Chapter 397 - Mystery
(1)
"Toya-san, it's morning."
I wake up to Airi's voice.
"Good morning, Airi."
After finishing our usual morning greetings, I get ready.
Going to the dining room, I eat breakfast while conversing with Airi.
Once breakfast is over, I quickly leave the house.
"It seems like just a little more patience is needed."
"Yes, please take care and have a safe trip."
Seen off by Airi, I head to the office.
Arriving at the office, I prepare for work.
By the time the preparations are finished, it is starting time, and the morning assembly begins.
After a brief meeting is held, I get to work.
I receive an explanation of today's work from Tatsuhiko-senpai and begin my tasks.
Since it is the end of the month, Tatsuhiko-senpai is out on a patrol audit and is not in the office.
That day, work was proceeding without any incidents.
Or so I thought, when a single phone rings.
The receptionist picks up the phone.
"Thank you for calling. This is the Segawa Tax Accountant Office."
It was the usual customer service.
However, the situation seems somewhat suspicious...
"As I said, Shimoda is currently out. We will have him call you back immediately, so..."
It seems to be quite a persistent caller.
Iizuka-san at the reception also looks troubled.
"Again..."
Sakamoto-san from administration said.
"Did something happen?"
I spoke to her.
"The clients Shimoda-san visits are usually like that. Most of them make complaints."
"Complaints?"
"Though it's usually Shimoda-san's mistake, you know? They say their tax payment amount has gone up because he forgot procedures or omitted declarations."
Sakamoto-san says it is because Shimoda-san is bad at communication.
"Did Shimoda mess up something again?"
The President came out of the President's office.
"It seems so."
Sakamoto-san answers.
"Around what time will Shimoda return?"
"I don't know, and we can't get in touch with him."
"Understood. I will take it. Transfer the call to me."
"Understood."
Saying so, the President takes the call instead.
"Ah, thank you as always for your patronage. Yes... ah, we are terribly sorry for that."
Tatsuhiko-senpai came back.
"Good work~. ...What's wrong?"
"Actually, there's a complaint from Sanno Steel..."
"Ah, Shimoda again... I felt that place was too heavy a burden for Shimoda~"
Tatsuhiko-senpai says.
"I think you'll be fine, Toya, but be careful. There are tons of companies out there that will casually write receipts for things that can't be counted as expenses."
Tatsuhiko-senpai whispered.
Apparently, there are even business owners who try to write off traffic violation fines as expenses.
"Yes, well then, let us leave it at that. I am terribly sorry. Goodbye then."
The President's phone call ended.
The President comes out.
"Does Shimoda not even answer his smartphone?"
"It seems he has it on silent mode..."
Sakamoto-san says.
"Why is he always, always like this..."
The President says.
"Did he mess up something again?"
Tatsuhiko-senpai asked.
"The problem is that he did nothing. It was fine that he went for the monthly audit, but apparently, he just did the bookkeeping and left. He didn't even explain the details of the settlement of accounts."
If it's just bookkeeping and settling accounts, they could just hire an accountant or request a bookkeeping service.
The President says that a tax accountant's job is to add value on top of that by advising on management.
"Well, it's just like him, I suppose."
Tatsuhiko-senpai says.
The problematic Shimoda-senpai returned.
"Good work."
"Shimoda! What have you been doing until now!"
The President shouts.
"The monthly audit."
"When you went to Sanno Steel, apparently you rejected their utility bills, saying they couldn't be recorded as expenses!?"
"Their office and residence are integrated, right? I thought they couldn't be recorded unless they were properly separated, so..."
"What on earth have you been studying!? Determining what percentage can be counted as expenses is your job, isn't it! And there's more!"
For example, suppose they bought a luxury car as an expense. No matter how you look at it, it's not a car used for work.
But if it is a luxury 'sedan', it may be recognized as a necessary expense for commuting or business entertainment.
He says that it is important to record as many expenses as possible to bring them closer to sales.
The amount obtained by subtracting necessary expenses and other miscellaneous items from income becomes subject to income tax.
