Chapter 249 - Only You Matter to Me
(1)
"Well then, Toya-kun, take care."
"Airi, you make sure to take a break and go home if you get sleepy, too."
We were talking at an airport cafe.
I was heading to Tokyo on the first flight of the morning.
I needed to go through boarding procedures soon.
I parted ways with Airi.
After finishing the boarding procedures, I killed some time for a while and then boarded the plane.
Inside the plane, I stared blankly at the scenery and fell asleep. I woke up when the announcement for landing sounded.
I fastened my seatbelt and prepared for landing.
I traveled from the airport by train and headed for the gymnasium.
Once I arrived at the gymnasium, I hurried to the locker room to change.
Then, when I headed to the court, individual practice had already begun.
"Yo, late as always, huh?"
Yuichiro came over to pester me.
"I thought I hurried, though?"
I had classes yesterday, so it couldn't be helped, right?
"With your skill, you'd probably get scouted by pro basketball, so why are you attending classes so seriously?"
I kept my goal a secret.
I thought if I told him, we'd just argue again.
"Yuichiro, stop picking on him every single time."
Yoshiaki joined the conversation.
"Yoshiaki, don't you be slacking off on practice."
"Then let Toya practice too."
"...Just make sure you stretch properly."
Saying that, Yuichiro left.
"Don't let Yuichiro's words get to you every time."
"I'm used to it already."
"Then it's no problem."
Yoshiaki said that with a laugh and returned to practice.
I also stretched, picked up a ball, and began shooting practice.
The members were the same as they were for the Universiade.
Well, we're a team that can easily beat pros, after all.
After individual practice, we took a lunch break and then entered practice using half the court for 3-on-3.
After that, 5-on-5 practice.
It was a bizarre situation where pro players were mixed in as substitutes.
That said, the main purpose of the practice was confirming tactics.
And then, defense.
When practice ended, we moved to the hotel and checked in.
That day was the formation ceremony. Because of that, there was a buffet-style dinner at the hotel.
I interacted with various players.
And then, a storm of interviews.
They wouldn't even let me eat my food properly.
When the dinner ended, I returned to my room.
Kazuto didn't come this time.
Though apparently, he'll come to the Asian Championship.
I shared a room with Yuichiro.
"How was your first dinner? You were getting quite a lot of interviews."
"Thanks to that, I couldn't even eat properly."
"Tomorrow is an early start, you know? Get to sleep quickly."
Saying that, Yuichiro was operating some laptop.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing much. I'm just confirming your tactics."
Heh—he can do that too.
"Well, tactics don't really work when Toya is there, though."
"Why?"
"Because you create the tactics all by yourself!"
Ah, I see.
I'm told that often.
"Thanks to that, the tactics end up centering around you. That's why it becomes easier for you to be marked."
"I see."
"Unlike the Universiade, the opponents are veterans, so be careful."
"Got it. Thanks."
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm only saying this because I want the national team to win. It'd be a problem if you ruined the game with one-man play."
"I know."
"Now, go to sleep."
"Yeah, goodnight."
It's not just Yuichiro. I suppose the national team exists because there are various staff members.
Those unsung heroes. And for the sake of the people who failed the national team selection, we must keep winning.
It's probably the same for every country. Those are the kind of people who will be our opponents.
Ah... speaking of people in the shadows.
I got up from the bed and went outside the room.
"Where are you going?"
Yuichiro called out to stop me.
"Just a phone call."
"...You two are quite close."
"I guess so."
I headed to the lobby to make the call.
(2)
Did I get too fired up?
Even though the appointment was for 11:00 AM, I finished preparing by 10:00.
But looking at the scenery from the window, his flashy car stopped there 30 minutes early.
And punctually at 11:00, the phone rang.
"I've just arrived-ssu."
"I understand."
I hurriedly put on my sandals and left the house.
"Hello-ssu."
"Hello."
When I got into his car, the BGM volume had been lowered.
"I'm glad it's a good day for a drive-ssu."
"It is."
He drove the car.
"Were you able to sleep yesterday-ssu?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
"That's good-ssu."
"And you?"
"I slept perfectly-ssu."
Apparently, he went to sleep at 22:00.
