewing gum noisily in front of people?"
"Ah, does it bother you-ssu?"
He spits the gum into the ashtray that was placed there.
"Why is your hair like that?"
"Ah, isn't this super stylish-ssu?"
Apparently, it's fashion in his own way.
"Come to think of it, you seem super rich-ssu. What do your parents do?"
He seemed to become interested in my parents' occupation.
"Representative Director of Shiratori Holdings. Former Administrative Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance. She serves as an advisor to the local bank."
"I don't really get it, but that's amazing-ssu."
He probably doesn't understand at all.
"Ah, it's almost time for my part-time job, so I'll be going."
"Are you going to your part-time job in that outfit?"
"Yeah, I'm a waiter at an izakaya, so it's totally fine-ssu. Well then."
He talked by himself and left as he pleased.
"Shiratori-san, how was it?"
Katagiri-san is smiling.
"An incomprehensible type of person. He is incompatible with me."
"Is that so?"
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't you become interested?"
I realized it when he said it.
Indeed, I had shown interest in him.
But that was far from affection.
Rather, it was to the point of feeling disgust.
When I told Katagiri-san that, he laughed and said, "I see."
I don't know what Katagiri-san is plotting, but there's no way I could ever like him.
"It seems the business is finished. I'll be heading home."
"Ah, I'll see you out."
Hiyama-san follows after me.
I went home in Hiyama-san's car.
"Shiratori-san, why did you give him your contact information?"
"I don't know."
I had been caught in his pace.
"You should stop giving it out indiscriminately to people whose backgrounds you don't really know."
"I gave it to the people in Watanabe's squad too, didn't I? He's also a person in Watanabe's squad, right?"
"He only just joined, though."
"Then I'm the same."
"True..."
I don't know the reason, but I was interested in him.
And I was interested in myself for being interested in him.
Why did I become interested in him?
Because he's a type of person I've never met before?
Whatever...
Since nothing will happen with him anyway.
(4)
"Toya, was that okay?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"It was a great success,"
I answer.
"She was clearly showing disgust, wasn't she?"
"You think so?"
Everyone in Watanabe's squad around me makes a face as if to say "Eh?"
"You wouldn't give your contact info to someone you only feel disgust for, right?"
"Toya-kun, just tell us already, what is your goal?"
Airi asked.
"To make her interested in another person. Anyone other than Watanabe's squad would have been fine."
"Isn't it to make her a lover?"
"I think he's optimal as a lover too, though?"
"Why?"
"She became interested in him. You know how they say, 'The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference.'"
"Well, that's true, but still."
"Toya, have you thought of the next move?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"There's no need to think about that. There should be some change by the time of the welcome party, so I'll just watch until then, I guess?"
"Meaning?"
"Haruto will make a move, right?"
"Ah, I see. But is there any certainty that she'll go along with it?"
"There is. Shiratori-san hasn't had contact with anyone until now. This time, she showed interest for the first time. She's interested in that version of herself. So she should go along with his invitation."
"Is that how it works?"
"In fact, she's coming to the Watanabe squad gatherings, which she doesn't necessarily have to come to."
"Ah..."
Everyone seemed convinced.
"Hey, Katagiri-kun,"
Sakai-kun looks like he wants to say something.
"Assuming Shiratori-san and Haruto go on a date alone, can you say for sure that there's no danger of it leading to an accident?"
When Sakai-kun asks, the women all ask as well.
"I don't think a person with that kind of nerve would want to join Watanabe's squad. It would be far more rational to go to normal group dates."
"I see..."
Akira-san is convinced.
"But things seem to be moving surprisingly easily. It's going exactly as Katagiri-kun wanted,"
Ishihara-kun says.
"I don't know yet,"
I answer.
"Eh?"
"She still believes that she 'won't come to like others.' I don't know the reason. Unless that thought is removed, she can't have a boyfriend."
"Do you have a secret plan for that?"
"As I said before, forcing romantic feelings on her is just ego on our part. She has to realize it herself. It's not our role to do that. It's Haruto's role."
"You're quite cold, aren't you,"
Emi-san says.
"I think I've set the stage sufficiently, though."
I've done what I had to do. The rest is up to Haruto. If she seems like she's about to roll, I just have to give her a push on the back.
No, she might already be slowly descending the slope.
It felt that way.
