Chapter 252 - A World Where I Can See a Dazzling Light
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun, it's morning~"
I can hear Airi's voice.
Light filters through the gap in the curtains.
The morning after the game ended.
Airi seems to be in a good mood.
The time is the usual time.
Even though I'm exhausted, it's the usual time, huh.
Maybe I'll be a little mean?
For now, I'll pretend to be asleep.
"Toya-kun, you have school today~"
I know.
But there's still time until school, right?
"Come on, you have to go jogging~"
I continue to pretend to be asleep.
Airi leaves the bed.
I wonder if she started changing by herself?
"Well then~"
Airi ripped the duvet away from me.
Is Airi angry?
"If I'm always gentle, Toya-kun will get spoiled, so I'm going to be strict once in a while!"
To stop this cute alarm clock, I guess there's only one way.
I slowly sit up and approach Airi.
"Eh?"
I hug Airi.
"Toya-kun?"
Despite how I look, I've trained my arm strength.
With Airi's slender body, she can't shake me off.
Before that, Airi doesn't resist.
"I want to stay like this with Airi a little longer."
I whisper in Airi's ear.
Airi is led by me, swaying, and falls back onto the bed.
Airi seems to be immersed in her own world.
Now I can sleep in peace.
I fall asleep while still hugging Airi.
"Muu, you were aiming for that after all, weren't you?"
Hehe, in this position, there probably won't be the usual pokka (T/N: light hit/slap).
"Wake up—!"
Airi suddenly started screaming.
"Wake up—! Wake up—!"
"A-Airi, you're bothering the neighbors, right?"
"Then, shall we wake up?"
"Can't you let me relax just a bit after a game?"
"No, Sakura-san told me! 'Unless something extreme happens, please do not let Toya-kun be lazy,' she said."
Is the period after a game not "something extreme"?
"Even so, you really are a spoiled baby. You can be as spoiled as you want once it's night."
Isn't that actually Airi's wish?
I finish jogging, eat breakfast, get ready for the morning, and check the internet.
The new videos were mostly clips from yesterday's game.
Well, if I rampaged that flashily, of course I'd stand out.
Hitting 3Ps, driving, dunking from a Double Clutch, and finally, the Alley-oop that decided the game.
Yesterday's game was just a matter of having an easy opponent. I don't know if their coordination wasn't working well yet, or if our defense was good.
The ball was concentrated only on the opponent's center.
...Our defense was probably good after all. I can say that because we pushed them to a situation where he was the only one in the inside.
In the end, he went for a rebound on a forced 3P, which cornered him, and he fouled out with 5 fouls.
That team will still get stronger. I thought so.
The difference in Point Guards probably showed.
Yesterday, Masato said at the press conference.
"Everyone moved well in today's game. Thanks to that, managing the game was easy," he said.
The VTR of that press conference is playing right now. The interview where the question about Katagiri's weakness was asked is being shown.
Then, Airi entered the room.
"Here, Toya-kun, here's your coffee~"
"Thanks."
"Ah, yesterday's game is on."
Airi also sits next to me and watches the TV.
"If Katagiri-senshu has a weakness, where would it be?"
Did they ask a question like that?
"If there is one, maybe his habit of overeating?"
I almost spat out my coffee.
Airi's gaze is painful.
"If he gets an upset stomach before a game, it would be a disaster. I think we might need to make him control it a bit."
"Does he eat that much?"
I don't need questions like those from a variety show.
"Well, he ate three bowls of katsudon by himself and then ate chicken katsu. I guess his superstition worked."
Since even Aya said such a thing...
"Toya-kun! Sit down for a moment!!"
I was lectured by Airi until it was time to go to school.
(2)
When I arrive at the University, I attend classes.
After attending classes, I have lunch.
Then, everyone gathers around.
"Yo, Toya. Yesterday's game was amazing."
Watanabe-kun sits opposite me.
Everyone says similar things.
The only one who was different was...
"Toya! I saw the TV this morning! You're really something..."
When Kanna brought up that topic, Sakura-san also...
"It's just as Sawa-senshu says! I don't care if it's after the game, but overeating before a game—as an athlete, I wonder about that!"
About that, I was scolded plenty by Airi...
"Toya-senpai. I saw yesterday's game. It was seriously cool-ssu."
Haruto came over.
"It looks like you did it too, Haruto."