Since a car was used as an example, as a side note, the useful life of a car is 6 years in the case of a new car.
In other words, even if you buy a 6 million yen car, only 1 million yen per year is recognized as an expense.
If you increase expenses like this, the taxable amount becomes 0. However, if the business is not in the black, you will lose the trust of financial institutions.
He says that a tax accountant's job is to think about that balance and give various advice.
I listened to the President's scolding while receiving various guidance from Tatsuhiko-senpai.
There is no point in just listening to the talk, so I do my own work.
Regular working hours have already passed.
"That's enough, process your piled-up work."
It seems the President's sermon has ended.
"Toya, are you done with today's portion?"
"Yes, it will be finished soon."
"I see. When you're done, send it to my PC. I'll look at it tomorrow morning. I'm heading out first~"
Saying so, Tatsuhiko-senpai goes home.
"Ah, good work, see you tomorrow."
I felt a bit hesitant to leave before the President, but I decided to go home.
On the way back, I was with Koriyama-senpai.
"Our job isn't just accounting. We have to consult with various clients. Keep studying."
"Understood."
Koriyama-senpai went home.
I also call Airi.
The clock had passed 22:00.
"Toya-san?"
"Yeah, I'm heading home now."
"Understood. Then I will start preparing now."
"I'll be home soon."
"Yes, I will be waiting."
I went home immediately after that.
When I returned, Airi warmly welcomed me with a "Good work."
I talk about what happened today while eating with Airi.
Airi listens to it happily.
Once dinner is finished, Airi cleans up, and then we both take a bath and go to the bedroom.
"No alcohol today either. Please bear with juice."
"Yeah."
I spend time with Airi while watching TV.
When the time comes, I fall asleep with Airi.
I went to rest toward a new day.
(2)
"Hey, Watanabe-kun, do you have a moment during lunch break?"
"...Sure, but?"
I received a consultation from Hasebe-senpai.
We talk in the cafeteria during lunch break.
"Actually, there was a drinking party last weekend, right? At that time..."
"Oh? Hasebe-kun, you were here first? I was looking for you."
"Yu-Yuki-senpai..."
Yuki-senpai brought two lunch boxes.
Yuki-senpai notices Hasebe-senpai slurping ramen.
"Oh? Even though I went to the trouble of making and bringing a bento..."
"Th-thank you. I can still eat it, so it's fine."
"Is that so? Well then, help yourself."
Hasebe-senpai eats Yuki-senpai's bento.
"How is it?"
"It's super delicious."
"I'm glad."
Yuki-senpai seems satisfied.
In contrast, Hasebe-senpai's attitude is awkward.
What happened?
Around the time Hasebe-senpai finishes eating the bento, Yuki-senpai's staff-only mobile phone rings.
"Yes, this is Yuki... Eh? I'll return immediately."
Yuki-senpai hangs up the phone.
"What's wrong?"
"It seems there was a bit of trouble. I'll head back first."
Yuki-senpai said so and stood up from her seat.
Seeing that, Hasebe-senpai said.
"Actually, she's been like that ever since the drinking party."
"?"
"She's strangely kind, or should I say... and when I realized it after the drinking party was over, I was sleeping at Yuki-senpai's house."
No way...
"Hasebe-senpai, by any chance, do you not remember that night?"
"I only remember being yelled at by the women, but my memory is vague."
Hasebe-senpai holds his head.
That's bad... it might buy the resentment of the women again.
"Senpai, I'll tell you what happened now. You absolutely must not ask Yuki-senpai."
"Did I really mess up something?"
I told him what happened after that as far as I knew.
I told him to look at the log of the Watanabe Group, a group at the local university.
"...In other words, I messed up?"
"Probably so."
"Oh my god..."
Hasebe-senpai worries.
He asks how he should interact with Yuki-senpai from now on.
"Senpai, let's think positively here. Whatever the circumstances, a relationship with Yuki-senpai has been established."
You know how to treat a lover, right?
"Y-yeah..."
"You absolutely must not ask what happened. Align your stories well."
