Chapter 31 - Final Day
(1)
The fourth day.
Since we arrive back home tomorrow, today is effectively the final day.
Before breakfast, we all received a helpful lecture.
Cold glares were directed, if I'm not mistaken, toward me and Makoto.
Right. It was because of the incident yesterday where we intruded into the girls' room.
Well, apparently there were others too.
"It wasn't just us, so don't let it get to you!"
Makoto's recovery was strangely fast compared to me, who felt gloomy from the morning.
Not that he was ever depressed to begin with.
Well, we're going to Osaka Castle today, which he admires, so he's probably just excited.
Come to think of it, I got a message from Airi this morning.
"Sorry about last night."
"Don't worry about it."
"Mm, tell me about it next time, okay?"
...Tell her what?
"The things you like about me!"
I wonder if Airi is worried too?
There's no need to be.
After finishing breakfast and getting ready, we headed toward our next destination, Osaka Castle.
(2)
Osaka Castle Main Tower.
Makoto is making a huge fuss.
Is this guy a castle maniac?
Exhibits are displayed inside.
As expected, photography is prohibited for Important Cultural Properties, but we were told that everything else is free to photograph.
If I keep pace with Makoto, I won't be able to see everything.
"Well, there's plenty of time, so we don't have to rush. Let's take our time and look around."
"..."
Kanna looks like she wants to say something.
"What's wrong?"
I try asking Kanna.
"..."
"Eh?"
"Boring! I'm not good at this kind of stuff!!"
"I... I might be a bit bad at it too..."
Airi lets out a complaint, which is rare.
Rare indeed.
It was fine that we looked through it at a rapid pace, pushed along by Airi and Kanna, but now we need a way to kill time until the meeting time.
Should we wait on the bus?
While Makoto and Kanna were talking about that, my eyes stopped on something.
Airi clings to my arm as I walk, drifting along aimlessly.
"I wonder where we're going~? Toya-kun?"
Airi's smile is scary.
"N-no, I just want some authentic takoyaki..."
"You just ate breakfast!"
"What's wrong, Airi?"
Makoto and Kanna react to Airi's shout.
"Toya-kun is trying to buy snacks again."
"A little takoyaki should be fine!"
"You're the same as always, your gluttony. How can you eat that much and maintain that physique?"
Kanna looks exasperated.
"P-please, just let me have the takoyaki~"
"You can eat takoyaki anytime!"
"I want to eat authentic takoyaki!"
"They're all pretty much the same! You have green seaweed on your teeth, it's unsightly!"
Ugh, isn't there some good way...
That's it!
I had an epiphany.
"Airi, if it's takoyaki, I can do an 'aaahn' for you."
"I already told you, you'll get seaweed on your teeth, so rejected."
"Then I'll let you do it for me."
"Ugh..."
Airi is conflicted.
Makoto and Kanna watch with amusement.
Kanna speaks up as if she's thought of something.
"Toya, I'll buy it for you. In exchange, you have to let me do an 'aaahn'."
"That's not allowed!! ...Fine, I get it."
Nice, Kanna.
And so, I was successfully able to eat takoyaki.
A little 'aaahn' is not a high price to pay for eating takoyaki.
Of course, it drew the eyes of other students, but I didn't mind at all.
The takoyaki was delicious.
(3)
After having lunch (I finished it all), we moved to the aquarium.
It was larger than the aquarium in my hometown.
...That said, the contents were mostly the same.
The creatures were slightly different, but there wasn't anything particularly moving... however.
It seems to look different to girls.
Kanna and Airi are looking around excitedly.
Makoto is sitting and watching, looking bored just like me.
"I wonder why girls like aquariums and zoos so much."
"And those theme parks too."
"Yeah, those were hell."
"Have you been to one?"
"Yeah. Toya, have you?"
"...I have."
It was a scene from hell.
Men exhausted and slumped over while the women screamed and took photos.
They're probably all thinking the same thing.
It was a little funny.
"Hey, what are you doing? Let's go to the next place—"
Kanna is calling.
"...Shall we go?"
"Yeah..."
After finishing the tour, we went outside.
There is still time.
Street performers are doing street performances.
Since it's boring, I try to head to the food court, but Airi firmly grabs my arm.
"Geez, I'm not falling for that trick anymore!"
"...A little juice should be fine, right?"
"...True, I'm thirsty too."
"...You guys, you're more like a mother and child than a couple..."
Kanna grumbled.
(4)
It's almost time.
We board the bus and head for the port.
