Chapter 353 - A Place That Has Always Been
(1)
"Toya-kun, it's time for breakfast~"
Airi's voice wakes me up.
I eat breakfast and then immediately depart.
As expected, I wouldn't make it in time, so I travel at high speed.
I arrived just in the nick of time.
I check in and board right away.
It's about four hours until we reach Yakushima.
I decide to sleep during that time.
Airi permitted me to sleep on this day too.
After arriving in Yakushima, first we have lunch.
Then we look around various sightseeing spots.
The Jomon-sugi was overwhelming.
It felt like stepping into a certain anime's world.
An island overflowing with such a world.
We saw the Kigen-sugi as well.
"Amazing..."
Airi lets out an exclamation of admiration.
We are captivated by the breathtaking scenery.
We were thoroughly enjoying that natural world.
(2)
Dawn broke. Kanna still hasn't returned.
Still, today I went to club activities.
I have to get my body used to it.
Even after coming back from club, she hasn't returned.
Even while this is happening, I have to keep living my life.
I went to my part-time job.
Even while working, I was worried about Kanna.
I finish work.
I go home, but the lights in the house are off.
Did she really leave for good?
Everything is my own doing.
Should I just submit the divorce papers?
At that moment, I noticed something.
Kanna hasn't stamped the seal.
It seems she still has the will to come back.
I pin my hopes on that thin thread.
When she returns, I'll apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart.
I'll vow never to do anything stupid again.
It might already be too late, but even so, I have to do it.
I look back on my memories with Kanna.
We argued a lot, but even so, we were happy.
Was that happiness just my own self-satisfaction?
I loved Kanna, who was always getting angry or laughing.
There is no lie or falsehood in that feeling.
Then my phone rang.
It's Kanna.
I answer immediately.
"Hello? Is that you, Kanna?"
"Yo!"
"Yo!? Is that all you have to say!? Do you have any idea how worried I was!?"
No, all of this is my fault.
"I'm sorry, it was my fault! Everything is my fault. Please come back."
"Did you actually read my note? I only wrote that I wanted to take a break, you know?"
"But you left the divorce papers filled out..."
Does she have no intention of breaking up?
"From the sound of it, seems like you've reflected properly."
Kanna says.
I always just say sorry and repeat the same mistakes. That alone isn't enough. So I thought I'd give you a taste of your own medicine.
That's not a fair way to do things! Do you know how worried I was!?
...Well, I suppose it is my fault.
Kanna has a point.
"I'll be back tomorrow."
"Where are you now!? I'll come pick you up!"
"That's impossible, let's meet at the local station around 3 PM tomorrow."
"Got it, but where are you right now? At the airport?"
"Ah, I came to Tokyo to play."
"Tokyo!?"
"Yeah, Ai is with me too."
"I see."
Everyone knew, huh.
"As punishment, you're treating me to dinner tomorrow, got it?"
"Yeah, I can do that much."
"Alright then, see you tomorrow. Don't tell me you're cheating while I'm away?"
"As if I would!"
"I see. Well then, see you later."
The call ended.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
I'll get to see Kanna tomorrow.
I found myself looking forward to tomorrow.
(3)
She still hasn't come back.
I was starting to get really anxious.
What if she doesn't come back at all like this?
Memories with Ai flash through my mind like a revolving lantern.
I leave for my part-time job.
My mind was elsewhere at work.
When I return from work, the light in the room is off as expected.
This is bad!
I've heard that the time when someone nags you is when things are still okay.
I've heard that the true end comes when the other person becomes indifferent.
Is that what Ai is like right now?
My phone rang.
It's Ai!
"Hello, Ai!?"
"How is it? Comfortable living alone and carefree?"
"Like hell it is! Do you know how worried I was..."
"Are you trying to say it's my fault?"
"No, it's my fault."
"Have you learned your lesson?"
"I have! So please forgive me! I won't do it again!"
"You always say that and then repeat it."
I apologized desperately. I swore I would never go out drinking again! Then Ai laughed.
"What are you going to do about the Watanabe team's activities?"
"I-I'll abstain from alcohol!"
