Chapter 426 - Paper Airplane
(1)
"Well then, congratulations on becoming new adults!"
When Saki-san said that, the banquet began.
Today is the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
In the Watanabe group, the Kisaragi couple, Sho, Chii-chan, Misato-san, Kuribayashi-kun, and the Akiyoshi couple fall into this category.
Today was held to celebrate them and also serve as a New Year's party.
At my table are Airi, the Tada couple, the Kiritani couple, Sho, and Chii-chan.
"Sho, you shouldn't drink too much."
"Sho, are you saying you can't drink my alcohol?!"
Makoto is immediately pestering Sho.
"Makoto, don't pester him so much."
I gently warn him.
"Toya, do you understand the feeling of having your younger sister stolen by you?!"
"There's no way I'd understand."
I don't understand, but... Airi did say it before.
That even if a daughter is born, she will get a lover someday.
Is it a similar feeling?
Having a daughter stolen... yeah, I don't know.
"Toya-san, please don't become like that."
Airi says.
"Well, the time will come when Toya will understand too once he has a daughter."
Kiritani-kun says.
As expected, is Airi's papa the standard?
I tried asking Airi.
"Airi, how was it when you told your dad that you got a boyfriend?"
"Eh?"
"No, I just wondered if he was angry, after all."
"...Are you already preparing yourself to be a father?"
Airi is laughing.
"Papa-san was in a bad mood at first too. But when Mama-san scolded him, saying, 'What kind of face are you making on such a happy day when Airi-chan got a boyfriend~', he got depressed."
So he really got depressed.
"And then, after that, Papa-san said, 'Let me meet that boy right now. What is his name?', and when I said Toya-san's name, he accepted it. I wondered why, but now I know the reason."
Airi says that and laughs.
It seems my father and Airi's papa were old "comrades-in-arms". That must be why.
"Chii-chan, you introduced Sho to your dad, right? How was it?"
I tried asking Chii-chan.
"He was crying, saying, 'Has the time finally come for Chii to go off as a bride?' Even though I haven't even been proposed to yet."
Saying that kind of thing right now is bad, Chii-chan.
Makoto reacts.
"Sho! Don't tell me you're planning to just play with Chii and then dump her?!"
"N-No, that's not it! I just thought it's too early because we're still students... and we're both living on allowances from our parents."
Sho and Chii-chan are both busy with club activities, after all. It can't be helped.
"How was it for you, Kanna?"
I tried asking Kanna.
"We only have Mother at home. Well, I guess she did say something like it's still too early to make children."
Makoto has been staying over at Kanna's house since middle school, too. Though I can't really talk about others either.
"What about Ai?"
Airi was asking Ai-san.
"That Eita guy was so nervous it was hilarious. Seriously, to the point where I wish I had taken a video."
"Do you two go back to your parents' homes?"
Airi was asking Kanna and Ai-san.
"Just to give our greetings on New Year's Day, I guess. This guy drank until morning and smelled like alcohol, it was awful."
Ai-san says.
"We went to Makoto's parents' house too. Man, my shoulders got so stiff I couldn't stand it."
"I understand, Kanna. It was the same for me when I went to Eita's house. On top of that, this guy had a hangover. It was awkward."
Kanna and Ai-san say.
"For me, my older brother was more of a handful than Father. Just because I was going to sleep in the same room as Sho, he made a huge fuss."
Chii-chan says.
"Of course! I will absolutely never allow you to do it in the room next to mine!"
"Who was the one pressing their ear against the wall while saying that, you total pervert!"
Sometimes I don't understand the things Makoto does.
"Toya-san doesn't need to understand."
Is that so? I don't need to?
My serving plate is empty, so I guess I'll go get the next serving.
When I go to get food, I run into Ishihara-kun.
"It seems things are going well. ALICE-san."
"Thanks to everyone, things are going well."
Apparently, things are going too well.
ALICE-san's CD has already sold 200,000 copies and apparently entered the Oricon rankings.
The number of downloads is also said to be skyrocketing.
Anan-kun and Naka-san are also doing well, apparently.
Anan-kun is appearing in a Taiga drama, and Naka-san is apparently appearing in a Tuesday drama.
It seems Master too does their recordings together on Saturdays and Sundays.
