Chapter 387 - A Bouquet for You
(1)
"Toya-san, it's morning."
"Good morning, Airi. But isn't today Saturday?"
Did I have holiday work?
"Today is Kanna and Makoto-kun's wedding. We have to get ready."
Ah, that's right.
Once I finish getting dressed, I eat breakfast.
But they really are getting married one after another, the Watanabe group.
Makoto and Kanna are finally having their wedding ceremony, huh.
The only ones who went on a honeymoon were about Sakai-kun and Manabe-kun.
When I asked if Makoto and his bride weren't going,
"I'm in the middle of the season right now, right? I don't have time to go."
is what he said.
He said their destination was still undecided.
Apparently, Makoto wanted the Philippines as their travel destination, but Kanna flatly rejected it, saying, "Are you wishing for a speed divorce?"
Honestly, even though he should have learned by now.
Airi and I were the same as always.
We should be the same as always, but Airi seems to already consider herself married and is putting into practice the lessons her mother told her.
When that happens, one naturally gets impatient, so I asked Airi if we should at least register our marriage, but
"You're going to let me hear some wonderful words on Christmas Eve, aren't you? I'm looking forward to it," she told me.
Airi finishes tidying up and is cleaning.
I am banished to the bedroom.
"You can rest on a holiday, you know. I'm resting too."
"Toya-san will make up for it by being gentle at night, so don't worry about it."
Saying so, she does not stop her housework.
Once the cleaning and laundry are done, she takes a breath.
During that time, Airi looks like she wants attention, so I keep her company.
If this keeps Airi in a good mood, it's a small price to pay.
Or rather, since we started living together, I haven't heard any complaints from Airi at all.
"Airi..."
"Yes?"
"Lately, I don't really hear any complaints, but are you okay?"
Is there no fault on my part?
But Airi says:
"Did I... do something to displease you? I'm sorry."
"Ah, no, that's not it. I was just worried if you were bottling things up."
"Toya-san comes home early, gives me attention on holidays, and is a gentle husband who always cares about me, after all."
It seems she has no complaints.
I didn't ask any further.
If I'm too persistent, it might have the opposite effect.
When noon comes, Airi begins preparing lunch.
And once we eat lunch, Airi tidies up and then begins to change her clothes.
Once she is dressed and holding her bag, she says, "I'm ready."
I change too and leave the house.
The usual hair salon.
Airi gets her hair styled. I have mine styled too.
Then we take the bus and get off in front of the station.
We walk from the station to the tower hotel where the ceremony is held.
"Those two are finally having their wedding ceremony too."
"Yes, finally."
"I wonder if those two will do well?"
"Kanna's grumbling and complaints have decreased. Ever since that incident."
That incident was Makoto getting caught in a pregnancy scam.
Apparently, he reflected deeply on it.
When Makoto said he had improved his lifestyle, it seems Kiritani-kun also started to worry about Ai-san.
He even proactively does housework now, apparently.
It seems Nakajima-kun is the same.
From the Tada family, the Mozu family, the soccer team coach, and so on, only Airi and I from the Watanabe group will attend the chapel, while the rest of the Watanabe group will attend the reception.
The venue for the after-party is the usual party hall.
It seems everyone from the Watanabe group will participate there.
For entertainment, there will apparently be performances by ALICE and Mustard.
Arriving at the hotel, we hand over the wedding gift money at the reception desk.
We go up to the 20th floor and wait.
It's a restaurant we often come to for Christmas and such.
Apparently, a chapel is also prepared.
We sit in our seats and wait for Kanna and the others to appear.
(2)
Knock knock.
"It's me, can I come in?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
Makoto came in.
"Whoa, you look incredibly beautiful."
"Thanks."
"Well, you two take it easy together until it starts."
Mother says so and leaves the room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I can finally show my gratitude to Kanna."
"I didn't have a wedding ceremony just to hear such uninspiring things."
"True. A lot has happened, but we finally made it here. This is all thanks to Kanna."
"Don't make me say it twice. I don't want to hear those kinds of words."
"Kanna... I love you."
"Yeah, thank you... I love you too. Thank you for today."
"It's fine, at least this much. Ah, can I take a picture?"
"Sure, but..."
Makoto is taking pictures with his smartphone.
"Apparently, a photographer is going to take photos for us later."
