Chapter 253 - The Temperature of Your Voice
(1)
"Yo."
When I arrived at the convenience store meeting spot, Haruto and the others were already there.
Even though we should have been the closest.
"Nah, I figured it'd be a disaster if the rookie showed up late, so I asked Haruna-san," Haruto said.
"What did you ask her?"
"I can't tell if Toya-kun is dense or sharp," Airi said with a sigh.
"Airi, do you know?"
"Shiratori-san's house is in Beppu. And she was the first to arrive. Haruto-kun says he asked Haruna-san. Do you still not get it?"
"I don't," I replied instantly.
"Honestly, really..." Airi shook her head.
Is it a bad thing to just ask Haruto directly?
"I had Haruna-san stay over at my place," Haruto explained.
I see—wait, what!?
"...Isn't that a bit risky?"
He hasn't resolved the issues with his parents yet, right?
"I've been prepared for this since we started dating. I figured I'd just do things freely," Haruna-san said.
"Of course, I didn't just jump her right away. I slept in a sleeping bag," Haruto added.
If those two say it's fine, then it's probably fine, but...
"Besides, her father probably has bigger things to worry about right now," Emi-san said, having arrived unnoticed.
Ishihara-kun had gone inside the convenience store to buy things.
"What do you mean?" I asked Emi-san.
"I suppose you could say I landed a light jab."
The counterattack has already begun, then.
"What on earth did you do?"
"Let's save that for tonight's entertainment," Watanabe-kun said as he arrived.
I saw that everyone else had gathered as well.
"Is everyone here? There aren't any supermarkets on the way, so get your shopping done here," Watanabe-kun said, and everyone headed into the store.
"Haruna-san, is there anything else you need?"
"Maybe I'll buy some drinks and candy?"
"Do you like candy?"
"When my thinking slows down, chewing on candy helps me calm down."
"You chew it?"
"Yes."
"I see."
As they spoke, Shiratori-san and Haruto entered the store.
Those two have really become close.
Everyone came out of the shop.
"Done shopping? Do you have the things you were assigned to prepare?"
Everyone nodded at Watanabe-kun's question.
"Alright, we're going non-stop from here to the villa. If you get separated, contact me via smartphone."
With that, everyone piled into the cars and left the parking lot.
For the record, the male members this time were me, Makoto, Watanabe-kun, Kiritani-kun, Ishihara-kun, Sakai-kun, Nakajima-kun, Nishimatsu-kun, Kimoto-senpai, Hiyama-senpai, Manabe-kun, Takemoto-kun, Haruto, and Tasuku. Plus Shiina-san.
The female members were Airi, Kanna, Mika-san, Ai-san, Emi-san, Akira-san, Ichinose-san, Miyuki-san, Kana-san, Sakura-san, Niina-san, Saki-san, Shiratori-san, and Sakura-san.
It's a massive group.
Apparently, it's a facility that can accommodate a hundred people, but is that really a villa?
The cars drove in a long line.
Ishihara-kun took the lead, and I decided to go at the very back.
Why the back? Because I'm going to take it easy and drive slowly anyway, so it's just right.
The cars climbed the mountain and drove along the mountain road for a while.
Airi was in the passenger seat, fiddling with her phone while listening to a CD.
She's probably chatting with the other girls, right?
I drove in silence for a while.
"Ah!"
Airi seemed to notice something.
"What is it, Airi?"
"I'm sorry! I can't believe I left Toya-kun behind!"
"You don't have to worry about it. I've been down this road so many times, it's getting boring."
"Uuu, I'm not doing a good job as Toya-kun's navigator."
"I don't need a navigator, but..."
"You don't need me?"
Why did it go there?
"As long as you're having fun, Airi, that's fine. If it really bothers you, can I ask?"
"Sure!"
"What were you talking about?"
"Uuu..."
It's a conversation she can't tell a guy, then.
"If you can't say it, you don't have to."
"You won't laugh?"
"Is it something I'd laugh at?"
