Chapter 427 - Shouldering Both Joy and Sadness
(1)
"Well then, cheers."
When Nishimatsu-kun raised his glass, the banquet began.
Today, I was invited to the Kiritani couple's wedding reception.
And now, we are at the after-party.
At my table are the Tada couple, Sho, Chi-chan, and the Mizushima couple.
Today, the Ishihara couple is absent.
Apparently, they had some business in Tokyo.
The talent agency USE seems to be doing well.
ALICE's debut single "Absolute Zero Love Speed" recorded sales of 500,000 copies in a single month, exceeded 1 million downloads, and people are questioning why they do not appear on music programs.
It seems they will release their second single "Forbidden Boundary Line" along with their first album "ALICE" in the near future.
The live shows are kept within the Kyushu region due to the wishes of the Ishihara couple.
Instead, they apparently do things like live broadcasting via membership-only online streaming.
It seems filming has started for a movie with Anan-kun and Naka-san as double leads.
It is scheduled to be released next spring.
They are making guest appearances on various programs.
"Since it's going to be found out anyway, isn't it fine now?"
And so, with a single word from Emi-san, they will apparently hold their wedding ceremony once the movie filming is finished.
Master and his group also seem to be doing well, with offers for appearances apparently flooding in.
It seems they are handling work by staying in Tokyo specially only during this spring break period.
Makoto has also been active since the opening match, showing great performance such as scoring a hat-trick.
It seems he makes sure to thoroughly call Kanna at night whenever he goes away for overnight away games.
"This idiot has never once behaved himself at a hotel when calling before!"
Kanna says.
Sho and Chi-chan are also enthusiastic.
For now, they are apparently aiming to secure members with the goal of being promoted to a club.
Currently, they are apparently practicing jointly with the women's basketball team.
Although the men's basketball coach has been decided, they apparently have not seen his face even once yet.
Is it going to be okay?
Tasuku has finally gotten used to his current job, it seems. He has also gotten used to the current atmosphere of basketball.
Sakurako-san is apparently preparing to get a soccer coach license.
She is also apparently creating an environment where she can give birth to a child.
Tasuku has it rough.
The ones who have it rough are also the Sakai couple.
Every time Sakai-kun works on a holiday, a small business falters.
That is why lately he has been trying to settle business over the phone, but a call came in while the two of them were on a date, and Akira-san flew into a rage.
As if it were only natural, the negotiations unilaterally broke down, apparently causing hundreds of millions of yen in damages to the other party.
By the way, this fiscal year's unemployment rate has apparently recorded the worst in history.
With many companies going bankrupt, Hiyama-senpai also apparently had a hard time.
On the other hand, Kimoto-senpai has apparently received treatment as if he were a site director.
I heard that Kamenashi-kun and the others joining the company from the local university this year have been placed under Kimoto-senpai to be managed.
Naturally, if the unemployment rate rises, applications for welfare also increase, and Watanabe-kun and his team's work has apparently increased.
If the number of bankrupt companies increases, our work also increases.
It seems threatening letters arrive at Sakai-kun's house almost every day.
The very person who caused the problem, Akira-san, is currently enjoying the after-party as if nothing had happened.
Kosei and the other high school group also seem to be enjoying their high school life.
This year, there is a school trip.
"Excuse me, customers. It is almost time for the last order."
I go to get the last drinks.
"Toya, you guys are going to the third party, right?"
"Yeah, we're going."
Makoto seems to have something to talk about.
"What's wrong?"
"No... I'll talk at the third party."
What is wrong with him?
"Everyone, after this is karaoke. Those who are participating..."
Nishimatsu-kun is calling out.
The Watanabe group has been decided to be taken over by Nishimatsu-kun and Kuribayashi-kun.
With those two, they should be able to manage somehow.
So I thought.
Everyone except the high school group decided to go to the after-party.
We walked along in a crowd.
Arriving at the karaoke parlor and entering the room, I had my sides flanked by Makoto and Eita.
I look at Airi. Airi seems to be talking with Kanna and the others.
"So, how is it?"
Kiritani-kun asked.
"What is?"
"What do you mean 'what is'! You must have various things you want to grumble about, right! You guys are already a married couple."
Ah, that kind of topic.
"Well, the thing is..."
"The thing is!?"
I receive the attention of the two.
"There isn't any, you know?"
"Huh?"
Both of them had the same reaction.
Is it because our cohabitation was long?
There is almost absolutely no change.
If there is any, is it just that Airi hugs me whenever she finds an opening?
The way she addresses me also hasn't changed from "Toya-san."
I was prepared for at least "Husband-sama," but...
"Isn't that bad?"
Makoto says.
"What do you mean?"
"Not showing it on the outside probably means she's bottling up quite a lot, you know?"
Is that so?
