Chapter 396 - Premonition

(1)

"Toya-san, please wake up. You have work starting today."

"Good morning, Airi."

Woken up by Airi, I finish getting ready and eat breakfast.

"What would you like to do for dinner today?"

"I'll eat at home. But I might be late, so you eat first, Airi."

"Yes, I understand."

As soon as I finish eating breakfast, I leave the house.

"Well, I'm off."

"Take care."

And so, I commute by car.

Arriving at the company, I sit at my desk and begin preparing.

As I do so, everyone arrives one after another.

Tatsuhiko-senpai also arrived, along with Natsumi-san.

"Yo, Toya! It's going to be busy starting today." (T/N: "オッス" is a casual masculine greeting, translated here as "Yo")

"Good morning."

And then the morning assembly begins.

Today's announcements are shared.

As expected, it looks tough.

Once the morning assembly ends, work is immediately handed to me.

Looking at the documents, I receive explanations from Tatsuhiko-senpai.

I organize the parts I don't understand in my head and ask them all at once.

For minor unclear points, I seek Senpai's instructions each time.

I mainly go about creating comparative income statements and comparative balance sheets.

Under instructions, I create up to the monthly profit and loss trends, but things like closing simulations are Tatsuhiko-senpai's job.

Creating the data that serves as decision-making material for Senpai and preparing the materials for Senpai's work is my job.

The number of cases Senpai is in charge of is over twenty corporations.

It gets busy with the fiscal year-end closing and such.

When lunch break comes, I eat my bento.

After the lunch break, work begins again.

Taking a break at 15:00, I continue working,

which does not end even when regular working hours are over.

Around 21:00, I am told, "You can go home now."

"I'm almost at a good stopping point, so I'll do up to there."

"Don't push yourself too hard. It's most troublesome if you don't last long."

Tatsuhiko-senpai says so and laughs.

It is finished.

Handing over today's final case, I wait for Tatsuhiko-senpai's check.

"Good work, let's do the rest tomorrow."

I pack up to go home and leave the office.

"Don't overdo it too much! There are many people who work too hard, find it impossible, and quit the next month."

Tatsuhiko-senpai went home after saying so.

Getting into the car, I take a breath and call Airi.

"I just finished. I'm coming home now."

"Thank you for your hard work until late. Please be careful on your way home."

"Understood."

Saying just that, I drive home.

When I return home, Airi is waiting.

"Welcome back. Thank you for your hard work. Dinner is ready."

Going to the dining room, warm dishes are lined up. For two people.

"Please change your clothes before eating dinner."

"Airi, didn't you eat first?"

Even though I told her she could eat first because I would be late.

The time was past 22:30.

"But Toya-san said you would eat after returning home, so I thought we should eat together."

"Airi, you must be hungry, right?"

"Eating alone is lonely. I thought you would surely feel the same way, Toya-san."

Airi says so and smiles while tidying up the suit I took off.

"Now, let's eat. Before it gets cold."

When Airi says so, the two of us eat dinner.

Once we finish eating, Airi begins cleaning up.

"I've heated the bath, so please go in first."

I take a bath just as Airi told me to.

After I take a bath, Airi takes a bath and then returns.

"Is it alright for you not to rest yet? Tomorrow will be tough too, won't it?"

So let's hold back on alcohol tonight. Airi says.

Such an Airi was dazzling.

Because gentle Airi is here, my fatigue blows away when I return home.

Airi is here. I have a place to return to.

Airi is indeed my place to return to.

Let's cherish such a place.

Let's protect it to the end.

The place reached at the end of a dream.

I embrace Airi.

"Days like this might continue this month, I'm sorry."

"You are working, so it is only natural. Please don't worry about it."

"...Well, shall we go to sleep?"

"Yes."

I get into bed with Airi.

Airi seemed tired too. She falls asleep immediately.

I wonder what kind of face I am making as I look at such an Airi?

Without ever growing tired of it, I continued to gaze at Airi and then fell asleep.

Premonition

(2)

This is trouble.

I didn't think I would end up being harassed by delinquents at this age.

