Chapter 336 - With Feelings in My Heart
(1)
"Well then, cheers!!"
Watanabe-kun said it, and the party began.
Tonight is an encouragement party for Toya-kun.
"Toya, that's great. You got called up."
Makoto-kun is saying that to Toya-kun.
"Well, they did announce it beforehand."
Toya-kun answers Makoto-kun.
There's another happy thing.
"Misato, drink up tonight! Your first love came true, right?"
Mika-san is urging Kitamura-san to drink.
"I don't like alcohol. And more importantly, don't offer alcohol to minors."
"That's right, we're minors."
"Who cares about that! Tonight, no formalities!"
"I do care."
"I'll have oolong tea."
Kuribayashi-kun is protecting Misato-san. As expected, he really feels like a champion of justice.
"Airi-chan"
Emi is calling me.
"What's up?"
"I've been wondering how things went after that..."
Ah, I see.
"Nothing's changed, it's fine. He's the same Toya-kun as always."
I just support him like always.
"Surely, he's not going to change his job either, is he?"
"Yeah, he said he'll fight his fate."
"I see... That sounds like him."
He's probably trying to settle the past. Emi says that.
I think that's likely true.
"Shota, you drink too! Even Iori has experienced it!"
"Stop that misleading phrasing! Besides, I came by car today! I'd take everyone with me if I wanted to, but..."
"Mika, stop it! Don't involve Toya."
"Tch, you're no fun, Masashi."
"I'll keep Mika company."
"Guess I'll have to put up with Masashi then."
"That's no way to talk to your husband, is it?"
Saying that, Watanabe-kun laughs.
Those two get along well too.
"Hey! You two over there! What are you two lovebirds doing?"
"I-It's nothing like that!?"
"What's wrong with cuddling with my boyfriend, big brother?"
Makoto-kun is hassling Chitose-san and Takatsuki-kun.
"'Say aah' is ten years too early for you. Even your big brother hasn't had Kanna do that for him yet!"
"What, you want me to do it? Want me to?"
"W-Wait, really? Please do."
Kanna tries to put the eyeball of a grilled sea bream with a crest into the mouth of Makoto-kun, who is waiting with his mouth open.
Makoto-kun panics, closes his mouth, and runs away.
"What, can't handle a 'say aah' from your wife?"
"You did that on purpose knowing I can't handle gross stuff, didn't you!?"
"That's why you're no good with likes and dislikes. Watch Toya. Here, Toya, say aah..."
Toya-kun has his mouth open, waiting.
Ugh...
Whack!
"Kanna, what are you doing to someone else's boyfriend!?"
"Tch. I thought I could get away with it since Airi wasn't here."
"Food is innocent!"
"The person eating it is guilty!"
There's no room for carelessness or gaps.
"...Haruto, do you want me to do it too?"
"Seriously!? Please do!"
"Say aah..."
Gulp
"Good?"
"It's the absolute best!"
"Does it really change things that much? Should I try it too?"
Shiratori-san is asking Haruto-kun.
"Here, say aah..."
Gulp
"...I can't tell the difference."
"Well, as Makoto-senpai would say, it's what you call 'romance.'"
"...I'm not interested."
Shiratori-san doesn't seem very interested.
"Katagiri-senpai, please be honest with me. Are you okay with the consecutive games from the Lee Sang-baek Cup to the Spring Tournament?"
"There's not much travel distance, so it's fine."
Toya-kun and Sakura-san are talking.
"Ah, hey everyone, listen up! Is it okay to make the second party after this karaoke?"
"That's fine."
"We're heading home."
"I'm..."
"Toya-kun is going home, right?"
"No, but without the guest of honor..."
"You are going home, right?"
"...Yes."
Having an understanding husband makes things easy.
When we got home, we each took a bath and prepared for the three-night stay starting tomorrow.
The game is the day after tomorrow, but they'll stay over the night before to practice, apparently.
During that time, I'll have Yukari-san and Yui-san show me around Tokyo.