The two of Master leave their hometown on Friday nights and return on Sunday nights, living that kind of life.
Of course, the manager and two chaperones are also accompanying them.
It seems both groups are already leaving things to their managers.
Arisu-san is here today.
Ishihara-kun apparently said he wanted her to at least experience the Coming-of-Age Ceremony properly.
"Since it's once in a lifetime, after all."
Ishihara-kun says that and looks at the Akiyoshi couple who are frolicking.
"Well, see you later. You're going to the after-party, right?"
Ishihara-kun says.
"Yeah, that's the plan."
"See you then."
I take the food and return to my seat.
"Where did you go, Toya!"
"I was just going to get some food."
I say that to Kiritani-kun and sit down.
"Don't just eat, drink a little!"
"That's right, you're being bad company, Toya!"
Kiritani-kun and Makoto say.
They're really going wild...
"Did something happen?"
I tried asking Airi.
"Well, the thing is..."
I was exasperated after hearing Airi's story.
Naturally, Kanna and Ai-san are furious.
The cause was very simple.
Sho and Chii-chan are living together.
Then, what do they do about changing clothes?
They do it in the same room.
That's only natural.
"Did you see Chii changing in the flesh?!" Makoto rages.
"Even I only saw it when we were in elementary school!" he directs his unreasonable anger.
"He's my boyfriend, so it's normal, right?" Chii-chan counterattacks.
And then, "Chii rebelled against her older brother. It's her rebellious phase," Makoto throws a tantrum.
The story didn't end there.
"What kind of underwear does Chitose-san wear?"
Kiritani-kun asks.
"Just normal black underwear?" Chii-chan answers.
"I told you pure white is fine for Chii!" Makoto starts saying something incomprehensible again.
"I can't keep up with my older brother's tastes!" Chii-chan rebels.
And that brings us to the present.
And now...
"As expected, a girlfriend's first underwear should be white, right?"
Makoto and Kiritani-kun pestering Sho.
And incurring the wrath of Kanna and Ai-san.
Chii-chan herself went to get a drink, saying, "I can't keep up."
"How was it for you, Toya-san?"
Yes?
"Do you also like white, after all, Toya-san?"
Airi asks normally.
"Airi, during the first experience, that kind of thing doesn't matter. First of all, your mind is not in a state to think about that."
"Is that so?"
"Besides, you know my tastes well, right, Airi?"
"...That's true."
"What kind of tastes does Toya have?!"
Makoto pesters.
"Toya-san chooses normal ones for me... Ah."
Airi seems to have remembered something.
"What's wrong, Airi?"
Kanna asks.
"Toya-san is kind. He once worried that if the color was too flashy, it might show through when I wear a white skirt or a white shirt."
"I envy Airi."
Kanna grumbles.
"That's kind of boring. Doesn't he have any troublesome habits?"
Ai-san asks Airi.
"Let's see, basically it's fine as long as I match the vocal of Erto... Ah."
She seems to have remembered something again.
"Is there something?"
Kanna presses.
"Since he knows I don't like miniskirts, when choosing winter clothes, he had me buy a black skirt, and he bought a knit one-piece dress himself and gave it to me as a present, saying, 'It would be nice if this was loungewear!'"
"So Toya has reached that state of mind too."
Makoto understands on his own.
"So, what are you doing with that clothing now?"
"I wear it as winter loungewear. ...Ah! And also~"
"Is there still something?"
Kanna asks.
Was there still something?
"Toya-san, when I was depressed because my skirt got tight, he comforted me, saying, 'Then, shall we go buy a new one?'~"
It was nothing but Airi bragging about her happiness now.
"Ai... shall we drink?"
"That's right, Kanna... I'm in a huge mood to drink right now."
Both of them are depressed.
Airi looks at the two of them wonderingly.
"It's almost time for the last call for drinks."
Saying that, they go in groups to get drinks.
Finally, a commemorative photo with everyone.
Koizumi-kun had prepared the camera.
"The after-party is karaoke."
Everyone except the high school group went to the after-party.
(2)
"What's wrong, Kanna? Ai too."
Airi is asking Kanna and the others wonderingly.
"Airi wouldn't understand..."
"Yeah, you definitely wouldn't."
