Chapter 327 - What Is Love, I Wonder
(1)
"Toya-kun, there's more rice~"
"Then, I'll have seconds~"
Airi was in an excellent mood.
Ai-san, Kanna, Emi-san, and Naru weren't in bad moods either.
But the awkwardness drifting between the rest of the women and the men.
Wasn't this going to be bad if it continued?
It seemed Watanabe-kun had noticed that too.
"Good morning, everyone. Could I have a word? It's about the plans from here on..."
Watanabe-kun's words stopped, probably because the women's gazes were piercing him.
"About the plans from here on, I was thinking we could clean up, then disband, and only those who want to can stay and go to Yufuin..."
"Shouldn't there be something to take care of before that?"
I cut in.
"Yeah, you're right. We should properly talk about what happened last night."
Watanabe-kun said.
"That's enough. I understand now that no matter how much I appeal to these people, they won't understand."
Ichinose-san said.
"Honoka, calm down. If you take that attitude, it'll be hard for Nakajima-kun to talk too."
Airi tried to soothe her.
"Airi's got it good. With an understanding boyfriend."
"There are times when Toya-kun doesn't understand me either, you know?"
"But he did stop with the car, didn't he?"
"He'll understand eventually."
"It's too late after he gets hurt! You can't even understand that!"
Ichinose-san shouted.
None of the men said anything.
If there was anyone here who could say, "The ones who get into accidents just danced with bad luck," I'd want to praise them in a way.
"Ichinose-san, it's not good to just flat-out deny everything."
I said that.
"I don't want to interfere with his hobbies either. But it's impossible not to worry when he might get hurt, isn't it?"
Ichinose-san said.
"I thought I was sick of life-or-death situations."
Sakai-kun said.
"Yeah, I've had enough of that kind of danger."
Ishihara-kun also said.
The problem was that Nakajima-kun hadn't been through that life-or-death situation.
The same probably went for Makoto and Kiritani-kun. They could do it because they hadn't felt a real crisis yet, right?
Though maybe it's better not to know about that kind of thing.
"What do you think you should do, Ichinose-san? Telling him to stop driving is impossible, right?"
In the city it might be different, but in a rural area like this, life without a car is nearly impossible.
"I'm just asking him to stop driving recklessly."
"That's what Ichinose-san says, but what will you do, Nakajima-kun?"
"What else can I do but stop?"
"Then why did you start again?"
"Because I wanted to test the limits of the car I just bought..."
"Will you be able to stop once you see the limits? Don't you want to experience it yourself?"
"Well, I probably would."
"Then there's no choice but to go to a circuit. A circuit is safe."
"But don't you need a license to run a gymkhana..."
"It's fundamentally impossible to want to see the limits of a car if you can't even get a license to run a gymkhana."
And trying to race through mountain passes at high speed without even being able to drive on a circuit is practically reckless.
"I agree with Toya. If you want to drive fast, you should go to a circuit. I hear they have drift practice sessions too."
Watanabe-kun said.
But I disagreed.
"But if I'm honest, Ichinose-san probably doesn't want to approve of driving on a circuit either."
"Are you telling me to give up driving altogether?"
"You just don't have to drive recklessly. No one would get upset about something like going for a picnic in the mountains. Right, Ichinose-san?"
"I'm not denying Ryuji-kun's driving skills either. But I want him to stop if there's even a slight risk. That's all."
When Ichinose-san said that, Nakajima-kun fell silent.
"Yesterday, Makoto and the others talked about 'male romance,' but have you ever listened to what 'female romance' is?"
I asked everyone.
"Instead of unilaterally pushing your own principles, you have to accept the other person's claims too."
"Specifically, what should I do?"
Nakajima-kun asked.
"A mountain pass is still a mountain pass even if you don't speed, right?"
You shouldn't drive in a way that takes risks. That's all there is to it.
"...I understand."
