Chapter 383 - The Wind Dancing in Spring
(1)
"Toya-san, it's morning. You have work starting today."
I am gently woken up by Airi.
Airi has changed. I'm happy about it, but there's also a part of me that feels a little lonely.
She no longer acts spoiled towards me like before.
Instead, she occasionally requests small favors.
Something like that is no big deal.
I've come to treasure Airi even more than before.
I, too, am being treasured by Airi.
This is what has changed since she revealed her resolve to me during the cherry blossom viewing.
"Breakfast is ready. Please come over once you're ready."
After getting ready, I watch the morning news program while eating Airi's breakfast.
Once I finish eating, it's already time to head to work.
"Here, your bento."
"Thank you."
"Do you have any requests for dinner?"
"I think I'd like to eat tempura."
"Understood. Take care. Do your best at work."
"Thank you, I'm off."
"Have a safe trip."
Seen off by Airi, I commute to work.
Arriving at the office, I put my things in the locker and place my bag under the desk.
After booting up my PC, I check my emails.
There are no particular business communications.
When the scheduled time comes, the morning assembly begins.
Today's morning speech is my turn.
Though nervous, I keep speaking for one minute.
After the speech, there are business communications.
Once that is over, I receive work from Tatsuhiko-senpai.
Since I'm still in my training period, I don't have any clients of my own, and I assist Tatsuhiko-senpai with his work.
It is mainly accounting data entry.
There is an internal office messaging software, and it occasionally makes me laugh.
Much of the talk in the office is about basketball.
There is a B.League team we support.
It was a local team, but it was acquired by Ehime.
I wonder how they'll do this year?
That said, since the league hasn't started yet, the main topics are things like player reputations.
It seems they are interested in sports in general.
"Toya, I heard you're friends with Tada Makoto?"
"Yeah, I just went cherry blossom viewing with him last week."
"Get me an autograph next time."
"I'll ask him if I have time."
I proceed with my work while having such conversations over chat.
When lunchtime comes, I eat my bento with Tatsuhiko-senpai and Natsumi-san.
"By the way, Toya. Do you play mahjong or anything?"
"No, I don't even know the rules."
"That's perfect. Want to go play mahjong tonight? I'll teach you the rules."
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm sorry. My girlfriend is waiting for me."
Besides, this person definitely intends to fleece me.
"If you're a working adult, you should at least learn mahjong!"
"Uehara! Stop picking on the newcomer just because you're weak!"
Koriyama-senpai said.
"But playing three-player mahjong all the time is boring! And if the President joins, it turns into business entertainment. Besides, socializing with clients is necessary, right?"
"True, entertaining clients with basketball is tough. ...At the very least, it might be better to learn golf."
Shimoda-senpai said.
He added a word, saying, "Don't worry, we don't do side bets." (T/N: "Nigiri" refers to playing golf for side bets/stakes.)
Maybe I do need to learn at least golf.
Maybe I'll buy some equipment next time.
I'll have to consult with Airi.
As we talk about such things, the lunch break ends.
Once the afternoon work is finished without any issues, I hand it over to Tatsuhiko-senpai.
"OK. I'll check it later. Though since it's Toya's work, I doubt there'll be any problems. Good work."
"I'll be leaving now. Thank you for your hard work."
Around this time, almost everyone leaves on time.
Apparently, it gets busy at the end of the month.
That said, because the digitization of work has progressed, it seems to have eased up compared to the old days.
Once work is over, I go straight home.
When I get home, Airi is waiting.
"Welcome home."
Airi's warm words are waiting for me.
"I'm home."
I hand my things to Airi.
"Would you like to take a bath first?"
"It'd be bad if the food got cold, right? I'll eat."
"I wanted you to have it freshly fried, so I haven't fried it yet. I'll finish it while you're in the bath."
"In that case, I'll take a bath first."
"Yes."
While I am in the bath, Airi fries the tempura.
Once I'm done, she sets the table.
Then, Airi and I open some chuhai.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Good work to you too, Airi."
As we eat while watching TV, Airi asks, "How is work? Have you gotten used to it yet?"
I explain to Airi.
