Chapter 247 - The Meaning of Their Meeting (1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
I wake up to Airi's voice.
I can hear a rushing sound from outside.
It was raining today.
Jogging is out of the question now.
I check the time. Naturally, I have an hour to spare.
I climbed back into bed and slept.
Bonk
"It's raining, so jogging is impossible."
"That doesn't mean you have to go back to sleep!"
"I have nothing else to do."
Should I help with the housework or something?
"There are plenty of things you could do, like studying or playing games."
"You're the one who gets angry when I play games in the morning, Airi."
"It's just so hard to wake you up, Toya-kun. Lately, you start doing all sorts of things when I wake you..."
"All sorts of things?"
Bonk
"All sorts of things! You're just asking even though you already know, aren't you!"
Airi probably noticed because I was smirking.
Since I was told that sleeping was not allowed, I changed my clothes for the time being.
What should I do after that?
Maybe turn on the TV?
Ah, but she did say it was okay to play games.
Looking at Airi, she is reading a book.
I boot up my laptop and start a game.
Then, Airi boots up her laptop as well.
"It's unfair to play by yourself."
"No, but you were reading a book, Airi."
"You could have at least invited me."
Actually, there was something I wanted to do alone, but I guess it's fine.
When I play games with Airi, rare items really do drop.
I generate an instant dungeon and begin.
When I defeat the boss... see?
A small, green, square object drops out.
I wonder how many of these I have now?
While killing time like that, an hour passes in the blink of an eye...
"I have to start preparing breakfast soon!" Airi says, logging out and leaving the room.
As I continue playing alone, I hear Airi's voice calling, "Food's ready~"
I find a good stopping point, log out, and head to the dining room.
Everyone was gathered.
After finishing the meal, I return to my room, turn on the TV, and patrol some sites on my laptop.
Once I've seen everything, I shut it down and put the laptop in my bag.
While I'm watching TV, Airi returns.
After a while, Airi begins to change and then puts on makeup.
By the time Airi finishes her makeup, it's time.
I leave the house with Airi and my bag.
I hold the umbrella over Airi, and she begins to walk, clinging to my arm.
I unlock the door, open the passenger door, and say, "Please, young lady," as I help Airi into the passenger seat.
After that, I go around to the driver's side, fold the umbrella, get in, and drive away.
Upon arriving at the University, I head to the building and attend class.
When class ends, I eat a bento at the school cafeteria.
Then, strangely, everyone gathers around.
"Did you read the group chat?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
It's probably about Haruto-kun.
"I read it. He made a move faster than I thought."
"Faster than you thought? Does that mean you thought he was more timid?"
When Emi-san asks, I nod.
"Not necessarily timid, but I thought he was the cautious type."
I've never interacted with a flashy guy myself, so I can't say for sure.
"Unbelievable. I can't believe you felt like letting a guy like that in."
"It was intuition. I thought he could do it."
"Intuition, you..."
Kanna's expression is grim.
Or rather, the expressions of the women are grim.
"If he just makes a move and then tosses her aside, Toya, you understand what happens, right?"
"That absolutely won't happen, so don't worry. Rather, it's better to worry about her."
"What do you mean? I'm worrying about Shiratori right now."
"I think an unavoidable barrier will appear in the course of her relationship with him."
"Does that mean she'll definitely fall for him?"
"If things proceed as predicted."
"So in the end, it's just that we're all moving in the palm of Toya's hand. So, what's this barrier?"
"Why do you think she couldn't even make friends?"
I asked Kanna.
"I feel like I might know. The difference in social status, or perhaps her appearance... I hated that, so I hid my status during high school."
When Emi-san says this, I nod.
"Yes, I think that's it."
"Did you choose Haruto to smash through that barrier?"
Kanna asks.
"In Emi-san's case, she removed the barrier herself. In Shiratori-san's case, it's about forcibly smashing it, finding the light through the gap, and showing interest in that light."
"Then isn't that fine?"
"The problem is the existence that will try to restore that barrier. I'm sure they'll set out to eliminate him."
"...Parents?"
When Emi-san says this, I nod.
"But if Shiratori-san has the will, such things can be handled..."
"That's the turning point. Whether the will to overcome the barrier together is born within Shiratori-san. Whether Haruto has the power to make her feel that way."
