Chapter 282 - An Unconcealable Beginning
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
When Airi announced the arrival of morning, I woke up.
Though it seemed Airi would rather I hadn't woken up.
As proof, when I tried to get up, she clung to my chest and wouldn't let go.
Airi pleaded with upturned eyes.
I patted such Airi's head and said.
"It's time for our jog, right?"
"Ugh..."
Airi pouted but reluctantly released me.
When I started changing, Airi also started changing.
Then we performed our daily morning routine.
After the routine, we showered and ate breakfast, and sometimes while Airi was showering, I would make coffee and bring it to the room.
When Airi returned from her shower, she noticed the aromatic scent and, delighted, hugged me.
"You'll catch a cold if you don't dry your hair, you know?"
"Ugh... I can't tell if Toya-kun is kind or mean."
While grumbling, Airi dried her hair with a hairdryer in front of the vanity.
Meanwhile, I watched the news.
While fiddling with my smartphone, watching the usual news, Airi came back and hugged me.
When I put my arm around such Airi's shoulder, she was satisfied and started drinking her café au lait.
"Hey, Toya-kun?"
"What's wrong?"
"I was thinking, you know~..."
What Airi thinks at times like this is usually no good.
Today was as usual.
"Don't you think we should change how I call you 'Toya-kun' soon?"
"Why?"
"Because, you know. We're already living like a married couple, aren't we? It's strange to keep calling you 'Toya-kun' forever."
"I don't really mind... but what other ways are there to call me?"
"'Toya-san' or 'Toya'..."
Was I the only one who felt those weren't that different?
I don't know if she was dissatisfied with my reaction, but Airi's proposals escalated.
"After all, wouldn't 'Anata' or 'Darling' or 'Hubby' be better?"
The last one would probably make Makoto happy.
That aside, isn't 'Darling' a bit too soon when we're not even married?
"Airi, isn't it fine the way it's been?"
"But... it's okay for now, but if we get married, 'Toya-kun' would definitely be weird."
"Why don't you ask in a girls' group chat or something, what married people call their husbands?"
"Okay~"
Airi picked up her smartphone and typed a message.
Then she waited for a reply.
During that time, I didn't slack off on physical affection with Airi.
Airi, saying things like "You shouldn't bother me now," but not showing any sign of dislike.
It seemed a reply came.
"I call him by his name without honorifics," "Same as before," "I call him Zen-kun," etc. Mostly everyone had the same answer.
"See? I told you?" When I said that, Airi seemed reluctantly convinced.
How should I explain to make her understand?
"Airi-chan"
I tried calling her name.
Airi was surprised.
"How did you feel just now?"
"I thought, 'What's with the sudden!?'"
"That's what happens when you do something unfamiliar. Doing it the same as before is best."
"Ugh..."
I hugged Airi, who was still troubled.
"It's fine to call me however Airi wants. But no matter how you call me, I'm still me. I belong to Airi."
"...Okay~"
Not sure if she was convinced by my words or happy about being hugged, but Airi hugged me back.
"Ah, Toya-kun, it's almost time!"
Told by Airi, I looked at the clock. Indeed, I had to get ready soon or I wouldn't make it.
Today was the day we were all going to the amusement park.
It was set up mainly for the sake of Kosei and Naru-san.
It seemed Naru-san had received a confession from Kosei that night.
And Naru-san accepted it.
"We've gotta create an event for those two!" Mika-san said.
"Well, a two-person date downtown would be risky, so it's better for us to tag along too," Kanna said.
And so, the free members gathered and decided to go to the amusement park.
I thought the main purpose was just to tease the two of them for flirting.
"Well, it's not bad to create some summer vacation memories for middle schoolers," Watanabe-kun said.
"In that case, how about camping at the lake?" When Makoto suggested, everyone agreed.
While I was loading the luggage, Airi finished her preparations.
And we left the house.
"I wonder if those two are getting along~?"
"They seemed to get along from the start, so it should be fine."
"But they're still middle schoolers. There might be all sorts of things, right~?"
"Did something happen for Airi?"
"Ugh... I had lots of fights with Toya-kun."
That's still the case, isn't it?
"Is that something you'd rather not remember?"
"No, they're all precious memories."
"Then, no problem, right?"
"...That's right!"
Whether she understood my intentions, Airi seemed convinced.
Those two have to solve things between themselves.
