Chapter 350 - Ordinary Time
(1)
"I'm home~ Rie-chan"
"Oh, welcome~ I've been waiting for you~. Come on in~"
Airi's mom leads me into the living room.
"Sorry for the delay in greeting you. This is just a small token."
I hand over a box of local high-class sweets.
"……Thank you. But today is the last day for that kind of formality. Rie, get us some tea."
"Okay~"
Then I spent the day with Airi's parents.
Well, not that we talked much.
Because they held a celebration party for me.
I just thought it would be better to stop by and greet them.
"Toya-kun~ stay for dinner~ I'll make you something special~"
"Ah, but…"
"Rie-chan, I'll help too~"
"That's fine, Airi-chan. Today you're a guest~"
Airi's mom turns down Airi's offer.
"It's fine, just take it easy today and stay," Airi's dad says with a laugh.
With Airi's mom's home cooking as a snack, the sake flows freely.
"Toya-kun, don't eat too much, okay?"
Airi says. The fact that she doesn't say "don't drink too much" is so like her.
But it's good manners to finish everything you're served.
I clean my plate.
After that, I drink and chat with Airi's dad.
The women are cleaning up.
I thought about helping, but Airi's dad said, "Leave it to the ladies," so I left it to them.
When Airi and the others return after finishing up, I pat Airi's head and say, "Good work."
I thought that would cheer her up.
But she frowns and says, "Toya-kun, you've had too much to drink! You smell like alcohol!"
"Papa-san, you shouldn't let Toya-kun drink so much either!"
When Airi scolds her father, he hedges, "U-um…"
"You men had things you wanted to talk about, didn't you? There are times when women shouldn't butt in~"
Airi's mom appeases her. Airi pouts, unable to argue. "Ugh…"
"By the way, Toya-kun. You've seen the top of the world twice. What did you see up there?"
Makoto asked me that too.
I answered.
"Nothing at all. Just people desperately struggling and climbing up from below. The view was nice, that's all."
"I see, so you have no will to cling to it?"
"Yes, seeing it twice is enough."
There's also the World Cup as a higher peak, but I have no interest.
There's no end to aiming higher.
I decided to close the chapter on my basketball career.
I thought there was no need to be hung up on that.
"So what are you going to do from now on?"
Airi's dad asks. I answer.
"I'll spend the rest of the semester leisurely with Airi. I want to make memories with her."
For now, I plan to take Airi on a trip somewhere next month.
I've already decided that.
I've already chosen the destination.
When I say that, Airi looks happy.
Time passes, and we head back home.
"Come visit again~"
Airi's mom sees us off, and we go home.
When we get home, I take a bath and wait for Airi.
When Airi comes back, she's drying her hair.
Meanwhile, I'm fiddling with my laptop.
Airi also boots up her laptop to do the accounts.
It seems the Olympics really cost a lot.
Well, memories are priceless, as they say.
I say "Isn't it good?" and she replies "Yeah, I guess."
When Airi finishes her work, we enjoy playing games together.
And when the time comes, we go to sleep.
We had returned to an ordinary daily life.
(2)
"Good morning, Toya-kun. Time for breakfast~"
When I say that, he usually gets up.
And he immediately starts getting ready.
I feel a little lonely.
He used to be more affectionate…
As I sit on the bed feeling like that, Toya-kun sits next to me and invites me, "After we eat, want to go somewhere?"
I'm happy.
After breakfast, I immediately start getting ready.
Toya-kun changes clothes and prepares.
I wonder where he'll take me?
I was looking forward to it.
While I'm changing, Toya-kun hugs me from behind.
"Not now, I'm getting ready~"
"No, I just missed this kind of time……"
Yeah.
"Where are we going today?"
"I was thinking of just going to see a movie or something?"
"Okay~"
Anywhere was fine.
As long as I could go on a date with Toya-kun.
Because he was always about basketball.
After the movie, we have lunch and think about what to do next.
We decide to go to Hita.
We stroll around Hita city.