Toya-kun finished his preparations and quickly got into bed.
I check Toya-kun's luggage after finishing my own preparations.
It's not like I'm checking for anything suspicious.
Toya-kun's packing method is just sloppy.
He doesn't fold things properly when he puts them in, so it all gets crammed in tight.
I spread out his luggage once, organize it, and repack it.
"Airi, what are you doing?"
"Cleaning up after my messy husband~"
"Won't you take care of your husband?"
"Nope. We have an early morning tomorrow."
"Then let's go to bed early."
"Eek!"
Toya-kun scoops me up and pushes me down onto the bed.
You've had too much to drink, Toya-kun. If you're like this before the game, you'll get scolded again~.
"Airi~"
...He doesn't seem to be listening.
I turned off the TV, turned off the lights, and fell asleep.
(2)
"Airi, big trouble! I can't find my ticket!"
"It's in this pocket of your bag, I told you~"
Airi takes it out of the bag's pocket.
"That's why I keep telling you to keep things organized."
While being scolded like this by Airi, we go through the boarding procedures and security check, then head to the lobby.
When the boarding announcement comes on, we board the plane.
Airi seems used to it and is reading a book while listening to the in-flight announcements.
As always, I'm looking outside.
The sky is always beautiful.
Tap tap
Airi pokes my shoulder.
"Don't you ever get tired of that?"
"The view of the clouds is always different, isn't it? It changes."
"You're probably the only one who gets so absorbed in that, Toya-kun."
"Then what should I do?"
"How about being a conversation partner for your wife?"
A conversation partner?
"Airi, you're sightseeing in Tokyo today, right?"
"Yeah, they're going to show me around Toyosu, Shibuya, Harajuku, and other places."
"Don't get lost."
"With two guides, I'll be fine."
"What about dinner?"
"Too bad~ I'm eating with you guys, Toya-kun~. I heard from Aya-san that you go overboard with eating and drinking when I'm not watching."
Aya, you... sticking your nose in.
"She said she'd take us to a good yakiniku place. That's good, isn't it?"
Airi says with a smile.
"Yakiniku, huh~ I'm looking forward to it."
"But keep it moderate, okay?"
"No, since it's rare..."
"Keep it moderate, okay?"
"...Yes."
The landing signal sounds.
We fasten our seatbelts.
We land.
They say you can tell a good pilot from a bad one by how they land.
When we arrive at Haneda, we head to the hotel while checking the route map.
A staff member was in the hotel lobby.
"Hey, long time no see. You been doing well? Getting along?"
"I'm fine."
"We're getting along great~"
Airi links her arm with mine to show it off.
"Well, for now, both of you check in. Leave your luggage in your rooms, then gather here."
"Okay."
Airi and I go through the check-in process, then leave our luggage in our respective rooms.
Then, when we come down to the lobby, everyone is waiting.
"Damn you for causing an incident. The coach was tearing his hair out. He was saying, 'Are we really cutting down our key manpower at a time like this?'"
"I agree with Yuichiro on this one. You lack awareness as a representative. Do you have any idea how many staff members we inconvenienced to keep you on the team?"
Yuichiro and Masato scolded me.
"There's a punishment for that, so isn't it fine?"
Aya says.
"Punishment?"
"You're benched for the first game, for now."
No way!
The situation I feared had occurred.
"Just kidding. It's a bit of a complicated situation."
Apparently, Australia is participating starting from this tournament.
South Korea and Australia are friendly nations.
There's no telling what South Korea might do to support Australia.
In other words, I'm being preserved again.
"It's okay. We've been practicing without Toya. We'll manage somehow."
Kazuto says.
There's probably no malice in those words.
But that one remark hurts.
Is there no place left for me in the Japan national team?
"Erase everything you just thought. It's out of the question."
Yuichiro says.
"You are Japan's final weapon. Your turn will definitely come. Don't worry."
"You need to get back your feel for the game."
Kazuto says.
"Stop talking and start practicing! We don't have time!"
