Chapter 281 - The Continuation of the Dream
（１）
「Toya-kun, it's morning~」
「……」
「？」
It's been a while. A voice calling me in the morning.
Waking to Airi's voice, I sit up and stretch.
Today's a day off, I'll take it easy.
「Hurry up and get dressed, we're going jogging!」
Airi urges me on.
Rushed, I change and we start jogging.
We run for about an hour and come back. After showering and eating breakfast, Dad is watching TV.
Looks like there's a special news bulletin.
It seems everyone from Unity leaked the file "Freesia" detailing the Takahashi Group's dark secrets to the TV stations.
It aired nationwide and became a huge scandal.
The names of Kanbe faction Diet members came out one after another, throwing the TV into an uproar.
It was even reported on the local TV station.
Names of local companies being reported one after another.
It became news that could shake the very foundations of the local area.
"Hermit" was also captured, and it was revealed that a man named Takagi Seigo was still alive.
Evidence supporting that was also inside "Freesia".
The Takahashi Group must have taken a critical hit.
Behind the Takahashi Group scandal, the dissolution of the Egoists was also reported.
The existence of Hope and Warlock wasn't revealed due to them being minors, but the Takagi family connection was reported.
Our battle is over.
「Good work」
Dad says that and pats my shoulder.
When the special program ends, we go back to the room.
「We really did something amazing, didn't we」
「Yeah」
No one would think that the very people who instigated all this are fooling around like this since morning.
Airi has been in a good mood since morning.
If I fully enjoy the physical contact with her, my own sexual desire also starts to rise.
I hug Airi, push her down, and when I try to unhook her bra, I get a soft tap.
「We can't do it here~ What if Maya-san comes in?」
「Then, it's okay if it's not here, right」
「……Fine」
Saying that, Airi starts getting ready.
I also hurry to change.
Today we're planning to gather at the family restaurant from noon and party until night.
I didn't ask why it's from noon.
We need to take care of things in the morning.
When Airi is ready, we head out.
We get to the hotel, wash up, and then I cover Airi.
Even while I'm with Airi, I'm worried about the TV.
I can't help but watch it.
Airi turns off the TV with the remote and says to me.
「Right now, just be inside me……」
After savoring Airi's body after so long, we lie down together and watch TV.
The tabloid-style shows, and the Diet session coverage, all are dominated by that topic.
The opposition's questioning, enough to make even Prime Minister Kaminobe struggle to answer.
The prefectural assembly is probably in a similar state right now about things that happened locally.
Eventually, it will likely close with the cutting off of the tail (shippo-kiri) of Takahashi Kenshin.
Airi still seemed dissatisfied, as she eagerly toyed with me.
Not yet sated with Airi, I hug her and caress her entire body.
Airi occasionally cries out, her breathing ragged.
After the second time, Airi finally quiets down beside me.
She looks enraptured, clinging to me and urging me to pay more attention to her.
I hold such an Airi close, whisper sweet words to her, and she is content.
As the hotel's usage time draws to a close, we shower together and get dressed.
Leaving the hotel, we arrive at the meeting family restaurant.
Everyone is there, along with Warlock and an unfamiliar girl sitting there.
「Let me introduce you, Moroboshi Kosei and Kozaki Naru. 『Warlock』 and 『Pope』」
Watanabe-kun says.
Airi is surprised by Watanabe-kun's words.
I make such an Airi sit next to me, and I also take a seat.
「So, what's up with those two?」
Watanabe-kun talks about what happened while I was away.
「……So, I was thinking about what we should do with them from now on」
「What are you thinking, Watanabe-kun?」
「I think leaving them alone is dangerous. They're right in the middle of the incident. If left alone, they might be targeted again」
「If that's the case, I have a good idea」
Emi-san says.
「My family will take them in. That way, no one can touch them」
「Is that okay?」
「I don't mind. There are still things we might need their testimony for, and it'll be convenient since we'll hire our family's lawyer for them」
「Then, I'll leave it to you」
The matter was settled between Emi-san and Watanabe-kun.
「We've really caused you all so much trouble」
「We are truly sorry」
Warlock and Pope bow their heads deeply.
「Don't be so formal. The battle is over. We're allies now」
Huh?
Everyone is speechless at Watanabe-kun's words….