"Hey there. What are we talking about-ssu?"
Haruto arrived.
"I'm seriously grateful to Toya-senpai. I've never met a woman like that in my life. It's like a dream-ssu."
"Work hard so it doesn't end as a dream."
"It's fine-ssu, I'm serious this time."
"This time? Does that mean you've had romantic experience before?"
Emi-san says.
"I have-ssu, but I always felt like I was being played with. I always got dumped in the end."
"I wonder why?" he wonders.
"Isn't there a problem with that appearance of yours?"
Akira-san hits the core of the matter.
"Is this outfit a problem-ssu?"
"Because you dress so flashily, the other person probably only sees you as a light plaything, don't they?"
"Hmm, should I change it-ssu?"
"There's no need for that."
I said.
"Even if you create a serious character, the cracks will show immediately. It's better to keep attacking as you are now. You're serious, right, Haruto?"
"Of course-ssu!"
"Good luck. If you run into trouble, consult the Watanabe squad."
"Roger-ssu."
He stuffed the katsudon he bought into his mouth in one go and left, saying, "Well then, see ya!"
"Wait, Katagiri-kun, what are you thinking? If he goes to meet the parents in that outfit, that'll be the end of it!"
When Akira-san says that, I shake my head.
"That won't happen."
"How can you say that?"
"His heart is really easy to read. To put it another way, he's a very straightforward person. I think he understands the mental preparation for meeting parents. Even if he doesn't, we can just lecture him when he comes to consult us."
"Then wouldn't it be better to do that now?"
"Right now, the most important thing is to make Shiratori-san interested. ...I'll ask the men here, what would you do if you tried to attack Shiratori-san?"
"That's... ah!"
Ishihara-kun seems to have realized.
"I see... I think I understand why Toya chose Haruto."
Watanabe-kun seems to have realized as well.
"It's true that if you try to attack seriously, it's a problem, isn't it?"
Takemoto-kun also seems to have realized.
The other men seem to have realized too.
"Explain what you mean."
Airi asks for an explanation.
"There must be at least a few of them. Let's see... confident types like the former Nishimatsu-kun must be pushing for a relationship. You can't break her wall with such ordinary methods."
"Is that why you chose Haruto-kun?"
"I told you, right? He's straightforward. He's not a bad person at heart. Because I was convinced of that, I threw him at her."
"I see... will it work?"
"It's working well so far, isn't it?"
When I say that, everyone falls silent.
"Well, I guess we have no choice but to believe what Toya says."
When Kanna says that, everyone nods.
"It'll be fine," I say.
But there was one element of anxiety.
The final barrier protecting her... the existence of her parents.
However, the best way to remove it is for her to be the one to step forward.
Whether we can reach that point?
That's probably the key to this operation.
To be honest, I was anxious about whether it would go well.
(2)
"I'm home~"
When I return home, Keisuke is watching TV.
"Welcome back~, dinner is on the table."
Looking at the dining table, sushi was lined up.
I eat it in silence and then take a bath.
After getting out of the bath, I watch TV with Keisuke.
"Keisuke, have you never done any cooking for yourself?"
I asked Keisuke.
"No, I haven't. I never needed to."
"But having store-bought food every day is bad for your health."
"It's not every day. When Miyuki is home early, Miyuki makes it for me, right?"
It seems Keisuke has no concept of cooking for himself.
The laundry is also left inside the washing machine.
My days off are spent dealing with that.
Should I say it clearly?
About sharing the housework?
That he could at least do it when I'm late because of work?
"...I'm tired from work."
"I see, then get some good rest."
"I want to rest, but I have to do the housework."
"...Is housework that hard?"
"I don't have time like I did during my student days."
"I get it..."
Did he understand?
"I'll ask my father to hire a housekeeper."
He doesn't say he'll do it himself, does he?
"We don't have that much extra money, you know?"
"I'll have my parents pay for it."
"Don't you feel like becoming a bit more independent!?"
Maybe I said too much?
"What's with you all of a sudden? I'm still a student, so it's fine to rely on my parents, right?"
"I'm not telling you to get a part-time job. I'll earn the money. But in exchange, couldn't you help with the housework?"
I must have been irritable because I was tired.
I was venting my frustrations on Keisuke.