If they're completely lost, we can step in.
But forcing things isn't good.
Because their future is for those two to decide.
(2)
Nozomi and I went to pick up Naru and Kosei at my parents' house.
As a side, Nozomi greeted my parents.
While Nozomi and my parents were talking, the two seemed to have finished preparing.
We headed to the amusement park with Nozomi driving.
"Have you located the Emperor?"
Kosei asked.
"We're investigating now. The police are also on the move. They'll be caught before long."
"I see..."
"But this isn't something you need to worry about, you know?"
"Huh?"
"You two are going to live in a world unconnected to the Takahashi Group from now on. It's no use clinging to the past."
"However, there is something that concerns me..."
"If there is something like that, you should consult with us. It's not something for you to be involved in. The media will probably continue to pursue you. That can't be helped given what you did. But there's no need to be bound by that."
"Understood."
"So, what's the concerning point?"
Nozomi asked.
"The Emperor has a large customer list that Egoist had. I heard rumors that it was leaked somewhere."
"Customer list?"
"It's like regulars of the circle. Some of them are into that sort of thing."
"Don't you have it?"
"We weren't involved in Egoist's activities themselves."
"I see..."
Nozomi and I discussed it.
As a result, we concluded that "It should be fine to leave it alone."
There's no point in talking about this all the time.
Nozomi brought up another topic.
"Is it the first time for both of you at an amusement park?"
"Yes."
"Are you okay with rides and such?"
"We're not that childish."
Naru said.
"You should enjoy yourselves to the fullest."
"Thank you very much."
"No need to thank us. We're all friends who love things like this."
"I see..."
Both seemed still bewildered.
It can't be helped since they've never had ordinary fun like this before.
We can gradually get them used to it from now on.
Because that's Unity's original purpose.
(3)
By the time we arrived, everyone was already gathered.
Those who came were Toya-senpai, Tosaka-senpai, the Watanabe couple, the Tada couple, the Kiritani couple, the Ishihara couple, the Sakai couple, and Kosei and Naru.
When everyone was together, we bought tickets at the ticket machines.
After buying pass tickets, we got wristbands and went through the entrance gate.
The Ishihara couple and Kosei and Naru moved together. The rest were free.
"Have you been here before, Haruna?"
"No, I haven't."
"Then, we'll go to the attractions I recommend."
We went on several rides.
Haruna, who was saying "Can you really enjoy something for kids like this?" during the waiting time, got excited and said "Let's ride again."
We also tried the haunted house.
Even Haruna had things she found scary.
She was surprised by the atmosphere and the sudden scares and clung to me.
"It's all fake, you know."
"...It's well made, I suppose."
By the time we left the haunted house, Haruna was exhausted.
We took a break in a restaurant while having lunch.
I had Haruna save seats while I went to order.
When I came back with the ordered food, Haruna was looking out the window.
Reflected outside the window was a couple walking arm in arm, looking happy.
Haruna is also a woman, after all.
I thought she must long for things like that.
"Sorry for the wait."
"Ah, welcome back."
Her expression, which had looked lonely, changed to a smile.
After eating lunch, we went around the attractions again.
Then, I gathered my courage and linked my left arm with Haruna's right arm.
Haruna was surprised.
And she was flustered.
But she soon changed to a smile and linked arms with me from her side.
"We've gone on most of the rides. What do you want to do?"
"Well... I want to buy souvenirs and go home, but... I want to ride that one more time."
When Haruna said that, we rode that ride, and then it was when we were about to go to the souvenir shop near the entrance gate.
She was still hesitating about something.
"What's wrong?"
"No... it's nothing."
I had clearly seen what Haruna was looking at.
"There's still plenty of time. Let's go."
"Huh?"
I grabbed Haruna's arm and lined up for the merry-go-round.
"...You think I'm childish, don't you?"
"No, not at all. I was just thinking you really are a woman."
We shared a short but dreamlike time.
"It was a childhood dream, watching a merry-go-round on TV. I wanted to ride it with a man someday. I suddenly remembered that."
"So it was your first time."
"Yes."
After fulfilling such a cute request of hers, we headed to the exit.
Then she stopped.
"That's unfair."
Huh?
Haruna looked at her watch.
"There's still time."
Saying that, she grabbed my arm and started walking.
Where was she going?
We were riding the Ferris wheel.
