Chapter 339 - The Gentle Wind Sings
(1)
"Well then, cheers!!"
With Sota's declaration, the feast begins.
Immersing myself in the meat in front of me.
"Toya-kun, you have to cook it properly before eating!!"
Airi scolds me.
"Katagiri-senpai, don't just eat meat, please eat some vegetables too."
Sakura-san says.
Rice is part of vegetables, right?
"Tasuku, don't just drink, eat some meat too."
"I'm eating!"
Tasuku seems to be having a tough time too.
"Takatsuki-kun, the meat is burning."
"Thank you, Chitose-san."
Chi-chan picks up the meat for Takatsuki-kun.
They're getting along.
We were having a victory party for the spring tournament hosted by the men's basketball club.
We had invited the women's basketball team.
Everyone was getting along with the women's basketball members, for one reason or another.
At our table were me and Airi, Tasuku and Sakura-san, Takatsuki-kun and Chi-chan.
Since it was hosted by the basketball club, I thought the conversation would be about basketball, but it wasn't.
Umino-san and Todo-san had a sudden confession time.
Yohei and Yuki were perplexed.
How could those two, who don't even have anyone they particularly like, turn down a sudden confession?
Two couples were formed.
The confessions continued with the momentum of the alcohol.
One couple after another was formed.
Each table was getting lively.
Today, both the men's and women's basketball coaches were present.
"I'll overlook it today, but from next week we're going to go at it hard again, okay?" the women's basketball coach says.
But the women's basketball team might be among the strongest in the country, don't you think?
"The men's team isn't losing either. If anyone could stop them, it's probably only Shin-Nichi University, right?"
Sakura-san speaks boldly. Is it the alcohol helping? She's more talkative than usual.
"Since they can even defeat the national team, with Toya-kun here, they can become number one in Japan!"
Airi also says.
"Well, that's true. It might be the strongest university in Japan."
Coach Higashiyama speaks.
"Katagiri-kun's growth is amazing, and he still has room to grow. He really might take a gold medal all by himself."
"Coach Higashiyama, how would you deploy the team? For example, against America."
"In my case, I wouldn't put Katagiri-kun against the shooting guard. I'd put Minami-senshu on him. Instead, I'd have Katagiri-kun score relentlessly. I'd have him play in a way that ensures he gets points."
Personally, I'd like to go up against Michael, but if we're focused on winning, I wouldn't put him against Michael...
I listened to Sakura-san and Coach Higashiyama's conversation.
Coach Higashiyama was called to another table.
Among us, Takatsuki-kun had a gloomy expression.
It was a tournament that completely crushed his pride of having participated in the Inter-High.
It couldn't be helped.
Our university's level probably reached that realm.
It's not something where you can easily snatch a regular spot.
Everyone trains desperately.
Kyota is the same.
Taking his position would be a difficult task.
"Don't get down, Sho. You still have next year. You can become a regular next year. No, you have to become good enough to start."
Tasuku says.
"That's right. I'm just not skilled enough right now."
"But you got to play in a match, so isn't that good?"
Chi-chan, you shouldn't say that now.
"I couldn't leave any results in that match I played. The opponent's defense was in tatters!"
Sho yells.
Chi-chan flinches.
Sho comes to his senses and apologizes to Chi-chan.
But caught off guard, Chi-chan starts crying.
"I'm sorry... I don't know much about basketball."
"That's not true, Chitose-chan. You're trying hard to learn, aren't you?"
Airi comforts her.
"That's right, Chitose-san. If it's for someone's sake, you can be desperate for anything. Even I'm desperately studying basketball now."
Sakura-san says.
"Sakurako was a beginner at first too. But she worked hard 'for the sake of Katagiri-senpai' and built her current position."
When Tasuku says that, Sakura-san gets angry: "One extra comment!"
"Sorry... I didn't say it to make Chitose-san sad."
Sho says as well.
While everyone is distracted by Chi-chan, I eat meat.
Ponk
"Toya-kun, this isn't the time for that!"
Airi scolds me.
"But if I don't eat, it'll burn, right?"
"That's..."
"I told you before, didn't I? 'Should haves' are forbidden. Instead of regretting, you have to move to the next action. Even meat burns."
"You say good things, Katagiri-kun."
The women's basketball coach came.
"If you have time to regret what you said or did, take action. Time that has passed won't come back. Time passes even while you're regretting. Instead of moping, you should think about what you should do."