「Watanabe-kun, I hate to think it, but those two, could they possibly be……」
「Ah, I'm thinking of having them join Unity」
Airi is surprised.
I'm not all that surprised.
Because when he said he was troubled about what to do, I somehow figured it might lead to this.
「That's what I think, but I want to hear everyone's opinions. Toya, what do you think?」
The answer was already set from the beginning.
「This group is Watanabe-kun's group, so I'll just follow your decision, Watanabe-kun」
When I say that, everyone is in an uproar.
There's the opinion, "They were our enemies until just now. There's no guarantee they won't betray us!" and the opinion, "We can't just abandon people in need."
The opinions clash without reaching a consensus.
The two in question are…
「We can't be so presumptuous as to cause you all trouble and then do this」
「We'll manage on our own, the two of us, so please don't worry about us」
These two will probably manage fine on their own.
But….
Maybe I really do need to say something to make things work out?
「Isn't it fine? Letting them join」
「Toya-kun!?」
Airi seems to be on the opposing side.
「They might still be plotting something, you know? It's dangerous」
Airi whispers to me.
「Because it's dangerous, we need to keep an eye on them, right? If we keep them close, they can't act too rashly, can they? Besides, they'll be staying at Emi-san's place」
When I say this, everyone falls into thought.
One more push, maybe?
「There are still things I want to ask them. I think we need to include them as allies to get those answers. If they're allies, everyone will help them, right?」
No one objects anymore.
「So, Watanabe-kun」
「Ah, right……」
Watanabe-kun invites the two to Unity.
「Thank you very much. We look forward to working with you」
「We look forward to working with you」
The two bow their heads deeply again.
Without paying much attention to them, I continue speaking.
「So, about what I want to ask……」
「It's about Emperor, isn't it?」
Warlock… Kosei says that.
Yes, I'm worried about Emperor's whereabouts being unknown.
Even though his identity has been uncovered, he hasn't been caught. What does that mean?
"Egoist is already disbanded. There's no need to worry about it anymore," says Emi-san.
"No, the fact that Emperor and the lower-ranking members haven't been caught at all despite the disbandment is unnatural," says Akira-san.
「Kosei-kun. What's the situation with that?」
「Their funding sources were managed through black-market businesses. Even separated from us, they can function well enough」
The routes for the black-market businesses should have been submitted along with "Freesia".
They're probably crushed by now.
I check with Makoto.
「Ah, the whole site has been wiped. That line is a dead end」
Makoto asserts.
「Hey? Does that mean Emperor and the others might still be planning something?」
Ai-san says.
「We have no way of knowing that. We've been cast out by the Takahashi Group now」
Naru-san speaks calmly.
「What do you think, Toya? Want me to look into it?」
Makoto asks.
I shake my head.
「No, I was just curious. They probably can't do anything too significant. At most, they'll just create a second Egoist」
「Isn't that a problem?」
Ai-san says.
「I think I said this before, but we've proven our own existence. The rest is the responsibility of the people who would fall for them」
「I think Toya is right. We've made our presence known. The rest is the problem of the ones getting tricked」
Watanabe-kun says.
「I've built my own search bot. I'll keep monitoring using that」
Makoto says.
「Then let's go with that plan. If they make a big move, it'll reach my ears, or Ai's, or Haruto's」
「Yeah」
「Yeah, right」
When Watanabe-kun says that, the two nod.
That's right. A headless thing can only writhe in agony and then wait for death.
There's nothing to worry about.
But is it just my imagination that an alarm keeps ringing in my heart?
（２）
「Koki! I'm telling you it's okay! There's no need to be so irritated. I told you it's safe here!」
「Shut up! You want to get hit too!?」
After hearing about the Fukuoka incident, I left home and ran away immediately.
I had plenty of places to escape to.
I had kept track of a few women's houses from the group chat.
I holed up in one of them.
Seems like Warlock and Pope also ran away.
Leaving word that the Egoists were disbanding.
How damn convenient for them!
What are we supposed to do now?
The doorbell rings.
The woman goes to the entrance.
「There's no one here besides me!」
The woman yells.
Probably letting me know.
The cops seem to be thoroughly investigating me.
But this is the third floor, how can I escape?