"That's not what I want. I want to have a fun drink with you. Want to go drinking tomorrow? Don't go to any shady places."
"Are you coming back?"
"We only wrote that we wanted a break, you know?"
"Then what about the divorce papers?"
"If you were out playing without learning your lesson, I was thinking of stamping them."
"I've reflected enough!"
"Seems like it."
Ai is laughing.
"Come to the station front at 3 PM tomorrow. We'll talk then."
"Got it."
"Alright, I have an early start tomorrow too, so I'm going to sleep."
"Where are you now?"
"Hmm? Tokyo."
Tokyo!?
"As punishment, I'm making you stay with me until morning tomorrow!"
"Fine, I get it."
"Well then, see you."
"Ai, who are you with?"
"Just Kanna... Don't tell me you suspect I'm cheating?"
"N-No way, right?"
"Exactly. See you tomorrow."
She'll come back tomorrow.
I couldn't wait for tomorrow.
When tomorrow comes, I'll apologize a lot.
How many apologies will it take for her to forgive me?
I waited for tomorrow thinking about such things.
(4)
After eating breakfast, we got ready and headed to the meeting place with Yukari.
A certain corner of Shibuya.
It used to be an empty lot, but now there's a building standing there.
"Hey~"
Yukari's voice comes.
"So you remembered."
"Well, yeah. It's not an empty lot anymore, huh."
"Well, things change, right?"
"Yeah, they do. So, where are you taking me?"
"First, shopping in Shibuya, I guess."
After shopping in Shibuya, we went around various places: Harajuku, Roppongi, Ebisu, Meiji Jingu, Daikanyama.
Everything had changed compared to the old days.
Maybe I myself have changed too.
We also bought souvenirs for Emi and the others.
...I bought a souvenir for my foolish husband too.
Maybe we've cleared the air between us.
Finally, we had dinner at a seafood restaurant in Shinjuku.
"Thank you. That was fun."
Ai says that.
"Don't worry about it. I had fun too, catching up with Kanna for the first time in a while."
Yukari says.
"Come again, okay? There's still lots to do. Have you been to the Dreamland?"
"Well, just once back in high school."
"That place is fun no matter how many times you go."
"Next time I come, I'll introduce my husband."
"...So, have you decided to forgive him?"
"Well... maybe."
Ai seems inclined to forgive him.
I'll probably forgive him too, I'm sure.
Like trendy clothes, feelings can't be changed so easily; they are irreplaceable things.
I'll search for an unchanging love, so that even these memories can be something to be proud of.
Each time we have sex, we miss the important words and our love drifts apart.
But even if we take detours little by little, at the end of this endless journey, repeating it over and over, we will probably arrive someday.
When dinner ended, we parted with Yukari and returned to the hotel.
Then we each called our partners.
It seems the effect worked.
Both seem to have reflected on their actions.
Two people can live on forever in memories.
That guy's voice still echoes in my heart. It is the shadow where love wanders.
Reach out this hand, advance into the sky, and live on, carried by the wind. Somewhere, we will meet again, in a place that has always been since ancient times.
Even during the night, the seasons change.
The rain eventually lifted.
Ai seems to have made up too.
"Well, I guess neither of us has a choice."
Ai said with a laugh.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
I replied with a laugh too.
"What do we do next?"
Ai asks.
"I don't have a parents' home to go back to."
"Come to my place. We can have a little girls' night."
"I hope that time never comes."
"Yeah, you're right."
Ai laughs.
"Should we finally get some sleep?"
"Yeah."
If we can love honestly, as many times as we have sorrows...
Even so, I will search for love.
I will surely reach an unchanging love.
(5)
"It seems both of them have made up~"
"That's good."
Kana and Sakura-san say that, pleased with the success of the plan.
And then, as if to say "now it's your turn," they glare at us.
"Do we have to teach you two a lesson too, I wonder~"
"Certainly, we might have to, Kazu-san?"
Kana says that.
"But I already apologized for that, didn't I?"
"Are you both misunderstanding something~? Do you think we spend our free time playing around?"
I exchange a glance with Hiyama-kun.
"N-No, it's not like that."
"There's no way that's true, right?"