"Ah, you knew-ssu? Do you all know by any chance-ssu?"
Haruto looks at everyone's faces; everyone is looking at Haruto's face with smirks.
"Haruna came to report it looking very happy,"
Kanna said, and the women called out, "You did it!"
"Toya-senpai, you're seriously amazing-ssu. What kind of magic did you use-ssu? That Haruna suddenly said 'places I want to go with my boyfriend'..."
"I didn't do anything. It's simply that Haruto's efforts bore fruit. Congratulations."
"We aren't married yet-ssu."
"You don't need to rush that. There are still some problems that haven't been settled."
"Eh?"
"It's okay, since we're at it, why not have them look for a part-time job for Haruto too?"
I say that and look at Akira-san and Emi-san's faces.
"Let's see... a job that fits that appearance, huh."
Akira-san makes a difficult expression.
"It's okay-ssu. A friend found me a job at a general store-ssu. I'm going for an interview tomorrow-ssu."
A general store with that appearance... Ah, I wonder if it's that kind of shop?
"More importantly, the training camp starts the day after tomorrow, right-ssu? What should I prepare-ssu?"
"You don't need to prepare anything. At most, just preparations for staying overnight."
"Roger-ssu."
At that moment, Haruto's smartphone rings.
"Hello, ah, OK, I get it, I'm going now-ssu."
Haruto hangs up the phone.
"I was called by a buddy, so I'm going-ssu. Well then, see ya."
Saying that, Haruto finished his udon and left.
Things to prepare: mental preparation.
I forgot to add that.
(3)
Umi was carrying out work requested by the prefecture.
That was to create a sculpture.
Apparently, a statue of Katagiri-kun will be displayed in the prefectural office hall.
Since it's a statue of a comrade, she's putting her heart into it.
She sketches the image of Katagiri-kun that was reflected in her eyes. Based on that, she creates the core, and then adds flesh with clay.
The process of drying the clay and layering it takes many days.
For now, it's a feeling of just making the core.
In between that, she also starts painting in oils.
As expected, it's one using Katagiri-kun as a model.
Katagiri-kun's play must have struck a chord in Umi's heart.
Apparently, she'll use it for her graduation project.
Around 7 PM, seeing the right moment, I speak to Umi.
"You're going to the training camp starting tomorrow, right? Shall we head home soon?"
"I understand."
Umi tidies up and leaves the preparation room.
The lights in the gymnasium are still on.
It's probably the Basketball Club's practice.
They're working hard until night.
Umi stopped for a moment, but soon started walking.
"Want to go watch the practice?"
"Is it okay?"
Umi's eyes are sparkling.
"Shall we intrude for a little bit?"
"Yes."
When we go to the second-floor spectator seats so as not to interfere with practice, Tosaka-san was there.
Tosaka-san also looked surprised when she noticed us.
"What brings you here today?"
Tosaka-san asked.
"It seems Umi has become interested in basketball."
Umi is standing by the fence, watching a single player.
"I've heard. It was sudden, wasn't it?"
Tosaka-san says and laughs.
Well, there's probably also a desire to jump on the trend.
"That just shows how much the locals want to support Katagiri-kun too."
"...That's true."
Tosaka-san looked somewhat lonely.
I wonder what happened?
"Is something wrong?"
I was asking Tosaka-san.
"It's nothing. More importantly, is Tange-sensei coming tomorrow too?"
"No, I have a promise to meet an old friend."
"Is it a woman?"
"Well, yes..."
At those words, both of them twitched.
The two are Umi and Tosaka-san.
"Shu-chan, don't tell me you're already cheating?"
Umi says and makes a grimace.
"It's not like that. I told you, right? An old friend. I heard they got married, so I thought I'd celebrate."
"Speaking of marriage, when are Tange-sensei and his partner holding the ceremony?"
"I intend to hold it at the end of the fiscal year. I'll send invitations soon."
"Thank you very much."
Pee—!
The whistle blows. The players gather.
It seems practice is almost over.
"Well, we'll excuse ourselves first."
"Yes, then until next time."
"Yeah, see you."
"Umi-chan, I look forward to working with you again from tomorrow."
"I look forward to working with you."
Umi bows her head and follows behind me.
"I wonder if Tosaka-senpai and the others aren't getting married yet?"
It's rare for Umi to ask something like that.