"Won't you understand already? We're running a charity here. We're saying we'll make flowers bloom in the life of a lame guy like you, you know? Isn't that a great deal?"

"Besides, we're saying the admission fee is free, and the membership fee is only 10,000 yen. There's no better deal than this, you know?"

Solicitation for the pick-up circle "Legalis".

To put it differently, it was just extortion.

"Right now, the cash I have on hand isn't enough..."

"Just pull out your wallet."

This is trouble.

What should I do...

If it turns into a fight, would it be considered excessive self-defense?

"What are you doing?"

A husky female voice spoke.

She had a boyish short haircut, wore piercings, had a well-proportioned small face, and sharp eyes.

She had a build like an athlete.

Wearing a hoodie, a charcoal gray tank top, and pants, the woman was glaring at the men while blowing bubble gum.

"Who the hell are you? We're busy here. Back off!"

"Don't do such lame things like extortion when you're at that age!"

She is quite a strong-willed woman.

"Who do you think you're talking to, sis?" (T/N: speaks without honorific, signaling provocation)

A man took a club in his hand.

"Are you hard of hearing? Or do you lack comprehension? Make it clear!"

"You bitch!"

The man lunges.

The woman grabs the hand holding the man's weapon, and her opposite fist catches the man's face.

Is the other man flinching? No, there are two more behind the woman.

"Watch out behind you!"

I call out to the woman. But it was too late to notice.

Her arms are pinned by two men.

"Now, how shall we toy with you?"

The man approaches the woman.

...It can't be helped.

I moved into action.

Approaching the man, I land a high kick to his face just as I turn around.

"You bastard!"

The man pulled out a weapon.

The woman's restraint is broken.

The reason I grabbed the woman's collar and pulled her back as she turned to attack was because the tool was a knife.

"Get back!"

Saying so to the woman, I take on the two of them.

The two of them lunge at the same time with knives.

I block one with the bag I had in my hand. Since reference books and such were inside, it served as a shield.

My fist catches the bridge of the other one's nose.

He blew backward more spectacularly than I imagined.

I face the remaining one directly.

"What are you doing!"

A police officer rushed over.

The remaining one fled.

At this rate, won't I be the perpetrator?

"Did you do this?"

The officer questions. ...Good grief.

"Yes, I did it all by myself."

"Hey, you!"

I place my index finger against my mouth toward the woman who is about to say something.

I don't know if the woman grasped the meaning accurately, but she said nothing.

"We need to ask you about the circumstances, so come to the police box."

I won't make it in time for my part-time job.

I make a call on my smartphone.

"This is Suzumiya... Yes. Something came up, so I'll be late for my shift. I'm sorry."

After that, I went to the police box and was questioned about the circumstances.

It seems the woman aligned her story with mine nicely. Self-defense was established.

When I finished the questioning and left the police box, the woman was waiting for me.

"Why did you do something like that?"

The woman says.

"No, I thought that would be better to make things go smoothly. And I didn't want to get you involved."

Neither of us wants trouble, right?

"Thanks to you, I was saved. Let me treat you to something as thanks."

"Unfortunately, it's time for my part-time job. I'll take the thought."

"Then, at least your name. I'm Wakamiya Mikoto. I go to a private university."

"I'm Suzumiya Gaku. I go to the local university. Well then, I'll excuse myself."

Saying so, I hurried to my part-time job.

My bag got scratched. I quite liked it, though.

Well, a woman's face is priceless, right?

Premonition

(3)

I saw what I thought was another middle schooler being harassed.

Thinking that, I tried to help.

If it's two people, I can manage somehow.

I knocked one down.

Then the "middle schooler" shouts.

"Watch out behind you!"

If my arms are pinned by two grown men, I can't move.

"Now, how shall we toy with you?"

The man says so and approaches, and I felt a slight fear.

Then, something unexpected happened.

The "middle schooler" kicked down the man in front of him with a high kick.

The two men move.

My restraint is broken.


But the "middle schooler" grabs my collar and pulls me back.

"Get back!"

I was protected by the guy I thought I would protect.

The police came.