"We were saying we should do pillow fights and talk about love tonight."
"I see."
"Ah, you laughed! You probably thought I'm still a child!"
"That's not true."
Airi is pouting.
"I did think you were cute, though?"
"You really are treating me like a child!"
Airi's current behavior is childish, but I've never thought of that as a bad thing. Rather, it's lovely.
Apparently, women think differently than men do in these situations.
"I wish I could be like Miyuki-san."
"Why Miyuki-san?"
"Because she's kind of cool. Plus, she's a general surgeon. Don't you think that's amazing?"
"Ah, I see... but."
"But?"
"Airi, you're good at cooking, you can handle any housework, and you're smart. I think you're amazing too."
"Well, that's because I'm Toya-kun's wife. I know everything about Toya-kun."
"Isn't that fine?"
"Hoe?"
"Isn't it fine for Airi to be my specialist? You're the only one. The only one I can say that to."
"Yay!"
The road was almost a straight line, but there were occasional turns.
Kiritani-kun, Makoto, and Nakajima-kun were speeding quite a bit.
It was as if the three of them were competing.
In terms of car models, I think Kiritani-kun's was a step above.
Ignoring those three, Manabe-san and Haruto's cars drove leisurely.
Since I was matching my pace to those two cars, I ended up going slowly too.
"Airi, tell them the next turn is left."
"Oka~y."
Airi typed the message exactly as I told her.
The blinkers lit up.
I gave instructions to stop at a soba shop along the way.
Airi sent the message.
"Looks like we got left behind."
"If Toya-senpai knows the way, it's not a problem, right?"
"Yeah, I'll lead from here. I'm going slowly, so just follow me."
"Roger that."
"Understood."
Then I pulled the car out, and they followed behind.
I proceeded, checking the rear every now and then.
After a while, we arrived at the villa.
Those who had come for the first time were surprised.
"Alright, put the ingredients and such in the refrigerator."
"What are we doing now?"
"What do you mean... nothing. It's the first day," Watanabe-kun answered as if it were obvious.
"If you're bored, you two should go for a drive. The view is pretty good."
When Watanabe-kun said that, Haruto invited Shiratori-san.
"But is it okay if it's just us?"
"It'll be tough starting tomorrow, so you should go enjoy yourselves," Watanabe-kun told Shiratori-san.
"Then, shall we go after we eat lunch?"
"Roger that. What's for lunch?"
"We're going to make it now."
"Eh?"
"Self-catering is the rule, and you have to clean up properly," Watanabe-kun said with a laugh.
"Leave it to us."
The two of them ate lunch, cleaned up, and headed out.
"Is this okay, Masashi? Letting those two go off alone?"
"It's about time we trusted Haruto. Nothing will happen. For better or worse."
"I see."
Mika-san and Watanabe-kun were having that conversation.
During the free time, we slept, read books, or played games.
Sakura-san, who knew there was a gymnasium, ordered me and Tasuku to change clothes.
"Even 1-on-1, Katagiri-senpai and Tasuku will be a great way to sharpen your skills!"
"Well, I guess we can do some shooting practice. We're bored anyway."
Practicing even on a day off, huh...
(2)
I spent last night at Haruto's house.
Even though I said I didn't mind, Haruto slept in a sleeping bag.
Then, in the morning, I was woken up by a noisy alarm.
Haruto prepared breakfast and coffee for me.
After eating, I changed, got ready, and left the house.
I met up with everyone, and after talking, we headed toward Emi-san's villa.
The mountain road had steep slopes and many curves.
I informed Haruto of Tosaka-san's guidance, and we proceeded.
When we stopped at a shop along the way, we reorganized the convoy; we were at the very back, and Katagiri-san took the lead.
That said, everyone except for us, Katagiri-san, and Manabe-san's three cars had already gone ahead.
It was closer to a lodging facility than a villa.
Since it was a facility for employee training, there were many rooms, as well as a gymnasium and tennis courts.
Once we arrived, the women began preparing the meal.
We had to make food for over twenty people.
