Chapter 371 - The Birth Cry of a Cherished Promise
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
"Good morning, Airi."
Toya-kun has been waking up obediently recently.
And then he quickly goes to wash his face.
It is a happy thing, but for some reason, I feel lonely.
I want him to pay a little attention to me.
But when we finish eating breakfast, he waits for me in the dining room until I finish cleaning up.
Timing it for when the cleaning is about to finish, he pours coffee into a mug for me.
Putting sugar and milk in mine.
When we return to the room, we spend a sweet time together while drinking bitter coffee.
But even that is only a short time.
We quickly get ready and go to school.
School had already started.
After taking classes at school, we gather at the school cafeteria.
"Akiyoshi-kun, it must be tough every day."
"But I get to see my girlfriend every day."
Toya-kun said that, and Akiyoshi-kun replied.
It seems the first live concert on the 3rd was a huge success.
It seems Kiritani-kun, Makoto-kun, Nakajima-kun, and Kisaragi-kun went too.
Apparently, they bought a lot of merchandise.
I hope everyone doesn't get scolded by their wives.
Today is a New Year's party for everyone.
With nearly fifty people, it seems finding a venue is also difficult.
Though it ends up being the usual place in the end.
When everyone gathers at the school cafeteria, it becomes lively.
Though Toya-kun is silently eating his bento.
And then he quietly stands up from his seat.
I grab his arm.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"No, I was just curious about the Italian cheese chicken and the omelet hayashi..."
Bonk
Toya-kun quietly sits back down.
He really is a person you can't let your guard down around for a second.
"Toya is the same as always."
Mizushima-kun says.
"Isn't Sadata amazing too? I heard you got promoted to the second division."
"Well, yeah, I was carrying the pressure of our university being the only local one, you know. I'm relieved."
He says he will leave the rest to the juniors.
When lunch break ends, everyone goes to class.
We also head to class.
After finishing today's classes, we go straight home today.
Toya-kun is searching for properties on his PC. If there is a good property, he calls the real estate agent and actually views the property.
Toya-kun's checking is extremely half-hearted. "As long as it's not run-down, it's fine," he says.
It doesn't work that way!
The size of the kitchen. The state of wear on the modular bath. The presence or absence of scratches on the walls. I look around at the fine details.
When I point out flaws, Toya-kun obediently complies.
The distance to the shops, is there a convenience store nearby? What is the distance to the bus stop?
We look around at everything.
We also check the surrounding environment.
We also check things like the parking fee.
There is no end to it if we start being greedy, but even so, I want to confirm at least the bare minimum.
The search for a new home was running into difficulties.
When the time comes, we begin to get ready.
And then we leave the house and head to the bus stop.
We take the bus and head to the city.
And when we head to the restaurant, Haruto-kun and Haruna have already arrived.
The last ones to arrive are Kisaragi-kun and Iori.
"Well then, there's only a little left of this year. Let's do our best!"
When Watanabe-kun says so, the banquet begins.
"Airi-chan, is your room hunting going smoothly?"
Emi was asking.
"Well, we can't seem to find a good one."
"Airi is quite particular, you see."
Toya-kun says. Mgh...
"Katagiri-kun, this is going to be the base of your life from now on. It's only natural to examine it in detail!"
Akira says.
"What criteria are you using to choose, Katagiri-kun? Isn't that where the problem lies?"
"Age of the building, rent, and access."
"...If we leave it to Katagiri-kun, we'll get nowhere. I'll search for you. Tell me your preferences, Airi."
I convey Toya-kun's preferences and my preferences.
"I understand. Leave it to me. We just need to decide within this month, right?"
"I'd like to do that if possible."
There are procedures, purchasing furniture, and various other things. Just because we decided on a place to move to doesn't mean we can move in immediately.
Rie-chan said there are a lot of things to do.
"It might be better to do it a bit earlier. It's the season when moving companies start getting busy too."
