Chapter 392 - Pathos of the Starry Sky
(1)
"Well, a lot happened today too, but thank you for your hard work. Cheers!"
A lot happened, but everyone reconciled, and we managed to make it to the BBQ like this.
I eat only the things that Airi brought over.
"Please be careful not to overeat, okay?"
Even as she says that, Airi brings me food one after another.
"You eat too, Airi. This meat is delicious, you know?"
When I say that and bring it to Airi's mouth.
Chomp
"Oh, Toya-san..."
Whether she is happy or embarrassed, a smile spills across Airi's face.
"Toya, eating is fine, but are you drinking at least a little?"
Watanabe-kun came over.
I show Watanabe-kun the empty beer can.
Well, I'm a working adult. I can get used to at least the taste of beer.
Airi takes it and goes to get a new drink.
While watching Airi do so, Watanabe-kun says.
"I'm jealous of you guys."
"Eh?"
"You really get along well, don't you?"
"But aren't you and Mika-san on good terms too, Watanabe-kun?"
It doesn't look like they are seriously fighting.
"I hope so..."
"Did something happen?"
"Looking at you guys makes me lose confidence. I start wondering if there are still areas where I'm falling short."
"It might be strange for me to say this, but isn't there a difference between cohabitation and married life?"
"What do you mean?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"Like, there are things you only realize for the first time after becoming husband and wife..."
It's a difference of just a single sheet of paper, but it feels incredibly thick.
"Oh? Toya-san called me his wife, you know?"
Airi came back. I receive the drink from Airi.
"I am also aware that I am currently in a period of being an apprentice housewife. Isn't that the case for you too, Toya-san?"
"That's true. I'm sorry, Airi."
"It is fine. I will do my best so that I do not become a burden to Toya-san."
Airi says that and smiles.
"To change the subject, how are they? This year's new recruits?"
Watanabe-kun changed the subject.
"There's nothing to say, aren't they already hooking up before we can even say anything?"
"It seems so..."
Saying that, he looks at the new recruits who are eating together harmoniously.
Koizumi-kun, whom I thought I might have to lend a hand to, also seems to have had something happen during the shopping trip.
"So the Watanabe group is secure again this year. It seems this year's fourth-years have also decided on their employment destinations."
Watanabe-kun says so. Partly due to the alcohol, he seems to be in a good mood.
"Well, I'm going to go call out to the other members too."
Saying that, Watanabe-kun went to call out to the other members.
The two of us were eating.
"There were problems, but it looks like the training camp will end safely this year too, doesn't it?"
"I hope so."
"Are you saying there is still something else, Toya-san?"
Airi asks.
"We still have the final practical application left, right? I'm anxious about that."
"Since Shinjo-san is with us, won't it be fine?"
"Somehow, it won't end smoothly. I have that kind of feeling."
At that moment, Airi's smartphone rang.
It was an incoming message. Airi is reading the message and laughing.
"What did they send you?"
Airi showed me her smartphone.
"Tell the men: drinking is forbidden until we return from the bath!"
I see.
"Toya-san, the training camp ends tomorrow, but have you thought of any plans for the remaining two days?"
"No, I haven't decided anything in particular."
"Then, would you mind if I decided?"
"Sure, but..."
"Then, please relax at home for those two days."
"If we do that, won't you end up doing housework, Airi?"
"As long as you keep me company in your free time, that will be more than enough."
"If you go so far as to say that, Airi, I'll do as you say."
"Thank you very much."
I'm the one who wants to say thank you, though.
"Shall we wrap things up soon?"
Watanabe-kun says.
We started cleaning up.
(2)
"Phew—"
The bath on the second day.
Stretching out your legs in a spacious bath feels so good.
"You seem unchanged as always, Toya."
Tasuku came over.
"How about you, Tasuku? How is corporate basketball?"
"It was anticlimactic. I became a regular right away, after all."
"Isn't that amazing?"
"The thing is, it's somehow unsatisfying. Like, there's no sense of fulfillment."
"Isn't that because of a difference in attitude toward basketball?"
Kimoto-senpai came.
"Corporate basketball is also part of employee benefits, you see. They aren't as obsessed with winning as professionals. It's just a gathering of people who purely love basketball."
"That might be true."
Tasuku nods.
Come to think of it, did they say our company has a Basketball Club too?
"It was like that during university too, but then a demon manager appeared, the director changed, and the style changed, didn't it?"
"Though Toya's presence was a big part of it."
Tasuku and Kimoto-senpai say.
"Tasuku, how is work going?"
"It feels like I've only just started learning. I'm able to leave on time. How about you, Toya?"
"Due to the nature of the job, the end of the month is busy. Next month is the March fiscal year-end, so apparently it'll be hectic."
