Chapter 379 - The Light That Never Dries Up
(1)
"Toya-san, it's morning."
I wake up to Airi's gentle voice.
"If you don't get ready quickly, you'll miss breakfast."
I get ready in a hurry.
Once the meal is finished, I wait for Airi to get ready.
Even after she finishes getting ready, we relax in the room for a while.
Timing it for when the shops open, we head to Kokusai Dori, acting together with the Watanabe couple, the Ishihara couple, and the Sakai couple.
Each of them enters the shops, sizing up this and that.
Kokusai Dori is wide; if we visited every shop, the whole day would pass just doing that.
It seems Airi bought some coral and pearls.
She is also buying clothes unique to Okinawa.
Of course, I follow Airi around and help her choose.
For lunch, we ate Okinawa soba.
And then we go to the Public Market.
We don't do any shopping there.
We just look around.
Colorful fish are lined up.
I wondered if you could actually eat something like this, though.
Since we got a little hungry, we eat soki soba and Okinawan yakisoba again.
Okinawan yakisoba has thick noodles like udon.
Airi must have been in a good mood today.
She didn't say anything regarding eating.
And then we go to today's final location, American Village.
We ride the Ferris wheel.
A giant Ferris wheel where you can overlook the town.
I enjoy that scenery with Airi.
We take a break at a cafe.
"Three days wasn't enough."
Watanabe-kun says.
"That's true, I want to come again."
When Emi-san says that, the female group chimes in.
"By the way, is there any reason why we're dispersing at Hakata on the way back? Toya."
Watanabe-kun asked.
"It's Kanna's wish."
I answer.
Kanna wants to stay overnight and look around the food stalls. There are others who say the same. I tell him that.
"Come to think of it, Mika was also raring to drink in Hakata."
Watanabe-kun sighs.
"Of course! I'm going to drink thoroughly with Kanna!"
Mika-san is raring to go.
"Are you fine with that, Toya-san? Don't you want to eat delicious food?"
Airi asks.
"This time, the goal was to have fun in Okinawa. If we get another chance, let's leisurely look around Hakata just the two of us."
"Yes."
"You two really get along well. I almost want to ask Airi for the secret."
Ai-san says.
"Hmm, the secret..."
Since Airi is struggling to answer, I pat her head while answering in her place.
"Airi thinks of me, so I think of Airi. It's as simple as that."
"That's right."
Airi playfully clings to me happily.
"It's easy to say, but that's the hard part."
Ai-san says.
"It's about time. Shall we head back to the hotel?"
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone leaves the shop.
Even on the way back, Airi sizes up items depending on the shop.
It seems Mika-san bought some awamori and had it shipped.
Once the female group is satisfied, we return to the hotel.
There is still time before dinner.
When I lie down on the bed, Airi gives me a massage.
"Thank you for your hard work today as well."
Airi says so.
"Thank you."
I answer.
"It was fun, wasn't it? I want to come again."
"If we can get consecutive holidays, let's come again, okay?"
"Yes."
Airi seems to be in a good mood.
You can overlook the sea from the hotel window.
The two of us look at that sea.
This will probably become another page of our memories.
Until dinner time, I was burning the scenery of Okinawa into my eyes while talking with Airi.
(2)
"Well then, everyone, let's have a blast today. Cheers."
When Manabe-kun says that, the banquet begins.
The ones participating in today's banquet were Yuma, the Manabe couple, the Tange couple, the Shiina couple, the Hiyama couple, the Nishimatsu couple, Kamenashi-kun, Morizono-san, Misawa-kun, and Kishitani-san, making 16 people in total.
"I see, so Takemoto has decided on his path."
Tange-san says.
"Yes, though I'll be making my wife go through hardships."
He doesn't need to worry about that, though.
"So almost everyone this term has decided on their path, right?"
Tange-san says.
"That would be the case."
Yuma answers.
"All that's left is to graduate safely."
Manabe-kun says.
"There's only one year left, huh~"
Sakura says.
"Is Sakura going to be a full-time housewife?"
I asked.
"Yes, that's right~"
If she can live comfortably on her husband's earnings, then there's no need to go out of her way to work. Apparently, that was her judgment.
"Nishimatsu-kun, your graduation is still a ways off, right?"
"That's true. Though my place of employment is already decided."
Nishimatsu-kun says so and laughs.
"What about you guys, Kamenashi-kun?"
"We're looking around for now, but Sakai-senpai told us. If we're interested, we should come to his place."
"What about Saki~? Do you have any prospects~?"
"I'll think about it once the first semester starts."
Should I consult Akira-senpai first?
Everyone has decided on their respective paths and has begun to walk them.
As if following in the footsteps of our seniors.
Those seniors are probably resting their wings in Okinawa right about now.
In order to flap their wings toward the future.
We didn't hold an afterparty and everyone dispersed.
Since we had the chance, Yuma and I stopped by a bar.
The two of us talk while drinking cocktails.
We never ran out of things to talk about.
From each other's part-time jobs to our daily lives, it was varied.
All that was lost, all that was loved, holding them in these hands, where am I wandering now?