"Was that so?!"
It seems Makoto didn't know.
"Hey, Makoto."
"What's up?"
"Are you really sure about me?"
Aren't you disappointed in nagging old me? Don't you regret it?
"I told you earlier, the reason I've made it this far is thanks to Kanna. I've finally been able to repay Kanna."
"Yeah. But you don't have to think about repaying me. The two of us walked all the way here together."
And we will surely walk together from now on as well.
"Yeah."
"Is it about time you are ready?"
A staff member is calling from outside.
"Well, see you later."
"Yeah, see you later."
The ceremony began.
I walk down the virgin road with Mother.
Mother has faint tears in her eyes.
"Don't cry, Mother. I want you to send me off with a smile."
"After everything that happened to you, I'm just so happy that you're welcoming a day like this."
"I've been happy up until now. And I will be from now on too."
At the altar, Makoto and Makoto's father are waiting.
Makoto receives me from Mother.
"I have indeed received her. From now on, I will definitely make Kanna happy."
"Please do."
Then we exchange our vows.
And then the bouquet pull is held.
The one who drew it was Airi.
Airi is delighted.
The ceremony ended without a hitch. We moved to the reception venue.
(3)
We shared a table with Airi and the Watanabe couple.
Airi is looking at Kanna enviously.
"Kanna is beautiful, isn't she?"
"...Do you long for it too, Airi?"
"I am a woman too, after all."
There's no way there is a woman who doesn't long for it, Airi says.
"But please don't rush. Because I believe a promised future is waiting for me."
Airi says so and laughs.
"Airi, even though it looks like that, a dress is hard to walk in and quite exhausting, you know?"
"Mika, consider the time and place. That's not something to say right now, is it?"
Watanabe-kun rebukes Mika-san.
A high-quality French course was waiting at the reception.
I savor it.
But the Airi of before was not there.
She is just smiling, saying, "Even if you don't eat in such a hurry, the food won't run away, you know?"
The entertainment was handled by ALICE and Mustard.
ALICE performed a wedding song, and Mustard performed a wedding comedy routine.
I also sang a folk song while playing the guitar.
A congratulatory telegram had arrived from Yukari-san and Aya.
Let's be happy together.
Apparently, those two had a wedding ceremony too.
"Thank you all for gathering here today. Thanks to you, we were able to take our new step forward amidst everyone's warm blessings."
There was a greeting from Kanna and Makoto.
The reception ended, and we moved to the location of the after-party.
It's the usual party hall.
The after-party was held with only the Watanabe group.
Everyone greets Makoto and Kanna.
We also offered our words of congratulations to Kanna.
"Kanna, congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Makoto, drink up today too..."
"No, I'll pass for today."
"What's wrong?"
"Well, today is our wedding night, right? I want to thoroughly enjoy it."
When he says things like that...
"Do you want to make me angry so early in our marriage?"
"W-Wait, I mean as a sacred ritual..."
"Makoto-kun is the same as always."
Airi is laughing.
"Airi, this is no time for you to be laughing either. Next is your turn."
Kanna says.
"Yeah, but I'm happy even as things are now..."
Airi says.
Once the greetings were finished, we returned to our seats.
There, a live performance by ALICE and Mustard was held as well.
Apparently, Mustard's routine was made using episodes of Makoto and Kiritani-kun and the others as material.
While enjoying those, I savor the food.
"Please be careful not to overeat."
Airi is gentle.
When gentle words are spoken to you, a human tends to become honest, so I held back just a little bit.
Instead, I decided to enjoy my conversation with Airi.
When Mustard's live performance ends, karaoke time begins.
Everyone sings the songs they each associated with weddings.
Songs blessing the two flow.
Airi was singing too.
I'll give a bouquet to you, my beloved.
Because no matter what words I line up, they aren't enough to praise you, so today I will present a bouquet to you.
Airi returned to her seat and said:
"Since we're here, why don't you sing a song for them too, Toya-san?"
Prompted by Airi, I decided to sing a song.
Walking close together, giving shape to eternal love, I want to laugh by your side forever.
"Thank you" and "I love you" aren't enough, but at least let me say, "I am happy."
Rather than a song gifted to Kanna and the others, that was a message from me to Airi.
Perhaps Airi sensed that too, as her face is turning red.