Since I'm still in my probationary period, I'm only doing accounting data entry. Right now is the off-season, but next month we enter the busy season, so there might be overtime.
I tell her that even with overtime, we can apparently leave by 21:00, so it won't be that late.
Airi listens with a smile the whole time. Ah, there was something I needed to tell her.
"I'd like to do some shopping this weekend, is that okay?"
"Is there something you want?"
"Golf equipment. Apparently, it's necessary for entertaining clients."
"Since it's a necessary expense, it can't be helped... but..."
But?
"Toya-san, you can handle golf too, but will it really be entertainment?"
"Apparently, it's better not to hold back clumsily."
"I see."
Airi is smiling.
"Did you go to Blue Bird today?"
"Yes, I've gotten the hang of the housework, so my afternoons are free. I'm sorry, while you're working, Toya-san."
"It's not like I'm working non-stop either. I have break times. You can rest too, Airi."
"Thank you. Speaking of Blue Bird, that reminds me. It seems there were a lot of people joining the Watanabe Group at the university today."
"Is that so? What kind of people?"
"A kid from the Private University, and a kid from the local university. Also, a friend of Arisu's from the Private University apparently joined."
That many joined on the very first day?
"Thank you for the meal, it was delicious."
"You're very welcome. I'm glad to hear you say that."
After finishing the cleanup, Airi takes a bath.
Meanwhile, I watch TV in the living room.
When Airi returns, she sits next to me.
Past 23:00, around the time the drama ends, we go to the bedroom.
I get into bed with Airi and turn on the TV. I check today's news.
"If you stay up too late, it will affect tomorrow morning."
Told so by Airi, I turn off the TV and fall asleep.
Airi also seems tired and falls asleep quickly.
It would be a pity to stay up too late and trouble Airi in the morning.
Thinking that, I close my eyelids too.
Business golf, huh... the time I have to dote on Airi will decrease.
In that case, I'll dote on her to my heart's content during the time I can.
While thinking about such things, before I knew it, I was asleep.
(2)
The first semester starts today.
After taking classes with Yuma, everyone gathers at the school cafeteria during lunch break.
"No noteworthy information has come in, has it?"
When I said that, Haruto reacted.
"I don't know if he's suitable for the Watanabe Group, but I heard about a noteworthy guy."
"What kind of guy is he?"
"A really flashy, shallow guy. I heard he's a smug, unpleasant bastard."
"Well, that's interesting."
If I can make contact, I'd like to try. That's what I thought.
"What are you going to do by increasing the numbers so much? I think any more than this would be too many."
Kitamura-san says.
It's not like the graduates have retired, so shouldn't we avoid increasing the numbers any further?
However, as someone entrusted by Watanabe-senpai, I have a duty to recruit suitable personnel.
"What's his department?"
"He said Faculty of Science and Engineering."
"Understood. I'll make contact."
It'll be faster to talk to him directly.
"That's Umemoto, right? Apparently, he's looking for the Watanabe Group, so he might be found surprisingly easily."
Manabe-kun said.
Apparently, his name is Umemoto.
If he's looking for the Watanabe Group, that's convenient.
"Manabe-kun, Haruto. If you manage to make contact with him, please let me know. It would help if you could steer him to come to Blue Bird."
"Are you seriously going to let him in?!"
Manabe-kun asked.
I nodded.
"I-Is that going to be okay?"
Iori asks.
"The Watanabe Group isn't so weak that a pushover like him can do anything to us. I'll turn the tables on him."
I said so.
And then, as the afternoon classes ended and I was walking with Yuma, the target came from the other side.
"Hey, you're cute. Do you know any good circles? I'm looking for a group called the Watanabe Group, but your circle would be fine too. Have you joined any circle?"
"How about you start by introducing yourself first?"
"Ah, sorry. My name is Umemoto Towa. It's written as 'eternity' but read as Towa. What's your name?"
"Takemoto Saki. The one next to me is my husband, Takemoto Yuma."
When I said that, Yuma gave a light bow.
"You're married? Did your parents allow it?"
"I'm already of age, so I'll decide my own partner myself."
"No way! I totally thought you were the same age as me. Because you're super cute. ...By any chance, are you the rumored Hanayama-san?"
