Chapter 414 - Even as Specks of Life
(1)
"Toya-san, it's morning."
"Good morning, Airi."
"Good morning."
After exchanging morning greetings, I leave the tent.
It's sunny today too.
I stretch with all my might.
Seeing that, Airi mimics me.
"Good morning, Katagiri-kun."
It seems Ishihara-kun was already awake.
"Kosei and the others went for a walk."
Airi and I decided to go for a walk too.
By the time we walk around the lake and return, everyone is awake and preparing breakfast.
Airi joined in to help.
Once breakfast is ready, we all eat it together.
When we finish eating, we start packing up the tents while the women clean up.
By the time the tent packing is finished, the women's cleanup is also done.
After loading the luggage into the car, we began to move.
If we go now, we should arrive at just the right time.
"Toya-san, please open your mouth and say ahh."
When I open my mouth, anti-drowsiness gum is tossed in.
"Thank you, Airi."
"You're welcome."
As I drive leisurely, as expected, there is a car trying to overtake us.
Even if they hurry that much, it probably won't be open yet.
"How troublesome."
Airi is also in a bad mood.
I wonder if there will be trouble in the parking lot again?
Since it was said that a newcomer who joined this year was speeding, there was no punishment.
However, a strict warning was issued.
"Yuki-san, are you okay? Won't it be bad if you're seen by your colleagues?"
"I'm following Watanabe-kun and the others, so it's fine."
When I asked, Yuki-san and the others laughed and replied.
"But it's tough not being able to publicly declare that we're dating."
Yuki-san says with a laugh.
"Well then, we'll have free time inside the park, so please gather at the entrance gate at 15:00."
Nishimatsu-kun says.
The men are already receiving their baptism right from the entrance.
The group that came last year is used to it and is matching their girlfriends' pace appropriately.
"Airi, is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Yes!"
Airi is also in a completely good mood.
"But let's hurry a bit. We won't make it in time for the parade."
"Understood."
It's better to leave the guiding to Airi here. Having made that judgment, I was led around the park by Airi.
(2)
We stood there frozen.
It was exactly the kind of place we had heard about from our seniors.
This is rough.
That's not the only problem.
"How boring."
The ones who started saying that were not the men.
The ones moving together are Gaku and Toya. Shoko, Mikoto-chan, and Yuzuki-chan.
Shoko and Mikoto-chan are clearly voicing their dissatisfaction.
Toya did not complain, just as Tada-san had advised.
"Yu... Yuzuki. Is there anywhere you want to go?"
Toya spoke to Yuzuki-chan.
There was no choice but to bet on Yuzuki-chan now.
"Right, for now, let's just kill some time until the parade starts."
Yuzuki-chan said so.
However, that was the biggest problem.
It seemed that all the attractions and buildings were fancy, cute things that didn't suit Shoko or Mikoto.
Even so, Yuzuki-chan tries to liven up everyone's spirits.
"Shoko-chan, let me take a photo of you. Stand next to Umemoto-kun so I can get a picture."
"No thanks, it's embarrassing at my age."
"That's not true, it'll be a good memory."
"Towa, what do you want to do?"
"If Shoko takes one, I'll take one."
"Then, maybe I'll take one? It's not like I'll ever come here again anyway."
According to what we heard from our seniors, it seems to be an annual event, though.
"Ah, it's almost time for the parade. Let's hurry."
Does Yuzuki-chan like this kind of thing?
Or is she desperately trying to liven things up?
The parade begins.
Yuzuki-chan is taking photos with all her might.
Toya is also going along with it and doing well.
For today only, he doesn't complain.
"Is there no smoking area here?"
Mikoto started saying.
Gaku looks at the map.
"Ah, I'll go too."
Shoko also started saying.
Leaving this place to Toya, the four of us went to the smoking area.
In the smoking area, there were Kamenashi-senpai, Misawa-senpai, Manabe-senpai, Tange-san, and Shiina-san.
"Do you guys smoke too?"
"They're heated tobacco products."
Saying so, Shoko and the others take out the devices from their pouches and take a puff.
"Kamenashi-senpai, where are your girlfriends?"
"Ah, they're absorbed in the parade."
"This thing lasts for five hours, right?"
"I'm incredibly bored, though."
Dissatisfaction already arose from Mikoto-chan and Shoko.
"Well, once the parade is over, let's eat lunch and kill some time."
However, the lunch was also fancy and cute.
The men had no choice but to smile wryly.
Who could have imagined that complaints would come from the women?
In the end, after eating lunch, the smoking group spent their time chatting in the smoking area without even stopping by the souvenir shop.
(3)
"Keita! If we don't hurry, we won't make it in time for the parade!"
"I know."
We had gone around here and there and were exhausted.
This is certainly tough.
It seemed Noriyuki and Katsunori felt the same way.
Even so, we maintain our smiles.
Something that seems easy but is quite difficult.
There was next to nothing for the men to enjoy.
Even with food, fatigue came before appetite.
And finally, we buy souvenirs and go home.