Ishihara-kun says.
"Got it, I'll find a reasonable property by next week. You said you wanted a 2LDK, right?"
"Yeah."
"Leave it to me!"
Akira said so.
"It seems Tosaka-san and her partner are doing well."
Watanabe-kun came over.
"It's actually running into quite a bit of difficulty."
Toya-kun says.
"For this kind of thing, it's better to match the woman's wishes. In your case, Tosaka-san is at home all the time anyway, right? All the more reason."
Watanabe-kun says.
"That's what I thought, so I'm listening to Airi's wishes."
Even though the ones he picks out are half-hearted.
"Why don't you organize things starting from the conditions?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"Organize the search conditions with Tosaka-san and decide. You're choosing half-heartedly, aren't you?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"Room hunting is already a joint effort for the two of you. Incorporate Tosaka-san's wishes."
"Alright. Airi, what kind of place do you want?"
Toya-kun asked.
"Well, you see. First of all, the layout of Toya-kun's room is the problem."
I convey my wishes to Toya-kun.
While we were consulting like that, the time for the last order came.
"Then, is karaoke as usual fine for the after-party?"
Watanabe-kun is making a call while saying so.
I whisper in Toya-kun's ear.
"Am I being selfish?"
"That's not true. It's the room where Airi will spend the longest time. There's nothing better than a room that is easy for Airi to live in."
He really is a kind husband~
Kosei-kun and Naru-chan say goodbye at the first party.
"It's about time for entrance exam studying. I have to do it, even if just for show."
"Well then, next is the after-party for the second semester, right?"
"That's how it'll be."
"Well then, see you. If there's anything necessary, I'll contact you via message."
Kosei-kun said so and left.
"Now, shall we start moving too?"
When Watanabe-kun said so, everyone began to move.
(2)
"I'm stumped..."
"It seems you're already receiving your baptism."
I was consulting with Watanabe-kun, Ishihara-kun, and Sakai-kun.
Airi's conditions for room hunting are strict.
She complains about things like not wanting the toilet and the changing room to be together, the kitchen being narrow, the walls here being thin, or there being little storage space.
I've even started to think that it might be better to just buy a house.
"Being suddenly gifted a house is also something to think about, you know."
Sakai-kun says.
"But being suddenly pestered for a 2LDK is certainly tough too."
It seems Ishihara-kun also had a hard time.
"But if you're giving up at this level, living together is absolutely impossible."
Sakai-kun says.
"That's right. From now on, the woman's demands will continue endlessly. This is still just the beginning."
Watanabe-kun asserts.
"Come to think of it, I don't hear those kinds of complaints from you, Watanabe-kun."
I was asking Watanabe-kun.
"Me? I'm the one who scolds Mika, after all."
Watanabe-kun laughs as he says so.
"That's why I told you, Toya. Once you get married, it gets even stricter. It's hell."
"Eita, you don't need to join in! Come over here!"
"I'm just giving Toya advice as someone with experience—"
"Your advice is bound to be nothing but nonsense anyway!"
Kiritani-kun is dragged away by Ai-san.
"Don't end up like that..."
"Yeah..."
"Um... can I consult with you for a moment?"
Akiyoshi-kun came over, bringing Arisu-san with him.
"What's wrong?"
"If it's about that, I'll join in too."
As Watanabe-kun said that, Emi-san entered.
"What is this about?"
"She is being followed."
Emi-san says.
If she's an idol, isn't that unavoidable?
"We've put some guards on her for security, but it's different from a stalker or something like that."
"Which means?"
"We haven't caught them, so we can't say for sure, but there's a high possibility that Stinger has caught wind of it."
Emi-san says.
"Why are you so sure? There's also the possibility that it's just the work of a stalker, right?"
Emi-san hands over a piece of paper.
Hands off.
That was written on the slip of paper.
"It doesn't seem like a message from a stalker, does it?"
"...Indeed."
Are they aiming for our weak point?
