Chapter 406 - The Fleeting Miracle Named Beauty
(1)
"Good morning, Toya-san. It's morning."
"Good morning, Airi."
"It seems your physical condition has been fine lately."
"It's thanks to you, Airi."
"No. Please get ready quickly."
Airi says so, leaves the bed, and heads to the kitchen.
A three-day weekend starting today.
That said, there are people who can't get a three-day weekend.
There are even people for whom a consecutive holiday itself is precarious.
And so, a two-day, one-night camp was decided.
Among them are people with grueling schedules, staying one night and working a semi-night shift or late-night shift the next day.
It seems Kimoto-senpai's project was successfully completed.
Though it seems his next site has already been decided.
"If I knew it would be like this, I should have gone into sales."
But sales seems black too, Kimoto-senpai. (T/N: "black" refers to an exploitative "black company" in Japan)
Come to think of it, I received a summer bonus the other day.
Because the assessment period was short, it was quite low, but I entrusted it to Airi.
"I have indeed received it. Thank you very much. I will keep it for emergencies."
"Airi, there's something I've wanted to ask you once..."
"What is it?"
"Is the salary enough?"
What with drinking parties and this and that, expenses are quite big.
Airi smiles warmly and answers.
"I chose the apartment after researching Toya-san's starting salary, you know."
She says it is fine because she calculated the subsequent utility bills and such, and is properly putting money aside.
If Airi says so, there should be no problem.
After finishing breakfast, while Airi is cleaning up, I begin preparations.
By the time Airi finishes cleaning up and gets ready, the preparations are finished.
We leave the house.
The gathering place was at the site.
About an hour by car, I suppose.
When we arrived at the site, Haruto and the others were already preparing.
"Ah, thanks for your hard work, Toya-senpai."
"Good morning, Haruto. Early as usual."
After that, the members gathered one after another.
Everyone first set up their tents, then changed and enjoyed the sea.
We also change into swimsuits.
For lunch, everyone had prepared bento boxes.
Once they ate their bento, everyone jumped into the sea.
I, too, was invited by Airi and headed toward the sea.
(2)
"Eita, what are you doing?"
"Playing a game, but?"
"A game, even though you came all the way to the sea?!"
Ai is angry. I can't afford to sour her mood any further.
Putting away the game, I followed Ai.
Haruto is playing with a surfboard.
Shiratori-san is reading in the shade of a tree.
Toya is eating yakisoba and various things at the beach house.
Tosaka-san is looking at that with a troubled face.
Manabe-kun and the others are also drinking at the beach house.
Umi-san is building a giant sand art as usual.
Those frolicking at the water's edge.
Those swimming in the sea.
Those enjoying beach volleyball.
Everyone was enjoying themselves.
Ai and I were playing in the sea.
Ai seems to be having fun.
Since that night, I had been changing my life little by little.
When Ai had the late shift, I would make night snacks or breakfast, do the cleaning, and look for a job during the day.
My job was decided as route sales for pharmaceuticals.
Kimoto-senpai and Hiyama-senpai tell me to reconsider.
But the take-home pay is good; if I want to make things a little easier for Ai, I have to do at least this much.
I looked up online that it's tough. But there are no easy jobs.
I am prepared.
If I don't do at least that much, I won't be able to regain everyone's trust.
The interview was easy.
But I had also heard that the turnover rate is high.
After playing for a bit, I return to the tent to take a break.
After a while, everyone came back.
I move faster than everyone else.
I prepare to start a fire.
I light the fire starter to build the fire, then put in the charcoal.
Then, Sasaki spoke to me.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"Thanks."
We exchange brief greetings.
"Can I ask you one thing? I'm extremely interested."
Sasaki asked.
"What is it?"
"How did you make up with Ai-san? From an objective standpoint, I think it was an extremely terrible situation."
"Do I need to explain that to you?"
"Because I thought it might be necessary to hear Senpai's thoughts. In the first place, what do you think of Ai-san, Senpai?"