「Hey! Don't come in with your shoes on!!」
I hear stomping sounds.
Three men in white suits appear.
Is this the end?
「At ease. We are not police」
The man hands me a business card.
Sudo Group?
That Sudo Group?
「We have secured a safe location. We would like you to come with us」
「Can I trust you?」
「The police will be circling around here soon enough. Now, hurry」
I didn't trust the men, but the cops were definitely coming, right?
I had no choice but to follow them.
「We'll prepare a new smartphone for you. Leave yours behind」
Probably worried about smartphone GPS tracking.
I obeyed the men.
I was taken in a white minivan to an ordinary house in a residential area near the local university.
No one is inside.
A smartphone is placed on the table.
I'll use that to communicate. They'll also take care of my daily needs.
But telling me not to step outside even once, the men left.
Then the smartphone rings.
When I answer, I hear a somewhat middle-aged, gruff voice.
「Nice to meet you, Kamenashi Koki-kun. Or would it be better to call you Emperor?」
「Just who the hell are you?」
「From now on, you may call me Dragon」
First God, now a Dragon?
「Dragon, what's your reason for calling me?」
「I was thinking of preparing a new stage for you」
「What the hell do you mean?」
「Being used and then thrown away like this is just too pathetic, isn't it?」
「You're planning to use me too, aren't you?」
「It's business. I want to make a deal. What I provide is the funds and a place for you to operate. What I ask for in return is the network you've built」
「My network is useless」
「I know. I don't need your underlings. What I want are the clients you have」
「You want me to start another circle?」
「You're quick on the uptake」
I thought about it. Should I agree to this deal?
「I don't think you have a choice but to agree, though?」
The man is right. I have no choice.
「Alright」
「Good, you're a reasonable man. The necessary equipment is in your room, upstairs on the second floor. If you need anything else, ask 『Death』」
「Got it」
「Then, start operations immediately. I've already asked 『Magician』 to create a site」
「You sure they're skilled enough?」
「They're definitely better than the 『Wizard』 you chose」
「Okay. I'll trust you. What's the name of the new circle?」
「"urbanity (Aabaniti)"」
With that, the call ended.
The call log says "Dragon".
I go up to the second floor and see a PC set up in the room.
I boot it up immediately. It seems to be connected to the internet. There's an email.
I open the email. It contains a URL, ID, and password. The sender is Magician.
I check out the site. This is… I see, so that's how it is?
I see, a "refined" circle, huh.
I called a woman.
「Ah, it's me, Emperor. I want to introduce you to a good circle……」
And so, the second act of my life began.
（３）
「Alright, kanpai!」
We were all toasting at a yakiniku restaurant.
Facing the meat, all my worries fly away.
Just the task of grilling and eating meat nonstop.
It's okay, I'm eating my vegetables properly too.
Tap
「Toya-kun, you eat it raw, so I'll grill it for you」
「It's fine, I can grill it myself」
「I'll grill for you♪」
「……Yes, ma'am」
「So even you have a weakness, huh」
You'll realize it too someday, Tasuku, that there are just some people you can never oppose….
「What were you just thinking about?」
Airi's really perceptive lately.
「No, just that Dad told me never to go against a cute wife」
「That's right~」
「Still, I never thought we'd actually become the best in the world」
Tasuku is amazed.
「We still have a long way to go. There's still the Asian Championship after this」
「If you know that, please stop the excessive eating and drinking already!」
Sakura-san says.
「Forget about me, but Ishihara-kun, you're amazing too, right? They said you fought all alone against a world-class assassin?」
「I-It's nothing that big of a deal」
「Oh? I thought it was impressive. I guess I don't need a bodyguard anymore」
Emi-san says.
「Emi, I'm not losing to you. I'm retraining Zen-kun right now」
Akira-san says. Sakai-kun doesn't seem to have much of an appetite.
「But, it feels good to have so many happy things happen all at once, doesn't it」
Takemoto-kun says.
「When are you leaving for your trip, Takemoto-kun?」
「I'm thinking of going within this month」
「It's nice to have a husband who's considerate like that, huh, Saki」
Kanna says.