When Yuichiro says that, everyone starts practicing.
When we were doing individual practice, the coaches came and we did a 5-on-5 scrimmage-style practice.
I was on the B team.
Well, I guess that can't be helped.
Thinking that, I approached the practice.
Everyone is getting better, but honestly, it's not that different.
I completely shut down Masato.
After 10 minutes, I'm swapped with the C team.
Team A kept playing without substitution.
On Team A, Kazuto moved to SG and was playing my role.
There are plenty of people who can replace me. I really felt that.
Practice continued until night, and then we had dinner at the hotel.
It seemed the women's group had also returned.
We were eating with seven people.
I was literally being restricted by Airi.
Whack
"Toya-kun, you're eating too much!"
"You're pretty relaxed even after being demoted to the B team."
Masato said.
"Well, I was prepared for it."
I replied to Masato.
"Toya-kun, you're not going to play in the game?"
Airi asks worriedly.
"It can't be helped, right? I was away for a long time."
Don't assume your spot will always be ready.
That was spot on.
"But I think Toya will definitely get to play. Because if you think about the Olympics, we can't win without getting Toya back in the groove here."
Kazuto says.
"The reason you were put on the B team today is to confirm Toya's play. Don't rush, Toya."
"I know."
I replied to Kazuto.
"Your play style hasn't changed. Actually, we kept losing to the B team. The coach got mad at us too."
Aya says.
"That's right, we were toyed with by you alone. I got shut down by you too."
Masato says.
"You've grown. I thought you'd lose yourself more."
Aya says.
"A leisurely dinner with your girlfriends? You seem pretty relaxed, don't you?"
The one who said that as she approached was a reporter from OS.
"Mind if I do a little interview? I have permission from the coach."
"Go ahead."
Masato-kun says.
The reporter looks at me and speaks.
"I'd like to hear how it feels to be back on the national team after so long."
"Well, it's definitely tougher than practicing at the local university. I don't have any room to spare."
"What do the other teammates think?"
She looks at Masato and the others.
"As expected, his presence is just as strong as ever," said Aya.
"Toya is an indispensable presence for the national team," said Masato.
"There's no way I can replace Toya, not even close," said Kazuto.
The reporter nods, looking satisfied after hearing each of their impressions.
She asks Masato a question.
"Speaking frankly, do you think Katagiri-kun will get any playing time in the three consecutive games starting tomorrow?"
"I think so. If he doesn't get used to the team, there won't be an Olympics ahead."
"Finally, I have a question for everyone. I'd like to hear your enthusiasm for this tournament."
"I'm going to win. I intend to win three in a row," said Masato.
"I intend to show my presence," said Aya.
"If we stumble here, the Olympics are out of the question," said Kazuto.
Finally, I said, "I'll do my best to get into the game."
"Thank you. Sorry for interrupting your meal. Katagiri-kun, be careful not to eat too much."
"I'm watching him, so it's fine."
When Airi says that, the reporter smiles.
"Then I can relax. Well then, see you tomorrow at the venue."
Saying that, the reporter left.
After that, several more reporters came for interviews.
Thanks to that, I couldn't eat the way I wanted to.
When the meal was over, everyone went back to the gymnasium to practice.
It was mainly shooting practice.
Also, they helped me practice team coordination.
The tactics were still tough.
Formations to move your feet and create space.
I dug up the tactics that were ingrained in my body.
That wasn't enough. I also learned the formations used when Kazuto was playing SG.
After going through everything, practice ended.
And so the night before passed.
(3)
Katagiri dropped from starting lineup.
An article in the sports newspaper.
I buy and read the sports newspaper.
As expected, he couldn't immediately adapt to the tactics.
He couldn't surpass the combination of Sawa player and Aida player.
He probably won't make the starting lineup from now on either.
I immediately call Airi.
"What's up, Kanna?"
"What's up? I read the newspaper!"
"Ah, the sports newspaper."
Airi is completely unruffled.
"Toya can't play in the game?"