The women's basketball coach says.
"That's right."
Chi-chan replies.
"Let's set aside that talk and get hyped today!"
Sota says.
"Sho. The tournament isn't over yet. The league games are still ahead. Show us you've polished your skills by then."
When Tasuku says that, Sho nods silently.
League games. My last official matches. I have to make them my last.
I vowed that.
Airi says nothing.
She must understand.
"Toya-kun, it's still not cooked properly! I told you raw is no good! Especially chicken!"
Airi says that.
Maybe she's also telling me not to rush?
Airi's expression was very gentle.
When the first party ended, Chitose-san and Sho said they would go home first.
"Well, we've reserved a karaoke place! Let's move!"
Sota says.
When I try to go too, Airi grabs my arm.
"I'll call a taxi now, so let's go home, okay? We also have the Watanabe team's victory party tomorrow."
"But since it's a rare occasion, I think I should deepen my bonds with everyone."
"I was told excessive eating and drinking is bad, right? Let's go home."
"No, I'm not going to eat that much anyway."
"Let's go home, okay? ♪"
Can't push it anymore... Farewell, foods.
"Tasuku, same for you. We're going home!"
Sakura-san seems to be calling a taxi too.
"I'm fine. A couple of days is nothing."
"No way! You've drunk too much today! We're going home."
"You two are tightly managed, aren't you? With Tosaka-san and Sakura-san looking after your lives, I can rest easy."
"Tasuku's conditioning is also my job!"
"I intend to fulfill my duties as a wife~"
With that, me and Tasuku were forcibly sent home.
I bet everyone will eat delicious things~
When I got home, I took a bath, and while Airi was in the bath, I watched TV.
A comedian from Kansai came on. Pretty funny.
I watched while fiddling with my phone.
They were bar-hopping and chatting with guests, but the food all looked so delicious, it was a problem.
While I was engrossed in that.
Ponk
"You still haven't had enough to eat, Toya-kun?"
"N-no, that's not it. Look, the drinks look stylish and tasty too."
"Ugh... Is a chuhai no good?"
With that, Airi holds out a can.
"Thanks."
"Hehe~"
I clink glasses with Airi and drink.
"By the way, Airi."
"Wha~at?"
"The reason you said no second party today was..."
"T-that's why I said excessive eating and drinking is bad."
"Was that really the only reason? Then why did you bring out a chuhai?"
"U-uh..."
Airi's troubled face is cute.
Looking at that face, I say one thing.
"It was a promise, right? That I'd look after you after the tournament."
"...Yeah!"
When I beckon Airi, she presses her body close to watch TV.
I put my arm around her shoulder.
That alone seems to satisfy Airi.
When the show ended, I turned off the TV, dimmed the lights, got into bed, and beckoned her.
Airi silently slips into bed.
"Thanks too, Airi. Always."
"Nuh-uh. Supporting Toya-kun is a wife's role."
"Well then, I have to maintain that wife."
"I'm happy to have a husband who cares about his wife."
With that, Airi closes her eyes.
I carefully undressed her and enjoyed the night.
(2)
"Chitose-san, are you okay?"
When Takatsuki-san says that, I answer.
"Don't worry about me. It's because I haven't studied enough."
It seems different from what I expected.
"That's not it. Can we stay out a little later?"
"Sure."
While saying that, I told my family I'd be late.
I have the house key.
I'm an adult now, and my family trusts Takatsuki-san.
There was no particular scolding.
"Where are we going?"
I asked Takatsuki-san.
"Secret."
Takatsuki-san said and smiled.
The car goes up the mountain.
It's a mountain where my brother used to come play often.
We advanced through the pitch darkness with only the headlights as guidance.
I suddenly remembered.
The video I watched with Kanna-san and the others during the training camp.
The words my brother said to Tosaka-san and the others during the camp.
"I think it's still cold outside, you know?"
Is Takatsuki-san hoping for that?
I quietly ask my brother for help.
"I'm being taken to a mountain."
"Which mountain?"
"The mountain nearby."
"That's... could it be... Ouch!"
Why does my brother even tell me about the pain?
A call came from Kanna-san.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Chi-chan. Don't worry. I've been taken to that mountain by Makoto too. Have a wonderful night."
"Wonderful night?! This is Chitose's first time!"
"Shut up, you idiot!"
My brother and Kanna-san seem to be arguing.
"Don't take that idiot's words seriously. Toya said it's fine. It won't turn into a situation you're worried about, Chi-chan."