I look at Airi. She is talking happily.
As I was looking at Airi like that, our eyes met.
"You can't do that, Makoto-kun and the others. Putting weird ideas into Toya-san's head."
"That's not true, right, Toya?"
"We're just talking normally, right?"
"Yeah, we aren't talking about anything weird at all."
I play along with Makoto and Kiritani-kun.
"Then, there's no problem saying it now, right? What were you talking about!?"
Kanna asked.
"M-Men have their own topics, you know! Even you have things you don't want to be asked about, right, Kanna?"
Makoto replies.
Kanna, Ai-san, and Airi smirk.
And then Kanna says.
"Then, come over here. If we let you hear our talk, you can talk about yours too, right?"
We move our seats.
Then Airi says.
"You see, we were talking about how Toya-san has become since we registered our marriage."
"And what did you answer, Airi?"
"I answered that he became kinder than before."
Ai-san and Kanna are grinning.
"I heard, you know. You definitely kiss when you wake up in the morning, right?"
"And, when you get home, you apparently hug tightly, don't you?"
Kanna and Ai-san say.
"We do, but... was it bad to do so?"
I ask.
"That's not it! I thought we could extract some grumbling from Airi, but it's nothing but lovey-dovey bragging!"
"What on earth are we, who are struggling, then! Explain, Katagiri-kun!"
What both of you are saying is completely unreasonable.
"Toya, are you living such an enviable life every day!"
"What are you two doing, leaking a happy mood all over the place, don't mess around!"
I am also told off by Makoto and Kiritani-kun.
"So, what were you guys talking about?"
When asked by Kanna, I explained the truth.
Because I thought there was no harm in being asked.
"Ah! If only I could turn back the clock! I should have taken Toya by force back then!"
"I also want to go back to being a high schooler! I desperately want to redo myself when I confessed to Eita."
The two of them shout.
"What's wrong? What is going on!?"
Watanabe-kun joined in.
"Listen to this, Watanabe-kun!"
Ai-san talks to Watanabe-kun.
Watanabe-kun was laughing.
"Wasn't that something understood even before registering the marriage?"
Watanabe-kun says.
"Middle school is too late, huh... Should I have forcibly stolen his lips before transferring schools!?"
"I should have chosen a boyfriend a bit more seriously too!"
Kanna and Ai-san say.
They've drunk quite a lot.
"D-Don't say things like that, Kanna. Even I would get hurt."
"A-Ai, calm down too..."
Makoto and Kiritani-kun say.
"Let's drink! Ai! I took tomorrow off! I'll keep you company until morning!"
"Of course, Kanna! Let's drink thoroughly as fellow people who were saddled with such shitty husbands."
Kanna and Ai-san are getting excited.
"Airi! You keep us company until morning too! Airi, you got married too! We'll show you the reality of marriage!"
"Airi! You've basically won the lottery! Just how many miserable experiences we've been through..."
The women are really wild today.
"If it's that kind of talk, count me in too! Even though he says he wants children, he says he's tired from work and won't pay attention to me at all!"
Even Mika-san joined in.
When that happens, the women join in one after another.
"He can't tidy up!"
"He only cooks and doesn't do the dishes!"
"He doesn't pay attention to me on days off!"
One after another, complaints explode and spread.
It even ignited the unmarried women.
"Come to think of it, Hasebe-kun hasn't invited me out even once since then."
"T-That's because work is busy! We can't even go home together! We can't wander around our hometown together!"
Yuki-san and Hasebe-kun are saying.
"Zen-kun, don't you want children?"
"If we make a child now, they will definitely be kidnapped!"
I thought Sakai-kun's excuse was amazing.
The disastrous third party continued until morning.
Airi and I could do nothing but watch over them.
The men were simply desperate to soothe them.
"It should be fine to go up the mountain a bit in the car I bought with a loan after all that effort."
"That's no good. In the Watanabe group, that kind of thing is taboo."
Watanabe-kun has to soothe not only Mika-san but also Yuzuki-san and Shoko-san.
What about Nishimatsu-kun and Kuribayashi-kun?
"In the first place, there are too few female doctors at our hospital! And those female doctors are nothing but shitty old hags with bad attitudes!"
"M-My dad said a young resident is joining next time, so..."
"They're probably just spineless cowards who will quit because three consecutive night shifts are too tough anyway!"
It's rare for Miyuki-san to be so wild.
Being a doctor is tough too.
"Junichi-san, sing this next."
"A-Ah, okay. I get it."
Kitamura-san goes at his own pace.
And then, when the time came, as if a switch had been flipped, the grumbling stopped dead, and everyone dispersed.
"Thanks for your hard work~"
Leaving behind a single word.
I also head home with Airi on the first bus.
"Hey, Airi?"
"Is something the matter?"