"He said the coach told him, 'We need you to get used to the game. We'll probably go with the same lineup for the Olympics too.'"
"What does that mean?"
"The sports newspaper reporter seems to dislike Toya-kun. Even during yesterday's interview, he was indirectly criticizing Toya-kun."
"So he can still play in the game then!?"
"Toya-kun said he'd probably be fine."
"I see."
If Airi says so, it must be true.
"We're all cheering for you."
"Thanks, I'll tell Toya-kun."
On this day's game, Toya did not stand on the court.
And the Sawa-Aida line that the sports newspaper had touted didn't function. They were utterly defeated.
The local media made a huge fuss.
Everyone had expected Toya to play, but he didn't appear, and the game was a crushing defeat.
They criticized the national team.
Toya and the others were also swamped dealing with the press.
Toya brushed it off casually, though.
What will become of this year's Japan national team?
Everyone was thinking that.
(4)
Second day of the tournament.
We were watching the game in the university's audio-visual room.
As expected, Katagiri-senpai was on the bench.
Was he injured somewhere?
Underprepared?
Was my care insufficient?
I cursed my own lack of ability.
"It can't be helped. Toya was away from the national team. You knew this would happen, right? Don't blame yourself too much."
Sasuke says.
"Surely he'll play today. Two losses in a row would be no joke."
Toma-senpai says.
"Being a manager is really tough, isn't it?"
Chitose-san says.
"Yeah, it is. But you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself."
Takatsuki-kun says.
As expected, the game was going against them.
They were completely dominated by the opponent's zone the whole time.
Aida player has a 3P shot too, but he lacks the speed to dodge the opponent's blocks.
And his shooting percentage is below senpai's.
The SG switched to Kakitani player.
Then the penetration into the inside became weaker.
The defense spreads out.
Sawa player takes advantage of the gap and passes to the three players under the basket, but he still seems to be struggling.
The seesaw game continues.
A situation of chasing a two-point deficit.
Katagiri-senpai hasn't tied his shoelaces.
Does he have no intention of playing in this game?
In the 4th quarter, the coach made a move.
He's saying something to Katagiri-senpai.
Katagiri-senpai is tying his shoelaces.
Once tied, he stands up.
A buzzer sounds.
Kakitani player and Katagiri-senpai switch.
Everyone gets excited.
Senpai guards the opponent's number 4.
The usual pattern.
Without any hesitation, the opponent passes the ball to number 4.
Without any hesitation, Katagiri-senpai cuts off the ball and penetrates the opponent's court.
Then quickly hits a 3P shot.
The game was turned around in an instant.
After that, number 4 was completely shut out by Katagiri-senpai.
Deprived of their starting point of attack, the South Korean team became flustered.
Katagiri-senpai doesn't allow the set plays starting from number 4.
And even if they do score, our senpais' fast break is unstoppable.
Even if the fast break is stopped, senpai's passes are quick and aggressive, driving everyone forward.
In the 4th quarter, the game was easily turned around.
It was a crushing victory for Japan.
(5)
Third day.
Toya-kun was able to start.
The game begins.
Passes cannot be made into Toya-kun's area.
They shift to attacking from the side, abandoning the opponent's number 4.
But even so, Minami player and Sawa player manage to defend both sides.
Occasionally, even if they get in, it's the ideal game flow for Toya-kun's team.
Even if they score, the combination between Toya-kun and Sawa player was complete.
Toya-kun immediately takes a 3P shot.
Toya-kun can't be stopped with just one marker.
After all, he's a player who can compete with the world's best SG.
It's not like he did nothing last year.
His basic physical strength has improved far beyond before.
Toya-kun literally runs rampant all over the court.
He disrupts the opponent's zone defense and passes to open teammates.
The game was almost decided in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Toya-kun's defense changes a bit.
He's still guarding number 4, but it's a tactic to completely cut off the coordination between the ball handler and number 4.
He gets between the ball handler and number 4, blocking the passing lane and field of vision.
It's apparently called "On the Line."