"Chitose! Even if not that mountain, there are plenty of love hotels at the foothills... Ouch!"
"I said shut up, didn't I... Takatsuki is a good guy. Have a fun night. Well then."
With that, the call ended.
"Who was that?"
"From Kanna-san."
"I see."
When he parked the car in the parking lot near the top of the mountain, he took a flashlight from the back seat and told me to get out.
We walked a bit into the mountain.
It was pitch black, and I couldn't see anything.
All I could see was the area illuminated by the flashlight and the flashlights of other couples.
We came out to a plaza.
The night view from there was very beautiful and fantastical.
Was this what Takatsuki-san wanted to show me?
"Sorry about today. I was irritable and took it out on you. I came here to make up for it."
He didn't have to do that.
What is this warm feeling? Just being with him puts me at ease.
But my body is tense. Am I nervous?
My heart is pounding. My pulse is fast.
Suddenly, his hand touches my shoulder.
No! I can't!!
It wasn't just the men who received training during the camp; the women also thoroughly learned self-defense.
Instinctively, I throw Takatsuki-san.
"Ow!"
"S-sorry."
Because he suddenly hugged my shoulder.
"Sorry, I didn't mean anything weird."
I'm the one who should apologize.
I have to say it properly.
"I'm sorry. I was the one who misunderstood. I still don't know you well. I couldn't even properly understand your feelings. I thought it wasn't something to do lightly with that kind of feeling."
"That's a misunderstanding, Chitose-san."
"Yeah, I still don't understand your feelings well. I feel pathetic about myself."
Even though he prepared such a present for me.
I feel pathetic and tears start to come.
He warmly embraces me.
"It's okay. We haven't even been dating two months yet. This is your first boyfriend, right? I'll match your pace."
I share a second kiss with him, who is endlessly kind.
I said one thing.
"Chi-chan."
"Huh?"
"Everyone close to me calls me Chi-chan. If that's embarrassing, 'Chitose' is fine. Don't call me 'Chitose-san' so formally anymore."
"Chitose-san?"
"'Chitose' is fine."
"Chitose..."
"Instead, can I call you 'Sho' too?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Thank you."
I hug him.
I want more from him.
But I still hesitate.
"I'm sorry. But still, I'm... still scared."
"No need to rush."
"Thank you."
I close my eyes in his arms.
His warmth reaches me.
Am I doing love right?
"Should we head back soon? If it gets too late, your family might worry."
And there's the scary senior too. He laughs.
"Yeah."
We go back the way we came.
This isn't the kind of place my brother talked about. It's a place where we reaffirm our love. That's what I thought.
We're still immature. But someday, when we've grown, let's come here again.
The gentle wind that occasionally blows sounds like a song.
After that, he took me home and left.
"'See you tomorrow,' he said and laughed.
I want to give him a present too.
What would be good?
Thinking about such things, I fell asleep.
(3)
"Well then, today is Toya and the others' victory party! Let's celebrate grandly! Cheers!"
With Watanabe-kun's declaration, the feast begins.
At my table were Airi, the Tada couple, Takatsuki-kun, Chi-chan, and the Watanabe couple.
Well, after a while, seating doesn't matter anyway.
"Sho! You! Who gave you permission to lay a hand on Chi?!"
Makoto suddenly yells at Sho.
"I haven't laid a hand on her at all!"
"Liar! Going to that mountain means... what about Chi's first time... Ouch!"
"Is that all you ever think about?!"
Kanna hits Makoto's head and says that.
"Hahaha, Chitose-san is of that age now. It's not for you to stick your nose into, Makoto-kun."
Watanabe-kun says.
That mountain. The mountain where Airi was taken.
Come to think of it, I've never seen the night view there with Airi.
"Airi, should we go too?"
"Huuh?"
"No, I heard the night view from that mountain is beautiful."
"Toya! You've finally reached that stage too... Ouch!"
"Don't lump Toya together with you! Toya, that place is recommended."
If Kanna says it's good, it must be really good.
"Ugh... Just hearing about that mountain makes my legs freeze. I'm happy for your words, Toya-kun, but..."
As expected, Airi seems concerned.
"It's okay. Sorry for making you remember something unpleasant."
"I want to answer your requests if possible, but I'm sorry."
Huh?
"Airi, you're misunderstanding. That mountain is a local hidden date spot. The night view is beautiful."
Kanna explains.