Hiyama-kun and I say that.
"You two are allowed because you're working. ...But I don't want to hear excuses like 'I was drinking for work'!"
"But there are times like that. Times when you can't refuse."
"Then you shouldn't have any problem telling us what you use your allowance on, right? Since you can just pass it off as drinking expenses."
Hiyama-kun has a look of "I'm staying out of this."
Should I just give up and be honest?
"...It's gambling."
"Gambling?"
"We bet on darts. Sometimes I lose my entire allowance that way."
"And golf too. The initial cost for equipment is high, and driving ranges cost money."
Hiyama-kun says.
I don't do it for basketball, but golf equipment is necessary.
If you get invited by a client, you can't refuse.
I make that excuse.
"Kana and the others need money too when they go out for tea or lunch with friends, right? It's the same."
"Then how do you explain saying 'I'm too busy to even spend time with you'?"
Both I and Hiyama-kun were at a loss for words.
Even if it was said under the influence of alcohol, the fact that we said it is true.
There's no excuse.
"Sakura, let's go home."
"Wait, Haruki, we're not done talking yet~. Are you trying to run away even at this point?"
"It's not that, it's about time."
"Time for what?"
"I've made a reservation at a restaurant. It's not exactly making amends, but it'll be nice for once, right?"
"Are you trying to win me over like that?"
"It's not that. The fact is I couldn't spend time with you. So I'll spend time with you now."
"Who do you think you are, saying you'll 'spend time with me'?"
"Stop nitpicking every little thing I say."
Saying that, Hiyama-kun takes Sakura-san away.
What are we, left behind, supposed to do?
"It's fine. If you don't have time for me, I'll just go back to my parents' house."
"Wait! That's not what I meant. I was wrong! I just drank too much that time and went overboard."
"So that means at least somewhere in your heart you thought that, right?"
"Calm down, please. We can't continue like this."
"If I'm just in your way, I'll go back to my parents' house. It's only miserable staying here."
Kana starts crying.
"I get it. No matter what, I'll make time for Kana at least one day a week, I promise."
"Just one day?"
"I need you to understand that. There are days when work is busy. Even Sundays get booked up. But that's no reason to neglect you. So I'll absolutely make time for Kana for one day!"
"...Can you really do that?"
"Not 'can I.' I have to do it."
"Doesn't that just make me a burden on you, Kazu-san?"
If she's just a burden, they should break up. Kana says that.
"I don't think you're a burden at all. It's because you were here, Kana, that I could immerse myself in work. Now it's my turn to immerse myself in you."
"Can you truly swear that?"
"Yeah, I swear."
"Then put it into practice right now."
"Huh?"
"You have time today, right? How about taking me somewhere for dinner?"
"R-Right. Got it. Shall we go?"
"We still have time before dinner. I want to go shopping too."
"Yeah, no problem."
Saying that, as we leave the store, Kana links arms with me.
"I don't think I'll be punished even for this much, right?"
Kana was smiling.
It seems I've finally managed to get back on Kana's good side.
But those two in the Watanabe team... well, those two really drag us into everything, don't they.
I need to come up with some countermeasures.
I was consulting Watanabe-kun about it.
(6)
"Hey? Sho."
"What is it, Chitose?"
I'm on a dinner date with Chitose.
"Why do people get married?"
"Isn't 'because they want to be together' reason enough?"
"But my brother seems to hate being with Kanna-san since he got married."
"That's not it, Chitose."
"What do you mean?"
Chitose asked.
"Probably Tada-senpai was just venting under the influence of alcohol. But Kanna-san can't even vent. Even if she does, she always forgives him. And Tada-senpai was probably taking advantage of that."
"So my brother wants to be with Kanna-san?"
"I think so."
They're perfectly in love with each other. That's why he apologized and was forgiven, right?
This will probably continue. Again and again.
"Sho, do you have any complaints about me?"
"None."
"Really?"
"If I did, we wouldn't be together."
"Well, that's fine then..."
Chitose says that and takes a bite of her food.
"It's surprisingly good."
"Well, I looked for a good restaurant."
"By yourself?"
"I've never been here before, though."
