Chapter 415 - A Love Song Faster Than Anyone Else's
(1)
"Toya-san, it's morning. Please wake up."
"Airi, good morning."
After exchanging morning greetings with Airi, Airi leaves the bed and begins preparing breakfast.
In the meantime, I change and get ready, then go to the dining room.
Breakfast is lined up on the table.
While eating it, I talk with Airi.
"Does today look okay?"
"Yeah, I've made adjustments so it's fine. I just need to be back by 18:00, right?"
"Yes, I will have things ready by that time."
Today is Kanna's birthday.
It seems everyone is having a party.
I had also cleared my work schedule for it.
When I finish eating breakfast, Airi begins cleaning up.
During that time, I keep Airi company.
Once Airi's cleanup is finished, I enjoy time with Airi while watching TV in the living room.
When it is time, I leave the house.
"Have a safe trip, please take care."
Seen off by Airi, I head to the office.
When I arrive at the office, Kamiki-san has arrived before me.
Saying a brief "Good morning," I prepare for work.
I look at my planner and check today's schedule.
Today, I have to visit one client in the morning.
The morning assembly begins.
There are no particularly important announcements.
When the morning assembly ends, I gather my documents and leave the office.
Upon arriving at the client's company, I borrow a meeting room and immediately set to work.
Starting with organizing receipts, I enter them into the ledger.
While making small talk, I give advice on expense items.
They seem to be an excellent company.
After finishing the work at the client's site, I exchange greetings and return to the office.
By the time I return, it is lunch break.
After pouring some tea, I eat my bento.
After that, I call Airi.
When the call ends, I prepare for the afternoon's work.
Then, when the lunch break ends, I enter into the afternoon's work.
Just then, an unusual visitor arrived.
It is Emi-san.
I wonder what is wrong?
"I'd like to speak with a person named Katagiri."
"Katagiri is here, but..."
Iizuka-san at the reception desk looks over here.
For the time being, I had her shown to the guest room.
"This is rare, what's the matter?"
When I ask, Emi-san says.
"There's only one reason to visit a tax accountant office, right?"
Until now, my father's company's staff handled the expenses, but that staff member is leaving due to marriage.
Thinking about the final tax returns and such from now on, it would be cheaper to request a tax accountant.
And, when she looked into it, my reputation was good.
So, she wants to request me directly.
I consult with the president.
"If the other party says they want you, then do so."
And so, I ended up being in charge.
"That helps, this month's monthly closing is already finished, so please start from next month."
Saying so, Emi-san went home.
After finishing today's portion of work, I go home.
"Welcome home. Thank you for your hard work. The preparations are complete."
"I see, I'll go just like this. I don't plan to stay that long anyway."
"Kanna also said she has work tomorrow. I think she probably won't go to the afterparty."
"Understood. Airi, did you buy the present?"
"Yes, I chose it."
"What did you buy?"
What Airi bought was a personalized sparkling wine.
"Isn't that nice?"
"Well, shall we go? There's also the bus time to consider."
"That's true."
After walking to the bus stop with Airi, we board the bus and get off in front of the station.
From there, we walk to the hotel's party hall.
Saki-san is doing the reception.
After checking in and paying the membership fee, we go inside.
Kanna and the others had already arrived.
At our table sat the Tada couple, the Watanabe couple, and the Kiritani couple.
We talk until everyone else gathers.
Prompted by me, Airi hands the present to Kanna.
"Thanks."
Kanna says so and receives it.
Once everyone was gathered, Kanna's birthday party began.
(2)
"Good morning, Kanna. Happy birthday."
Makoto woke me up in the morning.
"Oh, thanks."
"This is a present from me."
I try opening it.
It was a personalized tumbler pair set.
"Let's have breakfast. I'll drop you off in the morning."
"Sorry to always trouble you. Is practice okay?"
"There's no practice from early morning."
Makoto says that even if he prepares after returning home, he will make it well in time.
Days without matches are almost entirely free time.
He says they do free practice, but adjusting his condition is more important.
While listening to such talk, I have Makoto drop me off at the department store.
"Well, see you."
"Yeah, good luck with practice."
And so, I change in the locker room, prepare, and the store opens.
Lately, things sell well.
A question often asked by young girls.
"Which one should I use to become beautiful like you, Big Sister?"
While checking that girl's skin condition and such, I recommend recommended cosmetics.
As expected, I've gotten used to it by now.
Though there are still monster customers as usual.
I've achieved my quota this month too.
Repeat customers have also increased.
When the store closes, I finish office work and such, then change and leave the department store.
I head straight to today's party venue.
Watanabe and the others had already arrived.
