Chapter 325 - Awakening
(1)
"Toryaa!"
"Uwaa!"
Bam!
Kamenashi-kun was thrown onto the tatami mat with full force.
We are watching over this.
A rite of passage that everyone in the Watanabe group goes through.
"Alright, next!! Misawa-kun!"
After lightly practicing breakfalls, it becomes a public execution.
A spirit forged by being thrown again and again.
Pride shattered by being thrown by a woman.
First, they break the misplaced confidence.
That's where the Watanabe group's education begins.
For the newcomers, waking up on the second day was the start of a nightmare.
Exhausted from being thrown so many times, yet still challenging it—an unbreakable spirit.
Once that is confirmed, they move on to the next person.
"Next... Kisaragi-kun!"
"I have to do it too!?"
Seems there are no exceptions in the Watanabe group.
"You've been told to train him specially! First, breakfalls."
But Kisaragi-kun's lack of athleticism seems genuine; even how to take a breakfall is shaky.
Perhaps judging that not being able to breakfall would be dangerous, Kisaragi-kun was spared the disaster.
"Next, Takatsuki-kun!"
Takatsuki-kun had a better physique than Shinjo-san, but that didn't matter; he was thrown repeatedly.
Because Takatsuki-kun had decent athletic ability, he was thrown forcefully.
They did consider that he has a match at the end of next month, but only to the extent of not breaking bones.
Around the time Takatsuki-kun was finished being thrown, Kisaragi-kun, who had been made to practice breakfalls alone, was called out.
Kisaragi-kun was thrown lightly.
Then came hell.
Kisaragi-kun, locked in joint techniques, choked, and suffering!
"Come on, if you have guts, try to resist!"
But it seems she went a bit too far.
He easily lost consciousness.
"I'll just leave him sleeping for a bit... last is Kosei."
"Huh? I have to do it too?!"
"What, even a kid can do it. Alright, from breakfalls..."
Kosei, having some combat experience, handled it easily, but precisely because he handled it, Shinjo-san forgot to hold back.
Kosei's screams continued until Airi announced, "Dinner's ready~"
Five people, broken both physically and mentally.
"Sho-chan, you should eat at least a little."
"Sorry, I don't have an appetite."
"Still need education?"
When Emi-san said that, Kisaragi-kun hurriedly started eating.
After finishing dinner, everyone cleaned up, and Ishihara and his wife, Kosei, and Naru went shopping.
Those remaining had to attend Shinjo-san's etiquette lecture.
We passed it smoothly since we had it last year, but Kamenashi-kun, Takatsuki-kun, and especially Kisaragi-kun were thoroughly educated.
"First, I have to teach you about ladies first!"
Shinjo-san wielded her whip mercilessly.
The women watched with satisfaction.
Only Asakura-san was begging Shinjo-san to stop.
"You're not exempt either. You need to have that pathetic spirit beaten back into you."
"Huh?"
Asakura-san, along with Kisaragi-kun, was literally being retrained.
By the time the eight were all battered, Ishihara-kun and the others returned.
They had bought drinks and meat that had run out, along with various other things.
"Shinjo, how are they? Have the eight been trained?"
"They should be fine for today. Tomorrow is the real test."
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it."
Shinjo-san and Emi-san were laughing.
Ishihara-kun was smiling wryly.
Kosei and Naru were relieved that they weren't part of it.
"Kosei and Naru, you still have time. Want to receive it too?"
Shinjo-san said.
"K-Kosei, it's almost time to prepare lunch! You'll help, right?"
"Y-Yeah, I have to help!"
Kosei and Naru cleverly escaped.
They seem to be in sync.
Having confirmed that, Shinjo-san didn't pursue it further.
We also helped with lunch. While the women were thinking about the menu, we were wiping tables.
Soon, each person's partner started working and helping out.
When I asked Airi if she wanted me to do something...
"Toya-kun, just sit at the table."
Airi smiled.
While everyone was busy moving around, I was the only one blankly watching.
"So why are you putting pineapple in the curry! Mirai!"
"But I read that the acidity tenderizes the meat."
"What did you read?"
"A manga."
Mika-san held her head.
I understood why Airi told me to just watch.
Because she has to guide Mirai-san and has no time to keep an eye on me.
"Your girlfriend sure has it tough."
Tange-san and Shiina-san came over.
They seemed to have been chased away for being in the way too.