While the women swarmed the souvenir shop, we waited outside.
The women were so absorbed in searching for their target items that they seemed to have forgotten we were even there.
"It's finally ending."
Noriyuki said.
"What the seniors said really hit home."
Katsunori is saying.
"What are you guys doing?"
When I turned around, the Tada couple and the Kiritani couple were there.
"What do you mean? We're waiting for them to finish shopping."
I reply.
"If you have time to stand around blankly, there are things you should be doing, like helping them choose! Don't show your fatigue!"
Kanna-san says.
We hurriedly enter the shop.
"Ah, Keita. What's wrong?"
"No, I just thought there might be something good."
"Yeah, I'm torn between which one to choose."
In that way, I accompany Arisu with her shopping.
By the time the shopping was finished, the men were completely exhausted.
An ordeal of keeping a smile on our faces regardless.
Apparently, we are stopping by a public bathhouse on the way back.
Only then were we finally able to soothe our fatigue.
(4)
I was watching the parade.
Haruka was taking photos.
Her older sister was doing the same.
After that, we looked at various things and eat lunch.
I was putting what my senior said into practice.
Always keep a smile on your face, no matter what.
How difficult that must be.
If the two of them are having fun because of it, nothing could be better.
Finally, we go to the souvenir shop to buy souvenirs.
Leaving it to the women, we wait outside.
"It's tough, isn't it?"
Kuribayashi-senpai was saying.
I nod silently.
"Even so, as long as she stays smiling... we just have to think of it that way."
Kuribayashi-senpai says.
"Ah, thank you for your hard work, senpai."
It's Takanashi-san and Tsukimisato-kun.
"I'll go look at the souvenirs. Akisora, take it easy."
Saying so, Takanashi-san enters the shop.
"It seems we're both having a hard time."
I called out to Tsukimisato-kun.
"I rarely get to take Tsubame out on dates, so I thought this was just right."
Tsukimisato-kun says so and laughs.
He says it was just right because it served as a change of pace for her.
Apparently, Takanashi-san doesn't go on dates that often normally either.
When the shopping is finished, we gather at the gate.
It seems everyone managed well.
As for any women in a bad mood... there were some.
Sakuragi-san and Wakamiya-san were completely exhausted.
Apparently, even some women are not good with this kind of thing.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone. After this, we'll go to a public bathhouse, eat at a family restaurant, and then disband."
Saki-san says.
I really thought everyone must be exhausted.
The cars headed to the public bathhouse.
Everyone soothes their fatigue.
"How was it?"
Katagiri-san calls out.
"...I'm tired."
I say.
"But you're relieved, right?"
Katagiri-san says.
"...Yes, that's true."
"Just a little more, hang in there."
Saying so, Katagiri-san went over to everyone else.
"Man, that was rough."
Umemoto-kun and Suzumiya-kun came over.
"I never expected that my girlfriend would be the one to say she was bored."
Umemoto-kun laughs, saying he thought all women liked this kind of thing, but apparently not.
"How was it on your end?"
Suzumiya-kun asked.
"She enjoyed it normally."
It seems Suzumiya-kun and the others spent the whole day in the smoking area.
It seems Tada-san and Kiritani-san don't even have the energy to complain.
They were quietly enjoying the bath.
Even Watanabe-san was smiling wryly.
He is talking with Hasebe-san.
"We're heading out first."
Saying so, Eguchi-kun and Nakayama-kun left the bath.
We also watch the time and leave the bath before getting dizzy from the heat.
Then, after drinking coffee milk, we relax our bodies in the massage chairs.
Then, everyone came out and was chatting.
After that, we waited for the women to come out and headed to the family restaurant.
(5)
"Man, that was rough."
I said that single sentence as I entered the bath.
"I didn't imagine that."
Mikoto says.
It was even more boring than I imagined.
I was smoking cigarettes almost the entire day.
"Smoking too much isn't admirable, you know. You have to exercise some self-control."
Miyuki-sensei said.
"Besides, it might also be a problem to take such an overtly bored attitude when the men are trying their hardest to entertain us."
Satomi-san says.
"What, you guys didn't find it fun?"
When Mika-san asked, Mikoto and I nodded.
It simply wasn't our cup of tea.
It was as simple as that.
"So there are girls like that too."
Ai-san was saying.
"The men worked hard. Let's praise them when we get back."
Kanna-san says.
That's true.
Maybe our attitude was bad too.
I reflected on it a little.
"Shall we get out soon?"
When Satomi-san says so, everyone leaves the bath.
It seems the men had already gone out first.
Once she confirmed everyone was gathered, Saki-san said.
"Okay, we're going to the family restaurant in Beppu."
And then we move.
Since there were so many of us, everyone sat at separate tables.
At our table, Towa, Gaku, Mikoto, Toya, and Yuzuki were sitting.
"Cheers for the hard work."
Everyone toasts with juice.
From there, Toya keeps talking all by himself.
We eat while listening to him.
Towa also joins the conversation.
When the meal is finished, everyone goes outside.
