Chapter 318 - Spring Colors
"Good morning, Toya-kun. It's morning~"
They aren't kidding when they say spring sleep knows no dawn. It feels so comfortable that I'm still asleep.
"Don't blame me if you can't eat breakfast!"
Sorry, I'll wake up after all. When I open my eyes, Airi is staring at me. Her expression is a very gentle smile.
"You really wake up immediately when I mention food."
"Well, it would be a disaster if I couldn't eat Airi's breakfast."
Saying that, I get up and start changing. After changing, I finish my morning routine, return home, take a shower, and eat breakfast. I brew some coffee, return to the room, and wait for Airi. Since I'm bored while watching TV, I fiddle with my smartphone until Airi returns from the shower. Airi watches TV while drying her hair. Once she's finished drying it, Airi sits next to me and drinks a café au lait. When she's done drinking, she takes the mug to the kitchen and then returns to the room. I fiddle with my smartphone while blankly watching Airi start her makeup. When her makeup is finished, Airi picks up her bag.
"Toya-kun, I'm ready."
"Yeah, I got it."
I leave the house, head to school, and go to the gymnasium. After changing in the locker room, I put on my basketball shoes for the first time in a while. I take a ball in my hand, dribble, and listen to the sound for the first time in a while. Then, a shot. It goes in perfectly.
"Looks like your instincts haven't dulled."
Tasuku says as he approaches.
"Welcome back, Toya."
Sota says, and then everyone arrives. A reunion with everyone for the first time in a while. There is no time to be reminiscing about such a reunion.
"Stop chatting and start practicing."
Sakura-san seems the same as always. And so, we begin morning practice for the first time in a while. It seems they have been thoroughly training their physicals. The changes in everyone's physique are visible. Airi watches the practice alone from the second floor. We stop practicing around the time the first period begins. Since we didn't have anything until the second period, we kill time at the library. While I'm at it, I'll take every qualification I can. Airi, as usual, made a schedule that's right on the edge. Because of that, I find time like this to study with Airi at the library. Actually, I've already taken the minimum credits required for graduation, so I just need to take the compulsory credits, but since it's what Airi wants, I go along with it. When it's time for class, we move to the classroom. After taking the class, everyone gathers at the school cafeteria.
"It's such a leisurely time. It's been a while..."
Ishihara-kun says.
"It's finally become peaceful. The ordinary daily life has returned. I can really feel it."
"Though this is supposed to be the ordinary part,"
Sakai-kun replies.
"So, how is it, Watanabe? Think you can acquire some newcomers?"
"About that..."
Watanabe-kun explains with a wry smile. Unity's hidden side has become too famous. Apparently, everyone is intimidated and won't even come near.
"It might be impossible from the local university,"
Watanabe-kun says.
"Maybe there'll be zero newcomers this year. It's probably the same at any university,"
Emi-san says.
"Not necessarily. Actually, I've secured one person,"
Kanna says. Since when?
"Katagiri-senpai!"
Sakura-san's voice rings out. When I look back, Sakura-san, a tall man, and Tasuku are standing in a row. I wonder who it is?
"He's the long-awaited new strength! Takatsuki Sho-kun. His position is Center. He's a promising prospect with experience playing in the Inter-High!"
"Are you Katagiri-senpai? I've heard about you. I'm Takatsuki Sho. It's an honor to be able to play with you. Please treat me well."
"Nice to meet you."
I shake hands with Takatsuki-kun. But why is he here? We'll be together in the club anyway.
"I want you to put him in Watanabe-han,"
Sakura-san said.
"In Watanabe-han...?"
"Ah! You're the one from the morning!?"
"A-Ah, from that time!?"
It seems Kanna knows. I tried asking Kanna about the circumstances. Kanna began to speak.
（２）
"Recruit one female manager."
The condition for joining the Basketball Club told to me by Toma-senpai. I want to play together with Katagiri-senpai of the Japan national team. With those thoughts as well, I was desperately recruiting.
"I don't know anything about basketball, so pass."
"I'll just stick to cheering."
"It seems kind of strict, and I don't want to sweat even after becoming a university student, so I'll pass."
I couldn't find anyone easily. It was then that she appeared. My eyes were drawn to a single woman standing blankly amidst the battle of circle recruitments. She had clear eyes and her silky black hair was tied up. She was a woman of short stature but with beautiful curves. Perhaps her presence was thin, as no one tried to call out to her.
This is the one!
I reached out toward her. She turns around. She seems wary.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Takatsuki Sho. Are you a freshman?"
From her appearance, I thought there was no doubt she was a freshman, but I asked just to start a conversation.
