Chapter 389 - Painful, Beloved, Wanting to Stay
(1)
"Toya-san, please wake up already. I know you're tired, but the training camp starts today, you know."
I wake up to Airi's gentle voice.
"What time is it now?"
"It is exactly 8:30."
"I have to hurry and get ready."
"Anticipating that, I have loaded most of the things into the car."
I hug Airi.
"I'm sorry, I'm placing a burden on you, Airi."
"Please do not worry about it. It is because Toya-san earns for us that we can go out and play like this."
After the golf competition, it was hell.
I was handling my duties while sleepy from staying up all night.
I checked over and over to make sure there were no input errors.
Repeating such things, only my working hours kept increasing.
Consequently, the time I returned home became late.
"Airi, I'm late. I'm sorry."
"Welcome home. Thank you for your hard work today as well. Though it would be nice if you could relax by yourself once in a while."
Airi says that she takes breathers too.
"I spoil myself with Airi, so I'm fine."
"You really are a troublesome husband-sama."
Saying so, Airi was laughing.
Since it seemed Airi had loaded the luggage, after eating breakfast, I hurry to get ready while Airi is tidying up.
While Airi is starting to get ready, I converse with Airi.
Once Airi's preparations are finished, we arrive at the meeting place.
The convenience store parking lot was occupied by the Watanabe unit's cars.
Although it was a convenience store with a relatively large parking lot, it seemed too narrow to accommodate the Watanabe unit.
The first to arrive were Haruto and the others.
The last to arrive were the Kisaragi couple.
Once everyone gathered, Watanabe-kun said:
"From here to the destination lodging facility is non-stop, so those who have shopping to do, get it over with."
Then, they file into the convenience store one after another.
A long line forms at the cash register.
Once everyone leaves the convenience store, it is time to depart.
The new members this time are Sakuragi-san and Umemoto-kun, Shinohara-san and Koizumi-kun, Yoshino-san and Ohara-kun, Takanashi-san and Tsukimisato-kun, eight people in total.
Since the new members this time all drove safely, there was no problem.
However, the problem was the old members.
As usual, they want to speed.
Though Kimoto-senpai, Hiyama-senpai, and Makoto drove safely.
We lead the four cars of the new members.
We drive on the slower side so that the four cars can keep up.
In the blink of an eye, a gap opened up.
"Everyone hasn't changed at all. How troubling."
"That's true."
Speaking of not changing, it's Airi.
She has clearly changed since we started living together.
What is wrong? Is she pushing herself?
"Hey, Airi?"
"What is the matter?"
"Is the reason you changed because of Airi-mama's influence? You don't have to push yourself, the usual Airi is fine, you know?"
"Because Toya-san is my precious person, because I want to elevate Toya-san. Thinking that, I ended up with my current way of speaking. Do you dislike it?"
"No, I just thought, 'it's fine to just be natural,' you know?"
"I am not pushing myself, so please do not worry."
"I understand. But I feel like I've been left behind somehow."
"Why is that?"
"Airi has become mature. I haven't changed at all."
"I like the usual Toya-san, so that is perfectly fine."
While having such a conversation, once we arrive at the destination lodging facility, first is the carrying in of luggage.
The rooms are divided into three each for men and women.
Once the carrying in is finished, the women set to work preparing the meal.
The men talk while doing things like wiping the tables.
Once the table is set, first we begin with Watanabe-kun's greeting.
"Thank you all for gathering today. Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest for the next three days. First, starting with self-introductions..."
When Watanabe-kun says so, everyone's self-introductions begin. In the meantime, we have lunch.
Just when we thought the afternoon would be free time as usual, a demand comes from the women.
They say there is something to discuss in the meeting room.
What is the matter?
Once everyone finishes tidying up, they enter the meeting room.
"Those of you who started racing, step forward! Have you still not learned your lesson?!"
Mika-san is angry.
It seemed to be the dissatisfaction of the women.
As expected, it is dangerous for nearly twenty cars to start racing.
The cause was, after all, Kiritani-kun.
It seems that because he got angry at a single unrelated car overtaking him and gave chase, everyone else started doing it too.
The women are furious.
It is no wonder; one wrong step and it would be a major disaster.
The blame is not just on Eita. Sparks also fly toward Nakajima-kun and Kisaragi-kun.
"Can you say something to them too, Toya?"
Watanabe-kun says. It cannot be helped. I stood up.
