Chapter 270 - Counterattack
(1)
Pi-pi-pi-pi...
Click.
I press the alarm button.
The sound of rain is so clear that I don't even need to go outside to check.
Rain again today. It's been continuing lately.
It's the rainy season, so it can't be helped.
But once I'm awake, I'm in a situation where I can't fall back asleep.
Airi is clinging to me tightly.
So close to me since early morning.
I feel the warmth of Airi's body, and the feeling of closeness is pleasant.
It's a perfect state for going back to sleep, but if I do, I'll probably get a "bonk."
I feel that Airi is sleeping peacefully. However, she must have heard the alarm just now.
Because I felt Airi's body twitch.
Since we're this close, I can clearly tell when Airi twitches.
"Airi, it's morning. Good morning."
I try calling out to her, but Airi shows no sign of noticing.
To be precise, she must have noticed, but she isn't reacting.
I've spent almost nine years with Airi, so I know what she's thinking.
However, no matter how many years pass, there are times I feel resistance.
If I do something like that from the morning, won't I be unable to stop?
Knowing Airi, far from hating it, she'd probably accept it with joy.
I considered ignoring her and getting up.
But I don't want to spoil Airi's mood from the morning.
"Airi, it's about time to wake up."
I call out again just to be sure, but she doesn't budge.
I try to force myself up once, but Airi's hugging arms won't allow it.
It's not that she's hating it; I almost want to praise myself for maintaining my sanity while being clung to by a beauty like Airi since early morning.
Her sleeping face is peaceful and cute.
I don't think she's wearing lip gloss, but her sufficiently glossy, delicious-looking lips are wearing a light smile.
She's definitely awake. I can say that for sure.
Nothing will progress if I stay hugged like this.
I overlap my lips with Airi's.
As expected, the arms Airi uses to hug me tighten.
It was supposed to be light, but Airi's tongue would not allow it.
I accept Airi's tongue and we exchange a deep kiss.
When the kiss ends, Airi opens her eyes and smiles.
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
A voice like an angel's whisper is whispered in my ear.
"You were awake, weren't you? You really are a troublesome bride."
I give Airi's head a light bonk.
"Ehehe~"
Airi laughs, sticking out her tongue without looking the least bit apologetic.
"I'd like to get up now, though?"
If I stay in this position, I feel like Airi will demand more, so for now, I want to get up and wash my face.
But the little devil with the face of an angel would not allow it.
"It's raining today too, right? Let's relax a little longer."
"Airi, I've told you many times, but I'm a man too... if we do this from the morning..."
"Is something happening?"
Airi looks as if she's actually wishing for something to happen.
I wrap my hand around Airi's back and undo the hook of her bra.
There is no resistance from Airi.
Airi presses her face against my chest and closes her eyes.
I begin to undress Airi.
Airi raises both hands and accepts it.
I knead Airi's breasts.
"Ah..."
Airi lets out a voice.
I kiss Airi again and continue the caressing.
Just as my hand reaches Airi's lower body, the smartphone alarm rings.
It's the time Airi has to prepare breakfast.
Time really flies when you're doing this kind of thing.
It seems I wasn't the only one feeling an incredible sense of anticlimax.
"Uuu..." Airi groans as she puts on her bra and clothes.
I hug Airi as she tries to get out of bed.
"Time's up already. I have to get ready for the morning."
"Is Airi okay with this?"
I try asking a slightly mean question.
"Of course I'm not. Toya-kun is mean~"
"...Shall we save it until tonight?"
"Will you do it tonight?"
If I don't, she'll pout, right?
When I nod, Airi becomes in a great mood.
"Then, I'll be waiting."
Saying that, Airi leaves the room and heads for the kitchen.
And so, our morning began.
While I leave the room and get ready, Airi finishes making breakfast.
I carry it to the dining table.
Then, the four of us, including my parents, have breakfast.
After eating breakfast, I place the dishes in the kitchen sink and return to my room.
After changing, I watch the morning news.
I look at the local news on the internet.
Bribery allegations involving a prominent politician and a local company.
A scandal involving the management of the local university.
Bribery allegations involving a Bureaucrat at the prefectural office.
A blunder by the local broadcasting station.
The local articles were bustling as if to say "look at all this."
Every single one was a news item I was interested in.
That's only natural. Because every allegation was the result of the retaliation attacks orchestrated by Unity.
The bigger the thing, the more dust comes out when you hit it.
It played out exactly like that.
