Chapter 382 - A Single Emotion
(1)
"Well then, let's put aside rank today, everyone, and enjoy yourselves."
The President says, and the banquet begins.
"Well then, Katagiri-kun. Drink to your heart's content tonight."
The President pours beer for me.
"I look forward to working with you from now on."
I pour beer for the President.
"But talented people really are necessary, aren't they! I didn't think you would handle things this far in just a single week."
Tatsuhiko-san says.
Though I finished it today by working frantically.
To think that a single phrase like "pufferfish is waiting" could make me work as if my life depended on it.
I drink alcohol while picking at that pufferfish.
I also had beer poured for me by Natsumi-san.
I tried to return the favor, but Tatsuhiko-san says she is a non-drinker.
Tatsuhiko-san's drinking habits are neither good nor bad.
He is maintaining his usual high spirits.
And I had known since the interview that there seemed to be many basketball lovers.
As the alcohol takes effect, the conversation naturally turns to basketball.
Though the center of that topic is mostly me.
They ask things like, "Is a gold medal really made of gold?"
No one probably knows. That the gold medal is left lying around messily in my room at my parents' house.
And also, "How much prize money do you get if you win a gold medal?" and such.
We talk about things devoid of dreams or hopes.
"But you obtained the People's Honor Award at the youngest age in history. We have acquired an amazing talent."
The youngest in history for the People's Honor Award was a figure skater at twenty-three years old, so I slightly surpassed that.
But such a thing is never written on a work history resume.
At most, writing "Special Skill/Hobby: Basketball" on a resume and appealing with it during an interview is about the limit.
Now that I have stepped down from the stage of basketball, it has no meaning whatsoever.
Well, if such a player came to an interview, they would probably be normally surprised, though.
Having obtained the glories of the People's Honor Award and an Olympic gold medal, I am working while studying desperately to obtain the qualification of a tax accountant.
Today, a seat has been set up for me for cherry blossom viewing and my welcoming party.
Even though it is cherry blossom viewing, we are in a traditional restaurant that serves pufferfish dishes, though.
The staff is not that numerous either.
The composition consists of a receptionist, two clerks, four staff members including me, and the President.
One person has to handle multiple clients.
I am assigned as Tatsuhiko-senpai's assistant.
It seems that May, when there is the settlement of accounts for the March term, is busy to death.
I was told to be prepared.
It seems that at large firms, one can get time off for exam study from a month before the tax accountant exam in August, but at a privately-run office, an inexperienced youngster like me is also seen as an important asset, so there is no such time off.
Finding spare moments, I am studying.
Once we eat the closing rice porridge, the banquet is over.
Is the time around past 9:00 p.m.?
"Well then, shall we go to the after-party?"
The President says.
"My girlfriend is waiting for me, so I will excuse myself around here..."
I am grabbed by Tatsuhiko-senpai.
"There's no way the guest of honor isn't there!"
"But my girlfriend is waiting."
"Don't worry, it's the kind of place Natsumi would go with us! It's not a weird place! You can just call your girlfriend, right?"
"Toya-san?"
"Airi, we are going to the after-party now, so I'll be home late. Go to sleep first."
"Around what time will it be?"
"I don't know."
"I understand. Please be careful not to drink too much."
Watching this, Tatsuhiko-senpai grins.
"See, I told you it would be fine," he laughs.
The after-party was at a stylish bar.
I order a cocktail.
"What kind of girlfriend is Toya's girlfriend? Won't you show me a photo or something?"
I show my smartphone. Because I use a photo of Airi as my lock screen.
"Whoa, she's super cute."
Tatsuhiko-senpai is surprised.
Natsumi-san seems to remember.
I can tell by looking at her expression.
"Natsumi, do you know her?"
Tatsuhiko-senpai asks Natsumi-san.
"The person who was said to be a prodigy, all-rounder, and a beauty in middle school."
Airi's fame went beyond the class—no, she was famous beyond the entire grade, after all.
"You're dating such an amazing girl? You're incredible."
Tatsuhiko-senpai is surprised.
"Since middle school means you've been dating for about ten years?"
When someone says that, I nod.
"That goes beyond the level of being devoted. It's amazing that you've lasted so long."
Tatsuhiko-senpai says.