I shouldn't. I take out two pieces of gum and chew them.
"...Sorry, I said a bit too much."
Keisuke stood up abruptly, went to the kitchen, and began washing the dishes.
Did he understand?
"Miyuki... could you wipe the ones I washed and put them away?"
Keisuke says a word.
I followed as told.
I stand next to Keisuke and proceed with the work.
"I thought it was natural for Miyuki to do it. But it's not, is it. I'm not even putting money into the house."
"You're a student, so it can't be helped."
"I feel miserable that I couldn't notice Miyuki's feelings."
"I said a bit too much... sorry."
"It's fine. Say what's on your mind. All I can do is listen."
The dishwashing finished.
Keisuke heads to the dressing room.
"Miyuki, could you come here for a second?"
I wonder what's wrong?
When I head to the dressing room, Keisuke is facing the washing machine.
"I don't know how to use it. Could you teach me?"
I put in the detergent, press the button, and set it, and the washing machine starts spinning automatically.
After that, you just wait until the drying is finished.
"I'm really useless if I don't even know something this simple."
I say to Keisuke, who is laughing self-deprecatingly.
"The will to try got across. That alone makes me happy."
The next day, Keisuke woke up before me and toasted some bread.
He also made scrambled eggs.
"I can only make simple things still..."
It seems he made them while looking at his smartphone.
"You can just learn as you go. I'll teach you too. But don't forget your studies."
"I know."
That was our first marital spat.
(3)
The clock has passed 22:00.
And yet Kazu-san hasn't come home.
I heard that during the training period, one could leave on time.
I send a message to Kazu-san.
"I told you this morning, right? That I have basketball practice today."
That was right.
I heard he joined a corporate club.
Kazu-san works on his practice almost every day. And then he comes home after drinking.
I eat alone and then wait for his return alone.
I thought I had accepted that this is what it means to be a wife.
In the morning, I wake Kazu-san.
Then I make breakfast, see him off, and begin preparing to go to the University myself.
On the way back, I stop by the supermarket and finish the shopping.
The only saving grace is that Kazu-san contacts me properly.
"I have a drinking party today, so no need for dinner."
Is it normal for new employees to have drinking parties that frequently?
Thinking it wouldn't be good to interfere too much, I endured it.
However, there is a limit to endurance.
I accidentally left a message.
That "my husband comes home late every day."
"The beginning is crucial for things like that, you have to say it clearly!" Emi says.
"I wonder if it'll turn into a fight if I say it?" I reply.
"Shall we say it for you?" Kanna says.
I thought that would be bad, so I declined.
"I'll try saying it myself," I said.
And yet, an indignant Mika-san mentioned it in the Watanabe Group chat.
As expected, Kazu-san comes home early that day.
"Why didn't you tell me directly!? If you have complaints, you can just say them!"
I feel like this is the first time since we started dating that I've heard Kazu-san shout.
"Because I thought you'd get angry if I did."
"Don't you think this way of doing things is cowardly!? It's not like I'm going out drinking because I want to! There are work obligations, right!?"
"...Then please let me speak too."
"?"
"Kazu-san is fine. It might be work obligations, but I'm envious that you get to enjoy yourself outside every night! And yet, am I not even allowed to complain!?"
"...I've never thought it was fun when I'm drinking with clients."
"It's not like I enjoy complaining either! But I'm not Kazu-san's caretaker! I'm Kazu-san's wife! Couldn't you pay a little more attention to me!?"
I said everything I could. This is fine. If he doesn't understand now...
Tears spill over. Even though I try to stop them, they won't. Overflowing tears.
"From now on, direct your complaints at me. It's a husband's duty to accept his wife's frustrations, right? I know that Kana is tired from housework and studies. All I can do for you is listen to those frustrations."
"Then, I'll say it now."
"Yeah."
"I'm lonely. Every night I eat alone and wait for Kazu-san alone. I'm very lonely. In the beginning, you used to decline and come home because you had a wife."
"I understand, sorry."
"I'm sorry too. I should have consulted Kazu-san first."
"It's fine. It might be important for women to vent to each other."
Kazu-san is a good husband.
I'll be grateful for that.
After that, the two of us ate dinner, took a bath together, and then watched TV and slept.
Today begins again.