"Eh? Really... Oh no, what was I misunderstanding? Sorry, Toya-kun."
I don't get it. The point of doing it outside on purpose. It's cold, people might see, and more than anything, it gets dirty with soil there, right? Worse than doing it in a car.
Ponk
"Toya-kun doesn't need to understand things like that."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Um, I have something I want to ask everyone..."
Chi-chan says... I feel like it's better not to continue that thought, but...
"Um... Is there anything we need when doing it for the first time with a man?"
Takatsuki-kun chokes.
"Sho! So you really..."
"I haven't done anything yet. I'm innocent!"
"I've only kissed Sho."
Better not to say unnecessary things. Don't underestimate the Watanabe team.
"So you've gotten as far as kissing!"
Ai-san came over from the next table.
"And she's also showing interest. Strike while the iron is hot! Do it tonight! I'll forgive you for skipping the after-party!"
Mika-san even jumped on board. Told you.
"Ah, but I'm not mentally ready yet. I don't know what to do."
"I'm not mentally ready either..."
"Oh? Takatsuki-kun, you still have such a weak spirit? Want to do another training camp during summer break?"
Emi-san came.
"I won't allow it!! Chitose's first time is with me and..."
You're talking nonsense, Makoto.
"Shut up, you pervert!"
See, Kanna scolded him.
"I refuse."
Chi-chan smiles and turns him down.
"Urgh, your big brother is shocked... Chi."
It's hard to tell if Makoto is saying that drunk or seriously.
"Don't worry, Toya. This idiot is always serious."
Kanna says.
"First, mental preparation..."
Shiratori-san says.
Shiratori-san's face is slightly red.
Haruto is flustered.
"Next, how to make the other person interested..."
Shiratori-san frankly shares her experiences.
Chi-chan desperately takes notes.
"In Haruna's case, it was at home, so it might have been good, but if possible, it's better to prepare one or two pieces of sexy underwear."
Mika-san says.
"Sexy underwear?"
"A secret weapon to charm a man when it counts. The only one who doesn't notice is Toya!"
Rude. I can tell when Airi is wearing sexy underwear.
Ponk
"Toya-kun doesn't need to think about unnecessary things."
I see, that's fine. I'll quietly eat yakitori.
"But Takatsuki-kun seems inexperienced too, so it might be tough."
"Yeah. In Chitose-san's case, she might need to take the initiative herself."
The women gather in a huddle and give Chi-chan advice.
By the way, everyone except Chi-chan, Asakura-san, and Kitamura-san is drinking.
In the middle of that, even Asakura-san.
"Hey? Whose oolong tea is this? Can I have it?"
"Whoa! Iori, stop! I'll order oolong tea."
"It's fine. It's a waste to leave it."
She did it...
As for the men...
"Can't be helped. I'll give you this, so do it right. I won't allow you to have kids before me, got it?"
Makoto says, handing over a thin plastic bag. Does he always carry that around?
"Misato, are you a salt or sauce person when it comes to salt?"
"I can't do strong flavors."
Kuribayashi-kun and the others seem to have created their own little world.
The other men are busy trying to comfort Makoto.
"Tada-kun, someday this day will come. Don't talk like a father giving away his daughter..."
"Chin up, Makoto-senpai! Takatsuki is fine!"
"Do you guys know how it feels to have your little sister ruined?"
Shiina-san and Haruto say, but Makoto talks nonsense.
That's the alcohol.
"I'm sorry that this has become your victory party."
Watanabe-kun says.
"It's fine. I'm used to this kind of vibe."
"Originally, it's because Chitose started saying things like that..."
Ah, Sho, better not say that now. If you say it now...
"Are you saying there's something wrong with Chi?! Bring it on! Step outside!"
Makoto gets heated.
The male members hold Makoto down as he slams his mug on the table and stands up.
Sho is at a loss.
"Sir, it's time for last orders."
A staff member comes.
"This oolong tea has a strange taste. Please give me another of these."
"Regular oolong tea is fine!"
Kisaragi-kun is having a hard time too.
"Well, who's going to the after-party?"
Everyone except Kosei and Naru, Asakura-san and Kisaragi-kun, Sho and Chi-chan seem to be staying.
Kitamura-san and Kuribayashi-san.
"What do you do at the after-party?"
"Karaoke."
"I love karaoke. I'll go. Junichi, let's go too."
"Well, I guess it's fine."
