Chapter 259 - That is the Future
(１)
"Are you ready, Airi?"
"Yeah, I'm ready ♪"
Thursday, we packed our bags after returning from university.
I made sure to bring my passport too.
"Airi, if we don't hurry, we'll miss the bus."
"Okaaay~"
We hurried to the bus stop and got on the bus.
"I hope Toya gets to play the whole game this time too!"
"I've been practicing with that in mind."
"Yeah, right!"
We got off in front of the station and boarded a highway bus.
Our destination was the airport.
After finishing the check-in procedures, we took a breather.
"We made it in time, somehow."
"I told you it'd be fine~"
Airi said that while fiddling with her smartphone.
"Just arrived at the airport."
She sent that message to Unity and to home.
"Take care."
Came the replies from everyone.
"This is our second overseas trip together, huh ♪"
It's not really a trip, though.
"Airi, once things settle down, wanna go on an overseas trip?"
"When will things settle down?"
Hmm... August is the Universiade, September is the Asian Championship. Winter, we'll probably be playing around with everyone in Unity...
"How about after the Olympics next year?"
"...That's far off."
"Sorry."
"It's fine. I have my passport now, so we can go anytime."
"Yeah, you're right."
As we were talking, an announcement came on.
"18:10 departure for Haneda..."
We showed our tickets and boarded the plane.
Airi was reading a book while listening to the in-flight announcements.
I was also listening to the announcements and looking outside.
The plane began to move slowly.
It reached the takeoff point, accelerated, and then ascended.
It takes about an hour and a half to Haneda.
During that time, I looked at the sky.
Looking down, I could see Shikoku.
No matter how many times I fly, it's still fun.
"The night view is beautiful even from the sky, huh."
Airi leaned over to look.
"Yeah, it is."
It was dusk, so I couldn't see Mt. Fuji.
When we arrived at Haneda, we used transportation means to go to the station nearest the hotel.
We looked for the hotel using the map we were given... and found it.
We went to the hotel, checked in, and saw a familiar face in the lobby.
"Airi~ Long time no see~"
"Yui-san and Yukari-san, you came too~"
The three of them were having a touching reunion.
"So you actually came the day before this time, huh?"
"Well, yeah."
I've gotten used to Yuichiro's way of dishing out complaints.
"But everyone came right after practice."
"I hurried to get ready after class."
"As always, seriously studying, huh."
"Well, it'd be a big deal if I had to repeat a year."
"What about tomorrow's classes?"
"Yeah, I've got someone listening in for me."
I'd asked someone who had free time or whose class overlapped with mine.
"Katagiri, got a minute to talk?"
The coach was calling me. What could it be?
"Are you involved in any clubs or circles?"
"No, I'm not."
"What about this site..."
The coach operated the tablet and showed me the site.
I was speechless.
"Basketball Japan National Team Player Joins Orgy Circle!?"
That headline was displayed.
"...It's just a prank. I'm not in any circle."
But...
Unity's site was being brought up.
And there was an image of Airi on it.
"This is the Tosaka-san you brought along, right?"
"That's correct."
"Can you give me a satisfactory explanation? I don't think you'd do something like that. But this is a time when we have to be sensitive to scandals."
"It might be better if I told you about it, Coach."
Saying that, I called Airi over, who was talking with the other two.
"What's up~?"
The coach showed her the site.
"What is this? That's awful..."
Airi's face went pale.
"I need to explain Unity to the coach, so I want you to come with me."
"O-okay."
I supported Airi's shoulder.
Her body was trembling.
We went to a separate room with the coach and explained the situation.
"So Unity isn't a circle?"
"It's just a gathering of friends. We're not recruiting members right now."
"Can I borrow the tablet?"
When Airi asked the coach, he handed it to her.
Then Airi searched for "Unity" and showed him the site.
"This is the real Unity."
The coach looked at it.
"You're not giving alcohol to minors, are you?"
"No, we're not!"
"Understood. I'll send an official response to the media from our side. Don't you two say a word about this."
"Understood."
"Well, you must be tired from the long trip? Eat dinner and get some rest."
"Yes."
Saying that, we left the room.
"Was it the work of the Egoist?"
"Maybe. Seems they reacted quickly."
"Toya, are you okay? You won't lose your spot on the national team because of a scandal, right?"
"The coach is sending out a response, so it'll be fine."
"My face is all over it. If people find out I'm Toya's future wife..."
Don't say things like that in a place like this.
"I'm a reporter from the Bungei Shunjū. Regarding what you just said about a 'future wife,' are you married?"
"I have no obligation to answer."
