Chapter 425 - Absolute Zero Speed of Love
(1)
"Toya-san, it's morning. Please wake up."
"Good morning, Airi."
I exchange morning greetings with Toya-san.
I confirm Toya-san's presence with all my might.
As if to confirm that last night wasn't a dream.
"I'll prepare breakfast."
"Yeah, thank you."
Toya-san still looks sleepy.
I look at the ring finger of my left hand.
The proof of my promise with Toya-san is firmly engraved there.
Last night, I received the long-awaited proposal from Toya-san.
I responded with a kiss, just as promised.
We went straight to my parents' house to report it.
Papa-san was crying.
That night, it seems Papa-san and Toya-san's Papa-san drank the night away.
In a buoyant mood, I was frying bacon and eggs.
Toya-san comes out of the bedroom.
He still looks sleepy.
"It's almost ready."
"Yeah."
Once breakfast is ready, we eat our meal.
He seemed to find it strange that I was smiling from beginning to end.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
I am just happy right now.
Just basking in the afterglow of happiness.
So please let me bask in this happiness a little longer.
Once breakfast is finished, I clean up.
"Today was the Christmas party, right?"
"Yes. Today, it seems everyone is drinking until morning."
It seems Ai, Honoka, and Kanna packed their shifts up until now for that reason.
Once the cleaning up is finished, I start the washing machine and begin cleaning.
Only at times like this does Toya-san shut himself in the bedroom.
By the time the cleaning is finished, the washing machine has also finished drying.
I take out the laundry and put it away.
While putting it away, I talk with Toya-san while watching TV.
After eating lunch, I clean up and spend a happy time until it is time to go out with Toya-san.
Toya-san said he wanted me to rest from the morning housework too, but I want to do at least the bare minimum.
So, in return, let me spoil you this afternoon, okay?
Just as expected, Toya-san let me spoil him.
We spend a sweet holiday.
It is almost time to go out.
I prepare together with Toya-san.
"Well, shall we head out soon?"
"Yes."
Holding hands with Toya-san, I leave the house.
It was the first step of our new life.
When we get on the bus, we go to the front of the station.
In front of the station, we meet the Watanabe couple, Yuki-san, and Hasebe-san.
The six of us go to the pre-party.
A ramen shop in front of the station.
Even though it hasn't even started yet, Toya-san devours a large serving of ramen, gyoza, and fried rice.
Everyone else is just drinking beer.
What a hopeless person.
"Airi, show me the ring."
Mika says.
I showed her the ring.
"Isn't it beautiful? It suits you."
"The two of us chose it together."
"How nice."
"I bought one for you too, didn't I? Where did you put it?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"I forgot. Where was it again?"
"That's why I told you so many times to organize things."
It seems Watanabe-kun is the one having a hard time.
The Watanabe couple, huh...
In another two months, I'll be Katagiri Airi too.
I'm looking forward to it~.
Once Toya-san finishes eating, we head to the venue.
We arrived thirty minutes early.
Saki and Nishimatsu-kun are doing the reception.
We pay the membership fee and go inside.
"Please sit wherever you like."
It seems Watanabe-kun and the others are going to sit with Yuki-san and the others.
The two of us sat down and waited for everyone.
The Tada couple, the Kiritani couple, Chitose-chan, and Takatsuki-kun sat down.
"Airi, congratulations."
Kanna said to me.
Everyone wanted to see the ring, so I showed it to them.
"Amazing, didn't that cost quite a bit?"
Kanna says.
It seems Toya-san had been saving up for this moment.
"Toya is finally joining our ranks, huh."
"Has the time come for Toya to understand our hardships too?"
Makoto-kun and Eita-kun are saying.
"Don't go filling Toya-san's head with weird things!"
I said.
"It's fine, Airi, I'll keep a close eye on this idiot."
"Don't worry, Airi, I won't let Katagiri-kun end up like these two."
Kanna and Ai say.
