Chapter 366 - Your Hand
(1)
"Toya-kun, good morning~ It's morning~"
"Good morning, Airi."
Huh?It's Sunday today, right?Why is Airi changing clothes?
"Airi?"
"What~?"
"School's off today, right?"
"That's right~"
"Today's the day for Airi's maintenance, right?"
"Will you do it~?"
"No, is outside better?"
"Huh?"
"No, because you're changing clothes."
"If Toya-kun wants to do it, outside is fine too~"
I never said I wanted to do it.
"But, is it okay if I go out alone for a bit?"
That's strange.Usually, Airi gets mad saying, "You're leaving your wife alone!?" but now she's going shopping alone?
"A promise with a friend?"
"No, just me?"
"That's rare, huh?"
"Is it no good?"
Well, Airi probably wants to go out alone sometimes too, right?If she stays home, she'll start doing housework, so it's best to have her go out.I'll just play games in the meantime.
"Okay, go ahead."
"Okay! I thought you'd say no because you'd be lonely, but I'm glad~"
"Go stretch your wings alone once in a while."
When I said that, Airi stared at me.
"What's wrong?"
"It's no good, you know."
"What is?"
"Just because I'm not here, you mustn't do anything bad!"
"I won't."
"Well, let's eat?"
"Yeah."
After eating breakfast like that, I drank coffee in the room and watched TV as usual.Airi drank her café au lait, then immediately started her makeup, and when she was ready, she went out.Time without Airi, huh. It's been a while.I played games while fiddling with my phone.After that, I ate lunch, lay down on the bed, and killed time reading manga.Hmm...It's this quiet just because Airi isn't here.It's this boring just because Airi isn't here.Maybe I've been too dependent on Airi until now.I wonder what everyone does when their wives aren't around?I asked the guys' group.
"I'm cleaning the room," said Makoto.
That's surprising. He must have taken it pretty hard.
"I'm playing games," said Kiritani-kun.
It seems Kiritani-kun can't play games when Ai-san is around.I also listened to other people's opinions.Half of them do things like tinkering with their cars or spending time on hobbies, 30% do housework, and the remaining 20% sleep or something.
"If Tosaka-san is out, why don't you go out too?"
Makoto said.
"I didn't ask when she'd be back, so I can't," I replied.
"That doesn't matter! She's going out to play on her own, so you should go out and play too!"
Kiritani-kun said.
"Stop it! If my wife sees this again, it'll be a source of trouble," everyone said.
Wife, huh...
"Is there anything I should do before we start living together?" I asked.
"You should definitely play around while you can," everyone said.
"That's true! Living together is still okay! Once you're married, it's seriously the grave of life!" when Kiritani-kun said that, everyone got mad, saying, "So stop it!"
Everyone has it tough, huh.
"Really, it would be good to go on a solo trip, but Katagiri probably wouldn't allow it," said Tange-san.
"Going out drinking alone is probably no good either," said Shiina-san.
Yeah, I think she'd get mad at both.While we were talking like that, Kiritani-kun disappeared.I wonder what happened?
"By the way, is Toya alone now?"
Makoto asked.
"Yeah, Airi said she had some shopping to do alone."
"That's rare. Maybe she's cheating on you."
There's no way that would happen before we even live together.
"You don't need to mind what Makoto says. Airi is devoted to Toya, so don't think about unnecessary things either."
That's Kanna.
"I know, but..."
"But what?"
"Kanna, are you anxious when you leave Makoto alone?"
"I'm full of anxiety, in every sense."
"Actually, for a topic like this, shouldn't you do it in the Watanabe group!? Why are you guys trying to whisper about it among yourselves!?"
Is that Kana-san?It seems Kimoto-senpai also had his phone seen.I look at the Watanabe group's chat... Whoa...
"Hey, the guys are whispering again."
"Let me take a look... This is bad."
"Marriage is the grave of life... Seriously the worst."
