Chapter 294 - We Cannot Get Off Halfway
(1)
"Well then, Toya-kun, take care."
"You too, Airi. Absolutely don't go out alone, okay?"
"Then, is it okay if I go with another man?"
I felt like being a little mean.
"Well, it might be safe if it's with an SP person."
I got back a mean comment that didn't even notice my meanness.
Pokat
"So, Toya-kun, you'd be fine with me going out to eat with a different man?"
You'll notice this, right? Or do I have to say this much for you to get it?
"Ah, is that what you meant? It's fine, I'm not worried."
Ugh... Should I be happy about that~?He really doesn't seem worried.I'm happy to be trusted, but I wish he'd worry just a little...
"Hey, we're going!"
Kira-kun is calling.
"Well then, Airi, you be a good girl."
"Yesss. Toya-kun, you can't go to any weird shops either."
"I know."
Saying that, Toya-kun got on the bus.The bus headed towards Kumamoto, where the game was.The Kyushu 4th Division league matches would last about a month and a half.He'd be away from home on weekends for the games.I drove home, took a shower, and relaxed in Toya-kun's room.I killed time chatting with the Unity members and watching TV.Just as the Friday movie was starting, Toya-kun called.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Toya-kun, did you get to the hotel?"
"Yeah, I'm about to go to sleep."
A kind husband who calls me properly before bed.
"Don't stay up too late."
"Sakura-san told me that too."
"What's Sakura-san doing?"
"She's getting along with Tasuku right now. I thought I'd be in the way, so I left the room."
I'm jealous of Sakura-san and them.
"By the way, I got one too. She's good at massages."
Ugh...
"Do you say things like that in front of your wife?"
"It was just a massage. I didn't do anything weird."
"...Who's better, me or her?"
"Huh?"
"Massages, who's better, me or Sakura-san?"
"You don't even need to ask that, do you?"
I want to hear it now!
"You can't say it... ugh..."
"It's obviously you, Airi."
Yay.
"Anything unusual on your end?"
"Nothing at all? It's weird, right? After all those daily attacks."
"They might be waiting for an opening. Be careful, Airi."
"Got it~"
"Well, I'll hang up now. Goodnight."
"Goodnight~"
The call ended.The movie was almost over too, so should I just go to sleep tonight?When I woke up the next day, I prepared breakfast.After having a holiday breakfast with Maya-san and the others, I washed my face and started the washing machine.In the meantime, I cleaned Toya-kun's room.I've heard that men hide all sorts of things under their beds, but Toya-kun doesn't at all.It's not that he doesn't have any.They're just normally on the rack.By the time the cleaning was done, the washing machine had stopped.I sorted the laundry, took it up to the room, and ironed what needed ironing.Just as I finished, I got a message from Emi.
"Do you have plans today? I heard Katagiri-kun has a game."
"I was just wondering what to do next~"
"Then, perfect timing. How about we go shopping for once?"
"Just the two of us?"
"And Kana-chan and Akira said they'd come too."
"Got it~"
"Then, I'll be at your place in 30 minutes."
Seeing the message, I changed clothes and put on makeup.Just as I finished, the doorbell rang.
"Maya-san. I'm going shopping with my friends."
"Take care."
When I opened the front door, Shinjo-san was waiting.
"Hello. Come, this way."
Guided by Shinjo-san, a black luxury car was waiting.When I was guided to the back seat, Emi was sitting there.
"Sorry for the sudden invitation."
"It's fine, I didn't know what to do either."
"Actually, me neither. I don't know what to do when I'm alone."
"What about Ishihara-kun?"
"I've assigned him to guard Katagiri-kun. He's already surpassed Shinjo's combat ability."
If he's being guarded by someone like that, then it's safe. Toya-kun.
"So, where are we going shopping?"
"I was thinking of going to the shopping mall near the license center."
That's a bit unexpected...
"What's wrong, Airi-chan?"
"No, I just thought you'd pick somewhere like the station building or a department store, Emi."
"That's true. But surprisingly, I do go shopping with Nozomi sometimes."
There are various things, and choosing together isn't bad either, Emi said.I understand that feeling well.When we arrived at the parking lot, Kana and Akira were waiting.The four of us went window shopping while chatting happily.We had lunch at the shopping mall too, and were about to head home a little after noon.Since we came during a crowded time, we had to walk a bit to the parking lot.That's when all four of us noticed it.The eerie presence that had been clinging to us for a while.
"Is Sakai-kun working today?"
"He has a part-time job."
"What about Kimoto-senpai?"
"He's working on a holiday."
Only women, huh... It really is a perfect target.When we entered the parking lot where our car was, Akira shouted.
