Chapter 258 - Everything Sparkles and Smiles
(1)
Pi-pi-pi-pi...
The alarm rings. I quickly stop it.
I look at Airi. She is fast asleep.
"Airi, it's morning! You have to wake up."
Saying that, I hug Airi and kiss her.
You're not tired of this yet, right? I'll give you plenty.
However, Airi doesn't wake up.
Is she feeling unwell somewhere?
"Airi, are you okay?"
I shake Airi's body.
"Be gentler..."
Airi opens her eyes.
No, if it were the usual Airi, I thought she would at least hug me back tightly.
Ah, is it that...
"Could it be that 'day of the month'?"
"It's not!"
She seems to be in a bad mood as well.
I recall the events of last night.
We kissed and went to sleep... Was it bad that I fell asleep halfway through?
Well, it's not too late to start now.
Just as I try to kiss Airi...
Smack
"Hurry up and change, we're going jogging!"
Airi says this, gets up, and begins to change.
Is she in a bad mood after all?
Airi's heart is somehow difficult to read.
"It's because what you're thinking is the exact opposite, Toya-kun!"
Eh?
"You're thinking that I'm in a bad mood, aren't you?"
No, no matter how I look at it, you're in a bad mood.
"Even if it looks like this, I'm actually happy. Waking up to my husband's kiss is like a dream."
"Then, why?"
"If I acted spoiled with Toya-kun, it seemed like Toya-kun would just keep going, so I intentionally pushed you away."
"You didn't have to do that, right?"
"If Toya-kun missed out on being the representative because of me, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. Toya-kun's future is on the line."
"From Airi's perspective, wouldn't it be better if I became a pro?"
"On that point, we're thinking the same thing, you know?"
"Eh?"
Once Airi finishes changing, she hugs me.
"If you become a pro, there will be many days when I can't see Toya-kun. I hate that. Besides, I want to support the serious Toya-kun."
"I'm always serious when it comes to Airi, though."
"I know that. Because I'm properly inside Toya-kun's world... wait, you idiot, since early morning!"
Smack
"Hurry up and change, let's go jogging. I have to make breakfast too."
"Ah, yeah, that's true."
I don't quite understand what Airi is thinking.
Just as I think we'll jog as usual, Airi is straddling a bicycle.
And she has a whistle in her mouth.
As she chases after me, she suddenly blows the whistle. Peep. What is it?
"When I blow the whistle, dash."
Eh?
For now, I dash as told. Then the whistle sounds again and Airi says, "That's enough~."
What is this?
After that, Airi continues to blow the whistle.
We continued this for an hour.
"Sakura-san suggested it because Toya-kun has been running with too much ease lately, so just running wouldn't be enough."
Honestly, continuing that for an hour is exhausting.
"A game only lasts 40 minutes. In basketball, most of the time is spent dashing, right? Actually, I was told to make you run 50km."
There's a demon here.
After finishing the jogging, while I take a shower, Airi begins preparing breakfast.
Once I finish changing, breakfast is laid out.
After finishing breakfast, Airi takes a shower.
Then, holding a mug, she returns to the room.
Airi places the mug on the table and begins drying her hair.
Once dried, she changes her clothes, puts on makeup, and drinks coffee next to me.
After finishing watching TV, we take our bags and leave the house.
Once we arrive at the University, I head to the building and attend classes.
Afterward, I talk with everyone at the student cafeteria.
Today it's the Ishihara couple and the Sakai couple. Also, Haruto is not here.
Ah, he said he had an interview today.
I hope it goes well.
"I was surprised by that Haruto guy, he suddenly has a buzz cut."
Kanna said.
"I told you, right? Haruto is a straightforward guy. He probably paid attention to his appearance in his own way."
I reply.
"I'm looking forward to the report~,"
Airi says. It should arrive by tonight.
"With this, one thing is settled for now. Next is the matter of Hiyama-senpai and the Egoists?"
Watanabe-kun says.
Egoists... a circle that is exploiting our reputation.
Exploiting it or not, we aren't even active as a circle.
As a countermeasure, we established a group called Unity.
Makoto is currently making the website.
How will they move in response to that?
Knowing that was still a story for later.
After finishing the afternoon classes, I go to Blue Bird.
The Sakai couple and Ishihara couple haven't returned yet.
Is the negotiation proving difficult?
There's no use worrying.
When the time comes, I return to the University for club activities.
The practice menu changed with the new coach.
He is aiming to improve basic physical strength.
After finishing basic training, we have the women's basketball team assist us in practice.
We do ten minutes of defense and offense as proposed by Coach Higashiyama.
