Chapter 391 - The Platonic Love of the Inverted World
(1)
"Toya-san, there are seconds, so please eat a lot."
"Thank you, Airi."
"Sho, you have some seconds too."
"Thank you, Chitose."
Me and Airi. Only Sho and Chi-chan were feeling normal happiness.
Everyone else was wrapped in an awkward atmosphere.
The reason was, needless to say, last night's incident.
This time, there was no way to shield them.
If I shielded them poorly, the sparks would likely fly to me as well.
Even so, having to step in is what a leader has to do, though.
"Ah, about yesterday's matter, the men are reflecting on it. Won't you forgive them soon?"
Watanabe-kun said.
"Masashi! Are you in any position to talk?!"
"Even granting you a great deal, Watanabe-kun, Katagiri-kun, and Sho are fine! But I understand the thoughts of everyone else perfectly! They don't have a single shred of appreciation for their girlfriends!"
"I never would have thought that even Nozomi thought that way!"
Mika-san, Ai-san, and Emi-san said.
"Everyone was dead drunk. It couldn't be helped."
I said.
"It means they exposed their true feelings, right?! I won't let you say it's just the fault of Makoto, Eita, and Nakajima!"
Kanna said.
I let out a sigh of "good grief."
"Training is waiting after this, right? After that, why don't we have the newcomers go shopping, and we can have a meeting in the meantime? If we keep going like this, it won't be fun for either of us, right?"
I proposed.
"Katagiri-kun, you're probably on the men's side, and you're probably trying to win us over, but that won't work!"
When Emi-san said that, the women started making a fuss.
"I'm going to state my opinion objectively. I intend to be calm, despite how I look. The ones in the wrong are the old members. Right? Watanabe-kun."
"It's just as Toya says... The ringleaders are the old members. The new members are innocent."
"...Fine. Why don't we go along with Katagiri-kun's plan?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, Emi-san said.
After that, while the women were cleaning up, a harsh punishment from Shinjo-san was waiting for the new male members before they went shopping. Dragging their battered bodies, the four newcomer couples went shopping.
The rest of us headed to the meeting room.
"Now, why don't you let us hear your opinion, Katagiri-kun?"
Emi-san said, and the women glared at me.
Only Airi, Chi-chan, Shiratori-san, and Kitamura-san were watching quietly.
"First of all, the men cannot make excuses. What they said is a fact. Even if their usual stress has been building up, it wasn't something they should have said at this training camp."
"It's just as Toya says. Even though alcohol was involved, the fact that they did it is true. There are no excuses."
Watanabe-kun said.
"And?"
Emi-san said.
"Therefore, they should accept the women's demands at this point. They should receive whatever punishment."
"Katagiri-kun, aren't you underestimating the women? You don't think there won't be a worst-case scenario, do you?"
Ai-san said.
"Whether I think so or not, isn't that the case?"
I answered.
"Katagiri-kun, you really have a male perspective! Me, Kanna, and Honoka are fine! There are parts we can forgive as just the usual! The problem is the other women!"
Ai-san said. That indeed was the problem.
Complaints came from the women one after another. "Are you telling us to endure being told that much?!" everyone said.
The men said nothing.
"But, isn't there a problem with the women too? It's also a fact that you were eavesdropping, right?"
"Eavesdropping? When we entered the room, the men were just talking on their own, weren't they?"
"You listened to that in silence, didn't you? As if you were letting them say whatever they wanted so you could get a commitment later."
"That might be so, but... still, there are women who are shocked! There are women who couldn't say anything because of the shock, you know?"
Ai-san said.
"When alcohol enters, the true feelings come out. The women asserted that, right?"
"Isn't it a fact?"
Emi-san said.
"Isn't it the same for the women? Aren't you holding back what you want to say?"
"Toya-san, you want us to talk with our true feelings. That's what you want to say, right?"
When Airi said that, I nodded.
"Why don't we all drink tonight? Let's drink until each other's true feelings come out."
"Will that be a solution?"
Saki-san said.
"I don't know the result. But isn't there a need for everyone to speak frankly? Without talking about boys' nights or girls' nights."
Speaking each other's true feelings. I think it is an important thing.
"Some people might think I have a male perspective. But to be honest, I can't understand the men's thoughts either. Because I've never had those kinds of complaints."
When I said that, Airi also spoke.
"Actually, I don't understand either. Because Toya-san is my partner. I've never held any complaints toward Toya-san. Because he is my precious person."
"We are the same. We've never thought much of our husbands' grumbling and complaints."
