Chapter 255 - Are You Smiling Properly?
(1)
"Ssup."
"Ssuuu."
Tasuku and I had slipped away together and were heading toward the gymnasium.
As expected, when there's a chance, you want to get some practice in.
We jogged lightly toward the gym.
The gym was unlocked.
When we went inside, we saw Sakura-san mopping the court.
Noticing us, Sakura-san called out in a bright voice, "Good morning."
"Morning."
"Morning, Sakurako."
"Did you sleep properly last night?"
"The conversation got so heated last night that I couldn't sleep," Tasuku said.
I understood Tasuku's intention.
"Oh right, I heard from Tasuku. I heard you've become close enough to wash Tasuku's underwear?"
"Tasuku! What did you feed Katagiri-senpai!?"
Sakura-san was angry, her face turning bright red.
"I just told the truth."
"There are some things you don't need to say!"
"I was just asked 'how far have you gone?' so I answered honestly."
"Do you not know the term 'right to remain silent'?"
"Well, the two of you are already common knowledge, so there's no point in hiding it, right?"
"Even Katagiri-senpai!"
"It's okay! I didn't say I know the position of Sakurako's kuroko (T/N: euphemism for areolae)."
"You're saying it right now! If you say any more, I'll be seriously angry!"
"Alright, alright, I think I took the joke a bit too far. Sorry."
"Even the position of Sakura-san's kuroko, huh. Tasuku is amazing."
Even I don't know the position of Airi's kuroko.
"Ah, Toya-kun, good morning. I knew you'd be here!"
Airi was waving her hand.
"Morning, Airi."
"Tosaka-senpai, please listen."
"What's wrong, Sakura-san?"
"These two..."
Sakura-san explained the situation to Airi.
I was composed. I knew Airi's personality.
"It's okay, I wash Toya-kun's underwear too."
See?
"That's not the point."
"Isn't it normal to wash your boyfriend's underwear?"
"Is that something you go out of your way to tell other people?"
"I'm sure Mizushima-kun is happy too. He probably wanted to brag about how close you are. Right, Mizushima-kun?"
"Y-yeah. I'm happy, Sakurako."
Sakura-san couldn't talk back.
She must be happy.
Even if you tell Airi this kind of story, Airi remains unfazed.
However, there was a miscalculation.
"He even shows interest in the position of my kuroko, Katagiri-senpai."
Wait, he only said that as a joke. He wasn't serious. Come on, Airi, don't make that face first thing in the morning...
Poke
"Toya-kun doesn't show interest in my kuroko, so why are you interested in someone else's!?"
"N-no, Airi, it was just a joke."
"You're noisy for so early in the morning. What happened?"
"Oh, Airi. Good morning."
The Kimoto couple arrived.
"Kimoto-senpai, are you here to practice too?"
"Yeah, I figured you two would be doing it."
"Well, since Kimoto-senpai is here, shall we get the practice over with quickly? It's a waste of time."
"True, practice, practice."
"Ugh... he escaped skillfully."
We were practicing shots, but I couldn't help but be bothered by Airi's gaze.
Can't be helped. I took the ball and approached Airi.
"What is it?"
I whispered in Airi's ear.
"When we get back, I'll thoroughly confirm the position of Airi's kuroko."
Poke
"Now is not the time to say that! ...Idiot!"
Her words were angry, but Airi's expression was smiling.
We returned to shot practice.
(2)
"Ah, good morning."
"Morning. You're early."
"You too, Shiina-san."
"Well, the snoring was terrible."
Having bumped into each other in the hallway, we went for a walk in the garden.
"Niina-san, you came here last year too, right?"
"That's right."
"Then, may I ask you to guide me?"
We walked along her favorite walking course.
Perhaps because it was regularly maintained, the lawn and trees were beautiful.
"What are we doing today?"
"Shiina-san, this is your first time, right?"
"It is, but why?"
"Then, you'd better be prepared for today."
"Why?"
"That's a surprise for later."
"?"
Shiina-san didn't quite understand.
That composed smile will disappear soon, you know?
In the kitchen, the women were moving busily.
It was breakfast preparation.
I decided to help too.
"Doesn't it smell fishy?"
Mika-san said.
It's probably because of this.
"It might be because I put this in."
"Mirai! This is the dashi for the miso soup! Why are you putting in raw sardines!?"
"Eh? But seafood-based dashi is trendy, right?"
"Even so! Who puts in raw sardines?"