The two are depressed.
It seems Airi thought about it in her own way.
"What kind of clothes does Makoto-kun choose for you?"
"He chooses normally."
Seems like there's no problem.
"...I wonder if that's normal in the world? Saying black stockings are good. Or telling me to be in a white miniskirt with bare legs."
"...Kanna. That's still better. For me, my Christmas present was a Gothic Lolita dress."
"...Ai. That was done to me too. Saying I could become like ALICE..."
It seems like they have it rough in various ways.
Airi was also troubled. She probably didn't know how to react.
Kanna was asking Airi.
"Airi, have you never been demanded that kind of thing by Toya?"
"I want to ask too. For me, I was told to wear my work uniform."
Ai-san was asking too.
"Toya-san doesn't demand those kinds of things, or clothes that show my body line, or highly revealing ones. Maybe it's because my body shape isn't that good."
"...Knowing Toya, he's just treasuring you, Airi."
Kanna says with a sigh.
"What are you guys getting depressed about!"
Mika-san joined in.
Kanna explains to Mika-san.
Then Mika-san also falls into thought.
"I haven't been told much about my clothing either. Just being told that I have too many piercings, I guess."
"Toya, could you come here for a second?"
I was called by Watanabe-kun.
What is it?
"Could you say a few words to the new adults?"
Huh?
"Say something to the guys graduating this year too."
Don't make such unreasonable demands again.
They are looking at me with serious eyes.
Good grief.
"Can I borrow the microphone?"
"Yeah."
I receive the microphone from Watanabe-kun.
"Life is a paper airplane."
I began to speak.
Sometimes it rains and tears flow, but on days when things don't go as planned, you can just do your best tomorrow.
The dream I've been seeing all this time is a dream where there is another me, and I can do what I want, as I like, freely.
Life is a paper airplane. It flies carrying wishes.
Just moving forward through the wind with all your might.
Rather than competing over the distance, how it flew and where it flew is the most important thing.
Let's keep flying for 365 days, just as our hearts desire.
How many stars can you see?
Is it a night where nothing can be seen?
When you don't feel well, let's talk to someone.
People are not as alone as they think they are.
They are just failing to notice the kindness right beside them.
Life is a paper airplane.
It is flying carrying love.
Even if you don't know how to fold it, before you know it, you'll be able to fly it.
Let's have fun for 365 days.
Living is difficult and painful.
So I pray that we can stay smiling.
Saying let's do our best tomorrow, or just moving forward.
It's obvious, but you don't have to be reckless, so let's just do it calmly.
Someone is watching right beside you.
You are just failing to notice that kindness.
Even things you can't do now, if you keep at it, you will become able to do them.
To move forward, hope is necessary.
Because hope lies within confidence.
Clap, clap, I hear applause.
It gradually gets louder.
I return the microphone to Watanabe-kun and go back to my seat.
"Toya! Drink!!"
Makoto suddenly said.
What's wrong with him?
"I don't like how you're too normal! Today, I'm going to expose your fetishes!!"
Huh?
"Fetishes..."
"Airi! You listen carefully too! This guy is definitely hiding something! He might just be taking care of business where you don't know about it."
Even Kanna was complicit.
"Understood. I'll remember it properly!"
Airi is enthusiastic.
"Airi... there's no way there's a place you don't know about."
I say to Airi, but...
"But Toya-san was secretly watching videos behind my back!"
"Since we started living together, there's no way that's true."
"That's true, but I'm curious. Because I want to become Toya-san's preferred type of woman."
That's already enough!
"It's just as Kanna says. This guy is definitely hiding something!"
Mika-san was complicit.
"Just drink anyway!"
Kiritani-kun orders.
Ai-san is also eager.
"You guys are doing something interesting!"
Even Emi-san and the others...
I was interrogated until morning.
(3)
I am looking at Toya-san inside the bus.
Toya-san was forced to drink, and whether due to the alcohol or fatigue, he is fast asleep.
To conclude, Toya-san didn't have any special fetishes.
Because the topic of a daughter came up, Kanna said, "Are you by any chance a lolicon?!"
Toya-san hurriedly denied it.
"Come to think of it, Toya-san said he wanted a younger sister."