"Um... 'Hands off'? What does that mean?"
Arisu-san asked.
Watanabe-kun talks about Morishige-san's matter.
"Am I... being a burden?"
Arisu-san's voice was trembling.
"You don't have to worry. They can't touch you. Right, Emi-san?"
"Yes, Arisu is a member of the Watanabe Group, and at the same time, she is an important talent of USE. I won't let them lay a hand on her. We will protect her with all our might."
"I've also learned at least some aikido. I can do at least enough to protect her."
"They've finally bared their fangs at us. Toya, what are you going to do?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"We can't make a clumsy move yet. The fact that they found out about our connection to Arisu-san means they've probably also found out about the connection to Morishige-san."
There is still insufficient evidence to create an exposure site.
"If it's that kind of talk, count me in too. The current Stinger is no longer a soft thing like a circle. They're just an organized crime syndicate. And we just need to find the connection between the Knights of the Sun and Shinichiro Eto, right?"
Makoto says.
But I shook my head.
"That alone is still not enough... Let's see. For example, a violation of the Public Offices Election Act during the election period. It has to have enough power to stop their breath in a single blow."
"That's tough..."
"Or, a way to tear the Knights of the Sun itself to pieces..."
Our lifeline is the existence of floating votes.
We cannot do anything that would ruin what Morishige-san has built up.
That being said, the matter of ALICE is also important.
I won't allow any action that would damage ALICE's idol career here.
Should we do something about that first?
"Since when has Arisu-san been followed?"
"Ever since the last live concert ended."
"Every day, right?"
"Yes..."
In that case, it's simple.
"Ishihara-kun... could I ask you to do something?"
"I just need to track the tail, right?"
"Yeah."
"Understood. She is our important talent. I will protect her to the end."
Ishihara-kun said.
"Which means, it's finally a battle."
"If they hit us, we hit back. And we'll return it many times over."
Watanabe-kun said, and I replied.
We have our pretext.
The battle to protect ALICE.
"Makoto, look into the matter I mentioned earlier. I have one lead in mind."
"What is it?"
"You said it, didn't you, Makoto? The evil deeds they've been doing since the time of Urbanity."
"You mean Shinichiro Eto is among them?"
"Probably."
If we make that public, he won't be able to survive as a politician.
"Makoto-kun will do his best!"
"I'm counting on you!"
"I will also thoroughly investigate the connection between the Yakuza and Shinichiro Eto."
Emi-san says.
"Tell me about the state of Stinger when you were there, Arisu-san."
I was asking Arisu-san.
In the first place, why did Arisu-san join Stinger?
There is a high-paying part-time job.
She was invited when she was working multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet.
Needless to say, what that entailed.
She thought about refusing, but if she refused, a terrible punishment awaited her.
It's fine, you won't get caught. You just have to do as you're told.
Apparently, she was told that.
A dark money-making business that had nothing to do with matchmaking.
She had touched something she shouldn't have touched.
Once stained, it can never be washed clean.
Even turning herself in was not allowed.
It seems they still have influence over the police.
And then she met us and made a blunder.
Once you make a blunder, you are never useful again.
As a result, she was sold to a subsidiary's underground idol agency.
There, she had to pay back her debt.
There was no going back.
It was the very reality of underground idols.
She became popular and sold well.
And then that commercial method escalated.
Her past, which must not be touched.
But a fact that must never be turned away from.
By the time her story ended, she was crying.
The women were showing their anger.
"We need to thoroughly crush them."
Emi-san says.
Now that she has become the rival to the underground idol WHITE, whom they back, they probably cannot leave ALICE alone.
If so, the next move they will make naturally becomes clear.
The exposure of her past.
And distorted to suit their convenience.
Whether it is fact or fiction, the damage to her would be huge.
"Toya, what are you going to do?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"What do you mean, what am I going to do?"
When I say that, jeers fly at me.