"Overtaking while more than twenty cars are lined up on a narrow mountain road is something even I cannot defend. What were you thinking? Hadn't everyone learned their lesson?"
When I say that, Airi also stood up and said:
"As a punishment, everyone who overtook will wash cars during noon."
When Airi says so, Kiritani-kun, Nakajima-kun, Kisaragi-kun, and Sho, who overtook, ended up having to wash cars.
The rest of the people split into those going outside, those relaxing in their rooms, those taking walks, and others.
I decided to go to the golf driving range.
It is Airi's wish.
It seems she wants to see me playing golf.
Watanabe-kun, Kimoto-senpai, Hiyama-senpai, and Sakai-kun also brought their partners and started.
It seems everyone has business golf.
Sakai-kun was doing it while receiving guidance from Akira-san (T/N: The name Akira is written with the kanji for "autumn sky" [秋空]).
Seeing that, an idea came to me.
"Do you want to try hitting too, Airi?"
"Is it alright?"
"It's boring just watching, right? Give it a try."
"Well then, maybe I will try."
I teach Airi starting from how to grip the club.
"Don't just swing with your hands and arms, but rotate your entire body firmly; do not raise your head at the moment of hitting the ball; at first, a height from hip to hip is fine, so practice flying it straight with a small swing."
I take Airi's hand and teach her.
Airi is quick to understand.
In no time, she became able to send it flying straight and far.
It seemed that was exhilarating for Airi.
She had started hitting by herself.
I am watching that.
Then, a contact comes in.
"Let's start preparing for the BBQ soon."
I convey it to Airi.
Airi stops practicing.
"How was it?"
"It was fun. I wonder if I should start too."
"Shall we practice again if there is another opportunity?"
"Toya-san's beautiful form is cool, so just watching that might be fun too."
Once we return to the facility, we started preparing for the BBQ.
(2)
"I'm sorry for borrowing the car."
"It's fine, don't worry about it. Since you are driving for me."
Takanashi-san said so.
At Takanashi-san's suggestion, we started living together.
Because that way, the time we spend together increases.
The time we are together, we are studying the whole time.
At most, we watch TV together occasionally.
We divide and do the housework.
Though it is while also working a part-time job to at least cover my own living expenses.
Rather than studying silently alone, studying while talking occasionally is fun.
Occasionally, we enter break time.
Silly conversations bloom.
Today is the Watanabe unit's training camp.
It seems everyone will make a racket at Emi-senpai's lodging facility.
After having lunch at the lodging facility, there was a scolding in the meeting room.
It seems the cause was the senpais making unreasonable overtakes.
Though we didn't notice at all because we were matching Katagiri-senpai's slow pace.
After the scolding ended, I was reading in my room.
Then, someone knocks.
It was Takanashi-san.
"I thought it might be something like this. Won't you join me for a bit?"
When Takanashi-san says so, I close my book and walk outside with Takanashi-san.
"Studying also needs modulation. Why don't we forget about studying for these three days?"
They are words unlike Takanashi-san.
"Then, what will we do?"
"It doesn't cost money here. And the facility is spacious. Don't you think taking a leisurely walk isn't bad?"
Is this an invitation to a date?
After that, we were strolling around the facility.
I'm troubled; I don't know what to talk about at times like this.
But, there was no need to worry.
She led the way.
She brought up various topics.
I just respond to them.
"If I hadn't met you, I would have never known this feeling in my entire life."
"What kind of feeling?"
"A very fun feeling. Because in middle school and high school, I only had studying."
It is the same as me.
"How is Tsukimisato-kun feeling right now?"
"I'm a bit bewildered. Because I also only had studying. I was desperate."
"Shall I tell you what is lacking in you?"
"Eh?"
"There is something I understood after spending these past few weeks together."
"What is that?"
"Breathing room, you know. Your body is always stiff with tension. Like that, there is no time for your mind to rest, right?"
It's our first time living together. It's no wonder.
"At least show your true self in front of me. Am I that scary?"
"It's not like that, but..."
What should I do?
"I have never had a boyfriend either, so I can't talk about others... what should we do?"
Takanashi-san is also worrying.
"Shall we try imitating everyone else? Starting from the form might be a way... yes, Tsubame. From now on, call me Tsubame."
"Tsubame... then, you can call me Akira too."
"I understand."
Saying so, she smiled.
At that moment, a message arrives on the smartphone.