"But if you've been together for so long, why don't you get married?"
"That is because I thought I would do it after building a foundation for our life."
"If you had continued basketball, wouldn't you have earned easily? I mean, you were in commercials, right? Weren't the sponsor fees amazing?"
"Because I had decided that basketball would only be during my student days."
"Come to think of it, you said during the interview, 'I will retire once I win a gold medal.'"
The President says.
"Seriously? You're incredibly cool."
Tatsuhiko-senpai was surprised.
"Then, is the autograph I got back then a valuable item?"
"Since he didn't seem to do many autograph sessions. It must be a valuable item."
The employees are making a fuss.
Is it my imagination, or do I feel the gazes of those around us?
"Well, shall we wrap it up soon?"
"Yes."
Saying so, everyone streams out of the bar.
Once we say "Thank you for your hard work" outside the bar, everyone scatters in different directions.
I look at my watch. The date had changed.
I go home by driving service.
The light is still on.
No way, even though I properly told her to sleep first.
I unlock the door and enter the room.
"Welcome home, thank you for your hard work."
Airi welcomed me.
"Airi, I told you to sleep first..."
"I will reheat the bath. You should have told me before you came home."
"Sorry, I just couldn't refuse."
"It can't be helped. It is your work, after all."
When I get out of the bath, Airi is still awake.
She was watching a late-night program.
"Ah, what would you like to drink? Would you like juice? Or would you prefer a shochu highball?"
I tried to touch Airi's heart—a purely kind and warm heart. She is thinking only of me.
Before I knew it, I was hugging such an Airi.
"It is fine, I am not angry at all. It is a work obligation. It cannot be helped."
"Thank you."
"No, thank you for your hard work at your job."
Airi says nothing. I also say nothing, simply hugging Airi.
(2)
On Saturday, we were securing a spot for cherry blossom viewing.
The three of us, me, Takemoto, and Haruto, secure a space for nearly fifty people.
The very first to arrive were Kuribayashi-kun and Kitamura-san. After that, the student group streams in.
Each of them brings the food and drinks they were assigned.
The first of the working-adult group to arrive was the Watanabe couple.
The last to arrive are Kisaragi-kun and Asakura-san.
Once everyone is gathered, Watanabe-senpai stood up.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone. I look forward to working with you this fiscal year as well."
When Watanabe-senpai says so, the banquet began.
There can never be too much food.
Katagiri-senpai will eat it for us.
Everyone also empties the drinks one after another.
"Well then, shall we hear how everyone is doing? Since each of our lives must have changed."
Watanabe-senpai says.
"First, Masashi, you speak."
Mika-senpai says.
"Me? I'm exhausted..."
It seems the senior colleague assigned to me wasn't a good match.
They dump all the work they can on me, and even though I can't move on to the next step until the senior's check is finished, they seem to be the type whose mouth moves more than their hands, so the work doesn't progress.
There is a clean image of having no overtime hours, but that is not the case. It seems there is about as much as a normal private company.
On the other hand, even though he is also a civil servant, Nakajima-senpai, who works at the Water and Sewerage Bureau, can apparently leave on time.
Although Kanna-senpai can indeed leave on time, it seems she does nothing but practice bowing her head.
Ishihara-senpai also doesn't have much overtime, but he seems busy deciding the policies of his side-business entertainment agency.
As for Kisaragi-kun's matter, it seems Shinjo-san is thoroughly instructing him.
Tada-senpai also led his team to a first appearance, first goal, and first victory in soccer, but he is apparently constantly fighting for a regular spot.
One might think Sakai-senpai only has to sit in a chair, but he apparently contacts client companies and does things that are absolutely not the kind of work a new graduate would do.
It seems he decides things like approval documents and settlement authorizations, which a new employee who hasn't even been there a week cannot judge, by consulting with executives.
Although there is no overtime, he is reportedly spending every day with a stomachache.
For Ai-senpai and Honoka-senpai, overtime is a matter of course, and they seem to have a hard time with things like sexual harassment from patients.
Akira-senpai, Kana-senpai, and Emi-senpai apparently go to the cafe "Blue Bird" every day to kill time.
Even so, they are indeed handling the housework, it seems.
"The senpais are having a hard time too, aren't they?"