"I know."
"Leave the worries after that to the Watanabe Group. There are many people who like to meddle in such things."
Though that's the source of this trouble.
"I'll leave it to you."
I continued to consult with my senpai after that.
Like receiving messages every day, or being asked to go to the prefectural art museum next holiday...
She's surprisingly proactive, Yuki-senpai.
Well, I had noticed that since the drinking party.
"Then, shall we head back too? I'm also curious about Yuki-senpai's trouble."
"Right."
We returned to the workplace.
"Kawasaki-kun! How many times do you have to make the same mistake to understand!? It's your mistake!"
"That's why I'm telling you. I did explain it properly."
"The other party says they submitted the notification, and they even submitted the documents, didn't they?"
"I didn't receive those documents. I left it to Watanabe."
"There's no way that's true. Besides, the notification was made before Watanabe-kun joined!"
"Not checking it after that is Watanabe's mistake."
Kawasaki-senpai and Yuki-senpai are arguing.
The surrounding staff are watching the outcome, thinking 'again?'
Since my name was mentioned, I joined the conversation.
"Um, what happened?"
"Watanabe-kun! Did you accept the death notification of the other party's husband?"
"If it's that person, since their resident record was changed last year, I made a request for return?"
When I say so, Yuki-senpai glares at Kawasaki-senpai.
"See, isn't it Watanabe's responsibility after all!?"
"Don't shift the issue! The change happened last year!"
"Was there some problem with the other party?"
Yuki-senpai began to explain.
The department I was assigned to is the Social Welfare Division. The department in charge of the so-called livelihood protection.
The other party was also a recipient.
However, her husband had passed away last year.
Naturally, that portion must be deducted from the payment amount.
However, Kawasaki-senpai neglected that confirmation, and I took over the responsibility.
I checked the resident record, confirmed the family structure, and since the payment amount was more than necessary, I sent documents to return that portion.
As a result, the other party came barging in shouting, "Asking to return it at this late hour is your mistake!"
When I pressed Kawasaki-senpai, who was in charge at the time, he insisted, "Watanabe is in charge now, it has nothing to do with me."
"Watanabe-kun just checked properly and made the request for return! If Kawasaki-kun had done the procedures properly, this situation wouldn't have happened."
"Isn't that just hindsight!?"
"Watanabe-kun is doing his job properly! Don't shift the responsibility of your own mistake onto someone else... especially a newcomer of barely over a month!"
Yuki-senpai is angry at Kawasaki-senpai, who has an excuse for everything. The conversation remains on parallel lines. Well, it's the usual thing, though...
"...So, what should I do?"
"Since you are the one currently in charge, you have no choice but to negotiate. They will probably bring a lawyer, so I will attend as well."
"What will happen?"
"They will probably insist they can't pay."
She says compulsory execution cannot be carried out against recipients.
"It's fine, I won't let things go badly. Because Watanabe-kun did the natural processing. Kawasaki-kun! You are going to take responsibility!"
"Why me! The problem lies with the other party who won't comply with the return..."
"It was your mistake in the first place!"
When the afternoon work began, the negotiations started.
As expected, the other party would not comply with our request.
The boss joined the conversation, and finally, an agreement was reached to return it in small installments.
A lot of time was taken up by this matter.
It's overtime today too.
"Have you come to hate this job?"
Yuki-senpai said.
"Well, I think work is just like this, but..."
However, it is certain that this department is tough.
We have to see through who is truly in need and who is committing fraud.
"Even in government work, it's called a black department. It's a position where it's easy to buy resentment from the other party."
Yuki-senpai says that people collapse from stress while handling various recipients.
"We hold a single person's life in our hands. Listen to the recipient's story. Look them properly in the eye when talking... I guess that's about it."
"It seems tough..."
"You will also face a tough time soon. The real thing starts after you are entrusted with the responsibility. Well, I'm heading home first."
"Good work."
Yuki-senpai went home.
It has become a life where thinking it would be easy because it's a civil servant job feels like a lie.
As expected, there is no easy job. I thought so.