"It's a place you wanted to go with your girlfriend, isn't it?"
So saying, Haruna laughed.
"How did you know?"
"I've come to understand what Haruto thinks recently."
I rode the Ferris wheel with smiling Haruna, then stopped by a souvenir shop.
I bought a large stuffed animal and left.
"What are you going to do with such a big bear plush?"
When I asked, Haruna's cheeks turned red.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked?
"You won't laugh if I say it?"
I could only nod.
"This looks like you, doesn't it?"
"I'm a bear?"
"Huh? It's not that cute, but..."
"What does that have to do with it?"
"...On nights when you're away..."
"Eh?"
"I thought I'd hug it and sleep on nights when you're away!"
That's a lucky bear.
After all, Haruna is a woman.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
And it seemed I upset Haruna.
"You promised you wouldn't laugh!"
"My bad!"
Haruna smiled watching me apologize.
Arm in arm, the two of us left the amusement park.
Everyone was waiting at the exit.
"You're late, Haruto!"
"Sorry!"
"As punishment, you have to set up all the tents."
"For real!?"
"Like I'd be lying, right?"
Watanabe-senpai said that.
Kiritani-senpai bought a lot of souvenirs.
Ai-senpai was holding her head.
Oh, right, there was a tokusatsu section here.
(4)
"Yuma! It's time to go."
"Yeah, I know."
I pulled out the car.
"If you're a local, it's good to go at least once."
I had made reservations at a hotel my seniors recommended.
It was a resort hotel with a pool and hot springs inside.
When we arrived at the hotel, we checked in and entered the room.
It was spacious.
Since it was a room on the ocean side, we had a panoramic view of Beppu Bay.
"Yuma! Hurry up if you're ready!"
"Y-yeah. Wait a moment!"
What's going on? Saki seemed to be in a bad mood.
When I went to the pool, Saki was waiting in her swimsuit.
She was wearing a pink frilly bikini.
"You look beautiful."
I meant it as my best compliment.
"...Are you really looking?"
"I'm looking."
Saki grabbed my face with both hands.
"Look properly!"
The pink bikini against her white skin was very beautiful.
Is there something wrong?
I couldn't tell.
"Since we're here, let's have fun!"
"Yeah."
I occasionally felt Saki's gaze.
Did I do something wrong?
After leaving the pool, we had a meal.
"This is delicious."
"I suppose..."
Saki's curt reply.
I didn't want to end the trip with this awkwardness.
"I'm sorry, Saki. Even though we're married, I can't read your feelings as well as our seniors. I don't know what's wrong, but I'll apologize, so please cheer up. It'd be a waste of this enjoyable trip."
"...I'm sorry!!"
Saki called the staff.
"Two wines, please."
"Saki!?"
"Yuma said we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest. I'm going to get dessert!"
Saying that, Saki stood up.
What really happened?
After that, Saki's behavior didn't change.
For now, I went into the hot spring.
I stared blankly at the night view, thinking.
Is this what they call a relationship slump?
Was there not enough surprise?
Will we end up like this?
It seemed I got out first, so I waited for Saki.
Meanwhile, I consulted on my smartphone.
Katagiri-kun was laughing.
"Just be your usual self, Takemoto-kun, so don't worry," Katagiri-senpai said.
Even though I'm acting as usual, is it my imagination that she's in a bad mood?
While I was exchanging messages, Saki, who had come out without me noticing, tapped me on the head.
"At least during the trip, put away your phone!"
She said that and took my phone away.
When we returned to the room, she watched TV.
She laughed occasionally while watching TV, but she still seemed off.
When our eyes met, she looked away.
As night grew late, when I got into bed to sleep, Saki finally spoke to me.
"You're going to sleep before me?"
"Ah, sorry. I was tired, so I thought I'd sleep."
"Are you tired of being with me?"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"You really seem to be rejecting entering into me."
"I can't get in easily."
"Fine. I'll open that closed door for you."
Saki shook her head.
"Take it off."
Huh?
"First, take off your yukata."
I thought resisting would only anger her more, so I obediently took it off.
"Next, lie down on the bed."
Saying that, Saki also took off her yukata.
When I finished removing my yukata, Saki straddled me as I lay on the bed and started massaging me.
"Working until you have such a muscular body, until you have a heavy laborer's tan (dokata-yake)... the reason being you wanted to travel with me..."