"Everyone has their own circumstances. Especially a student marriage. There are probably various problems."
"I see. Even though I think they're a good couple."
When we return home, Umi begins packing for tomorrow. In the meantime, I buy a beef bowl at a beef bowl shop.
After eating that, I watch TV.
Once Umi finishes packing, she takes a shower and changes into pajamas.
Umi says one thing to me while I'm drinking beer.
"Shu-chan, be careful not to drink too much."
"I know."
"Cheating is also forbidden!"
"I guess it's more reassuring to tell Umi. The partner is Harada-san."
"Harada-san, the person Manabe-kun is dating?"
"Yeah, apparently they registered their marriage today."
"Then it's a relief."
It seems she's finally relieved.
"We should sleep soon, since Manabe is coming to pick you up tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, then good night."
"Good night."
When Umi goes to the bedroom, just as I tried to drink one more can and sleep, my smartphone rang.
It's from Satomi.
"Hello, thank you for the words of celebration."
"No no, congratulations. You finally made up your mind."
"Yes..."
"And about that."
"About tomorrow. I thought we should decide on the time."
"Would around 18:00 be okay? I've made a reservation at the restaurant."
"Understood. Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Hey, Satomi?"
"What?"
"Was it really okay with Manabe?"
"The one who recommended it was Shuji-kun."
Satomi says and laughs.
"No, I just didn't think it would develop into a romantic relationship."
"I'm surprised too."
"Did the age difference not bother you?"
"I don't want to hear that from Shuji-kun."
"True..."
"Well then, the detailed talk will be tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow."
The call ended.
When I enter the bedroom, Umi is sleeping.
I quietly get into bed and sleep.
I dreamed of the two of them wrapped in a dazzling light.
Before that, it's us first.
(4)
"Cheers!"
I was introducing Haruna to my friends.
"Nice to meet you, I am Shiratori Haruna."
Haruna greets them expressionlessly.
"Introduce your girlfriend."
"I heard you got a girlfriend!"
That's what they said yesterday.
While thinking that Haruna probably hates that kind of thing, I sent a message just in case to satisfy my buddies...
"Sure. Where should I go?"
"I'll go pick you up-ssu."
"What time are you coming?"
"Tomorrow around 17:30."
"Understood."
And that leads to now.
Haruna shows obvious disgust.
And my buddies suggest alcohol to Haruna.
"I wonder about suggesting alcohol to a minor."
"Don't be so stiff~, come to think of it, Haruto isn't drinking either."
"I have to drive the car."
"What the hell, let's make noise until morning!"
"Haruna has a curfew."
"How boring."
I really shouldn't have brought her. How much that one sentence pained Haruna.
"Was it Haruna? What did you come to like about Haruto? He looks like this, but he has a part of him that acts quite serious. He lacks interest, so to speak."
"I thought he was a sufficiently interesting person."
"Really?"
When a female friend says that, another female friend asks Haruna something outrageous.
"With Haruto... how far did you go?"
That question is NG!
"How far? We went to the mountains and the sea."
"Not like that, I mean in the sense of whether you've already gone all the way, or if it's only up to kissing."
"Ah, that kind of thing? Is there an obligation to answer that?"
"Misuzu, just because you were Haruto's first experience partner, don't put in such unnecessary prying!"
You don't say unnecessary things either!
"Was it Misuzu-san?"
Haruna opens her mouth.
And she takes my hand.
I panic.
"He's this shaken just by holding hands. I'm very interested in how one can go 'all the way' with a man like this."
"No way... Haruto, are you still not even kissing!?"
Misuzu is surprised.
Everyone is buzzing.
"No way! Since when did you become such a chicken!"
"That's not your character! Seriously hilarious!"
Haruna does not let go of my hand, which has become the target of ridicule.
"I see, so in everyone's eyes, Haruto is that kind of character? Thank you."
Haruna says quietly.
Did I mess up? Is it going to end in just three days?
"We can't drink alcohol. It would be bad to spoil your mood, so we'll excuse ourselves. Shall we go? Haruto."
Saying that, Haruna leaves the shop.
I put Haruna in the passenger seat and head toward Haruna's house.
"Haruna, um..."
Haruna looks at her wristwatch and says.
"There's still time. There's a place I want to stop by, is that okay?"
"It's okay-ssu."
It was the coastal park we had come to before.