Tosaka-senpai removed the sardines and dumped the hot water, then placed the stockpot back on the stove and added water with a small pot.
Once the water was in, Tosaka-senpai added the cut ingredients and turned on the heat.
When the water boiled and the ingredients were cooked through, she turned off the heat once and added the miso while dissolving it with a ladle.
Then she heated it again.
"This miso has dashi in it, so it saves the trouble of making dashi~"
Tosaka-senpai said and smiled.
Finally, she added green onions just as it began to boil and turned off the heat.
"With this, the miso soup is OK..."
"Kyaaa!! Umi-chan, what are you doing!?"
Saki-san's scream was heard.
"Eh? I'm washing the rice?"
"That's pre-washed rice! You don't have to wash it! I mean, you can't wash it with bleach!!"
Tosaka-senpai went to Umi-chan, threw away all the rice, washed the rice cooker bowl thoroughly, measured the pre-washed rice with a measuring cup and put it in. Then she added water.
"Umi-chan, washing rice is done to rub it through a rice strainer to remove the surface bran."
"I mean, both of them had terrifying ideas last year too, but have you ever cooked!?"
When Mika-san said that, Umi-chan and I shook our heads.
"Geez, just watch from there!!"
"That's no good, Mika-san. They're trying to learn how to cook, so we have to teach them from the beginning. It might take time since it's from square one."
Tosaka-senpai said.
"I'll watch over those two."
"Then, shall we leave it to Airi?"
"I'll watch Umi. It would be hard for Airi to handle two people alone. Umi, let's make a salad together."
When Kanna-senpai said that, she took Umi-chan away.
"Well, shall we make an egg dish? What would everyone like for the egg dish?"
When Tosaka-senpai asked the men, they remained silent, likely having heard the previous exchange.
"Is TKG okay?" Katagiri-senpai asked.
"O-oh, boiled eggs are fine for us too~" Manabe-kun said.
"...Since it's a Japanese breakfast this morning, I'll make dashimaki tamago."
Ignoring the men's opinions, Tosaka-senpai prepared a frying pan for tamagoyaki, a container, cooking chopsticks, bonito-kelp dashi, mirin, and soy sauce.
"Anyone who has a complaint can make it themselves~"
Tosaka-senpai said that and beat the eggs, mixing in the ingredients.
"Watch the frying method closely~"
She poured salad oil into the heated pan and spread the egg mixture.
Then, Tosaka-senpai formed the dashimaki tamago while skillfully adding more egg mixture.
"It's easy once you learn the knack~"
After finishing one, she sliced it with a knife and plated it.
"Ah, let me make just one more~"
Saying that, Tosaka-senpai made another dashimaki tamago.
The only difference from the previous one was that she added a small amount of sugar.
"Toya-kun is the type who likes sugar in it~"
Tosaka-senpai cooked happily.
"If you make it while thinking of him, I'm sure he'll be happy. Toya-kun said so in the car game. 'A setting that suits oneself is necessary.' I'm sure cooking is the same. As long as you've got the basics down, the rest is just remembering the seasoning he prefers~"
Tosaka-senpai probably has Katagiri-senpai's preferences completely covered, huh~
"I wonder if I can do it too?"
"It's okay~. I'm sure he'll be happy."
When Tosaka-senpai finished making them.
"Well, I'll help next, so let's make it together?"
"Yes."
I challenged myself to make dashimaki tamago.
The men also looked relieved, perhaps reassured by Tosaka-senpai's movements.
But, the next moment. The men froze.
"No! You can't put in chocolate!"
"Eh? Isn't anything sweet okay?"
"If you're mixing in chocolate, you have to melt it in a double boiler."
Ah, I see.
The shape and color were distorted, but I managed to make a dashimaki tamago for now.
I feel like Shiina-san's face has turned pale, but it's probably just my imagination, right?
"Airi, teaching is important, but if we don't make it quickly, the men are going to be starving."
"Ah, that's true. Well, shall we hurry?"
I made the egg mixture, and Tosaka-san fried it.
We repeated that relentlessly.
"Umi! Too much mayonnaise!! I've already seasoned the potatoes, so you don't need to put in that much!"
Umi-chan also seemed to be struggling.
As for Shiratori-san...
"Shiratori, what are you making?"
Kanna-senpai asked.
"What do you mean, I'm making boiled eggs. Some people said they wanted boiled eggs."
Even so, if you make them in the microwave...
Bang!
The egg exploded.
"Shiratori-san, there's a knack to making boiled eggs in the microwave, you know?"