With this, God probably won't be able to move for a while.
"Ah, it's already become an article, huh?"
Airi had finished getting ready and brought over a mug.
"Seems so."
"I wonder if we'll be okay?"
"Isn't it more than that right now?"
"You're right."
After finishing her café au lait, Airi begins her makeup.
In the meantime, I fold my laptop and put it in my bag.
When I turn on the TV, the local news is all about it.
Bribery allegations involving a rookie prefectural assembly member and a major local company.
The assembly member getting into a car while surrounded by reporters.
I watched, biting into such news.
My smartphone is also ringing.
It's probably about the news.
When Airi finishes getting ready, she sits next to me and presses herself against me.
She's relentless from the morning. I can't focus on the TV news.
I wrap my hand around Airi's waist and pull her close.
"I did my makeup, so you can't~"
Even though Airi says that, she doesn't try to pull away.
Is it okay if I just touch from above?
Thinking that, I stroke Airi's body over her clothes.
"Ah... that tickles... I told you you can't~"
While saying that, Airi entrusts her body to me.
And she notices the abnormal situation of my lower body.
"You really are hopeless..."
Airi laughs, saying that.
Airi was the one who invited me.
I take the plunge and push Airi down.
"Kya!"
Airi lets out a cute scream. This time she resists.
"I told you, there's not that much time~"
"You have second period today, right?"
"It's the same~ I have to set my hair and things again, you know?"
"I can at least make Airi satisfied."
Bonk.
"I don't get satisfied that easily! I'm going to spoil myself with Toya-kun thoroughly tonight."
"You can spoil yourself starting now."
"Look, you'll wrinkle my clothes."
"Just take them off!"
"Uuu..."
Maybe one more push?
Just as I thought that, my smartphone rings.
"...It was almost there."
"Ehehe~ too bad for you."
I answer the phone. It's from Watanabe-kun.
"Ah, Toya. Were you in the middle of something?"
Well, I was in the middle of various things.
"I'm fine, did something happen?"
"Did you see the news just now?"
"News?"
"Check channel 3."
I check channel 3 as Watanabe-kun said.
Local prefectural assembly member emergency hospitalization.
Such a ticker is scrolling.
That's not all.
Local TV station employee disappears.
This is...
"Things have become quite incredible."
Just as Watanabe-kun said, things had become serious.
Airi is also surprised.
"Let's talk about the details at noon or something."
"Got it."
When I hang up, Airi asks.
"What did Watanabe-kun say?"
"He said things have become serious."
"They have, haven't they."
Airi has an anxious look on her face.
I pull Airi close.
"There's no need to worry."
"Yeah..."
Airi's face is gloomy.
"Shall we head to school soon?"
"Yeah."
Airi says that and stands up.
She still seems to be dwelling on it.
I had heard from Makoto what to do in times like this.
I flip up Airi's one-piece dress with all my might.
"It's a floral pattern today."
Bonk.
"Uuu... now I have a different worry. Toya-kun has become perverted."
Airi laughs while saying that.
It seems it had an effect.
"I've always wanted to try that once."
"Toya-kun has times where he thinks that too?"
Airi is surprised.
I'm twenty already. I have that much emotion.
"This is a problem~"
What is?
"I have to make sure I always prepare proper underwear so that it's okay no matter when it's done."
"...Makoto said 'underwear that's just natural also has a good gap'..."
Airi operates her smartphone in silence.
After a while, a message flew in from Makoto.
"What the hell are you snitching about? Things are hectic over here!"
Next, from Kanna!
"You idiot! You don't need to imitate unnecessary things!"
The culprit must be Airi.
After taking the second period, I head to the school cafeteria.
Before the conversation with Watanabe-kun, I receive a warning from Kanna.
"I don't know what Makoto told you, but don't take it seriously! Airi is worried! She said, 'Toya-kun seems to be influenced by Makoto-kun's perverted habits. He's flipping up my skirt since the morning~'..."
"That was simply to distract Airi..."
"I know that~"
If you know, don't tell Kanna.
"But you know, Kanna, there are happy things too. Toya-kun pushed me down since the morning~"
I told you not to say unnecessary things...
Kanna is glaring at me.
From Airi's perspective, she probably intended to support me, but it's just adding fuel to the fire.
"This idiot..."
"Well, isn't it fine? It doesn't seem like Tosaka-san is hating it. The two of them will solve the problem."
Watanabe-kun arrived.
"Can we put that topic aside for a moment?"