"And what is your relationship with this young lady?"
"I-I have no obligation to answer."
"Actually, images like this have been circulating online."
The reporter showed us the same images the coach had shown earlier.
"This is your girlfriend, right?"
"We're not in that kind of relationship."
Huh?
I looked at Airi's face.
Her face was pale, even her lips were pale.
The reporter didn't notice, but Airi's hand was gripping the hem of my suit.
In times like this, there's only one thing I can do.
"She's right. We're not in that kind of relationship, like boyfriend-girlfriend."
Airi looked like she was about to cry.
I smiled and said,
"She's my legitimate fiancée. There's nothing shady about it."
Airi looked at me in surprise.
"But isn't it a problem that your fiancée is attending orgy parties?"
"Katagiri! What are you doing!?"
A staff member appeared.
The staff member looked at the reporter and said,
"You again! I told you to stop your unauthorized reporting!"
When the staff member intimidated him, the reporter scurried away.
"I heard the situation from the coach. You didn't say anything weird, did you?"
"Toya called me... his fiancée..."
"Katagiri! I need you to refrain from reckless statements!"
"It's not reckless; it's the truth."
"We'll hold an official press conference. For heaven's sake, don't say anything unnecessary."
"When will it be?"
"After the game is over over there."
"Understood."
Saying that, the staff member took Airi and told me to go back to my room.
My room was with Yuichiro.
"I heard about the incident in the hallway."
"Yeah, that."
"What were you thinking? You know this is an important time, right?"
"I haven't done anything wrong."
"Well, if you say so..."
He's worried about me, huh.
"Thanks."
"I don't remember saying anything worth thanking me for."
"Yeah, I guess not."
"Tomorrow, we're heading to the venue early to adjust, and the game is in the afternoon. Get some sleep."
"Yeah."
As I said that, I was sending a message to Unity.
(２)
"Airi, are you okay?"
Yukari-san asked.
There's no way I'm okay. Because of me, I held Toya back again.
Even so, Toya called me his "important fiancée."
I'm happy, but I'm still holding him back.
The despicable one is the Egoist.
They're trying to trap us by spreading false rumors.
Unforgivable.
I was sending a message to Unity.
"You know, with me being like this, sometimes I think I'm a burden on Aya."
Yukari-san said that.
"But Aya told me, 'Don't worry about it'... Don't you think Katagiri-kun is the same?"
"The media will latch onto scandals like this, but they'll get bored after a while. For better or worse, Toya is in the spotlight right now."
Yui-san also said that.
"But what if my fault crushes Toya's dream?"
"Dream?"
Yui-san asked.
Ah, maybe I shouldn't have said that.
"Yeah, Toya's dream. To stand at the top of the world."
"Katagiri-kun was thinking about that!?"
Yukari-san was surprised. Can't blame her.
"But maybe Toya can do it."
Yui-san said.
"But we can't be complacent. Things like this can hold us back with the media."
"I know."
But there are also force majeure events. Like this time, if something completely false is spread, there's nothing we can do.
"Hold your head high. If you haven't done anything wrong, there's no need to be afraid. Just be confident."
"Yeah."
A message came from Unity.
"Airi, don't worry about it. This is all within expectations."
"Tosaka-san, I think this is a time to be patient. Don't do anything stupid."
"Airi! Only you can support Toya. Have some confidence."
"Katagiri-kun, if you worry about this kind of thing, there's no end to it. We'll take countermeasures soon, so focus on the game for now."
"It's not just Katagiri-senpai. I'm in the same boat."
Huh? Nishimatsu-kun too?
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know what kind of information network they have, but they're digging up my past pranks and spreading them online. I think that's probably the spark."
Ah, I see.
"In Keisuke's case, it's his own fault, but I can't forgive them for Tosaka-san."
"It's fine. There's no source anywhere. Nothing to worry about."
Everyone encouraged me.
"Thank you."
"What did everyone say?"
Yukari-san asked.
"That there's nothing to worry about."
"That's right. If you haven't done anything wrong, Airi, there's nothing to worry about."
"Yeah..."
I'm more worried about Toya than myself...
(３)
"This is bad..."
I muttered that while looking at an online bulletin board.
"Are you worried?"
Miyuki asked.
"In my case, it's the truth. There's no hiding it."
It was written: "He's a womanizer who goes through women and discards them."
They even conveniently prepared past photos.
He was being slandered as being from the "local university orgy circle."
I don't know how to handle this.
Even if I left Unity now, the damage wouldn't change.
I was also called in by the university.
They said I could even face expulsion.