The days of coming home late continue as usual.
Even so, Kazu-san changed.
He started sending messages frequently.
So that I wouldn't be lonely, so that I wouldn't cry.
He also calls occasionally.
From now on, I'll convey what I'm thinking with my own mouth.
Kazu-san will understand.
(4)
Friday evening.
Exactly on time, the phone rang.
"I just arrived-ssu. Come down when you're ready."
I know it, the suspicious car that's been parked in front of the apartment for 30 minutes.
I leave the house and get into the flashy car.
"The clothes suit you. Perfect-ssu."
For the record, it's just casual wear.
He drives off.
Inside the car, some loud music I don't recognize was playing.
"..."
"Eh? What!?"
"Turn down the volume!!"
When I shout loudly, he turns down the volume.
"First, let's get some food-ssu."
Saying that, he entered an ordinary, unremarkable family restaurant.
While fiddling with his smartphone, he talks to me.
"Toya-senpai is seriously amazing-ssu. I heard he's going to the Japan national team's intensive training camp next time."
"I know."
"Man, it's like I'm with someone from a completely different world, it's awesome-ssu."
His voice is loud every single time.
To the point of drawing the attention of those around us.
But he talks to me regardless of that.
Once the meal is finished, we get in the car.
"I have a seriously recommended place-ssu."
"Really? I'm looking forward to it."
Honestly, I didn't expect much.
And it was just as I thought.
He took me to a park on the coast.
The sea breeze was chilly.
He lent me his hoodie.
"Aren't you the one who's cold?"
"I'm an idiot, so I don't catch colds, so it's fine-ssu."
He says and laughs.
If he's calling himself an idiot, there's nothing to be done, I think.
"I'm sturdy, despite how I look-ssu."
I don't know about his body, but it's certain that his heart is tough.
"...Why did you choose this place?"
"There are a few places I want to go with my girlfriend-ssu! And since Haruna said she wanted to see the sea, I just chose here-ssu."
"I didn't become your girlfriend."
"Then, once you become my girlfriend, let's come see it again."
He seems to be a person with an infinitely positive way of thinking.
Positive... that might be something I lack.
Places he wants to go with a lover... huh?
"Didn't you have a lover?"
"I didn't-ssu. I had female friends, but I couldn't become anything more than that-ssu."
I thought so.
"Are you still in contact with those friends?"
"I am-ssu!"
"Was there no one you liked among them?"
"There was, but I got dumped-ssu!"
Saying that, he grins.
"Maybe it was something I shouldn't have asked, sorry."
"I can't be worrying about every little thing-ssu. It's no problem at all-ssu."
Looking around, couples and elderly couples are strolling or sitting on benches talking.
I wonder if we are being seen that way too.
"Since I'm like this, I might be misunderstood, but this time I'm serious-ssu!"
"What is?"
"I've seriously fallen for Haruna-ssu! Please go out with me."
Not to brag, but I've been told "I love you" a few times.
But I've never been this shaken.
"I think 'please go out with me' on the first meeting is a bit much."
"Then, how many times would be okay-ssu?"
"Do you think you can meet me many times?"
"I'm actually quite patient, despite how I look-ssu!"
"I don't know."
"Eh?"
"I don't know if I'll say 'yes'."
I didn't say I wouldn't meet him.
"That means you'll meet me, right-ssu?"
"Well, it'll be a way to kill time."
"Hell yeah!"
He shouts, and people around us look over to see what's happening.
There are people who express joy like this...
"Let's go home soon. It's gotten cold. You'll really catch a cold."
"Roger-ssu!"
Saying that, he takes my hand and begins to walk.
Stop it, if you do that, people around us will think I'm your girlfriend.
"...Let go."
"Ah, I got carried away. Sorry-ssu."
Saying that, he lets go of my hand easily.
I felt a bit lonely.
Lonely?
Right, I've always been alone.
An emotion I remembered after joining the Watanabe Group.
Until then, I had even forgotten the word lonely.
He drives me home in his car.
"Is there any music you like-ssu?"
"Sorry, I'm out of touch with those things."
"Then, I'll ask my friends next time-ssu. Since it seems you dislike hip-hop."
"Why did you think that?"
"Because you told me to turn down the volume earlier-ssu."