"Of course I love her!"
I was shouting.
"What's wrong, Eita?"
Ai comes over.
"It's nothing, Ai."
"I see. Get along with your juniors too. Watanabe-kun told you, didn't he?"
Saying so, Ai returns to her own work.
"I apologize if I offended you. But I'm extremely interested. In the thing called the bond that connects you two."
How am I supposed to explain that to this guy?
It can't be put into words. A thin bond.
A thin but strong bond that will never break.
It's always on the edge.
Tightrope walking on a thin rope.
Clinging desperately. Somehow I've made it this far.
There is no guarantee anywhere that it will continue in the future.
"...I have a girlfriend too. A girlfriend named Yuzuki."
Sasaki began to speak.
"Yuzuki always warns me. 'What Yutaka says is correct, but there are times when sound arguments rub people the wrong way,' she says."
Isn't that exactly the state right now?
"Katagiri-san also told me, 'If you want to debate, first you have to confirm if the other party has that intention; if you just unilaterally force your own opinion, no one will deal with you.'"
I'm the same, I have no need to debate with you.
"To speak frankly, I want to talk to Kiritani-san. Even if it's about your wife, or anything."
"Why are you so obsessed with me?"
"Curiosity, perhaps? I already told you the reason earlier. I want to know the secret of the bond between you two that doesn't break no matter how close it gets to snapping."
We are an anomalous existence even within the Watanabe group.
My figure apologizing over and over, and Ai, who clings to me even though it wouldn't be strange if she had completely abandoned me long ago.
Just as a small bird finds the light of dawn, I have realized...
Because I loved, I learned despair.
Even so, the power to grasp still remains in these hands. Even if I lose and lose, a tiny bit remains.
Therefore, let us swear upon those tears.
Possessed by a miracle, leaping over the rubble, an ascending curve.
Let us seek a heartbeat in our hearts.
Let us seek Ai for the rest of our lives.
Is it still in time? I hope it's in time.
Moving further away from the self I want to be.
The airplane stains the sky.
If they are to freeze in true loneliness, people can become this cruel.
I was being protected by Ai.
Even if I lose, with swollen eyelids, I pray.
To live for one more second, let's push the back of the soul.
In order to tie down fate.
Let us seek a heartbeat in our hearts.
Reeling in the uncertainty.
Will it still be in time?
"There are things you only realize after losing them. Every time, I make Ai suffer. Even so, seeking Ai is what love is."
A cold pebble, worn out and cracked.
Even so, it rolls on. Falling toward love.
There is no one who does well from the very beginning.
"...I see. Kiritani-san is also having a hard time."
It's not a light thing that can be brushed off with a single word like "hard time."
Something that cannot be expressed in words.
If I dare say it, a cross named sin.
Ai's existence cleanses me, who is defiled by such sin.
That's why I must cherish her for the rest of my life.
That is something I must spend the rest of my life atoning for.
Though I don't know how I should atone.
Can someone like you understand such feelings?
"Hmm, I might not be able to understand it for the rest of my life."
Figures.
"But I've understood that your way is also one form of love. I hope a time comes when you are rewarded in the future."
"Thank you."
"Then, may I give you some advice?"
Advice?
"Ai-san surely isn't telling you to suffer. Isn't she desperately trying to make the fun memories you couldn't make until now? I think what Kiritani-san can do for such an Ai-san is perfectly obvious, though?"
I can understand what Sasaki is saying.
"I don't need you to tell me."
"Eita! How long are you going to take to start the fire! The ingredients are ready!"
Ai says.
Sasaki-kun went to help the other first-years.
"I don't know what he said to you, but don't worry about it."
"Yeah."
"Eita-senpai, if you're not good at lighting the charcoal, I'll help."
Haruto came over.
I leave it to Haruto.
"You really are useless no matter what you're made to do."
Ai says.
"Sorry."
"Even a guy like you has things he can do. Here."
Ai hands me a beer.