"Stop hiding and come out already, you cockroaches!!"
Then we were surrounded by a large number of men in black hoodies.Between them, Emi and Akira's soldier-like men cut in.
"Quite the nerve, in broad daylight."
Emi laughed fearlessly.That was the signal for the hooded men to attack.The enemy had the numbers.Some enemies were getting close to us.It was Shinjo-san and Kazami-san's role to take them down.Emi also fought back.I sensed it intuitively.The black man sneaking up behind Kana, who was standing there stunned.
"Kana! Behind you!"
Hearing my voice, she looked back and screamed.The reason a man's scream was heard at the same time as Kana's was because I had kicked the enemy behind Kana in the face.The man, whose nose I had squarely caught, fell down with blood dripping from his nose and mouth.I then swung that same leg behind me in a roundhouse kick because I had confirmed a man was approaching from behind.My kick in boots accurately caught the man in the side, and he fell.By the way, I'm wearing boots because it's one of Toya-kun's favorite fashions.But all of Toya-kun's favorite fashions are hard to move in.It's inconvenient in times like this.Kana sat down on the spot.After the battle continued for a while, police cars arrived.
"Tch, let's pull out."
Just as the leader-like man said that, Papa-san caught him.
"...Did you think I'd let you go quietly?"
The leader-like man cowered at Papa-san's intimidating words.The other men, leaving the fallen ones behind, scattered and fled all at once.
"Papa-san!"
"...Airi. Are you alright?"
"Yeah."
"...Dad has work now. I'll hear the story at the station."
"Okay."
The leader-like man was taken away.That's when I felt a chill.Was Toya-kun feeling like this too?Every nerve in my body was signaling an emergency.
"Papa-san, look out!"
Faster than I could speak, I pushed the man and Papa-san down.A sound like chun hitting the ground.Quickly, a police squad with shields cut in from the direction the bullet came from.I really don't want to hug any man other than Toya-kun, even if it's Papa-san.But if I got hit here again, we'd be back to square one.
"Thank you, Airi..."
Papa-san said, patting my head.
"...But I didn't raise you to be such a wild child."
I got scolded by Papa-san.But I'm more worried about Kana.
"Kana! Are you okay!?"
I ran over to Kana.
"Airi, you're surprisingly calm. We almost died."
I thought about what to say.
"I'm scared too. But I don't want to stay quiet just because I'm scared. I don't want to have the people important to me taken away right in front of my eyes. I don't want Toya-kun to have a bad time either, so I fight desperately. You don't have to fight. I just don't want to be taken down without resisting."
"I can't do that. My legs were shaking, I couldn't even stand."
"Normally, everyone's like that. It's not just you, Kana. It's okay. Everyone will protect you. If you trust everyone, courage will come too."
"...Trust everyone, huh..."
"Airi's right. No one can hurt us. I won't let them."
Akira said.
"I'm not telling you to fight. But you don't want a life of just being scared, right?"
When Emi said that, Kana nodded.
"For now, let's go to the police station? We can talk after that."
When Emi said that, we got in the car and headed to the police station.
(2)
Today was a holiday for both of us.Yuma had started matching his holidays to mine recently.That meant the time I spent with Yuma increased just a little bit.I did housework while watching TV with Yuma.
"Again..."
Yuma stared at his phone and sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"This time, it seems Tosaka-senpai and the others were attacked."
What?
I hurriedly looked at my own phone.It definitely said they were attacked.
"Dangerous incidents have been happening a lot since this school year started."
"Yeah."
An unrealistic daily life was becoming the norm.It was already beyond the scope of just a club's activities.Just then, a message came to me and Yuma individually.It was from Manabe-kun.
"Wanna get the peers together tonight?"
The peers?I looked at Yuma's face.
"I don't mind, but what about you, Saki?"
"I don't mind either."
"Then, at the family restaurant at 7 tonight."
What's this about all of a sudden?Is it something urgent?The fact that it's just the peers is also concerning.For now, I decided to go.At 7 PM. At the family restaurant.Those who came were me and Yuma, the Manabes, the Tanges, the Nishimatsus, Hiyama-senpai, Sakura-san, Shiina-san, and Niina-san.After everyone ordered, Manabe-kun started talking.
"Actually, it's about the current situation with Unity."
"In that case, shouldn't we call the seniors too?"
When Yuma said that, Manabe-kun shook his head.
"It's the actions of those seniors that are the problem. It's not a matchmaking club anymore. They're just rioters."
"Is this about wanting to stop those actions?"
When I asked, he shook his head.
"We did say we'd follow them during the Egoist thing, but I don't approve of this current conflict. It's the seniors' rampage."