When I returned to my seat, Airi said, "You mustn't, you know. Today is a celebration for Kanna and Makoto-kun."
When the after-party ended, Kosei, Naru, and the Tada couple went home.
Apparently, Makoto was serious.
"Well, the rest of you have fun together. I have my own fun waiting for me."
The fact that he's saying it with a straight face is amazing.
"Thank you for today."
Kanna said so too.
Someone teases, "Tada-kun, make sure to use contraception. Kanna-san hasn't even been at the company for a month yet."
Makoto goes, "Idiot, it's our wedding night! That part is... Ow!"
"You, cut it out already!" Kanna says.
And so, the four of them went home.
"Well, shall we enjoy ourselves in our own way?"
When Watanabe-kun says so, we moved to the third-party karaoke.
"Are Ai and Honoka okay?"
Airi is asking the two of them.
Apparently, they are fine because Ai-san is on the semi-night shift and Honoka-san is on the late-night shift.
"We have to stretch our wings once in a while, after all."
Ai-san is laughing.
They are doing well, aren't they?
I wonder if people adapt to a new environment after about a month.
Before I know it, Airi is clinging to my arm.
"What's wrong?"
"Because it's been a while since we walked through the city like this..."
I see.
Accepting Airi's modest wishes, we walked slowly.
(4)
When we get home, Kanna changes and collapses onto the bed, saying, "I'm so tired~"
"Good work."
Once I change too, I take a shower and come out.
Then, Kanna doesn't twitch a muscle, remaining collapsed.
When I quietly approach her, Kanna is asleep.
She really was exhausted.
I grab a canned beer stocked in the refrigerator and watch TV while drinking.
It really is true that being a bride is tough.
As expected, I can't do something as cruel as shaking Kanna awake when she's exhausted.
I try booting up the PC.
It's not like I'm doing anything suspicious.
It's just simple net surfing.
I am taking every precaution.
I won't look at suspicious sites either.
Mental preparation for newlywed life.
I was tracing search terms like that.
It feels a bit late for that, but because things have been the way they were up until now.
Because watching Toya and Tosaka-san brought many things we were lacking into sharp relief.
To be taught by an unmarried couple shows I still have a long way to go.
I want to avoid a newlywed life that would make those two feel anxious.
While doing that kind of search, there was a phrase that caught my eye.
There is no wasted day in married life.
Married life might suddenly end one day.
That's not just divorce.
The fear of suddenly disappearing from before your eyes always clings to you.
So let's spend every day cherishing it.
Because you are here, the moment that repeatedly buds is everything.
I'll be by your side forever, let's stay close forever.
Unstained by the headwind.
Even the fear of losing you is shining.
Because the moment that repeatedly buds is everything, let us rejoice in joy, grieve in sadness, live our lives, and dream while awake.
Let's make it echo forever, even to the ends of this world.
I love you forever.
Let's play the sound of the wind's beginning.
Each and every day of life becomes a precious memory.
There was such a message.
"Heh, so even Makoto worries about that."
When I look back, Kanna is standing there.
"Sorry, once I let my guard down, I ended up falling asleep."
"It's fine, you're tired, right? Take it easy."
"...I'm going to take a shower."
Saying so, Kanna went to take a shower.
After a while, she comes back.
And she hugs me from behind.
"What did we come home early for?"
"Because Kanna would be worn out too?"
"...Are you a cold husband who leaves his worn-out, tired wife alone to fiddle with a PC?"
Even I can understand the intent behind what Kanna is saying.
"...Is it okay?"
"It's a commemoration, after all."
I thought for a moment and said:
"Did you bring protection?"
Kanna laughed and answered.
"Yes, a new one."
"Can I use it?"
"...Yes."
We get into bed.
Kanna is beginning to take off her clothes.
I said while looking at Kanna:
"Should we move once things settle down?"
"Eh?"
Kanna is surprised.
"We should have enough leeway to live in a slightly wider place."
Kanna shook her head.
"I don't intend to work forever either, I want to devote myself to raising children. Let's think about it when we have a child. The current size is enough for the two of us."
Kanna says so and clings to me.
"The narrowness of a single bed is also just right for feeling your warmth. I'm sorry for being so busy and not being able to give you attention."
Kanna says so.
That night was spent while feeling Kanna's heat.
(5)
The third party was lively.