After that, everyone got scolded again. I can picture them desperately trying to calm things down.I laughed a little.Then the sparks flew towards me.
"Katagiri-kun! If you think you're not involved, you're sorely mistaken!"
"That's right! It all started because you brought up the topic!"
"I've reported it to Airi!"
"I took a screenshot and sent it to Airi!"
This is bad.
"I'm home~"
Airi came back.Airi stomped up the stairs and came towards the room.
"Toya-kun, I'm home~"
"Welcome back, Airi."
She doesn't seem to have noticed yet.Or so I thought, but it was just my imagination.
"Toya-kun, show me your phone♪"
"Well, Airi's back, so maybe I should do your maintenance now?"
"I know, so show me your phone♪"
"Oh, Airi said outside is better. Your voice would carry at home. Well, I'll get ready to go out..."
Thump
"Just show it to me!"
I had no choice but to show her my phone.
"Ah~ I knew it, you deleted the logs!"
I'd come up with countermeasures for that much.
"But it's useless, you know! I have solid evidence!"
Airi thrust her phone at me.The chat logs from the guys' group were still there.Who would do something like this... It's Kimoto-senpai.
"Toya, this is what getting married means... Give up."
Looks like I'm going to get scolded again. I thought so. But Airi was laughing.
"Not knowing what to do when I'm not here... You really are a troublesome husband, aren't you."
"I've spent a long time with Airi. When you're suddenly not here, I get lost."
"So that's why you asked everyone?"
"Well, yeah."
"Hmm... Toya-kun, you used to play games before, didn't you?"
"I did at first, but..."
"Hmm..."
Airi seemed to be thinking too.
"Should Toya-kun go out too?"
"I don't know when you'll be back, right?"
"You really can't do without me, can you."
"Looks that way."
"Well then, there's no need for time when Toya-kun is alone."
That's right, there's nothing to do anyway.
"Okay, then from now on, I'll choose things together with Toya-kun too~"
"What?"
"So, you're going to ask that..."
"Was I not supposed to ask?"
"Yeah..."
"Well then, I won't ask."
"Thank you~♪ I'll give it to you tomorrow."
"What?"
"It's a secret~"
Saying that, Airi changed into her loungewear.It seems the talk about maintenance outside was scrapped.But then, what's happening tomorrow?I look at the calendar.Oh, I see.I pretended not to notice.
"And, I also rented a DVD on the way~ I thought I'd watch it with Toya-kun."
The DVD Airi rented was a Korean drama.I don't really like them.They're unnecessarily long...
"Airi, want to play games tonight for the first time in a while?"
"Games?"
"Yeah, we don't often get to stay home on Sunday nights..."
"Ugh... Does Toya-kun want to play games?"
"I was thinking I'd like to play with Airi."
"Well, will you watch it with me after that?"
"As long as it doesn't interfere with tomorrow."
"Well, of course... because tomorrow is..."
"Tomorrow is?"
I was grinning.
"It's a secret! Toya-kun, you're so mean~"
That night, after playing games with Airi, we watched the drama until almost midnight.Airi fell asleep first.She must have been tired.I carried Airi and put her into bed, then got into bed myself and fell asleep.Thinking that in the morning, Airi would surprise me.
(2)
Thump!I messed up.A minor rear-end collision.An accident caused by a moment's carelessness.I was flustered because it was my first accident.The damage to the car wasn't that bad.First priority is checking if the victim is injured, right?
"I'm sorry, are you injured?"
The person in the other car seemed to be a female driver alone.
"I-I'm fine."
The driver also got out and looked at the point of impact.The damage wasn't that serious on either side.
"The car seems fine too, and dealing with the police is a hassle, so why don't we pretend this never happened?"
The woman suggested it.
"Are you sure?"
I asked.
"Yes, it's fine."
"If anything happens, please let me know. My name is Kiritani Eita."
"I'm Kashiwagi Riho. Oh, my address and contact info too..."