We also become desperate to learn the new tactics.
And during break time, we practice shooting without resting.
"Only after surviving practice can you first stand in a game,"
Coach Higashiyama says.
That said, my official game is near.
Coach Higashiyama seems to be considerate of that.
My practice time is slightly shorter.
During that time, I watch the practice and confirm everyone's movements.
And I give precise instructions.
"The strength of the Japan national team is the expansion of tactical breadth provided by the two guards. Training to always maintain a wide field of vision is also necessary."
Coach Higashiyama seems to have watched the games as well.
"It's difficult to crush Katagiri-kun; they will surely come to crush the Point Guard. At that moment, Katagiri-kun will shake off the opponent's mark, receive the ball, and build the game. Such a moment will surely come."
Sakura-san's view is the same.
"If you want to crush Katagiri-senpai with man-to-man, you need the momentum of forming a triple team. Even Sawa-senshu cannot crush him alone. Even if one person remains at the center, a hole will open up somewhere. That's where we strike."
Adding that everyone else also needs the strength to fight and survive without me.
This also leads to the leveling up of the girls.
They learn the stamina and tricks of the defense.
They will likely become dark horses in the spring tournament.
After practice ends, I stop by the public bath and go home.
Upon returning, I eat dinner, take a shower, and study in my room as usual.
Once I've mostly finished studying, Airi brings me a drink, and I watch TV while drinking it.
When I get bored of the TV, I kill time by playing games.
While doing so, my smartphone rings.
It's a group message from Unity.
Emi-san began explaining the full details of today's exchange.
(2)
Just past noon.
In front of Shiratori Company, there were I, Haruto, the Ishihara couple, the Sakai couple, Emi-san's mother, and Shinjo-san.
Ishihara-san was in a black suit with a red tie. Sakai-kun was also in a newly made black suit with a white tie. Emi-san and Akira-san were in navy blue suits. Haruto wore a suit he apparently wore for the entrance ceremony. Shinjo-san was also in a navy blue suit. Emi-san's mother was also in a suit. Only I was wearing a white dress.
"Would a suit have been better?"
When I asked, Emi-san's mother said, "That appearance is fine."
Entering with Shinjo-san in the lead, we attract the attention of all the employees.
Shinjo-san is speaking at the reception.
"I'm nervous-ssu,"
Haruto says. So even Haruto can be nervous.
Lie, actually I know. When we first kissed, when he first hugged me, his arms were shaking.
"If you're nervous now, you won't last. This is the opponent's turf, but you must not forget that the advantage is ours. Relax,"
Emi-san's mother says.
Before long, the person in charge comes down.
Emi-san's mother handles the interaction.
After exchanging business cards, we are guided to a conference room.
There is a conference table for a dozen people, and we sit in a row of chairs.
The ones who arrived were Father, Father's secretary, and the company's corporate lawyer.
Before the talk, the corporate lawyer says.
"I will state this beforehand, but the conversation here will be recorded as evidence."
"That's fine. Shinjo, put yours out too."
When Emi-san's mother says this to Shinjo-san, Shinjo-san places an IC recorder on the desk.
"We will also record this as evidence."
"Well then, nice to meet you. I am Tatsuya Shiratori, the Representative Director of Shiratori Company."
"Nice to meet you. I am the Representative Director of ETC, Yayoi Eguchi. Following are my secretary Shinjo and my daughters."
"I see your daughters. And the man next to them is..."
"Do not worry, they are also parties involved."
"I see. So, what is your business?"
"Shinjo, present the materials."
Shinjo-san places a bundle of documents in front of Father.
"Please confirm the contents."
When Emi-san's mother says this, Father glances inside.
Since documents with the same content were apparently sent the previous day, he likely knows the contents.
"You are the ones who sent those documents?"
"You seem to know the contents, don't you?"
"Was it you who sent them anonymously?"
"Now, I'm not sure what you're talking about, but since you seem to know the contents, I'll get to the main point."
It seems she has seized the initiative.
"Looking at those materials, this company is carrying a massive deficit. Evidence of that, and emails proving you suggested window-dressing the accounts to your subordinates. Also, evidence of you arranging 'amakudari' (senior bureaucrats moving into high-ranking private positions) for your subordinates from your time as a bureaucrat. And your own 'amakudari'. Evidence that you have continued arranging 'amakudari' for bureaucrats after that is also included."
"Have you come to blackmail us? Such things are not evidence."
"It shouldn't be us who decide that. Besides, even if you aren't legally punished, if evidence of deficit settlement becomes known to the public, it should be a huge blow."
