Chapter 347 - The Dream Engraved in My Heart
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~"
I wake up to Airi's voice, get up, and change clothes.
After that, I wash my face. Then I head out for my daily routine.
The Tokyo Olympics start next weekend.
Because of the final exams, I can't attend the opening ceremony, but once the exams are over, I plan to go to Tokyo right away.
"Is there any reason to seriously take the tests?"
Yuichiro says, but there is a reason.
I've been hiding that reason for now.
Anyway, given those circumstances, I can't attend the Watanabe group's end-of-first-term party.
And this daily routine is almost over as well.
The university basketball league games are still left, but there's no need to go all-out.
I'll participate in practice, but more than that, I want to make time for Airi.
I'm thinking of going somewhere to play in September, but I'm still wondering where to go.
And starting today are the final exams.
The Basketball Club activities are on break.
I can't exactly go two weeks without touching the ball, so I got special permission to use the gymnasium.
"It's almost time~"
Airi says, so I wrap up.
When I get home, I take a shower.
Then after eating breakfast, I take my coffee and return to my room.
I watch the news on my desktop until Airi comes back.
When Airi returns, I shut it down and turn on the TV.
They're talking about how tennis is going, topics like that.
As I look at the tennis players with thoughts like "Wow, their shoulder muscles are amazing," Airi gives me a smack.
"Toya-kun, you're not allowed to take interest in other women!"
I strive to clear up Airi's misunderstanding.
It seems Airi understood.
Once Airi's ready, we leave the house.
Then we use the gymnasium to practice.
Since no other Basketball Club members are around, I have Airi help me.
"Seriously, Toya-kun, if there's no mark on you, you never miss a shot. And even when there is a mark, you sink them regardless."
"Airi, do you know how wide a basketball rim is?"
"I don't?"
"It looks narrow, but it's actually two balls wide. There's no way I'd miss, right?"
"...Only Toya-kun can say that."
Airi sighs.
When it's time, we change and leave the gymnasium with Airi.
This might be one of the last times I come to this gymnasium.
I'm thinking I'll continue until the league games since it's a shame to stop.
By the way, I canceled the sponsorship contract for now.
If things don't work out, I can just sign again.
Considering the risk of having to pay a penalty, this is better.
After all, I can already see the goal in my mind.
When lunch break comes, everyone gathers.
Everyone looks tired. Probably exam fatigue.
Especially Kitamura-san, who seems to have had a rough time.
It looks like she'll barely get the credits.
Will she make it through four years?
Kanna and the others seem to have calmed down since then.
That's probably because they haven't had any drinking parties.
Even when the Soccer Club guys invite them to mixers, they apparently turn them down using work and Kanna as excuses.
I don't understand the psychology of inviting a married person to a mixer, but Airi got mad at me for trying to figure it out.
After the afternoon classes end, I kill time at Blue Bird.
I order the usual menu and relax until it's time.
When it's time, I go back to the gymnasium with Airi.
After practice, I go home with Airi.
Once home, I eat dinner, take a bath, drink a can, and spend the evening with Airi.
Although, by the time everything's done, it's past 10 PM and there's nothing to watch but dramas.
Airi is on the edge of her seat over the drama's developments.
By the time the drama ends, it's bedtime.
Even if I wanted to play games, it would affect tomorrow's exams.
So we both decided to sleep peacefully.
We repeat this ordinary daily life for just a little while longer.
(2)
It had been about a month since I started dating Junichi-san.
He didn't seem interested in doing anything in particular.
I thought Junichi-san might make the first move, but he just invited me out to eat.
Most of the time, we just go to the station building.
For cooking, I was challenging myself to peel apples.
Since using a knife was scary, I tried using a peeler.
When he came over to my place, I served apple pie as dessert at least.
I learned how to make apple pie from Emi-senpai.
Other than that, rice, miso soup... Junichi-san makes the side dishes.
We make it together, eat it together, and clean up together.
I learned that there's this kind of enjoyment too.
After that, we study together.
I'm really not good at that.
But Junichi-san explains things in an easy-to-understand way.
As expected of someone from the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His teaching method is excellent.
His explanations are logical and easy to remember.
Though, I couldn't keep up with his specialized subjects.
He would go home after 10 PM.
I spent that month like that.
There wasn't a single romantic event.
Since I'm also slow to act, I couldn't make a move.
"There's another fireworks festival this time, isn't there?"
Unusually, he brought up the topic that day.
"That's right."
"Everyone seems to be having fun together."
"That's right."
"But I think I'd have fun even if it's just me and Misato."
He made the first move.
Should I accept this invitation?
I don't know what tomorrow will bring.
I made up my mind.
"Is that okay?"
"Huh?"
He looks at my face.
"You can do whatever you like, Junichi-san."
Why can I only say things like this?
I really hate how clumsy I am.
He chuckles and says,
"Then shall we go see it together?"
He invites me. I can't pass up this invitation.
If I miss this chance, I don't know when the next one will come. I don't even know if there will be a next time.
"Okay. But will you be fine with your exam studies?"
"I'll be fine. What about you, Misato-san? Is your part-time job okay?"
"I'm fine."
I arranged my shift to end in the evening.