"That's what he says, but how about it, Ichinose-san?"
"I don't mind if he takes me for a normal drive."
"Right. You should stop driving in a way that scares your girlfriend."
"But do you think he really understands?"
Ichinose-san was listening.
"Doesn't that come down to mutual trust?"
"The problem is whether I can trust him or not."
Nakajima-kun insisted this was the second time.
"That goes for our Eita too. I want a guarantee that he won't do it again."
"Same for me, Makoto."
"S-Sho-chan too..."
"Takatsuki-san too."
Everyone seemed to want a guarantee.
Airi seemed troubled too.
"Toya, what do you think should be done? You've already decided in your head, haven't you?"
Tasuku said.
"Isn't it already decided among the women?"
"Huh?"
The women stirred.
"Give up, break up, divorce. That's the final destination, isn't it?"
If you can't do that, you have no choice but to repeat the warnings over and over again.
Believing that someday they'll surely understand.
"That's a pretty male-biased opinion, Katagiri-kun."
Emi-san said.
"Then if you can't trust men and believe in them, you give up. It's not just women who cry."
"Isn't that just how it is?"
Kosei said.
"I think it can't be helped if you're going to follow a man who can't keep even that kind of promise."
"You don't get it because you've never ridden in a car, Kosei."
Nakajima-kun argued back.
"So that means you have no intention of keeping your promise, Nakajima-kun?"
I asked Nakajima-kun.
"I want to keep it, but I want some kind of vow to keep it."
"Isn't that what Ichinose-san is?"
"Ah!"
Nakajima-kun seemed to realize.
I think Makoto and the others realized it too.
"If I were asked to choose between my car and Airi, I'd choose Airi without hesitation. What about everyone else?"
No one argued anymore.
"Can we end this discussion here?"
"Can I really trust him?"
Ichinose-san asked.
"Wouldn't it be better to ask Nakajima-kun that than me?"
"Ryuji-kun, I can trust you this time, right?"
"I'll keep my promise this time. Trust me."
"The talk seems to be over, so shall we start getting ready?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone began cleaning up.
"Good work, Toya. Sorry about that. It should have been my role..."
"There are things only people who've experienced the same world can understand, so it's fine."
I said to Watanabe-kun.
In the end, everyone decided to go to Yufuin.
Needless to say, no one drove recklessly.
(2)
"Let's go see the cats~"
"Don't pull so hard."
"Kanna, which one do you want?"
"Either is fine."
"Ai?"
"I'm fine with either too, I guess?"
Me, Airi, the Tada couple, and the Kiritani couple were moving together.
We were looking around the streets after lunch, but Airi always wants to see cats.
Airi staring intently at a cat in a cage.
She really does love cats, huh?
Whenever we go to a shopping mall, Airi always wants to see cats or animals.
I wonder if women like animals?
Ai-san and Kanna, who seemed not very interested, were also captivated by the cats.
The cats, maybe sleepy, just sat still, and we just stared at them.
"That's enough, right? Let's go to the next place!"
Kiritani-kun seemed bored.
"Just a little longer. Airi, isn't that cat cute?"
"I like that one over there better~ Kanna?"
"I guess that one for me~"
Each of them found a cat they liked and stared at it.
Makoto was looking at merchandise. Kiritani-kun was yawning, waiting for Ai-san to get bored.
I was looking at the cats with Airi.
"Do you like cats too, Toya-kun?"
"Yeah, I do" or "Not really" were forbidden words.
"I like them second most after Airi" was also forbidden. Transparent flattery is unpleasant.
"I do like them. If Airi likes them too, should we get a cat at home?"
"Ugh... I'm already at my limit taking care of you, Toya-kun, so just looking is enough~"
"I see. Too bad."
After that, it's good to talk about cats.
"I like the paw pads" or "That cat has fluffy fur" is fine. No specialized knowledge needed. Just going along with the conversation is enough.
After that, just stick with her until she's satisfied.
