Chapter 363 - I Fell in Love with Your Gestures
(1)
"Toya-kun, good morning~ Breakfast is ready~"
"Airi, good morning."
Saying that, when I perform the morning ritual with Airi, Airi hugs me.
"Breakfast will get cold, right? Let's hurry."
If I say that, Airi gets downcast. When I say to that Airi, "I'll pay attention to you once you're ready," Airi's mood improves.
Then we eat breakfast. After eating breakfast, I get ready, make coffee, return to the room with Airi, and change clothes.
After that, I drink coffee and have fun with Airi.
I watch TV while doting on Airi.
Airi leans blissfully against me.
When I watch channel 1, a morning drama is on. After watching that, we go to school.
After attending class, when lunch break starts, everyone gathers in the cafeteria.
"Good morning, Kanna."
"......'sup, Airi."
Kanna seems to be in a bad mood.
"Katagiri-kun, good morning. It's amazing—ALICE's first single 'Wonderland' apparently sold 100,000 copies."
"That's amazing."
When Emi-san says that, I am surprised. Even though they haven't even debuted professionally.
"Well, that makes sense."
Kanna seems to know the reason.
"Why is that?"
I tried asking Kanna for the reason.
"They say that underground idols, or 'live idols,' apparently perform live shows every day."
I had already looked that much up on the internet.
"And, at that live house, they apparently sell CDs and merchandise... if you buy a CD, you can shake hands."
"Hmm......"
Do people really want to shake hands that much?
"That Ai said it. She said Eita bought about 10 CDs. They had a huge fight that same day."
Could it be......
"Did Makoto go too?"
"Yeah, that's right! That idiot apparently hasn't learned his lesson."
So that's why Kanna's mood seemed bad.
"Does that guy understand his position? He's fawning over someone who deceived him! That's cheating, right?"
"That's not right, Kanna. Please try to understand Makoto-kun?"
"What do you mean by that, Airi?"
"Toya-kun also has a favorite female vocalist. He makes me imitate that girl's outfit."
Kanna glares at me.
"But I accepted that. No matter how much he likes her, it's a story on the other side of the screen. He tells me that in reality, I'm number one."
"......Makoto said something similar."
"You have idols you admire too, right, Kanna?"
"Well, if it's Western movie actors or something."
"But that's not comparable to Makoto-kun, right? It's surely the same."
Airi says that getting jealous over every little thing is a waste.
"Still, Kiritani-kun is going a little too far."
"And he seems to go to every live show too."
Every time, the number of CDs increases, and it seems tough.
"I heard they're appearing on TV this evening, so why don't you girls, Airi-chan, check it out?"
"What do you want to do, Toya-kun?"
"I watch that show every day during dinner, so we can just watch it in the living room, right?"
"Mm."
I can predict the time they'll appear. Probably around 5:30 PM.
"They're selling like hotcakes."
"Yeah."
"Can you stop talking about that guy? It just makes me irritated."
"Well, I suppose it can't be helped for a woman."
When Kanna says that, Emi-san says.
"Could you please somehow continue that story?"
Kitamura-san came, bringing an unfamiliar man. Horse-faced, somewhat handsome, short brown hair. Tall.
"Kitamura-san, who is this?"
"He's Akiyoshi-san from the same class. He's apparently in the kyudo club."
"Ah, I'm Akiyoshi. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Kuribayashi. What is your relationship with Misato?"
Kuribayashi-kun asked. Well, I suppose it would be interesting.
"Don't misunderstand, we just happen to have the same class in one subject. We're just classmates."
Kitamura-san says. There doesn't seem to be any mistake.
"Is there something about that Akiyoshi-kun?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"I'll explain that now."
Kitamura-san began to speak.