"Did something happen?"
It seems I succeeded in diverting the topic.
"Yeah, do you know that God was emergency hospitalized?"
"Yeah, it was on the news this morning. Makoto should know too."
"Then, do you know what happened to Luke?"
"Luke?"
It's a term appearing for the first time.
"He's the desk at the local TV station."
Ah, I see.
"So, what happened to that Luke?"
"You know he disappeared from the TV, right?"
Watanabe-kun's voice becomes a whisper.
Everyone leaned in to listen.
"Apparently, both of them are hospitalized at Nishimatsu Clinic."
"Seriously!"
Kanna is surprised.
"Moreover, apparently both of them are refusing visitors, but there's supposedly nothing wrong with them."
"The 'vanishing into thin air' thing?"
"Probably."
"Hmm."
I didn't feel that much interest.
Even though the opponent's boss vanished, why is that?
Something more important is being hidden.
I can't help but feel that.
"I heard Tange-sensei's suspension has been lifted."
The Eguchi couple and the Sakai couple arrived.
"It seems Manabe-kun's place was also able to receive work orders again after the prefecture's corruption was uncovered."
"That's good."
"Toya, your reaction has been thin for a while now, why is that?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
It's not something to hide, so is it okay?
"It's just a simple intuition."
"Intuition?"
Emi-san asked back.
"Yeah, I feel like we're still overlooking some large existence."
"Now that you mention it, for someone called God, he does feel like a small fry,"
Akira-san says.
"But isn't it fine? With this, the group called Egoist has been crushed for the time being,"
Ishihara-kun says.
Is that really so? Both Emperor and Warlock haven't been caught yet.
"Since we've captured God, shall we quickly deal with Emperor too?"
Akira-san says.
"Yeah, there's no doubt that we can go on the offensive. The advantage is on our side... but..."
"But?"
Shimizu-san asks back.
"I feel like there's still some kind of trump card, or something they're hiding. ...And."
"...And?"
"If we step in any further, it'll be bad! My intuition is telling me so."
"What do you mean by bad?"
Emi-san says.
"I feel like there's a giant backer attached that's beyond our capability to handle."
"Isn't it too late for that? Even now, it's already a sufficiently dangerous territory. Isn't everyone doing this with that resolve?"
"Can you still say that from now on? Can everyone say they're fine even if someone even more dangerous comes?"
"That's..."
Emi-san was at a loss for words.
"Is it such a dangerous organization~?"
Airi asks.
"Probably."
"...Isn't that great! Let's do it thoroughly. Watanabe-kun also said it. If we're hit, we hit back! That's the Unity way."
"We need to ask if everyone has that resolve..."
Watanabe-kun said.
"For that, we first need to know the size of the opponent. First, get to know the opponent, then break them down. There's no need to break our stance so far. If Toya says it to that extent, let's investigate the reality."
"...If everyone is okay with that."
"Then, until then, let's move as we have been. If I judge it's dangerous, I'll pull back. Is that okay, Toya?"
"Yeah..."
We didn't know yet. That the opponent was someone with a deep fate for Airi, and for me...
(2)
The Takahashi family.
A prestigious family with vast land in the city.
A distinguished lineage with someone who served as Prime Minister among their relatives.
I was guided by a caretaker to a wide tea room. In the garden, a Japanese garden is beautifully maintained.
I look at the old man preparing tea while sitting in seiza on the clean tatami.
This old man is my parent. Takahashi Kenshin. The true ruler of the local area.
When my father hands me the tea, I sip it.
During that time, there is not a single word of conversation.
When I finish the tea and place the bowl down, my father opens his mouth.
"Your son is also a troublesome one..."
"I have no excuse."
I bow my head deeply.
The son is the rookie prefectural assembly member, Takahashi Sora.
The head of the group Egoist, created as a prank.
He calls himself God.
"What's passed is passed. However, inheriting this house will be impossible. ...God, huh. He's nothing more than a clown praised by the ignorant masses."
My father harshly criticizes his own grandson.
"My son's blunder is my blunder. I will clean it up."
"No, I will not permit you to lay a hand on it."
His tone is gentle, but his true intention is cold.
"That fellow is already over twenty. He must be made to settle his own blunders himself..."
"...As you wish."
"I called you for another matter..."
"As you command."
"Bring it."
When he says that to the secretary, the secretary presents a tea envelope.
I look at the contents.
"Masato Katagiri and Yuta Tosaka... who are these two?"