Then, he woke up at 5:00 AM and had nothing to do, so he was messing around on his smartphone while listening to music at home.
Then, he apparently realized he had fallen asleep and rushed out of the house.
"Ah, come to think of it. You said you'd bring a CD-ssu."
"About that, I didn't have the CD, so I put it on my smartphone."
"Roger-ssu. Please lend me your smartphone."
When I handed him the smartphone, he plugged in a cord.
"OK-ssu. Now just play the music you want to hear."
When I played the song as told, it echoed from the speakers.
"You like this kind of thing-ssu?"
"Yesterday, I listened to the songs you recommended and downloaded them."
"I see."
While gentle BGM flowed quietly, I was able to concentrate on the conversation with him.
Halfway through, it became time for lunch.
We bought lunch at a simple fast-food drive-thru and ate while he drove.
The sea during the day is also beautiful.
The sea spreading endlessly.
I wonder where that sea leads.
The sky visible in the far distance.
I just gazed at the place where the sky and sea intersect.
Using his talking as BGM.
Should I call his stories war stories?
I was listening to stories of his past.
I wondered how he managed to enter a national public university.
Did he say he was a delinquent?
I thought it wasn't the kind of story to tell people often.
"You shouldn't say that in front of other people."
"Why-ssu?"
"It's not a very praiseworthy story."
"It was normal-ssu. There were people way more amazing."
"You don't need to talk about that."
"Did I make you moody-ssu?"
"I'm fine."
After that, he continued talking about trivial things endlessly.
But perhaps his way of speaking was interesting, as I listened normally and gave nods of agreement.
The car stopped by the coast halfway and then tried to turn back.
"Why are you turning back?"
"Because you like the sea better, right-ssu?"
"I'd rather choose a different path than go back the way we came."
"Roger-ssu."
Saying that, the car proceeded into the mountains.
"Even so, today's Haruna is prettier than the other day-ssu."
He finally touched upon the topic I wanted him to touch.
He noticed the thing I wanted him to notice.
Joy.
Such an emotion sprouted within me.
Shyness.
That emotion existed simultaneously.
To me, looking down, he further said, "Haruna acting shy is also cute-ssu."
Please, just look forward and drive.
Looking to the left, a train was running.
"Hey, which do you like better, trains or cars?"
I was asking a strange question.
"Let's see. Definitely cars-ssu. Because you can go wherever you want, whenever you want."
I somehow thought he would answer like that.
"What about you, Haruna?"
"I guess cars for me too."
I envy people who have their own cars.
Because they can go wherever they want, whenever they want. I want freedom.
Longing.
The limitless human desire where once you obtain one thing, you want another.
What is Father seeking?
The thing I want is freedom. And... love?
Am I longing for love?
The rails are laid out straight.
But roads are difficult, winding or having ups and downs.
This time, slowly proceeding along such a steep path.
Happiness.
Ah, I am feeling happiness.
I gaze at the scenery flowing by with his voice as BGM.
I wish this time would last forever.
The time to end will surely come.
Sadness.
Am I sad? Am I lonely?
At that moment, he grasped my right arm.
Startled, I looked at his profile.
"I don't really get it-ssu. But it's probably super easy! Because I'm with you."
Reassurance.
There is no logic, reason, or basis in his words.
But I feel like if it's the two of us, we could cross any mountain.
Is he reliable?
I don't know, but strangely, I am encouraged.
I want to gaze at him, who proceeds without fearing mistakes, without showing tears.
Things I couldn't do, things I longed for.
I've begun to understand little by little.
My feelings for him remain, even while wavering.
I was able to meet him, even by chance.
I want to tell him, at least.
Yearning?
An emotion I still cannot understand.
Really?
Do I actually understand it?
Do I just not want to admit it?
Am I afraid of being hurt?
Confusion.
A step stepping out into an unknown world.
The fear of starting to walk through the darkness without turning on a light.
But I want to proceed relying only on the light visible in the distance.
The car was about to cross the mountain pass.
He drove slowly in the climbing lane.
Then, a car cut in right at the end of the overtaking lane.
A car where the letter R, which appears often, stood out.
I heard him click his tongue, "Tch."
"Are you chasing them?"
"There's no way I could do that-ssu. I can't take a risk that would hurt Haruna-ssu."
