Chapter 256 - Days of Singing Dreams
(1)
"Alright, does everyone have a drink~?"
Everyone was holding a can of some beverage.
"Well then, great work today! Let's get this party started!"
When Watanabe-kun spoke, everyone cheered.
"Eat as much meat as you want~! And it's not just meat!"
Mika-san said this while drinking beer and frying yakisoba.
"Toya-kun, be careful not to overeat!"
"Katagiri-senpai, I get it already!"
Being monitored by Airi and Sakura-san made even going to get yakisoba a struggle.
"Tough break, Toya,"
Tasuku said, laughing.
"It's the same for you, so don't act like it's someone else's problem! Be careful not to drink too much."
"Don't be so stiff, you should drink a little too. Your birthday has already passed, right?"
Tasuku said, offering a chu-hi to Sakura-san.
I see, so that's a tactic.
"Airi, this yakisoba is delicious. Here, say ah~..."
Slap
"I'm not falling for that! ...But as expected of Mika-san. It's really delicious."
If you're going to eat it, don't hit me.
"Toya. Just give up. Give up on eating and drink!"
Watanabe-kun approached with a can of beer in his hand.
"I am drinking."
I showed him the chu-hi in my hand.
"You can't do beer?"
"I don't really like it. It's bitter."
"I see, so you don't understand the pleasure of that crisp finish. Well, just drink your chu-hi then."
"Watanabe-senpai, no! You have to keep your drinking in moderation too."
"It's only a three-day banquet, Sakura, don't be so stiff."
"Ah, Watanabe-senpai, there's something I want to ask."
Haruto approached.
"What is it, Haruto?"
"Is this group open for anyone to join?"
"No, it's random, but we only invite people we've chosen. Why? Is there someone new you want to bring in?"
"It's not that. A buddy of mine was saying something strange."
"Something strange?"
"He was like, 'I heard you joined a matchmaking circle, but you never show your face at all'..."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, that buddy of mine also joined a matchmaking circle and says he got a girlfriend."
"...Isn't that a different circle?"
I had heard that anyone was free to start a circle.
"Well, that's the normal way to think about it. My bad."
"No, it's fine. Thanks for the valuable information."
"I don't know if I was helpful or not. Well, see ya."
With that, Haruto returned to Shiratori-san's side.
"What do you think, Toya?"
"Think about what?"
"About a circle appearing that's impersonating us."
"Shouldn't we just leave it alone?"
It wasn't as if it was hindering our group's activities.
"I hope that's the case..."
I wonder what Watanabe-kun is worried about?
"What's with the mood? Making a gloomy face during such a great time."
Kanna and Makoto arrived.
I told Makoto and the others what I had heard from Haruto.
"You mean someone was able to rival us?"
When Kanna asked, Watanabe-kun nodded.
"That's how I'm interpreting it."
"We should just ignore it! It's got nothing to do with us."
Kanna said the same thing.
I thought she was right.
"Watanabe-kun is overthinking it. If they do something, we can just deal with it then."
"...Haruto! Could you come here for a second?"
"What is it?"
"Did you hear the name of that circle?"
"I did... I think they called it 'Egoist'."
"Got it, thanks."
When Watanabe-kun said that, Haruto headed back toward Shiratori-san again.
"Ai-san! Could you come here for a moment?"
"What's up?"
"I want you to look into an intercollegiate circle called Egoist."
"Ah, there's no need to even look into that. I know someone at my campus who joined it."
"What kind of circle is it?"
"Let's see..."
I listened to the story from Ai-san.
(2)
"Kiritani-san."
While walking with Honoka, I was stopped by a girl from the same seminar.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's just that you should have joined the same circle as me, but I never see your face, so I thought it was strange."
Circle?
"I haven't joined any circle."
The Watanabe squad isn't a circle.
"Eh? But I heard you joined a matchmaking circle."
"We're just a group."
"Ah, so it was different after all. That was a close call."
"No, listen..."
A circle called Egoist had suddenly started recruiting members.
I heard that the group was supposedly the rumored matchmaking circle.
She had happily applied, wanting to join by all means.
However, the reality was that they just had drinking parties on the weekends.
The membership fees were excessively high. And... it seemed to be a circle where they did whatever they wanted.
"They rent out clubs and such. And then, guys would suddenly start groping my chest and stuff. It was gross, so I quit immediately."
"Yeah, that's not our group."
"Right, where did you get that information from?"
Honoka asked.
"Eh? It's written in the circle introductions for that campus of the local university."
Honoka and I searched.
Matchmaking Circle: Egoist.
The activity details were completely different from what the acquaintance had said.
"You already quit, right? We aren't recruiting members, so please tell other people that it's different from us."