"Katagiri and Tosaka. I became interested in those two names and had them investigated. My intuition hasn't faded."
The two who once cornered the Takahashi Group. I had heard the stories, but...
"Conceal the evidence before these two notice."
Don't let them notice the connection between the Takahashi Group and Sora.
Is that it.
That means...
"I hear those two have become wolves with their fangs pulled now, but they might just be making it seem that way. Be careful."
"I understand."
"The Shimizu family and Eguchi family are also involved with the opponent. They are strong enemies."
"My son's blunder, I will..."
"Son? You have no son. All I have is a cute granddaughter. I hear that girl has also obtained a fine lover."
"Who will handle Sora's disposal?"
"Do not say such reckless things!"
My father shouts.
"I should have said it. 'All I have is a cute granddaughter'..."
"...I understand."
No further remarks were permitted.
Concealment of evidence, no son.
Making that a fact is my job.
Not ordered by anyone. Something done by my own discretion.
That's the script.
First, what must be done is the creation of the fact that there is no son.
After that, erasing the footprints.
"If you understand, you may leave. You're busy with various things, aren't you? My apologies."
"No... then, please excuse me."
Saying that, I leave the tea room.
When leaving the house, I take the envelope.
When I get in the car and look at it, the future instruction sheet is written.
When I return home and read it, I put it through the shredder.
After putting it through the shredder, I go to a family restaurant.
When I sit in the designated position, a man in a suit arrives.
The man sits opposite me at the table.
I hand over the prepared sealed letter.
When the man receives it, he leaves the seat.
With this, one job is finished.
When I return to the car, I make a call.
"Yes, this is Takamori."
That is the sign.
"What is the business?"
"My son is no longer here."
"...I understand."
Forgive me, my son.
Everything is rust that came from one's own body.
I shed tears as a parent. But any emotion beyond that is forbidden.
If I show mercy carelessly, the next one to be erased will be me.
"I sympathize with your loss,"
the driver says.
"Do not say such reckless things."
"My tongue slipped, please forgive me."
"That's fine. Drive."
Today looks like it will be a busy day.
(3)
"As I thought, a god was just an idol."
The boy in the grey hoodie in front of me says.
God made a blunder.
I should have given a warning.
This is the result of ignoring that warning.
"Do you have the next move thought out? Warlock."
"Yeah, I think I'll let them use their hands."
"Meaning?"
"I'll show all of our cards. While mixing in fakes."
"What do you mean?"
"There is no god. However, they believe there is a god. I'll utilize that."
So he'll start by misleading them about the reality of the organization?
"Our roles have changed. Not the maintenance of the organization. It's concealment."
"That's certainly true."
That's what was written in Grandfather's letter.
"That alone isn't enough,"
I said.
Hearing that, he laughed.
"I know. The regeneration of the organization is necessary. I'll rebuild it into something completely different."
He says he'll cut and discard the unnecessary things.
"The processing of those who were cut?"
"I'll leave it to the Executioner."
They'll execute them.
It looks like it'll be a large-scale cleanup.
"The Executioner should be busy too, right?"
"True, there's a top priority."
"We must also carry out our objective."
"I know. As your beautiful heart desires."
"First, where do we start?"
"If it were you, where would you start?"
"The removal of stains."
"That's no good. If you touch the stains, even your hands will become dirty."
"Then?"
"The stains can just be left as stains."
"If we do that, we'll be tracked."
"We can just put cleaning agent into the stains, right?"
"Even if you put cleaning agent in, a stain is a stain."
"You're clever. Exactly. However, it works as a deception."
"...You're deceiving them."
"That's it."
I roughly understood what Warlock wanted to say.
I intentionally didn't ask for the concrete plan.
"Then, we shouldn't have the luxury of staying like this. Shall we go, beautiful you?"
"Yes."
When we leave the room, I settle the payment.
"Phones are also dangerous, let's decide on days to meet regularly. Is every other week okay?"
"Got it."
"Then, see you."
He waves his hand.
I also leave the place.
After walking for a while, a black luxury car was stopped.
When I stand beside the car, the driver gets out and opens the door.
"How did the matter proceed?"
"No problem, let's leave it to Warlock."
"As you wish, 'Pope'."
The car pulls away.
"Goodbye, brother-in-law."
I whispered those words and prayed for my brother-in-law's soul.
(4)
Knock knock.
"Toya, come here for a moment. Airi-chan too."
Toya-kun and I are called by Maya-san.