(2)
I was attending class as usual. Then a man suddenly spoke to me. It's already widely known that I'm in the Watanabe Group. There are not a few people who talk to me because they want to join the Watanabe Group. Honestly, I was fed up. I thought I would brush him off casually. But he clung desperately. I decided to at least listen to his story. He seemed to have fallen in love. A princess like Cinderella. They met at a live show of an underground idol that a friend invited him to. When he met her eyes at the live, she smiled at him. And he was captivated. After that, he started going every night. Each time, he bought CDs and shook hands with her. He apparently can't forget the warmth of her hand. And gradually, he wanted to have her. He wanted to make her his own special person. Yes, he fell in love with her. But would she accept someone of a different status like him? He understands that to her, he is just one fan. He investigated her. He also learned about her tragic family circumstances. All the more, he wanted to save her. But he doesn't know what to do. At that time, he heard a rumor about the Watanabe Group. A mysterious group that can make any love come true. Apparently, someone in the same department and course belongs to that group. And he tracked me down.
"Shouldn't you give up? This time, the other party is truly bad. It would be happier for both that person and you, you know?"
I said that.
"Where exactly is the happiness in forgetting the person you love most?"
I felt pity for him. And I couldn't leave him alone. So, I'll report to Watanabe-senpai even if it's a long shot. If that doesn't work, maybe he'll give up. But still, if possible, I want to fulfill his wish. I prayed that his pure eyes for seeing people were not mistaken.
(3)
"Don't screw around!"
Kanna slammed the table and stood up.
"This is nonsense! You're talking about letting a guy like that into the Watanabe Group, right? If you do that, I'm quitting!"
"Wait, Kanna-san, calm down. I'm against it too. No matter what, that's impossible!"
Kanna and Watanabe-kun seem to be opposed.
"But we made Kamekashi-kun and the others our allies. Isn't the danger the same?"
"Toya, how would you feel if Airi ended up in the same situation as Makoto!? Airi is a woman. It could have been even worse."
"Kanna, calm down!"
"You can stay composed because your Airi is safe! Have you ever thought about what might have happened to Airi!?"
"Toya-kun is not stupid! Toya-kun saved me when I was about to be killed. He tried to kill a person, you know!"
Airi, I understand your feelings, but this isn't a topic to discuss in the cafeteria, at least.
"Airi, are you in favor?"
Kanna glares at Airi.
"Th-That is..."
Airi herself is troubled.
"I feel bad for Kanna-senpai, but I understand the feelings of that girl Arisu."
Saki-san says.
"I think she's probably similar to how I used to be. Her heart is dry, and she doesn't realize she's charging in the wrong direction seeking moisture. And I can't forgive those who take advantage of her."
"Could you forgive it if Takemoto ended up in the same situation as Makoto? Takemoto wouldn't do that. Don't you believe that?"
"I believe in him. That's why even if he ends up like Tada-senpai, I would first talk to him. Because the feeling of trust remains! Fundamentally, Kanna-senpai is wrong. The ones at fault are not her, but those who take advantage of her situation."
The argument between Saki-san and Kanna remains at a standstill.
"I understand. We won't take action as the Watanabe Group. That's fine, right?"
I said.
Akiyoshi-kun was in despair.
"Ah, yeah. That's probably for the best. I can't defend him this time either."
Watanabe-kun says.
"Akiyoshi-kun, are you free tonight?"
"If it's after club activities."
"Can you prepare tickets? For me, Airi, Emi-san, and Ishihara-kun."
"That much is possible, but..."
"What time does the live start?"
"It starts at 8 PM."
"Before that, the Blue Bird is impossible... Can you come to the family restaurant near Shikido Station?"
"Wait, Toya. What are you plotting!?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"Kanna. You were there with me back then, right?"
"Back then?"
"Yeah, when we saved Makoto. When I first met Arisu-san."
"Oh, I saw."
"......What did you see at that time? Did you look at Arisu-san properly?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"The words she said at that time, '......I can never go back again.' Those are words that a person like Kanna claims she is would never utter. She herself regrets it. She's living carrying that regret."
"She got what she deserved!"
"I saw it at that time. She looked at us with lonely eyes. Even if just for a moment. If a person needs a reason for every action, then that reason is enough for me!"
"Wait! Toya! You yourself said the Watanabe Group won't move!"
Watanabe-kun says.
"I know. This is an action outside the Watanabe Group's actions. That should be fine, right?"