"Then I'll pick you up at Blue Bird that day. It'll be faster to take the train anyway."
"That's right."
"Well then, shall we call it a day? Staying up late isn't good."
"Yes."
I see him off at the entrance.
"Well then, I'm looking forward to that day."
"Me too."
With that, he left.
"Hey!"
I called out to him.
"What is it?"
"Doesn't dating me get boring?"
He chuckles at my question.
"Of course not. See you later."
With that, he got on the elevator and left.
I sigh in relief.
He doesn't find me boring.
Just that is enough to put me at ease.
The next day, an incident occurred at Blue Bird.
Someone, even just one person, was needed for the evening shift.
That was the request.
We couldn't very well have all three of us go see the fireworks.
By hierarchy, should I be the one to stay?
Just as I was about to raise my hand,
"Then I'll stay."
Sakai-senpai raised his hand.
"Oh, Sakai-kun. Thanks, you're a lifesaver."
After the master left, I asked Sakai-senpai, "Are you sure?"
"If Kitamura-san stays, she still can't handle the work alone. So I should stay."
"But..."
"I'm married. Unlike you, Kitamura-san. Go have fun with Kuribayashi-kun."
"I'm sorry..."
"I understand, now let's get back to work."
With that, Sakai-senpai went back to work.
If I desire to seize it, I'll leave nothing behind.
With a brilliance that is truly myself.
I believe in the feelings from that day.
The tears shining in these eyes—I'll transform even them into strength.
(3)
At the fireworks festival were Kitamura-san and Kuribayashi-kun. Everyone from the Watanabe group except the Sakai couple had gathered.
The fireworks seen from the athletic field's plaza were beautiful.
That day, Airi had also come in a yukata.
Kanna was also in a yukata that day.
Actually, all the women were in yukata.
I couldn't hear the announcements, but everyone was applauding.
"Airi, isn't standing the whole time hard on you?"
"I'm fine~ Thank you~"
Airi said with a smile.
When the fireworks ended, everyone seemed hungry.
We stopped by a family restaurant.
"Well then, even though it's a family restaurant, let's also toast for Toya's send-off, shall we?"
I only had a soft drink, but we clinked glasses.
"It's finally happening, Toya."
"Right now, I'm having a tough time with the tests."
"It'll be tougher than the tests."
"I'm making adjustments."
I'm talking to Makoto.
"So this is really Katagiri-senpai's final world stage?"
"It's not decided that it's the final one."
I say to Sakura-san.
"You really don't regret it, do you? Even now, you could still force your way into the local bank."
Hiyama-senpai says.
"It's fine. I've always chosen my own path."
I have no regrets.
"We can't go there in person, but we'll be cheering for you."
Watanabe-kun says.
"Thanks. Just hearing that makes me happy. But first, the exams, right?"
I say with a laugh.
After that, I received more encouragement from everyone. Then we went home that day.
"There's not much left, is there?"
Airi said when we got home.
"Yeah."
The biggest obstacle... probably the greatest hurdle.
If I can get past this, then it's all downhill from there?
That's not the case. There are still several trials waiting.
But I'll overcome them together with Airi.
I'll seize whatever I desire, shining as myself, leaving nothing behind.
"Are you sure about this, Airi?"
"Huh?"
"You could live more comfortably if you went professional, you know?"
Smack.
"I'll be with Toya-kun. I don't need any happiness greater than that!"
"I see."
I pat Airi's head.
"Should we get to sleep soon? We've got exams and the daily routine tomorrow."
"Ugh... Lately, Toya-kun hasn't been doing it with me."
"Didn't I tell you? I'll embrace you once I get the gold medal."
It's better to leave fun things for later, right?
"...Yeah!"
We fell asleep.
I'll carry through my dream, without hesitation.
I can proudly boast everything about who I am right now.
The culmination of my dreams is about to gather right here.
(4)
"Toya-kun, it's morning~ Time for your daily routine~"
I wake up to Airi's voice, get up, wash my face, change clothes, and head out for my daily routine.
I adjust myself carefully.
After taking a shower and eating breakfast, I take my coffee and return to my room.
I check my luggage until Airi comes back.
"Ah! You're making a mess again! I told you, you have to fold things properly before putting them in!"
Airi organizes my luggage.
"You really are hopeless."
As she says that, Airi's face is smiling.
Once Airi is ready, we head to the gymnasium.
Today too, the ball makes a crisp swish sound.
Just like always.
"It's almost time~"
When Airi says that, I stop practice and leave the court.
At that moment, I turn around and bow to the court.
I've done everything I needed to do.
After taking the test, during lunch break, everyone gives me a present.
A thousand paper cranes.
When did they prepare this?
"This is the greatest support we can give."
"...Thank you."
After the test ends, I go straight home.
Then I wait for Airi to get ready, and we leave the house.
"I'm off."
"Do your best."
Seeing us off by Mother, we take the bus to the station plaza, then take a highway bus to the airport.
We go through check-in and security screening, and wait in the lobby.
"...Boarding for Haneda has begun."
I stand up smoothly.
"Airi, let's go!"
"...Yes."
I board the plane with Airi.
Leaving my friends behind in my hometown.
Carrying their feelings with me.
We have arrived at the decisive battleground.