"I don't know what kind of rumor it is, but you're probably right."
"There's already a rumor that you're married. So, Saki-san, are you also a member of the Watanabe Group? If it's okay, could you let me join?"
"Sure."
A pushover, just like the rumors said. It'll be a sight to see how Toya-kun cooks him up.
"So, what do we do for activities?"
"You just have to chat at the coffee shop in front of the station called Blue Bird. Other than that, we occasionally have drinking parties together."
"That sounds like a super fun group. Are there any joining requirements?"
"Not particularly. I interview them, and if I think they're suitable, I let them in."
"Saki-chan, you chose me, didn't you? Thank you."
Umemoto squeezes both of my hands. Yuma gives a bitter smile seeing that.
"Well, I'll go today, so it's Blue Bird, right?"
"Yes, see you later."
Umemoto walked away. Yuma asks.
"Is this going to be okay? He seemed like an incredibly superficial guy. Even more than Haruto."
"That's why I decided on him. Emi-senpai and the others would probably like him, right? Though I don't know if he'll last."
It seems interesting. That was my intuition.
I'll leave the rest to Senpai's judgment.
I sent a message to Watanabe-senpai.
"I'll leave it to Saki."
A message came back from Watanabe-senpai immediately.
I had confidence.
What kind of partner would be good?
But there was no need to even think about that.
(3)
"This woman is getting cocky!"
Such angry shouting could be heard.
It's turning into a bit of a commotion.
When I blend into the commotion,
three men are surrounding a single woman.
They are a trio of bad-behaved thugs, but the woman is no less bad-behaved in appearance.
She has blonde hair and three piercings in her right ear.
She is wearing a denim miniskirt, a red shirt under a green jacket.
The woman, wearing a blue hat and white sneakers, is blowing bubble gum while looking at the men.
Her face is quite pretty, but apparently, the men called out to her and it turned into an argument.
"I only told the truth! Don't think all women will spread their legs for guys like you who have nothing but sex on their minds!"
Is this a case of them trying to hit on her, getting rejected, and then snapping?
"Looks like you won't learn until you experience some pain!"
With the exception of some departments, this university is famous for having poorly behaved students, but I think pulling out weapons in broad daylight is a bit much.
I can't just stand by and watch blankly.
I step in between the woman and the men.
"I don't know the circumstances, but I think it's a bit much for three grown men to pull out weapons against a single woman~"
"Who the hell are you?"
"Just a passing university student~. ...I don't have a name to give to men of your level."
"You want to get beaten up too?!"
I instruct the woman who was being harassed to step back.
"Every single one of you is looking down on us!"
One of the men raises a blade and attacks.
...An amateur holding a blade isn't scary.
I kick his wide-open flank.
I follow up by kicking the chin of the man clutching his stomach.
The man fell flat on his back.
Apparently, he didn't even know how to break his fall.
The remaining two flinch.
I say a word to those men.
"Do you guys want to suffer the same fate too~?"
The men carried the fallen man and left.
"I owe you one. You saved me. Thanks. My name is Sakuragi Shoko. Who are you?"
"Hiyama Sakura. You shouldn't deal with those kinds of men so bluntly~"
As I said that, I recalled the name Sakuragi Shoko.
The kid rumored to be cheeky who entered this year.
"I want to thank you somehow. Do you know any good shops?"
"...Do you have a car~?"
"Yeah, I do."
"It's a bit far, is that okay~?"
"That's fine, but?"
"Then, how about we grab some tea? There's a good shop. It's called Blue Bird?"
"Blue Bird, as in the shop where that group that summons happiness gathers?"
The rumors seem to have reached the Private University as well.
"That's right. I'm also a member of the group~"
"Sorry, but I'm good on that kind of thing. I have no intention of getting a boyfriend."
"I have no intention of forcing a coupling on you~. But there are benefits to joining the group."
"Benefits?"
"You can use it as an excuse to reject guys when you get harassed by people like those earlier. It's basically a group that does nothing~"
"If that's the case, let me join. I'll feel safe in a group with someone like Hiyama-san~"
"Sakura is fine. Can we exchange smartphone IDs?"