"That's why I restrained myself at night, didn't I?"
"That has nothing to do with it!"
I understood why Saki was angry.
"I get it... I was wrong... I'm sorry."
"You were wrong? Sorry?... You don't understand anything!"
Saki cried out.
Even though I was lying face down, I could tell she was crying.
"It's my fault if I seem angry. I'm happy that you worked so hard until you looked like that and gave me this wonderful trip... But I'm afraid if I show joy, you'll push yourself again... It's my fault for not being honest."
Saki stopped massaging and hugged me.
"Hey? How can I repay you, Yuma? What can I do? This is all I can think of."
"You don't need to repay me. Because this is my repayment to Saki."
"Huh?"
"You carry the burden of housework even though you go to school and work part-time because I also work. This is my repayment. I wanted to give you time to relax."
"...If you're going to say that much, then I'll have my say too. That's not enough. There's something still missing."
"What is it?"
Saki's arms tightened around me. Her chest pressed against my back.
"I want time to be spoiled by you. It's rare we get time alone."
"Saki... let go."
"Huh?"
Flustered, Saki moved away from me.
I turned onto my back, sat up, and hugged Saki.
"Is this good?"
"...Yeah. Thank you. I'm sorry. I wonder if I was always this clumsy woman. I really dislike myself."
"I love even that Saki."
"Thank you. I love you too."
That night, I fully accepted Saki's love.
If that would be my repayment to Saki.
(5)
That night, we made a lot of noise.
With meat, stars, and the moon.
There were plenty of snacks for sake.
There were endless topics to talk about.
Still, as the night grew late, everyone naturally went to sleep.
They were probably tired.
I, Airi, the Ishihara couple, Kosei, and Naru stayed behind to watch the fire.
"Everyone's tired, huh~," Airi said.
"Well, if you make that much noise, you'd get tired," Emi-san said.
"Are you two okay, Kosei and Naru?" Ishihara-kun worried about the two.
"We're so excited and having so much fun that we can't sleep," Kosei said.
"Besides, I thought I'd stay up until I see Naru's sleeping face."
"...Idiot."
"You don't have to rush; she'll show you someday."
"That's right. Without rushing, you'll see it. Someday, for sure."
When I said that, Emi-san said so and looked at Naru, laughing.
"I'm not a woman with such loose defenses."
"Oh? If you don't let your guard down at least in front of him, you'll get tired. Instead, you should just be spoiled in front of him."
"...I can't keep up. I'll go to sleep first. Good night."
"Good night~."
Airi watched Naru, who said that and entered the tent first.
"Is that okay?"
When Kosei asked, Airi chuckled.
"That might be how it is at that age. Going to sleep first means it's okay to see her sleeping face, right?"
"Well, I suppose so."
Incidentally, that never happened with Airi. She was so bold as to suddenly sleep in the same bed.
"That's only because Toya-kun wouldn't take action."
"Heh, so that's how it was, Katagiri-kun."
"So that's how it was, Katagiri-kun."
"It was tough, you know. She suddenly kissed me, told me to sleep together, even appeared in her underwear."
"You don't need to say unnecessary things!"
"...It was tough, wasn't it, Katagiri-kun."
I thought Ishihara-kun would understand.
"Kosei shouldn't become like that. You have to push yourself properly. Right, Katagiri-kun?"
Emi-san turned the question to me.
"That's right. He seems a bit resistant, but he's opened his heart to Kosei. It's like she's always waiting."
"...Well then, I'll sleep too."
"Sleep well~."
Kosei also entered the tent where Naru was sleeping.
"Well then, shall we adults also sleep soon?"
"Good night, Katagiri-kun."
Saying that, the Ishihara couple also went into the tent.
"Aren't you sleeping, Toya-kun?"
"Yeah, I still have something left."
Saying that, I shook my drink can.
"Hey, Toya-kun."
When Airi went into the tent, she brought out a flashlight.
"I've always wanted to try this."
Catching Airi's intention, I put out the fire.
Engulfed in darkness, we explored around the lake relying only on the flashlight.
"There's nothing weird, right?"
"I've heard some stories around here. About a tree a bit further beyond this lake..."
"No~! Toya-kun is so mean!"
bonk
I wonder why you wanted to walk on a night path even though you're scared.
"It's like, if something popped out suddenly, 'Eep, Toya-kun, I'm scared~' I wanted to try that."