"Katagiri-kun! What were you listening to?! She is completely a victim!"
As Emi-san says that, verbal attacks from the women begin one after another.
"I believe I said that settling the past is necessary."
"And that is her idol activity, right?"
"No matter what anyone says, what she wishes for is the only truth. Completing a life of sharing dreams and hopes through song and dance is her battle. Preparing that stage for her is our role."
"Through song and dance..."
Arisu-san mutters.
"Eliminating outsiders who intrude on your stage is also our job. You should just express yourself on stage with all your heart."
"Which means..."
Kanna says.
"It's going to get busy. There's also Morishige-san's matter."
When I say that, everyone gets excited.
"Do you have a concrete plan?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
"Makoto, I know you're busy, but I want to ask you to do something."
"Tell me anything. I'll do anything for Arisu-san's sake!"
"I want you to make ALICE's official website. If possible, even tomorrow."
The sooner, the better. Let's take the initiative this time.
"Is a normal official website fine?"
"Yeah, first we drag the opponent out. Of course, post the matter of her relationship with Akiyoshi-kun too."
"Is that okay? For an idol, the existence of a lover is a fatal wound, you know?"
"That would be the case for a traditional idol, wouldn't it? But they're going to turn it into a scandal anyway, right? In that case, we'll play our hand first."
"Understood. If that's how it is, leave it to me."
"And also, I'll count on you for that trap."
"What should we do?"
Emi-san and Akira-san say.
"Guarding Arisu-san and Akiyoshi-kun, and narrowing down the opponent. Once that's done, we go on the offensive. We won't take our time this time. We will suppress them by force."
We have a just cause. We have the power to push through by force. If so, we only need to take the initiative.
"It's a short-term decisive battle. Everyone, let's do this!"
"With Morishige-san's matter too, we can't afford to take our time."
Emi-san says.
"Let's do it flashily and grandly, and graduate with a laugh at the end!"
Ai-san says.
"For someone like me... I'm sorry."
"The Watanabe Group does not abandon its comrades. You would do well to remember that."
Watanabe-kun says.
On this day, our wills united as one.
A strong will that would never falter.
Afterward, everyone had a great time until morning and then went home.
(3)
Again...
"We're being followed."
Arisu says.
An obvious tailing.
I tell Arisu to contact the Watanabe Group.
The reply came back immediately.
"Please detour just like that and head to the car wash."
Arisu conveys that to me.
I detoured and headed to the car wash along the national highway.
At this hour, there is no one at the car wash. They probably chose it precisely because there is no one, right?
A flash shines.
They took a photo?!
The car tried to flee immediately, but before we knew it, the car carrying Ishihara-senpai, who had been tailing them, pulled up right behind them.
Four men get out of the car that had been tailing us.
From the car Ishihara-senpai was in, Ishihara-senpai got out alone.
The odds are against him.
I tell Arisu to stay in the car and get out of the car.
"Akiyoshi-kun, don't move from that spot, protect Arisu-san!"
Ishihara-kun says.
"Is this any time to be worrying about others, shorty?"
"Being brave is fine, but courage and recklessness are different things, you know?"
The men say.
"Indeed, I have no confidence."
Ishihara-kun is smiling.
"Do it."
Before one of the men could say so, Ishihara-kun had already acted.
He charges toward the four men.
First, one man; slipping inside his guard, he delivers a palm strike to the solar plexus.
The second man; grabbing the arm of the man contorting in pain, he throws him, then delivers a roundhouse kick to the side of the head of the man standing behind him.
He kicks the temple accurately.
The third man; kicking up into the groin of the man beside him, he delivers a knee strike to the chin of the bending man.
With his jaw shattered, spitting blood, he writhes on the ground.
Before the fourth man could take action, he was pointing a handgun pulled from his bosom.
"It seems it was impossible after all. I thought I should go a bit easy on you, but the alcohol and anger wouldn't allow it. Put your hands up. As I said earlier, right now I am not maintaining my sanity. I don't know what I might do."