Tange-san was watching Umi-chan's actions nervously.
Makoto and Watanabe-kun also returned.
Kanna was busy with Umi-chan, and Mika-san with overall command.
After that, more men returned one after another.
With twenty women, there would be nothing for the men to do.
As we were chatting, the women finally gave the order: "At least help serve the food!"
Airi gave me a specially large portion.
"But that's all for today, okay?"
"How about leftovers? That would be wasteful."
"I adjusted the portions so there won't be leftovers, so it's fine."
"Then, if there's leftovers, I'll eat them."
"Let's give them to others."
"What if the others can't eat them..."
"Haruto-kun will eat them, so it's fine."
"But still..."
"There's a line behind you, so give up already, Toya!"
Kanna said that, and I reluctantly stepped back.
When everyone's portions were ready, we all ate together.
As always, delicious.
Mika-san's spice blend seems to evolve daily.
A little spicy, but the spiciness fades quickly.
It was wonderful.
The meat was also incredibly tender, apparently marinated in yogurt.
They must have marinated it during the commotion of last night's party.
"Ugh..."
Airi was troubled.
Her gaze was fixed on the curry she had been eating.
It seemed she couldn't eat anymore.
"Airi, can I have that curry?"
"I guess so."
I received Airi's curry.
After everyone finished eating, they started cleaning up.
Even though it was a large space, with twenty women moving around, the men had nothing to do.
After wiping the tables, we all sat on chairs and watched the women.
Tange-san and Shiina-san went outside for a smoke.
When the women finished cleaning, we massaged their shoulders, saying "good work."
The women seemed satisfied with just that.
"What's the movie this year?"
Mika-san asked.
Emi-san took out two Blu-rays.
One was a CG movie from a famous company. The other was a live-action version of a street racing manga.
I think there are various issues with that street racing manga, but well, whatever.
When Tange-sensei and the others returned, we headed to the audiovisual room.
(2)
We were having an after-dinner smoke.
We were talking about our wives.
Mostly about food.
"I've given up on eating out now. It's costly, but you can't replace your life."
"I have Umi concentrate on her art, and I do the housework myself."
I think saying "life" is an overstatement, but I understand what he means.
"By the way, I heard you quit being a professor. Are you okay?"
"Well, I get requests for lectures from other places, and I publish work, so I manage."
And there are people who buy Umi's paintings for high prices.
"We're dual-income. We work at the same place though."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"Well, I suppose. But I feel like it's wrong to show favoritism towards family, so I try to be strict."
"That sounds tough."
"Yeah."
"The move is finished by this weekend, right?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
Apparently, the necessary items have already been bought and Shiina-kun has already started living there.
It's just that Mirai-san will bring her household goods.
On late nights, they apparently spend the night at the new place as is.
Next week, married life finally begins.
"Yesterday night we talked, but does Umi-chan also nag you?"
Shiina-kun asked.
"Would you call it nagging? She's been going on about 'Don't treat me like a child,' getting louder."
Is that what they call the awakening of ego?
"I can't imagine Mirai nagging."
Shiina-kun said.
"Everyone's like that at first. Well, shall we head back soon?"
"Yeah."
We returned to the dining hall.
Everyone had finished cleaning and was waiting.
"We're going to watch a movie now."
Takemoto said.
"Got it."
With that, we all headed to the audiovisual room.
(3)
Movie viewing.
It was a famous overseas CG movie.
A typical princess story.
If you've been forced into a closed-off life for 13 years, you'd want to complain at least once.
I was confined for 20 years.
Hiyama-san created the opportunity.
Haruto gave me freedom.
Have I changed?
I want to thank him.
But Haruto says the current situation is enough.
Peace.
To me, it's a precious treasure.
Haruto says what's precious to him is me.
Then I want to become Haruto's.
I wouldn't mind being confined under Haruto forever.
Someone said that's not restraint, but a bond.
Actually, it's not that I want to stay secluded with Haruto.
I want to confine Haruto.
I don't want to give him to anyone.
Haruto lives freely.
Will he get tired of me and turn to someone else?
The movie ended.
After a 15-minute break, we move on to the next movie.
"That was fun."
Haruto said.
What did Haruto think watching that movie?
I asked Haruto.
"I'm interested in true love."
Seems Haruto is interested in it too.
"Can we reach it too?"
"It's probably difficult, right?"
Disappointment.