After exchanging smartphone IDs, I first check with Saki.
Once permission is granted by Saki, I invite her to the group.
"Is this all?"
Sakuragi-san asked.
"Yes. Well then, shall we go?"
After explaining the location, we headed to Blue Bird.
(4)
"Ouch."
"Ah, I'm sorry."
The woman I passed in the hallway. She was a beautiful woman.
"Hey, watch where you're walking! That's dangerous!"
"I'm sorry."
"What a clumsy guy."
That was our first encounter.
The next time we met was on the way home from school.
She was being harassed by a man.
"I know a delicious restaurant, how about we grab dinner together? You haven't joined any circles, right? You've got to make the most of your student life. Studying isn't the only thing that matters."
"Studying is obviously the most important thing. What do you think I came to school for?"
"By any chance, do you have a boyfriend?"
"I struggle to understand how you reached that conclusion. Men are just a distraction from studying."
"I'll prove to you that's not true. Just once is fine, let's hang out together."
The man pulls the woman's arm.
"Ouch! I said I don't want to! Let go!"
I couldn't just leave her.
"Um, she's clearly uncomfortable, so you should probably stop..."
I said so.
"Who is this plain guy? An acquaintance of yours?"
"Ah! The clumsy guy from this morning!"
What a terrible way to be remembered.
"Is he an acquaintance?"
"I don't know him, he's just some irrelevant guy who happened to bump into me this morning!"
What a truly terrible impression.
"So, as you can see, could you not get in the way?"
The man glares intimidatingly. Scary.
Then, another intervener appeared.
"Even if you say that, a man can't just leave it alone. Your actions are worthy of praise."
That man was very tall, had a great build, and was also very handsome.
"Well, that being the case, I have business with these two, so could you please take your leave for today?"
"Who are you?"
"Nishimatsu Keisuke. If I say I'm a member of the Watanabe Group, will you understand?"
"T-The Watanabe Group... tsk."
Saying so, the man walked away.
"Thank you very much."
I thanked Nishimatsu-san.
"Thank you very much. Well then, I'll be going."
The woman said so and tried to leave.
"Could you wait? I believe I said we have business with both of you."
"You might have business, but I don't."
"She's tough."
Nishimatsu-san wears a relaxed smile.
"You said university has no value other than studying, right?"
"Yes. Are you hitting on me too?"
"Unfortunately, I have a wife. Hitting on you is out of the question."
"Then, what business do you have?"
"You have nothing to do other than studying, right?"
"That's right, but?"
"Then, why don't you play a game with me to pass the time?"
"A game?"
She seemed to show interest.
"Is there really nothing else to do besides studying? Why don't we test that? I won't do anything to interfere with your studies."
"...Is this a circle recruitment?"
"Something like that."
"Sorry, but I'm not that free."
"I told you, right? I won't interfere with your studies. I'm not telling you to participate in activities every day. Just participating in events as a breather is fine."
"...How often?"
"As you like."
"Understood, I'll participate in this game of yours. What should I do?"
"First, what is your name?"
"Takanashi Tsubame."
"Then, Takanashi-san. Could you come to the place I'm about to tell you?"
"A coffee shop? Understood."
Nishimatsu-san looks at me and thinks for a moment.
"What is your name?"
"Yamanashi Akisora."
"Then, Yamanashi-kun, you come too."
He gave me directions to the location as well.
Coffee Shop Blue Bird.
And so, just as Nishimatsu-san said, we headed to Blue Bird.
(5)
"Ishihara-kun, your report was perfect. I'll pass it straight to the higher-ups."
"Yes."
"Ishihara-kun, is the analysis of that case not done yet?"
"I'll finish it by the end of today."
"Please do."
"Amazing. What incredible growth in just one week."
Sunahara-senpai said.
"Thank you very much."
"I'm looking forward to next month's presentation."
"I'll do my best."
Right, I need to prepare for the presentation too.
An email arrived on my computer.
I had told Emi to contact me via PC email because I can't check my smartphone during work.
I open the email.
"We're doing interviews for newcomers today, so after work. Can you come?"