"But that's to help Kosei and Naru, right~ I think it's reasonable~"
Sakura-san said.
"It's reasonable. But is it something we have to do, even if it means putting ourselves in danger?"
"...Manabe-kun, what are you trying to say?"
Shiina-san asked.
"We've already done our duty, haven't we? I think it might be a good time to wash our hands of this."
Gatat!
Sakura-san stood up.
"Did you call us here to talk about such a trivial matter~? ...This is pointless."
"Don't you understand, Sakura-san? You've been in danger too. I almost lost my wife."
"I don't understand~. And I don't want to~. Are you forgetting that there are people protecting us even while we're having this talk~?"
"Takemoto, what do you think? Can you honestly say there's a reason to stay in the group even if it means putting your own wife in danger?"
Is Yuma thinking?I don't remember marrying such a pathetic man who would say "I think so too."Eventually, Yuma opened his mouth.
"There's nothing I can do to help."
I think I'll go get the divorce papers the day after tomorrow...
"I don't think we need to stay out of a sense of obligation."
It was a short married life.Sorry, but I didn't want to hear such pathetic words.As if reading my mind, Yuma's hand gently wrapped around my clenched fist.
"So, I think those who want to quit should quit. It's not a forced group, right?"
"Takemoto, you don't mean...?"
When Manabe-kun said that, Yuma nodded.
"I'm staying. It's not out of obligation or anything. It's because I want to bask in the benefits of this group just a little longer."
"There are no benefits anymore, right? You're married now!"
"Honestly speaking, I'm still clumsy. I sometimes make Saki cry. At times like that, everyone in Unity encourages me. Everyday casual conversations turn into my courage. Conversely, I also want to be a help to Haruto and Kosei."
"We'll stay too. It's a future the seniors connected us to. We'll entrust it to them."
Nishimatsu-kun said that too.
"What does everyone else think?"
Manabe-kun said.
"A life full of ups and downs is just right, you know. It's a bit too early to settle down," Shiina-san said.
"I'd like to settle down soon, but I want to be able to at least stop the younger ones from running wild," Professor Tange said.
Hiyama-senpai, who had been silent until then, opened his mouth.
"Manabe, aren't you forgetting something important? Even if we leave Unity now, there's no guarantee their attacks will stop."
"I said that too," Satomi-san said.
"A bond once formed isn't easily broken. The stronger it is, the harder it is. We cannot get off halfway."
We cannot get off halfway.
With that one line from Hiyama-senpai, everyone fell silent.
"Sakura, we're leaving."
Hiyama-senpai said that and stood up.
"We're not done talking yet~"
"You're right. I can't be bothered with a talk that isn't even worth a laugh."
"Understood~. Well then, everyone, see you~"
Saying that, the two of them left.
"Am I... wrong? I just want to protect my wife..."
"It was the Unity members who protected Satomi. You mustn't forget that."
Professor Tange said.
"I understand what Manabe-kun is saying. But we should stop sneaking around and talking just among ourselves."
Saying that, Yuma operated his phone in front of Manabe-kun.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with everyone tomorrow, is that okay?"
Yuma left that message in the Unity group chat.
"I don't mind?"
When Watanabe-senpai said that, everyone agreed.
"Let's all talk tomorrow? They'll find a good solution."
Yuma said to Manabe-kun.
"I think so too. You can't just run away. It's your bad habit."
When Satomi-san said that, he said, "I understand... then, tomorrow."
"Well then, everyone, shall we call it a day here?"
When Yuma said that, everyone went home.
"Yuma, scold me!"
When we got in the car, I bowed my head to Yuma.
"What's wrong? So suddenly?"
Yuma looked like he couldn't keep up with what was happening.
"I honestly thought you were going to say the same thing as Manabe-kun. I thought you were going to say something about quitting."
"Ah, I see."
Yuma smiled.
"If you're going to say that, then I should be the one getting scolded. 'A heartless man who won't even try to protect his wife when she's in danger.'"
"Yuma's not like that!"
You did try to protect me once, didn't you?
"But Hiyama-senpai's words were really powerful."
We cannot get off halfway.
That one line silenced everyone.We have no choice but to go all the way.Until we reach the final station.Do I regret it?There's no way.We've faced countless difficulties to get here.I'm sure there's something at the end of this difficulty too.
"So, shall we go home and relax?"
"Yeah."
No matter what difficulties await, if we're together, we can overcome them.Believing that, I decided to act together with everyone in Unity.No matter what happens, I won't lose.
(3)
"I see..."
I said that and sighed.
"If they want to leave, let them leave! Unity doesn't need such spineless cowards!"
I calmed Mika down as she hurled abuse.Everyone looked at me.