While I am talking with Watanabe, Ai, and the others, Airi and her group arrive.
I receive the birthday present from Airi.
Once everyone was gathered, the banquet began.
There is a comedy sketch by Mustard and a live performance by ALICE.
In the meantime, Toya brings back dish after dish.
"Please be careful not to overeat."
Toya is cautioned by Airi.
Once the entertainment ends, everyone's conversations get lively.
Time passes quickly.
In the blink of an eye, the end time approaches.
"For those who will participate in the afterparty..."
Saki explains.
We all declined, saying we have work tomorrow.
After parting with Toya and the others, I go home by train with Makoto, the Kiritani couple, and the Hiyama couple.
Parting at the station, we go home.
Upon returning home, I take a shower and relax in the living room.
When Makoto comes out of the shower, Makoto sits next to me.
We were watching TV while drinking beer together.
We move to the bedroom around the time the date changes.
Lately, Makoto has rarely initiated things.
I don't know if he is being considerate of me, or if he is tired from practice.
But, surely it's fine to be spoiled at least today, right?
I tried initiating it myself.
Makoto responded.
"I love you..."
"Yeah, me too."
Makoto prepared the best present for me.
May this year be a wonderful year.
(3)
"Good morning, Kanna. Happy birthday."
I wake Kanna up.
And I hand her the present.
I had prepared breakfast.
I wait for Kanna to get ready, then we have breakfast.
Once breakfast is eaten, things get busy.
While Kanna is getting ready, I clean up.
Once she finishes getting ready, I drop Kanna off at her workplace.
After that, when I return home, I take care of the laundry.
I clean the room and head out to practice.
When practice ends, I return home and change.
After that, when I head to the station, I run into the private university group.
While talking, we wait for the train to arrive.
We head to the city by train.
Saki-san and the others had already arrived.
After completing the reception and paying the fee, we enter the venue.
A banner saying Happy Birthday is decorated.
While sitting in our seats and waiting, the Kiritani couple and the Watanabe couple arrive.
Kanna arrives late, and after that, Toya and his group arrive.
Once everyone is gathered, the party begins.
There is a comedy sketch by Mustard and a live performance by ALICE.
"Eita, is work going well?"
I tried asking Eita.
"Sales is tough. It's a profession close to a con artist. Most of it is a job selling medicine while listening to the small talk of elderly people living alone."
Eita says.
In modern society where drugstores are close at hand, how many people would keep household medicine kits?
"When it gets bad, an auntie in her 40s will ask for a physical relationship! I thought, are you trying to ruin my life?"
"That sounds tough..."
While listening to Eita's complaints, time passes.
And then, the first party ends.
"For those who will participate in the afterparty..."
Saki-san says.
We decided to go home.
Because Kanna has work tomorrow.
It seems the working adult group is mostly going home.
The Kiritani couple and the Hiyama couple also ride the same train home.
Parting at the station, we go home.
After telling Kanna to take a bath first, I wait while watching TV.
When Kanna comes out, I go in.
When I get out of the bath, I hand a can of beer to Kanna, and we watch TV while drinking together.
Around the time the date changes, I say, "Shall we sleep soon?"
We get into the bedroom bed.
But, today was not over yet.
Kanna hugged me.
Kanna initiated it?
When I look at Kanna, she is looking down.
I decided to spoil Kanna.
"I love you..."
"Yeah, me too."
Because I am by your side.
So that you won't get lost alone.
(4)
The working adult group and the high school group went home.
It's natural since it's a weekday night.
Right now, Sasaki-kun, Umemoto-kun, and Haruto-senpai are livening up the place.
Everyone is drinking, eating, singing, and making a racket while talking nonsense.
A world I thought had nothing to do with me.
The women are not losing either.
Led by Saki-san, Mikoto and Sakuragi-san are making a racket.
While watching everyone like that, I was drinking a soft drink.
"What are you spacing out for all by yourself, Gaku?"
Umemoto-kun came.
"...Umemoto-kun, you're amazing."
"Why?"
"You are surprisingly excellent at adapting to your surroundings."
"Is it really that amazing?"
Umemoto-kun said.
"If you look at it from the other side, doesn't that just mean I'm easily swept away? Or should I say I don't have a sense of self?"
Easily swept away... is he talking about me?
"Does that mean you and I are essentially the same?"
"That might be so."
Umemoto-kun said so and laughed.
After that, the banquet continued until morning.
When morning comes, everyone disperses.
"No, sorry about this, Suzumiya-kun."
I decided to drop off Umemoto-kun and Sakuragi-san, who live nearby.