"I'll go with you too, Katagiri-kun! I can't leave her or Akiyoshi-kun alone!"
Ishihara-kun says.
"Well said, Nozomi. In that case, I'll go too. Since my husband is moving, I'll just follow my husband!"
Emi-san says.
"Oh dear...... Another troublesome matter? But annoyingly, I've become the type of person who can't leave such things alone. How troubling."
Sakai-kun says.
"You've become splendid. You can be proud. It's fine, prepare tickets for us too."
Akira-san says.
"Wait, wait, this is just a split of the Watanabe Group!? Calm down! Let's all talk it over."
Watanabe-kun says.
"......We'll cooperate too. First, we need a way to make her quit Stinger. We'll think about it."
"Koki......"
Kamekashi-kun and the others say.
"If the Watanabe Group is going to bind me, then I'll leave the Watanabe Group."
When I say that, one after another, more people start saying they'll leave.
"Toya, can you wait just one day!? I'll call an emergency meeting tonight."
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone decides to wait for now.
"What time does the live end?"
"It ends at 9 PM. After that, a handshake event..."
"I see, so we can meet ALICE at that time?"
"Yes."
"Then let's meet at the family restaurant at 11 PM. There's something I want to confirm before the day ends."
"You're shaking hands too, Toya-kun?"
"I can't talk about it until I meet her, right?"
"Ugh...... I guess it can't be helped."
Airi seems to have mixed feelings.
"What is this... I feel like I'm the only villain here... but saving someone doesn't need a reason, I guess... Fine. I'll go too."
"Kanna!"
"It's not that I'm convinced. I just want to see if she's the kind of person Toya says she is!"
Kanna says.
"......Do we need a reason for everything? Fine! I'll take full responsibility! Anyone from the local group of friends who can come, let's gather at the live house at 7:30 PM."
Watanabe-kun stood up.
"If the Watanabe Group is going to move, shouldn't there be something to do first?"
"Right...... Akiyoshi-kun, your phone."
Akiyoshi-kun takes out his smartphone. And he invited him to the Watanabe Group.
"So, do you have a concrete plan, Toya?"
Kanna asks.
"None? That's why I'm going to check. First, we need to know the other party, right?"
I answer.
"What are you going to find out?"
"Her feelings. I can imagine, but imagination is just imagination, so I want to confirm it properly."
"Instead of getting bogged down, why not just buy her out? It's easy enough to set up an entertainment agency."
What kind of family does Emi-san come from?
"That won't do. First, we have to start by matching her with Akiyoshi-kun."
I want to create an opportunity for her to escape.
"I understand......"
Emi-san makes a call to Shinjo-san and arranges something. What does she plan to do? I can imagine, though.
(4)
Tonight is the unveiling of the 2nd single "Tea Time." My mood was low. This time, besides handshake tickets, the person who buys the most gets the right to go on a date. The date course is free. I've experienced dates and kisses before, but still, doing it with an unknown old man makes me feel bad. I change into my costume, put on a wig, and wear colored contacts. While I'm putting on makeup, Kurusu-san informs me, "It's almost showtime."
"As usual, please! Go and make a flashy debut."
I hide my feelings and step onto the stage. The live lasted for an hour. The fans are excited. Among them, I noticed a somewhat strange presence in one part. They don't look bored, but there's a group of customers staring intently at me. Among them is him, who always comes. He always buys CDs. When we shake hands, he always looks shy and embarrassed. A slightly strange presence. I admire him. If it's a date with him, I'd be okay with it. The others probably intend to take me to a hotel in the end. That itself isn't new, but I still hate it. Even when I was working for Stinger, my mood was low. But even so, I have to smile. It's the same for me now. I hide behind the mask called ALICE, unable to show my true face. The date right was announced in advance. Who will buy the most? That was what worried me. When the live ends, I head straight to the promotional sales. I smile fakely and thank the customers as I shake hands. At that moment, I met a face I'd seen somewhere before. He smiles gently when he shakes my hand. And he looks into my eyes. His gaze seemed to pierce through the colored contacts and look into my iris. He left without saying anything. After him, he comes. He bought 1000 copies. He's the top so far. If it stays like this, he'll be the top. A little hope welled up.