"Am I in the way?"
"I didn't mean it in that sense-ssu. First of all, I can't chase with this car-ssu. Besides, there's an Orbis ahead-ssu. They probably don't know because they have out-of-prefecture plates."
Saying that, he laughed.
I happened to look at the speedometer.
He was driving at a very safe speed.
He should have bought a car that could go faster.
"Why did you choose this car?"
"Eh? Isn't it cool-ssu?"
It certainly is a flashy car.
The interior is also flashily decorated.
"Does Haruna have a car she likes-ssu?"
"I don't know much about cars. I don't even have a license."
"It must be inconvenient in our hometown-ssu. Ah, you have a chauffeur, so you don't need one."
"That's right. Heading to a designated place at a designated time. It's no different from a train."
"Is that fun-ssu?"
"It's the same as my life. Just proceeding along a designated path."
"That's no problem-ssu!"
He smiled brightly.
"I'll break that kind of thing-ssu. I'll make a path for Haruna together-ssu."
I can surely believe those words of his, right?
Because right now, he is actually preparing a new path for me.
Should I just follow behind him?
But then nothing changes.
A path decided by myself, not someone else.
A path I choose.
For that, I must stand in the same position as him.
Do I want to walk together with him?
On the way back, we stopped by a udon shop to eat, and then he dropped me home.
Did I want to enjoy it more?
Fun?
I see, I had fun.
"Well, thanks for today-ssu."
"Hey, Haruto?"
"What-ssu?"
"Can we meet tomorrow too?"
Words I said for the first time.
Words where I conveyed my own feelings from myself.
I don't know if they got across, though.
"That's fine-ssu, let's go to the sea again."
"It doesn't have to be just the sea, the mountains are fine too."
"But there are still seas I haven't seen-ssu. The sea is wide-ssu."
So you're saying you'll show me such a wide world.
Then let's see it together.
The fear cannot be wiped away yet.
But for the first time in my life, I took a step on my own.
That will undoubtedly be a great step.
"Well, see you tomorrow. I'll come at the same time as today-ssu."
"Even earlier is fine, you know?"
Because I want to spend a longer time with you.
"Roger-ssu. I want you to contact me when you're ready-ssu."
"Got it. See you tomorrow then."
See you tomorrow.
I couldn't wait for tomorrow.
Love.
The first emotion ever created within me.
I don't know if it will come true or not.
But if he were to say it tomorrow, the answer was already decided within me.
(3)
"Wait a minute, Yuma!"
"What is it, Saki?"
While drinking a canned beer, I was asking Saki.
"I looked at the calendar! You've filled all three days of the long weekend with part-time jobs!"
"Isn't it the same for you, Saki?"
"The content of your part-time job and mine are different! You'll break your body!"
"I've actually been quite trained, despite how I look."
I bent my right arm and showed off my bicep.
"I'm not happy to have that bragged about! Rest a little."
"If you're going to say that, it's the same for you, Saki. You're taking the whole second half off, right?"
"That's true, but..."
Saki still looked like she wanted to say something.
It's good that she's worrying, but since I'm resting the second half, I have to work the first half.
"Haven't you been overdoing it lately? Putting in part-time jobs until midnight."
Well, I am juggling a few jobs.
"Even if you don't worry, we can manage the household budget. Don't overdo it too much."
I beckoned to Saki.
Saki sat down next to me.
"Sorry for making you worry, but I wanted to save up money."
"Why?"
"I thought, maybe we could go on a one-night trip during summer vacation?"
"If it's for that, I'll increase my part-time jobs too."
"Saki, you have housework too, so you can't."
"Yuma does housework too."
"I only help out a bit."
"...This is getting nowhere, so I'll be honest."
I wondered why she suddenly became formal.
"First, I'm worried about Yuma's body, that you might really break it. For me, there's only Yuma."
"Yeah."
"Next is that too. For me, there's only Yuma. I wouldn't be happy even with a one-night trip if it meant cutting into the time for just the two of us."
"How many nights would be okay?"
"We've been living passing each other lately, so once in a while, I want to spend the night relaxedly just the two of us."
Ah, so that's it.
"Got it, I'll reduce the midnight work."