Haruto says.
"I don't have the confidence to continue."
When Honoka-senpai says so, Ai-senpai also says, "This and housework is tough for me too."
Kiritani-senpai apparently needs to get only one credit in half a year, so he is living a quiet and comfortable life.
"Clean up your room a little!" I sympathize with Ai-senpai, who shouts.
Meanwhile, there is a couple clearly exuding an atmosphere different from those around them...
It is Katagiri-senpai and Tosaka-senpai.
"Toya-san, how is today's fried chicken?"
"It's delicious, Airi. Did you change the seasoning?"
"During the day, I called Maya-san to ask how to marinate it, and I tried changing it."
These two are clearly giving off an air more lovey-dovey than married couples.
What happened during this one week?
To be precise, something had changed around the time they started living together.
"Airi, what's with you guys?"
"I thought so too. I've thought it was strange since the graduation trip, but what happened?"
Kanna-senpai and Ai-senpai are asking.
"It's the same as always?"
"We came by taxi today, so you can drink too, Airi."
"Thank you, Toya-san."
"That's it, right there!"
Mika-senpai stands up.
"Airi, your character has been changing ever since you started calling him 'Toya-san'! What happened?"
When Mika-senpai says so, everyone looked at Tosaka-senpai.
"Is it strange?"
Tosaka-senpai tilts her head.
"It's not that!"
"Did Airi-chan have some weakness grasped by Katagiri-kun or something?"
Mika-senpai and Emi-senpai say.
"It's nothing like that."
"Then what kind of change of heart is it?"
Kanna-senpai asks.
Everyone seems to be interested.
It seems she is in a good mood today with alcohol in her system.
Tosaka-senpai began to speak.
(3)
That was when we were preparing for the move.
When I went home to get a signature for the joint guarantor, Torie-chan (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads とりえちゃん (Torie-chan), likely meaning りえちゃん (Rie-chan)) told me to sit down because she had something to talk about.
Papa-san is also with her.
"Airi-chan, from now on, you will practically be Toya-kun's wife. So I will tell you this."
"Yes."
Rie-chan's tone of voice is different from usual. It must be an important talk.
I listened seriously.
"These are the guidelines for a wife to make a marriage work. Remember them well."
"Y-yes."
"First, no matter what difficulties lie ahead, Airi-chan alone must remain on Toya-kun's side. Airi-chan, you are the one to support Toya-kun. Airi-chan alone must believe in Toya-kun until the very end."
"I understand."
"Can you really do it? Even if he is wrong, watch over him quietly. Remain on Toya-kun's side until the moment he realizes his mistake on his own."
"When Toya-kun realizes his mistake?"
"Tell him, 'It's okay.' If he is about to break, support him. Because the only one in the whole world who can do that is Airi-chan."
Until the very, very end, until death do you part, believe in him, and resolve right now to be Toya-kun's one and only partner.
Rie-chan says.
Is that how Rie-chan has supported Papa-san?
"Next, no matter what happens, respect your husband. Because he is your one and only husband, Airi-chan. Have the resolve to follow Toya-kun until the very, very end. Even if it is a straight path to the abyss. Resolve right now to drink poison together without hesitation."
The resolve to protect Toya-kun until the end, the resolve to believe in Toya-kun, the resolve to follow Toya-kun.
"The next is the last."
"Yes."
"The last is the courage to forgive Toya-kun no matter what happens. The resolve to smile and forgive Toya-kun no matter what happens. The most important thing. Even if he cheats on you, forgive him."
I don't want him to cheat, Rie-chan.
"If you cannot have all of these, it is not too late even now. Break up with Toya-kun. Because it will absolutely not last."
Rie-chan's words pierce me. I don't want to break up.
"Toya-kun does not look like the kind of person who would do the things Airi-chan is thinking of. That is why I dare to say this. The resolve to protect, the resolve to believe. The resolve to follow, the courage to forgive. You can see what lies beyond that, can't you, Airi-chan? The single emotion that you can hold precisely because it is for Toya-kun."
That is...
"Because if Airi-chan carries through with what I just said, your feelings will surely reach Toya-kun."
"I-I understand..."
"It's okay, it might be painful, but that is just endurance until a certain bond is formed."
"A bond?"