Tosaka-senpai was telling Shiratori-san while cleaning up the microwave.
Mika-san held her head in her hands.
Tosaka-senpai watched over them kindly.
Cooking practice seems like it's going to be tough from here on.
(3)
"Gwah!"
Thud!
"What's wrong, are you finished already!"
"Not yet... wait, uwaah!"
Thud!
We were watching Haruto, who was being unilaterally thrown by Shinjo-san, Emi-san's caretaker.
This is just a public execution.
I stood up quickly to complain to Shinjo-san, but Emi-san stopped me.
"This is fine. It's the Watanabe group's way of training men. Everyone has gone through this path. Though there is one exception."
Saying that, Emi-san glanced at Katagiri-san.
"What exactly is supposed to change with this?"
"Well, the mindset changes. Of course, this isn't all. To crush a weak spirit, they first undergo this."
"Haa, haa, what's wrong!? I can still do this..."
"I can't do it anymore... I can't move a single step."
"You did well. I have nothing more to say. You may rest slowly."
Haruto approached me unsteadily.
"Haruto, are you okay? Are you injured?"
"No injuries. Being physically durable is my only merit."
"You should rest a bit."
Saying that, I gave him a lap pillow.
"Uwa, it feels great. This is my first time experiencing this. I'm happy."
"I heard the opponent is a dan-rank holder. He worked hard."
"I wanted to show a cool side of myself, though."
"You were cool enough."
Who wouldn't be moved by the sight of someone challenging again and again, no matter how many times they were taken down?
If it were the old me, maybe I wouldn't have felt that way.
The current me feels proud of him.
To think he had such a brave side.
What should I do for him?
"I don't want you to make that face. Your smiling face is several times more wonderful."
Haruto said.
I almost envied the innocence with which he said that and smiled.
I want to smile back at him.
Hey, what kind of face am I making? Am I smiling properly?
"That face is wonderful."
"Thank you."
"Now, who's next!? I believe it was Shiina-san? Oh? Excuse me, but how old are you?"
"I'm 27."
"Same age, then I'll go without hesitation."
"I'd prefer it if you did hesitate."
After teaching how to take a fall, Shinjo-san began throwing.
Shiina-san's screams echoed.
We watched the scene.
When the public execution by Shinjo-san ended, next was the manners lecture.
This was done in couples.
Most of the Watanabe group had taken it last year, so they proceeded with practiced movements.
Haruto didn't seem used to such things, and he was drilled to an extreme degree!
The guidance was so unreasonable that I wanted to complain, but Haruto stopped me.
"This will be useful someday."
"You need to start with your way of speaking first!"
Haruto also received guidance on his wording.
By the time it was mostly over, Nakajima-san, Ichinose-san, and the Kiritani couple, who had gone shopping, returned.
They began preparing lunch.
Lunch was said to be curry rice.
"Mirai! Stop putting chocolate in everything!"
Mika-san's guidance came in.
When I tried to add honey and apples, Tosaka-san stopped me.
"Let's leave the seasoning to Mika-san and make the salad dressing together?"
Saying that, Tosaka-san took the ingredients and mixed them in a food processor.
With just that, the dressing was complete.
"Easy, right? Shiratori-san, why don't you try it?"
I tried doing as Tosaka-san said.
It was done easily.
Umi-san also seemed to have successfully cooked turmeric rice under Kanna-san's guidance.
Though the rice cooker had become a disaster because she got the proportions wrong.
Then, the curry Mika-san made was served over it, and the curry rice was complete.
Niina-san also made a side of achaar.
This was also made under Kanna-san's guidance.
Finally, adding the french fries everyone made and the yogurt they bought, it was finished.
We served everyone.
"It's delicious! Seconds!"
"I want seconds too."
"Senpai, only up to three bowls!"
Sakura-san scolded Katagiri-san.
"Dietary restrictions... I'm not an inpatient in a hospital!"
"No! You need to get used to it now in preparation for the official matches at the end of the month. No, you need to review your usual eating habits."
"It's okay, I usually keep an eye on him~"
"Haruna! Seconds, please. This is seriously tasty."
I served him a slightly larger portion.
Haruto polished it off in an instant.
"I want to eat more, but it'd be bad for Katagiri-senpai, so I'll stop."
"Even if you want seconds, there's none left."
"Is that so!"
The men also helped with the cleanup after the meal.
We all cleaned up while chatting noisily.
"Next time, I want to try Haruna's homemade curry too."
"Alright, I'll practice."
"Hell yeah!"