The work was carried out under Mika-san's leadership.
They made fried rice and Chinese soup.
I didn't know what to do and was wandering around when Tosaka-san called out to me.
"Shall we prepare the plates?"
As I lined up the plates, Mika-san served the food.
"Go call the boys."
I went to call the men who were playing in the bedroom, and Katagiri-kun was the first to jump out.
The last one to emerge was Haruto.
"Thanks for the hard work."
"I just lined up the plates."
I was reminded of just how powerless I am.
I want to let Haruto eat my home cooking someday.
Maybe I should learn from Mika-san?
The food Mika-san made was delicious.
As expected of a professional cook.
"If you're bored, you two should go for a drive. The view is pretty good."
When Watanabe-kun said that, Haruto took me for a drive.
The view was indeed great.
We were enveloped in the peaceful atmosphere unique to the highlands.
We hit a traffic jam along the way.
Apparently, it was a line of customers heading to the Flower Park.
"It's a place I've wanted to go with my girlfriend someday."
"I see."
Then, I have to make sure I can make a bento by that time.
The car stopped at an observation deck.
The vast landscape of the highlands spread out before us.
The wind was still cool.
After sightseeing for a while, we returned to the villa.
It's just an ordinary highland with nothing special, but just being with the person I love makes it feel so different.
Even his trivial stories sound enjoyable.
Maybe I should be the one to start conversations once in a while?
But I can't think of any fun stories to tell him.
Is there anything?
"Haruto, do you want to try my cooking?"
"Of course I do."
"I've never cooked before, though..."
"That doesn't matter. Just the fact that it's my girlfriend's home cooking makes it the best. Though I've never actually eaten any."
Haruto laughed as he said that.
I definitely have to learn.
When we returned to the villa, everyone was preparing for a BBQ.
The women were working in the kitchen.
I immediately made a request to Mika-san.
"Um, please teach me how to cook."
"What's this? You want to feed Haruto?"
Mika-san laughed as she spoke.
"Then, shall we make rice balls over here? First, wash your hands."
Tosaka-san taught me.
I made rice balls while mixing various ingredients.
"Shiratori-san, help over here too."
The inside of the kitchen was hectic.
I wondered if they could actually eat everything they were making.
"There are monsters among us, so we have to prepare this much," Mika-san said.
"I'll overlook it since it's the off-season, but once we go back, you'll have to adjust for the official matches," Sakura-san said.
"So, how was the date?" Kanna-san asked.
"It was fun. Thank you very much."
"It's fine. Deepening the bond between you two is also part of the purpose."
"Is that so?"
"It'll be even more fun tonight," Emi-san said.
"That's right, I want to talk about that matter too," Akira-san laughed.
Come to think of it, she said she landed a jab at my house.
I wonder what she did?
(3)
"Alright, does everyone have their drinks!? Let's get wild for the next three days!"
"Yeah!"
With that, the banquet began.
"Before we get drunk, apparently Emi-san has something to say," Watanabe-kun said, and Emi-san began to speak.
"I sent anonymous copies of documents to the Shiratori Company. Evidence of window-dressing accounts, evidence of Shiratori-san's father's amakudari (T/N: practice of retiring officials taking high-paying jobs in private companies), and evidence of collusion. If any of this spreads publicly, the Shiratori Company will fall into a management crisis. The affiliated companies won't escape unscathed either. Not only that, Shiratori-san's father won't get off easy."
So that's why Father said he was in no position to worry about me.
"I won't end it with just that. I've prepared a trump card. I'm also preparing to use one of our subsidiaries to launch a TOB (Takeover Bid) for the shares of the local bank. Of course, I won't let the Shiratori Company's affiliated companies escape either."
"Is that okay? Wouldn't that be insider trading?"
"I wouldn't do something that stupid. The buyout will happen after leaking it to the media. As for the bank, I don't know any internal secrets, so it won't be insider trading," Akira-san said when Tosaka-san asked.