A place I had wanted to come to with a girlfriend.
"First, the first step,"
Haruna said.
"The 'place I wanted to go with my girlfriend' that I've come to for the first time after becoming lovers with you."
You remembered-ssu?
"Haruna, I'm seriously sorry for today-ssu! You might have felt bad."
"It's okay, don't worry about it."
The mask-like face had become a smile before I knew it.
I feel like it's the first time I've seen Haruna's smile.
"I'm not angry. I just became interested in what kind of people you associate with to become a person like you. That's also been resolved."
"Those guys aren't bad at heart-ssu. I want you to understand that-ssu."
"Yes, they are your friends. I'm sure they are."
"I'm happy you understand-ssu."
"I thought I envied you. Because you are in a world where you can see such a dazzling light."
"If it's that kind of talk, it's easy-ssu. I'll make Haruna—"
"Impossible."
"What do you mean-ssu?"
Haruna said with a laugh.
"Because I've already obtained it long ago. You let me stand in this world where I can see a dazzling light."
"Haruna..."
Her smile illuminated by the moonlight looked just like a statue of the Holy Mother bathed in the light of stained glass.
"Shall we go home soon?"
Haruna says and stands.
When I start to walk, Haruna says, "Wait."
"Isn't that bridge just right?"
"What is-ssu?"
"As the first path we walk together."
"Understood-ssu."
When I try to walk again, I'm told to wait once more.
"You really are strange. You weren't like that back then."
What should I do-ssu?
"It seems I have to show my intention myself."
Saying that, Haruna held out her right hand.
No matter how stupid I am, I finally caught on.
I grasp Haruna's right hand with my left and walk slowly.
"This kind of feeling isn't bad either."
We were illuminated by the car lights. We started walking toward the parking lot.
We were heading toward a world where we can see a dazzling light.
(5)
"Yay, I won again~"
I was playing a racing game with Airi.
I had made the cars advantageous for Airi.
I looked at Airi's operation habits and set it up so it was easy for Airi to operate, tailoring the settings to her specific flaws.
As a result, Airi had become able to lap the course easily even with manual operation.
Maybe a handicap isn't necessary anymore.
While I'm thinking that, Airi speaks triumphantly.
"I can beat Toya-kun, and I'm already an easy win even against the CPU. Toya-kun, you can take a break!"
When Airi says that, I switch the user to Airi and start the game.
Well then, I'll just leisurely play some online games...
Pokka
"Toya-kun, which car should I buy first?"
"...It's better to start by getting a license first."
"License?"
"In this game, you can only participate in races after getting a license. If you're confident in your technique, you should get the license. You get a car too."
"I get it~. I'm going to show Toya-kun my technique."
In reality, Airi clears the license tasks easily.
"This is easy~"
Within three hours, Airi had cleared all the tasks.
"I can enter races now, right?"
"Yeah. You can."
"Which one should I start with?"
"Shouldn't you just do them from the beginning?"
"I see, starting from here then."
In that way, she wins several races... but there's a limit to technique alone.
"Uuu... it's the same car, but the other side is faster, it's cheating!"
Airi directs her unreasonable anger at me.
"But Airi's car is completely stock, right?"
"Completely stock?"
"Lend me the controller for a bit."
I take the controller from Airi and enter the customization menu.
"From the engine to the turbo, tires and suspension. You customize even the transmission and set it to what suits you. Then you'll get faster."
"I see~"
Airi looks at my face.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't understand, so Toya-kun do it. Even after hearing the explanation, I don't understand at all~"
You're basically giving up half the fun of this game, Airi.
"Can't be helped..."
I more or less know Airi's habits. Airi stares at me as I make adjustments.
"What's wrong?"
"...I wonder if I'm being customized by Toya-kun too?"
Huh?
"I wonder if I'm being adjusted into a woman Toya-kun likes without even knowing it."
I save the data and turn off the game power.
"Did you perhaps get angry?"
"Tomorrow is early, so let's sleep? Besides..."
"Besides?"
"There's a need to do a test drive to see if Airi has properly become my preference, right?"
Airi thought for a bit.
And then her face turns red.
"Is there a need to test that at this late stage!?"
Pokka
"There's such a thing as a periodic inspection, right?"
"It seems Toya-kun wants to ride me instead of a car."
And so, I began Airi's test drive.