That alone improves Airi's mood.
"Should we get going soon? We don't have much time."
"Is there somewhere else you want to go?"
"Music boxes!"
"I want to go to the anime store."
"I want to see the trick art."
Makoto said nothing.
Kiritani-kun was saying, "We went there before."
"The music box place is closest. Should we go around in order?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go, let's go."
"Hey, you guys come along too."
I accompanied Airi at the music box store.
I picked out ones she might like and showed them to her, saying, "How about this one?"
"Oh, this is cute. I'll take this one. I wonder what songs they have~"
After that, just let her choose the song until she's satisfied.
"Toya-kun, which one do you think is better?"
I listened to both while looking at Airi's face.
Usually, the corner of her mouth lifts slightly for one of them.
Then I just choose that one for her.
"Our tastes really match, don't they, Toya-kun?"
Airi was happy.
"Eita, try to go along with it a little!"
"We bought it before!"
Kiritani-kun and Ai-san were arguing.
"Makoto, which one do you think is better?"
"Kanna liked this artist, right? How about this one?"
Makoto and the others seemed to be getting along fine.
Next was the anime store.
It was like a specialty store for a famous anime production company.
Airi and I looked at CDs together.
"You already have the reggae version, right, Toya-kun?"
"It's in the car."
"Wouldn't this bossa nova style be good too?"
"Then, shall we buy it?"
"Un!"
Makoto and Kanna, who weren't very interested, were waiting outside.
"Sorry for dragging you along."
"Ah, don't worry about it."
Kanna replied.
"Still, you're really good at handling Tosaka-san."
Makoto said.
"You know how to handle Kanna too, don't you, Makoto?"
At that moment, a shout came from inside the store.
"Buying a stuffed animal this big will just be in the way!"
"You line up your lousy toys too, so at least go along with my shopping a little!"
"...Well, compared to that."
"Yeah."
Makoto and Kanna said.
"I bought it, Toya-kun~"
"Should we wait for Kiritani-kun and the others?"
"Un. Kanna, aren't you going to look at anything?"
"I'm not really interested in anime."
"Ugh... I feel bad."
"Don't worry about it. The next place is where I want to go."
When the Kiritani couple came out, we headed to the next destination, the trick art.
"Toya, can you take a picture for us?"
"Ah, sure. I'll take it."
"Toya-kun, should we get one taken too?"
"Yeah. Kanna, can you take it?"
"Ah, sure."
Kiritani-kun, looking bored at the exit, and Ai-san, looking displeased.
How have these two lasted this long...
"It's about time, should we head back?"
"Yeah."
"Toya-kun, I want to buy souvenirs for Maya-san and Rie-chan before going home."
"Then should we buy something at a Western confectionery shop?"
"Un!"
We bought a cheesecake at the Western confectionery shop and headed home.
We also ate soft serve ice cream on the way.
She forgave me today.
Airi was in high spirits.
And so we returned to the meeting point.
When we got back, there was still time.
We killed time at that usual cafe.
"I envy Kanna and Airi."
Ai-san let out her dissatisfaction.
Kiritani-kun's attitude was bad, completely.
"Have you two been to Yufuin before?"
"Well, we come every year, I guess."
"I see. Then I guess it can't be helped~"
I don't think that's the kind of problem it is.
After killing time, we returned to the parking lot.
No one had gathered yet.
We decided to wait.
(3)
"Which one should I get~"
"Umm..."
I was wondering what to buy at the souvenir shop.
He seemed to be getting irritated during the wait.
"Sho-chan, which one do you think is better?"
"Either is fine. Just pick the one you like."
"Hmm..."
Even so, I hesitated.
Sho-chan, losing patience, grabbed both and took them to the register.
"Problem solved if you just buy both, right?"
I felt like it wasn't that kind of problem.
"Let's hurry to the next place?"
What Sho-chan chose was a small zoo. You could interact with various animals.