"Then I'll take 1500 copies."
Huh?
"Don't screw around, Eita! Where would you get that kind of money!?"
"I withdrew my savings!"
"You idiot! Sorry, just 2 copies is fine."
I felt relieved. They seem to be a married couple. I've seen them somewhere before. I had a bad feeling. It doesn't seem like it will end this way. And that premonition came true.
"Is cash the only option? Can I pay by card?"
"Please pay in cash."
The manager says. That customer placed two attaché cases full of stacks of bills on the table.
"Everything that this money can buy! If there's not enough, later delivery is fine."
Is this what they call a buying spree? What kind of person...? A beautiful woman was buying.
"What I get is the right to a date, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then, please proceed."
Since the CDs sold out, the CD sales event ends. Everyone left behind bought merchandise in disappointment. The customer who bought the most CDs is called to another room. No one probably expected a woman to make such a buying spree. A time was set for one-on-one conversation with the woman.
"You're the one who committed that pregnancy fraud, right? Shimomura Arisu-san?"
She knows about me!?
"Yes......"
It's over. I've messed up again.
"It's not good to call you by that name here, so I'll call you ALICE-san."
"Yes."
"Is it impossible to transfer the date right?"
"Yes."
"I can decide the date course arbitrarily, right?"
"Yes."
"Are there any listening devices here?"
"No."
"I see, then I'll state my business briefly."
Business?
"First, we are allies of Tada Makoto."
I knew it......
"And we came to save you."
Huh?
"Be grateful. Your future isn't completely hopeless."
"What do you mean?"
"There are gods who pick up strays. I've roughly grasped your situation."
"What do you mean 'pick me up'?"
Are you planning to sell me off again?
"Have you changed your phone?"
"No......"
"Then I'll contact you on your phone later. From here, I'll switch back to normal conversation."
"Yes."
"Regarding the date, how should I contact you?"
"To this contact information..."
On it, my smartphone number was written.
"I understand. Do you have a car?"
"No......"
"Then, at the local station south exit—no, from your dorm, Ozai Station would be better. Meet there this weekend at 10 o'clock."
"Understood."
"Well, thank you. I'll take my leave now."
"Ah, um..."
"What?"
"Could you tell him, Tada-senpai? That I am deeply sorry and apologize......"
Though I know it's not something I can ever atone for.
"I told you to have hope, didn't I? I didn't buy those CDs to make you make that face. Do your best."
Saying that, she left the room. Hope for me? She said she came to save me. Will the time when I am truly saved really come?
(5)
"......So that's the story."
Everyone had listened to Emi-san's story. Ai-san and Mika-san were still opposed.
"Kanna, what do you think?"
"I don't know what to say... What about you, Toya?"
"Just as I thought. And I found out one convenient thing."
"What's that?"
"She, for reasons unknown, admires Akiyoshi-kun."
Everyone was in an uproar at my words.
"How can you tell that?"
Kanna asked.
"During the live, she unconsciously looked at us. And at the handshake event, she seemed relieved when Akiyoshi-kun, who was behind me, bought a lot."
"What do you plan to do from here?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"We have to think about that weekend date, right? But before that, there's something we need to decide, don't we, Watanabe-kun?"
"What is it?"
I look at everyone's faces.
"Whether everyone accepts her or not? The plan will change depending on that."
"I'm against it! I don't know what that evil woman might do."
Mika-san opposes.
"Is that really so?"
"What do you mean?"
"We have the Akiyoshi-kun card. I have a plan."
"What kind of plan?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"Tell us this 'method' too, or else I want something to base my judgment on."
"The Watanabe Group is a group for matchmaking. That's the rumor."
"That's what Toya says, but what about it?"
"I get it~"
Airi says.
"So that's it. I'm glad I bought it and secured it."
Emi-san says.
"I don't understand. Explain properly, Toya!"
"Kanna's right. Explain properly, Toya!"