That being said, it seems overtime only goes until around 21:00.
"Tasuku, work is one thing, but are you cohabiting with Sakura once the training camp is over?"
Kimoto-senpai was asking Tasuku.
"That's the plan, but listening to Tada-kun and the others has made me anxious. I wonder if I'll be able to get along well with Sakurako."
I think those two are just special, you know?
"Well, just don't make her angry. After that, just quietly obey whatever Sakura says."
Kimoto-senpai is giving advice.
"How about you, Kimoto-senpai? Is Kana-san strict after all?"
"Toya's case must be the exception. Women really do change when you live together."
Airi changed too, though.
"That's true, whether you are married or not might also influence it."
Takemoto-kun came.
"At our place, we're talking about having a child soon, but when I think about what comes after childbirth, I can't take that step forward."
Kimoto-senpai is shaking his head.
Apparently, women become even stronger after giving birth.
Did Father say that too?
"In our bloodline, everyone is completely whipped by women"...
"Sakura is like that too... Looking at Toya's case, the presence or absence of marriage really must be huge."
Hiyama-senpai also joined in.
"I'm also cohabiting, but it's not like she's particularly noisy or anything."
Tsukimisato-kun says.
"You and Toya can only say that because it hasn't been that long! As time passes, the mask will slip!"
When we talk about these things, troublemakers gather.
Kiritani-kun and Makoto came over.
"Toya, it might be better for you to establish a clear hierarchy while you still can! Once it's later, it'll be too late."
Makoto says.
"If you don't want to end up like us, take action now! The lovey-dovey period passes in the blink of an eye!"
That's why Kiritani-kun's voice is too loud.
"I can hear you, Eita! Who said the mask slipped!?"
See?
Makoto and the others looked at each other and hurriedly left the bath.
Peace will probably return with this.
"You guys shouldn't think about it too deeply."
"Yes, yes, it's better to be dignified rather than awkwardly trying to read their expressions. Everyone is still young. It's an age where they want to play and be spoiled, right? You should just accept it as cute selfishness."
Tange-san and Shiina-san say.
In Airi's case, even that spoiled behavior has disappeared, which is why it's scary.
Should I try asking her later?
"Toya, shouldn't we get out soon too? I feel like it's dangerous to leave Makoto and the others alone."
Watanabe-kun says.
Indeed, those two are dangerous.
We left the bath.
(3)
"Honestly, that idiot... has he still not learned his lesson?"
Ai is muttering.
"Those two won't be cured until they die!"
Kanna says.
Watching those two, I think.
What is the difference between these two and me?
I can at least understand the difference between their boyfriends, but... am I the special one?
"Um... Miyuki-san."
I tried asking Miyuki-san.
"Have you ever felt dissatisfied with your husband, Miyuki-san?"
"If it's small details, yes. He's still living an unstable life even now."
"But it can't be helped since he's a student, though," she laughed.
"That's true, there might be things that can't be helped because he's a student. We just have to be the reliable ones."
Satomi-san also says.
"Then, what about when the husband is a working adult?"
"Haruki was complaining with all his might too~"
Kana and Sakura say.
"In your cases, let's see... what kind of complaints do you have?"
Satomi-san says.
"I guess playing around until late at night~. After basketball practice, there's a drinking party. And on days off, he goes out for basketball too."
"Haruki is the same~. He comes home late from drinking parties at night~. Sometimes he plays mahjong all night too."
Kana and Sakura say.
Then Satomi-san asked the two of us.
"Right, for example, what do you think is the difference between you two and Tohsaka-san?"
"You seem to be talking about an interesting topic. Would it be alright if I joined in?"
"I might want to join in too. The difference with Airi... it might be useful reference."
"I want to use it as reference too, so please let me join."
Saying that, Ai, Kanna, and Takanashi-san joined.
The other women also seemed to have taken an interest. Everyone's attention goes to Satomi-san.
"Right, I will ask Ai-san and Kanna-san the same question. Do you know the difference between Tohsaka-san and yourselves?"
"Kindness?"
"Whether we are working or not?"
"Maybe how capable our husbands are?"
Everyone gives their respective opinions.
But Satomi-san shakes her head.
"Let's see... the first two might be easier to understand. What do you think is different, Kana-san and Sakura-san?"
Ah!
"Is it whether the husband comes home early or not?"
I answered.
Satomi-san smiled warmly and nodded.
And then she enters the next question.
"What do you think that difference is?"
I didn't know either.
Why does Toya-san come home early for me?
"Is it... the environment? He said that since everyone at Toya-san's company has families, they don't play around at night."
"Close, but no."
When Satomi-san says that, everyone racks their brains.