After talking for a while, Saki-san stands on the stage.
"Thank you all for waiting. We will now begin the Watanabe Group's year-end and Christmas party."
Everyone applauds.
"Now, first, we have a greeting from Nishimatsu-kun."
Nishimatsu-kun stands on the stage.
"Everyone, today, especially with the working group being so busy..."
"You're taking too long, Nishimatsu!"
"Hurry up and toast!"
Kanna and Mika say.
"Well then, please have a great time today. Cheers."
And so, the banquet began.
(2)
I was waiting in the dressing room.
Knock, knock.
It's Keita.
"Come in."
Keita enters.
In the dressing room are the two from Mustard and their respective partners.
"You two from Mustard, it's almost your turn."
"Yes!"
The two of them went out.
The two of them had schedules so packed that they couldn't even stay in their hometown on weekends.
That was also because they won runner-up in the December comedy championship.
Actually, they have work on weekdays too, but they were told by Emi-san, "At least graduate from university."
Me too, though.
It seems Nakamura-san is doing all the schedule adjustments.
They are apparently asking Emi-san to increase the sales staff by at least one more person.
Since Emi-san also seems to be aiming for business expansion, she probably intends to increase the personnel.
It seems the capital will also expand.
"It's finally starting."
Keita says.
"I'm fine, I'm more relaxed than last year."
"My heart is pounding."
When Keita says that, I laughed.
The two from Mustard came back.
"We warmed up the place!"
"Do your best!"
The two from Mustard say.
We head to the stage.
We set up the microphone and earphones.
I had decided ever since I decided to debut here.
No matter what I start, it always begins from here.
My place is here.
With gratitude to the people who made this stage for me.
"ALICE. It's your turn."
From here on, it is time to play ALICE.
I leap onto the stage.
I desperately execute the choreography that has become familiar to my body.
I project my voice from the bottom of my stomach.
The venue heats up.
The one-hour stage passes in the blink of an eye.
"The next one is the last song. Thank you for waiting. It's a new song, 'Absolute Zero Speed of Love.'"
I take a deep breath.
It's fine, I can do this.
"I can fly! Connecting to the farthest reaches with a kiss of love. I love you, let's break through and go beyond passion♪"
I finished singing.
Applause and cheers that won't stop.
I did it.
I am filled with a sense of fulfillment.
But it's not the end.
"Thank you, everyone~"
Waving with a smile, I leave the stage.
"Good job, it was a great stage."
Keita hands me a towel and a drink.
"Thank you."
I receive them.
I'm glad it was a stage that I could be satisfied with too.
"Well, I'm going to go change."
"Yeah, I'll be waiting."
I returned to the changing room.
(3)
Lives are amazing.
I think it's an amazing thing to move around that much and keep smiling.
She must be feeling so fulfilled.
"It's a great song, I'm going to buy up all the CDs in the record store!"
"Ah, leave some for me too! Just three is fine!"
"Cut it out!"
Kiritani-kun, Makoto, and Ai-san are saying.
"Hey, Makoto. Why three?"
I asked Makoto.
"The limited edition, the regular edition, and one for preservation!"
Am I the only one who feels like just the limited edition is enough?
"If Toya is supporting ALICE-chan too, buy ten copies!"
Kiritani-kun says.
"Both of you! Stop filling Toya-san's head with weird things!"
Airi is angry.
It seems better to just eat the feast without worrying about it.
Just as I was thinking that, I was told, "It's almost time for the last drink order."
While I was ordering a drink, Watanabe-kun called out to me.
"You guys absolutely have to come to the after-party."
"We plan to, but?"
I wonder what's going on?
The after-party is at the usual karaoke place.
Some of the women are monopolizing the microphone.
In the midst of that, Watanabe-kun borrows the microphone and says.
"Everyone listen up, those who saw the chat already know this, but Toya and Tosaka-san have gotten engaged. Both of you, come over here."
