Chapter 374 - Our Very Own Paradise
(1)
"Good morning, everyone."
I woke up to a noisy street campaign.
Again...
It has already been a week since the announcement.
Election campaigning is underway.
When I was a child, I thought. Who would ever vote for such a nuisance of a crowd?
Since I've already woken up, it can't be helped.
When I go to the dining room, Airi is moving around busily.
If I were to try to go back to sleep, Airi would get angry... of course not. She would just act spoiled.
Every day is a free-for-all because our parents aren't around.
"Good morning, Toya-san. Go wash your face, okay?"
Airi is in a good mood today too.
"Good morning, Airi. Thanks for your hard work since morning."
"No, this is practice too. It'll be ready soon, so go wash your face quickly."
"Understood."
I go to the washroom and wash my face.
When I return to the dining room, breakfast is laid out.
While eating breakfast, I try turning on the television.
The usual news is playing.
When we finish eating, Airi cleans up.
As I sit on the living room sofa and watch television, Airi, having finished cleaning up, sits next to me and starts watching television together.
That too is only for a brief moment, and Airi, having grown tired of the television, starts playing around with me as if to say "pay attention to me."
While stroking Airi's head, we head to the bedroom and watch the bedroom television.
Once the peaceful morning ends, Airi starts making lunch.
I move to the living room again.
"Toya-san, why don't we go to the Blue Bird today for the first time in a while?"
Airi suggested.
We haven't gone lately. Should we show our faces once in a while?
"Understood. Shall we go after we eat?"
"Yes, please be careful not to overeat, okay?"
Airi warns me.
"I know."
After eating the lunch Airi made, Airi begins to clean up.
And then she cleans.
I make sure not to get in the way of the cleaning.
Once the cleaning is finished, Airi starts changing clothes.
I change clothes too.
"I'm ready."
When Airi says so, we leave the house and head toward the Blue Bird.
(2)
"Although it will be for a short period, please guide Miyama Tabito-kun, Stefan-san, Sakai-kun, and the others well."
"I look forward to working with you."
"Please, I look forward to working with you."
Stefan-san, as his name suggests, is a foreigner, but his Japanese is fluent.
Apparently, he came after seeing the job posting.
It seems the Master recruited full-time employees because we are leaving.
With this, we can also quit the Blue Bird without any lingering worries.
Both of them were handsome.
Especially Stefan-san, to the point that even Akira-chan was captivated.
Today's customers are Akira-chan, Emi-san, and Kana-san.
Recently, these three are the main ones.
It seems everyone else is busy with part-time jobs and such.
Also, because they have no business going to the University, they naturally drifted away from the Blue Bird.
However, with no way of knowing such internal circumstances, people who seem to be new students visit and ask about the Watanabe group.
Of course, we pretend not to know.
It is too early to take on new students.
Apparently, Saki-san and Nishimatsu-kun consulted and decided that.
We graduates do not interfere.
That was how it was decided.
"This shop has become lonely too, hasn't it?"
Akira-chan says.
"Really, even though it was so lively every day."
The Master says.
"Master, please don't worry. We will keep coming here."
Kana-san says.
"Thank you."
The Master expresses his gratitude.
Clang-clang, the doorbell rings.
Katagiri-kun and his companion arrived.
"Oh, it's been a while. Have you been doing well?"
"Yes, every day is fun."
Tosaka-san answers energetically.
Judging by this, it seems Katagiri-kun is doing well.
"How is cohabitation life? Are you doing well?"
Emi-san was asking.
"Yes, I'm practicing housework while I can. Doing it alone is tough."
"Alone?"
The movements of the three stopped.
"Is Airi-chan doing the housework all by herself?"
"That's right~"
Five sharp gazes pierce Katagiri-kun.
The two who were added are Honoka-san and Saki-san.
"Wait, Toya-kun! What kind of nerve do you have?! You're not even married yet, and you're treating Tosaka-senpai like a housekeeper?!"
"I thought Katagiri-kun would absolutely never do such a thing... this is why men are!"
Saki-san and Honoka-san blame Katagiri-kun.
Katagiri-kun is bewildered.
The one who saved such a Katagiri-kun was Tosaka-san.
"T-Toya-san says he will help, you know. It's just, once Toya-san starts working, housework will be my job, right? So I thought I'd practice while I can."
"Kazu-san was like that too. At first, he helps. But once he starts working, he won't think about his wife at all!"
Kana-san talks about her own experience.
"I don't think Toya-san would do that. Even now, even though I tell him he can just play games and do nothing while I do housework, he keeps me company in the living room."
"Airi-chan, I've told you before, but if you don't train him now, it'll be too late once things get bad."
Emi-san says.
"I'm fine, when I say let's go shopping, he comes along with me."