I insisted on Unity's innocence.
But my past won't disappear.
What should I do?
At that moment, Miyuki offered me some gum.
"Chew this?"
Miyuki chews gum when she's stuck on a thought.
She probably means for me to try it too.
I chewed the gum.
"Feeling a bit clearer?"
"Yeah."
"What Keisuke did won't disappear. He hurt many women."
Yeah.
"But now, you're living properly as my husband."
"I might cause trouble for you too."
"I'll fight back with my own strength. You should do the same, Keisuke. Just leave undeniable results."
"How do I do that?"
"Show your stance through your actions from now on. Say that you're different now. You can't erase the past. But you can overwrite it."
How should I act?
"There's no need to panic just because your past was dug up. Time will make people forget. It's just a few people having fun writing about it."
Yeah...
"Miyuki, I'm sorry. Before your important operation..."
"I'm fine. I won't be swayed by anyone."
Miyuki said that and smiled.
Right now, that smile of Miyuki's was my only support.
(４)
We held an emergency meeting at a family restaurant.
The topic was the matter concerning Nishimatsu and Toya.
"It makes me so mad~"
Ai-san was indignant.
"But, there are some facts too..."
Saki-san was downcast.
Come to think of it, Saki-san was also targeted.
"Saki has changed. I can vouch for that."
Takemoto-kun said that.
"There are rumors that we might not even be able to stay enrolled at the university, but there's no need to worry. There's no evidence. There's no way there could be."
When Emi-san said that, everyone nodded.
"Should I leave Unity?"
Saki-san said that.
I shook my head.
"It's too late for that. Leaving would just confirm their claims."
"I've got the material from Emi-san. Should we retaliate?"
Makoto said that.
"No, it's too late. Doing something like that won't change anything."
"Masashi, what do you want us to do from now on?"
"For now, it's time to be patient. Ai and I have secured the evidence. The problem is the timing to release it."
"Since they are a subcontractor for my father's company, I could crush them."
Akira-san said.
"That's our last resort. For now, let's solidify the evidence and just endure. Don't anyone do anything stupid. Especially Haruto."
"Roger!"
"Haruto, you have Shiratori-san to think about, so act carefully."
"Understood!"
When Ai-san emphasized it, Haruto replied.
"It's frustrating for everyone, but for now, we have to endure. But the chance to counterattack will definitely come. Let's wait for it."
When I said that, everyone gathered nodded.
(５)
We left the hotel early in the morning, headed to Haneda, and departed for Seoul.
As soon as we arrived in Seoul, we entered the arena.
While everyone was practicing, I insisted on having a press conference before the game.
Because I wanted to focus on the game.
When I said that, the staff agreed.
"For heaven's sake, don't do or say anything reckless."
The staff emphasized that.
And then the press conference began.
"What are your thoughts on the upcoming game?"
A harmless question came.
"We'll win. That's all."
Then a direct question came.
"I hear you're involved in a circle, Katagiri."
"No, I'm not."
"But your girlfriend is in a circle called Unity."
"She's not my girlfriend. She's an important person I've promised my future to."
The reporters murmured.
"But what do you think about that important person being in a promiscuous circle?"
"Unity is not a circle."
"Huh?"
"Unity is a group of important close friends, irreplaceable comrades."
"But I hear you have wild parties every week..."
"Please look at Unity's site. It's just for fun."
"But the content of that fun..."
"You haven't seen the site, have you, reporter? We don't do anything like that at all."
Some reporters opened their laptops on the spot to check the site.
"Then why are these rumors spreading?"
"I've heard there's a circle that misuses our rumors about being a 'mysterious matchmaking group.' It's probably their doing."
"So you're saying you have nothing to do with it?"
"If you doubt me so much, bring me the evidence. Do you have any?"
"W-well..."
"Do you have any? You don't, right?"
The reporters fell silent.
Seeing that, a staff member said,
"We also need to let Katagiri adjust, so please make this the last question."
A woman raised her hand.
It was Sakoshita-san.
"Katagiri, what kind of group is Unity to you?"
"It's a group of friends from high school. The members have increased now, though."
"If you had to choose between Unity and basketball, which would you choose?"
"I would choose Unity without hesitation. But that question is meaningless. Because there's no need to choose."
"Thank you very much."
"Then, we will conclude the press conference here."
Saying that, I left the room.
(６)
"That idiot Toya!"
I was watching because I heard an emergency press conference was being held in the morning, and then Toya started saying outrageous things.
The nature of Unity's existence. His relationship with Tosaka-san. The existence of a hostile circle. He exposed all of it.