The two of us look at each other's faces and stand up, then leave the room.
In the living room, Toya-kun's Father and my Father were there.
The two of them tell us to sit.
Toya-kun and I sat on the sofa.
"What's wrong?"
Toya-kun asks.
"Takahashi Sora... you know him, right?"
"Ah, the person on TV."
"The main culprit of the Egoists, the existence called God. And you are members of the opposing organization, Unity... is that correct?"
Toya-kun's Father says. I wonder why he's so detailed.
"...The Takahashi Group has a history with my father and the others... I kept it a secret from the mothers..."
"With Father and the others?"
When Toya-kun asks back, both of them nod in silence.
"Stop getting involved. It's extremely dangerous."
Toya-kun's Father says.
Toya-kun asks back without being shaken.
"How is it dangerous?"
"...It might result in Toya-kun and the others' futures being dropped into the abyss."
Father said.
"I don't understand what you're saying."
"It means they are an existence that can do as they please with the future of a mere commoner."
Toya-kun's Father said.
Toya-kun is thinking.
Come to think of it, Toya-kun did say it. That he feels it's dangerous to step in any further. Toya-kun's premonitions often come true.
I thought Toya-kun would say he'll pull back. But he didn't.
"What happened between the Takahashi Group and Father and the others?"
"...A long time ago, Tosaka-san and I were searching for the darkness of the Takahashi Group. We found important evidence that was one step away from bringing them to the brink of collapse. Then, suddenly, I was demoted. I was pushed into a dormant position."
When Toya-kun's Father says that, my Father continues.
"I was also working in Investigation Division 2. I was active as a capable detective. However, when I cornered the Takahashi Group, all the evidence was seized, and I was reassigned to Investigation Division 4."
I couldn't find my voice at their words.
Just as Toya-kun said, they are a dangerous opponent. You should stop. Toya-kun, you'll seriously become unable to play basketball, you know?
But Toya-kun said.
"I'll ask Father, but did you raise a son who would hear such a story and just say 'I understand'?"
When Toya-kun says that, he grins and says "As if there's any way that would happen," and
Toya-kun's Father held a USB memory stick.
"What is this?"
Toya-kun asked Toya-kun's Father.
"It's a file summarizing the evidence Father and the others investigated. I'll tell you now. Once you see it, you can't turn back."
"You're giving it to me with that intention, right?"
"Well, as expected of my son. Your intuition is sharp."
"Father, please wait! Is it okay no matter what happens to these children's futures!? This isn't something you can just throw away with a cheap sense of justice!"
"If he's a man, I intend to have raised a child with that much courage. 'A warm night that lights up in the cold, harsh winter night'—I gave him his name with that wish."
"...I hope my daughter is taken by such a person. Airi's strength of heart is inherited from Rie. I believe she will support Toya-kun until the end."
Toya-kun is hesitating.
He looks at my face.
Toya-kun's will is firm. But he's unable to step forward, thinking of me and everyone.
The thing I can do is...
I grasp Toya-kun's hand.
"I'll follow Toya-kun until the end."
When I convey that to Toya-kun, Toya-kun makes up his mind and accepts the USB memory stick.
"Toya!"
Maya-san says. Toya-kun's Father stops her.
"You said it too, that Toya is already an adult. That he can decide things for himself."
Father says.
"Airi, Rie also said it. If you intend to marry him, support him until the end."
I know. I'll support him properly.
"The password is 'Flower of Hope'. Decide among yourselves whether to look at it."
Toya-kun's Father says.
Toya-kun nodded.
"Thank you, I'll use it carefully."
"Yeah, handle it cautiously. That is the last hope."
"Sorry about that, the two of you should talk it over."
"Airi, shall we return to the room?"
"Yeah..."
We returned to the room.
"Father and the others' story was surprising, wasn't it."
"Yeah..."
"...What will you do?"
"I have to treat it with care."
"You're right..."
"Airi?"
"What?"
"Do you have any regrets?"
"About what?"
It's something Toya-kun decided. I decided to follow him.
So I won't have any regrets. I'll just move forward with Toya-kun.
Toya-kun puts the USB memory stick in the desk drawer.
"Let's keep this until the next time everyone gathers."
"You're right."
The Flower of Hope connected by Toya-kun, me, and the fathers.
The flag of counterattack has been raised. Now we just move forward.
Though I can only watch over them.
I've properly received the will of the fathers.
I'll absolutely never let it wither.