Chapter 346 - An Eternal Flower Within the Heart
(1)
"Good morning~ Toya-kun. It's morning~ ♪"
Airi's voice was bouncy from the morning.
She seemed to be in a good mood today too.
"Good morning, Airi."
After exchanging morning greetings, I got up, went to wash my face, and when I came back, I changed clothes.
After changing, I did my daily routine.
Only a few more weeks of this routine.
After that, there won't be any meaning in continuing it.
I was doing my daily routine while thinking about such things.
There's a fireworks festival this weekend.
Apparently we're going to a fireworks festival twice—this weekend and next weekend.
The reason such leisure arises even in the middle of final exams is thanks to Airi's exquisite schedule management.
Though I say that, I only need to take credits for the required subjects and write my thesis to graduate with ease, so there's no need to panic at all, but Airi says, "Since they're paying our tuition, we have to study properly!"
That's an extremely reasonable opinion, but there probably aren't many people who cram their courses for that reason.
At least not in Watanabe's group.
Well, there are people who've been decided to repeat a year even before the first semester is over.
Those two were scolded severely that night.
They probably also earned the resentment of the male members.
Watanabe-kun declared that those two won't be in charge of organizing anymore.
With that, they managed to reconcile with the female members on the surface.
But is that enough?
What will those two couples do from now on?
While I was thinking about such things, it seemed like time was up.
"Toya-kun, it's almost time~"
"Yeah, shall we head home soon?"
Saying that, I go home with Airi.
When I get home, I take a shower and eat breakfast.
After eating breakfast, I take a mug of coffee and return to my room.
Then I place the mugs on the table and boot up the desktop.
Killing time until Airi comes.
A display shows how many days until the Tokyo Olympics.
The invitation has already arrived.
Only athletes, coaches, and other related personnel can enter the athletes' village, so a hotel has been reserved for Airi.
It seems she'll be with Yukari-san, Yui-san, and the others.
Basketball was listed as a sport anticipated for this year.
Usually baseball, soccer, swimming, marathons, gymnastics, track and field, etc., are listed, so it's unusual.
It's written that expectations are on the combo play of Masato and Kazuto.
The person writing it was the one who had indirectly criticized my play.
A thorough favoritism that doesn't even bring up Aya.
As the person concerned, I could only laugh.
On a whim, I looked at an OS article. As expected, it was about the Olympics.
On this side, my name is being brought up.
Aya's too.
I read it, impressed that articles change depending on the reporter.
If anything, my eyes tend to go to critical articles over praising ones, and I was reading that person's article.
It wrote things like "Jack of all trades, master of none," "Weak mentality," "Lacking height," etc.
"You don't need to worry about what people like that say."
Airi had come back at some point.
Her hair is dried and seems brushed too.
She must have come in without me noticing.
"Sorry, I'll come over now."
I shut down the desktop, sat in front of the table, and turned on the TV.
I watch TV while drinking coffee with Airi.
The TV was also talking about basketball.
Will interviews come soon?
I was thinking about that.
"It's finally happening..."
Airi takes my hand.
"Yeah."
I squeeze Airi's hand back.
A battle I can't lose, huh...
A certain soccer commentator's phrase came to mind.
It made me laugh a little.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Once you're done drinking, I'll take them away."
"Thanks."
I take the two mugs and go down to the kitchen.
It seems my father and the others were also watching the same program.
"It's finally starting."
My father called out to me.
"Yeah."
"...Win cleanly and finish with a triumphant close."
"That's the plan."
Saying that, I return to my room.
Airi is putting on makeup with more determination than usual.
"What's wrong?"
"Because interviews might come, right? I can't embarrass my husband with a sloppy appearance."
"You're beautiful even normally, so it's fine."
"Ugh... well, I'm just bad at makeup anyway."
Airi seems to have gotten sulky.
"That's not true. But if I say that, it lacks persuasiveness, right?"
"You could at least praise me a little."
"...You're plenty beautiful, Airi."
"Hehe~"
"But if you take too long, we'll run out of time."
"Ah, sorry. Wait a bit, I'll be done soon."
I waited for her to apply her final touch of lipstick.
"I'm done~ Let's go♪"
Airi pulled me and went down the stairs.
But being pulled is kind of scary.
My intuition seems to be right—there are many media people at the gymnasium.
They rush over when they spot me.
It's scary like a zombie movie.
Airi hides behind me.
"Do you have a moment?"
"I have morning practice soon."
"I won't take much of your time."
The press persists.
I stopped, thinking that if they came into the gymnasium like this, it would bother the other athletes.
"Then ten minutes."
And so I did the interview for ten minutes.
After ten minutes, Airi said, "Time's up!"
"Let's go, Toya-kun!"
"Wait, who are you?"
"The interview time is over, so there's no need to answer~"
Saying that, Airi pulled me into the gymnasium.