(3)
After finishing class, I head to the city by train.
There is plenty of time until my part-time job.
I was thinking about where to kill time.
"Are you Suzumiya Gaku-kun?"
Suddenly, I was called out to by a pair of men.
A flashy-looking man and a well-built man with a shaved head.
"Yes, I am."
"Ah, you don't have to be so on guard. We're not suspicious people."
I was normally on guard.
"What do you want?"
"Hey, does the name Mikoto Wakamiya ring a bell?"
It's a name I've heard somewhere.
"Look, you were once entangled with delinquents in the city, right? At that time..."
The flashy-looking man says.
Ah, I remembered.
"Did something happen to that Wakamiya-san?"
"She says she wants to thank you. Won't you meet her?"
"I don't have that kind of time, so excuse me."
Saying so, I tried to walk away.
But the flashy-looking man grabs my shoulder, saying, "Wait a minute."
Reflexively, my hand struck out.
However, the man with the shaved head grabs that hand.
"We don't want to do anything rough either. Let's not do that."
The man with the shaved head says so and laughs. This person is strong. I intuitively felt so.
"We won't take much of your time. You have a part-time job anyway, right? We'll take you to your workplace."
The flashy man says.
If you go that far...
"Understood. Where should we go?"
"Are you by car?"
"No, by train."
"In that case, I'll take you."
Saying so, I was led away by the two suspicious men.
The place we arrived at was a coffee shop named Blue Bird.
"Welcome~"
A lovely woman wearing a black suit is serving customers.
"Senpai, where are Shoko and the others?"
"They should be heading this way now. They'll probably arrive soon. Sit at any seat you like and wait. Ah, what is your order?"
The lovely woman asks for the order.
"Coffee, please."
"Certainly~"
Around the time another listless-looking woman brings the order, a car stops with a tremendous roaring sound.
"Looks like they've arrived."
When the man with the shaved head says so, two women come in with the door bell ringing.
A girl with long blonde hair and piercings, and a boyish short-haired girl with orange-beige hair and piercings... Ah, it's that person.
The short-haired girl also seems to have noticed me.
The long-haired girl brought the short-haired girl over.
The clerk, a slightly stylish clerk with semi-long hair, also came along.
"Are you Suzumiya-kun?"
The long-haired girl asked.
"Yes, I am."
When I answer, the long-haired girl laughed.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Shoko Sakuragi, a friend of Mikoto Wakamiya next to me. And..."
"I'm Saki Takemoto. I organize the university students of the Watanabe Group."
The semi-long-haired clerk says.
The Watanabe Group, a group at the local university rumored to be on the level of an urban legend, where nothing is impossible.
"Hello..."
"Look, Mikoto. You have something you want to say, right?"
"Thank you for the other day."
When Sakuragi-san said so, Wakamiya-san spoke.
"No, I was the one who was saved... Is that all?"
Then Takemoto-san said.
"What about your circle?"
"I haven't joined any. Because my part-time job keeps me busy."
"I know a wonderful group where you can play while working a part-time job, though."
"Um, I'm not interested in that kind of thing."
"Wakamiya-san is in it too, you know?"
"So what?"
I could read these people's intentions.
They want to do something about me and Wakamiya-san. That must be their scheme.
But no matter how real the power of the Watanabe Group is, that's impossible.
They say both the admission fee and membership fee are free. It's getting more and more suspicious.
In the first place, even if Wakamiya-san and I started dating, what kind of benefit would there be for these people?
Takemoto-san is staring at my face like that.
When our eyes meet, Takemoto-san smiled warmly.
"I have no intention of doing anything to you. But a life of just working a part-time job and studying must be boring, right?"
"I have nothing else I want to do, so it can't be helped. I just don't want to do troublesome things."
When I say so, Takemoto-san is thinking.
But I have no reason to wait for the answer to that thought.
"Well, it seems the business is finished, so I'll be off. You promised to take me to my workplace, right?"
Saying so, I stand up from my seat.
"Wait!"