"I plan to go to the Shiratori Company early next week using that as leverage. I'll have Shiratori-san and Haruto come along too. Haruto, please at least wear a suit."
"Roger that."
"But if you do that, putting my house aside, it'll be a nuisance to Hiyama-san too."
"You don't have to worry about me. Once I graduate from university, I'll be independent. I'm already interviewing. I also plan to marry Sakura. However... there is something I'm worried about."
"What is it?" Watanabe-kun asked when Hiyama-san spoke.
"My father collapsed... it's a heart disease. It can be cured with surgery, but it's a surgery so difficult that no hospital will take him. They're saying he has no choice but to have it overseas."
Hearing Hiyama-san's story, everyone fell silent. Except for two people.
"Then there's no problem. I've performed heart operations many times. I'll be the one to operate."
"Miyuki's operations are truly the 'Hand of God.' It'll be fine. Even my father praised her," Nishimatsu-san said confidently.
Her expression seemed to say, "I don't fail."
"Is it really okay?" Hiyama-san asked.
"For now, just have him admitted. Then I'll decide after the tests. It's probably a Batista surgery or something like that. By the way, I've already done a few 'mere' bypass surgeries."
Didn't Miyuki-san just get her qualification this year?
"The staff are all veterans, so there's no need to worry."
Is that hospital called Valhalla or something?
"That's great, Hiyama! Your father will be saved!" Mika-san said.
"I'm fine, but is it okay to buy the bank shares and such?" Hiyama-san asked Akira-san.
"It's also for your sake. I'm only buying them to gain a voice to oppose the Shiratori Company. The Shiratori Company won't have the luxury of holding shares in the local bank anymore either."
I truly thought the Watanabe squad was scary.
People you must never make enemies of.
Father probably can't sleep at night right now.
What will happen to me?
"You don't have to worry. I'm with Haruna-san. I'll show you I can support Haruna-san on my own," Haruto's voice was my warmth.
"The Watanabe squad truly has no equals!" Kanna-san cheered.
"Kanna is right! I say bring on any enemy!" Mika-san also cheered.
"But isn't it kind of pathetic that it's all just parental connections?"
When Tada-kun said that, Akira-san replied, "That's not true."
"That subsidiary is called 'Sakai Corporation.' In the future, my husband is planned to be the president."
Sakai-kun choked.
It seemed he was hearing this for the first time.
"Sakai, lucky you. Looks like you don't even have to do a job hunt!" Nakajima-kun said.
Sakai-kun gave a strained smile.
"Hey—Toya-kun!"
Tosaka-san's voice rang out.
"I told you not to eat it raw!"
"M-meat is best when it's rare!"
"And you're eating too much! You even went for the hamburger steaks!"
"It's bad if I don't eat everything evenly, right?"
Is Katagiri-san usually this kind of character?
Ah, I remember now.
"Haruto, did you eat the rice ball?"
"I'm eating it now. What's up?"
"Rejoice, Haruto, today's rice balls are Haruna's handmade work," Kanna-san said, and he began eating many rice balls.
"It's not just rice balls, so eat properly."
"Thanks! Haruna-san, you should have told me."
"Are they really delicious?"
"Of course they are!"
By the time it got dark, everyone had devoured everything.
Everyone began cleaning up.
While the dishes were being washed, the men were taking baths.
(4)
"Well, congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you."
I enjoyed dinner with Shuji-kun.
"It's been a while since the two of us had a meal like this."
"Yes, I caused you a lot of trouble back then."
I was talking about the time when I had become desperate.
When I woke up, Satoru-kun's body had become ash.
I was sad.
I thought about following him.
But Shuji-kun told me.
"If you die now, you'll never be able to meet Harada again."
Those words tormented me.
Days of loneliness and solitude.
If only I hadn't pushed myself that night when it rarely snowed, while I was driving instead of him because he was tired, and had stayed at a hotel.
Days of regret.
When will I be able to meet Harada-kun?
Those were the only emotions I had.
Shuji-kun was suffering too.
I couldn't stand seeing Shuji-kun in agony.