Miyuki-san said.
"I understand that the women are shocked. But as I've said many times, even so, can you change to another man?"
Satomi-san said.
"I've never thought of it as a complaint either. It's just that the shock of knowing they thought of us that way was so big, and I just don't know what to do."
When Asakura-san said that, several women said they agreed.
"Then, it's decided that we'll all make a fuss tonight."
Airi said.
"The women don't like the men talking behind their backs, right? Then they should just let them hear their true feelings."
"Will that turn into grumbling?"
Sakai-kun said.
"That is the men's penalty game. Appealing the complaints they harbor to their girlfriends. It might change their lives from now on."
Because they do it secretly, the women become anxious, and it turns into complaints. In that case, they should just clash head-on. And listen to the other's arguments too.
"It might be just as Katagiri-kun says. Clashing with true feelings might be necessary."
Emi-san said.
"Let's talk thoroughly today. Until we both agree. Taking as much time as we want. Compared to the long time we will spend together from now on, it's a trivial thing."
Airi said.
"It's just as Tosaka-san says. Let's talk thoroughly today, shall we?"
Satomi-san said.
It seemed the shopping group had returned.
The women started preparing lunch, saying it was about time.
"Ah, we will make lunch."
Watanabe-kun said.
"That's fine. You should summarize what you want to say while you can."
Emi-san said.
After the women went out, Watanabe-kun said.
"Toya, can this resolve the women's complaints?"
"I don't know."
"You say you don't know..."
"But, they heard the men's true feelings. On top of that, listening to the women's counterarguments and appeals is important, right?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Watanabe-kun looked like he wanted to say something, but.
"I'm telling you, what they are seeking isn't 'I'm sorry'! It's everyone's true feelings. It's better to speak honestly."
Even if that becomes the spark for a fight.
When I said so, everyone seemed to understand.
"Lunch is ready~"
Airi came to call us.
Everyone headed to the dining hall to eat lunch.
(2)
We were heading out to shop.
I didn't know what Shoko was thinking.
I was even thinking of the worst-case scenario.
Shoko said nothing.
An awkward atmosphere wrapped the inside of the car.
Eventually, Shoko opened her mouth.
"Why are you staying silent?"
Eh?
"Usually you're babbling away on your own, it's unlike you."
Shoko said.
"Well, even I can read the room."
When I said that, Shoko burst out laughing.
"Even Eien has times when he doesn't understand. I thought you would at least know what I'm thinking right now, though."
"What do you mean?"
"Aren't you misunderstanding that I'm in a bad mood?"
Is it different?
"Well, if you make such a fool of yourself, of course I'd be disillusioned, right?"
"Do you have complaints about me, Eien?"
"There's no way. We've only been dating for a day, you know?"
"I just got a complaint now."
Eh?
"I didn't just start going out with you yesterday."
Shoko answered with a laugh.
"That's right, maybe since the welcome party? I was conscious of you."
Shoko suddenly confessed.
"I see. I thought there was no hope back then."
"Isn't that because you aren't looking at me properly, Eien?"
"That might be so."
"That is my anxiety. I want you to look at me properly. If you think of me seriously."
"Sorry."
"As long as you understand, it's fine. Even so, it's far."
"Yeah."
Shoko suddenly pouted.
"At times like this, isn't it the turn for your trivial talk?"
Let me kill some boredom at least. Shoko said so.
At that moment, I understood.
I understood that having the newcomers go shopping was to present them with this kind of time.
That it was giving them time to deepen their relationship with each other.
(3)
Awkward...
It's only the day after yesterday.
Being alone together in the car is painful.
Will our relationship end in half a month?
Will my first love end?
I was even prepared for that.
"As expected, Miyuki-senpai's story is wonderful."
Tsubame started saying.
"I received advice yesterday too."
For now, I tried to play along.
"You're enthusiastic..."
"Not as much as you, Akizora."
"That's not true. Tsubame is studying even during the training camp."
"Come to think of it, are you unhurt? It seems you underwent quite a harsh training."
"I'm fine, they seem to be careful to make sure that doesn't happen."
"I hope so, but..."
The conversation isn't continuing.
For now, should I ask for the continuation of the story?
"So, what kind of advice did you receive?"
"How to choose a marriage partner."
"I-I see."
I couldn't hide my agitation.
Probably, it leaked out.
I thought so.
But it was different.
"Ultimately, it's intuition, apparently."
"Intuition?"
Tsubame nodded.
"Relying on your own intuition to decide, and the preparedness to follow that person to the end... that's all there is, apparently."