Does that mean Haruto, like the prince, only approached me out of curiosity?
"But I'll definitely find it. I'll show you summer, Haruna."
Haruto said confidently.
I nodded.
Actually, I should already realize it.
About true love.
"Haruna, there's a place I want to go next time."
"A movie theater?... 'A place I've always wanted to go with her'?"
"H-How did you know?"
Even I can figure that out.
"Okay, is there a good movie playing?"
"I'll look for one now."
I looked at the movie theater website with Haruto.
Haruto was hoping for a Hollywood CG special effects series.
"Okay, that's fine."
"Great."
"But in return, listen to my request too?"
"What is it?"
"I want to have dinner at a restaurant on the way back."
"Is that all?"
"Yeah."
"Got it. Then, can we stay at my place for the night on the way back?"
I nodded.
He was delighted.
He's happy even though I'm the one getting my wish.
Seeing him like that made me happy too.
(4)
The second movie was a live-action adaptation of a certain street racing manga.
It was a terrible, completely different story from the original.
Among it, Haruki's car appeared.
Haruki doesn't drive rough when I'm in the car.
But it seems he sometimes goes on a rampage alone.
It's not just Haruki.
There were men in the Watanabe group who were influenced by the manga as well.
I thought everyone had stopped after the trouble last year.
But the men all stared intently at the car racing scenes.
Are they still interested?
Katagiri-kun was asleep, not interested.
Poke
"Is it that boring for you to watch a movie with your wife, Toya-kun?"
"No, it's the movie's content that's terrible... it makes me sleepy."
"Then, shall we talk?"
"Everyone's watching the movie; it'd be bad to disturb them."
"Ugh..."
"How about we sneak out?"
"Mhm~"
With that, Katagiri-senpai and the others sneaked out.
I was poking Haruki's arm next to me.
"What's wrong?"
"Is the movie fun?"
"No, it's so poorly made it's painful to watch."
"Then, shall we talk outside too?"
"Yeah, sure?"
When we left the audiovisual room, Katagiri-senpai and the others were there.
"Huh? Hiyama-senpai, you snuck out too?"
"Yeah, it was too awful and boring."
The two exchanged opinions.
"I have something I want to ask you two~ is that okay~?"
"What?"
"What?"
"You're both good drivers, right~?"
"Well, I think I'm average?"
"Not as good as Toya, but I guess I'm average?"
"Do you still go driving in the mountains now~?"
"No. Airi's told me not to."
When Katagiri-senpai said that, Tosaka-senpai poked him lightly.
"So it's my fault~? Toya-kun blames me~?"
"That's not it. I promised I wouldn't go on drives I couldn't take my cute wife on, right?"
"...Ehehe~"
Tosaka-senpai was happy.
I asked Haruki.
"Haruki, if I told you to stop, would you stop~?"
"Stop? I haven't gone since that accident anyway. I nearly lost my life."
"And yet, you speed on the highway and drive too fast on national roads~"
"If you tell me to stop that too, I'll stop. It's just that kind of car, so I drive fast."
"Are you trying to see what's on the other side of speed too, senpai~?"
"What's on the other side is death... I think I've seen my limits."
"Is that so~? Then it's fine~ I'm relieved~"
"Was that what you wanted to talk about?"
Haruki was dumbfounded.
"Honestly, I don't really like those kinds of movies~"
"I get it. Toya-kun understands, but some people get influenced easily."
Tosaka-senpai understood.
"Don't women seek thrills?"
Haruki asked.
"I'd wonder if he doesn't really care about me. Because if he cared, I don't think he'd drive recklessly."
Tosaka-senpai was right.
"I agree with Tosaka-senpai~"
"Then, is it okay if it's when you're alone?"
Katagiri-senpai asked.
"It's the same. If something happened, the person who cares about you would be sad. Can't you think that way?"
"I see."
"The happiest thing is when you come home safely, right~?"
When I said that, Tosaka-senpai nodded.
While the four of us were talking, the movie seemed to end. Everyone filed out.
"What's wrong, Toya? Sneaking out at the best part."
Tada-senpai said.
"It was awesome. Maybe I'll replace my car too."
When Kiritani-senpai said that, Ai-senpai hit him on the head.
"This idiot gets influenced by movies immediately again!"
Hearing that, Ichinose-senpai let out a word.
"Did you notice, Ai? I noticed yesterday too..."
"What is it, Honoka?"