"What do you think, Watanabe-senpai? About Unity now... and Unity from now on."
When Manabe-kun asked, I answered.
"There's nothing to think about. Nothing will change. Same stance as always."
If they hit us, we hit back. We just keep repeating that.
"Well, I have nothing more to say, so I'll excuse myself..."
As Manabe-kun tried to leave, it was Satomi-san who stopped him.
"The talk isn't over yet. Did you forget what was said yesterday? There's no guarantee the attacks will stop just because we leave Unity!"
Manabe-kun thought for a while, then sat back down.We cannot get off halfway, huh... That's a good way to put it. But...
"The end should come in a little while."
When I said that, attention focused on me again.I asked Makoto-kun to explain, and he took out his laptop and began.
"We finally identified the enemy's main base. The location is here."
A red dot glowed on the map displayed on the laptop screen.It was an abandoned mansion in the mountains of Yufuin.
"We'll neutralize all the military force there. It'll be a bit flashy."
Saying that, I grinned.The members were surprised by the method.
"Even if we do that, won't there still be branches...?"
Manabe-kun asked.
"There are. Countless scattered around. We chose this target because it's the biggest."
Makoto-kun explained.
"But it's certain to cause chaos in the chain of command. I told you, right? 'If they hit us, hit back twice as hard.'"
"And while I'm at it, some interesting rumors came in. We've already figured out the day the police will conduct a mass crackdown."
Makoto-kun said.
"So that means... a clean sweep?"
Ai-san asked.
"That's right. At the same time, we have arrangements to leak IRIS's information through Akira-san and Emi-san's information channels."
When I said that, everyone got excited.
"So this time, it'll finally be the end for good?"
When Ai-san said that, I nodded.
"Next month, let's go see the autumn leaves like always."
Among everyone, still excited, one person was deep in thought: Manabe-kun.I spoke to that Manabe-kun.
"If you want to leave, no one will blame you. But leaving doesn't guarantee the situation will change. However, you might face similar problems in the future. But we fight to protect our comrades. You came here today to fight to protect your wife too, didn't you?"
"..."
"I understand your feelings very well. As a fellow husband, I understand the feeling of caring for your wife. So I'll ask you this. Who is it that harms you? Urbanity? Or Unity? I will destroy everything you hate. That is Unity."
"...What I hate is..."
I grinned.Let's go put an end to it.
(4)
"I see, so that's what happened."
"Yeah, but it seems Manabe-kun understood too."
From what I heard from Airi, it seemed that way.I thought it wouldn't be strange for a split to happen soon.It's not easy to have such a strong bond that you'd follow along, putting even your own family in danger, after all this flashy action.But Unity seems different.Everyone is trying to cooperate with Unity of their own strong will.
"So, how did you find out the date of the mass crackdown?"
"Well~ Papa-san told me~"
Airi's Papa?
"'...I heard they're going to strengthen crime control at the end of this month. The Red Society won't overlook this either this time...' he said~"
Is it okay to leak information like that? Airi's Papa.
"...Doesn't that mean the target is also in danger?"
Surely, if they have armed SPs stationed, they'll get caught...
"Papa-san also said this~ '...The Red Society's headquarters will be in chaos from the conflict that day, so they won't be able to make a move...'"
So, it means we should do it on that day?
"If we succeed, the Sudo group will be finished too, right?"
Airi asked.I nodded, but I wonder if that's really the case?After all, it's a huge group that manages nationwide-level media.It's probably even bigger than the Takahashi group, right?Should capturing the Hierophant and the Hermit come first?
"Ugh..."
Airi groaned. She was one step away from being in a bad mood.I patted Airi's head.
"What's wrong, Airi?"
"Toya-kun had a difficult look on his face. There's still something else, right~?"
"...I can't keep secrets from you anymore, can I?"
"Keeping secrets from your wife is a no-no."
I explained what Airi was thinking.
"So it's not over yet? This fight?"
There's no need to answer, is there?Airi is inside me now.Proof of that is the uneasy expression on Airi's face.All I can do is ease that anxiety.
"Let's stop the difficult talk and go to sleep soon, okay?"
"Huh?"
You're going to sleep already?Airi had that look on her face.But it's okay.
"Come here."
When I said that, Airi hugged me with a "Yay."
"It'll be okay, right?"
"Yeah, it'll be okay. It'll work out somehow. It always has, right?"
"Yeah."
There's really no guarantee that it'll be okay anywhere.But I'll brush away the fog blocking our future as many times as it takes.I'll push away everything that harms Airi with these arms.I'll destroy everything Airi hates with these hands.It was an autumn night when I decided to carve out a future with Airi like that.