"Thanks, Airi."
"This is about all I can do. There's almost nothing left for me to help with."
"That's not true."
"Is there something?"
"Once I get the gold medal and everything is settled, I want to make memories with Airi."
"Then that's something only I can do."
Airi smiled and said that.
By the time practice ended, the press had also dispersed.
I killed time studying at the library as usual.
Besides reviewing classes, I also want to study for certifications.
Airi doesn't need to get certifications, but she said, "I'll take them with Toya-kun~" and casually got certified.
At lunch break, everyone gathers at the cafeteria.
Those who sit around me and Airi are Tasuku and Sho.
"Toya... how are things with Tosaka-san?"
"Katagiri-senpai, help me."
What's wrong?
"What's going on with you two?"
It was Airi who asked.
"What do you mean 'what's going on'! Sakurako has been in a bad mood since that night..."
"Same here. She reads my messages but her replies are kinda cold. And her attitude this morning was weird too."
After hearing their stories, I thought, "I see."
"You two probably thought she'd get over it with time, didn't you~"
Airi spoke for them.
"Toya, how did you get Tosaka-san to forgive you?"
"Toya-kun was kind to me. He spent the whole day playing with me."
Airi answered. I'm eating my lunch.
"Both of you, you'd better apologize properly when you're alone with her. You have to show sincerity. Regardless of the reason, the fault is on our side."
"Don't teach them unnecessary things, Katagiri-senpai."
Sakurako-san, Chi-chan, and Asakura-san arrived.
Sakurako-san is really angry. Chi-chan looks troubled about what to do. Asakura-san doesn't seem that bothered.
First, I'll start with Asakura-san.
"Asakura-san, weren't you affected?"
"I was sad and kept crying, but Sho-chan apologized desperately, so I forgave him."
"And Chi-chan?"
"I don't know. I just don't know how to deal with him anymore."
I see.
"Chitose! Don't spoil him! Don't forgive him until he apologizes!"
Sakurako-san seems furious.
"Chitose! I was wrong! But I've never been to a place like that! Really, never!"
Sho is apologizing desperately.
"What kind of place is 'a place like that'?"
"Chitose-chan doesn't need to know that."
Airi says.
"My brother said the same thing. But it feels weird to get angry about going to a place I don't even know..."
Chi-chan says.
That's a fair point.
"Sho says he won't go, so isn't it fine to forgive him?"
"So is the reason I have to be angry related to that place?"
"Because, Sho. Just act normal. As long as you never go near it again. It's a place Chi-chan will never have anything to do with."
"Thanks, Chitose."
"No, it's fine. More importantly, I made a bento."
"Can I have it?"
"Yeah, everyone was angry, so I was wondering if I should give it to you, but it seems there's no need to worry."
"Thank you."
Chi-chan is fine; the problem is Sakurako-san.
"It's useless to try to convince me."
Sakurako-san says.
"Tasuku, apologize."
"I'm sorry, Sakurako! Please forgive me, just like this!"
"Do you really think you did wrong? Then why didn't you apologize on the spot?"
"W-Well..."
"See. So you didn't really think you were wrong."
"Sakurako-san, it's not good to jump to conclusions."
Airi says.
"Is the fault really only on the male side?"
"What do you mean?"
When I spoke, Sakurako-san reacted.
"Did the female side really need to tail them that far? If you'd called out to them sooner, wouldn't it have avoided the messy situation?"
"Th-That..."
Sakurako-san is at a loss for words.
"If you're going to tail them, shouldn't you have seen it through to the end, until they entered the store of their own will? I heard there were women who grabbed men trying to escape and wouldn't let them go. Didn't you need to confirm whether Tasuku had any intention of going into that store?"
"That's true..."
"Tasuku had no such intention. I guarantee that. But it was also wrong of Tasuku not to cover for himself at all. He should have made it clear that he had no intention of going and was dragged in against his will."
"You're right, Toya. Sorry, Sakurako..."
"No... It seems I also had shortcomings. I was jumping to conclusions."
With that, those two should be fine.
But the situation is about to reach an even bigger climax.
"Well then, what should we do about those two idiots who did intend to go? Won't you tell us, Toya-sensei."
Turning around, Kanna, Emi-san, and Akira-san were there.
(2)
"Well then, what should we do about those two idiots who did intend to go? Won't you tell us, Toya-sensei?"
Kanna-senpai says that.
Junichi-san said he never had any interest.
But he admitted to being tempted, apologized, and to make amends, he took me on a date on a day off.
He was about to buy accessories that I'd probably never wear, so I suggested a meal instead.
With that, we settled things.
But it seems there are women in Watanabe's group who can't forgive them.
Especially Kiritani-senpai and Tada-senpai, who led the way, probably have many women who can't forgive them.