"Shall we head back soon?"
"Yeah."
We returned to the lodging facility.
(3)
I was out for a drive in Eien's car.
To put it nicely, his driving was very polite.
To put it badly, it was very boring.
When we entered a traffic jam, I was the one who started getting irritated.
Eien strikes up a conversation with me without minding it.
"Is this the first time Shoko-chan is going for a drive in someone else's car?"
Eien asked.
"That's right."
"Where did you always go during dates?"
Eh?
"Since Shoko-chan is this cute. There's no way you didn't have a boyfriend at all, right?"
"I suppose. If you mean a lover, there was only one."
"Only one?"
"Yes, only one."
An existence I could call a lover, there was only one person I fell in love with.
"Why did you fall in love with him?"
"It's the same as Eien. He was pushy, you see. Before I knew it, I fell in love with his single-minded attitude."
"Heh, where did you go with that person?"
"His house."
"Eh?"
Eien was surprised.
It is no wonder; the first date being his house. Anyone, not just Eien, would be surprised.
"Do you want to hear the rest?"
I was asking Eien.
I don't know why I asked such a thing.
I want someone to listen. It might be fine to talk to Eien.
"If you want me to listen, I will... but I won't force you."
"Alright. After accepting his confession, he said he would invite me to his house. He was about as handsome as you too..."
And then, things led to that. It's natural if you are lovers, right? That is what I thought.
I was in high spirits. I held faint hopes for my first love. Until that day.
But his attitude suddenly changed.
Even if I sent messages or called, it wouldn't connect.
I became anxious and called him to the rooftop one day.
"What's wrong? You've been cold lately."
"It's not like that, just..."
Just what?
"You're heavy."
Eh?
"I thought you were a girl with a lighter vibe. Calling every day. It's like, persistent. You're annoying."
Annoying?
"Ah, Yoshiki, so this is where you were?"
A girl with a flashy hairstyle came.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. Shall we head home soon? Well, Shoko, that's how it is."
"What do you mean 'that's how it is'?"
"Like I said, you're heavy. Take a hint. This is my current girlfriend. You get it if I say this much, right?"
My mind went completely blank.
Just a single tear spilling from my eye.
"Well, that's how it is. I thought you were an easy girl because you were unexpectedly simple. Well, it was fun, and you got a good experience out of it too, so it's fine, right? See ya."
My love had ended in just a single day.
Since then, I came to reject men.
I came to think that everyone was after my body.
I was naturally rejecting them.
Eien was listening to my story in silence.
"Do you think I'm the same?"
Eien asked that in a single word.
"Yeah, at first I thought so."
Men are probably all the same.
"Right, if your first was like that. It's not bad to think so. It must have been painful."
After that, Eien drove in silence the whole time.
The car had arrived at the observatory.
The scenery was very beautiful.
"A rainbow is something that appears after the rain falls, right?"
Eien started speaking.
"Shoko-chan's heart is also very fragile and cracked right now. Wet from the rain that started falling, Shoko-chan has stopped in her tracks."
That's true, my heart might have remained stopped since that day.
"But someday, the time will come to approach the sky higher than anyone else. Gathering brilliance, seeking light. It doesn't matter if it burns out. Everything is with the truth."
Is he saying the time will come when a rainbow spans across my heart?
"I understand about Shoko-chan. Even so, I think. About Shoko-chan. Like the scenery I always saw when closing my eyes even as the seasons flow. No matter how many times it takes, I will stop the rain for you."
"...Does that mean you intend to make it rain on me many times?"
"Ah!? N-No, not like that. I mean, don't be afraid of getting hurt. It's not like rain will keep falling on Shoko-chan's heart forever. It might fall many times, but it will stop someday."
I don't know how serious Eien's feelings are.
But the words coming from Eien's mouth melt my frozen heart.
Should I try believing just one more time?
"Shoko-chan?"
"Stop calling me that already! It's disgusting."
"Sorry. Was it too familiar? Don't get so angry. Are you in a bad mood, by any chance?"
Let's bet on this guy, let's see the dawn once more.
When I realized that the word 'love' closely resembles 'sorrow', the night broke.
Filled with a silence where the blues seemed to compete, Eien slipped in to my right side.
"Shoko is fine."
When I say so, Eien flashes a smile.
"Shall we head back soon, Shoko?"
"Yeah."
I sit in the passenger seat.
Eien sits in the driver's seat.