We both wrote it down on a memo and exchanged them.
"Well then, I'm really sorry."
"No, it's fine."
Saying that, I managed to get through the situation safely.I got in my car and started driving carefully.Honestly, I was so shaken up that I wasn't in the state of mind to drive.I wanted to get home quickly and rest.When I got home, Ai was already back.
"What's wrong? You're awfully late. The game's already started. They're asking for your commands."
"Oh, oh yeah!"
I played the game.My mind wasn't on it, though. I was in a pinch, unable to give commands as I wanted. Toya backed me up.
"Me and Airi will do a reverse push, so when I signal, everyone come rushing out."
"I can capture a fort alone with this level of defense, so don't do an emergency rally until I signal."
With that, we somehow managed to secure four forts.
"Thanks, Toya. You really saved me."
"It's fine, I can only join occasionally anyway. Well, see you."
Saying that, the two of them logged out.After settling the expenses, I went to a family restaurant for dinner.
"Huh?"
Ai seemed to notice something.When she shone a flashlight I keep in the car on it, the license plate was bent and some of the paint on the front was chipped.That's strange, it was fine when I hit it.
"What happened on the way back?"
"Nothing at all."
But a woman's intuition seems sharp, and even after we got to the family restaurant, she relentlessly interrogated me.I lied to cover it up.
"W-Well, actually, I hit a pole."
"I told you to be careful driving. It's a good thing you hit a pole and not a car or a person."
"I'll fix it myself."
"Be careful."
"I know."
Ai scolded me.I thought that was the end of this incident.
(3)
"Toya-kun. It's morning. Wake up."
Airi gently woke me.
"Good morning, Airi."
After exchanging our morning greetings, Airi gave me a small box.
"Here, a present. Today is Toya-kun's birthday."
"Thanks, Airi."
"Hehe~"
Airi, who looked happier than me, urged me, "Open it quickly and see."Inside was a wristwatch.It must have been quite expensive.
"Toya-kun will be a working member of society from next year too, so you have to wear something appropriate."
"Thanks."
When I kissed Airi on the forehead, she hugged me.I'd like to enjoy the continuation, but breakfast is waiting.
"Airi's breakfast will get cold. Let's hurry?"
"Okay."
Saying that, we went to the dining room.
"Rejoice, Toya. It seems Airi-chan will make dinner tonight. She says she'll bake a cake too."
My mother said.
"You've really grown up splendidly. Even receiving the People's Honor Award. Finding a wonderful wife like Airi-chan... I'm proud to be your father."
My father said.
"Tosaka-san is coming tonight too. Drink up!"
"I'll keep it to a level that doesn't interfere with tomorrow's classes."
Saying that, I went back to my room.As I drank coffee and watched TV, Airi sat next to me and started drinking her café au lait.When she finished, Airi took her mug and went downstairs.When I said I'd clean up, she said, "Toya-kun, focus on your studies. From next fiscal year, I'll have you focus on your work. This is my practice for that," and wouldn't let me do it.Preparations for the move next month, huh.Saying goodbye to this room I've lived in for so long.As I was lost in such sentimental thoughts, Airi came back.
"I'm home~"
Airi jumped on me.I'll let Airi be spoiled today.I patted her head.Time like that passed quickly, and when it was almost time to go to school, Airi started her makeup.
"I'm ready~" Airi said, and I took my bag and left the house for school.
After classes, during lunch break, I headed to the cafeteria where everyone was waiting.I sat at the table with the Ishiharas, the Sakaais, and Watanabe-kun and the others.
"It seems her connections are good. The coaches are surprised."