I really wondered if he was an idiot.
But an idiot I can't hate.
"...I'll choose some myself and bring them."
"Seriously-ssu? You said you didn't know earlier."
"It's not that I don't listen to anything at all. But please stop with the loud volume."
"Doesn't loud volume raise your tension more-ssu?"
What do you intend to do by raising your tension any further?
"...Because I want to talk quietly."
I want to talk?
With this person?
A different emotion from what I felt for Katagiri-san.
What should I call this emotion?
"Ah, so that's how it was. Sorry-ssu."
No matter what I talk about, this person responds brightly.
That distracted me.
The car arrives at my house.
Then, a white luxury car was stopped there.
A familiar license plate.
The license plate of the family car.
"Well, I'll contact you again-ssu."
"Yes, get home safely."
I try to get away from that car as quickly as possible.
But he tried to see me off until I entered the house.
That became a liability.
Father speaks to him.
"Excuse me, but what is your name? What is your relationship with Haruna?"
"He's just an acquaintance. Nothing more, nothing less."
"You desired to live alone just to play until this late at night with a mere acquaintance!"
I flinch at Father's shouting voice.
"Please don't scold Haruna. I'm the one who invited her-ssu."
When he says that, the target of Father's anger shifts to him.
"Where had you taken another man's daughter until this hour!? In the first place, who are you!"
No! You absolutely must not give your name!
The nightmare from elementary school was about to resurface.
I don't want to lose something precious ever again.
Something precious...? Is he something precious?
That's irrelevant now. I have to settle this situation. But my wish was not granted.
"Kusunoki Haruto, 18 years old. I attend the local University. I was just driving with Haruna. I didn't do anything strange-ssu."
"Of course you didn't!!"
"I don't know why you're so angry-ssu, but Haruna isn't in the wrong. I'm the one in the wrong-ssu."
"Kusunoki Haruto, you said... I shall remember that."
It's over... In one way or another, he'll be crushed. Father has been good at that since long ago.
"You'll remember me-ssu. Nice to meet you-ssu."
He doesn't seem to grasp the situation he's been placed in.
"Well, for that reason, I'll take responsibility-ssu."
"Well said. Then I shall have you bear full responsibility."
"That's fine-ssu. I'm 18-ssu. I can wipe my own ass-ssu."
"You've got guts. I'll acknowledge that much."
"Well, see ya. Haruna."
Saying that, he left.
I guide Father to my room.
"Your mother is worried, so what is this state you're in when she comes to see you!"
Father's shouting voice echoes.
After that, I continued to receive Father's scolding.
Usually, I could have brushed it off, but today I was terribly shaken.
And...
"Never meet him again!"
When I was told that, I rebelled.
"I don't want to be told that by you, Father!"
My first rebellion. Father was also taken aback.
"I don't want to lose it again. This feeling. I'll protect it even if I have to defy you, Father."
"I could take you back home by force, you know?"
That's...
"However, I shall overlook it this time. It seems a sense of self has finally sprouted in you. Living alone was a success, then. But, I will not forgive that man."
"I'll decide my own partner."
Anyway, there's Big Brother to be the heir to the house, right?
"You won't be able to say that for long. I'll make you realize that you are my daughter."
He intends to start.
"Rest for today. Do not go out playing. I'll overlook it this time."
Father's voice becomes gentle. It's the voice he uses when he's plotting something. And that's surely...
"Don't lay a hand on that person!"
My sorrowful scream.
Why am I becoming so stubborn?
"There is nothing for you to worry about."
Saying that, Father left the house.
It's better not to contact him anymore.
I try to delete his contact information from my smartphone.
My fingers tremble.
No! I can't!
What should I do?
My head is in a panic.
At times like this...
I crunch a candy that was placed on the shelf.
Calm down, what's the first thing to do?
To warn him.
My first action. I call him.
"Yes, Haruna, what's up~?"
His carefree voice. I warn him.
"It's better if we don't meet anymore."
My heart hurts. It feels like it's tearing apart.
My voice is trembling.
Noticing the abnormality in me, his tone changes.
"It's fine-ssu. No matter what happens, I'll protect Haruna-ssu."
That's not the answer I want to hear.
"Worry about yourself."
"I'm fine no matter what-ssu. As long as I have Haruna."