When I said that, Makoto-kun started crying, saying, "Having a younger sister brings lots of painful things!"
Everyone tried to soothe Makoto-kun, but Kanna said, "Leave that pervert alone!"
I know Toya-san's preferences.
Probably, only I know.
Toya-san's preference is surely me.
That's why I worry.
Why is it me?
"Next is..."
Ah, I have to get off.
I press the button and wake Toya-san up.
"Ah, was I sleeping?"
When Toya-san asked, I nodded.
"Sorry, I didn't think I'd be forced to drink at that pace."
"It's okay."
After getting off the bus, we walk back.
"Are you okay?"
Can you walk?
"Yeah, I'm fine. I slept a little, so I feel better."
When we arrive home. Toya-san stops at the entrance.
"Did something happen?"
Toya-san was thinking for a bit.
What's wrong, I wonder?
"Yeah, since I'm drunk right now, I guess it's fine."
Toya-san seemed to understand on his own.
And then he says.
"Airi, shall we take a bath together for once?"
"Is it okay?"
"It would be bad if you slipped or drowned in the bathtub entering alone, right?"
"...Yes."
I take a bath with Toya-san.
We wash our bodies, and though it's a bit narrow, we press our bodies close and soak in the bathtub.
"Airi... you actually knew my preferences, didn't you?"
"Yes... but even so, a doubt remained."
"A doubt?"
"Why is it me?"
When I said that, Toya-san was laughing.
"Thinking about that question is just a waste of time."
"Why is that?"
"Then, Airi, why is it me?"
Ah.
So that's how it is.
"It certainly was a waste of time!"
"Right?"
Toya-san is laughing.
After getting out of the bath, I dry my hair.
Toya-san is already in bed.
By the time I finish drying my hair, Toya-san's eyes are closed.
Gently entering the bed, I also fall asleep.
What was I born for?
Why am I here?
Just thinking about it is a waste of time.
I just want to survive.
Even on the edge is fine.
I love you.
Awakening lives have just drawn to each other now.
I want to survive.
I still want to live.
I love you.
Until I show you my true heart, I will not sleep.
(4)
February 15th.
At the University, the final exams for the second semester had finished, and it was around the time spring break began.
Yesterday, I received chocolates from the female employees at my workplace.
Airi was a bit sulky, but it was beyond my control.
"Airi's chocolate is the most delicious."
"Really?"
That was how I restored Airi's good mood.
Today, I took paid leave.
The reason was to submit our marriage registration.
When I applied for paid leave saying it was for a commemoration, the President said, "Congratulations, I hope it becomes a good memory."
It's a company that is broad-minded about these kinds of things.
We go to the city hall and apply.
It was accepted.
With this, starting today, Airi becomes "Katagiri Airi".
I thought we just had to submit the marriage registration, but apparently that wasn't the case.
From changing the registered domicile on her driver's license to changing the name on Airi's bankbook, there were many procedures to do.
I'm glad I didn't take a half-day off.
Since it was an anniversary, we decided to eat out on the way back.
We have dinner while having a fun conversation with Airi.
After finishing dinner, we return by bus.
At that venue, children were frolicking and playing.
Several of them were surrounding a puppy that seemed to have been abandoned.
I was watching that scene.
And then, when we return home, we change clothes and relax.
"Toya-san, please take a bath first."
"Understood."
After taking a bath and returning to the bedroom, Airi is struggling with a laptop and receipts.
"Airi, I'm done with the bath."
"Yes. It will be finished in a little bit, so..."
I sit next to Airi and watch TV.
Then, Airi, who has finished her work, clings to me.
"Bath first."
"You're mean."
While saying that, Airi heads to the bath.
While Airi is in the bath, I play a game.
Airi returned to the room.
I noticed, but I continue the game.
Airi also noticed that and jumps on me.
"Ei."
The game was over.
Turning off the game console, I hug Airi.
"You really are a troublesome bride."
"Ehehe."
"You really became my bride."
"Yes."
"Airi."
"What is it?"
"I'll be in your care from now on."
"Me too, I look forward to being with you for a long time."
"Shall we sleep soon?"
"Yes."
I get into the futon with Airi.
As usual, Airi clings to me.
Tonight, we finally became one.