Ishihara-kun said.He must be talking about ALICE, aka Shimomura Arisu.It seems she's releasing her debut single this Christmas.The debut song is "In Wonderland."It seems she'll be mainly active locally.Apparently, she plans to expand her stage across Japan after graduating university.The coaches are confidently saying there's no doubt she'll be active as a new songstress.Of course, she won't use gray-zone business methods. She'll be active after clearly stating she has a boyfriend.I thought that would be disadvantageous as an idol, but it seems they judged it's better than getting hurt when it's discovered later.If people turn their backs on her because she has a boyfriend, she'll give up, thinking that's the level of her fans. She seems to have decided that.Of course, while on stage, she lives as ALICE. But after stepping off the stage, she wants to live honestly as Shimomura Arisu, without lying.It seems she appealed that to them.It seems the management was troubled, but Ishihara-kun's decisive word forced them to reluctantly agree.While talking about such things, time flew by.Everyone attended afternoon classes, then went their separate ways.Akiyoshi-kun heads to the private university to pick up and drop off Shimomura-san.The Ishiharas also go to check on the office.Everyone else is busy with clubs and part-time jobs.On the way home today, we also stopped by the supermarket to help Airi with her ingredient shopping.With the number of people involved, the ingredients were a huge amount.I carried the heavy bags for her.When Airi looked enviously at other couples shopping, I held her hand.Airi happily clung to me.I wonder how much longer I can make Airi happy.As we were driving home, Airi let out a "Huh?"
"What's wrong?"
"It seems Kiritani-kun is in trouble because of an accident."
An accident!?What did he do!? Kiritani-kun.
(4)
After school ended and I went home, there was a strange man standing in front of the house.Wondering who he was, I tried to enter the house, and he asked, "Are you related to Kiritani Eita?"
"Kiritani Eita is my husband," I said, and he slammed the door.
"My partner got rear-ended by that Eita guy and is in the hospital with whiplash! What are you going to do about it!?"
A rear-end accident!?I had sent a confirmation message to Eita.Eita readily admitted it. He said he'd be right back.
"Please, come in for now. My husband says he'll be right back."
I let the man in and was serving him tea when Eita came back.
"I'm so sorry!"
Eita prostrated himself.
"Even a smart university student should know this isn't a problem you can solve by bowing your head, right? What are you going to do?"
"M-Money?"
"I'm telling you to show me your sincerity."
This is bad. That idiot Eita didn't report the accident.We can't use compulsory automobile liability insurance or voluntary insurance.If it was a rear-end collision like Eita said, the liability ratio is 100 to 0.But can whiplash occur from that level of dent on the car?I silently observed the situation.
"Yeah, 10 million."
What!?
"Pay 10 million, including treatment costs and compensation."
He's talking nonsense.It's a complete scam.And an amateur one at that.Even compulsory insurance has a limit of 1.2 million yen.I've heard that for whiplash, the standard procedure is to go to a settlement negotiation around that amount.Eita is shaken by his own fault.I negotiated on his behalf.
"I'm very sorry, but given our financial situation, we absolutely cannot pay that amount."
"Is that your idea of sincerity?"
"That's not what I mean. So, could we discuss how to proceed and get back to you at a later date?"
"Fine. I'll come back in a week. If you try to run, I won't hesitate to sue you."
He's looking down on us, thinking we're amateurs. How can he sue without even an accident report?And first of all, he's the one violating the Road Traffic Act.I was certain. This is a scam.
"Excuse me, but may I ask your name?"
"Hirosue Taichi. I'm the boyfriend of Kashiwagi Riho, who was in the accident."
"Which hospital is this Kashiwagi Riho-san hospitalized in?"
"Bito Clinic. It's in Akeno."
"I understand. I will come to apologize properly at a later date."
"That won't be necessary! Riho is not accepting visitors right now."
"Understood. I will discuss future actions with my husband, so in a week..."
"Don't run."
Saying that, Hirosue left.After he left, I reported to the Watanabe group.
"It's not even a proper scam. You don't need to bother with someone like that."
Akira said.
"But leaving it like this isn't fun either. It'll be a good way to kill time. We just need to dig up info on those two and Bito Clinic."
"Please."
"The Watanabe group is for times like this. Don't worry about it."
Emi said that.