As the fourth man raised his hands, Emi-san got out of the car.
"You guys are Stinger's lackeys, aren't you? Answer honestly! If you hide it, the same fate as those three awaits you!?"
"W-We only did as we were told!"
"Tailing ALICE and gathering evidence of a scandal! Right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Emi-san, Katagiri-san said he has no use for those four, so let them go!"
Arisu says.
"You've escaped with your lives. However, if you appear before us again, I won't guarantee your lives!"
Saying so, the car Ishihara-kun was in cleared the way, and the men got into their car and fled.
"Are you guys okay?"
Emi-senpai says.
"...They took photos. A photo of the two of us together."
"I see. Something of that level is probably already within Katagiri-kun's expectations."
When I say that, Emi-senpai says so.
That Katagiri-senpai is that kind of person.
"Does that mean all he wanted to know was the confirmation of Stinger?"
"Probably. Now we can attack Stinger without reservation."
The Ishihara couple are talking.
"But this isn't the end, is it? I'm being targeted by Stinger again. I'm causing trouble for everyone."
Arisu gets out of the car and says.
Stroking Arisu's head like that, Emi-senpai smiles.
"No one in the Watanabe Group thinks of it as trouble. Don't worry. It will be settled soon. The fact that Katagiri-kun has moved means exactly that."
Emi-senpai says.
Katagiri-senpai is really trusted.
"You mustn't think of doing anything foolish. Our promise has only just uttered its first cry, after all."
"And we have to make it clear at this point what happens if they lay a hand on our only idol."
Emi-senpai and Ishihara-senpai say.
"Well then, Akiyoshi-kun, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Will it be alright?"
"We didn't just let them go. We properly noted down at least their car's license plate. All that's left is to track down their location."
Emi-senpai and the others said so and left the place.
I also put Arisu in the car and drove her to her house.
"Hey?"
"What is it?"
"The fact that they took photos of us means we can't hide it anymore, right?"
"That's how it is."
"Then, from now on, we can walk together openly, right?"
"Yes, let's walk together as Akiyoshi Keita and Shimomura Arisu."
She was smiling.
When we arrive at her house, I stop the car.
"...Won't you stay over tonight?"
"Eh?"
"At this point, even if they take a photo of us leaving the room together, it's the same, right? You must be tired too, so please rest."
Arisu must still have some fear remaining.
"I understand."
We were allowed to take another step forward.
The promise we exchanged is still being cherished. Dreaming of the time it will utter its birth cry in the future.
(4)
"Hmm..."
Airi is worrying.
"What's wrong?"
"Why did you let those four go? Wouldn't it have been better to hand them over to the police?"
Airi asks.
"That's true, normally that would be fine."
"Is it not normal this time?"
"Yeah, that's right. Even if we squeezed those four, we wouldn't be able to get much information anyway."
"Well, that's true, but..."
"I suppose it's a declaration of war."
"A declaration of war?"
I pull Airi close.
"If you're going to do it, we'll be your opponents too. Let's fight it out thoroughly, is what it means."
"Is it progressing according to Toya-kun's intentions?"
"Well, yes. I can also somehow tell what move they will make next."
"I see~, then there's no problem, right?"
"I hope so."
"Is there something you're anxious about?"
Airi is looking anxious.
"It's nothing major... more importantly,"
"More importantly?"
"Finding the property of Airi's desires is much harder."
I said with a laugh.
"I'm sorry for always being selfish."
I hug Airi.
"I'll properly accept at least Airi's selfishness."
"Thank you."
"Then, shall we go to sleep for today?"
"That's right, good night."
"Good night."
Saying so, Airi fell asleep.
I can imagine the next move the opponent will make.
I will settle it all at once with that.
I had decided so.
I will never forgive those who hurt my comrades.
Now, show me your next hand.
For now, I hugged Airi and enjoyed a brief moment of rest.