It's a hot summer day in Hita, but Toya-kun is still Toya-kun.
He eats soft-serve ice cream, then yakisoba……
Maybe I should let him keep up his daily routine?
I thought that.
After walking around Hita, we head back via the national route.
On the way, we pass a hot spring town.
"Let's come here sometime."
We talked like that.
By the time we enter the city, it's dusk.
We have dinner at a family restaurant and go home.
Once home, I take a bath and relax.
I do the accounts while watching TV.
"How was today?"
Even though I don't really care about the content.
Toya-kun finds excuses to cling to me.
That made me happy.
"Same as always~"
I say that and lean into Toya-kun.
These ordinary moments feel precious.
Toya-kun chuckles softly, saying it must be love's doing.
The gestures I show him are signals directed at Toya-kun.
He never misses a single one.
He thinks about me like that.
Sometimes we hurt each other with careless words and get tired of our own immaturity, but eventually we bare ourselves, touch each other's gentle warmth, and show our kindness.
We're similar but somehow different, yet we have the same scent.
I love him not with body or heart.
If even a tiny light can shine in our hearts, we must cherish it.
Signals sent from everything we encounter.
Let's live without missing a single one.
Because we have time left together, we have to cherish it, Toya-kun said with a small smile.
Signals that strengthen Toya-kun.
I won't overlook a single one. Let's live that way.
He's thinking about such things.
I hope those signals reach him.
But they do reach him.
In places I don't notice, Toya-kun is still playing his melody.
A harmony played by overlapping two feelings like sprouts that withered without growing.
Today too, I spent an ordinary day, but it felt precious.
(3)
"Airi, are you ready~?"
"Just a little more~"
Today is the Watanabe group's camping trip.
Like last year, we go to the amusement park and then camp.
I was loading the luggage.
We meet at the convenience store near the Hazama Interchange.
Then we depart.
Why did we pick this timing?
Because the Olympics delayed the trip.
And because Naru and Kosei's school starts soon, so we chose it as their last memory of summer vacation in junior high.
When I asked about high school, it seems both of them are going to Hofu High School.
Reason: it's close.
"Riding a bike up a hill is such a pain," Kosei said with a laugh.
It seems both of them will commute by bike.
I guess it'll be fine for now.
They also said they're planning on going to the local university for college.
Kosei is going into the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Naru is going into the Faculty of Education.
They've already thought that far ahead.
"Naru-chan, do you want to become a teacher?"
Airi asked.
Naru nodded slightly.
"But I'll probably get married soon anyway, so it doesn't matter," Naru said with a laugh.
It seems Naru also aims to be a housewife.
She says she's training in housework at home now.
While we were talking, everyone gathered.
Watanabe-kun leads the way as we depart.
On the expressway, it can't be helped, can it?
Not only cars that look like they'd speed, but even the wagon cars push ahead, eager to be first.
We watch them with exasperation.
In the amusement park parking lot, the men, as expected, get scolded.
"Learn from Toya!"
They were yelled at like that.
Today's camp is probably going to start with another lecture.
"W-well then, how about everyone plays at the amusement park first? Kosei and Naru, you're fine on your own this year, right?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"We're fine," Kosei says with a smile.
"We'll just kill some time," Kuribayashi-kun says.
It seems Kitamura-san is bad with rides.
Airi had that phase too.
I looked at Airi and smiled.
We have about two hours. Then we all have lunch and head to Lake Shidaka.
We set up the tents.
There are nearly twenty tents gathered.
It's like a small village.
Ishihara-kun is handling the fire starting.
The women are prepping the barbecue and getting the rice cooker ready.
The men gather and discuss.
"Tomorrow, are we going to that place again like last year……?"
"Well, it's probably going to happen……"
The men hold their heads.
I try one last resistance.
"How about we do the Jigoku Meguri (Hells of Beppu) tomorrow?"
"Harmony Land is fine, isn't it?"
"There are too many cars for the Hells of Beppu."