I see.
"I've decided to rely on my own intuition to choose too."
"Which means, it's decided?"
"Yes, it's decided."
Tsubame was laughing.
"They must be a wonderful person."
Unlike someone like me.
"Hmm, I wonder? Someone serious, always desperate, making me anxious that they might collapse. Someone always full of anxiety, wondering 'Does she like me?'"
"...That person is fine. They are surely looking at you, Tsubame. Looking with eyes of admiration. Thinking you are too good for someone like them."
"You're unexpectedly sharp."
"But, I made a mistake yesterday. That error won't disappear."
"About that."
Tsubame finally cut to the main point.
"I ended up laughing when I saw your face. It seemed you couldn't understand. But today you're suddenly depressed, and I wondered what happened. Did something happen?"
"I thought I was being considered equally guilty..."
"We haven't reached that domain. I realized that, but I don't recall being disappointed in you."
Eh?
"I thought it was enviable. That they are looking at their partner properly. Wondering when Akizora will look at me."
It was my overthinking.
"Look at me properly. I know I have shortcomings. Because you handle everything."
"Sorry."
When I said that, Tsubame laughed.
"Love is fun, isn't it? Not being able to see the other person. Being able to get desperate wanting the other person to understand you."
Tsubame said so.
Tsubame was despairingly beautiful.
The Platonic love of the inverted world.
Let's fall in love.
I search for your figure, but because it's too bright, I can see nothing.
Let's lay it bare like repeating loquacity.
You are beautiful enough to make me want to erase you.
I want to dedicate the dramatic of this dizzying vertigo.
As the red dream swallows the blue transient world, if our mingled emotions and exposed lives forgive each other, I will become one with you.
Let's love each other like dying animals.
Love has various aspects.
It even holds ugly emotions.
Tsubame is despairingly shining.
But Tsubame might be thinking so too.
I remembered what Katagiri-san had said.
Confidence.
"And..."
Tsubame said.
"What did you say, Akizora?"
Tsubame was smiling mischievously.
"Just that I became anxious, wondering if someone like me is okay."
"You were thinking of such a silly thing. ...But I can at least encourage you."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm the eldest daughter, but I have an older brother above me. I think my brother will probably inherit the hospital."
"And?"
"Without any worries, I can marry you."
I was agitated.
Can love be this straightforward?
"For now, is becoming a doctor the goal?"
"Yes."
Mingled emotions forgive each other, and I become one with Tsubame.
(4)
We had finished shopping and were returning to the lodging facility.
Yoshino-san and Ohara-kun were talking as if nothing had happened.
Actually, they don't care that much?
I felt awkward and found it hard to talk to them.
Shinohara-san didn't talk to me either.
Perhaps unable to bear watching us like that, Yoshino-san called out.
"You two didn't just meet yesterday or today, so why don't you stop being nervous forever and at least have a conversation?"
"That's right, you don't have to hold back on our account."
Ohara-kun also said.
An environment easy to talk in was created.
Let's get the unpleasant things out of the way first.
"I'm sorry about yesterday!"
The inside of the car fell dead silent.
And then Yoshino-san and Ohara-kun burst out laughing.
"You were worrying about that?"
Yoshino-san said.
"Do you have complaints about Shinohara-san, Koizumi-kun? Are you already disillusioned?"
Ohara-kun said.
"That's not true! To me, Shinohara-san is an ideal person... because she is a much more amazing person than someone like me."
"If Mizuki has a complaint, it would be that!"
Yoshino-san pointed out.
"What do you know about Mizuki?! Have you tried to know even a little about Mizuki? Aren't you just imposing your ideals on her and being self-deprecating on your own?!"
Eh?
"If you can say even one complaint about Mizuki, that would be something. But you aren't looking at Mizuki properly, are you!"
I don't have any complaints about Shinohara-san.
"If you don't have any, then carry yourself with confidence. It's a bad habit of yours to apologize even though you didn't do anything wrong!"
Yoshino-san said.
"If you have something you want to say to Mizuki, say it! Mizuki is just waiting for that! Don't make the woman say everything! Are you still a man?!"
I made up my mind.
"Um!"
"Yes..."
"Tomorrow afternoon, there seems to be a date practice in Yufuin... won't you walk around with me?"
"Yes."
It seemed my first confession in my life was a success.
"Mizuki, we want to act as a pair too, so you two should act together."
Yoshino-san was laughing.
"I know."
"Since there is a performance the next day, please be back by morning."
"Yes."
Shinohara-san was laughing.
(5)
"All that's left is to go back."