"I have work I want to finish up today, so if after that is fine."
"Got it. Let me know when you're done."
Today looks like it'll be busy too.
After clearing up my work, I head to USE.
"Good work today."
The receptionist said.
"Where is Emi?"
"She's in the reception room."
"Thank you."
When I go to the reception room, Arisu-san and a pair of strangers around the same age as Arisu-san are there.
One is a baby-faced girl with short brown hair, seemingly wearing no makeup.
The other is a pretty girl with a ponytail. She is slim and tall.
And there is also a young man of about the same age. He is stylish and handsome.
I ask Emi about the situation.
This time, they seem to be aspiring comedians who want to work as a duo. The other guy is a candidate for manager who happened to apply.
"So, did you do the audition?"
I ask Emi.
"They have talent, but I recommended they either attend a training school or apprentice under a veteran comedian, but..."
Apparently, they absolutely want to debut with us.
"Could I also ask this of you? I'm childhood friends with the two of them."
Arisu-san says.
We have also only just started our agency.
We want talent so badly we could practically taste it.
I ask Honda-san, who is in charge of comedy.
"Ideally, I'd want them to undergo training, though."
He says it's a difficult world to jump straight into.
However, we ourselves also jumped suddenly into the entertainment industry.
The condition of starting from scratch is the same.
"What are the names of the three?"
The comedy duo consists of the short-haired girl, Shinohara Mizuki, and the ponytail girl, Yoshino Kasumi.
The manager candidate is Ohara Noriyuki.
"The audition went fine, right?"
"Yes, they have talent, though they feel like late bloomers."
"...I think it's fine to go with what Emi is thinking."
"Is that okay?"
"Yeah, let's have the three of them undergo training together."
Smiles break out on the faces of the three.
"First, we'll have them do manzai as the opening act for ALICE. In the meantime, Noriyuki-kun will practice securing jobs, even if it's just performances at shopping malls. Of course, while managing the two of them."
"Yes!"
"We look forward to working with you."
"We'll do our best!"
"Thank you very much."
Finally, Arisu-san bows her head.
Looking at Arisu-san, I had a flash of inspiration.
"Emi, how about these two for the Watanabe Group?"
"Eh?"
Emi asks back.
"We can test these two out at a Watanabe Group drinking party. If they get a laugh in the Watanabe Group, it'll build their confidence, right?"
"That's a good idea. I'll ask Watanabe-kun right away."
Emi operates her smartphone.
"He says it's fine!"
"Then, invite the two of them."
"Got it."
Emi has the two join the Watanabe Group.
After sorting out the details, the three leave.
"Emi, with those two, our finances again..."
"It's fine. Anan and Naka are also taking on work, little by little. ALICE's sales are amazing too, so we're not in the red."
"That's good then."
"Shall we head home too? Nozomi, you must be tired too."
The clock had passed 22:00.
We went home.
"Even so, Nozomi, you've changed."
"Eh?"
"Starting work made me realize it clearly. You've become a very reliable husband."
"Thank you. Shall we go to a family restaurant today too?"
"Let's."
A man changes when he takes on responsibility. With a sense of responsibility, one can be reborn.
I was feeling that truth firsthand.
(6)
"Don't come near me, you creep!!"
Sakuragi-san let out a shout.
We also turned around instinctively.
"Sorry, sorry. When I see a cute girl like you, I just can't help myself."
"Don't say such disgusting lines!"
Sakuragi-san is clearly showing disgust toward Umemoto-kun.
And the two that Nishimatsu-kun brought along, Takanashi-san and Yamanashi-kun, also have an awkward air about them.
"Nishimatsu-senpai, is this supposed to be a way to pass the time?"
"...It's a good show, isn't it?"
"How foolish."
Takanashi-san says so.
Yamanashi-kun doesn't say anything.
"You could at least tell me your name, couldn't you? I'm Umemoto..."
"I don't have a name to give to someone like you!"
We found the exchange among the four of them quite heartwarming.
Akira especially must feel that way.
As proof, the corners of Akira's mouth are turned up.
"Well, I suppose we should at least introduce ourselves."
Akira says.
Everyone began to introduce themselves.