"There's a sightseeing bus if you go down."
I thought I was doing Makoto a favor by covering for him.
"Kitamura-san seems bad with rides too."
"That place has shops and parades, right? I'm fine with it."
"Then it's decided♪"
"Ah, well, sometimes a relaxing hot spring trip wouldn't hurt…"
"If Toya-kun wants to go, let's go together another time?"
"No, I meant with everyone……"
"It's decided♪"
Sorry, Makoto. I can't go against Airi.
"Harmony Land, huh? It's been a while~"
Chii-chan says.
"I've never been there. What kind of place is it?"
"It's a fun place."
"I see. Looking forward to it."
I see, you two have never been there.
The men who haven't been are bright, in contrast to the group who went last year.
"We went last year! Once is enough!"
Idiot! If you say that, Kiritani-kun……
"Does Eita find dates with his wife boring……?"
"Come to think of it, all the men seemed bored……?"
"You're not all refusing, are you?"
Ai-san, Kanna, and Mika-san say.
"H-hey now. That's not true, right? Right, Toya?"
"T-that's right. You're overthinking it, Kanna."
"I agree. Sometimes we have to give our wives some service."
We mercilessly throw Kiritani-kun under the bus.
"Kiritani-kun, next month I might work you hard."
Emi-san says.
"N-no, I have work."
Kiritani-kun desperately tries to escape.
He pleads with us for help with his eyes.
But we ruthlessly abandon him.
When night falls, the fun BBQ begins.
"We have to get up early tomorrow, so don't drink too much~"
Watanabe-kun says.
The men gather.
I and Kosei sense danger and keep our distance.
"What kind of place is Harmony Land anyway? Everyone seems to hate it."
"In one word, it's hell……"
"There's nothing but pain waiting beyond."
Makoto and Eita, as expected, are saying unnecessary things.
"Listen, don't lose your smile. That's the number one mission."
"If you let your guard down even for a second, the women will get upset."
"Why do women like that place so much? Right, Makoto!"
"Yeah, Eita's right. I have no idea why they go."
The man who sensed a massive killing intent moves away from the spot.
"I mean, one amusement park should be enough!"
"Right! That place is run-down and boring anyway."
"Rather than that, I want to play games!"
"I want to go home and sleep too!"
"You guys are too weak! That's why your wives look down on you!"
"Exactly! Even one complaint wouldn't be a sin!"
"Makoto, let's drink tonight! Let's vent our frustrations together!"
"Sure, Eita! I'll keep you company all the way!"
By now, aside from Makoto and Eita, the men are either talking with their partners or being dragged into tents.
"Airi, want to take a little walk?"
"Okay♪"
"Naru, let's go too?"
"……Kosei, are you really bored?"
"Like Katagiri-kun said, there's no way I'm bored when I'm with my fiancée."
"That's fine then……"
"Come on, let's go?"
"Okay."
"What are you guys doing? Give 'em a proper scolding!"
"That's right, you guys! That's why women look down on you… Hey? The women are here, that means……"
Makoto seems to have just noticed now.
"Vent frustrations? That sounds good. If you have something to say, let's hear it, Makoto. I'll keep you company until morning."
"I'll listen to one or two complaints. Should I explain clearly why we like going there?"
"K-Kanna! Were you listening!? If you were around, you should've said so!"
"A-Ai! Look, I think it's important for men to have their say, don't you?"
"I'm very interested in how you usually think about us, Makoto."
"Kanna's right. Let's have you tell us how you see us, nice and slow."
"M-Makoto…… We have an early day tomorrow, let's sleep."
"R-right, Eita. Well, good night."
As if they'd be let off that easily.
"I said we have until morning. Let's talk it out thoroughly."
"I'll keep you company until morning too, Eita."
Those two are probably going to repeat this same exchange forever.
When me, Airi, Naru, and Kosei return from enjoying our evening walk and go back to the tents, all the men were getting lectured.
"First of all, you guys! You said you wouldn't drive recklessly, but what's this about starting a race on the expressway!"