Right, there were some boys desperately trying to ask the bus guide for her phone number.
I wonder if I'd be like that if Airi weren't here?
While I was thinking about that and watching my classmates swarm the bus guide, I got scolded by Airi, who apparently misunderstood.
Then we board the ferry.
There's still time until dinner...
Maybe I'll peek into the souvenir shop.
Thinking so, I go near the shop and find boys swarming.
Wondering what's happening, I join the crowd.
Airi was at the center of the crowd.
Ah, so that's it.
Everyone is aiming for Airi.
Looking closely, another crowd has formed.
Kanna was over there.
It's tough for both of them.
Eh? You're asking if I'm not worried?
I'm used to this kind of thing.
Just as I was about to leave the spot, not wanting to be dragged into trouble.
Someone grabbed my arm.
When I looked back, it was Airi.
Sharp-eyed!
Airi pulls me to the center and shouts.
"I'm dating this person!"
"Wait... you..."
Skeptical gazes surround me.
"I'm better than a dull guy like him."
"No, I'm better."
"I'm way better!"
Voices like that can be heard.
The very thing I care about most...
Unlike me, who sighs, Airi declares it proudly.
"Toya-kun is much more wonderful than people who try to catch and belittle someone else's lover."
When Airi says that, the crowd disperses, perhaps having given up.
Though there were some insolent fellows who headed toward Kanna instead.
"By the way, Toya-kun, what are you doing in a place like this? It's not time for dinner yet, you know?"
"No, I was getting souvenirs at the shop..."
"Were you trying to buy snacks again!?"
"No, I said souvenirs."
"You said that in elementary school and then ate the souvenirs at night!"
"H-how do you know about that?"
"T-that's... because."
"What?"
"Because I've been watching you since then!"
"I-I see. Anyway, I won't eat tonight."
...Probably.
"Didn't you buy souvenirs?"
"No, I've already bought some?"
"Then, give me a souvenir?"
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
What Airi points to is a crane game.
The thing I'm bad at...
"It's faster to just buy a plushie. You know I'm bad at these, right?"
"That's why I want you to get it for me! I heard that one is a crane game limited edition. It's in a really easy-to-get spot."
Airi's pleading pose at times like this is unfair...
In the end, I was forced to do it.
...I can't get it.
The clerk, unable to watch, placed it in an easy spot, and it fell with just a slight touch.
Airi hugs the plushie happily.
Phew...
(5)
After dinner, I took a bath and now all that's left is to sleep...
It's over today.
While listening to music and messing with my smartphone, Makoto spoke to me from above.
"What are you doing?"
"Just relaxing. I've had enough of going to the girls' room! I'm not letting them make me write any more reflection papers."
"I know, I know."
"Then what is it?"
"You started to say something yesterday and then stopped, right?"
Ah, that story.
"It's a secret."
"Come on, I won't tell anyone!"
"...Makoto is lucky. Being popular with girls."
"What's with you all of a sudden?"
"I wasn't like that. I wasn't popular at all."
"That's not true, Kanna-san, Tosaka-san..."
"That's the reason."
"Eh?"
"Before I knew it, I had fallen for them."
"Does that mean... anyone would have done?"
"No. ...I don't think you'd understand even if I told you, Makoto."
The feeling at that time.
The joy that welled up.
"Let me tell you, it's not like I dated them to get a sense of superiority because they're popular!"
"Listening to you, that's the only way to take it."
"With Kanna, I was so happy to get Valentine's chocolate that I didn't know if I liked her or hated her, but I gave her a White Day gift as a 'for now, OK' meaning. It didn't work, though."
"I heard that before."
"But with Airi, it's different. I was the one who admired her first."
"Eh?"
"There's a girl I admire in my neighborhood. Is that not enough of a reason?"
"Isn't that just forcing your own ideal onto her?"
"...Maybe so. I've thought about that too. That's why I didn't say anything myself."
"So, it was from Tosaka-san?"
"Yep."
"What a windfall. I'm jealous."
"I guess so."
I suddenly feel depressed.
"Well, you were lucky! It's clear you both feel the same way."
"Yeah."
"Well, I'm going to sleep. I feel refreshed."
"Don't tell anyone."
"I won't. Later, goodnight."
Saying that, Makoto went to sleep.
I close my eyes too.
I remember that day.
When I was in 5th grade, the first time I saw Airi.
It was love at first sight.
And the sight of her crying in the classroom.
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
Tomorrow, I can go home.
And my usual life will begin.