Even Sakuragi-san, whom I thought would be difficult, had taken a step forward.
Though it seemed Umemoto-kun was carrying a bit of dissatisfaction in his usual manner.
However, he was taking even that dissatisfaction positively.
So that his eyes wouldn't wander to women other than herself, she was asserting that she wanted him to look only at her.
Umemoto-kun seemed to feel that too, and before long, he had entered a world of just the two of them with Sakuragi-san.
Takanashi-san was also talking the night away together with Yamanashi-san.
With Miyuki-san included, they were eagerly listening to the mental preparation of a doctor.
Apparently, Miyuki-san was the ideal for both of them.
Next is finding a partner for Yoshino-san, huh.
"Aren't they doing well, the new members too?"
When Watanabe-kun says so, I nod.
"It seems there's no need to worry."
I say.
"Next is Ishihara-kun and his group's turn, huh."
Watanabe-kun says to Ishihara-kun.
Ishihara-kun nods strongly.
"The spring of the Watanabe group will probably continue forever."
Watanabe-kun says.
"How about Airi and you? It seems you're doing well, though."
Ai-san asked Airi.
"Not quite yet, I suppose? It seems I'm making Toya-san worry."
Well, aren't you working constantly? Of course I'd worry.
"What do you mean?"
Ai-san asked.
"I'm worried that Toya-san is being too considerate of me and isn't able to rest freely."
"Airi-chan, there is absolutely nothing good about letting a man be free. You have to keep a tight grip on the reins."
"It's exactly as Emi says. Men do nothing good when you let them be free."
Emi-san and Mika-san say.
"But there are also times when he seems to be afraid of me... Even when he goes to a company golf tournament on a day off, he says so apologetically."
"Hey, Katagiri-kun, come over here! What is the meaning of this?! What are you doing making Airi anxious!"
Isn't what they're saying contradictory?
Don't let him be free. But if I'm considerate of Airi, they say I'm making her anxious.
"It's not that Toya-san is bad. Toya-san is really gentle, you know. But he even begrudges the time to play games."
"That's not it, Airi. The reason I don't play games is because I'm too tired for that. Right now, there's something else I'm absorbed in."
"What is that?"
"For example, studying for the national exam in August... and I have a hobby called Airi."
"I am a hobby?"
Airi asks back.
"When I look at the usual Airi, you are truly lovely. Making Airi happy is the thing I should be most passionate about right now. So Airi, please don't blame yourself. It makes even me sad."
"...I am a happy person, aren't I?"
"I'm the one who is happy. We're both happy. Isn't that fine?"
When I say so, Airi smiles.
"Ah, i'm so jealous of Airi. What a wonderful husband. A prime catch like this doesn't come around often!"
Ai-san says.
"Tonight, let's drink with Airi's lovey-dovey stories as our side dish!"
Mika-san says.
Airi thought for a bit and then said:
"Actually, after the welcome party the other day, he slept, but..."
"Yes, yes."
Everyone is listening.
"Because Toya-san was tired, I let him sleep until evening."
"What were you doing, Airi-chan?"
Emi-san asks.
"I was doing housework."
The women glare at me.
"...But when he woke up after that, he regretted it so much. He looked so pitiful, so I asked, 'Then, may I make a request?'"
"What was the request?"
"To take me shopping for dinner. Toya-san took me. He even held my hand. I was so happy."
Airi speaks truly happily.
"What other stories are there?"
"Like how he wakes up properly in the morning, comes straight home when work is over, and keeps me company the whole time on days off."
Airi's stories continued until dawn.
When morning comes, we return home.
And once we take a shower and enter the bedroom, I wait for Airi.
I watch Airi take a shower and dry her hair.
"You could have gone to sleep ahead of me, though."
"Since we're here, I wanted to sleep together."
"I'm happy."
When Airi finishes drying her hair, we get into bed together.
"Airi, I have a request."
"What is it?"
"When you wake up at noon, Airi, will you wake me up?"
"Is that okay? Toya-san will collapse from lack of sleep."
"I want to cherish my time with Airi. A car is dangerous, so shall we go for a walk instead?"
"...I understand."
Airi, shying away slightly.
Happy times pile up over time.
The moment that repeatedly buds is everything.
Right now, there is not even a single second of wasted time.
Because the accumulation of these moments is happiness.