"This is a group with quite a lot of women, isn't it?"
"That's because everyone's husband is working."
When I said that, Umemoto-kun was surprised.
And he says this.
"Meeting in a group like this must be fate. If you'd like, why don't we exchange contact info?"
"Who would do that with someone like you!"
It seems Umemoto-kun has set his sights on Sakuragi-san.
On the other hand, Yamanashi-kun and Takanashi-san are in a state of cold war.
Yamanashi-kun is bewildered, in a state where he isn't even allowed to strike up a conversation.
Takanashi-san is reading a reference book, acting as if it has nothing to do with her.
"Since today is the first time you're all meeting, try to get along."
I say.
"What kind of group has a guy who makes the worst possible first impression?"
Sakuragi-san says.
"That's something to look forward to."
I reply.
"Ah, I need to start preparing dinner soon."
Once Tosaka-senpai leaves, all the housewives head home.
"Ah, I have part-time work soon too. See you, Shoko-chan."
"Don't call me by my name so casually!"
Once Umemoto-kun leaves, Sakuragi-san presses Sakura.
"Is this the group with benefits that you were talking about?! You're not going to tell me that guy is my partner, are you?"
"We don't do that kind of pushy stuff. It just happens naturally."
Nishimatsu-kun says.
"This is ridiculous. I'm going home too!"
Sakuragi-san also went home.
"Shall we take our leave too, Yamanashi-kun?"
"Eh? Ah... yes."
Thus, the only ones left were me, Sakura, and Nishimatsu-kun.
"Was that really okay?"
Nishimatsu-kun says.
"It's fine~. For all their complaining, not a single one of the four has left."
"Katagiri-senpai is busy too, so we have to think for ourselves."
"True..."
We have to manage on our own without relying on the magic called Katagiri-senpai.
But we had no anxiety.
All four of them hate it. But that isn't indifference.
I understood that much, at least, from today's meeting.
If we were able to use the magic called miracles, isn't the effect already showing?
I had such a premonition.
(7)
I wake up in the morning.
Slipping quietly out of bed so as not to wake Toya-san, I begin preparing breakfast.
At the same time, I have to make his bento.
Since Toya-san eats bread in the morning, it doesn't take much effort.
Instead, I have to make sure he eats a proper lunch bento.
Timing it with when Toya-san wakes up, I start toasting the bread and go to wake him.
"Toya-san, it's morning. Wake up."
"Good morning, Airi."
Once the toast is ready: jam, butter, margarine.
He spreads whichever he likes and eats.
Occasionally, when I put sliced cheese on top and toast it for him, he is delighted.
While watching the news, Toya-san eats breakfast.
Once he finishes breakfast, I hand Toya-san his bento and see him off.
After that, I clear the dishes and put Toya-san's discarded clothes scattered around the room into the washing machine.
While the washing machine is running, I clean the room.
The weather is nice today.
Maybe I'll air out the futons too?
Once I hang the futons on the balcony, the laundry finishes.
I iron, fold, and store them away, and the morning ends.
When I feel lonely, I send Toya-san a message.
Then, a phone call comes.
"Airi, what are you doing right now?"
"I've just finished lunch."
"It looks like I'll be able to head home at the usual time today too."
"Yes."
Toya-san has also only been with the company for a little over a week. Since he probably wants to get along with the other employees, I keep it brief and hang up.
Because just being able to hear your voice makes me happy.
Once I finish cleaning up lunch, I bring in the futons and watch a daytime talk show.
When the time is right, I go out shopping.
While I'm out, I stop by Blue Bird.
Four new people have joined, and it has become lively.
Everyone is unique and fun.
Their interactions are nostalgic and heartwarming.
When the time comes, I leave the shop.
Returning home, I prepare dinner.
After a while, Toya-san returns home.
"Welcome home."
Thank you for your hard work.
Toya-san tells me about what happened at the company.
It seems there are no issues with interpersonal relationships.
I also talk about what happened at Blue Bird.
"I see~," Toya-san listens to me.
Spending such a relaxing time, we pass the evening and fall asleep.
I fall asleep in Toya-san's arms.
Thus the day ends, and another new morning arrives.