"There's a song I want you to sing, Junichi."
"Ah, I can sing that song."
"Yay!"
They're getting along well, both of them.
With that, we moved to the after-party.
(4)
At the after-party, the debate over Makoto still continued.
"Give it a rest already, you lolicon!"
"Little sisters are special!"
"In your case, it's called abnormal!"
Kanna and Makoto argued.
And I got dragged in too.
"Toya, you understand me, right?"
"No, I don't have a little sister."
"Even you don't get it? This man's romance..."
Not again with Makoto's romance talk... If I listen too seriously, Airi will scold me, so I'll stop.
"I told you not to put weird ideas in Toya-kun's head!"
See, Airi is angry.
"Tada-kun, I get it! Little sisters are great!"
"Oh, Eita. You understand this man's romance! Chi has been raised without being tainted until now. And some unknown good-for-nothing..."
"I get it! But isn't that okay too?"
Is Kiritani-kun trying to persuade Makoto? I have a bad feeling about this.
"The little sister you know best being stolen by a friend... isn't that a bit of a turn-on?"
"...When you put it that way, it is a tempting scenario."
I feel like they're convincing themselves in a weird direction...
The wives who heard that wouldn't let it slide.
"You pervert! Don't look at Chi-chan with those eyes!"
"Eita, you too! Don't drag Tada-kun into your weird world!"
"What's this 'weird world'? It's called romance!"
"That's right! It's a man's romance!"
"Shut up!!"
I think it's best to leave these four alone.
Kitamura-san and Kuribayashi-kun were monopolizing the karaoke.
They must really like it.
Tasuku was just drinking, with Sakura-san constantly scolding him.
"Haruto, I'm staying at your place tonight. I've brought an overnight set."
"Roger. But I think we should stop for tonight."
"Don't you want to drink with me?"
"There's a place I want to go."
"Then let's go. Right now."
Once she says it, she won't listen, just like a certain troublesome wife. Haruto gives in.
"Well then, we'll excuse ourselves here."
With that, Haruto and the others left.
After Haruto and the others left, Kamei-kun, Morisono-san, Misawa-kun, and Kishitani-san also seemed to change venues.
A few couples left, saying that.
"Nozomi, you have a little sister too, right?"
"Yes, she's in high school now."
"...Don't become like him."
"I-I can't."
Emi-san and the others were still there.
"Masashi has a little sister too, right?"
"Yeah, she's in middle school now, but..."
"Don't become like him! Even girls have a time when they become women."
"I know."
Everyone has siblings, huh.
"Airi, have you ever wished for siblings?"
"Huh?"
"No, just wondering."
"Hmm, maybe I wanted a big brother? Someone who would spoil me and also rely on me. Rie-chan also wanted a boy."
Come to think of it, when I first went to Airi's house, they were kind to me.
"What about now?"
"I have my hands full taking care of my troublesome husband, so I don't need one."
"I see..."
"Yep ♪"
She doesn't seem that troubled, though.
"Chitose!!"
"Give it a rest already!! You pervert!!"
"Ah, I'm singing next."
Kiritani-kun seemed interested in eating.
Ah, my karaage is almost gone!
When I reached for the last piece of karaage, Airi's hand blocked it.
"Airi!"
"Toya-kun, you ate my share at that last place too, right? There was karaage there too, right?"
"There was, but it was the last one."
"You don't need another one, right?"
"No, well..."
"You don't need one, right?"
While we repeated that back and forth, the last piece was eaten by Kiritani-kun.
My karaage. It's all over.
And so the second party continued until morning in great excitement?
We hailed a taxi and went home.
"Hey? Toya-kun?"
"What is it?"
"Did you ever wish for a little sister or an older sister?"
"In what sense?"
"In the normal sense~"
"Not really... Ah, but..."
"Huh?"
"Maybe I wanted a little sister."
That might be why I couldn't leave Kanna, Airi... and Natsumi-san alone.
I couldn't leave a girl in trouble. Maybe that has nothing to do with age.
"I see..."
Airi seems to be thinking.
"Well then, shall I become your little sister?"
"That's impossible."
"Are you not satisfied with me?"
"If Airi were my little sister, we couldn't get married."
"Oh, right~"
Airi happily clings to my arm.
Besides, a little sister will eventually leave your side. Same for an older sister.
More than that, I want to cherish the person I can be with forever.
I want to cherish the miracle that let me meet such a person.
Because I want to always be smiling by your side.