"Since the only thing you can do is make everyone have fun, don't make such a gloomy face."
Ai says so and laughs.
Seek a heartbeat in your heart.
Let's entrust this entire life to Ai.
(3)
"Well then, thanks for today, everyone. Let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"
When Watanabe-senpai said that, the banquet began.
"I heard you guys are doing comedy?"
Kuribayashi-senpai came over.
"Yes, though we haven't been able to get that many jobs yet."
"Did something happen with that?"
Kasumi replies.
"No, it's just that you chose a difficult path despite being young. That's quite impressive. To even manage your studies at the same time."
Kuribayashi-senpai says.
"Because it's our dream."
Kasumi says.
"Don't you have any dreams, Kuribayashi-senpai and the others?"
"Unfortunately, I don't. Though when I was little, I wanted to be a police officer and things like that."
When Ohara-kun said that, Kuribayashi-senpai answered.
"Me too, I've never thought about dreams. Like, as long as now is fun, that's fine."
"Me neither. I haven't thought about employment or marriage yet. As long as now is fun, that's fine. That's how I think."
Ayato-kun and Haruka-san answered.
"Certainly, enjoying the present might be one way to go."
Koizumi-kun says so.
"So, did you come here just to talk about that?"
Kasumi says. She didn't have to say it like that.
Then, Kuribayashi-kun laughed and said.
"At the drinking party the other day, Katagiri-san said it, right? That what we lack is communication. That we should grope around and look for our place more. I thought I'd put that into practice."
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to mingle with the seniors..."
"I think we're on the side that stands out in the Watanabe group. That's why. Misato was also looking out for Mizuki-san."
I look at Misato-senpai.
Misato-senpai is looking at us listlessly.
"If that's how it is, maybe I'll join in too~"
Umemoto-kun and Suzumiya-kun came.
"After all, you need someone to liven things up, right!"
And so, everyone was having a conversation.
Drinking beverages while snacking on meat, making a racket.
"Hey, don't just gather among yourselves, come over here!"
When Watanabe-senpai called, everyone mingled into the crowd.
The banquet continues until late at night.
When it became late at night, one by one, people entered the tents.
They must be tired.
Everyone went to sleep early.
The adult group also went to sleep quickly.
The only ones remaining are us, Ishihara-senpai, Ayato-kun, and Haruka-san.
Katagiri-san and Tosaka-san went for a night walk.
The topic naturally turns to us.
It's about our future activities.
"It's not as comedians, but we got a contract with a local station. A once-a-week variety show. Mainly eating tours and such. Practice your food reporting."
Emi-san says.
"Anan and Naka have also been confirmed for commercial appearances, and the two of them have started taking auditions for drama appearances together. ALICE is also a famous talent locally. The real battle starts from here."
Ishihara-san says.
"I'm glad to hear things are going smoothly."
"Maybe I should get an autograph while I still can."
Ayato-kun and Matsumoto-san say.
"Write them one," Emi-san says with a laugh.
We wrote our autographs and handed them to the two.
"Thank you very much."
The two say their thanks.
"By the way, Noriyuki. When are you going to make up your mind?"
Emi-san asks Ohara-kun.
"Make up my mind about what?"
"Even Koizumi made up his mind to shoulder Mizuki's life! You make up your mind already, too!"
I know about the relationship between Kasumi and Ohara-kun.
Even our popular Arisu got married.
No such foolish company regulation as a ban on romance exists in our company.
Emi-san says to do as we please.
"But... I think it might still be too early. Right now, I want to devote all my strength to getting Kasumi on stage."
"There are times when she will falter in that process. Who else is there but you to support her?"
"...That's what she's saying, so what do you want to do, Kasumi?"
Ohara-kun asks Kasumi.
"Isn't that question unfair? If I say I don't want to, will you give up?"
Kasumi says.
"Don't dilly-dally, quickly make up your mind. I'm not like Mizuki. I absolutely hate wishy-washy men! Or do you intend to make me say it to the very end?!"