"Did you forget what Mama said before? The story of when I was fighting with Papa-san."
Ah...
Rie-chan spilled a smile, perhaps realizing that I had noticed it.
"Can you swear to Mama? What I just said."
"I understand... I swear."
"...Rie always smiles for me. When she does, it is a mysterious thing. I find myself thinking that I must not do anything to destroy Rie's smile. You should make someone who makes you feel that way your spouse."
Papa-san said.
At that moment, I held resolve, I held courage. And I resolved to always be smiling.
Because the thing that connects to all of those is a single emotion.
That is the end of my story.
Everyone was listening intently.
Toya-san was also listening quietly.
"Resolve... huh. I hadn't thought that far."
Ai said.
"I might have lacked resolve as well."
Kanna says.
"Airi-chan, you've made up your mind, haven't you?"
When Emi says so, I nodded.
"The emotion I hold precisely because it is for Toya-san. That emotion gives me confidence. The only one in the world who can do that is Toya-san."
"Toya is a lucky man."
Watanabe-kun says.
But I say.
"Actually, everyone has it. After all, you didn't get divorced no matter what happened."
The great bond held by a thin piece of paper called a marriage registration and a small ring.
It's frustrating, but I don't have that yet. But I believe, so I am waiting.
"With this, Toya can't make any clumsy moves."
Makoto-kun says.
Toya-san holds my shoulder.
But for now, I endure.
"Can I look forward to tonight?"
When I whisper that, Toya-san is bewildered for a moment, but he answers with a gentle gaze.
"By the way, what is happening with ALICE-chan?"
Kiritani-kun says.
He probably wanted to change the subject.
"I am doing well. Every week, the live venue is fully packed."
Arisu-san answers.
"Two newcomers also joined the entertainment agency. They are promising prospects aspiring to be actors."
Emi says.
"I'm also curious about how Kitamura-san and Kisaragi-kun are doing."
Ai says.
Even when the alcohol ran out, the topics did not run out, and the banquet continued until late at night.
(4)
When the cherry blossom viewing ended, I went home by driving service.
When we return home, we both take a bath and lie down on the bed in the bedroom.
I didn't know Airi had made such a decision.
To think there was that much meaning in her calling me "Toya-san."
Thinking of such an Airi, I become absorbed in her.
I was immersed in Airi.
And...
"Toya-san, there is still some shochu highball left, what would you like to do?"
"I'll pass today. I'm not really in the mood to get drunk on alcohol."
"Did the talk during the cherry blossom viewing bother you? You don't have to worry about it so much."
"It's not that."
"Eh?"
Tonight, it is not alcohol; I want to get drunk on Airi. When I convey that to Airi, she smiles.
"Thank you very much."
"I am the one who should say thank you."
"That is not true, because I never even thought that such a happy emotion would be waiting."
"That is the same for me too, Airi."
"Is there anywhere you want to go tomorrow?"
When I say so, Airi is pondering.
Did I say something that requires so much pondering?
"It became late tonight, so please rest well tomorrow morning."
"Is that okay?"
"Yes, instead... could you go shopping for dinner with me?"
"Is that really enough?"
"Yes."
Airi, who feels happiness in such trivial things, is so precious that I hug her tightly.
"The first term starts at the beginning of the week, doesn't it?"
"I heard from Saki, but it seems they have their eyes on a student from a private university."
"I see, I'm looking forward to it."
"Indeed."
"Airi, don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Eh?"
"I am happy about Airi's feelings. But that is precisely why I want to accept Airi's discontent."
"Then, could you listen to just one selfish request of mine?"
"What is it?"
Airi hugs me.
"Please promise me that no matter how late at night it is, we will sleep together when we go to sleep."
"...Airi, isn't that tough?"
So saying, Airi giggled.
"Do you understand the meaning? I want you to come home at night no matter how late it is. That is what it means, you know?"
"If it's that, it's fine. I heard at the drinking party, but everyone is married. There won't be any coming home in the morning."
"Then it is fine, isn't it."
"Yeah."
"...Shall we sleep soon?"
"That's right, good night, Airi."
"Good night."
Saying so, Airi fell asleep.
Gently stroking her head, I turn down the lights and sleep as well.
The dream of that day was filled with Airi's love.