Having made my decision, I started running my first step.
(4)
The four of us were driving.
Kasumi and Ohara-kun were getting excited.
Koizumi-kun and I were listening to the conversation silently in the back seat.
Koizumi-kun says nothing.
He didn't speak a single word when coming here either.
We came as four because we couldn't leave the two of them alone, but isn't our presence a nuisance?
This atmosphere is bad.
It seemed Koizumi-kun felt the same way.
"You are dressed fashionably today. It really suits you."
Koizumi-kun said.
"Mizuki is always like that. She dresses fashionably like a normal person during her off time. I mean, why ask that now of all times?"
I think that way of speaking is a bit much, Kasumi.
Look, he has shrunk back again.
A ball was passed to me from him. Let's try returning the ball myself.
"What kind of outfit on a woman do you like, Koizumi-kun?"
Koizumi-kun says nothing. Is he not very interested in women's clothing?
"I'm sorry, I don't know anything about recent trends at all."
"Trends don't matter, don't you have something like 'this kind of girl is cute'?"
"...I like pants style more than skirts. How should I put it, a cool feeling?"
I see.
"Then, do you have any hobbies?"
Ohara-kun was asking.
"Going for drives alone, or mountain climbing, I guess. Also fishing and such."
"Isn't mountain climbing quite hard?"
"It is, but the feeling of exhilaration when you finish climbing is irresistible."
It was an unexpected hobby.
"I'm sorry for my plain hobbies."
He apologizes immediately. I think it is a bad habit.
"Are you not interested in traveling?"
I tried asking.
"I am, I want to try climbing various mountains and such."
Not that.
"Are you not interested in sightseeing or things like that?!"
Losing her patience, Kasumi was asking.
"It's not that I don't have interest, but I don't have anyone to go with, and I do solo trips as an extension of driving."
In that case, it can work.
"Ohara-kun, what is your schedule like for summer vacation?"
"Expeditions outside the prefecture. I will be following ALICE. Other than that, pitching to local TV stations and such."
Ohara-kun says that since we are students, we want to get even a little bit of work during the break.
In that case, there is no problem.
"Koizumi-kun, won't you go with us? Eating delicious food from various places."
"Is it alright?"
"Stupid, what are you doing if you, the assistant, don't accompany us?"
Kasumi says.
"That's true."
Once we return from the drive, the men prepare for the BBQ. The women prepare the ingredients.
"Thank you, Kasumi."
"That's fine, but. Do you seriously intend to go out with Koizumi-kun? It might be bad to say this, but he seems somewhat unreliable, you know?"
"In that case, there is no problem. Because the training camp exists to beat that unreliable spirit back into shape."
The President's wife said.
"That's right, the new men must first have their guts retrained! It is the rite of passage of the Watanabe unit."
Mika-san says.
What do they intend to do?
(5)
"Does everyone have their drinks~"
Watanabe-kun was asking.
"Well then, it's the first day. Those who haven't interacted with the newcomers yet, push hard. Cheers."
When Watanabe-kun says so, the banquet began.
I drink my beverage while eating the food Airi brought.
"Toya, are you enjoying yourself?"
Makoto came.
"Well, yes. How is your newlywed life, Makoto?"
"It's a lovey-dovey life!... is what I want to say, but as expected, our lives are passing each other by."
It seems Makoto has J-League matches, and his wife, Kanna, has department store work, so neither their days off nor their daily schedules match.
"How about you guys?"
Makoto asked.
"Lately, overtime has been increasing. I haven't been able to pay attention to Airi."
As expected, the end of the month was busy.
"That's a problem. If it's like that from now on, Tosaka-san will also accumulate stress, right?"
Makoto says.
That's just it. I want to relieve her stress somehow, though.
"You should just tell her straight! Toya is too gentle! Tell her that men have men's circumstances!"
"It's exactly as Eita says! Men have the important role of working and earning. How can we spend all our time keeping our wives company!"
Kiritani-kun and Nakajima-kun came.
The birth of a new duo, indeed. Sensing danger, Makoto ran away.
I am fine. Airi is already by my side.
Airi is smiling.
"How about Kiritani-kun and Nakajima-kun? Are you resolving their dissatisfaction?"
"I'm taking proper care of her since Toya told me to. She is incredibly high-maintenance!"
"I envy Toya. I want a wife who doesn't complain once, too."
This flow is bad.
It seems Airi also sensed it.