"...Kasumi, shall we go buy a ring next time?"
"Okay."
Looking at those two, Emi-san laughs.
"With this, our company is secure too. Nozomi."
"That's right, Emi."
The female president is also laughing.
"Is it really okay for everyone to decide on marriage so easily?"
Ayato-kun says.
"This is surely the mysterious power of the Watanabe group, Ayato."
Matsumoto-san says.
The timing to leap out doesn't come many times.
Keep yourself prepared to leap out at any time.
In life, you can't recover if you just say, "Because the ball came suddenly."
Koizumi-kun must have felt the same way.
"Well, shall we go to sleep soon?"
Everyone enters the tents.
Leaving only the president behind.
"I'll sleep after everyone has returned. Somehow, I can't shake off my old habits."
The president was laughing as she said so.
I thought it was strange, but since Emi-san said, "If you leave it to Nozomi, there won't be any problems," I also entered the tent.
(４)
I was taking a night walk with Airi.
"Toya-san, there's nothing here."
"Well, it's already late at night, after all."
On the way, we found a dilapidated mansion.
A mansion that looked like something would definitely appear.
Airi says nothing...
She is just grabbing my arm.
I felt like playing a little prank.
"Airi, shall I take a photo of you? ...Something might be in it."
"Geez, Toya-san, you're so mean. You brought me here knowing I'm bad with this kind of stuff, didn't you?!"
"There's nowhere else to go."
"...Shall we go back? My spine is shivering."
"Sure."
As we were heading back the way we came, we found Kosei, Naru, Tsukahara-san, and Nakayama-kun.
Kosei and Naru are arguing about something.
I wonder what's wrong?
"Kosei, what's wrong?"
When I called out, the four of them seemed to notice.
Naru rushes over to Airi.
"Kosei is being awful."
Airi glares at Kosei.
"I-I just played a little prank."
I asked Nakayama-kun and the others about the situation.
The four of them came to the restroom.
That makes sense, since they were standing in front of the restroom.
And, when Naru said, "Make sure you wait for me," Kosei apparently said, "If you want, I can even watch you while you do your business," and that's how the fight started.
Yeah, Kosei is in the wrong.
"If you keep saying things like that, you'll end up like Makoto-kun!" Airi warns Kosei.
That's a harsh way to be described, Makoto.
Then Naru starts complaining.
He doesn't wake up easily in the morning, he plays pranks even when he does wake up, he takes photos of her bad sleeping posture at night and sends them to her, and so on...
"Kosei is at that age too, after all."
I defend him.
If they're high schoolers living in the same room, they'd probably want to do those kinds of things.
"That's true, it was hard waking Toya-san up in the morning too, wasn't it?"
Making up this and that excuse and not waking up.
Airi and Naru seem to have hit it off.
On the way back, they were walking while badmouthing their respective boyfriends.
"Living together is a little enviable."
Tsukahara-san says.
"The day when you two can live together will come eventually, too."
When I say so, Tsukahara-san looks at Nakayama-kun and laughs.
"Hear that? Don't make me wait too long, Kazu-kun."
"W-We're still high schoolers. It's impossible for the time being."
"I know. I'll be looking forward to it."
Looking at the two, I think.
Let us rejoice in joy, grieve in sadness, and dream while wide awake.
Resonating forever, even to the ends of this earth.
We will surely become the wind that awakens the sleep of the gods.
I love you, forever.
Let us play the sound of the wind's beginning.
The one who cannot be forgiven is the false you.
A fleeting miracle named beauty.
Gravity inverse proportion.
Even with feelings that cannot keep their feet on the ground in a zero-gravity state, let us sound our heartbeats fully to this starry sky and give you love.
Shaking the heart, I will give you love.
Let us leap across even hundreds of millions of years with a bold kiss.
Since I'm hungry, let's go to the next stage.
Leave it to me, I'll dive into your sweet breast and make it even better.
"Don't be late, keep up with me," she is probably singing.