"You both have the same sticker on the back of your cars. A sticker with the name 'Red Bull.'"
Are they planning to fly or something?
"Eita~ you don't mean... you're sometimes late coming home but..."
"Kiritani-senpai was a Red Bull member too?"
Kisaragi-kun seems to be in it too.
"Shota, could you explain what kind of team it is?"
Kisaragi-kun explained.
It seems to be a team started by the former rally driver's garage boss he mentioned before.
"This idiot still hasn't learned?!"
"Ryuji-kun, you broke your promise again, didn't you?"
Both were angry.
"This is tonight's agenda."
Emi-san said.
Kiritani-senpai and Nakajima-senpai were holding their heads.
(5)
"Well, good work on the second night too. I'd like to do a toast, but the women filed a complaint... Emi-san, please explain."
"Anyone in the men's group who is part of a team called 'Red Bull', raise your hand! I can tell from the cars, so hiding is useless!"
Kiritani-kun, Nakajima-kun, Makoto, Kisaragi-kun, and Takatsuki-kun raised their hands.
"Kisaragi-kun and Takatsuki-kun aside, what's the meaning of this?! Didn't we promise last year?"
Emi-san was angry.
She wasn't the only one angry. Ai-san, Kanna, and Ichinose-san were also angry.
The three explained their reasons.
It was a simple and trivial reason: they wanted excitement in their boring daily lives.
Hearing that, the three became furious!
"I thought we were supposed to be seeking a peaceful daily life," Watanabe-kun said with a stern expression.
"It can't be helped because that's the kind of car we drive!"
When Kiritani-kun retorted, Ai-san shot back, "Then change your car immediately!!"
"That might be a bad idea."
I gave my opinion.
"Why, Katagiri-kun?"
"Unless the three of you change fundamentally, it's meaningless. If they change to a car with lower limits, that would be even more dangerous."
"That might be true. All three drive cars with decent equipment. If they did the same thing in a stock car, they'd definitely crash."
Hiyama-senpai said.
"Then, how do you think they can change fundamentally?"
Ai-san asked.
"Hmm, Makoto, why did you join? Your car isn't suited for it, right?"
"I'm using Kanna's car."
Kanna said.
"...For now, all three should stop. You all have people important to you, right? If something happened, you'd make them sad, right? Or is what you want to obtain, what's on the other side of speed, worth losing your girlfriend?"
"I wanted to test my limits."
Kiritani-kun answered.
"So you were driving without knowing your limits? Even more reason to stop. As I said before, no matter how much you might be on a mountain road at night, limits are surprisingly low. Driving without knowing that is dangerous."
"I've learned that mountain roads are dangerous; I've reflected on what happened last time. But public roads aren't just mountain roads, right?"
"Huh?"
I was speechless hearing that.
Apparently, they also did zero-yon drag races on industrial roads.
The three became even more furious upon learning that. Ichinose-san was crying.
"Why won't you understand?! Don't you think about the feelings of a girlfriend who might suddenly lose her boyfriend if something happens?!"
Ichinose-san shouted.
Kiritani-kun and the others said nothing.
How can we stop these three?
For now, maybe Makoto?
"Makoto, you're going pro next year, right? Don't you understand that?"
"Yeah, I do... But I just feel the urge to do it."
"I told you Toya-kun restrains himself in games, didn't I?"
Airi said.
"Let's settle this once and for all, okay? The three of you, which do you choose: the car or your girlfriend?"
Airi asked.
No one had the courage to say "car" here.
"You chose your girlfriends, so that's why you're all doing it secretly, right?"
The three nodded.
"Nakajima-kun aside, you two are no longer just girlfriends. They're your wives. You need to treasure them more."
"Wouldn't it be good to find some other hobby?"
Watanabe-kun said.
"Our other hobbies are also banned. What are we supposed to do?"
Kiritani-kun said.
"How about copying Toya's hobby? Toya managed to break free from the car's grip. Right, Toya?"
My hobby, huh...
"Driving with Airi and going on dates going around town. I don't drive dangerously when she's with me. It's surprisingly fun? Chatting with Airi while driving slowly. What about you, Hiyama-senpai?"
"Same for me. When I drive with Sakura, I try to drive safely. I might speed a little, but not to a deadly level."
"You don't get it, Toya, Hiyama-senpai. It's when we're alone that's the problem. We're always up to no good."
"What do you do when Tosaka-san isn't around, Toya?"