Sho-chan went in, but didn't interact with any of the animals.
They were creepy, scary. I might get scratched.
Then there was no need to go in in the first place.
"Women like animals, right? I just thought we should go in."
How much that word healed me.
"Then, can I go see the dogs?"
"You really do like animals. Sure."
There were dogs in a cage.
They didn't move much, but I watched them.
After five minutes, Sho-chan got bored.
"That's enough, right? Let's go."
"Just a little longer?"
"I'm hungry. I want to eat something."
Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten lunch.
"I-I'm sorry."
I wonder if there's a good place?
There was a soba restaurant.
"Sho-chan, let's go here?"
After eating soba with Sho-chan, we walked around the streets a bit and then turned back.
Something had changed about Sho-chan.
He held my hand so I wouldn't get lost in the crowd.
That alone made me happy.
And so my first shopping trip with Sho-chan ended.
"Let's come again, okay?"
"We could just go shopping in town, right?"
"That's fine too."
As long as I can come with Sho-chan.
"R-Right."
I headed to the meeting point with the bewildered Sho-chan.
(4)
After lunch, we looked around the art museum.
The six of us: the Manabe couple, the Shiina couple, and me and Umi.
I invited her thinking it might be a reference for Umi's work.
Umi was captivated, devouring the artworks.
The Manabe couple and Shiina couple seemed satisfied too.
There seemed to be a service for letters like a time capsule.
Everyone wrote one.
They would be delivered in 3 months to 5 years.
We looked forward to that.
"Shiina-kun, I have to buy souvenirs for everyone at the office."
"I know a good shop for that."
We went into the shop Shiina-kun recommended and bought souvenirs.
There was an exhibition by a certain famous artist.
We went in there too. Umi was captivated again.
There was also something called an automobile museum.
We looked around inside.
Vintage cars were on display.
It seemed to appeal to Manabe.
"Takemoto would probably be happy to see this."
"What's Takemoto doing?"
"I heard he's with Saki-san."
"Well, he'll be at the meeting point, right?"
"Is it that time already?"
"No need to rush. It's not far from here."
Manabe seemed to have enjoyed himself, eating nama-senbei and gold-medal croquettes.
We returned to the meeting point.
Katagiri-kun, Tosaka-san, the Tada couple, the Kiritani couple, Asakura-san, Kisaragi-kun, and the Watanabe couple were waiting.
"They're the type to be casual about time."
Watanabe-kun said.
We had no choice but to wait.
(5)
I was looking at honey while eating soft serve ice cream.
I don't know if they were going to buy any.
We were drinking juice outside, watching the people passing by.
"There are quite a lot of people."
Ishihara-kun said.
"Well, it's the tourist season, so I guess it can't be helped..."
Kamekishi-kun and the others said.
"Sorry to keep you waiting~"
The women came out.
Naru had a juice in her hand.
"Kosei, next I want to go see cats."
"Got it."
Basically, Naru held the initiative.
Naru was having a lively time with the other women.
After seeing the cats, we also looked around at music boxes, candy stores, and various other places.
The men were getting tired.
But the women showed no mercy.
"Hey, Koki, you guys come pick one out too!"
Morizono-san said.
With a sigh, Kamekishi-kun and Misawa-kun moved.
Ishihara-kun guarded them.
Of course, while also protecting Emi-san, who was with them.
It's already peaceful...
"Kosei, come over here and pick one out too!"
My beloved called me.
And so we looked around various shops for about four hours.
When I sat down at the meeting point, Ishihara-kun handed me a juice.
"Good work."
"Thanks."
"But it's better not to show too much that you're tired. You'll lose favor with Naru."
Ishihara-kun said.
Still, walking around for four hours is tiring.
As for Naru, she was peeking into a folk craft museum near the meeting point.
"Kosei, come here. It's amazing~"
"...Do your best."
Urged by Ishihara-kun, I went to Naru.