"I ask again, is this an attempt at intimidation?"
"How you take it is your freedom. We have only come to negotiate."
"Negotiate!? Don't be ridiculous!"
When Father slams the desk, he says "This is pointless" and tries to leave the room, but Emi-san's mother did not allow it.
"A rumor is circulating. That someone is trying to perform a TOB (Takeover Bid) for the entirety of the shares of a Shiratori Company subsidiary."
Father's feet stop.
"What...!?"
"It's just a rumor, but if that were a fact, wouldn't you suffer a great loss if this fact were made public?"
"How could a mere trading company do such a thing?"
"I didn't say I would do it. If I did that, I would be the one arrested. I just heard a rumor."
"...What is your objective?"
"I have an acquaintance who wants to perform a TOB on the shares of the local bank. I wonder if you could transfer the shares to that person?"
"Isn't this just a threat!?"
"It's fine, isn't it? It's not like I'm the one profiting. I don't mind at all if we act as if this conversation never happened."
"Who is this acquaintance?"
"I will remain silent on that."
"Are you telling me to transfer shares to someone whose identity is unknown?"
"If the facts are leaked as they are, wouldn't your position also become precarious? Like having a close relationship with the local bank? You've received large loans. If you were to face a sudden call for repayment, it would be a problem affecting the company's survival, wouldn't it?"
"These materials are nonsense! It's useless to try to threaten me with groundless materials."
"Is that so? Then, we can just act as if this conversation never happened, right? Everyone, let's go."
Just as Emi-san's mother tries to stand, Father calls out to stop her.
"What do you intend to do with this information?"
"If it's nonsense, you shouldn't have to worry about it, right? I'll just submit it to the relevant parties. It's a splendid illegal case. I have an obligation to submit it."
"...Fine. I'll accept the demands. I just have to transfer the bank shares, right? So, who should I transfer them to?"
"Isn't there something to do before that?"
"What?"
"Isn't it necessary to erase the audio of this evidence?"
When Father tells the corporate lawyer, he operates the recorder on the spot and erases the record.
Seeing that, Emi-san's mother tells Shinjo-san, who operates the recorder and erases the record.
"From here on, it's off the record. Let's speak frankly with each other. What is your desire?"
"I told you, didn't I? I want you to transfer the bank shares."
"Is that all? In the first place, who is the one intending to buy them?"
"My husband."
Akira-san opened her mouth.
Sakai-san has a "Huh?" look on his face.
"The Representative Director of Sakai Corporation."
"Pardon?"
Sakai-san lets out a vacant voice.
Father looks at Sakai-san with suspicious eyes.
"A child not much different in age from my daughter is the Representative Director?"
"Because it's a subsidiary of my maiden home. The ones actually running it are the executives of my maiden home. He hasn't had any results since taking office, so he's not used to large transactions."
"...Fine. At what price will you buy them?"
"The price at the time of the TOB is fine."
"By the way, about what percentage will it be?"
"If we take over all the shares held by your company, the calculation is that it will exceed 40%."
"Sakai-kun, was it? If you become the largest shareholder, will you guarantee my position?"
"Well, I suppose that depends on your behavior..."
"Is that all the talk?"
Emi-san's mother looks at me.
"Shiratori-san, you have a request for your father, don't you?"
My heart was pounding.
The stage had been set for me.
I should be the one to say it.
Just as I was about to open my mouth.
"I want you to recognize my relationship with Haruna-ssu!"
Haruto was shouting.
"Who are you?"
Father looks at Haruto with suspicious eyes.
"Haruto Kusunoki, 18 years old! I attend the local university."
"Kusunoki...!? You bastard, still without having learned your lesson!"
"That's not it, Father. I was the one who invited him. And after that, he formally asked me to date."
"Haruna, were you not listening to Father's words?"
"Usually, I would have done as Father said. But he is special; he alone is my precious person!"
"You had someone like Hiyama-san..."
"I was rejected by Hiyama-san on the day of the matchmaking. Hiyama-san also apparently has a partner."
"Shiratori-san. Since I also had a daughter, I understand your feelings. But believing in your own daughter's eye for men is also an important thing, you know?"
Emi-san's mother says.
"Is that a bargaining chip?"
"Since you tried to use your power to separate your daughter from her partner, we simply retaliated. If you ask your daughter, she's already 18. It's not strange for her to have her own will. Respecting that will is also important."
"I will take responsibility for my own actions. So please permit our relationship."
I was pleading.
"...Fine. Kusunoki-kun, was it?"
"Yes-ssu!"
"...I leave my daughter to you."