I looked up how to make curry on the internet later.
(4)
We went shopping at the supermarket by car.
The shopping group consisted of four people.
Me, Nakajima-kun, and the Kiritani couple.
In the end, we received a penalty game.
The reason was that they drove recklessly on the way here.
"If that's the case, Makoto and the others are just as guilty, right?"
When Kiritani-kun said that, Watanabe-kun tapped him on the head.
I saw the conversation in the messages. The penalty game is only for you four, right?
However, these two don't know the meaning of learning a lesson.
Nakajima-kun recklessly provoked Kiritani-kun.
Kiritani-kun countered by increasing the speed.
"That's more like it."
Nakajima-kun accelerated.
"Please stop! We'll get another penalty game!"
It was already too late, but it had been reported to the Watanabe group.
"I don't mind a penalty game. I can go shopping with Honoka again, right?"
No sign of reflection.
"Katagiri-kun said he wouldn't drive recklessly with his girlfriend in the car."
"I'm thinking about safety properly."
"Tosaka-san said so. Tosaka-san said she never felt fear, and that he doesn't speed on general roads. I'm scared right now."
"But it's frustrating to lose, right?"
"It's Nakajima-kun's fault for provoking him, right?"
"...Alright."
Nakajima-kun slowed down.
Kiritani-kun's yellow sports car sped ahead.
It vanished from sight in an instant.
When we arrived at the supermarket, Kiritani-kun said triumphantly.
"Why did you run away from the match halfway!? Did you think I was faster?"
"Did you forget the contents of the penalty game?"
Ai-san was angry.
"It's okay, my FC will tell me if I can go... ow!"
"Don't mess around! Put yourself in the shoes of the person riding with you!"
"F-for now, let's just go shopping."
Nakajima-kun said, and we entered the supermarket.
As expected, they put only meat, sweets, and drinks into the basket.
"Honoka? Do we still have rice?"
"I think we still have plenty."
"Then it's just vegetables after that."
"Shouldn't we buy some fish too?"
"Shall we have bread for breakfast tomorrow?"
While talking about such things with Ai, we put items in the basket.
Once the shopping was mostly done, we returned to the villa.
At my suggestion, we decided that our group would go to the supermarket first.
Kiritani-kun's car followed behind.
As expected, he tried to pull into the opposite lane to overtake.
I looked at Nakajima-kun.
Nakajima-kun drove without looking in the rearview mirror.
"I'm not an idiot either."
He understood.
"I won't try to make a move on an uphill against a car with more horsepower."
He didn't understand at all.
It's not a problem like that...
When we returned, I consulted Tosaka-san while unloading the luggage.
"Let's think about it together with everyone later, okay?"
Tosaka-san said that.
I wonder if they'll be cured?
After finishing lunch, everyone gathered in the conference room.
"Today's topic is about people who drive recklessly. I'll be angry if anyone starts saying things like 'racers don't need women'."
Tosaka-san said.
"Wasn't it resolved in the game?"
Katagiri-kun said.
"It seems they haven't learned their lesson as usual."
"Hmm... Makoto too?"
"Seems so."
"I see."
The two of them were discussing it.
Nakajima-kun, Kiritani-kun, and Tada-kun just listened silently.
"Maybe they should replace their cars?"
When Mika-san said that, everyone agreed.
"That probably won't mean anything."
Katagiri-kun denied it.
"Then, what should we do?"
"I guess going to a circuit regularly, but that might be meaningless for three people obsessed with speed."
Katagiri-kun was troubled.
Then he spoke.
"Hey, Makoto. When you're on the pitch, how much of the situation can you grasp?"
"Let's see, probably just the position of the ball and the positioning of teammates and enemies?"
"If a man with a flare intruded like they do overseas, could you continue playing?"
"Well, play would stop."
"Right?"
Katagiri-kun chuckled.
"That's what driving on public roads is like. Traffic lights, road congestion, whether there are people on the sidewalk, whether there are people behind cars? Whether there are two-wheelers running beside you—there's no end to the situations you have to grasp instantly. The higher the speed, the more severe it becomes."
"...Can Toya do that?"
"It's impossible. That's why I don't speed in town. It's the same on mountain roads. Car condition, road surface state, presence of oncoming cars. You have to grasp various situations instantly. An airplane cockpit is designed so that you can grasp those instantly. I hear they judge by experience based on flight time."
"But Toya was speeding, right?"