"Ai, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I'll definitely prepare the 10 million."
"Are you an idiot?"
"Huh?"
I explained everything to Eita from the beginning.
"So, I'm being scammed?"
"Well, to put it simply, yes... But you're also at fault for not reporting the accident, you idiot! Why did you lie yesterday!?"
"Because, I was scared you'd get mad if you found out about the accident."
This idiot, honestly.
"I've told you so many times before! Don't speed on public roads where it's hard to judge the situation!"
"I-I wasn't speeding!"
"It's the same! You were probably looking at your phone while driving, weren't you?"
"S-Sorry. So, what should I do?"
"For now, let's wait for Emi's report."
Let's ask for Katagiri-kun's opinion.
(5)
"Happy birthday~"
A party was held at Toya-kun's house, inviting Rie-chan and the others.
"...Happy birthday, Toya-kun. But, as I've been saying..."
"...I intend to buy a ring next Christmas Eve."
He's so serious to the core. You could give it to me right now, you know?I don't need long speeches, I can't wait that long, you know?
"It looks like Toya-kun will be able to graduate safely, and he's got a job lined up too~ I'm glad~. We can finally send Airi-chan off~"
Rie-chan is excited. She must be really happy~. Wait for me. I'll show you a healthy grandchild soon.
"Toya, you'll be able to manage properly from next year, right?"
"Toya, don't make Airi-chan suffer."
"I-I know."
Toya-kun's dad and Maya-san said.But Toya-kun said it. Sharing joys and sorrows is what being a married couple is. No matter how hard it gets, I feel like I can get through it if I'm with Toya-kun.After the party ended, we started cleaning up, and Dad and the others and Toya-kun were drinking in the living room.
"Listen, never go against Airi-chan. That's the most basic principle of a harmonious marriage!"
"U-Um..."
"There's no way I can go against Airi."
Ugh... They're filling Toya-kun's head with unnecessary things again.
"Dad, no~ He's not even married yet, and you're filling his head with unnecessary things."
Rie-chan got angry.
"U-Um... Do your best."
When the cleaning was done, Dad and Rie-chan went home.Toya-kun seemed to be drinking with his dad. I've heard there's alcohol that men want to drink together. This must be that time.I decided to take a bath first.When I came out of the bath, Toya-kun was back in the room.
"The bath is free~"
"Yeah, I'll go in for a bit."
Toya-kun prepared his change of clothes and went to the bath.While he was gone, I watched TV... It was boring, so I decided to watch the rest of the DVD.Just as I finished watching one episode, Toya-kun came back.Toya-kun brought drinks and was looking at his phone while drinking.It must be about Kiritani-kun.I wonder if there's a good way to be spoiled?
"What are you going to do about Kiritani-kun?"
I pressed my chest against Toya-kun's arm.I wonder if he'll notice my feelings?
"Yeah, dealing with him one by one is a hassle, so let's have him leave the stage quickly."
Toya-kun said that.According to Emi's report, a person named Kashiwagi Riho hasn't even visited Bito Hospital as an outpatient.They had completely investigated everything, down to the addresses of Kashiwagi Riho and Hirosue Taichi.
"How are you going to cook this one, Commander-sama?"
Kosei-kun said.
"I have some business tonight, so I'll think about it tomorrow."
Huh?
Saying that, Toya-kun put his phone on the table and started charging it.
"Well then."
"Kyaa!"
Toya-kun picked me up and carried me to the bed.
"Tonight, you're going to give me a present too, right, Airi?"
"...Yeah!"
The lights were dimmed, and we came together.Clutching your hand, we fell asleep.The hand that kept touching me was gentle.Casually and yet strongly, I am always protected.Everything I could see from this room, and Toya-kun, who now looked different, were there.And yet, you were already my special one.Not giving up, not intending to force it, releasing love far away as my heart desires.Repeating, becoming helpless, the helpless me finds love, gazes at it, until my feelings run out.