The "middle schooler" says.

"I did it all by myself."

Does he want to make a heroic tale out of it?

When I try to say something, the "middle schooler" puts his index finger to his lips toward me.

"Leave this to me."

He had that kind of look.

In the end, I was also questioned, but I aligned my story with his.

I was supposed to help, but I was helped.

I did something unnecessary.


I waited for the "middle schooler" to come out of the police box.

When the "middle schooler" came out, I said I would treat him to something as thanks.

But I was turned down with "I have a part-time job."

Thinking I should at least get his name, I asked.

"I'm Suzumiya Gaku. I go to the local university."

...He was actually a university student, not a middle schooler.

I told my friend Shoko about this.

"Hmm..."

Shoko is thinking after hearing my story.

"So, what does Mikoto want to do with that Suzumiya guy?"

"Eh?"

"Aren't you consulting me because you want to do something?"

"...I don't know. It's the first time I've felt this way."

Do I simply want to thank him? Or... do I want to see him?

"Do you have a bit of time?"

"Yeah, my part-time job is off today."

Shoko started messing with her smartphone.

After a while, Shoko said.

"For now, come along. I'll take you to a good place."

What Shoko led me to was a coffee shop along the national highway near our local area.

"Welcome. I've been waiting."

The petite, pretty woman says so, glances at me, and smiles.

"Please take any open seat."

I sit in an open seat.

"Is this a shop of Shoko's acquaintance?"

I tried asking Shoko.

"Well, close enough."

Shoko says so and laughs.

"For now, I'll take your order."

"Two cream sodas, please."

"Certainly."

When Shoko orders, the woman from earlier goes to the kitchen.

"Shoko, is this girl the one from earlier?"

"That's right."

A long-haired, older, young-lady-like woman sitting at the counter seat looks at me as if observing.

Eventually, the woman from earlier brings over the ordered cream sodas.

"You don't know the reason, but you want to meet the man who saved you? Am I right?"

The clerk asked.

How does she know?

"First, let me explain. I'm in a group called the Watanabe Group..."

The Watanabe Group, I've heard rumors at least. A mysterious group that grants any wish.

But what are they trying to do by introducing me to the Watanabe Group?

"We will search for that Suzumiya Gaku and let you meet him. I think we can easily find him from the local university too."

"Who on earth are you?"

"I'm Takemoto Saki, and I'm in charge of the university students in the Watanabe Group."

"I didn't mean to surprise you or anything. I just understood that your feeling is that you want to meet that man named Suzumiya. I brought you here because I thought this would be the quickest way."

Shoko said that to join the Watanabe Group, we have to go through Saki-san first.

"I don't particularly..."

It's not like I'm looking for an encounter.

"You don't want to meet him?"

Shoko asked.

I hesitated to reply.

"The moment you hesitate, the answer is already out. Why not meet him once? It won't be too late to make a decision after that."

"...Is it possible if I join this Watanabe Group?"

"You've heard the rumors at least, right?"

The person who introduced herself as Emi said.

She says they will definitely find him.

Doubts remain, but indeed there might be no harm in meeting him. At most, a waste of time?

Seeing me like that, Saki-san said.

"It's decided then. Shoko, invite her to the group."

I am invited to the message group.

"Well, nice to meet you. I'll contact you when I find him."

When Saki-san says so, Shoko stands up.

"Shall we head home soon, Mikoto?"

We leave the shop.

"Hey, Shoko?"

"What?"

"Can we really trust those people?"

"...Well, I'm also one of those who had a boyfriend introduced to me by that group."

Shoko has a boyfriend?! Was Shoko a man-hater?

"And he was a flashy guy with the worst first impression. I never thought I'd end up dating him."

"Wait, I didn't say a single word about wanting a boyfriend!"

"I know. It's certain that they are good at finding people. There's no need to worry. ...It's just, I was curious."

"About what?"

"Mikoto's eyes told the story. You strongly wished to meet him once more. The rest is woman's intuition."

Did I wish to meet Suzumiya that much?

The more I think about it, the more that heroic figure comes to mind.