Kanna's tone sounded angry, but her face was smiling.
Just then, a message came from Watanabe-kun.
"Toya gave us the opening. Now's our chance. Upload that thing."
"Got it."
I operated my laptop and started preparing.
I had already made it. I was just waiting for the timing to upload it online.
"Makoto, what are you doing?"
"Watanabe-kun gave the go-ahead. Preparing the counterattack."
"Oh! Finally!"
At that moment, a message appeared in the Unity group chat.
"Emi-san, please execute the plan too."
"Understood."
Emi-san's plan?
"It seems Emi, Ai, and Watanabe are going to leak the information they gathered to the media through their connections."
Kanna said.
I see, so for now. That should clear up the suspicion on Unity.
Because information only on the internet lacks credibility.
"I'm not letting it end with just this, Egoist. Be prepared."
Kanna said that, looking triumphant.
It wasn't just Kanna.
"From here on, it's all attack!"
Mika-san seemed excited too.
But it's times like these that we mustn't let our guard down.
We have to proceed carefully.
We haven't fully grasped the whole picture of the enemy yet.
Plus, the matter with Nishimatsu-kun and Saki-san still remains.
What should we do?
Thinking about it won't help.
If I asked Toya, he'd probably give me a straightforward answer, right?
For now, let's focus on cheering for Toya.
"Alright, upload complete."
I closed my laptop.
"Good work."
Kanna called out to me.
"Well, I'll leave the rest to you. I have class soon."
"Oh, me too."
Saying that, as we left the house together, we had our picture taken.
Kanna didn't understand what happened.
I immediately chased after the man who took the picture.
But he got into a car parked nearby and sped off.
Damn it!
"What's wrong, Makoto?"
"It seems they know our address too."
"Huh?"
"They're probably planning to write about us living together."
"Seriously..."
Kanna's legs were trembling. She was clearly shaken.
"Kanna, take the day off. It's dangerous to drive in that state."
"I-I'm fine. I'm okay. More importantly, won't this be a problem for you, Makoto?"
"Don't worry about it. It'll be fine."
Saying that, I hugged Kanna.
"Calmed down?"
"Yeah, thank you."
"Well, take care and go."
"You too, Makoto."
"I know."
Before she drove off, I sent a message to Watanabe-kun.
A reply came back immediately.
"The enemy's methods are easy to understand, which is good. Despicable tactics. In that case, we'll go all out too without holding back."
"What are we going to do?"
"First, let's see their reaction to today's offensive and wait for their move."
Waiting for their move again.
Don't show your trump card first. If you show it, have an even better card in reserve... huh.
It seems it will still take time to seize the initiative.
(７)
"Toya!"
"Airi?"
When I turned around, Airi suddenly hugged me.
If we're seen like this in front of the reporters...
Flashes went off.
The staff hurriedly stepped in to form a wall, but...
"If you do something like this here, it'll become another scoop, you know?"
"Toya, you said I was 'the person you promised your future to.' So that means it's fine, right?"
"...You were listening, huh?"
Airi nodded with a beaming smile.
"Just for a little while, please spend some time with Airi."
Was that Yukari-san and Yui-san who said that?
"What's with the sudden change?"
"I'm happy because Toya called me 'the person I promised my future to' in public."
"I thought I had to say that much for it to get through."
"That's fine with me ♪"
Airi seemed to be in a good mood.
Better than being in a bad mood, I guess.
"Well, I have practice."
"Okay, I'll be cheering for you."
"Thanks. Well, see you after the game."
Saying that, I parted from Airi and the others and entered the court.
Aya tapped me on the head.
"You sure did it big again."
Aya was laughing.
"Man, you bring all sorts of problems... think a little about your teammates who play with you."
Yuichiro said.
"But, a partner you've promised your future to, huh... If someone like that is cheering for you, I've gotta do my best."
Masato said.
As I thought, it was good to have the press conference before the game.
I can focus on the game completely, feeling refreshed and without reservation.
When shooting practice ended, we gathered in front of the bench.
"We're winning today. Don't you dare say Toya is love-blind or anything."
"I want to win so I can eat yakiniku."
"If you win two games, I'll treat you."
Masato said.
"Of course, you're playing the full game in both matches."
"Of course."
"Alright, go!"
When the coach said that, we formed a circle.
"Let's dedicate today's game to Toya and Tosaka-san. Let's win!"
When Masato said that, everyone shouted, "Yeah!"
As the members' names were called, we entered the court.
Today's uniform was black.
The opponents were tall.
Everyone took their positions.
The jump ball was thrown.
My first official match had begun.