"...Tada Chitose. I'm a freshman. What is your business?"
"Actually, I want to join the Basketball Club..."
"Ah, isn't this Chii-chan! You entered the local university, right?"
"Kanna-san."
When I looked back, a beautiful woman who looked slightly older was standing there.
"It's been since New Year's! If you entered the local university, you should have told me."
"I told my Big Brother, but..."
"That idiot... So, who is this?"
The person called Kanna glares at me.
"It seems to be recruitment for the Basketball Club."
"Basketball Club? The Basketball Club already has managers, right!?"
Kanna-san says.
"Ah, is that so. Then I don't need to join."
I was flatly rejected by Tada-san.
"But it's amazing, isn't it? I'd heard the rumors, but I never thought it would be this amazing."
"Well, it's the first day of the first semester. It'll become even more amazing."
"I see."
They are talking together, leaving me behind.
"Speaking of which, I received this many flyers, but are there any recommended circles? I didn't do club activities, so I don't know."
"It's not like you absolutely have to join something. Let's see. Do you want to join the same group as this older sister?"
"Now that you mention it, my Big Brother said it. He said it would be good to join a group called Watanabe-han."
She had been looking for that group, but apparently couldn't find it.
"The group this older sister is in is Watanabe-han. That's perfect. By the way, what's your major?"
"Faculty of Education."
"Then there's someone in the group too. No problem. Can you come to a cafe called Blue Bird this evening?"
"I can. It's the cafe along the national highway, right?"
"I'll introduce you to everyone. ...By the way, how long are you staying?"
"It's almost time for class, so I'll be going."
"Yeah, I'll be waiting!"
I was completely left behind. But when I saw that girl, my heart skipped a beat. Tada Chitose. I'll carve that into my heart. And Watanabe-han. I've heard of it. The predecessor of Unity, which was rumored to have connections with underground organizations. I heard it had disbanded and no longer existed, but it still existed? If it does, then there might still be a chance for me. I'm sure Katagiri-senpai was also in it. I'll ask right away. My university life was already about to welcome spring.
（３）
"Sota, that idiot..."
Tasuku says.
"I'll have to tell Murakawa-san,"
Sakura-san is also angry.
"Then, the reason you want to join Watanabe-han is..."
"Because I want to become close with Tada-san."
"Watanabe-senpai, please accept him on my behalf too. To begin with, it's the Basketball Club's blunder, but I can't leave it alone."
When Watanabe-kun asks for the reason, Takatsuki-kun and Sakura-san speak. I looked into Takatsuki-kun's eyes as usual. He is pure-hearted itself. A friend's girlfriend, huh... even looking at it favorably, he's not bad. Watanabe-kun looks at me. I nodded.
"Could you tell me your smartphone ID? We often communicate via group chat,"
Watanabe-kun says, and Takatsuki-kun takes out his smartphone with a smile.
"Hey, is it really okay? He's a candidate for my sister-in-law's boyfriend. It'll be too late after something happens."
Kanna speaks.
"No problem. There are no lies or falsehoods in what he's saying."
When I say that, Kanna seems convinced.
"Please treat me well."
Takatsuki-kun bows his head.
"The local university crowd usually gathers here during lunch break, so you should come here."
"Yes!"
"And then, let's see, if you're free this evening, come to a cafe called Blue Bird."
"I can. I'll keep the time open."
"With this, that's one couple for now, right?"
Watanabe-kun says and laughs. I see, Chii-chan entered the local university. When was the last time I saw her? Maybe in elementary school.
"Toya-kun, do you know Chitose-san?"
Airi asks.
"She's Makoto's younger sister. I haven't seen her for a long time either."
"I see. Then, she's Kanna's younger sister, right?"
"That's how it is."
"I wonder what kind of girl she is? I'm looking forward to it."
Airi says that while looking at her messages. She's probably telling everyone about Chii-chan.
"Makoto! If Chii-chan entered the local university, tell me in advance!"
"Ah, I forgot. Sorry, I'm counting on you for Chii."
"I've secured her properly, so rest easy."
"Thanks."
"I've also properly prepared a good boyfriend~"
Airi interrupts the conversation between Kanna and Makoto.
"A boyfriend for Chii!? Is he coming to Blue Bird today?"
"It seems he's coming~"
"I want to see that guy! I, as her Big Brother, will determine if he's worthy of Chii!"
"Toya-kun says there's no problem."
"...If Toya says so, then it's probably okay."
It seems a trial has already visited Takatsuki-kun.
（４）
I secured two newcomers. That's enough. If I let too many in, it'll become complicated again. However, a spring breeze comes at unexpected times. I happened to see it.