The woman who was sitting at the counter called out to stop me. I think her name was Sakai-san.
"Listening to you, you only say weak things like it's troublesome or you have nothing you want to do. Aren't you just a spineless person with no motivation?"
"...That's true. But how does that concern you guys?"
"It seems we need to do something about you first."
Ishihara-san, who was sitting next to Sakai-san, said.
"What do you mean by doing something? Just so you know, I don't have that much money."
I brace myself. Are these people of the same kind as that suspicious circle from the other day?
"Well, let's calm down. Suzumiya-kun, right? Even if you work a part-time job, you have free time, right?"
The man with the shaved head said.
"Our group has many working adults. It's also fine not to come for work reasons. There will be no hindrance to your life, Suzumiya-kun."
"I also work a part-time job, after all," the man with the shaved head says.
"What are you telling me to do?"
"Just join the group. We won't sell you suspicious jars or accessories... You can act as you like."
Takemoto-san says.
"And what profit is there in that for you guys?"
"Nothing. Because we're just a group of meddlers."
"Will you absolutely not leave me alone?"
"Just think of being targeted as the end of your luck and give up."
"...I really don't have to do anything, right?"
"That's fine."
"Understood. Continuing to talk on parallel lines like this is more troublesome."
"You're surprisingly understanding. Then take out your smartphone. You use messaging, right? Let's exchange IDs."
As I was told, I exchange messaging IDs with Takemoto-san, and then I am invited to groups.
A group called "Watanabe Group" and a group called "Men's Association".
"Thank you, nice to meet you. Well then, Umemoto-kun, take him back."
"Understood. Shall we go, Suzumiya-kun?"
After that, I was taken back by Umemoto-kun.
During that time, I asked various things about the Watanabe Group.
"Basically, there are many drinking parties. It feels like we drink whenever we find a reason. Mostly on weekends, since there are many working adults."
Umemoto-kun says so.
"But you're lucky. Zero admission fee, membership fee is actual cost, and if things go well, you get a girlfriend and a bright student life. Even if you fail, what you lose is at most the cost of drinks. There's no other circle with such good conditions."
"Why was I chosen?"
"That's the stroke of luck. It's just that Mikoto-chan happened to go help when you were entangled, Mikoto-chan happened to be Shoko's friend, and Shoko happened to be in the Watanabe Group."
"Is there any proof that Wakamiya-san likes me?"
"There is no absolute in love. It probably depends on your future actions."
I let out a sigh.
I am thoroughly out of luck.
If I hadn't been entangled at that time, and if I hadn't saved her, things wouldn't have turned out like this.
Mystery.
Do not fear, for love will guide you even in the pitch-black night.
Where on earth am I being guided?
(4)
"So, how was it, Mikoto?"
Shoko asked.
Even if you ask me how...
"Isn't it impossible when the other party has no interest?"
"I see..."
Takemoto-senpai says.
"There's nothing to worry about. I know how to handle that type of man."
"Are you going to force him to say it like at the drinking party the other day?"
"Isn't that up to you, Mikoto?"
"Up to me?"
"To declare that the other party has no interest means you were at least conscious of him, right?"
Takemoto-senpai says.
"Well... yes."
It was the first time I had been rejected to that extent.
It's impossible not to be conscious of him.
"Isn't it better to leave him alone? He seemed to have absolutely no interest."
Kitamura-senpai says.
"Misato was the same at first, wasn't she? Acting like she had nothing to do with it."
Takemoto-senpai says.
"But, first, let's confirm Mikoto-chan's feelings. What did you think of him, Mikoto-chan? How did it feel to meet him again?"
Ishihara-senpai says.
"Let's see..."
Or rather, the gap from the beginning is amazing... but the first impression was too strong, and I can only see his good points.
But I also want to respect his feelings. If he thinks of "romance as a troublesome thing," shouldn't I stop chasing him around any further?
But I don't know if I can feel satisfied being told to give up.
Looking at how I am, Takemoto-senpai says.
"It's decided. We'll make our move this weekend!"
Saying so, Emi-senpai begins to operate her smartphone.