And now, Tada-senpai's wife, Kanna-senpai, is pressing Katagiri-senpai.
I'm interested in how he'll persuade her.
Meanwhile, the other members are gathering too.
"What should we do, Toya-sensei?"
Kanna-senpai blames Katagiri-senpai.
"First of all, Makoto... Kanna, what do you think?"
"He apologizes over and over, but he repeats the same thing. You know that too, Toya."
"Then if I told you to write up divorce papers, would he do it?"
"Th-That..."
Kanna-senpai is at a loss for words.
"Wait a moment, Katagiri-kun. Then where should the women's anger be directed? I'm fine! Nozomi didn't go of her own will, so I can forgive her. But it's different for Kanna-chan."
Emi-senpai presses him.
"What Katagiri-kun says is really only from a male perspective. Saying 'forgive him if you can't divorce' is an extreme argument."
Akira-senpai also says.
"Well, I'm a man too, so I might end up that way. I don't understand women's feelings. But I do understand Airi's feelings."
Airi is in a good mood.
"Kanna understands Makoto's feelings too, doesn't she?"
"Saying 'understand a man's feelings' is a male perspective! So do women always have to suffer in silence?"
Akira-senpai says.
"What Toya-kun says is indeed from a male perspective, right? Then let me say something."
Airi threw a lifeline.
But Kanna-senpai rejects it.
"Airi's opinion isn't helpful! Airi's partner is Toya. Not Makoto!"
Katagiri-senpai and the leading Tada-senpai can't be compared. She's right about that.
"Kanna is right. So I'll convey what Toya-kun thinks from a female perspective. Actually, haven't you already found your answer?"
"What do you mean?"
"What to do? Wasn't that already settled that night?"
Airi says with a smile.
"Airi-chan. Explain it so we can understand too. What do you mean, 'settled'?"
Emi-senpai asked.
"I'll explain so everyone can understand. I think Kanna has already forgiven Makoto-kun a long time ago."
Airi calmly said something astonishing.
"If I had forgiven him, I wouldn't be this irritated."
"It's the opposite. You're irritated because there's a part of you that wants to forgive him. So you have to overwrite it with happy memories."
"...Is that what Toya thinks?"
"That's right~ Isn't it, Toya-kun."
"This isn't the first time for Makoto's bad habit. Isn't Kanna the one who knows that best?"
When Airi said that, Katagiri-senpai spoke.
She wants to forgive but can't, so she's irritated. It seems contradictory, but what's the truth?
"Then, Katagiri-kun, you should know how much Kanna-chan has cried."
"Yeah, I've heard from Airi."
Kanna-senpai kicked a chair and left the cafeteria.
Chitose-san and Emi-senpai try to go after Kanna-senpai. But Airi blocks them.
"Why are you stopping us, Airi-chan?"
"Leave her alone for now. It's for her own good."
Airi said that.
The two backed down obediently.
"So what happened with Sakai-kun and Ishihara-kun?"
Airi changed the subject.
"Nothing much. Seeing Nozomi, who wasn't even at fault, bow his head over and over made me feel ridiculous, so I forgave him."
"Me too. Zen-kun kept bowing his head, so I started feeling like I was the one in the wrong for blaming him, and I forgave him. With conditions."
"Conditions?"
Airi asks.
"I told him that if he's going to spend money on women, he should spend time with me instead."
"I see..."
Airi is laughing.
"But is it okay to leave Kanna-san alone?"
Watanabe-senpai asks.
"Time will solve the rest. If it can't be solved, they'll just break up. There's nothing we can do."
"You're quite cold, Toya."
"Well, I'm sure those two will be fine."
Katagiri-senpai said that with a laugh.
An eternal flower blooms within those two.
That's what Katagiri-senpai says.
I wonder if such a thing will grow within me too?
(3)
I kicked the chair with all my might.
"The cause of your irritation lies with you."
When I heard that, I almost snapped.
Because I finally understood the true nature of the vague thing in my heart.
What if I forgive him and he does it again?
But I'll probably end up forgiving him anyway...
How many tears do I have to shed before I can dismiss that repeat offender with a mere "it can't be helped"?
I wanted to ask Toya.
How can I cure that habit of his?
But Toya says.
You've already accepted his bad habits, haven't you?
That was true.
The answer was obvious from the start.
No matter how many times, that idiot will repeat it.
But it has to be him.
That's why I thought that and made a flower bloom with him.
I made a flower that blooms with a smile, so as not to lose, so as not to wither.
Am I doubting myself?
Gather the wind and release it into the sky.
Love cannot be discussed with views on romance or emotional arguments.
I simply pray that this love doesn't fade away.
So as not to be spoiled, to stay close, to share loneliness.
Even if others laugh at it as reckless, I love Makoto as he is.
A love I want to hold even if it hurts a little.
My anger faded away.
What I need isn't anger towards Makoto.