Called by Watanabe-kun, Airi and I step forward.
"We've been a group since high school, but these two... especially Toya, has contributed greatly to our activities. Even during that conflict, he bravely stood at the forefront."
Everyone is listening intently to Watanabe-kun's story.
"Those two have finally reached the goal. Let's give them a warm celebration."
When he says that, cheers erupt from everyone.
"Toya and Tosaka-san. Please say a few words each."
I am handed the microphone by Watanabe-kun.
"Thank you, everyone. Thanks to all of you, we were able to make it this far. I am grateful. Please continue to look after us."
Saying that, I hand the microphone to Airi.
However, Airi is crying and doesn't seem to be in any state to hold the microphone. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads 'じゃないらいい' (janairaii), likely meaning 'じゃないらしい' (janairashii/doesn't seem to be)).
"They said just a word is fine."
Saying that, I bring the microphone close to Airi's mouth.
"Thank you so much, everyone. The time has finally come when I can proudly say I am Toya-san's wife. Please continue to watch over us warmly."
As Airi says this, I rub her back.
Airi clings to me and starts crying.
She is really happy.
Then, everyone starts cheering and teasing.
We return to our seats.
"To liven things up, Toya, sing a song!"
Hmm, I guess it has to be that after all?
I select a song, and the screen changes.
Then, as soon as the title of the song appeared, the song ended.
"Do something about your song selection taste already!"
When Kanna says that, everyone laughs.
"Really, Toya-san is so hopeless."
Airi says that and enters a song.
Airi and I hold the microphone together.
When the intro plays, we start singing.
When we finish singing, everyone's applause was waiting for us.
When I hand the microphone to Misato-san, everyone starts singing.
Makoto and Kiritani-kun came over.
"Toya, congratulations. From now on, we will teach you the mindset of a husband..."
"Come on, you guys come over here."
Kanna and Ai-san drag Makoto and Kiritani-kun away.
"Wait, I haven't said anything yet!"
"You guys won't say anything good anyway, so behave yourselves!"
It seems those two don't even have the right to speak anymore.
"What troublesome people."
Airi is also a little angry.
"Well, Toya. Congratulations on the engagement."
"Katagiri, congratulations."
Kimoto-senpai and Hiyama-senpai came over.
"We're not like those two, but we thought we'd give you some advice."
Kimoto-senpai says.
"For now, never go against your wife. Just with that, you can at least secure a place to return to."
"It's just as Kimoto-senpai says. Even if you try to rebel half-heartedly, nothing good will come of it."
Kimoto-senpai and Hiyama-senpai say.
But that makes Airi angry.
"Toya-san will treat me gently even without being told that!"
"Never go against me for now? ...Kazu-san, do you have some complaint about me?"
"Nothing good will come of it? If you have a complaint, why don't you just say it clearly~"
Both of them were dragged away by Kana-san and Sakura-san.
It seems those two share the same fate as Makoto and the others.
"I don't get it, if they dislike it that much, they should just get a divorce."
Sasaki-kun came over.
"Anyway, congratulations. I hope you can become a good couple."
"Thank you."
"By the way, why is it that when men get married, they all lose their standing? Isn't that strange in a gender-equal society?"
Sasaki-kun asked.
Another difficult question. I can't say anything careless. It'll ruin Airi's mood.
"Sasaki-kun, do you fight with Kobayashi-san?"
"No, Yuzuki doesn't rebel."
"Why do you think that is?"
"Isn't it because she can't argue back?"
"No."
"Then, why?"
"Do you gain anything by fighting with the person you love?"
"I think a relationship where you can't say what you want to say is a shallow relationship, though."
"That's true, but there's no need to go out of your way to say things that don't need to be said, right?"
Things that must be said should be said properly.
But, it's better to avoid arguing by going out of your way to say things that don't really need to be said. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads '手も' (temo), likely meaning 'でも' (demo/but)).
"Is that what you call consideration?"