"If push comes to shove, we'll go by force again!"
When Takemoto-senpai says so, everyone nodded.
Would anyone be happy being confessed to like that?
I was anxious.
(5)
"Drinking parties have been continuing lately, haven't they?"
"Indeed."
I was saying so while riding the bus with Airi.
"Who are they trying to hook up this time?"
"Wakamiya-san who joined the other day, because her partner was found. Look, a person named Suzumiya-san joined the group, right?"
"Ah, so that's what it was."
After that, while listening to the rough circumstances from Airi, the bus arrived in front of the station, and then we walked to the yakitori restaurant.
We shared a table with the Watanabe couple, Yuki-san, and Hasebe-san.
The Takemoto couple, the Tada couple, Sakuragi-san, Umemoto-kun, Wakamiya-san, and Suzumiya-kun were at the same table.
Saki-san introduced Suzumiya-kun and Wakamiya-san, and the two introduced themselves.
"Well then, let's get lively today too."
Saki-san said so, and the banquet began.
At first, I was talking with Watanabe-kun about work.
Apparently, we are both busy at the end of the month.
I was talking while occasionally watching the Takemoto couple.
Are they testing the waters today?
It seems the phrase "testing the waters" does not exist in the Watanabe Group.
At least, not for the women.
Kanna was cutting straight to the point without holding back.
"...So, what does Wakamiya think of Suzumiya?"
She's no less direct than Airi.
"It's love at first sight. Because I never thought I would be the one saved."
Wakamiya-san said so.
It's surely because of the drink she's having.
"What does Suzumiya think of Wakamiya?"
Kanna was asking Suzumiya-kun.
"I don't really think anything of her."
That answer is bad...
"What was that...? In front of a woman who says she fell in love with you at first sight, what do you mean you don't think anything of her!?"
Kanna's voice grows louder.
I suddenly looked around. As expected, Mika-san is not there.
Looking at Watanabe-kun, he was laughing, "Hahaha."
Looking at Hasebe-san, he also had a similar look. By the way, Yuki-san has also left her seat.
The so-called main firepower of the Watanabe Group was all directed at Suzumiya-san.
"Please wait. I haven't even received a confession yet."
That answer is also NG...
"Then, if you are confessed to, you will accept, right?"
Kanna corners him.
"There's no way that would happen."
"Wakamiya! Go for it!!"
Mika-san says.
"Oh! Suzumiya!! Date me!"
So Wakamiya-san was also of the firepower type...
"I'm not happy being told that just on the spur of the moment."
"You have an excuse for everything, what a troublesome guy! Momentum is also important for this kind of thing!"
Mika-san says.
"What are you going to do, Suzumiya-kun? Surely you don't think that making a woman say all that and then embarrassing her is going to fly?"
"Please wait! I just participated in a circle gathering, you know? Why has this turned into something like a matchmaking service?"
That single word from Suzumiya-kun seemed to offend Ai-san.
"You, while saying you'd accept if confessed to, are still making such lame excuses!?"
"Stop whining and just date her! You're single right now anyway, aren't you!?"
"Stop saying boring things and answer already!"
Ai-san, Mika-san, and Kanna say.
It has started again...
"I still don't know anything about her. Being told to suddenly date her is impossible."
"Nobody knows about the other party at first. Even Mikoto doesn't know about Suzumiya-kun. You can just get to know each other after dating!"
"You really have a lot of quibbles! You're a good match for our Kawasaki! Stop making boring excuses!"
"What does Suzumiya think of Mikoto?"
Ai-san, Yuki-san, and Kanna say.
"Like I said, I don't know Wakamiya-san well yet, so even if you ask me what I think..."
"Stop whining and make it clear whether you like her or hate her!"
"...Well, since she came to save me, I think she's a good person."
"Just answer the question! Do you like her or hate her?"
"I don't hate her."
"What a half-hearted answer!"
"Isn't that fine, Kanna? If he doesn't hate her, that means he likes her! They should just date!"
"That's true, Mika! You two, date starting today!"