"You said you hated a university life where you're just playing around, didn't you? Isn't this the perfect opportunity?"

"That might indeed be true, but..."

"There's no need to think so hard about it. He might already have a girlfriend anyway."

"That's true."

He might have a girlfriend. When I heard that, my chest pricked with pain.

I won't know unless I meet him. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads "わからなか", meaning "わからない" / "won't know")

Premonition.

You must not give up on living. Move forward. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads "諦めちいけない", meaning "諦めちゃいけない" / "must not give up")

Someday, I will meet you.

I understand you.

Flying over the sea, I am continuing my journey to turn to ash with you.

Premonition.

What the group called the Watanabe Group brings. That is...

Premonition

(4)

The welcoming party for the three was held at a yakitori restaurant.

It seems Suzumiya Gaku hasn't been found yet.

Airi and I were at the table with the Ishihara couple, the Sakai couple, Haruto, and Shiratori-san.

The Watanabe couple was at the same table as the Kiritani couple, the Tada couple, Yuki-san, and Hasebe-kun.

"Well, I'm sorry for having everyone gather so suddenly, but..."

"Stop rambling and start already!!"

Mika-san says, and the banquet begins.

While talking, we were still curious about Yuki-san and Hasebe-kun.

Yuki-san actively directs the conversation to Hasebe-kun.

Hasebe-kun is nervous as expected.

He doesn't talk much.

Forcing a polite smile is the best he can do.

She was appealing to him with all her might.

The women must have put her up to it, right?

"If only Hasebe-kun were my boyfriend—"

She was driven to say even that much.

However, at Hasebe-kun, who has absolutely no reaction, the women start getting irritated.

It seems Yuki-san herself, perhaps aided by the alcohol, could no longer hide her irritation.

This is bad.

Emi-san's action was faster than Ishihara-kun and I could act.

"Hasebe, was it?! Stand up right there!"

Hasebe-kun stands up in spite of himself at Emi-san's threatening attitude. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads "達ががる", meaning "立ち上がる" / "stands up")

"Don't you feel anything when Yuki-san is appealing to you this much?!"

When Emi-san says so, complaints come out one after another.

"That's right, Hasebe! You aren't thinking of something sly like waiting for a confession from her, are you?!"

Mika-san says.

"I'm not thinking that. Such a dream-like story is impossible."

Hasebe-kun answers.

"It's not a dream! It's rolling right in front of you right now! Score the goal yourself! You won't get away with saying 'because the ball suddenly came to me'!" (T/N: "急にボールに来たので" is a famous Japanese quote from soccer player Yanagisawa, translated here as "because the ball suddenly came to me")

Kanna says.

"I've decided! Since it's come to this, I'll make you say it even if it kills me! Don't think you can go home until you say it!"

Akira-san says.

Ishihara-kun and Sakai-kun are holding their heads.

Watanabe-kun is also forcing a smile.

"Toya-san, shouldn't you say something after all..."

Airi says to me.

"It's fine, let's just watch over them for now."

I tell Airi.

"We're irritated after finishing work too! Don't make us waste our time!"

"That demon of a boss was rambling to me right before I went home, so I'm in a terrible mood!" (T/N: "般若" (hannya) is a metaphor for a terrifyingly angry person, translated here as "demon of a boss")

"I agree with Ai! That perverted old man groped my chest, and I'm irritated!"

Kanna, Ai-san, and Honoka-san say.

Completely unrelated complaints are flying out now.

It wasn't just Ai-san and Emi-san who were irritated.

"I've had enough too!!"

Yuki-san stood up.

"For you not to notice my feelings even after I've said this much, you're beyond dense, you're crazy! What do you think of me?!"

"T-That, I think you're a wonderful senior..."

"After all the appealing I've done, only that much?! You coward!"

Maybe I should have said something after all...

"Katagiri-kun! You don't need to give him any unnecessary advice! I won't be satisfied until I thoroughly beat this rotten attitude back into shape!"

Emi-san warned me.

"In the first place, what the hell do you think of Yuki-san?!"

Mika-san says.

"Like I said, a wonderful senior..."