Since we were here, I asked Umemoto-kun.
"Hey, Umemoto-kun. There's something I want to ask."
"What's wrong, Gaku?"
"How can I enjoy campus life like you do?"
How can I become like you?
"Hmm, let's see. Shoko, is it okay if we stop by a family restaurant for a bit?"
"I don't mind, but why?"
"Then, stop by the family restaurant nearby."
I stop by the family restaurant just as Umemoto-kun told me.
It seems Umemoto-kun still intends to drink.
Sakuragi-san and Mikoto were also ordering.
"Well, cheers for now!"
Saying so, we toast.
"So, about what we were talking about earlier... is there even a need for you to become like me in the first place?"
Eh?
"My life has its ups and downs too, you know? It's a continuous cycle of being taken in and thrown away. Though that's also something brought about by this personality of mine."
Umemoto-kun's past is revealed.
Falling in love with someone, dating, getting dumped, dating on a whim, getting dumped. It is truly a continuous cycle of being taken in and thrown away.
This is exactly what the ups and downs of life are.
"But now, like this, I was able to meet Shoko. I'm grateful for that. But man, I never thought we'd end up living together."
It seems he thought that once time passed, he would get tired of it and throw it away again.
"Next month, I have to meet Shoko's parents. It just goes to show you never know what will happen in life."
I wonder what he wants to say?
"Isn't it the same for Gaku? I might look enviable to you, but isn't it because you are Gaku that you were able to meet Mikoto-chan?"
"Well, that's true."
"Right? We are all different individuals, and we have different values. Trying to make them into one is fundamentally impossible. Because you are Gaku, Mikoto-chan accepted you. Isn't that fine? There's no need to become the same as me."
"I think Towa is right. Towa acts on Towa's values. Why don't you act on Gaku's values too, Gaku?"
Sakuragi-san says.
"Don't go brooding over stupid things. You're fine just the way you are. Because I like you just the way you are."
Mikoto also says.
There is no need to worry. Because we can accept each other, that is what makes it wonderful.
After leaving the family restaurant, I dropped the two of them off and went to Mikoto's house.
When we go to Mikoto's room, a middle-aged man I have never seen before is standing there.
Mikoto's body stiffens.
"F-Father."
It seems he is Mikoto's father.
Mikoto's father glares at me and says.
"Who is that man?"
"It has nothing to do with Father."
"Nothing to do with me, you say?"
Mikoto's father yells at Mikoto.
"What are you doing with a man who drags you out to play until this hour!"
"It doesn't matter who I play with or until what time. You're just worrying about public appearance like always anyway!"
Mikoto's father ignores Mikoto's assertion and hands me a thick envelope.
"I don't know what kind of nobody you are, but use this to make everything as if it never happened. We're going home, Mikoto."
Mikoto resists.
"I won't go back to that house! I don't want to go back!"
"Don't throw a tantrum! I am canceling the contract for this apartment! I knew I shouldn't have let you live alone after all."
I am just watching the exchange between the two.
But, this is bad if it continues like this, right?
"I don't really understand what is going on, but I will return this for now."
I return the envelope to Mikoto's father.
"If you make a racket here, it will be a nuisance to the neighbors. Wouldn't that affect the public appearance you speak of?"
"Does a brat intend to lecture me?! You're probably just a child living off your parents' support anyway."
The reason I grabbed Mikoto's raised fist was because I realized what she was trying to do.
"Mikoto, calm down, we can't have a discussion like this!"
"This guy won't listen to anything I say. He won't be satisfied unless things move exactly as he wants."
"Sir, why don't we calm down and have a discussion inside the room?"
At this rate, it will cause a scene. Though it already has.
"Very well. Let's hear what you have to say."
And so, the three of us enter Mikoto's house.
Mikoto and Mikoto's father are glaring at each other.
After serving tea to the two of them, I explained the current situation to Mikoto's father.
"Cohabitation?!"
Though I'm simply staying over.
"We're definitely going home, Mikoto. Living alone was too early for you."
I soothe Mikoto's father as he says so and stands up.
"Please wait. Won't you first listen to Mikoto's side of the story?"
"Mikoto's side of the story?!"
Mikoto's father glares at Mikoto.
"Mikoto, say what you want to say properly."
When I say so, Mikoto begins to speak.
What Mikoto was feeling, what Mikoto was thinking.
Mikoto's father listened intently.
When Mikoto finishes speaking, next is my turn.
"Mikoto is wavering right now. She is bewildered by the self she has embraced for the first time. It's not that Mikoto can't do anything alone, she is just afraid of being alone."
Spending time blaming someone else for the weakness of not being able to live with a heart just as it is.