"I think it was bad for Airi, but I used Airi as a safety valve. I avoided driving that would make Airi feel scared. Even so, I can't say there was no danger of an accident. I didn't have the confidence to assert that."
Katagiri-kun's words were persuasive.
Because he admitted there might still be mistakes, he withdrew from racing.
"Makoto, you're a soccer player too, right? You'd better stop doing things that could ruin your life with an injury. Kanna would be sad too."
"...When you say it, I have no words to reply."
"Kiritani-kun, you have to support Ai-san, right? Even if Ai-san says those things, she's purely worried about Kiritani-kun. It's too late after an accident, you know?"
"...I get it."
"Nakajima-kun is also a soccer player. You should realize that your body is your capital. Though I'm not one to talk. Nakajima-kun and Kiritani-kun's cars are more suited for mountain roads than my car. But can you drive while constantly grasping the information I just mentioned?"
"That might be a bit impossible."
"Airi told me that sitting in the passenger seat, driving leisurely and talking is the most fun. She made me realize that there isn't just one way to enjoy cars."
"I understand what you want to say."
"Then, let me say something too."
Shiratori-san looked like she wanted to say something.
"Contrary to appearances, Haruto drives while being considerate of me. Very polite driving. He said that no matter how much you speed, you'll always be caught up to at the traffic light, so it's meaningless. Going at your own pace is best."
"Haruto's car isn't made for speeding, after all."
Kanna-san said.
"Then~ I've also talked with Kanna-san~. About why men want to drive recklessly~. Kanna-san said~. That they long for something called 'the other side of speed'~. ...Even though it doesn't exist, thinking like that is too childish."
Sakura-san said.
"I'm telling you, this doesn't mean it's okay to drive recklessly if you're not carrying your girlfriend, okay? Be conscious that you're always being worried about."
Kanna-san said.
The three of them said, "Understood. We won't do it anymore."
"The penalty game is that you three will do the shopping tomorrow," Mika-san said.
Of course, she meant they would take us along to test if they truly understood.
They say men change when they grip the steering wheel.
It's necessary to confirm if they truly understand.
"Shall we take a break and prepare dinner soon?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone left the conference room.
"Honoka, I'm sorry. I'm seriously reflecting this time."
Nakajima-kun said.
"I'll check tomorrow, so don't forget."
"I know."
"Then good. Shall we talk for a bit, just the two of us?"
Saying that, they left the conference room.
I hope an environment is created where everyone can smile properly.
I prayed for that.
(5)
"Yeah, this one is delicious~"
I picked up a snack and put it in the basket.
"Hey, Toya-kun."
"What is it?"
By the way, we had come to the supermarket to shop.
Additionally, I was buying sweet breads and Western sweets that Airi and the others would likely like.
Maybe some more drinks after that?
"Why did you come shopping again?"
"What do you mean, because I thought we wouldn't have enough for tonight?"
We didn't have enough yesterday, right?
"Even if you buy a huge amount, it's meaningless if it's left over, you know?"
Airi said.
I took them to the register, finished the payment, and packed them into eco-bags.
The parts that didn't fit went into plastic bags.
Then, having finished shopping, I headed to the car with bags in both hands.
"Ugh... I don't understand what Toya-kun is thinking. Just tell me already."
"It's what Airi is always thinking, you know?"
"Hoe?"
Airi always said it, right?
"Airi wants time with me. But recently, you couldn't take time because of basketball, right? From now on, we might not be able to go on trips."
"I've given up on that, thinking it can't be helped."
"That's why this is the best I can do for Airi. I want to spend the casual daily life together. Shopping is just an excuse."
"..."
"Shall we go on a date after the 李相佰杯 (T/N: corrupted text, likely Inter-High) is over? A normal drive once in a while would be fine, right? We haven't done it recently."
"The spring tournament is coming up, you know?"
"Ah, then after that's over..."
"We have to prepare for the Universiade. After that is the Asian Championship."
Airi told me my schedule one after another.
"...Maybe it's impossible until winter?"
"But, it's okay to take one day off, right?"
"Eh?"
"Toya-kun needs maintenance too. I have to take care of you, right?"
Airi was smiling.
"Am I smiling properly now?"
A smile mixed with tears.
"Yeah, you're smiling properly."
"Toya-kun, drive safely too."
"I am right now."
"Drive even more safely!"
I understand very well what Airi is thinking.
I slightly loosened my foot on the accelerator pedal.
It was slow driving, but I proceeded slowly while giving way to cars coming from behind.
I couldn't take detours or side trips, but I proceeded slowly and surely.