If Toya-kun does that, number 4 will have no job at all.
In fact, Toya-kun didn't allow number 4 to hold the ball at all.
Number 4 is the point guard, the team's playmaker who initiates the offense with passes.
If their connection with number 4 is severed, the team's movement falls apart.
Even if they try to break through with individual skill, Minami player and Sawa player won't allow it.
The flow is completely tilted in Japan's favor.
The crowd is roaring.
By the end of the second quarter, the point difference had widened to a hopeless margin.
Someone once said that the true value of Toya-kun's play lies not in his offense, but in his defensive ability.
Toya-kun's fast breaks following steals create the rhythm for his team.
It's Toya-kun who does everything from the steal to the fast break all by himself.
By the time the game ended, the point difference had widened to triple the score.
The finishing touch was Toya-kun's Air Walk.
It goes to break the opponent's spirit.
With Toya-kun playing the full game, they secured a historic blowout victory.
The Universiade victory wasn't just for show.
This game result was a demonstration of that fact.
(6)
"Thank you all for your hard work. Let's celebrate a lot tonight. Cheers."
When the coach-san says that, the party begins.
Well, it's a party, but we have to go home by plane after the first party ends.
"There's no game on the first day, so it shouldn't be a problem to join later, right?"
"No way. We promised everyone, didn't we? Let's go home♪"
"But, we have a nice feast here too."
"Let's go home♪"
"...Yes."
Having an understanding husband makes things easy.
"I told you, Toya, didn't I? Just listen to what your girlfriend says."
Aii player says.
Toya-kun always listens.
He gets spoiled sometimes, though. That makes me happy too. Ehehe~.
"Still, you were overwhelming from the 4th quarter of the second game."
Sawa player says.
"He's definitely evolved since the Asian Championship. Toya is."
Aida player says.
It's not like Toya-kun was just playing around.
The coach is being interviewed.
"Why didn't you use Katagiri for the first game?"
"We preserved him as a precaution against rough play. That's all. I was entrusted with the task of sending Katagiri safely to the Olympics."
"But you did use him from the end of the second game, didn't you?"
"We had no choice. We still rely too much on Katagiri alone. We need to strengthen the team overall."
"The final game was overwhelming."
"It seems Toya has been steadily practicing. He's on a completely different level from the Asian Championship."
"So you will use him in the Olympics."
"There's no reason not to use a player of that caliber."
The coach grins.
"Toya-kun, did you hear that? They're going to use me in the Olympics..."
Huh? Where did he go?
I look for him and find him surrounded by reporters.
"Airi, it's tough for you too, huh. He's become quite the boyfriend."
Yukari says.
"Yeah."
"Next time we meet will be at the Olympics."
Yui-san says.
"...That's right."
"Then the Asia Cup after that."
I can't say it. I still can't say it. That the Olympics might be the last.
Ah, this isn't the time to be thinking about that.
I push through the reporters and grab Toya-kun's arm.
"Toya-kun, it's almost time for the bus!"
"Is it that time already?"
Toya-kun looks at the bus.
"You're right, we have to hurry. Well then, everyone, I'll take my leave here."
Toya-kun shakes off the reporters, says goodbye to Aya-san and the others, and leaves the venue.
If we go now, we can catch the last flight.
When we arrive at the airport, we quickly finish the boarding procedures and wait for the plane.
"Next is the Olympics."
"That's right."
"...You're really okay with this?"
"...Yeah."
Once on the plane, Toya-kun silently looks outside.
Is he thinking about something?
"Airi."
"Wha~t?"
"How was your sightseeing in Tokyo?"
"Huh?"
"You went around to various places, right?"
"Yeah."
I told Toya-kun everything I had seen in Tokyo.
(7)
"They seem to have boarded the plane safely."
I tell everyone.
"I see. Next is Kurume from tomorrow."
Watanabe-senpai says.
"Knowing him, he's probably only thinking about Kurume ramen."
Kanna-senpai says.