It was my fault...
"Let's live separately."
I was the one who suggested it.
"But I can't leave you alone."
That's when he introduced me to Manabe-kun.
I had a vague inkling that he had feelings for me.
But I deliberately tried to keep my distance.
Everyone who meets me becomes unhappy.
That's what I thought.
What changed my mind was a single word from Manabe-kun.
"Just forget about the person who makes you sad. You have me."
Words Satoru-kun had also said to me.
Is he Satoru-kun's reincarnation?
From then on, I gradually became able to open up to him.
He might have been bewildered.
I gave him a push.
He did exactly what I requested.
I also finished saying goodbye to Satoru-kun.
From here on, I'll live my life with Manabe-kun.
"But why Manabe?" Shuji-kun asked.
"I once heard something like this: 'A person who smashes the walls of the heart with a hammer and steps inside with their shoes on.' Manabe-kun might have been exactly that."
"That guy is the type who does unpredictable things once he becomes devoted. I didn't notice it, though."
"But it wasn't uncomfortable. Rather, I felt warmth in that voice."
"I see."
"There's something I want to ask you, Shuji-kun."
"What is it?"
"Is a marriage with a large age gap really a problem?"
Shuji-kun laughed and answered.
"Compared to us, it's far better, right?"
Hideshi-kun has a cousin marriage, after all.
"When is the wedding planned for?"
"I made a reservation around Christmas."
"Earlier than us?" Shuji-kun was surprised.
"Sorry, I'll be going ahead of you."
"I don't mind," Shuji-kun told me.
"Still, the Watanabe squad is amazing."
"Yes."
One after another, they lead couples toward the path of happiness.
"I heard they're having a training camp starting today?"
"Yeah, apparently it's an annual event."
"We weren't in a position for that, were we?"
"True."
After that, we immersed ourselves in reminiscence.
Satoru-kun came up too, but I'm not sad now. He's been accepted as a memory of the past.
When the meal ended, Shuji-kun asked, "What shall we do after this?"
"Our partners are having fun, so I'll accompany you for one more place."
"Shall adults enjoy themselves as adults?"
With that, we enjoyed the night city and went home.
(5)
"Phew~"
I washed my body and soaked in the bathtub.
Then Katagiri-senpai came next to me.
"I heard the news. Congratulations."
I guess everyone in the Watanabe squad knows.
Everyone told me "congratulations."
"Speaking of congratulations, you too, Katagiri-senpai! I saw the game."
"Ah, that," Katagiri-senpai laughed.
"I was so absorbed I don't remember. Anyway, winning was the goal."
"I'm surprised you could win against such a huge opponent."
"Basketball isn't something you do alone."
"But wasn't it basically a one-man show for you, senpai?"
"Not at all. Didn't Masato say it? 'Everyone moved for me, so it was easy to pass.' The opponent only had one center. It was easy to defend."
"Toya is just in a league of his own. So, how is it? The Asian Championship. You can't achieve your goal unless you win, right?"
When Watanabe-senpai spoke, Katagiri-senpai laughed and answered.
"There's a host country slot. That's fine. But if I can't win through here, a gold medal is impossible."
"Good luck. All I can do is cheer for you."
"That's enough. Thank you."
"Since you can do that much, why don't you go pro?" I asked Katagiri-senpai.
"The national team manager even told me, 'There's no need to study seriously, right?'"
"And your answer was?" Watanabe-senpai asked.
"I didn't answer. I thought if I told them my purpose, it would definitely cause a dispute."
"I suppose so."
"Even if I don't go pro, I'll keep playing basketball. I've already decided on a job preference for that purpose."
"Ho, I didn't know you'd thought that far."
"To put it another way, it's a cunning move. Plus, I'll have a stable income."
"Where do you want to go?"
"The local bank. Apparently, they have a corporate team."
"I see. In that case, Hiyama-senpai is there too. Shouldn't it be fine?"
"Hiyama-senpai seems to be aiming for a job other than the local bank."
"About that..."