"Hey, isn't this amazing?"
"It's amazing."
"...Kosei, are you tired of being with me?"
"Not at all."
I hurriedly denied it.
"Liar. You looked kind of bored being with me."
"That's not true. I just wished we could have looked around slowly, just the two of us."
"When I grow up, let's come here just the two of us."
"Yeah."
"Naru-chan. Everyone's gathering."
Emi-san called out.
"Okaaay. Let's go back, Kosei?"
"Yeah. Let's go back."
"Let's come again."
"Yeah."
I could only smile.
(6)
After finishing our shopping, we took a break at a cafe.
Saki had bought a lot of things.
"Is this your first time coming to Yufuin, Saki?"
I asked Saki.
"It's my first time coming with you."
"W-Wait, so you've come with other people?"
"Well... local date spots are limited, right?"
True.
"I was dragged to most places. Many times."
"You got asked out on a lot of dates, huh?"
"Well..."
Was that a past I shouldn't have touched?
"But coming with Yuma changes the whole world. I got excited like it was my first time. Maybe I was just being sociable the first time too. I was probably tired."
"Is that so?"
"Have you been to Yufuin before?"
"...It's my first time coming with a girlfriend."
"Not a girlfriend. With your wife."
Isn't it pretty much the same thing?
"Oh? Isn't that Takemoto-kun and the others?"
The Kimoto couple, Nakajima-senpai and Ichinose-senpai, and Takatsuki-kun, Chitose-san, Mizushima-kun, and Sakura-san were there.
"You guys taking a break too?"
Kimoto-senpai asked.
"Yeah, more or less."
"Mind if we join you?"
"Go ahead."
Saki said.
"How was it, Iori-san? Your first date."
"It was fun."
She looked happy. She was probably delighted.
She started introducing the places she'd been.
She moved around quite a bit.
Fatigue was visible on Takatsuki-kun.
My condolences.
It wasn't as bad as Katagiri-kun, but I could understand too.
I think you're probably the only one who can make her happy.
Nakajima-senpai and Ichinose-senpai seemed to have made up too.
After chatting for a while, Saki said she wanted to see Kinrin Lake.
We left the shop.
We bought some food for her.
Saki was happily feeding the animals.
It was almost time.
I told Saki.
"There's still some food left."
She said that, absorbed in feeding them.
"O~i. Takemoto-kun~"
Sakura-san and the others called out.
"You guys came to see the lake too?"
"Yes."
"It's already past the time, you know?"
"You're right."
I looked at my watch.
"Yuma, I'm done."
"Saki, let's hurry. Everyone's waiting."
"It's fine to make them wait a little."
"We can't do that."
I pulled Saki's arm and hurried ahead.
"I said I understand, so don't rush me so much!"
Saki protested.
"You're late, Takemoto!"
Mika-san scolded me.
"Sorry."
"Well, I understand getting carried away. But you have to be on time."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Are we the last?"
"No, Nishimatsu-kun still hasn't come."
We waited for Nishimatsu-kun.
(7)
Yufuin was a place I had come to many times with Miyuki.
Still, it seemed Miyuki had things she wanted to do.
Ride a rickshaw.
Look around the streets of Yufuin.
After that, we had a late lunch and were looking around shops when we ran into Haruto and the others.
"Oh? Isn't that Nishimatsu-senpai?"
We talked at a cafe near Kinrin Lake.
It seemed to be "a place I wanted to come with my girlfriend."
I wanted to come just the two of us, but there was never that kind of time.
It was a year without any leeway.
She seemed intent on covering all the places she wanted to go in this one year.
"Well, I have my part-time job, so I can't do all of it."
"You mustn't neglect Shiratori-san because of your part-time job."
Miyuki warned him.
"I know. Nishimatsu-senpai, have you been to Yufuin many times?"
"Well..."
"Local sightseeing spots are limited."