"Learn from Toya! How many times do I have to tell you!"
"I don't remember speeding!"
Kanna and Mika-san complain, and Takemoto-kun makes excuses.
"Haha… man, this is rough."
Watanabe-kun grins wryly while drinking beer.
"Is that what it means to become an adult?"
Naru asks.
"Yeah, maybe Kosei will change too. So you gotta keep a close eye on him~"
"……I understand."
Good for you, Kosei. Your future is guaranteed. I guarantee it.
After all, I've been watched over for nine years, so I can say that for sure.
On this day, all the men were cursing Makoto and Eita.
(4)
That morning, everyone was late to wake up.
Because the lecture had gone on until late at night.
Well, it was more like the women just letting out their frustrations.
Me, Airi, Kosei, Naru, and Ishihara-kun are taking a morning walk.
"Seems like you had a rough time yesterday, Katagiri-kun."
"I wasn't caught up in it."
Ishihara-kun had sensed the danger and slipped into his tent early, avoiding the mess.
"But why are men so bad with theme parks like that?"
Naru wonders.
"It's not that we're bad at them. Well, how about this… Naru, what would you think if Kosei was mesmerized by a special effects show?"
"That's pointless… instead of watching something so silly… oh, I see?"
I nod at Naru's remark.
"It's a difference between men and women. There's nothing we can do about it. It's just that some people show it and some don't. It's not a good idea to kill the mood when your girlfriend is enjoying herself, right?"
"So it really is boring……"
"There are people who enjoy it. Kosei enjoys it. He enjoys it because Naru enjoys it. Right, Kosei?"
"Yeah…… It's rare for Naru to get excited."
"I don't get that excited."
Women's hearts are hard to understand.
We laugh about that, Kosei and I.
When we return from the walk, breakfast is ready.
After breakfast, we take down the tents and head to Harmony Land.
The same old attractions and parades.
The women are mostly captivated.
The men get caught up in it.
Dragged here, dragged there.
Sho and Kisaragi-kun are no exception.
Kuribayashi-kun seems used to it and handles it well.
The torture continued until around evening.
We were dragged around all the way through choosing souvenirs at the end.
I'm used to it now.
Watanabe-kun and the others are used to it too.
But the first-timers look exhausted.
As we exit the gate, Watanabe-kun says,
"After this, I'd like to stop by the family restaurant in Hiji before we break up. Any problem?"
The women's spirits are high.
The men's spirits are low.
We stop at the family restaurant in Hiji for dinner.
The women are lively.
The men are dead tired.
"What's wrong, men! At least look a little happy!"
Mika-san says, and all they can do is manage a wry smile.
Kosei nods along as Naru excitedly chatters.
Airi asks me, "Toya-kun, are you okay?"
When Ai-san says, "It'd be nice if we could come again next year," the men's faces go pale.
"Next year might be tough for me? I'll have work by then," I say, and a few of them sigh in relief.
"Is that so~ It was our last summer," Airi says.
Everyone falls silent.
"We still have next year!" Saki-san says.
"Even as working adults, we have weekends off," Mirai-san says.
After finishing the meal, we leave the family restaurant and disband.
I take Airi and drive home.
"Do you want me to drive on the way back? You must be tired, Toya-kun."
"Aren't you tired too from all that excitement?"
"Well, maybe."
"Kosei-kun and the others have school tomorrow, huh."
"Yeah."
"Our last summer as students too…… huh."
"I'll be able to take time off for Obon."
"That's true."
"Besides, I told you, right? I said I'd make lots of memories with you in the second half."
"……Yeah!"
When we get home, we store the equipment in the shed and go inside.
After a bath, we have a can of beer in the room.
We watch TV with Airi and spend the night.
When there's nothing interesting on TV, we fall asleep.
If these ordinary moments feel precious,
it must be love's doing, I think with a small smile.
The gestures Airi shows, the signals she sends to me.
I won't miss a single one.
I think about such things.