Satomi-san looked at everyone and answered.
"The answer is simple. Whether they want to go home, or they don't want to go home. Just that."
I didn't understand the meaning.
"For example, when Katagiri-kun is late coming home, what does Tohsaka-san do?"
"I normally just reply with 'Welcome home, thank you for your hard work.'"
"Perhaps Sakura-san and Kana-san are forgetting to do that?"
"Come to think of it..."
"We haven't been saying it~"
The two of them say.
But is that really such a big difference?
"Just a single word changes a man's psychology. They think things like, 'I did something bad to her. I'll be careful next time.'"
I see~.
"Yes, it might be easier to explain starting from the difference between you two and Tohsaka-san. That kind of accumulation leads to a certain psychology."
"A certain psychology?"
When Miyuki-san says that, I ask in return.
"Roughly speaking, thoughtfulness. To put it simply, 'Do I want to go home, or do I not want to go home?' I suppose."
"Does that mean my husband doesn't want to come home?"
When Kana asks, Miyuki-san nodded.
"In Katagiri-kun's case, his state of mind might be 'Let's go home early' or 'Let's let her rest on days off.' On the other hand, in the case of you two, it has become 'I don't want to go home. I want my own time.'"
"I'm interested in that story too."
"Me too..."
Emi and Akira also seemed to have taken an interest.
"Why does the latter not want to go home~?"
"Why doesn't Katagiri-kun think that he wants his own time?"
Sakura and Kana asked.
"That connects to the thoughtfulness I mentioned earlier. 'I want to give back to the beloved person who does this much for me.' Katagiri-kun might be thinking that way."
"What is the reason Toya-san thinks that way?"
I was asking.
"Because Tohsaka-san supports Katagiri-kun, that is why his own home is comfortable. There is no one who wouldn't be kind to someone who creates such a comfortable place for them."
Miyuki-san says.
"Then, does that mean in our cases, it's uncomfortable?"
Kana was asking.
"...Aren't you noisily telling your husband to do this or do that when he is relaxing at home?"
Satomi-san said.
"Does that simply mean we should spoil them?"
When Kana asks, Satomi-san said.
"Do you know the story of the North Wind and the Sun? I will ask Tohsaka-san. You said you have no complaints about Katagiri-kun, right?"
I nodded.
"But he doesn't do housework... or is it more correct to say you don't let him do it?"
"Yes, because he is always working. I want to let him relax on his days off at least."
"...Ai-san said before, didn't she? 'Just having breakfast made and a note saying thank you for your hard work makes me happy.'"
When Satomi-san says that, Ai nodded.
"Can't the same be said for everyone? Rather than being in an uncomfortable home, they want to play outside. They want to play secretly. They search for an outlet for their dissatisfaction."
"Does that mean we should endure without complaining?"
When Ai asks, Satomi-san says.
"It doesn't work out that way. Tohsaka-san has proven that. She said, 'I have no complaints'..."
"So what does that mean?"
Mika-san asked.
"Well, perhaps you would understand if I said that kindness draws out the other person's kindness."
When Satomi-san says that, the female group was all listening.
"Tohsaka-san's case is a rare case. But there is no doubt that an ideal image of a married couple is close at hand."
"Airi and his group are the ideal image of a married couple... indeed, that might be so."
When Kanna says that, everyone nodded.
"I won't tell you to suddenly become like Tohsaka-san. First, forgive a little bit of mischief. Because they will change little by little."
Satomi-san says.
No one refuted.
"Creating a place to return to, huh..."
Kana mutters.
Satomi-san looks at everyone and nods.
"Shall we leave the talk at that and try putting it into practice right away?"
"Yes, it's about time the men are losing their patience."
When Satomi-san and Miyuki-san say that, everyone leaves the bathhouse as if suddenly remembering.
I also try to leave the bathhouse.
Then, Satomi-san and Miyuki-san called out to me.
"That's how it is, so Tohsaka-san, you are fine just the way you are."
"Yes, yes, have confidence and act as you think."
I thanked the two of them and left the bathhouse.
(4)
I feel like I, along with Katagiri-kun and Watanabe-kun, am seeing something we shouldn't be seeing.
Yesterday's nightmare was starting all over again.
"Boy, tomorrow is going to be tough again."
"That's true..."
Watanabe-kun and Katagiri-kun said.
"What are you guys scared of, Watanabe-kun, Toya! Let's get hyped tonight!"
"That's right!! Don't be scared of your wives every single time!"
There was no one to stop Makoto and Eita.
However, there was also no one trying to get involved.
Except for two people.
"It's exactly as Makoto says! How can we live while constantly reading our wives' expressions!"