"Well then, thank you for your hard work over these two days. Next up is Kanna-senpai's birthday party."
Saki-san says.
I go home with Towa.
Once we get home, we organize our luggage.
It seems Towa was truly exhausted.
As soon as he got into bed, he fell asleep.
I watched TV while taking a shower.
Then the phone rings.
It's from him.
I answer the phone.
"Hello?"
"Don't 'hello' me! What do you mean by not even coming home for Obon!?"
"I was busy looking for an apartment and stuff."
"Looking for an apartment? Did you move?"
"Yeah, I'm living with someone now."
"Living together!? I didn't let you live alone just so you could do that!"
Acting like a parent only at times like this!
"I'll contact you when I get married. You're always indifferent to me, so don't act like a proper parent only at times like this!"
"What did you say!?"
"It's fine, you know? Even if you cut off my tuition. It's not like I'm going to university because I want to anyway."
"Shoko!!"
"'At least go to university,' right? That's your job as a parent, after all! You don't even ask me what I want to do."
"Is there something you want to do?"
Are you asking me that now?
"Not particularly! I've lived exactly as you told me to. I don't even know my purpose in life."
"Shoko?"
It seems I raised my voice a bit too much.
"Towa woke up. I'm hanging up now."
"Who is Towa? Is he your man? What is he doing?"
I hung up the phone.
"What's wrong, Shoko?"
"It's nothing. Sorry for waking you up."
"Did you have a fight with your parents?"
"Well, something like that."
Come to think of it, I hadn't told Towa about my parents.
"If you're interested, I can tell you... about my parents."
"If you're fine with me, I can at least be someone to talk to."
"I see. Well then..."
My father is a system engineer, and Mother is a programmer at the same company.
Both of them were so busy, working from morning to morning.
It was child neglect to the point where I wondered how they could even have a child like that.
The only time they properly took care of me was probably when I was a nursing infant, wasn't it?
Let alone parent-teacher visits, even my entrance and graduation ceremonies were attended by my grandparents.
Naturally, they never took me out to play.
They would hand me money and say, "Go play with this."
It's no wonder I turned out like this, right?
I intended to become independent once I finished high school.
But for the sake of parental appearances, they said, "At least graduate from university."
And so, I'm attending a private university.
And now, after all this time, they say, "At least come home for the Obon holidays."
That's what started the fight.
Towa listened to my story in silence.
"You've had a hard time too, Shoko."
Towa said so.
"But you know, they're good parents."
Towa says.
"In what way?"
"Because they were busy and couldn't spend time with you, they let you live without any hardships. Sure, you might have felt lonely, Shoko. But they probably want to do at least something parent-like to make up for it, right?"
Because they made me feel lonely, they want to do at least the bare minimum. He was telling me to understand that kind of parental feeling.
Maybe it was just as Towa said.
"Maybe so..."
Just how positive are you?
"If you understand, apologize to them, okay? I'll bow my head with you."
"...Do you understand the meaning of what you're saying?"
"What do you mean?"
It seems he doesn't understand.
I call my parents' house.
"Shoko? ...Sorry, my hands are a bit full right now."
"I'll state my business briefly, so just listen in silence."
"Understood."
"I said too much earlier. Sorry."
"..."
"Towa Umemoto. He's the guy I'm living with. Do you have any days off next month?"
"Yeah, I do, but..."
"Keep your schedule open. I'll bring him over next time."
"Understood."
"Well, that's all. Let me know when it's decided."
"Understood... That Towa kid is alright, I hope?"
"Yeah, he's a good guy. It's thanks to Towa that I felt like calling you like this."
"Well then, I'll contact you again once my days off are decided. Call Mother once in a while too."
"Understood. Good luck with work."
"Yeah..."
The call ended.
To the dumbfounded Towa, I say with a grin.
"And that's how it is. You're going to take responsibility, okay?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Well, shall we sleep soon? You're tired, right?"
"You're right."
And so, we sleep.
(6)
When we get home, I start cleaning up.
I clean up while Toya-san is in the bath.
When Toya-san comes out of the bath, I enter the bath.
Maybe the laundry can wait until tomorrow.
After getting out of the bath, I take a canned chuhai from the refrigerator and go to the bedroom.
Toya-san is sleeping in the bed.
Not today, okay?
Because we made a promise.
I press the cold chuhai can against Toya-san's cheek.
Toya-san wakes up in surprise.
"Ah, sorry. I let my guard down and fell asleep."
I return a smile to Toya-san as he apologizes.
"Hey, Airi?"
"What is it?"
"So even women have things they're not good with. That place."
"Well, everyone is different."
"True. It was just a bit unexpected."
After we watch TV for a while, Toya-san turns off the TV.
"It was a promise, right?"
He remembered.
"Yes... but are you okay? You have work starting tomorrow, you know?"
"That's why you're going to heal me, right, Airi?"
"...Yes!"
After turning off the lights, the two of us get into bed.
Even as tiny specks of life, we twinkle.
The galaxy flows into our souls.