Miyuki also said.
But I hadn't come with Miyuki that often.
We've been going to various places as if to make up for the lost time, but since Miyuki started working, it's been hard to find time that matches.
"Haruto, it's about time."
"Ah, crap! Nishimatsu-senpai, you should hurry too!"
"Yeah."
We left the shop and headed to the meeting point, where everyone was gathered.
"Is this everyone?"
Watanabe-senpai said.
"Well, good work, everyone. We'll disband here. Anyone from the local group who has time, let's go eat at a family restaurant before heading home."
"We're going to eat in Beppu before heading home. We have to take Haruna home."
"I see. Well. Anyone else who can come, feel free to join."
When Watanabe-senpai said that, everyone got in their cars.
"What should we do?"
Miyuki asked.
"You want to go, right?"
"Yeah."
I didn't even need to ask.
We followed Watanabe-senpai's car to a local family restaurant.
(8)
We had come to a local family restaurant.
As expected, nearly 40 people couldn't sit together, so we split into different tables.
At our table were the Tada couple, the Kiritani couple, the Watanabe couple, Chi-chan, and Takatsuki-kun.
"How was it, Chi? Your Yufuin date."
"It was fun. We looked around at various things."
Makoto was talking to Chi-chan.
"What were you doing, Watanabe-kun?"
"Me? I ate and walked around eating."
That sounded enviable.
Mika-san and the others were talking about various things.
I was looking at Chi-chan's face.
Chi-chan might just be excited, but she seemed a little more interested in romance than before the camp.
Well, a lot happened.
From here on, it's up to Takatsuki-kun.
"There are still various events coming up, you know? Look forward to them, Chi."
Makoto said.
Chi-chan nodded.
Her perspective did seem to have changed a little.
"I have to support Toya too, so this year will be tough too."
Watanabe-kun said.
The time was finally approaching.
There were matches before that too.
The adjustments were going well.
It should be fine.
"This year's camp had a lot happen too."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Mostly because of Eita and Tada-kun, though."
Ai-san said.
"Give them a break already. They've both reflected on it enough."
Watanabe-kun said with a laugh.
"I hope so..."
Kanna sighed.
After finishing our meal and chatting, we left the restaurant and disbanded.
"Hey? Toya-kun?"
"What's wrong, Airi?"
We went home, took a bath, and were relaxing in the room with a chu-hai.
"Toya-kun, what was the reason you decided not to push your car anymore?"
"Wasn't it that match? I thought it was better to quit cleanly than to experience that kind of humiliation. That's all."
"What was the reason you stopped the match? You were really angry, Toya-kun."
"Probably because there was no reason to do it if it meant fighting with Airi."
"Your judgment is always based on me, isn't it?"
Airi seemed down.
She was probably thinking something stupid again.
I patted Airi's head.
"We said we'd stop talking about that kind of thing, didn't we?"
"Ugh..."
"Airi acts based on me too. It's only fair that I act based on Airi, right?"
"Un..."
I had to think of some fun topic for her.
"I'm looking forward to the dream resort in the second half."
"Un! I'm going to ride lots of rides~"
Airi was happy.
I wouldn't spare any effort to make Airi happy.
Just seeing that smile makes me happy.
"By the way, Toya-kun."
"What is it?"
"You didn't get distracted by food for once, Toya-kun."
"I was too busy trying to get you in a good mood."
"Ugh... So it's my fault."
"It's only natural for a precious date, right?"
"I see~"
"Well then, I'm tired, so should we go to sleep?"
Ponk
"Toya-kun, did you forget our promise from yesterday!?"
I forgot.
"You idiot, I meant sleeping together."
"That's suspicious."
"...Come here."
"Un!"
Chi-chan was also starting to take an interest in this thing called love, little by little.
Don't be afraid and come on in a little more.
Gradually is fine.
Because once you start, it'll feel good.
Thinking such things, I spent the night with Airi.