Makoto asked.
That's tough, I rarely have time like that... but maybe not?
"I watch the videos you send me, Makoto. Isn't that good enough for you?"
"Ugh... so you did watch them."
I'll have to appease Airi later.
"Nakajima-kun, how about making your girlfriend your hobby?"
"Honoka?"
"Yeah, yeah. Like thinking about what would make Ichinose-san happy. How to shape her to your liking. How about spending your time on that?"
"Toya-kun is always thinking about that, isn't he?"
Airi's mood seemed to have improved.
"What Toya means is to treasure your own girlfriend/wife. Care for them. If you do that, you wouldn't be able to drive dangerously, right?"
Watanabe-kun summed it up nicely.
"Driving isn't just about speeding. There's a lot to do, like modifying the interior or changing the sound system."
Haruto said.
"Got it, I won't go to the mountains alone anymore, ever."
When Makoto said that, the other two reluctantly agreed.
Two left. I didn't expect Takatsuki-kun to be one of them.
Well, the reason is probably the car. They both have that type of car.
"Shouldn't you, Makoto, say something? Like 'I can't entrust my little sister to someone who would make her sad'."
"Y-Yeah. Takatsuki-kun. I'll stop too, so please stop for Chi's sake."
"I understand..."
"Sho-chan..."
"I know. I'll stop too."
"Then, let's all go to the parking lot."
Airi said.
Suddenly, what for?
When we got to the parking lot, Airi started peeling the sticker off Kiritani-kun's car.
"Wah! Do it carefully! It'll look bad if it leaves residue."
"That doesn't matter. Because it's a reminder."
"Good idea, Airi! I'll do it too."
With that, Ai-san also helped Airi.
"I'll do Ryuji-kun's car."
"I'll do Takatsuki-san's car, is that right?"
"I-I'll do Sho-chan's car."
With that, they each peeled the stickers off their respective cars.
"There, that's settled. Don't ever do it again. If you think we'll forgive you three times, you're very wrong."
Airi said.
"Alright, problem solved! Let's all get noisy!"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone went back inside.
I tried to go back too, but Airi stopped me.
"Toya-kun, you still have a problem."
"What?"
"You secretly watched naughty videos without telling me, didn't you!"
Oh, so she remembered.
"Isn't it okay when I have time to myself?"
"No! Because Toya-kun absorbs everything like that and tries to imitate it! When you watch, we watch together!"
"Alright..."
There are some I can't show Airi, though. I don't intend to imitate them.
"I'll delete anything you can't show me. Boo~!"
"Understood."
"Well, let's go back. We need to eat meat."
"So I'm allowed to eat today?"
"Ugh... don't overeat, okay?"
"I know."
With that, we returned to the party.
Everyone had already started.
"Toya, got a minute?"
Makoto, Kiritani-kun, and Nakajima-kun called me over.
"Honestly, haven't you ever wanted to race?"
Ah, that kind of talk.
If that's it, I have a good analogy.
"Makoto, can you do a downhill run with your girlfriend or wife sitting next to you?"
"No, that's too scary."
"That's it. If you're confident you can do it, go ahead. But if it scares you, stop. It's not something worth doing that much."
"I see."
"But I didn't think you'd be doing zero-yon."
"I thought it was an advantage with my car's performance."
"Well, it's the same thing. I'd never want to do zero-yon on an industrial road, even by mistake."
Mountain roads are actually safer in that regard.
Seems the talk is over. Meat, meat.
"Katagiri-kun, thank you."
Emi-san came over.
"Honestly, I had no way to stop them."
"But I don't think it's really decided that they'll stop?"
"Huh?"
"Once someone is possessed by the demon of speed, it's not so easy to break free."
"So you mean they might do it again?"
"It's possible, yeah."
"What should I do?"
"The rest depends on the five of them? It depends on how much my words from earlier sank in."
"I see..."
Emi-san smiled and went back to Ishihara-kun's side.
"Toya-kun, where did you go?"
Airi seemed to be looking for me.
"I was just consulting. What's up?"
"Here, take this?"
The plate Airi held out had yakisoba, meat, and a hamburger patty, perfectly balanced.
"Can I eat it?"
Airi smiled and nodded.
"Today is special."
"Thank you."
By the time I finished eating, the meat was gone and everyone was starting to clean up.
We also helped with the cleanup.
The night had only just begun.