"P-Please let me go."
A plain-looking woman with black hair in braids and glasses is caught up in circle recruitments.
"Join our group. It's a matchmaking circle that's rumored at the local university, you know? Right now, the admission fee is free for women."
"The rumored...?"
She seems to know about the rumored circle.
"That's right. You want to make your campus life bloom, right? Let's enjoy it together."
"Sorry to interrupt, but that group doesn't take membership fees in the first place, does it?"
I had naturally intervened in the conversation.
"Who the hell are you?"
"I wonder if you'll understand if I say Watanabe?"
It seems they noticed. The men left the scene looking awkward. I speak to the woman left alone.
"Are you interested in a matchmaking group?"
"...There is someone I want to be matched with. But we're at different universities..."
"If it's that kind of story, there's no problem. Did you come by car?"
"Yes."
"Then go up the national highway, and there's a cafe called Blue Bird on the left. I want you to come there today."
"N-Now?"
"Anytime if you can come?"
"I-I'll go! Um, you are..."
"Just the leader of a play group."
"I understand. I'm Asakura Iori."
"I'm Watanabe Masashi."
"Then, I'll head there immediately."
Saying that, she ran toward the parking lot. I guess I'll hurry too. I was interested in her story.
（５）
Blue Bird for the first time in a while. The scent of coffee wafts through the air.
"Hey, Katagiri-kun. The usual?"
Sakai-kun says, and I nod.
"Please take any seat you like."
While I'm having a conversation with Airi over coffee at a table seat, there's Kanna and an unknown woman, Takatsuki-kun and Watanabe-kun, Ai-san and Makoto, and another unknown woman. Watanabe-kun and the unknown woman took the seats at my table. Kanna brings the unknown woman over.
"It's been a long time, Katagiri-san."
Hearing that voice, I remembered.
"It's been a long time, Chii-chan."
Kanna and the others are talking at another table. It seems the conversation about the woman next to Watanabe-kun is the priority now. Makoto had invited Chii-chan to Watanabe-han.
"So, Watanabe-kun, who's the person next to you?"
When I ask Watanabe-kun, Watanabe-kun begins to explain. I hear about what happened on the way home from school.
"I see, so there's someone you're interested in?"
I asked Asakura-san.
"Yes, but we're at different universities... it's impossible, right?"
"If it's a private university, there's no problem. Right, Makoto?"
"Yeah, as long as we know the name, we can manage. What's the name?"
When Makoto says that, Asakura-san answers, "Kisaragi Shota."
"A face photo or something would be helpful, by the way,"
Makoto says, and Asakura-san shows the photo on her smartphone's wallpaper.
"OK. I'll capture him within this week."
Makoto seems confident.
"By the way, what kind of person is he?"
Airi was asking.
"Well..."
After thinking for a while, Asakura-san began to speak. He's not smart, his appearance isn't sharp, his athletic nerves aren't good, he doesn't have any special skills, he's slow, he's clumsy, and despite that, her ideal is high. ...There's absolutely nothing good about him.
"What part of Kisaragi-kun did you fall in love with?"
Airi asks while letting a smile slip. Asakura-san is fidgeting.
"Are you okay? No one's laughing, you know? Answer with confidence."
When Airi says that, she begins to speak. The story goes back to when they were in elementary school. The story of when she and Kisaragi-kun were appointed as caterpillar caretakers. Asakura-san disliked it at first. She thought they were gross. However, Kisaragi-kun says:
"You're an idiot. It looks like this now, but it'll become a pupa and turn into a beautiful butterfly! No matter how ugly it is, it can become beautiful."
Apparently, she was enchanted by those words. Could she also be reborn like a butterfly someday? With a faint expectation in her heart, the two of them raised it. However, the faint expectation met an abrupt end. One day, the caterpillar stopped moving entirely.
"That's too bad..."
Asakura-san calls out to Kisaragi-kun.
"Sorry... that I couldn't make it a butterfly..."
Seeing Kisaragi-kun trembling slightly like that, she apparently developed feelings of love. However, no matter how much she called out, Kisaragi-kun wouldn't look back. He spent his days calling out to women more beautiful than her and being rejected. And so, they spent their time through middle and high school. Unable to confess her feelings, they finally ended up apart at university. Everyone was listening intently to Asakura-san's story.
"I'll support you! Asakura-san!"
When Ai-san says that, all the women agreed!
"It's okay! It seems the time has come to show the true value of Watanabe-han!"
Emi-san says.
"Watanabe-kun, for now, invite her to Watanabe-han. We'll talk after that."