(5)
I went home, ate dinner, and took a shower.
Then I was watching TV.
There's nothing particularly fun.
While listening to the sound of the TV, I'm fiddling with my smartphone.
Why does everyone seem so happy?
While thinking about that, I was reading text on my smartphone.
Then, suddenly, the smartphone starts ringing.
It's a call.
When I answer, it's Haruto.
"Sorr~y, were you sleepin~?"
I look at the clock. It's past 22:00.
Isn't it rude to call at this hour?
As I thought, it's impossible with this person.
I had already decided that.
"I was just about to go to sleep."
"I'm on my work break right now."
"Then why don't you rest properly?"
"Nah~ I wanted to hear your voice before I slept."
He calls for a reason like that?
"Well, I've heard your voice, so that's enough. I'll hang up now."
"Wah! Wait, wait, timeout-ssu."
"Do you have some other business?"
"We couldn't talk much, you know. I thought we should talk while we can. I think we should get to know each other more-ssu."
I thought there was no need to know him.
Knowing him is just a waste of time.
But there is a version of me that is showing interest in him.
That version of me refused to hang up the phone.
"What are we going to talk about?"
"Are you going to the welcome party next time?"
"I am."
"I wonder if we can meet before that?"
"Is there a need to meet?"
"Do you need a reason to meet?"
"Is there a need to meet when there's no business?"
"So as long as there's business, it's fine-ssu?"
If there is something, I want him to present it.
Why?
It's just a matter of normally refusing.
"Which do you like better, mountains or the sea-ssu?"
My thoughts couldn't keep up with the sudden change of topic.
"The sea..."
The vast sea. The sea that continues forever. The night sea. The sea where I become lost because I don't know where to go.
"Then, wanna go see the sea-ssu?"
Pardon?
"I told you let's go for a drive, didn't I-ssu. Let's go see the sea!"
"Why?"
"Phone calls are fine, but I want to meet and talk properly and become friends with Haruna-ssu. How about it?"
"I suppose..."
"Then, next weekend or so."
"Understood."
"Well, I gotta eat soon, so see ya. Nighty-night."
"Good night."
I feel like I'm being dragged into his pace.
Where am I heading?
I feel like I'm wandering in an endless sea.
Is he the one who will search for the single light in the darkness where I can't even see ahead?
(6)
"Uuu..."
"What's wrong, Airi?"
Toya-kun calls out to me.
"I don't know."
"Eh?"
"I don't know what Toya-kun is plotting!"
"I'm not thinking of anything that difficult."
That's what I don't understand.
"Her heart is flat, a gentle plain that spreads out endlessly."
"?"
"If you tilt it just a little, it'll start to roll, right?"
Well, I guess so.
"Haruto smashed her wall in a good way. It was good."
Is that so?
"Light definitely reached her heart. How she moves after receiving it, how she rolls... I don't know that yet."
I see.
I think while spinning my pen.
The first light she's ever received. Whether it's a gentle sunlight or a cold, harsh wind, I don't know, but it should be enough to move another person's heart.
"Airi, did you finish today's bookkeeping?"
"Ah, not yet."
I open my laptop and do the bookkeeping.
"Hey, Toya-kun."
I tried asking Toya-kun.
"What is it?"
"If it didn't work out, what were you planning to do?"
What would you do if an even bigger wall was built up?
"It hasn't worked out yet."
"Eh?"
"It's not that she's come to like Haruto yet."
"That's true, but..."
"If it didn't work out, I'd just think of another way."
"What kind of way?"
"Let's see..."
Toya-kun looks at me.
And he hugs me.
"Wait, Toya-kun!"
"If the North Wind doesn't work, maybe the sun?"
I'm studying right now!
Bonk
"Geez, I'm studying right now!"
"I was just playing around a bit."
"...Toya-kun, you're good, aren't you?"
"At what?"
"At manipulating people's hearts."
"...Not really."
"You think so?"
"I do... because."
Because?
"I still can't manipulate Airi's heart very well."
"Uuu... that is a problem."
"Right?"
But you're the only one who thinks that, Toya-kun.
It's just that Toya-kun hasn't noticed.
I always tell you, don't I?
To look properly into my heart.
I'm always smiling.
So look properly.
If you do, the two of us can surely become happy.
Because beautiful flowers are properly blooming in our hearts.