"Do that for the sake of Yuma's body too."
"But let's do at least one night during summer vacation."
"If you promise not to overdo it... I want to rest for a day too."
"Got it."
Saki, who checked the calendar, was also starting from the evening tomorrow.
"We can relax during the day tomorrow then."
"Listen, you know that housework is hard, right, Yuma?"
"I'll help with the housework too... so there's no problem if we relax tonight, right?"
"...If that's the case, you should have said so first."
Saki said that and snuggled up to me.
I held Saki's shoulder and watched TV.
When Saki began to doze off, I carried Saki to the bed.
Then, when I tried to watch TV again, Saki grabbed my arm.
"Weren't we going to spend time together?"
"Because Saki looked sleepy."
"You're mean in that way."
I laughed, turned off the lights, and got into bed.
(4)
Clink clink.
"Hello~"
"It's rare to see Tosaka-san alone. Where's Katagiri-kun?"
"He's at an intensive training camp in Tokyo starting today. He just sent a message a while ago."
"Ah, it starts today. Amazing, the Japan national team, huh~"
When Tosaka-san said that, Ichinose-san looked envious.
Tosaka-san sat down next to Akira-chan.
"The usual, please~"
"Certainly."
I posted the slip in the kitchen.
Recently, perhaps because everyone is getting married and busy with part-time jobs, they haven't been showing their faces much.
The Master is screaming because sales have plummeted.
"So, how are things between Nakajima-kun and Ichinose-san since then?"
Tosaka-san throws a fastball right down the middle from the first pitch.
"How do you mean? It's normal."
"Normal... are you leaving her behind and indulging in soccer again!?"
Akira-chan snapped immediately.
"Well, there's the fact that club activities are busy. I finally made the regulars."
"Club activities don't have nights! What are you doing at night?"
"I'm tired, so I sleep."
"Are you not dating at all!? You really..."
"I do date. Even I'm reflecting on that much properly."
"You call that a date?"
Ichinose-san, who had been listening in silence, pushed back.
"You weren't hating it, were you?"
"Waiting alone in the cold mountains is a date?"
Nakajima-kun, what are you doing? You're a handsome guy who's good at handling women, right? You...
"Exactly what are you calling a date?"
"That is..."
Ichinose-san began the story.
Apparently, they go to the mountains where Katagiri-kun and the others used to go. Apparently, the manager of the factory where Nakajima-kun's car is serviced was a former rally driver, and he started teaching him car driving techniques.
Apparently, he calls attending that a date.
He touched upon a place he shouldn't have touched again.
Is this the influence of some manga?
He's probably saying something like he doesn't let her in the passenger seat when he's driving seriously, right?
It seems he touched Akira-chan's raw nerve.
"You said you became a regular, right? What will you do if you drive recklessly, get injured, and ruin it all!? Besides, I can't believe you're acting while considering Ichinose-san's feelings!"
"It's not reckless driving, I told you, right? I have a proper coach."
"Even if I give you the benefit of the doubt, that's not a date!"
Clink clink.
The Kiritani couple arrived.
"Master, the usual~"
When Ai-san said that, the two of them sat at the counter.
Ai-san, noticing the indignant Akira-chan, asked, "What happened?"
Akira-chan explained to Ai-san.
Ai-san let out a sigh.
"Just like my idiot husband..."
Which means, could Kiritani-kun also...
"He pours half of his part-time pay into the car and goes every night. The car got beefier with aero parts too."
"...I'm so appalled I'm speechless."
"H-he's putting in living expenses, right!?"
Kiritani-kun argued back, but it ended in futility.
"That's not the problem! I thought you'd learned from Katagiri-kun's incident, but now it's you guys!"
Ai-san's anger is perfectly justified.
"Both of you, you should change your way of thinking, you know? Even if you're doing such dangerous driving, have you ever thought about what happens if something occurs? Toya-kun said it. The limit for driving on public roads is low."
"That's a line to say after you've reached Toya's domain, right?"
"Even in Katagiri-kun's domain there's a limit, so yours must be even lower!?"
"I'm just putting in effort to get close to that domain."
"Aren't both of you forgetting the basics?"
Ichinose-san said a word.
Everyone looked at Ichinose-san.