"Yes."
"I see~," Sasaki-kun says, convinced.
While I was talking with Sasaki-kun, Airi was talking with Emi-san and the others.
I was also talking with the men.
Most of the men are either married or engaged.
I was receiving various advice?
The common thing everyone says is.
Never go against your wife.
Everyone is having a hard time, huh.
It's fine, it seems everyone in my family line can't hold their heads up to women.
The last one to come was Watanabe-kun.
"Today is a celebratory day. Are you drinking?"
"Thanks to you, I'm having trouble because I don't have time to eat."
"How does it feel to finally get engaged?"
Watanabe-kun asks.
Let's see...
"I guess it feels like 'Sorry to have kept you waiting.'"
A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
"That's true, but it's too early to feel relieved."
Watanabe-kun says that and laughs.
"What do you mean?"
"You guys have only just passed a milestone, right?"
There's still marriage and the wedding ceremony left, Watanabe-kun says.
And even beyond that, childbirth, child-rearing...
"I wonder what lies beyond child-rearing..."
"Isn't asking your parents the best way to find out?"
And the banquet continued until morning.
When morning came, everyone dispersed in front of the karaoke place and went home.
"Toya-san, what did the men say to you?"
Airi said that when we got home.
"Shall we talk about that slowly in bed after taking a shower?"
"...Yes."
And after taking showers one after another, we get into the bed in the bedroom.
"So, what did they say?"
"Everyone said in unison, 'Never go against your wife.'"
I answered with a smile.
"Am I really such a scary wife?"
"You're a troublesome wife."
A troublesome, cute wife who immediately wants to be spoiled, says cute selfish things, and does housework without resting if I take my eyes off her.
"What did they say to Airi?"
"Me? I was told, 'You definitely hit the jackpot.'"
"I'm relieved to hear that."
"Ehehe."
"Well, shall we sleep soon? Let's get at least some sleep."
"You're right. Good night."
"Good night."
Saying that, the two of us fell asleep.
(4)
It's cold today too.
Even though it's 2 AM, there's an amazing number of worshippers.
On a cold day like this, nothing beats ramen...
"Toya-san! Please do that after we pray. Do you plan on lining up all over again?"
Never go against your wife, huh...
"Understood, I'll do it later."
"Yes."
After a while, we finally reached the offertory box.
We threw in our offering, rang the bell, and prayed.
The year has changed.
Many "Happy New Year" messages are flying back and forth.
After praying, we ate ramen and walked back home.
It seems the Tada couple, the Kisaragi couple, the Kiritani couple, and the Nakajima couple went to ALICE's countdown live.
Naturally, the Ishihara couple went too.
The others also seem to plan to pray and make a fuss together at Haruhi Shrine or somewhere, but the two of us decided to spend a quiet New Year's Eve together.
We watched the classic comedy show, ate New Year's Eve soba, and went for the first shrine visit of the year.
And then we went home and slept.
When we woke up, it was noon.
We spent the day eating ozoni while watching the classic shows.
When night came, we went back to my parents' house.
Airi's parents had also come.
Here too, we were lectured by the fathers on the mindset of a husband.
And then they got scolded by the women.
Once released, Mother told us, "I've prepared futons in your room, so stay the night."
I entered my own room for the first time in a long while.
My nostalgic room.
The room where many things have happened up until now.
"A lot has happened, hasn't it?"
Airi hugs me from behind.
"Yeah."
"It brings back memories. The first time I entered Toya-san's room."
"Eh?"
"It was after we became middle school students. When Toya-san said, 'Since you can't relax at my house, come over to mine,' and I visited for the first time. My heart was pounding. Because it was my first time entering a boy's room."
"Is that so. I thought for sure you were used to it."
"You're mean. Toya-san is my first and last."
"I see..."
Starting to study with Airi in this room, Kanna coming, and various other things happening...
I spent the night enjoying memories with Airi inside the bed.