"I've been entrusted-ssu!"
Haruto was shouting.
I was desperate to suppress the feeling of wanting to hug him right now.
"That's great, Haruto."
"The matter is settled."
Ishihara-san and Sakai-san are saying so.
"Thanks a lot, everyone! And thanks a lot to you as well."
"If you have any trouble, please tell me anytime,"
Emi-san's mother is saying.
"It seems the opponent was the wrong one..."
Father mutters.
"That's not it. We've built a good relationship with each other. If you think of it that way, can't you be positive?"
Emi-san's mother says.
With this, it's no longer a matter for complete strangers.
Emi-san's mother says not to worry because the hole of Shiratori Company's massive deficit will be supported by the capital of the Eguchi Group.
"Just for permitting my daughter's relationship, to have you do that much is..."
"You never know where or how people will form a bond. The daughters proved that. Then the parents should follow suit."
Emi-san's mother says and laughs.
"Haruna, I'm glad for you,"
Emi-san and Akira-san say.
"Thank you. Everyone."
I bowed my head in gratitude.
Tears overflowed in my eyes.
Tears?
Am I sad?
Not those kinds of tears. They are tears of joy.
I was now enveloped in the emotion of joy.
A crack appeared in the thick wall, and I had envied that light.
The identity of that light was love.
And the identity of the light enveloping me now is joy.
Life is like a vast sea.
But the dawn will surely come.
The sun called Haruto illuminated it for me.
Where will that light head toward?
There is anxiety, but if it's with him, I can walk forward.
Everything is sparkling, and then I smile.
My journey has only just begun.
(3)
"Hmm..."
I was looking at a medical chart and an MRI photo.
The owner of that chart is in front of me.
A portly middle-aged man.
"Doctor, how is it?"
The man asked.
Behind him stand Hiyama-kun and Hiyama-kun's mother.
Heart valve disease. Valve replacement surgery is necessary.
I've had experience with this a few times.
After all, this hospital is practically devoid of surgeons.
"Let's perform the surgery soon. It will be cured."
The faces of Hiyama-kun and the others brighten.
However, the patient's expression is grim.
"Excuse me, Doctor. What is your age?"
"I'm 25."
"She is still a resident, but her skill is certain. I guarantee it,"
the Director, Keisuke's father, said.
"You're letting a resident perform heart surgery!? This hospital...?"
"I have performed this case several times. I do not fail."
"Is there a guarantee that it will definitely succeed!?"
"I have confidence. Well, from Father's perspective, it must be anxiety-inducing, right? It's like betting on a miracle."
"If you understand, then that's all. I'm going home!"
"Please wait, you probably weren't accepted at other hospitals anyway, right?"
"..."
"Why not bet on a miracle?"
"What should I bet?"
"Let's see, perhaps your own life? You'll die eventually anyway if you stay like this, right?"
Well, everyone dies eventually, I suppose.
"If I win, I survive... you really have confidence, don't you?"
"I told you. I do not fail."
"Very well..."
"Then, may I also place a bet?"
"What are you betting?"
Hiyama-kun's father frowns.
"Let's see, if the surgery is successful... please recognize the relationship between Haruki-kun and Sakura-san."
"That is..."
"Father thinks this surgery is a miracle, right? Then, it's just the right chip."
"...Fine."
"Then, for the family members, the consent form..."
Thus, the surgery for Hiyama-kun's father was decided.
"There's no need to worry, Haruki-kun says he will succeed you."
"Is that true!?"
"...Yeah, in exchange..."
"The rest can wait until after the surgery is over, right?"
"...I suppose so."
When the examination ends, Hiyama-kun remains.
"Are you okay?"
"I've done that kind of surgery many times. I was prepared for a more difficult surgical method, so I'm saved because it's easy."
"What kind of surgery is it?"
"A surgery where you cut out the heart valve and sew the edge of the remaining part and the artificial valve together with thread."
"Cut out the heart valve..."
"I'll perform it after temporarily stopping the heart using a cardiopulmonary bypass machine."
"Is such a difficult-sounding surgery really safe?"
"If it's me, it's fine. Rest assured."
Saying so, I pat his shoulder.
When I return home, I immediately read medical books and review the surgical method while looking at the chart and photos I brought back.
Keisuke brought me coffee.
"I heard the story, are you okay?"
"Couldn't you at least believe in me, Keisuke?"
"That's true, but..."
"No problem. It will go well."
"...Don't push yourself too hard."
"I have other patients' operations waiting."
"I heard there are few surgeons, sorry."
"I'm being compensated for that part of the burden, so it's fine."