It's a wild argument, both of them.
However, there was no one who tried to stop these two.
No one wanted to buy unnecessary anger.
Each was getting lively with different topics.
"Watanabe-kun. Was it like this during my time too?"
"Hahaha, well, it was similar."
Hasebe-san was asking Watanabe-kun.
Watanabe-kun is also completely at a loss.
"Alright, assuming you're dating, first is exchanging contact info."
"I'll do that later."
"No! Do it right now!!"
Kanna and the others seem to be the same as always.
Suzumiya-kun takes out his smartphone and exchanges messages with Wakamiya-san.
"What do we do next, Mika?"
"Let's see... Kanna."
"Shouldn't we create some kind of fait accompli? If we leave these two alone, they'll reach July with nothing happening."
Kanna, Mika-san, and Ai-san are consulting.
Then, Wakamiya-san stands up and tries to pull Suzumiya-kun to leave the restaurant.
Suzumiya-kun resists.
"Wh-what's wrong!? Wakamiya-san!"
"Not Wakamiya-san, Mikoto!"
"What's wrong, Mikoto?"
"I'm going to create a done deal!!"
"I-I don't understand what you mean!?"
"Don't make a woman say it to the end!"
Everyone other than Suzumiya-kun had understood the meaning.
And there was no one to stop that riot.
Though there were those who egged it on.
"You can do it if you try, Mikoto!"
"That's the spirit, Mikoto! Go settle it properly!"
"Suzumiya! Are you still a man!? They say it's a man's shame to turn down a gift! Go do it properly!"
Ai-san, Kanna, and Mika-san say.
Suzumiya-kun also seemed to have understood the meaning.
He resists further.
"S-suddenly is impossible!"
"Stop rattling on!"
Wakamiya-san threatens.
"Oh! Go on, Mikoto. I'll hear the report in the girls' association group."
"Senpai, I'm off! Come on, walk properly, Suzumiya."
Wakamiya-san and Suzumiya-kun went out.
Ai-san, Kanna, Mika-san, and Yuki-san look like they've finished a job.
Is this really okay...?
"...So, how are Yuki and Hasebe doing after that?"
Kanna found her next prey.
"Come to think of it, there's been no report."
Mika-san also jumps on the bandwagon.
"What? Is there someone who still lacks discipline?"
Emi-san says.
"Well, they've been busy with various things."
Watanabe-kun shields Hasebe-san.
However, such efforts were in vain...
"He won't even invite me to dinner."
Yuki-san with that single word from Yuki-san, things flare up again.
"Hasebe! Come here! It's a lecture!"
Hasebe-kun panics. Watanabe-kun seems to know some of the circumstances.
And those circumstances are exposed by Hasebe-kun himself.
"Even if you say that, I don't remember such a thing happening that night!"
Watanabe-kun holds his head.
The entire female group flares up.
"I can't believe it! How can you say such a thing so calmly!"
"Hasebe-kun! Even I got ticked off by that just now."
"Hasebe! Don't think you can go home like this today!"
Kana-san, Yuki-san, and Kanna say.
The men are all pretending not to know.
Hasebe-san is surrounded by a large crowd of women.
"Excuse me, customers, it is time for the last order."
The clerk comes over.
"Tch, is it time... and I have work tomorrow..."
"Next time, we'll thoroughly discipline the two of them together."
"Saki! Set the schedule."
"Understood!"
Kanna, Emi-san, Mika-san, and Saki-san say.
"Hasebe! Don't think you can escape!"
"Don't worry. I'll bring him even if I have to drag him."
Kanna and Yuki-san are saying.
(6)
"Toya, are you free tomorrow?"
"It's my day off, though?"
"Go with me to just one more place."
When Watanabe-kun said so, I, Airi, the Watanabe couple, Yuki-san, and Hasebe-san went to Watanabe-kun's favorite snack bar.
After each ordering a drink, we toast with a "Cheers~."
"That's why I told you. Absolutely do not speak of it."
"I couldn't think of any other excuse."