Hiyama-senpai arrived.
"Actually, I'm thinking of working at the local bank."
"Eh? Aren't you not taking over the family business?"
"I don't want people to think I got the job through my father's influence. I wanted to get a job through my own merit. But after my father collapsed, my way of thinking changed a bit. I want to make things easy for Sakura."
"I see."
"Well, I'll work hard from scratch."
"...If that's what you've decided, good luck."
"Thank you."
I listened silently to Katagiri-senpai and Hiyama-senpai's conversation.
Apparently, the benefits of the Watanabe squad aren't just for romance.
(6)
"Phew~"
A sigh escaped me as I washed my body and soaked in the tub.
I'm tired today too~
Everyone's probably going to get rowdy again after this~
While I was thinking that, Shiratori-san arrived.
"Is it okay if I sit next to you?"
"Go ahead."
Shiratori-san sat next to me.
"What's wrong?"
"Tosaka-san, where is the destination of love?"
Hoe?
"You're thinking about philosophical things again, Shiratori-san," Sakura-san and Miyuki-san said as they arrived.
"Normally, wouldn't it be marriage~?"
"I feel like that's not it. If it were, Haruto is a divorcee."
"Did something happen with Haruto-kun?"
"I was talking with one of Haruto's friends. Then a female friend asked, 'Did you go all the way?' so I wondered, where is 'all the way'?"
We burst out laughing upon hearing that.
She was worrying about something like that.
"What's up, what's up? Some kind of funny story?"
"Let us hear it too!"
Everyone arrived.
I relayed what Shiratori-san had said.
Everyone laughed out loud.
"That's not talking about the destination of love," Ai said.
"Then what 'all the way' is it?" Shiratori-san asked curiously.
"Let's see~. Shiratori-san, did you kiss Haruto?"
"Haruto gets flustered just by holding hands. Not yet."
"Was Haruto-kun the only one flustered?" I asked.
Shiratori-san's face flushed.
"I... was also slightly flustered."
She said her heart was pounding.
"You start from there," Ai said.
"Is there a continuation to that?"
When Shiratori-san asked, everyone tilted their heads.
I answered for them.
"Haruto-kun showed you the light, right?"
"Yes."
"Then just leave it to Haruto-kun. I'm sure he'll take you to the destination."
"Do you think so?"
"No doubt. That's all we can advise. After that, you two have to make the path together."
"I understand. Thank you very much."
"Still, that guy is surprisingly pure, isn't he?" Saki said.
"He said he's serious this time," Kanna said.
"No way, has he never gone all the way?"
When Ai said that, Shiratori-san answered.
"Apparently not. A female friend said, 'I was Haruto's first.'"
Everyone fell silent.
It was like the silence before a storm.
Then suddenly, everyone started making a fuss.
"We'll have to thoroughly discipline him tomorrow."
"But at Haruto's age, isn't that normal? Shiratori-san is just a rare case."
"That's true~... he's not at an age where he'd be flustered by that."
"But does a normal guy say that in front of his girlfriend?"
While everyone was chatting, Shiratori-san asked.
"Um. Did all of you go to the 'all the way' part?"
Everyone struggled to answer.
"W-well, some of us are even married."
"Shiratori-san, you can just go at your own pace."
"Well, I'll beat some toughness into Haruto's weak spirit."
Shiratori-san still didn't seem to understand.
"Just wondering, but by any chance, does Shiratori-san know how to make a baby?"
"I know. A sperm and an egg stick together, right?"
"And the method for that?"
"I heard there's a method called IVF, but doesn't fertilization happen automatically once you're married?"
Everyone didn't know how to respond.
Mika-san spoke.
"Looks like we'll have to thoroughly teach her about the 'relationship between men and women' tonight."
"Relationship between men and women... aren't they just lovers?"
"I'll teach you properly tonight. Be prepared," Kanna said, and everyone laughed.
Only Shiratori-san had a puzzled look on her face.
I can't believe a girl like this exists.
Though I'm not one to talk.
The night continues.