"I had a hunch, but is she the type that would fall for that? Toya."
"I told you, didn't I? That she strongly desires Akiyoshi-kun."
When Kanna, Mika-san, and Watanabe-kun say that, I say so and laugh. The Akiyoshi-kun in question doesn't seem to understand. I answered clearly.
"Just to pair her up with Akiyoshi-kun."
"What if we refuse to let her into the Watanabe Group?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"This matter will be handled outside the Watanabe Group. That's all."
"That's a problem... From the start, there are no options, it's just a threat."
"I told you yesterday, if the Watanabe Group is going to restrict my actions, I'll leave the Watanabe Group."
"W-well, I'll leave too. I'll just follow Toya-kun."
"I'll leave too. I can't turn a blind eye to someone in trouble."
Airi and Ishihara-kun say.
"Then we need to form a new group."
Akira-san says.
"Hmm, a name... at this point, why not the Katagiri Group?"
Airi says.
"Wait, wait, I haven't decided yet. Don't rush!"
Watanabe-kun calls a halt to Airi and the others' arbitrary rampage.
"What you're doing is underhanded! Have you thought about Kanna-san and the others' feelings?"
"I've always acted according to my own will. With Kanna, with Airi, and now, I decide with my own will."
I have no reason to be told what to do by others.
"......So, how do you plan to pair them up?"
Kanna said.
"Hey, Kanna, no way!"
"Don't be hasty, Kanna! We're on your side! We won't allow such underhanded tricks!"
Ai-san and Mika-san say.
"It's frustrating, but what he says is logical. Even I can understand that much... He's just always trying to save the people who appear before him. He doesn't consider gain or loss."
Kanna says.
"If Kanna says that, then we have no reason to argue either."
"Yeah, but if something happens, Toya will take responsibility, right!?"
Ai-san and Mika-san say.
"I told you that will absolutely never happen, right?"
"By the way, Toya, what were you planning to do if we refused?"
"I was prepared to persuade Emi-san and force a meeting between Akiyoshi-kun and her. Some loss is unavoidable."
But I thought that even if I leave the group, the bonds won't break. I explain that to Watanabe-kun. No one objected anymore.
"It's settled. Toya, tell me the concrete plan."
Watanabe-kun says.
"First, Emi-san will go pick her up at Ozai Station. We'll wait at the family restaurant. You understand the rest, right?"
"So I just need to guide her to the family restaurant?"
Emi-san says.
"Yeah, you can say you want to introduce her to friends. The date plan is free, right?"
"And after that?"
Emi-san asked.
"Leave the rest to me. Emi-san, just go along with the conversation appropriately."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
"Toya-kun..."
"I know. You'll be at the same table too, Airi."
"Yeah!"
We decided to have a table of eight: Watanabe and his wife, Airi, Akiyoshi-kun, Ishihara and his wife, and Shimomura-san.
"Well, the discussion is settled, so should we break up?"
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone disperses.
(6)
"Hey? Toya-kun."
"What is it?"
I'm relaxing with Airi in the room, watching TV.
"Will it really go well?"
"I'm confident."
"Why?"
"Everyone... especially the women, seem to have overlooked it due to the initial shock, but her eyes were always searching for something."
"Is that something Akiyoshi-kun?"
"It seems so. Even I was surprised, of course."
I doubted my own eyes.
"And so, even if they start going out, will it work out?"
"It will."
I asserted.
"Why?"
"I thought that the thread of fate really does exist."
"Ugh... That's already obvious!"
"Why?"
"Because Toya-kun and I are!"
Saying that, Airi hugs me. I pat that Airi's head.
"Sorry, that's right."
"Ehehe~"
I look at Airi and think. A love at first sight, huh. I also fell in love at first sight with Airi, who was cheerfully greeting the people around her. And when I saw Airi crying alone in the classroom, I thought I had to protect her. This time is the same. If what I felt at that time is certain. I'll protect her properly. People fall in love with casual, sudden gestures. What did she see in Akiyoshi-kun that made her fall in love? I thought I'd like to ask.