Ichinose-san looked at Tosaka-san and spoke.
"Katagiri-kun usually drove normally. So that Tosaka-san could feel at ease. Even when driving in the mountains, he drives so that Tosaka-san isn't scared. 'I don't let anyone in the passenger seat when I drive seriously'? Please don't make me laugh."
"Honoka, that's why I wanted to let Honoka ride once I got better."
"I don't want to ride. In the car of someone who doesn't even know their own limits. Katagiri-kun, for better or worse, acted under Tosaka-san's control. His driving exists because of Tosaka-san. The basics are different."
When Ichinose-san said that, both of them fell silent.
Well, if you have an accident, you can't just brush it off as bad luck.
"I thought that kind of thing wasn't the Watanabe squad anymore after Shigeru-san and Hiyama-san's incidents,"
Tosaka-san said.
"Why can't everyone cherish their girlfriend or wife? Why can't you understand their feelings?"
"...Sorry."
"...My bad."
The two apologized.
"In times like this, it's a penalty game,"
Tosaka-san said. What kind of penalty game do you intend to give?
"First, Nakajima-kun...
Nakajima-kun looked at Tosaka-san.
"You must go on a date with Ichinose-san before the camp. If you break this...
If he breaks it?
"The two of you will do the shopping during the camp~"
Ah, so it means go on a shopping date, right?
"And Kiritani-kun too, go on a date with Ai. If you break it, the two of you do the shopping. Of course, going to the mountains is forbidden for both of you~ Instead, I'll prepare something good for you."
"Something good?"
"Is there something?"
The two asked. I'm interested too.
Tosaka-san operated her smartphone and showed the screen to us.
There was software for a game console. A car racing one.
"I play it with Toya-kun occasionally. It's fun."
"Tosaka-san, there's a big difference between a game and real life...
Tosaka-san operated her smartphone further.
"If you want to enjoy authentic driving, there's also this."
It was a steering controller.
"Even so, you can't feel the G when accelerating."
"I won't let you complain, because Toya-kun, who you both aim for, completely stopped driving like this. It shakes and vibrates when you accelerate and such."
"Tosaka-san, I don't have that game console."
"I don't have it either."
"I've done my research properly. If you cut the gasoline money for going to the mountains, you can easily buy it in a month."
She added that she's already investigated because she keeps a daily allowance book.
"With this, you can enjoy it together as a home date, so isn't it great?"
I see, deceiving them with a game, huh. She thought of it cleverly.
"Airi is sharp at times like this."
"...In that case, I will compromise too."
She obtained the agreement of the two.
"Got it, I'll go buy it right away. Honoka, can you come to my house tonight?"
"Is it okay if I go?"
"Yeah, the sooner the better, right?"
"Then I'll call you when my part-time job ends."
"Yeah."
Saying that, Nakajima-kun left the shop.
"Eita... we're going too."
"Eh?"
"Idiot, making me create unnecessary expenses."
"No, but...?"
"I'm deducting it from your monthly allowance."
"...Got it."
Saying that, the two of them also left.
"Did you train Katagiri-kun like that too?"
Akira-chan asked.
"Yeah, the two of us think of fun penalty games."
Katagiri-kun must have suffered too.
"It's true that neither side loses out, isn't it."
"Right?"
Ichinose-san was impressed.
That night, Ichinose-san and the others apparently enjoyed the game.
The Kiritani couple were the same.
(5)
"Haruki! What on earth is the meaning of this!? I heard everything from Shiratori-san."
That day, I was summoned to my parents' house. I had a guess about the content of the talk, though.
"You heard everything. That's how it is."
"You stupid son... we're going to apologize to Shiratori-san right now."
"It's useless."
"What?"
"I've already spoken to Haruna-san. It's too late now."
"That's why we're going to apologize!"
Father grabbed my arm and tried to leave the room. But I didn't move from the spot.
"Haruki!"
"I'm repeating myself, but I have no intention of succeeding the bank! I'll decide my own future!"
"I won't allow such selfishness!"
"I'm job hunting now. Once I graduate university, I'll leave the house. I intend to be with Sakura!"
"You!!"
Dodging Father's fist was trivial. I lightly dodged by turning my body sideways.
Mother stopped Father, who was still trying to swing his fist.