It's a cooling-off period to digest my irritation at myself for not being able to forgive.
That day, after my part-time job, I came home and found something on the table.
I turned on the light to see what it was.
It was omurice with a heart drawn in ketchup.
There was a note. From Makoto. He must have gone to his part-time job.
"I'm such a hopeless guy, but I'm always thinking of you. I was wrong. I'm sorry."
Laughter welled up.
I took a picture of it and uploaded it to the Watanabe group message.
Laughing comments flew around from everyone.
"Brother... I didn't know he could do something so skillful."
Chi-chan said.
That guy isn't skillful.
He's hopelessly clumsy.
I ate the omurice, took a shower, watched TV, and waited for Makoto to come home.
Makoto came home.
Looking at me, he said.
"You're still up?"
"Yeah."
"Well... sorry about everything!"
"...This is the last time."
"Thank you!"
Makoto hugged me.
This is the last time, I say.
How many more times will I end up using that line?
I'll probably forgive him over and over again, no matter how many times.
Let me become a flower that blooms with a smile, so as not to lose, so as not to wither.
Living on, turning sorrow back into kindness.
(4)
On the day of the Beppu Sea of Fire Festival.
We were at the port in Sakanoichi.
Everyone boarded Nishimatsu-kun's cruiser.
The cruiser headed towards Beppu Bay.
The fireworks began while Mika-san's cooking was being served.
"It's beautiful~"
"Magnificent."
"Toya-kun, don't just eat, watch the fireworks!"
pat
Airi is wearing a pink floral yukata.
Airi, illuminated by the light of the fireworks, is also beautiful.
When I quietly told her that...
pat
"I told you to watch the fireworks!"
She scolds me. But her expression was smiling.
Judging from that picture, it seems Makoto and Kanna made up.
Everyone else seems to have made up too, but...
"Ah, the fireworks are beautiful, Ai."
"..."
Those two still haven't, it seems.
"Hey, hey, how about a truce even on a day like this?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"That's right. I'll drive on the way back, so Ai, have a drink!"
"...The distance to home is known anyway. I'll use a proxy driver, so you drink too."
"Ai..."
"This is the only time. There won't be a next time!"
"I definitely won't! Thank you, Ai. I love you."
"Stop it, that's gross!"
Living on, turning sorrow back into kindness.
Even if everything is fated to scatter like fireworks, a love I want to hold even if it carries some risk.
A flower that blooms with a smile, so as not to lose, so as not to wither.
It might not be pretty, but it feels beautiful.
When the fireworks end, we return to Sakanoichi.
We disband at Sakanoichi.
Everyone goes home.
In the passenger seat is my future bride, wearing a pink floral yukata.
When I stare at her, Airi says one thing.
"If you don't look at the road, it's dangerous."
I hurriedly look forward and say.
"Come to think of it, it's always been like that, hasn't it?"
Airi says, as if remembering.
"What?"
When I asked back, Airi laughed and said.
"Toya-kun, when I'm in kimono, you're always very gentle."
"That's true."
"Hmm~"
"What's wrong?"
"I was wondering if you'd do what I ask if I begged you now."
"I've never refused you, have I?"
"That's true."
When we get home, Airi is about to take off her yukata.
I stare at her.
"What's wrong?"
"You're going to take it off anyway, right?"
"Well, yes?"
"Then, won't you let me take it off once..."
pat
"There's nothing as embarrassing as taking off a yukata! It's not like those pretty things you see on TV! Look the other way!"
"Okay."
I watch TV.
"I'm done taking it off~"
"Right. Then come here."
"Ugh... I'm only in my underwear now, you know?"
"The AC is on, so you'll catch a cold. Put on your pajamas."
"Ugh... Your wife is in bed in her underwear, you know?"
I understand Airi's intention.
So I want to be a little mean.
"I'm thirsty. I'll get a drink."
"Ugh..."
I get a drink from the fridge and return to the room—the TV is off and the lights are off too.
"Airi?"
I turn on the light and call out to Airi, who's wrapped in a towel blanket on the bed.
Then Airi, blanket and all, pounces on me.
"What's wrong!?"
"You just said you'd always give me attention!"
"Let's have a drink first. I'll take care of you after that!"
"You promise!"
Saying that, I finished a can of drink and got into bed with Airi.
"I'm glad for Kiritani-kun and the others."
"Ai-san was the same as Kanna, wasn't she?"
"Maybe so?"
"But it turned out just as Toya-kun thought. Amazing!"
I think Airi, who spoke my thoughts, is more amazing.
"Still, everyone is amazing—blooming flowers that don't lose, don't wither, no matter the adversity."
"Yeah. But we're not losing either, right?"
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Yay!"
Airi hugs me.
If you're lost, gather the wind and release it into the sky.
Let an eternal flower bloom in your heart.