Before life ends, I want to unravel the sleeping lament and embrace your scent.
You, beautiful, standing still, swallowed by despair.
Yuma's dream will surely never be hurt.
Even if we repeatedly become adults and go far away over and over again, even if I, who watches over you, I, who cannot sleep, become crumpled, it is all to sing your name...
I love you forever. With each passing day, I yearn for you more.
I will surely continue to love you.
From the day I knew you, music has never ceased in my abyss that is called paradise.
We will eventually become adults, right?
Various difficulties will surely lie in wait, right?
Even if the place we arrive at is the abyss, the music you play will surely continue to ring out.
And so, I will walk on, humming.
(3)
"Thank you for your hard work!"
The final night of the Kyushu tour. An afterparty was held.
The tour ended in great success.
The merchandise also sold out, resulting in a situation where we ran out of stock midway.
The final week was allocated as time off.
I will be able to attend the Watanabe group's graduation celebration.
Apparently, requests for TV and radio appearances are already coming in.
I heard Nakamura-san from sales is having a hard time turning them down.
There was also a request from that Nakamura-san.
Why not quit university and focus solely on entertainment activities?
I refused.
An idol's lifespan is short.
I want a foundation for when I lose my job.
All the more so if there is a risk of it being just temporary.
Keita respected my wishes.
There was also a good word from President Ishihara.
After the afterparty ended, we returned to the hotel.
At this point, I don't care if our relationship is discovered.
But please just be careful about drinking and impure relationships with the opposite sex.
That was Nakamura-san's only request.
Keita was keeping to it.
Though for my part, I wish he would let me pamper him more.
"Once we return to our hometown tomorrow morning, it'll be our time off."
Keita says.
"During the time off, I can just be Shimomura Arisu, right?"
"Yeah, I don't mind."
"Then, won't you go on a date with me?"
"...Caring for the talent's mental state is also a manager's duty, right?"
"That's not it!"
"That's true."
Knock, knock.
Someone knocks.
"It's about time. Keita-san, return to your room."
It's the voice of the Shimizu sisters, whom Emi-san hired as SPs.
"Well then, I should get going soon."
"Is it okay if you stay over tomorrow?"
"Understood."
"Then, good night."
"Good night."
Keita said so and left the room.
Of course, even after Keita returned to his room, we exchanged messages on our smartphones.
We are incomplete.
Beside you, my dry heart unravels and bleeds, but...
Because I am by your side, stay close to me forever.
Let the two of us play the sound of the wind of beginning.
I will embrace you, again and again and again.
(4)
"Well then, cheers!"
Watanabe-kun says.
We were drinking at an Irish bar that Toya-san had chosen.
The inside of the shop was small and packed full with just us.
"With this, all that's left is to wait for graduation."
Watanabe-kun says.
"It was quite a fulfilling university life, but it's an abrupt ending, isn't it?"
Emi-san says.
It is probably what everyone is thinking.
We have experienced many things.
I think it was a tough four years for Toya-san as well.
It was a fulfilling four years for me too.
From now on, we will walk our respective paths.
But the bond of the Watanabe group will not be broken.
From now on, forever...
Various events will surely lie in wait from now on as well.
We will overcome them.
Rejoicing in joy, grieving in sadness.
Living life, dreaming while still awake.
Making it resound forever, even to the ends of this world.
The moment that repeatedly sprouts is everything.
We are incomplete.
But, because Toya-san is here.
I want you to keep me by your side forever.
Because I will stay close to you forever.
Unsullied by the headwind.
Even the fear of losing is shining.
I love you forever.
The two of us board the ship of light.
Let's play the sound of the wind's beginning.
When we return to the hotel, we take a shower and rest.
It seems Kanna and the others were keeping watch over their husbands.
They seemed to be sleep-deprived the next day.
After checking out, we headed to Naha Airport and flew to Fukuoka Airport.
Once we reach Hakata Station, everyone will disperse.
Apparently, Toya-san is going back to his hometown.
Those remaining in Hakata are the Tada couple, the Nakajima couple, the Kiritani couple, and the Watanabe couple.
"Well then, thank you for your hard work. Let's all drink together once the graduation ceremony is over."
When Watanabe-kun said that, we dispersed.
"It was fun, wasn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Once we get back, it's finally the graduation ceremony, isn't it?"
"A lot has happened. I caused trouble for Airi too."
"They say you should even buy hardships when you're young."
"I see."
Toya-san is laughing.
When we arrived at the station in our hometown, Toya-san was pondering.
"What is the matter?"
"No, well..."
Spending time in town and eating dinner before going home would probably be best, but... it seems he wants to go home and rest, and eat my home cooking for the first time in a while.
"If Toya-san wishes, I will make it."
"But Airi, you're tired too, aren't you?"
"We're in the same boat. After all, I'm going to have Toya-san take me shopping."
"If Airi says so, maybe I'll have you make it?"
"What do you want to eat?"
"Hmm, something simple is fine."
"Yes."
In this way, our university life had only the graduation ceremony remaining.
That is a guidepost inviting us to a new life.