Because Airi said something like that.
A cat jumped out from a side path.
"Eep!"
As she wished, Airi clung to my arm.
The animal with glowing eyes in the twilight went into the bushes on the other side.
"Good thing your wish came true."
bonk
"Ugh... you're really mean now, Toya-kun."
Holding hands with Airi, we walked around the lake, lighting our feet.
"Let's take another walk tomorrow morning, okay?"
"It's fine, but not jogging?"
"I didn't bring my bike."
"Okay, fine."
"Then, I need to sleep early tonight."
When going back to the tent, Airi was fidgeting.
"What's wrong?"
"I want to go to the bathroom..."
"You can go, can't you?"
"There might be bugs and it's scary."
But if I went with her, that would be completely criminal.
"There are lights on at night, so it can't be helped."
"...Will you wait here?"
"Yeah, I'll wait properly."
"Don't go back alone, okay."
Saying that, Airi went to the restroom.
"Huh? Isn't that Katagiri-kun and you?"
The Kiritani couple and the Sakai couple. What were they doing?
"What are you doing at this hour?"
"More importantly, Katagiri-kun, why are you missing at this hour?"
Ai-san asked.
"No, I'm waiting for Airi who's in the bathroom."
"Ah, we too were kind of scared, you know. In these kinds of toilets, something might be lurking."
"I don't like it either, there are bugs and big things."
"Eita, are you still a man!"
"Even men have scary things, right? Sakai-kun?"
"Y-yeah?"
Sakai-kun is also accompanying?
"I was told this is also training."
So it's night guard duty.
Airi came out of the restroom.
"Ah, Akira and Ai. What's up?"
"We drank a bit too much. Nature called."
"I see."
The three of them talked.
After that, Akira-san and Ai-san went to the restroom and when they returned, they went back to the tent.
Then Ishihara-kun was starting a fire alone.
"Ishihara-kun, what's wrong?"
"Ah, it's a habit from daily training. I can't relax unless I'm keeping watch."
So he's thoroughly disciplined.
The heroic figure of Ishihara-kun was perfectly captured on video.
If it were a fistfight, but to deal with a man with a gun... Furthermore, the opponent was supposedly a pro.
"It was just by chance."
It's impossible to dodge bullets by chance.
"If you grasp the direction of the muzzle and the timing of the trigger, it's surprisingly easy."
Ishihara-kun said it lightly.
The women had gone to sleep earlier.
"Are you staying awake all night?"
"I'll take a nap at least. I can sense hostility."
As expected, you're amazing, Ishihara-kun.
"Well then, we'll sleep normally. The rest is up to you."
"Leave it to me."
When I entered the tent, Airi was awake.
Wasn't she sleeping?
"I can't sleep alone in a tent~"
"...I see."
I lay down next to Airi and put a towel blanket over her.
"Don't go out alone in the morning, okay?"
"I'll wake you up properly."
"No!"
"?"
"I'll be the one to wake Toya-kun!"
What a difficult wife.
I'll have to update the manual again.
"Well then, shall we sleep soon?"
"Yeah, good night."
"Good night."
Airi clung to my arm and fell asleep.
Ishihara-kun still seemed awake.
He was standing by, occasionally drinking a leftover drink.
The outside grew dark.
It seemed Ishihara-kun had put out the fire.
He must be taking a nap.
Airi slept quietly in the twilight where even moonlight didn't reach.
I also fell asleep listening to the sound of her breathing as a lullaby.
Summer would soon end.
Naru and Kosei would also start life at a new school from the new term.
Before that, memories.
The women seemed to have chosen that place for memories.
"Naru-chan would definitely love it."
That one sentence gave me a bad feeling.
Well, Kosei would probably manage.
After saying "See you tomorrow" with a smile without much thought, I realized there was you to whom I could say "See you tomorrow."
Because you're here, I can believe, and I am believed.
Kosei and Naru would also reach such a state.
I felt it wasn't far off.
"Toya-kun, aren't you sleeping yet?"
Airi said sleepily.
"I'm going to sleep now. We have to be up early tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good night, Airi."
"G'night~"
Airi fell asleep again.
I should sleep too.
Good night. Sweet dreams.
The struggle with the Egoist had ended, and peace had come.
There are still uncertain things. But still, let's move forward.
That was what I thought on that night at the end of summer.