Watanabe-kun and Hasebe-san are talking.
"Hasebe-san, you like Yuki-san, don't you?"
Airi was asking.
"Of course I like her... it's just that when I realized it, we were sleeping in the same bed, and I have no memory, so I got confused."
That's why you shouldn't say those kinds of things, Hasebe-san.
"...Hasebe-san. This guy is Toya Katagiri. He can give advice on various things. Why don't you ask him what you should do at this point?"
Watanabe-kun says.
Hasebe-san is looking at me.
So he's trying to drag me into this.
"Let's see... if you forgot, why don't you just start over again?"
I said.
"What do you mean?"
"I think Yuki-san would be calm here. Why don't you convey your feelings once more? It's fine. It's like a rigged game anyway."
"I see..."
Watanabe-kun seemed to have understood.
Yuki-san also seems calm.
She is just quietly waiting for Hasebe-san's words.
Hasebe-san drank his beverage in one gulp and spoke.
"Yuki-senpai! I-I have always admired you. If possible, won't you date me?"
Yuki-san was silent for a while.
And then she slowly begins to speak.
"Even though there was alcohol involved, I showed you a disgraceful sight. Was the Yuki-senpai you admired there?"
Huh? Did I miss the mark?
"No... but I've come to like you even more. How should I say it, I was happy to see the real Yuki-senpai... I can't say it well, though."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes!"
"Then, let me be my true self only in front of you. Not Yuki-senpai, let me be a single woman named Saori."
"...Understood!"
Yuki-san hugs Hasebe-san.
"I might be a troublesome woman, but please take care of me."
"L-likewise, please take care of me."
"...Are you free tonight?"
"...I'm free! I'll make sure not to forget this time!"
"Don't be so stiff. I'll make it an unforgettable night this time."
"Well, with that, we'll excuse ourselves first. Katagiri-kun, was it... thank you."
Saying so, the two left the shop.
"You saved me, Toya, thanks."
"This much is an easy task."
"In that case, tonight's two will probably also become a problem."
"They probably will."
"We both have endless hardships."
"That's right."
Airi and Mika-san seem to be talking together.
They probably have things they want to talk about as girls.
The two of them were doing their thing, and we were talking about work and various other things.
(7)
After parting with the Watanabe couple, we take the bus and return home.
We both take a shower and get into bed.
"Hey, Toya-san."
Airi spoke to me.
"What's wrong? Was there another talk in the girls' group?"
"No, it's not like that... just..."
Just?
"I was talking with Mika-san about why men always seek it, but when it comes down to it, they get cold feet."
"...I see."
"Since it was like that during Toya-san's time too, I wondered."
Though in my case, even the first time, Airi was the one who sought it.
"Maybe they get nervous and shrink back? The more the other party is someone they admire."
The more precious the person is. The stronger the feelings are.
"So that's how it is."
Airi seems to be sending a message.
It probably became a topic in the girls' association too.
"Ah, that's right..."
Airi goes to the kitchen and brings back two chuhai.
"The busy season ended this week, didn't it?"
"Yes, it did."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you."
I drink together with Airi.
"Um, may I ask you one more thing?"
"What is it?"
"Why do men forget precious nights?"
I choked.
"What's wrong all of a sudden!?"
"No, because it seems Hasebe-san and Yuki-san were like that. It seems everyone is worried that Wakamiya-san and Suzumiya-kun might also forget."
I think Suzumiya-kun will absolutely not forget. In various senses.
"I think Hasebe-san just had his memory fly because he was drunk."
"Is that so?"
"Or maybe he was nervous and his mind went blank."
"I see..."
Airi has a lonely look on her face.
"What's wrong?"
Airi says while keeping her head down.
"I ended up thinking, for example, if I sought it tonight, would Toya-san accept me? Would you remember it?"
"Want to try?"
"Eh?"
Turning down the room lights, I embrace Airi.
"Are you okay?"
"Tomorrow is a day off for both of us. Can you keep up?"
"...Yes!"
Mystery.
Do not fear. For love will guide you even in the pitch-black night.