「Kanna, do you want to go on a trip?」
「That's not what I meant. I said I envy how you care for your wife」
「Hey, I'm always thinking about Kanna!」
「Oh? How so?」
「I'm always trying to understand how Kanna feels!」
「And how exactly does that lead to you wanting me to wear a maid outfit? Explain」
「Urk, well that's…」
Makoto, even I can't defend you there.
「Tada-kun, you're the worst! You're still making Kanna do that!?」
Ai-san takes the lead, and Makoto gets bombarded with attacks.
The guys deliberately say nothing.
I just silently eat the meat Airi grilled for me.
Oh, this place has motsunabe too.
「Excuse me, one order of motsunabe……」
Tap
「That's enough!」
Airi scolds me.
「I don't like how all the guys are staying quiet! Are you all thinking the same thing?」
Mika-san says to the guys.
「I told you last time, that's not it」
Watanabe-kun tries to calm her down.
I feel the same, Airi dotes on me plenty without having to dress up like that… I'm not really interested, I guess?
Tap
「Why am I getting hit?」
「Toya-kun, you don't need to think, just eat, okay」
「That's why I'm saying Airi…」
「Just eat, okay♪」
「……Yes, ma'am」
But then Kanna jumps in.
「I'm curious, how about you, Toya? Don't you want to make Airi wear one?」
「Kanna, stop worrying about unnecessary things」
「It's nothing to hide, is it? Let me go, Toya」
Well, it's not something to hide, I guess.
「I just thought that Airi devotes herself to me plenty without having to wear something like that」
「So what about you?」
Huh?
「What do you do for Airi?」
「I think about Airi properly. I've been spending more time cuddling with Airi lately. Like before going to school」
「Toya-kun! You don't have to say all that!」
「Come to think of it, you said you were doing it with Tosaka-san this morning!?」
Makoto says something unnecessary.
「For the record, Toya-kun doesn't do anything weird! He just lets me cling to him a little!」
Sometimes I wonder who's the one clinging more, though.
「……Haruto, have you ever wanted me to wear a maid outfit or something?」
「N-No way!! I couldn't make you do something like that!」
「You mean it wouldn't suit me?」
「That's not it, it's still too early for us!」
Haruto is panicking.
Shiratori-san has gotten assertive too.
「So 'too early' means you're thinking about making her wear one eventually?」
Kanna delivers a follow-up attack.
「No! I'm not interested in that kind of stuff!」
「Then what are you interested in?」
「Normal is fine!」
Everyone probably thinks I want Airi to do nyotaimori, don't they?
I absolutely won't forgive such disrespect to food!
Food is food, Airi is Airi, the best way is to enjoy both separately!
「Hey, Kosei. Eat more!」
「I'm fine without eating that much」
「Saying things like that is why you're still a shrimp. Eat!」
Mika-san is bothering Kosei.
Watanabe-kun steps in.
「Don't mess with the minor」
「I'm not trying to get him to drink alcohol, so it's fine, right!?」
「It's his first time, be gentle with him?」
「Speaking of first times, have Kosei and Naru done it yet!?」
「Done what?」
「I mean, are you two lovers!?」
「We're not. Just friends」
「That's the time when you're most uncertain! Don't worry, leave it to your big sisters here, no problem」
She's even starting in on Naru-san….
「What, what? If it's a story like that, count me in」
「I'm interested too!」
Ai-san and Emi-san join in.
「If you want to toughen him up, I could even run a training camp over summer break」
「Kosei is already wonderful enough!」
「Oh? So you've been looking at him that way?」
Say one careless thing, and these ladies will immediately latch onto the implication.
But Kosei-kun doesn't seem too fazed, though.
「If Naru is willing, I'm fine anytime, you know?」
Kosei shows his composure.
Naru-san blushes and keeps her head down.
「Well, it's about that time, so let's call the first party a wrap」
Watanabe-kun says.
I've eaten enough too, so I'm fine with that.
As we leave, Kosei-kun and Naru-san are picked up by a car from Emi-san's place, so we part ways.
「Thank you very much for today」
「Thank you very much」
「Don't worry about it. This is what Unity does. Come again」
「Yes」
The two leave.
「Alright, second party at the usual place, good?」
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone shuffles off towards the shop.
（４）
「That was fun」
「Yeah」
Naru and I parted ways with everyone after the first party and headed to Emi-san's house.
When was the last time I laughed this much?