"You get along well with Katagiri-kun, don't you?"
When I say that, Tosaka-san replies with a cheerful "Yes."
As for Katagiri-kun, he is giving a bitter smile.
"Katagiri-kun? What's with that face? Do you have some complaint about Airi, who is this devoted?"
Akira-chan noticed.
"I don't have any complaints, but she does everything so perfectly that I'm a little bewildered. I wonder if Airi is building up stress."
So today too, because Airi said she wanted to go to the Blue Bird, he brought her along for a breather.
"I think there are complaints that can only be said between women, so can I ask the three of you to handle that?"
"Even if you didn't ask, we'd keep her company. We'll make sure to listen to all her complaints about Katagiri-kun."
Emi-san says.
"I don't have any complaints, so please don't worry."
Saying so, Tosaka-san flirts with Katagiri-kun.
"By the way, it has finally started. The election."
"As for the organized votes, mine, Akira's, Haruna's, and the local bank have joined. We are also firmly gathering floating votes. Though the TV public opinion polls say Eto is one step ahead."
"Toya-san, you must go vote properly too, without saying you're sleepy or it's a pain, okay?"
"I know."
"With this, the Watanabe group has gained a political connection too, right?"
When Akira-chan says that, Katagiri-kun shakes his head.
"That's no good. As I've said before, the Watanabe group must not belong to any faction or any power."
Precisely because they are the Watanabe group, which boasts the strongest power locally, they should do what they can as an independent blade, Katagiri-kun says.
"The strongest power locally, huh. We've stepped into an outrageous world."
The very culprit who created this outrageous world is saying it.
"Airi-chan and the others said they were going on a trip after the election. Where are you going?"
"Hokkaido~"
"Hokkaido, huh. I'm jealous."
Emi-san says.
"How is ALICE? Is the expedition going well?"
Katagiri-kun asked.
"Yes, no matter which region they go to, they are achieving great success. At this rate, we might as well let them make their major debut."
Emi-san says the CD sales are also amazing.
"Toya-san, we have to do the shopping for dinner soon."
"Is it already that time? Well, shall we get going soon?"
"Yes, what would you like to eat today?"
"Is anything fine?"
"Go ahead."
"Then, I guess I'd like to eat sashimi for a change, while drinking sake."
"Understood. Please don't drink too much, okay?"
"I know. Well, thanks for the hospitality."
"Well, see you everyone~"
Saying so, the two went home.
"'Toya-san', huh..."
Emi-san is giggling.
"It seems there's no need to worry. Even though it's only been a week."
"But they were an enviable couple."
Akira-chan and Kana-san say.
"I guess I should prepare my husband's dinner soon too?"
"Me too, soon."
Emi-san and Kana-san say.
Saying "See you later then," the two left the shop.
"Everyone's own life is starting, isn't it?"
Honoka-san says.
"It's not someone else's business for you either, is it? You're cohabiting after the May holidays, right?"
"For now, I'm thinking of moving on the public holidays in April."
Apparently, they are doing that training camp during the May holidays.
"Nakajima-kun is different from Katagiri-kun. It seems necessary to train him strictly once more."
"It would be a help if you did that."
"Which is to say, did Nakajima-kun do something again?"
"He stopped reckless driving himself, but apparently he still longs for that kind of thing."
Apparently, night after night on weekends, he goes to watch.
I think it's safe because he's just watching, but apparently she's still scared of him getting caught up in it.
"Zen-kun, can't you think of any good ideas?"
Akira-chan asked me.
"It is a world difficult for me to understand, after all."
If he experiences a terrifying woman who chases after him even after being hit by a car, wouldn't he stop?
If he faces the reality of death, wouldn't he try to distance himself from danger?
Though as for both, I would like to decline ever experiencing them again.
(3)
Once the voting ended, everyone gathered in the hotel hall.
Our Watanabe group was also invited to Morishige Seita's victory celebration.
We are watching the early election results.
Many members of the press had also come.
At the exact same time the hour strikes, Eto Seiichiro's projected victory is announced.
Everyone is discouraged.
However, Morishige Seita and Hayashida Yuhei have not given up yet.
Because a projected victory is nothing more than the results investigated through public opinion polls and exit polls.
There are even people who didn't answer.
Morishige Seita's strength lies in the depth of the floating votes.
That cannot be known when the ballot counting rate is at 0%.
We watch the television intently.
When the ballot counting rate exceeded 50%, Eto's projected victory disappeared.
Morishige Seita's vote count is gradually closing in.
It has become a situation where prediction is impossible until the very end.
Once it exceeded 70%, Morishige Seita was projected to win.
Everyone erupts in excitement.
And the new Mayor was decided to be Morishige Seita.
Everyone raises their hands in a banzai cheer.
Morishige Seita shakes hands with each person to give his greetings of gratitude.