Struggling inside the cage of "myself" built before I knew it.
Using various things as stepping stones, finally finding the thing that must not be lost.
"If Mikoto-san is trying to stand on her own, isn't it a parent's job to watch over her? If she is about to fall, I will support her."
When I say so, Mikoto's father falls silent.
"Mikoto, will you not regret this? Do you have no regrets about choosing this man?"
"Father is misunderstanding Gaku. Gaku is not the kind of person Father thinks he is."
Mikoto began to explain about me.
She was desperate.
Well, that's only natural.
"...I understand what Mikoto is saying. However, I cannot forgive the current state of affairs!"
A man rolling into the house of someone living alone. Society will absolutely not accept it.
"...I will look for a room during summer vacation. Move there."
Yes?
"That is the minimum concession Father can make. If you refuse even that, I will take you back by force." (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads 譲渡 (transfer/assignment), likely meaning 譲歩 (concession).)
"...Is that okay?"
Mikoto asks.
"Knowing you, you're probably thinking as far as marriage anyway, right? In that case, it's better to make it clear."
Marriage?!
I am shaken.
But regardless of such shaking, Mikoto's father continues talking.
"Did you say Gaku-kun? She is a daughter with many shortcomings, but please take care of her."
Mikoto's father bows his head.
I hurriedly tell him to raise his head.
After that, we talked about future matters, and Mikoto's father went home.
"...I'll look for a part-time job once we move too. Standing on one's own means that kind of thing, right?"
Mikoto said.
Even though I was staying over with a light heart, before I knew it, it had developed into cohabitation on the premise of marriage.
I'll have to tell my parents properly too.
"It's a bit forceful, but I'm sorry. Even though I'm like this, won't you take me in?"
Mikoto says.
...I suppose I should just make up my mind already.
"Alright. Anyway, let's rest? Once we rest, I'll take you to my parents' house."
"Eh?"
"I have to properly introduce Mikoto to my parents too."
"Thank you."
"It's okay."
If it's just a little bit of dirty things, I'll eat them all up without leaving any.
If you doubt me, I'll cut this throat for you.
In such a discordant life, occasionally you'll become emotionally unstable, right?
But, I will worry together with you and dedicate my life to you.
Spending time blaming someone else for the weakness of not being able to live with a heart just as it is.
Struggling inside the cage of "myself" built before I knew it is the same for me.
I've used various things as stepping stones, but I feel like I've finally found the thing that must not be lost.
The more comical your gestures are, the gentler I can feel.
Every time we meet, tell me a dream story.
Love is surely neither taking nor giving, but something that is just there when you realize it.
While singing blown by the city wind, it's fine to just throw away strange pride.
It starts from there.
Love, freedom, hope, dreams.
If you look at your feet, they are surely lying there.
Even if we fall into a love left to chance and sometimes hurt someone, it's not an era where we ache in our hearts every time.
If you care for someone, it turns into a curse and stabs into your own chest, but...
Because we wish to live with a heart just as it is, people get hurt again.
Because conveying something in the shape of love is always difficult.
I will dedicate it to you forever.
(5)
"I'm home~"
"Welcome home, thank you for your hard work. Dinner will be ready soon, so please take a bath first."
"Understood."
When I get out of the bath, dinner is lined up on the table.
The two of us eat.
Airi and I talk about what happened today.
Following Umemoto-kun, even Suzumiya-kun too...
Things are going so smoothly it feels scary.
While Airi is cleaning up, the conversation continues.
While Airi is in the bath, I move to the bedroom and watch TV.
Then, Airi returns holding two cans.
Receiving one, I drink it.
Airi is drying her hair.
Once she finishes drying it, she sits next to me and watches TV.
"Hey, Airi."
"Is something the matter?"
"I wonder what your father really thought?"
"Eh?"
"As I thought, was he opposed to us living together?"
While looking at my laptop, I was asking Airi.
"I don't think so."
Airi said flatly.
"Why?"
"Because it was my dream since I was little."
"?"
"Because I've been saying since I was little that I wanted to live together with Toya-san."
Come to think of it, I did hear something like that.
"Toya-san, the time will come when you understand Father's feelings too."
"Why?"
"Because we are going to have two daughters, you know."
Ah, that's right.
That sounds tough.
In the midst of time passing cruelly, I have surely become enough of an adult.
I am not sad. There is no pain either.
Just that what has been repeated like this, what will keep repeating, is happy, dear.
If you stumble or fall, I will gently reach out my hand.
Even an infinitely distant road, if it's with Airi, we can go anywhere.
Until we grasp our dreams, surely...