Arisu said.
"That's right."
We were going shopping for the Watanabe group's training camp.
It seemed customary for newcomers to go.
Last night was tough.
The unstoppable rampage of the seniors.
And then, caught in the act by the women, they were lectured for a long time.
Arisu was just staring at me.
What was she thinking, I wondered.
If possible, I wanted to settle this before returning home.
"Hey, Keita."
Arisu spoke to me.
"Do you have any complaints about me, Keita?"
"There's no way, right?"
"You see, this is my first time, so I don't know. If you have complaints, I want you to tell me without hiding them."
"Arisu, you handle work, studies, and housework. There's no way I have any complaints."
"I... have a complaint about you, Keita."
Eh?
"I told you, Keita. 'When I step off the stage, I am Akiyoshi Arisu.'"
"And?"
"I am a woman too. Or is the me who isn't ALICE not attractive?"
"What do you mean?"
"I see, you don't notice."
I felt this flow was bad.
But that premonition was a groundless fear.
The next moment, I felt a soft sensation on my left cheek.
"Arisu?"
"I was anxious because you didn't invite me at all."
"...Sorry, it's my first time too."
"Then, I have no choice but to lead."
Arisu said so and laughed.
That smile was despairingly beautiful.
Beautiful enough to make me want to cry.
I was feeling the Platonic love of the inverted world.
(6)
It was on the way back from shopping.
Misato said nothing.
Ever since that incident last night.
My tongue had slipped.
She apparently heard it.
I apologized over and over again last night too.
But she said nothing.
It was impossible for time to solve it.
I had heard from Katagiri-san.
The sooner, the better.
I pulled the car over to the shoulder.
Misato looked at me, wondering what was happening.
"I'm really sorry about last night! It's not good to end the training camp with this kind of feeling! I apologize properly. If you tell me to make amends, I'll do anything. So please forgive me!"
"...What are you talking about?"
Eh?
Did she not hear yesterday's talk?
That couldn't be, she was listening quietly and intently.
"...I am stubborn, despite how I look. Once I decide, I absolutely won't bend. No matter what happens."
Indeed, I saw that side of her. Once she decided to do something, she would carry it through out of sheer stubbornness. That kind of personality. But what about it?
"No matter what Junichi-san says to me, I have no intention of bending my will now. Junichi-san changed me when I was being stubborn about not falling in love. I intend to carry through with that stubbornness."
Was she thinking of such a thing?
"Shall we leave that talk at this? I hate troublesome things. It's also troublesome to become awkward over something like that. I didn't decide to live together with Junichi-san with half-hearted determination."
"I see... It seems I still don't understand Misato properly."
"I'm a troublesome woman, aren't I?"
Saying so, Misato laughed.
"Honestly, I don't understand men's feelings. I intend to try to understand Junichi-san's feelings, but I'm not that dexterous of a woman."
"Misato is fine just the way she is."
The one who has to change is me.
"...I'm looking forward to tomorrow's date. Because going to Yufuin with a man is my first time."
"I see. Then, I have to psych myself up too."
"I'm looking forward to it."
I learned for the first time that Misato was thinking that way.
I didn't understand the woman named Misato at all.
I had forgotten.
That she was my first.
I can't measure her with normal scales.
Let's start by knowing her first.
The world we are looking at is always upside down.
I search for your figure, but because it's too bright, I can see nothing.
Because you look despairingly beautiful, let's lay it bare like repeating loquacity.
Let's dedicate the dramatic of this dizzying vertigo.
(7)
When the shopping group returned, they had lunch, and while the women were cleaning up, the men entered the meeting room first to consult.
And when the women, having finished cleaning up, returned, the meeting began.
First, the men stated their opinions.
It was content solely apologizing for yesterday's blunder.
Naturally, the women were not convinced.
Therefore, I said.
"That won't do, right? I told you. There's no meaning unless you clash with your complaints."
"That's right, it was that kind of meeting."
When Watanabe-kun said that, Watanabe-kun announced everyone's complaints on their behalf.
Even though they are tired from work, they can't even keep their girlfriends company; they want to be let free at least on occasional days off; they don't go to drinking parties or competitions because they want to; she doesn't pay attention to him when he wants to keep her company—exposing the men's complaints.
Then, the women appealed their complaints against that.
We are tired from housework too; precisely because it's an occasional day off, we want you to pay attention to us; we are not tools for sexual relief; there are lonely times too. Various things came up, but the place they ultimately arrived at was only one.
"If you have something you want to say, you should say it openly. Why do you say it secretly?"