"That's not the issue! Make it clear whether you see her as a woman or not!"

"O-Of course I see her that way..."

"What do you think of her?!"

"W-Well, beautiful, intelligent, capable, friendly, and..."

"Agh! What a troublesome man!"

Kanna stands up.

"I don't care about roundabout things!! Make it clear whether you like her or hate her!"

"Of course I like her!"

Hasebe-kun shouted.

"So he says, Yuki-senpai?"

Watanabe-kun says. This solved it. At least, the men thought so.

However, it seems the women are still unsatisfied.

Yuki-san slaps the table.

"Listen! That woman you like is saying 'if only you were my boyfriend', you know?! Then there's only one thing to say, right?!"

"T-That is..."

"What a truly half-hearted man! Do you want to date or not?! Make it clear!"

It's closer to a threat than a confession of love, but is this fine for the women?

"...I want to date you."

"Say it more clearly!"

Kanna shouts.

"I want to go out with Yuki-senpai!"

Hasebe-kun finally said it.

The incident was resolved with this. Or so I thought.

But it seems the women aren't satisfied with just this.

"You should have just said so honestly from the start!! Why couldn't you do that?! That's why your approval documents don't go through easily!"

"U-Um, what about the reply...?"

"Reply...? Well, fine, I'll date you. I will educate that indecisive nature of yours from square one." (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads "付き合ってげる", meaning "付き合ってあげる" / "I'll date you")

"I agree with Yuki-san! The Watanabe Group will thoroughly educate you!"

"I agree with Mika! This guy is the worst quality one yet! Don't think you can go home today!"

"Nice... It's been a while since we had someone so worth training."

Yuki-san, Mika-san, Kanna, and Emi-san say.

"K-Kanna, you have work tomorrow, right?"

"Staying up all night for one day is nothing!"

Makoto says, but Kanna doesn't listen.

But somehow everyone persuaded them, and partly because Ai-san and the others had late-night shifts, the welcoming party ended at the first venue.

It seems exchanging contact information wasn't enough for Yuki-san and Hasebe-kun.

It seems Hasebe-kun was dragged along by Yuki-san to bar-hop two more places, and in the end, was taken home by her.

Premonition

(5)

Coming out of the bath, Airi is looking at her smartphone and laughing.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, Toya-san."

Airi noticed me.

"Did something happen?"

I sit next to Airi.

"We were all talking about Hasebe-san."

"...I see. Airi, the bath is vacant now, so go ahead and take one."

"Yes."

Airi headed to the bath.

Meanwhile, I also look at my smartphone.

There was no reaction from the men.

Looking at the Watanabe Group... wow...

"Hasebe! Just try saying nothing happened tomorrow morning. It'll be an all-night lecture next time for sure!"

"If you're a man, settle it properly!"

"We absolutely won't let you say nothing happened after today's flow!"

"It's fine! I won't allow such a thing!"

Mika-san, Ai-san, Kanna, and Yuki-san are saying.

Was this really for the best?

Putting down my smartphone, I turn on the TV and watch it blankly.

"Oh? Were you still awake?"

Airi returned.

"I was waiting for you, Airi."

"You could have gone to sleep first, though."

"Tomorrow is a day off too, right?"

"That's true, but you must be tired today."

Saying so, Airi checks her smartphone, places it on the table, and gets into bed first.

Seeing that, I also turn off the TV, turn off the lights, and get into bed.

"Toya-san."

"What is it?"

"It really turned out just as you said, Toya-san."

"Eh?"

"The women resolved it all by themselves."

I don't know if that can be called a resolution, though.

"Hey, Airi."

"What is the matter?"

"Do people really want to be confessed to by going that far?"

"Well, if it's from someone they like, that might be the case. I confessed myself, so I don't know."

"I'm sorry."

"But... I was happy when I could hear your feelings on Christmas Eve, Toya-san."

"I see."

"Well then, good night."

"Good night."

Airi falls asleep.

A peaceful, gentle sleeping face.

I remember that day.

The days when conveying my feelings was difficult.

Premonition.

A chain of joy and love.