Since Mother and Father died?
Since I became Kenshin's granddaughter?
Before that, I was living happily and normally.
Until the accident that day.
When I learned of the two deaths in the accident, I was at a loss.
I had no relatives. Just when I thought that, my grandfather, whom I thought was dead, appeared.
And then Kenshin took a liking to me….
My future had turned into a rusted blue sky.
The one who illuminated me in that darkness was Kosei….
Kosei was my only support.
Kosei literally risked his life to save me.
That day too, he hijacked the enemy's Bluetooth, sent the attack location to Unity, and Unity stopped it.
If it had been discovered, Kosei's life would have been in danger.
What was I able to do for Kosei?
Was it a mistake to invite Kosei into the Egoists?
Is it my fault that Kosei is where he is now?
「Hey, Kosei?」
「What?」
「If I hadn't invited you back then, could you have lived a happy life?」
I was asking a pointless question.
But the words that came out of his mouth were different from what I expected.
「Well, if I said 'I probably could have been happy,' would that satisfy you?」
「I'm sorry」
I didn't even know what I was apologizing for.
「Meeting you brought light into what I thought was a boring life. A faded world turned colorful. That's a fact.」
And yet you're the one who gave me light….
「I mean it. If you wish, I'll search out a dazzling tomorrow for you as many times as it takes. Even from a darkness where you can't see a single star, or from the bottom of an endless sorrow. I want to show a wonderful world to you, who seeks just a single light. I've always felt that way. Even now.」
「You've already given me that. More than enough. From now on, I have to search for it on my own.」
「Don't say such lonely things, like you're alone. I told you, didn't I? I'll search for it as many times as it takes.」
「But I can't do anything for you.」
「I'm still getting something from you, even now. Just being able to sit next to you, I think that's a wonderful thing.」
Unconsciously, I had grasped his hand.
Then, as I hurriedly tried to let go, he held my hand instead.
I didn't resist.
Seeing us like this, Shinjo-san says.
「Would you prefer adjoining rooms?」
Shinjo-san had a smile on his lips.
「No, thank you!」
「Ah, what a shame. It was such a good opportunity.」
How serious is this man?
「Well then, if you say it properly, would sharing a room be okay?」
What are you going to say?
「I like you, Naru. From now on, not as Warlock and Pope, but I want you to be with me as Kosei and Naru.」
Is that a confession?
「There's one condition though」
「What is it?」
He's smiling.
「No sharing a room, okay?」
「How disappointing. I was looking forward to spending the night with the beautiful you.」
「There's no need to rush, is there?」
「Is that so?」
「That's right.」
The matchmaking circle, Unity.
It seems its blessings have even been bestowed upon us, who were once its enemies.
Their circle probably goes on bringing happiness like this.
Even to the ends of this world.
（５）
After the second party ended, some went on to a third, others went home.
We decided to go home.
We hailed a taxi and headed home.
「Hey, Toya-kun」
「What is it?」
「I wonder what'll happen to those two?」
「They'll probably be under Emi-san's protection until everything is settled」
「And after that?」
Toya-kun, who was looking out the window, looks at me?
「Will those two be separated?」
「That won't happen」
Toya-kun says with a laugh.
「They're probably having a good dream right now, aren't they?」
「What happens after that dream? Will it end?」
「That's for those two to decide. It's not for us around them to meddle in」
That's not what I mean, Toya-kun. I want to know what you think will happen.
「Do you think they'll work out?」
「They will, won't they?」
「How can you be so sure?」
Toya-kun makes a face like, "Huh?"
「Because those two were already looking at the same future」
Only you would understand that, Toya-kun.
「Same future~ I'm jealous~」
「Airi, aren't you looking at the same future as me?」
「Are you blaming me?」
「It's not?」
Tap
「Toya-kun, you're always looking here and there, just glancing around everywhere, aren't you?」
「Ah, I see what you mean」
Then Toya-kun said kindly.
「I always know where Airi is looking, so I can lead the way even without looking」
I'm sure he'll forgive me now if I blame it on being drunk.
I hug Toya-kun.
「Thank you」
「There's nothing to worry about」
「Yeah」
But please, just for tonight. I want you to see the same future as me.
Please protect my one and only hope.
Take me to the wonderful world.