"...You found it online, didn't you?"
I nodded.
"Everyone puts in effort at the beginning. But as time goes on, they forget. They even forget how to love properly."
"Were you like that too, Sho?"
"With my first girlfriend, yes."
And then she broke up with me.
"Are you different now?"
"Basketball and Chitose. I'm balancing both properly."
"I see."
Chitose laughs.
"Then please remember that and live on from now on too."
"Yeah."
"'Two people can live on forever in memories'... huh."
The words Chitose said.
"Two people can live on forever in memories."
Chitose's voice echoes in my heart even now. It is the shadow where love wanders.
Chitose is smiling slightly. I can see it clearly now.
I will reach out this hand, advance into the sky, and live on, carried by the wind.
Somewhere, we will meet again, in a place that has always been since ancient times.
Even during this night, the seasons change.
The rain eventually lifted.
(7)
I had dinner with Toya-kun at the hotel.
There was a family bath, so we went in together.
And now I'm looking at my phone.
Seems like those two managed to make up.
"That's good~"
"Yeah."
Toya-kun is watching TV, looking uninterested.
At that moment, Toya-kun's phone rang.
Toya-kun looks at his phone.
"It ended up like that after all, huh..."
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, no. It's about a guys' gathering."
Guys' gathering?
I peeked at Toya-kun's phone.
"How about we get together with just the guys next time? I want to talk about Makoto and Eita."
It's from Watanabe-kun.
I glared at Toya-kun.
"Ah, no. Basically those two are the source of the trouble, right?"
Everyone keeps getting dragged into it, so we're thinking of devising countermeasures.
That's what he said.
"Getting together with just the guys is a no! Nothing good ever comes of it!!"
I started typing in the Watanabe team's chat on my own phone.
"T-Tosaka-san!?"
"What!? Are you men plotting something again!?"
"Airi, what are you doing!?"
Toya-kun says.
"The problems with Makoto-kun and Kiritani-kun can't be solved by men alone. And even if I make a hundred allowances, alcohol is absolutely out of the question!!"
As I said that, Toya-kun was operating his phone.
I peeked over.
"So, as she says, if it's during the day..."
"Yeah, daytime might be better."
Watanabe-kun says.
"Let's think about it after Toya gets back. You're coming back tomorrow, right?"
"Tomorrow I'll probably be home late at night."
"Then next weekend works?"
"Got it."
Toya-kun looks at me and says.
"This is okay, right?"
"Yeah."
I didn't miss it. Toya-kun muttering "good grief" to himself.
"Uuuh... Do you think I'm a nagging wife?"
"No, I was thinking of something else."
"What were you thinking?"
"Secret."
"You said there are no secrets between a married couple!"
"Fine, fine. I'll tell you honestly."
"Uh-huh."
"Actually, yesterday I said to Airi, 'Let's look for a new place after New Year's,' right?"
Toya-kun started talking.
There's no problem with living together with me.
But is it okay to leave my position ambiguous?
Starting next fiscal year, I'll effectively be independent.
If I wanted it, wouldn't it be better to propose on Christmas Eve this year?
"But... I'm not sure if my job will last, and I don't want to rush into marriage and mess up Airi's family registry. So I was hesitating."
I laughed.
So that's what he was thinking about.
I hug Toya-kun.
"Do it however you feel is right, Toya-kun."
"Huh?"
"I'm already prepared for a de facto marriage if you say so, but I think maybe we should test it out too. When you gain confidence, tell me then."
"...If you want it, Airi, I was planning to buy an engagement ring before the year ends."
"I told you, something like that doesn't mean anything. We're together right now."
"Got it. Then next year."
"Yeah. Thank you, Toya-kun. Knowing you were thinking that far ahead makes me so happy."
"It's a happy occasion, so don't start crying now, Airi."
Saying that, Toya-kun hugged me with a laugh.
Tears of happiness. Toya-kun must have made up his mind, right?
So I'll keep waiting forever.
Even in memories, two people can live on forever.
And we can live on together from now on too.
The future is promised too. I'm sure next year a new ring will be presented to me.
That night, what I dreamed of was a future where we are struggling to raise our children together.