"But you two are properly dividing the housework now, right?"
Airi asks.
"Because she's noisy if I don't. I'm doing it because I have to."
"If she's that busy, she should just quit. Since I'm the one earning for her."
"That's true. I intend to earn enough so she doesn't have to go out of her way to work!"
Makoto came back.
Makoto... hadn't you learned your lesson?
"Since I'm doing what needs to be done, she shouldn't be making a fuss over something like driving a car."
"I'm paying attention all day long and don't even have time to rest my mind, you know? Living together is not something you should do."
This is bad, I have to stop them soon.
It seems Watanabe-kun also noticed.
"H-Hey, you guys, shouldn't you stop drinking soon?"
Watanabe-kun steps in to stop them.
"Don't stop us, Watanabe-kun! Even we should have a place to complain and vent our dissatisfaction!"
"Tonight is a free-for-all! Let's go wild!"
"Toya, join in too! You must have things you want to say to Tosaka-san as well, right?"
Don't throw the conversation to me.
"I don't. Even if I'm late, she waits for me properly. She listens to my work complaints, and she sees me off properly in the morning."
"That's only in the beginning! Soon their mask will slip. You can tell if you look at my wife!"
"Exactly as Eita says! Women play nice at first!"
"Soon you'll get kicked just for lying on the floor."
"Toya-san wouldn't do such a thing."
Airi protests.
"Even if Toya-san remains silent, he does things he doesn't even have to do. Rather than complaining about work, it feels like consulting about worries. He devotes himself to me. I have no dissatisfaction with such a Toya-san."
"That is something only Toya and Tosaka-san can say."
"Exactly as Makoto says! Ai does nothing but complain whenever she opens her mouth!"
"I understand what Eita is saying. Honoka has also been complaining more lately!"
"Well, Tosaka-san is a full-time housewife, after all. She might not be able to understand."
Even Watanabe-kun started saying it.
I want to take Airi and escape.
However, Airi seems to be in a bad mood.
"Airi, I want to eat hamburger steak. Shall we go get some?"
"Does Toya-san have any dissatisfaction with me?"
"There's no way, right? As I said earlier, if I complained, I'd be punished."
"That's because Tosaka-san is at home!"
"That's not necessarily true, you know? Kana also has many complaints. Saying I don't pay attention to her. Even though I'm tired too."
Even Kimoto-senpai started joining in.
"Isn't that Kimoto-senpai's fault? Toya-san pays attention to me."
"Even Toya will change eventually. Isn't he still in his trial period?"
"Even though Toya-san is tired on days off, he keeps me company. He treats me very gently."
"Airi, I want to eat hamburger steak. That's enough, right? Let's leave it at that?"
"You are right. Please complain to your own wives after this. Do not drag Toya-san into strange things."
"Wait, Toya! I, as your senior in life, am giving you advice!"
Leaving those words behind, we went to get hamburger steak.
I wanted to escape from that place.
Because the carnage awaiting us after this was drawing near.
"Oh, advice, is it? Won't you give some to me too? I'm having trouble handling my own husband."
"If you hate work, quit, is it? You certainly say whatever you want, don't you?"
"It seems you hold quite old-fashioned ideas, like how it is natural for women to be at home?"
"Even though you have the leeway to leave me behind and go play basketball on days off, that is quite a selfish argument."
Kanna, Ai-san, Honoka-san, and Kana-san say.
When Makoto and the others turn around, they make forced smiles.
"Ahaha..."
The four of them make forced smiles.
After that, the angry voices of the four women could be heard, but without paying attention, we tuck into our food.
"Toya-san, overeating is bad, you know. Also, I will grill the meat for you, because Toya-san eats it raw right away."
"Thank you, but you should eat too, Airi."
"I am eating properly."
"If so, then it's fine."
"You guys are having a rough time too."
Watanabe-kun says.
It seems Watanabe-kun escaped trouble because Mika-san is cooking.
"Do you also have complaints, Watanabe-kun?"
"I've said it before, but Mika doesn't know how to tidy up."
Watanabe-kun says so and laughs.
"Does Toya-san really have no dissatisfaction?"
"I only feel sorry for constantly making Airi worry."
"If so, then it is fine."
"The last meat is grilled~"
"Shall we wrap things up soon?"
When Mika-san says so, Watanabe-kun says.
After that, Watanabe-kun and I started tidying up while soothing the four of them.