"Well, obviously. A circle like that is way too dangerous. I just wanted to confirm. So, could you let me in? Into that group."
"Sorry, but we don't intend to increase our numbers any further right now."
"Gah. Is that so?"
"Yeah, shall we go, Honoka?"
"Yeah."
(3)
"And that's the situation..."
After the first party ended, we cleaned up, took baths, and while we were having the second party, Watanabe-kun shared the information he heard from Ai-san.
"You mean they're impersonating our group?"
"Well, it comes to that."
"I can't forgive those bastards!"
Mika-san was angry.
"What do you all think we should do?"
"Crush them, obviously!"
Mika-san proposed.
Everyone was likely a bit drunk. They agreed with Mika-san.
"We need to punish them thoroughly."
"Yes, I wonder how we should punish them?"
Emi-san and Akira-san said.
"Shouldn't we start by finding out their true identity?"
"How do we find it?"
"How about an undercover investigation? They're recruiting openly, right?"
"That's no good! What if something happens!?"
The women were getting fired up.
"What do you think, Watanabe-kun?"
I tried asking Watanabe-kun.
"Even if you ask me, I can't make a judgment. Toya, what do you think?"
I was questioned by Watanabe-kun.
I replied to Watanabe-kun without hesitation.
"Shouldn't we just leave them alone?"
Then, as expected, I became the target of the women.
"Toya! The image of the Watanabe squad is being damaged!"
"Toya! Are you even a man!? We're being used!"
"In the first place, what is 'image'? And what do you mean by 'used'?"
I responded.
"Katagiri-kun, were you listening?"
Emi-san said.
"I was listening. I just don't understand why everyone is so angry."
"Toya... are you saying that seriously?"
Kanna threatened.
"I seriously want to know. In the first place, we're just a group. The 'image' and everything else is just something other people made up on their own, right?"
"It might just be something others made up. But do you intend to overlook them abusing that image? There are people who have been victimized. Paying an entrance fee is absolutely out of the question."
When Emi-san spoke, I replied.
"Then how are we going to counter it? By identifying ourselves and saying 'we have nothing to do with this'? Don't you think that's ridiculous? Just let them do whatever they want. First of all, how can we prove who the real one is?"
"Don't you feel frustrated being pushed around? We didn't gather with that intention."
"That's true."
"If that's the case..."
"I agree with Katagiri."
Hiyama-senpai said.
"Just let them do as they please, right? There's no need to compete by lowering ourselves to their level."
"Men are so nice~. Haruki, Katagiri-senpai, aren't you both ignoring women's feelings~? The only ones who lose are the women. So it has nothing to do with you? ...Use your imagination a little."
Sakura-san said.
Now that she mentioned it, that was true. Based on what I heard, only the women were losing out.
"I also tried asking through Haruto. It seems it's exactly a gang-bang party where only the women lose. Moreover, they're forced to pay high entrance fees."
"...I kept quiet because I thought I shouldn't say too much, but apparently they drug the women."
"Toya! Do you really feel nothing after hearing this! Do you feel nothing about them taking money from women who just want to be happy and hurting their bodies! Don't think every woman in the world is happy like Airi! There are plenty of women who long for happiness."
"It's impossible for the Watanabe squad to accommodate all those women, right?"
"Toya. I know that's impossible even for me. But we can't say it has absolutely nothing to do with us."
Kanna and Watanabe-kun said.
Hiyama-senpai dismissed it with a "it's their own fault."
"So... have you thought of a plan?" I said.
"That is..."
Everyone fell silent.
"Good grief..."
Everyone relies on me when they're in trouble.
"Watanabe-kun, if things have gotten this big, there's only one plan."
"Does that mean you have some kind of countermeasure?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
Everyone focused their attention on me.
"Well, we can't say we have absolutely no responsibility. If it's just a plan for peace of mind."
"What kind of plan?"
Airi asked.
"...Is there anyone here who's knowledgeable about creating websites?"
"That's my major."
Makoto volunteered.
"Makoto, I want you to launch a site. A site that makes the Watanabe squad's activities public."
When I said that, everyone made a fuss.
"Toya-kun, does that mean..."
"Despite having denied it myself, I think it's the quickest solution."
"You're going to reveal your identity?"
"Yes, but add a note that we aren't recruiting members."
A method that is quick and produces immediate results.
Of course, there's a possibility that further damage will increase.
For example, I can't deny the possibility of a third circle appearing or many of them springing up.
However, that's about all we can do at this stage.
"Toya, is that really okay? Everything we've done secretly until now will be wasted."
"If the rumors are already taking on a life of their own, it can't be helped."
"I'll make it as flashy as possible then."
"Makoto! Make it seriously! I won't forgive you if you make some shady site!"
When Kanna said that, everyone laughed.