"Haruki, stop throwing a tantrum like a child and apologize to your father."
"I think making me succeed and enter an arranged marriage with a client's daughter is more childish. It's outdated. It's ridiculous."
"What!?"
"I'm indebted to you. I'll say thank you for that. But. That's only until this year. After that, I'll be going my own way freely."
"You! Get out of this house right now! I'm disowning you... ugh!"
Father clutched his chest and began to suffer.
"Dear! Haruki, the medicine is in the top drawer of the desk, please get it!"
As Mother said, I handed over the medicine and water and let Father take them.
"It's because you suddenly shouted,"
Mother said.
"...Since when have you been suffering from this?"
"Since before the marriage proposal with Haruki and Shiratori-san was brought up. But Haruki is still young, and he needs backing to succeed. I prepared just in case of an emergency."
Mother said.
"Haruki, I'm begging you. Please break up with Sakura-san. Start over with Shiratori-san."
"If it's that talk, could you let me in on it too?"
"Suzuka?"
My younger sister appeared.
"I want you to find a suitable partner for me. I'll be the one to marry into the successor's line. That solves it, right?"
"Suzuka... is that okay?"
"It's the first time I've seen Haru-nii make a face like that. I want to support the happiness of those two."
"It's useless, if you anger Shiratori-san, the other party's shareholding exceeds 30%."
"Shiratori-san should have had a son. With that person...
"No, the bank will be taken over!"
Even if it's a bank, it's a regional bank, right?
Is a takeover even possible?
The successor is also doubtful.
"...Could you leave the Shiratori-san matter to us?"
"You all?"
"Yeah, the comrades you've belittled so much."
"...Can you do something about it?"
"Apparently, they can."
"...Do as you like. It's over anyway because you rejected Shiratori-san."
"That's not necessarily true."
Father headed to the bedroom without saying anything.
"Haru-nii. Are you okay?"
Suzuka asked.
"Nothing is impossible for those people."
Though I said it with conviction, I had a bit of anxiety.
(6)
"I see~. Persuading them with a game, huh."
"I thought of it well, didn't I?"
"Yeah, it's very Airi-like."
Yay, I was praised by Toya-kun.
After that, I was listening to Toya-kun's stories.
As usual, it's all about food, though.
"Is practice going well?"
"The opponents are pros, so they're tougher than usual."
"But the actual match opponents are even more amazing, right?"
"Yeah, apparently there's a giant center who's 210 cm."
"...You can win, right?"
"If we don't win, the dream ends."
"That's true too."
In America, Toya-kun's final hurdle, there's apparently a high-statured center called a 7-footer.
"Airi, sorry."
Huh?
"Taking up your precious holiday..."
I'm happy just because you call me every night.
"Are you coming back the day after tomorrow after the match?"
"That's the plan."
"Then, I'll go pick you up, okay?"
"I bought a bus ticket to the station. Let's eat something delicious and go home."
"Only if Toya-kun wins."
"Now I really can't afford to lose."
I actually wanted to prepare some delicious home-cooked food for him, though~
"Well, I'll go to sleep soon. The manager I share a room with is noisy."
"That's tough. But please rest well. You mustn't stay up late."
"Got it, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
When I hung up the phone, messages had piled up...
Eh.
Hiyama-senpai's father collapsed?
"Is he okay?"
"Yeah, but apparently it's serious."
"Can't it be cured?"
"It's in a state where it's being suppressed somehow with medicine."
That's why they hurried the marriage proposal.
"Haruki~... aren't you worried?"
"It's not something for Sakura to worry about. I'll handle it."
"Maybe it was good that you broke off that marriage proposal?"
Emi said.
"What do you mean?"
Hiyama-senpai asked.
"There's no 'what do I mean'. Shiratori Holdings is in a quite dangerous state. If it's leaked to the media, it'll become a big deal."
"So that's why you were confident."
"Yes, it's fine. Things will proceed smoothly."
"Thank you."
I tried searching for Shiratori Holdings.
Business details. Financial results. I didn't understand much, but I couldn't find anything strange.
I wonder if Shiratori-san will be okay?
I hope everyone becomes happy.
I had no choice but to believe in the Watanabe squad, who would grant such a miracle.