Kana-san said.
Me and Airi listened in silence.
From then on, they were fighting with each other. I let them fight until they were satisfied.
Because I thought that was best. Airi seemed the same. We did not try to stop them.
"Don't you guys have anything to say, Katagiri-kun? You've just been listening in silence for a while now."
Ai-san said.
"I don't. I've already finished talking with Airi."
Airi also said.
"The complaints the women said. Toya-san accepts them all. He is making an effort. Therefore, I just grant Toya-san's wishes too."
When Airi said that, the men fell silent.
"Then, what is the reason you don't stop our fight?"
Emi-san said.
"Because I think it's still not enough. The men still haven't properly conveyed their own assertions."
"What is that, Toya?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"What everyone is always saying didn't come out. If it's better for me to say it instead, I will, though?"
When I said that, Watanabe-kun thought for a bit.
"...Sorry, won't you say it? Toya."
"Understood."
I looked at the women.
The women glared at me. As if to say, "If you have something you want to say, say it clearly."
"You're always, always nagging and annoying! You should just shut up and follow me!"
In contrast to the men whose complexions turned pale, the women turned bright red and lashed out with anger.
The men shrank back and couldn't say anything.
"Say that kind of thing after you've done what you're supposed to do!"
"We don't nag because we like to. We say it because you won't understand unless we say it, right!"
"It's because you are unreliable that it turns out like this, right!"
The men glared at me.
I said toward those men.
"Why is everyone staying silent? Because you endure and stay silent like that, complaints pile up, right? You make your partner anxious, right? I'm giving you the opportunity to clash with what you think daily, so say it."
"It's just as Toya says! You guys only expose your true feelings when alcohol enters. What's more, secretly in places where people aren't around. That is what pisses me off the most."
When Kanna said that, the women's fierce onslaught began.
"So is that what Haruki means by 'a man should just shut up and listen to his wife's complaints'~. ...Aren't you just terrified."
Sakura-san said.
"If you want us to follow you so much, carry yourself with more confidence. When you fluster around like that, the one following you gets anxious too!"
Mika-san said.
Saying one word to the women and having it returned a hundredfold was exactly this. The women's verbal attacks continued until the women were exhausted.
"...Toya, why are you making us do this?"
When Kanna asked, I answered with a laugh.
"Are you refreshed, Kanna? Are you refreshed from being able to say what you wanted to say?"
"No, I don't like Makoto's attitude. This guy keeps his mouth shut and doesn't say anything back. I'm incredibly anxious about whether he's properly listening."
Kanna said.
"So, that's what she says, Makoto. Since you and Kiritani-kun complain the most, say more of what you want to say in this place. And leave it behind in this place."
"I see... Clash with each other's complaints here and forget them forever. That's what you want to say, right? Toya."
When Watanabe-kun said that, I nodded.
"Then, I'll speak without holding back. Mika, you're an adult by now, so at least clean up your own personal belongings yourself!"
Watanabe-kun said.
Then, the men clashed their own complaints against the women one after another.
Naturally, they received the women's resistance.
That was fine. Because it was a meeting to clash with what they wanted to say.
By the time the sun went down. Everyone must have been tired. No one uttered a single word anymore.
"Is it fine now? I'm getting hungry soon, though."
When I said that, everyone seemed to be the same.
"The men must not sneak around in the shadows anymore, okay? Because that is the source of the biggest trouble."
Airi said.
"Then, shall we prepare dinner soon?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone streamed out of the meeting room.
There was no one there carrying complaints or anxiety.
They must have accepted each other's assertions.
But I don't think everything ended with just a single meeting.
They will probably repeat it again.
Time will pass until the time comes when they can laugh together.
"Toya, do you think this matter is settled with this talk?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, I shook my head.
"They will surely think of excuses again and repeat the same thing."
"Then what should we do?"
"We should just gather together again."
I answered so.
"I see. By the way..."
Watanabe-kun looked like he wanted to say something.
"Do you guys really have no complaints?"
"We don't. Because Airi really devotes herself to me. She always says 'thank you.'"
"Toya-san always acts with my sake in mind. That's why I say 'thank you.'"
How much one is healed by a single word of thank you.
How much I love Airi...
"Masashi! And Toya and the others, stop talking forever and help!!"
Mika-san said.
"Shall we go too?"
"Yes."
We also left the meeting room.
A despairingly beautiful world.
Let's love each other like dying animals.
Let's dedicate the dramatic of this dizzying world.
Let's love each other's Platonic love of the inverted world.