"I see."
Saying so, Keisuke begins studying while watching TV.
I alone imagined the situation of the surgery and devised countermeasures to prepare for all possibilities.
(4)
"Amazing, Toya-kun!"
"I guess so."
"Everything was exactly as Toya-kun predicted!"
"It just happened to go well."
Creating many of those "happened to" moments is the amazing part about Toya-kun.
Unity is said to be a matchmaking group, but the god of matchmaking is Toya-kun.
He's apparently called a god in basketball too, but Toya-kun is amazing at whatever he does.
I'm happy to be the girlfriend of such a person.
The downside is...
Smack
"You're eating a lot of sweets again!"
"I told you that you shouldn't drink alcohol on an empty stomach, right?"
"Uuu... why don't you just stop drinking alcohol?"
"Airi, you're drinking too, aren't you?"
"Because..."
"Because?"
"Because Toya-kun won't pay attention to me!"
"Airi, you're the one who said no during study time, right?"
If it were anyone else, he would properly paint over the gaps in their heart, but with me, he doesn't enter smoothly.
But...
"Once studying is over, I'll have to do Airi's maintenance again."
Hoe?
"You want to become a woman of my preference, right?"
"Idiot!!"
After that, we watch TV while studying. When studying ends, it's game time.
Even though I say games, recently we hardly do the act of so-called "defeating monsters."
It's just simple work: generating an instant dungeon, clearing it, and selling the rare items that come out.
You ask if rare items come out that easily?
When Toya-kun does it, they absolutely come out.
It's mysterious, isn't it.
"Hmm."
Toya-kun is troubled, what's wrong?
"No, well..."
I listened to Toya-kun's trouble.
The amount of money one character can hold is decided. However, all 12 characters have hit the cap.
What to do from now on? That was it.
For the record, he's bought almost everything he wants. And since he sells things he doesn't need, it practically doesn't decrease.
My characters were the same.
Because he distributes game items and money fairly.
"Is it almost time to retire?"
Toya-kun started saying such a thing.
"Why?"
"We've done most of what there is to do, right?"
"Can you say there's nothing you occasionally want to do?"
"Ah, there might be."
"Then why not just do it when you want to?"
Saying so, I log out.
Seeing that, Toya-kun also logs out.
"What now? Go to sleep already?"
I'll get angry if you're saying that seriously, you know?
I appeal with my eyes.
Toya-kun, please read my heart properly.
Toya-kun is looking at me.
And then he carries me princess-style and lays me on the bed.
He turns off the TV, dims the lights, and then...
"Hey?"
"What?"
Am I properly becoming a woman of Toya-kun's preference?
"...Hmm, selfish, sulking immediately, getting angry over things I don't quite understand..."
Uuu...
"...But it's precisely because you're an Airi that even I can't do anything about, that you're lovely."
Yay.
"Next is Hiyama-senpai's turn."
"If it's Miyuki-san, it'll be fine."
"But she's only been working for a month, right?"
"Even so, she's never failed, right?"
That's amazing in its own way.
"I wonder if we'll be in Miyuki-san's care too?"
"Is there something wrong with Airi?"
Toya-kun worries about me.
But that's not it.
"I wonder if Nishimatsu-kun's hospital also does obstetrics and gynecology."
"I-It's still too early, right!?"
"Toya-kun still has the penalty game for non-fulfillment remaining, you know?"
"Eh?"
I whisper into Toya-kun's ear.
"At least wait until we become working adults."
"What if I say I can't wait~...?"
"Do you really want to?"
Hoe?
"If you really want to now, I'll make one."
Eh?
"I'm getting plenty of money from sponsors."
Ah.
"If Airi is willing to raise a child, we could make one..."
I started to feel embarrassed.
"I-It's fine. I'll wait until we're working adults."
"See, Airi isn't mentally prepared yet either, right?"
Toya-kun says and laughs.
If you knew, don't ask!
"Hey, Toya-kun."
"What?"
"Which do you prefer, a boy or a girl?"
"...The parents hope for a daughter."
"I want a boy."
"Why?"
"I'll give birth to an amazing boy and have him be active in sports~"
"You definitely think a possessor of amazing talent will be born, don't you?"
Well, it's a child of Toya-kun and me. An amazing child will surely be born.
I'll have to give them an elite education!
"Airi."
"Yes?"
Toya-kun hugged me.
"As I thought, this feels the best."
Then, please stay like that forever.
Eventually, I can hear Toya-kun's sleeping breath.
Our world is all sparkling. And Toya-kun smiles.
While dreaming such a dream, I slept.