"That's right! I'm doing what needs to be done too! It's wrong to not be able to say what you want to say just because you're worried about your wife's expression!!"
Kimoto-kun and Nakajima-kun also joined in.
And then, as if timing it perfectly, the female group approaches.
Watanabe-kun and Katagiri-kun, who heard the voices of the female group through the wall, step in to stop them.
"S-Shouldn't we leave it at that!?"
"Kimoto-senpai, this is getting bad!"
But the four of them do not stop!
"Watanabe-kun! What are you afraid of!? We are invincible!"
"That's right, Watanabe-kun, come over here and make some noise too!!"
"Toya! As your senior, I'll teach you how a husband should behave!"
"If we're talking about that, let me join in too."
Makoto, Eita, Kimoto-kun, and Nakajima-kun do not stop.
Hiyama-kun is drinking with Shiina-san, Tange-san, and Manabe-kun.
He has decided to remain uninvolved.
The three of us decided to abandon everyone.
But, we tried to quietly slip out of the room, but it was already too late.
"Where are you going, Kosei?"
"N-Naru!!"
"Masashi, you're no fun. Let's drink together once in a while."
"M-Mika!!"
"Toya-san, I would also like to have just one bottle after getting out of the bath, so would you keep me company?"
"Airi...?"
Kanna-san, Ai-san, Kana-san, and Honoka-san approach the four.
"You seem to be in quite a good mood. But couldn't you have waited for us?"
"K-Kanna!!"
"You seem to be having fun, let me join."
"Ai..."
"Could I have one too, Kazu-san?"
"Kana..."
"It's the last night, so let's enjoy it together, Ryuji-san?"
"H-Honoka!?"
The vigor of the four weakened all at once.
The other women also go to their respective partners.
It is the return of the nightmare.
Will Naru's mood turn bad again tonight?
But something is strange.
"Kosei, you haven't been drinking alcohol by any chance, have you? Is there any juice for me?"
"Ah, yeah."
When I hand the juice to Naru, she gulps it down, making her throat ring.
"Can I have another one?"
"Yeah, there's plenty of juice."
"The training camp ends tomorrow, doesn't it?"
"That's right."
"I want to have fun and make some noise for the end at least."
"Y-Yeah, that's right."
Naru's mood isn't bad?
Not only that, the other women... Kanna-san and the others are also normal.
What happened?
Before I knew it, Katagiri-kun and the others were gone.
(5)
"It seems I took a long bath and the alcohol has gone to my head a little. Shall we go get some night breeze?"
"Ah, yeah."
Told by Airi, we go to the second-floor balcony.
"The night sky is beautiful tonight too, isn't it?"
"So it is."
Looking at Airi, I wondered.
She doesn't look particularly drunk.
Though she certainly seems to be in a good mood.
"Airi, did something happen in the bath?"
"That is a secret between women."
Airi smiled warmly and said so.
"Wasn't there supposed to be no secrets between husband and wife?"
"That's true. This is troubling~"
Airi is worrying.
"Then, is it alright if I only answer the parts I can?"
"Yeah, that's fine."
"We were praised as being the ideal image of a married couple."
Airi is happy.
"Is that the secret?"
"Anything beyond that is a secret."
"I see."
Even if the night breeze knocks on the door of my heart now, Airi is just staring at me and smiling.
The cradle of love that has been sleeping forever.
The morning comes when only Airi is called by the messenger of dreams.
The moonlight reflects on Airi's slender neck.
If there is a meaning to the two of us having met...
The thesis of the love of two.
And then, sadness begins.
The shape of life that was embraced.
When waking from that dream, it will surely emit light more than anyone else.
Gushing pathos.
Memories do not betray.
People make history while spinning love.
I don't need a goddess, Airi is alive.
"Is everyone else going to be alright?"
"They will surely be fine."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Airi answers with a warm smile.
Since Airi says they will be fine, they probably will be.
"It's starting to get chilly. It's already late, so let's sleep."
Saying that, when I try to head back, Airi pulls on my clothes.
"What's wrong?"
"Tonight is a night sky with a beautiful moon and stars, and I am slightly tipsy. And there is no one else around—though I wouldn't mind even if there were..."
I understood what Airi was trying to say.
I pull Airi close.
I exchange a kiss with Airi.
"That's enough, right? Let's go to sleep quickly."
"Yes."
She seems to still find it insufficient.
"Shall we go for an early morning walk tomorrow?"
"A walk?"
"Yeah."
"I understand."
She seems to have felt a bit better.
"You said we would relax at home once we return, right?"
"Yes."
"...Once we return, I'm going to spoil you a whole lot, okay?"
"What a troublesome husband you are."
Airi is smirking bashfully.
I took Airi's hand and returned to the room.