"But if we do that, 'Watanabe squad' is a bit of a problem for a name."
Ai-san said.
Then Airi spoke.
"How about Unity?"
"Unity?"
Mika-san asked.
"It means 'unity' or 'solidarity'. I thought it would be fitting for this group."
"That's good!"
When Ai-san said that, everyone agreed.
Everyone looked at Watanabe-kun.
Watanabe-kun nodded.
"Then, I declare the establishment of the new group 'Unity' here! A toast to the establishment!"
When Watanabe-kun spoke, cheers erupted from everyone.
"Alright! I'm fired up! This is how the Watanabe squad should be!"
Mika-san's tension was rising. It's a problem when she's always like this.
"So, what are we doing for the activity details?"
Makoto asked.
"Just keep it as it is. Just everyone gathering and making noise."
I answered.
"Don't use suspicious words. Like bringing happiness, or being a matchmaking circle."
"Toya, wouldn't that make it pointless..."
"It's the opposite. If we put words like that in, it'll just increase the number of sites using similar tactics. A simple activity log of the group is fine."
"Toya-kun, will that get through to everyone?"
Airi asked.
"That's where Ai-san, Haruto, and everyone else come in."
"What do you mean?"
Ai-san asked.
"Just spread the word to friends and acquaintances. That our group is Unity. That we aren't something like Egoist."
"Is that all?"
"Just spread the rumors. Then, if Egoist responds, we can deal with it."
"Got it, Unity, and the activity is just making noise. Is it okay to post face photos and such?"
Makoto asked.
"I don't want member introductions, okay? That'll cause a different problem."
"Meaning?"
"For example, if it's found out that I'm participating, the media will swarm."
"Does that mean we're putting a burden on Katagiri-kun instead?"
Ai-san asked.
"It's not like that. Actually, it might be better to do it on a large scale."
"Well, Toya has his goals. It's better not to do anything that interferes with them."
Watanabe-kun said for me.
"Well, I'll make sure not to show Toya as much as possible."
Makoto said.
"Then there's the logo. Is there anyone who can design it?"
"I'll do it~. I'm good at that kind of thing~"
Sakura-san volunteered.
"Then, could you also write out the image for the site design?"
"Understood~. It's best if it's as cool as possible, right~?"
"...I'll help too. If it's just Sakura, it'll probably just end up being cute."
"...If it's just Haruki, it'll probably end up being bland."
Hiyama-senpai seemed to have become enthusiastic as well.
"I'll look into Egoist as well. If they're open, we'll find them in no time. We can just expose their reality and leak it to the media."
"I'll do some interviewing with the people who were victimized. That'll probably be faster."
Emi-san and Ai-san discussed.
That day, we talked about the future of Unity until near dawn.
(4)
While everyone was getting excited, I called Haruto out.
A garden with beautiful stars.
I had heard about this place from Emi-san.
"It's beautiful."
I said, looking up at the starry sky.
"It is."
"Hey, what do you think?"
"About what?"
"About Unity."
"Hmm, everyone was really hyped up."
"Are you too?"
"I'm feeling hyped."
"Then, it's still okay now, right?"
I said that and closed my eyes.
"What's wrong?"
It seemed my feelings didn't reach him.
"You're serious at your core, aren't you?"
"Huh?"
"I thought you were the type of person I hate most, someone more frivolous."
"Did I mess up?"
Haruto really didn't seem to notice.
"You're doing it now. In the present progressive."
"My bad. I often make mistakes at the crucial moments."
"The moon is beautiful tonight."
"?"
"The moon, the stars, and the sky are all beautiful. And I'm standing in the garden, illuminated by the moonlight, closing my eyes and waiting for you."
I said that and closed my eyes again.
You understand now, right?
Please notice.
A desire.
I thought it was better for dreams to remain dreams, and memories to remain memories.
But wishes must be realized, and memories must be given form.
But what came out of his mouth was...
"Seriously, my bad!"
He didn't notice again?
Disappointment.
Is this also a type of love?
It's sad.
Did I make a blunder?
Was I too aggressive and turned him off?
"Do you remember the places you wanted to go with a lover?"
"Yes."
I remember every place he mentioned.
I've captured them properly with the shutter of my heart.
"Among those, do you remember the places Haruna wanted to go with her boyfriend, and the places she actually went?"
"I remember."
The observation deck of that TV Tower.
"I've decided that the first kiss with a girlfriend will be there. I want it to be in a place that's a memory of a first kiss for Haruna."
So he's prepared such a stage.
"You're going to produce my first kiss, aren't you?"
"It's not something as grand as 'producing'."
"My anniversary is the day after tomorrow."
"Eh?"
"Let's stop by on the way back."
"...Got it."
"In exchange for accepting your wish, grant me just one of my wishes."