"You and I are complete strangers. That's fine, isn't it?"
Why won't he understand?
"The meaning of me and Haruna meeting... I'm sure there's some special meaning-ssu."
The first emotion I've ever known... it was fear.
"Haruto... I'm scared..."
I don't know what I'm scared of. Am I scared of losing a friend? Or something more special?
"I'm with you, so it's fine-ssu."
At that moment, a call waiting notification appeared.
It's from Father, I have to answer quickly.
"Sorry, a call from Father. I'm hanging up now."
"Roger-ssu. Good night."
"Good night."
I hang up the phone with him and answer Father's call.
"Who were you talking to. Don't tell me it was that fellow."
"It's none of your business, Father."
I suppress my agitation and respond while pretending to be calm.
"I spoke with your mother earlier. Which would you prefer, Haruna stepping back, or having that man step back?"
It's starting, after all.
"It's a waste of time to answer a question with no such options."
"Haruna is indeed sensible."
"Are you mistaken? I don't have those kinds of feelings for him in the first place."
"I see, was I mistaken? Then it's no problem what happens to him."
"Yes..."
"Well, good night for today."
"I understand, good night."
I was sending a message to the Watanabe Group.
Because there was no one else I could rely on.
(5)
"My father is trying to frame him."
Such a message from Shiratori-san flowed into the Watanabe Group.
"I'm totally fine-ssu. Bring it on-ssu."
Haruto doesn't seem to give it a second thought.
"Shiratori-san, you don't have to worry. I've prepared a means to stop the parents' rampage."
Emi-san says.
"Means?"
Akira-san asks.
"I gathered information on Shiratori Holdings just in case this happened. And boy, did it come out. Everything from collusion with Bureaucrats to the current management difficulties. There's plenty of material for blackmail."
What on earth do Emi-san's parents do?
"If that's the case, then yes. There's something I can do too. I can ask my mother to take over all the subsidiaries of Shiratori Holdings."
Akira-san says.
When these two are together, there's nothing to fear.
But more than that.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"?"
Everyone is typing "?".
Next to me, Airi also has a "?" floating above her head.
"Regardless of what happens to Haruto, it has nothing to do with Shiratori-san, right?"
"Wait, Katagiri-kun, what are you saying!? Isn't that a bit too cold-hearted!? You're the one who set him up, you can't do that!"
Airi is also hitting my head bonk bonk next to me. The only one who was different was Shiratori-san.
"I don't know either. I'm just 'scared'."
Shiratori-san says.
I say to such a Shiratori-san.
"Are you scared of being hurt? Scared of losing? Scared of believing?"
"...I don't know. My head is a mess and I don't understand anything."
"What I want to ask is, what do you think you should do, Shiratori-san? If you regret the morning that has arrived, you should part with Haruto here. But if you affirm the night that is approaching, I think Haruto will love you too."
"...An emotion I didn't have. ...But I'm scared of losing Haruto. I'm scared of Haruto getting hurt."
"You've finally found the resolve to affirm your own emotions, haven't you?"
"...Is it something this scary?"
"Everyone is like that at first. That's why everyone is like that."
From here, it depends on Shiratori-san.
It would be good to brush off the dust and depart. Because Shiratori-san's journey still continues.
"Hell yeah! I'm fired up! This is how the Watanabe Group should be!"
When Mika-san says that, everyone encourages Shiratori-san.
"Toya-kun, you see through everything, don't you? You knew from the start, didn't you?"
"It was resolved faster than I predicted, though."
But the problem is from here on.
Shiratori-san's emotion cannot yet be called affection.
Just a small love that wants to cherish him.
It will likely require more time to expand that.
But the small stone of Shiratori-san's emotion has started to roll.
It'll be tough from here.
Rolling while cracking and getting wounded. A cold stone.
But that stone is also gaining heat.
Those two wills will eventually touch.
"Katagiri-san. Thank you."
"You're welcome. The hard part is from here on, you know?"
"Yes."
I felt no hesitation in her comment.
All that's left is to move forward.
Even from a darkness where the front cannot be seen, even from the bottom of a sadness that never ends,
If Shiratori-san thinks she doesn't want to lose the one light she finally saw.
I'm sure Haruto will show her a wonderful world.