When Airi says that, Watanabe-kun exchanges IDs with Asakura-san and invites her to the group.
"Leave the rest to us! First, it's about transforming her into a butterfly!"
"We'll definitely capture Kisaragi-kun! Leave it to me."
Makoto says.
"But his family is wealthy from a famous company... a daughter of a poor family like me..."
Asakura-san says.
"Too bad for them. Smashing through barriers like social status is what Watanabe-han does."
Akira-san says.
"T-Then, I look forward to your help."
Asakura-san bows deeply, then says "I have a part-time job" and leaves the shop.
"First, we can't even start the conversation without meeting this Kisaragi-kun,"
Watanabe-kun says.
"It's okay, as long as we find out the name, the rest can be handled. Right, Emi-san?"
"...I see. Yes, if we have a week, we can handle it."
"...Well, leaving that side to Makoto-kun and the others, next are Chitose-san and Sho-kun."
Watanabe-kun calls the two over. I look at Sho-kun. He's undoubtedly in love with Chii-chan. As for Chii-chan... I can't read her well.
"Chii, what do you think of Sho-kun?"
Makoto asks.
"What do I think?"
"I mean, do you like him or hate him!"
"I don't know. I mean, we just met today, right?"
"Which means, you don't hate him, right?"
When I say that, "That's true," Chii-chan answers.
"Then, for now, just try dating. You can give your answer after that."
"Hey Toya, there's no such thing as 'for now' when it comes to my younger sister, right?"
Makoto says.
"Didn't Makoto and Kanna have a similar period?"
"Ugh... that's true, but."
"If Chii-chan gets hurt, Toya, you can take responsibility, right?"
Kanna says.
"No need to worry, it won't become a situation that Kanna and the others would worry about."
I declare.
"I don't mind, though?"
Chii-chan says. Takatsuki-kun is delighted.
"Then, you two exchange contact information."
When Kanna says that, the two exchange contact information.
"Please treat me well."
"I look forward to working with you too."
"Then, since Kanna and the others will be worried, why don't you four talk first?"
When I say that, Kanna and the others start talking at another table.
"Toya-kun, is that really okay?"
"Takatsuki-kun seems serious, so it'll be fine."
"But it might be rude to say this, but Chitose-san is..."
"I think it's exactly as Airi thinks."
"Uuu... does that mean..."
"Chii-chan's ideal is probably Makoto."
"I don't know if that's good or bad, right?"
I don't think she's exposed her hobbies at her parents' house, Airi.
"Then, first is Iori's turn,"
Ai-san says.
"About Iori's matter. First, could you leave Iori to us?"
"Leave her to you?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"I got a feeling when I saw Iori. Let's see, should I say 'transforming her from a pupa into a butterfly'?"
"Can you do that?"
I was asking.
"I'm saying it because I can. I'll ask for Iori's schedule and do it all at once during her free time."
"S-She says that, but what do you think, Toya?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"Shouldn't we just leave it to the women?"
"Then, I guess I'll leave it to Ai-san and the others?"
"OK! I'll surprise the men!"
Ai-san seems to have a secret plan; it's better to leave this kind of thing to the women, right?
"Ah, I have to go soon. It's time for club activities."
"Toya-kun too!"
"Then we're going!"
"Yeah, see you next time."
"Yep."
We settle the bill, leave the shop, and return to the university.
（６）
After finishing club activities, I return home, eat, and take a bath. When I enter the bath, I wait for Airi to come out. Airi returned to the room with a chu-hi. Airi and I toast together.
"More people have increased, haven't they?"
"They have."
"I hope it becomes fun~"
If it's Watanabe-han, who enjoys doing something about other people's love affairs, it will surely become fun.
"But hearing Iori's story made me remember the old days."
"Eh?"
"Toya-kun from elementary school."
"Ah..."
"Inside me, the Toya-kun from that time still remains. He never changes."
I've never forgotten it either. The time when Airi first called out to me.
"Even so, Takatsuki-kun was amazing."
"He was."
It was inside play that even made Akai panic. A starting lineup change might be possible.
"So, what are you consulting about in the girls' group?"
"It's a secret~"
"I see."
"...Aren't you curious?"
"If it's a secret, it's fine. Because I trust Airi."
"I'm so happy~"
Airi hugs me.
"Well then, shall we sleep soon?"
"Yeah."
Airi and I get into bed and turn off the lights. Personally, I want to support Asakura-san too. However, realistically, it might be difficult for both Asakura-san and Chii-chan. Even so, Watanabe-han is what brings happiness. Our surroundings were dyed in spring colors.