"Toya-san, we did it."
"That's right."
If municipal administration improves with this, nothing could be better.
However, municipal administration is not done by the Mayor alone; the city hall and the city council must also be moved.
It also depends on whether Morishige Seita can persist as an independent.
Morishige Seita comes to me.
"It is thanks to your support. Thank you!"
"We didn't do anything, you know. It is Morishige-sensei's own power."
"It helps when you say so. I will definitely change the rotten municipal administration."
"We are rooting for you."
Once things settled down, we left the venue.
We decided to hold an after-party with just the Watanabe group.
The after-party is at the usual karaoke.
"Toya, how is cohabitation life? Is it fun?"
Makoto asks.
"Yeah, every day is happy."
"That's good. But don't let your guard down. You never know when a woman might change."
"Makoto, even if you think so, it's better not to say such things out loud. Learn your lesson already."
No, really, seriously.
"Can't I complain at least at a time like this? I'm making an effort too. Helping with housework, taking her on dates on days off. Even though I'm tired too."
"If it's that kind of talk, let me join in too, Makoto! That Ai doesn't understand a man's hardships at all. She tells me to take care of my wife even though I'm tired from my part-time job! Give me some of my own time too!"
It seems better to change the subject.
"Makoto, you're joining the team starting in April, right? Are your arrangements okay?"
"Yeah, it's fine. When we go away, I'll have some fun before coming back!"
It was a wasted effort.
"Where are you going to have fun?"
"Well, it's refreshing after work, you know. Getting massaged and various things."
"Are you unsatisfied with your wife's massage, Makoto?"
"Well, a professional and an amateur are completely different. Right, Eita?"
"That's right, Toya should get one too. The world will change."
"I'll pass. I'm treated gently enough by Airi. Right, Airi?"
"Is that so? I'm happy to hear you say that."
"You don't get it, Toya. You won't understand until you experience it once... wait, did I just hear Tosaka-san's voice?"
"Are you guys weighing a professional against your wives and choosing the professional?"
"That voice is..."
Makoto and Kiritani-kun look behind them.
Naturally, Airi, Kanna, and Ai-san were there.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop putting strange ideas into Toya-san's head?!"
"Just when I was impressed thinking you had learned your lesson recently, this idiot..."
"Do you not understand unless I run away from home again, you idiot?!"
Airi, Kanna, and Ai-san say.
"Come on... look, deepening interactions with teammates is also necessary, right?"
"They say you need to refresh yourself once in a while, right?"
Makoto and Kiritani-kun make excuses. Though they aren't much of an excuse.
"You guys, come over here for a second! You idiots who never learn no matter how many times you're told!!"
"Eita, you too! Come here for a second!"
My condolences.
"Toya-san is fine, right?"
"T-There's no way I'd go."
"Yes, because I believe in you."
"Those guys are the same as always."
Watanabe-kun arrived.
"It seems you're doing well, aren't you? Cohabitation life."
"Well, yeah."
"Toya-san is gentle~"
"Tosaka-san is a lucky person."
Watanabe-kun laughs.
"Well, enjoy it while it lasts. Eventually, hard times will come whether you like it or not. That is when you will be tested. Though I think you guys will do well."
"Airi, support Toya firmly! The only one who can do that is Airi."
Mika-san says.
"Well, you guys should participate more in the banquet too. Since we're here."
Watanabe-kun says.
When handed the device, I reserve a song and then sing with Airi.
The banquet continued until morning.
(4)
"Hey, Toya-san?"
"What's wrong, Airi?"
When Airi returns home, she takes a shower and keeps the books.
I was lying down on the bed.
"Toya-san, are you not interested in adult services or things like that? I believe you seemed to have an interest before."
"It would be a lie to say I don't."
"Ugh..."
"Because to Makoto and Kiritani-kun, it seems to be a paradise."
"It seems so..."
"But I'm fine because I have a different paradise."
"Eh?"
"To me, this house is a paradise. Airi devotes herself to me."
"...Ehehe~"
What kind of flowers will bloom with Airi, and what kind of birds will sing?
In that paradise, I can be with Airi forever.
Questions repeated time and again.
An endless interest in paradise.
A beloved world sinking as if falling asleep.
As if the end of a dream beckons from the water's bottom, the door is opened.
The smile of my beloved Airi, floating up as if revolving, is right there.
Reaching out to the end of a dream, I place my hand on the door,
In any blanket, one can dream.
I will not forget the warmth of the day I learned of love.
What kind of love will bloom in this paradise?
What kind of love will be sung in this paradise?
In this paradise, my heart no longer hurts.
In this paradise, I can be with Airi forever.
I will likely vow to love Airi for the rest of my life.
And the existence known as Airi will likely hold a special meaning for me.