"Sure. What is it?"
I ran to him and leaned my body against him.
He caught me.
I can hear his heartbeat. It's very fast.
My heartbeat was fast too.
Confirming each other's body temperature, Haruto and I locked eyes.
To tell me to endure in this mood...
"Haruto, you're unexpectedly mean."
"Eh?"
"Let's go back, Haruto, your body is getting cold."
I said that and laughed.
"Roger that."
Haruto said that, took my hand, and started walking.
His hand wasn't sweaty.
We had already become close enough to naturally walk hand in hand.
(5)
The next morning.
After eating breakfast, everyone was free to act on their own.
Makoto, Sakura-san, and Hiyama-senpai were having a web design meeting as a trio.
The Kiritanis, Nakajima-kun, and Ichinose-san went shopping, and the women were discussing the lunch menu.
They were sending messages to Kiritani-kun and the others about missing ingredients.
Other couples were going for drives or taking walks.
Me and Tasuku, Airi and Sakura-san, and the Kimotos were in the gymnasium.
Playing basketball even during the consecutive holidays—I'm strange even to myself.
Though I have no choice but to change my lifestyle.
Sakura-san was coaching us.
Airi and Kana-san were talking about something.
"Toya, are you okay?"
Tasuku spoke to me.
"About what?"
"The third week is the Li Xiangbai Cup. The following week is the Spring Tournament, right? I wondered if you could handle it physically."
"Would you let me rest, Tasuku?"
"You've got no intention of doing that, right?"
"I'll manage somehow."
"Be careful not to get injured. This year is the decisive year for you."
"I know."
"You two are enthusiastic,"
Kimoto-senpai said.
"Don't you also play adult basketball, Senpai?"
"Not enthusiastically. It's more like a social gathering. The drinking party afterward is the main event."
He laughed, saying that's why he got into a fight with his wife.
"But I can purely enjoy basketball. Basketball where you don't obsess over winning or losing is also fun."
"Senpai, don't say unnecessary things! I'll be in trouble if these two don't obsess over winning and losing yet."
Sakura-san admonished Kimoto-senpai.
"Sorry, sorry," Kimoto-senpai laughed it off.
Airi looked at her smartphone.
"The shopping group is back~"
When Airi said that, we ended practice.
"I'm starting to get tired of meat."
"You think so?"
Tasuku expressed dissatisfaction with the food.
"Tasuku, if you don't like it, you can make it yourself."
"That's right~ I'm making it intending to meet the requests of the men."
"You say that, but BBQ three days in a row is tough!"
"I've changed lunch, okay?"
"What's for lunch today?"
"Ramen, fried rice, and gyoza."
That's a good thing.
"Toya-kun, no seconds for you!"
"Katagiri-senpai, please learn your lesson already!"
When we headed to the dining hall, the women were moving busily.
Mika-san was desperately shaking a Chinese wok.
Umi-san, Mirai-san, and Shiratori-san were wrapping gyoza.
Airi and Kanna were teaching them kindly and thoroughly.
"If you men are bored! Do something like wiping the tables!"
Told by Mika-san, we hurriedly wiped the tables and such.
When the food was lined up on the table, we said "itadakimasu".
The ramen was delicious. Especially the soup.
It wasn't a commercial ramen soup.
"Because I was preparing it while you guys were getting hyped,"
Mika-san said.
In the afternoon, we watched a movie in the audiovisual room.
It was a movie like a zombie movie parody.
Airi left the room as if it were natural.
I followed her.
"I really can't stand those things~"
Airi clung to me, crying.
I gently stroked Airi's head.
"Since we're here, shall we take a little walk?"
"Yeah."
And so, we strolled through the garden.
"We're going home tomorrow."
"I bet we'll make noise tonight too, right?"
"Once we go home... various things will start."
"That's true."
Hiyama-senpai's matter, Shiratori-san's matter, the Egoist matter, and my basketball matter.
"Toya-kun, do your best."
"Yeah, make sure to watch me."
"Eh? But they said it won't be on TV."
"Did Airi intend to watch it on TV?"
"Wait, does that mean..."
"I've arranged a ticket for Airi."
"Yay!"
Airi hugged me.
By this time tomorrow, we'll surely have disbanded.
Though it seems Haruto and Shiratori-san have a date practice.
I thought those two didn't need to do such a thing.
After a while, when we returned to the audiovisual room, Kiritani-kun said, "Where did you two go!?"
When I answered, "We just took a little walk," Ai-san said for me, "You two have various things going on too."
Looking at everyone, I thought.
How long will the days where dreams are sung continue?
How much longer will I be able to keep dreaming?
First, for me, it's the Li Xiangbai Cup.
I'll do it with all my might.
In order to realize my dream as well.