"But today, Toya-senpai was seriously cool! It was a one-man show!"
Haruto says.
"That's how everyone gets when you let that guy play sports."
Kanna-senpai replied.
"Well, after the Spring Tournament is over, we'll throw a big celebration."
Watanabe-senpai says, and everyone gets excited.
"Sakurako? What's wrong?"
Sasuke asks.
"No, I was just thinking that there are only a few times left to see senpai seriously playing basketball."
I felt a little lonely.
"Let's send him off with a smile. But before that, winning at the Olympics is going to be tough, I think."
"That's true."
Why does senpai try to run away from sports?
Even though the place he should stand, the stage he should stand on, is prepared for him.
Yet he's trying to get a job at a company that has a basketball club.
Maybe sports are just something senpai can't cut himself off from?
"You'll worry about it forever if you think about it. It's all up to him to decide."
Sasuke says.
"That's true."
What I can do is send him off safely to the Olympics.
That's my last big task.
Before that, winning the Spring Tournament again.
First things first.
"I'm gonna party till morning today!!"
"Mika, give me a break. I have class tomorrow."
"Mika, you have work tomorrow too, don't you?"
"We're still young! Staying up all night is nothing, right!?"
"No! We're going home!"
"Masashi has been no fun lately."
Despite saying such things, they ended up staying until the early hours anyway.
(8)
When we got home, we handed over the souvenirs to the Tosaka family, then returned home and took a bath.
During that time, Airi organized my luggage for me.
"This way, you'll be fine starting tomorrow~"
"Thanks, Airi. Go take a bath."
"Oka~y"
When I got home, there was a notification of an informal job offer from the Segawa Tax Accounting Office.
Of course, an informal offer from ETC also came.
Everything is ready.
All that's left is to win at the Olympics.
How did things end up like this?
I intended to enjoy a normal university life.
The finish line of my university life, after taking the long way around, finally reached.
Almost within reach.
I look at my phone.
It's overflowing with congratulatory messages.
Is what I'm trying to do simply my own selfishness?
Isn't it too late for that now?
I laugh bitterly.
I decided it myself, didn't I?
That all I have to do is win at the Olympics.
Honestly, I wanted to run away.
Lose at the Olympics and turn pro.
I even thought of that escape route.
But I decided to do it for real. I can't run away now.
I never imagined it would lead to an even greater battle.
I said that to Airi, but I'm still anxious.
"That's cruel, Toya-kun."
I still haven't forgotten those words.
That voice, that face. I still remember them clearly.
At that moment, someone covered my eyes with both hands.
There's only one suspect.
"You were thinking about stuff alone again, weren't you~"
"Welcome back, Airi."
"I'm home~"
Airi says that and starts drying her hair.
I watch her.
I was scared when I confessed to Airi.
I thought she would say the same thing to me.
I was afraid Airi would suspect me of cheating.
But Airi said that no matter who opposed it, she alone would allow it.
I was truly happy.
"Phew, it's tough when it's long. Maybe I'll chop it all off again?"
Airi says something like that.
"How short will you cut it?"
"Hmm, maybe shoulder length."
"I see..."
"Ugh, you're comparing me to that vocalist person again, aren't you?"
"You can tell?"
"I know that much. But that vocalist person is that vocalist person. I can't become that vocalist person, you know?"
"I know."
"Well, that's fine then."
Airi says that and starts watching TV.
I get under the covers.
"You're going to sleep already?"
"We have an early start tomorrow."
"Boo~, no fun."
Airi throws a tantrum.
"I'll keep you company when we get back."
"You say that, but you'll have another drinking party, won't you? The Watanabe squad's."
"That's right. Is it okay if it's after that?"
"Ugh..."
Airi turns off the TV, turns off the lights, and gets into bed.
"Airi, you have an early day tomorrow. Plus, you're tired."
"I know. You don't have to do anything. Just being like this is fine."
"...Okay."
I stroke Airi's head.
Airi falls asleep in my arms.
I was preparing to move forward to my final stage.