"It's almost been a month since we got married, right?"
"It went by in a flash, didn't it?"
"Yeah, Airi, do you really have no complaints about me?"
"I don't have any."
"I see."
If so, that's fine, but.
"Am I the one causing trouble for you, Toya-san?"
"There's nothing in particular."
That's why it's mysterious. I feel like it wouldn't be strange if there was something.
"Isn't it fine? As long as we are both happy."
"...That's true."
Getting off at the bus stop, I walk home with Airi.
When we get home, I take a bath and wait for Airi.
Once Airi dries her hair, we get into bed together.
"But I'm glad. That you have no complaints about me, Toya-san."
"Were you worried?"
"Because I heard that men change."
"I also heard that women change."
So we are both conscious of it.
But Airi laughs.
"But this is still only the beginning."
"Eh?"
"I hear that once they give birth, women change."
Airi says so and laughs.
I heard that too.
Kimoto-senpai also apparently fears that and doesn't make children easily.
Though it seems he doesn't have that kind of time anyway.
"But you'll be fine, right, Toya-san?"
Airi says.
"I'll make an effort."
"Yes, please. And while I'm asking..."
"What is it?"
"When do you want to have them?"
Why does she say it so easily, like a chicken laying an egg.
"I heard it should be two years after marriage, though."
"We can't afford to wait so leisurely."
"When would be good for you, Airi?"
"If possible, right after the ceremony would be good, I think."
"I understand."
"Well, good night."
"Yeah, good night."
Almost one month since we got married.
Our honeymoon was still continuing.
(2)
"Hmm..."
I was worrying.
Emi was also lost in thought.
In front of us was a parent and child.
The child was just about old enough to have just become an elementary school student.
Looking at the resume, she apparently enters elementary school this year.
"Did you go to other agencies?"
"Yes, but. We were told they couldn't handle her."
"Why?"
"They said things like admission fees and management fees would be charged, or they wouldn't accept unless it was a scout or a referral."
It seems the famous places were no good.
"Hagiwara, how is her acting ability?"
Emi was asking Hagiwara-san, who was in charge of acting instruction.
"It's not bad. The rest would be a matter of salesmanship, I suppose."
Her parents' discipline seems to be good.
In fact, she is sitting silently even now.
They say what is needed next is childishness.
I look at the girl sitting in front of me, Karasuma Kokoro-chan.
Even though she is only six years old, she has eyes full of ambition.
Her ability is unknown.
The same goes for our agency.
For now, things are going well.
Should we go on an adventure here?
"Kokoro-chan, why did you think of becoming a child actor?"
I was asking Kokoro-chan a question.
"Because I yearned for acting."
"I think it's a harsh world, but do you think you can do it?"
"I'll do my best!"
She seems to have resolve.
"Emi, Hagiwara-san is in Tokyo the whole time, right?"
"That's right, Anan-kun and the others have also moved their base to Tokyo."
"I think it's fine to take a gamble, but what do you think, Emi?"
"Isn't it fine? You are the president. I will follow you."
I spoke to her mother.
"Ours is a small agency with only four groups of talents. Compared to large productions, to be honest, even getting work might be difficult."
The mother dropped her shoulders.
"Therefore, for our company, it is close to a gamble. I think it would be safer to enter a large production."
However, let's bet on Kokoro-chan's expression.
"We do not need an admission fee. We will invest in Kokoro-chan. However, we will charge monthly lesson fees."
I leave the rest of the explanation to Narihara-san of sales.
Narihara-san explains the contract details.
He also confirms the person's own intentions.
Such as whether she has the resolve to keep going in the entertainment industry.
We decided to prepare a manager as well.
I don't know if we can make a profit after investing that much, but let's trust Hagiwara-san's eyes.
Obtaining the parents' consent, we exchange the contract on the spot.
We also properly organize working conditions and such.
Normally, transportation costs for child actors are self-paid, but since we are preparing a manager, our side will bear the expenses.
We made the pay a monthly salary system.
Once the general explanation and contract were finished, the Karasuma parent and child went home.
After that, we formulate future strategies through Narihara-san and Hagiwara-san.
Narihara-san will pitch her anyway and have her participate in auditions.
The rest depends on Hagiwara-san's acting instruction.
She seems to be an obedient child.
It will surely go well.
Afterward, I have a meal with Anan-kun and the others and ask about their recent situation.
It seems things are going well both publicly and privately.
An explanation is also given by Nakamura-san.
It seems advancing into Tokyo was a success.
After finishing dinner, I decided to stay at a hotel and return the next morning.
"USE is also getting bigger, isn't it?"
Emi says.
"Which job should I devote myself to?"
"Both, of course?"
"Eh?"
"ETC will become your company in the future, you know?"
Emi said so and laughed.
I am going to face busy days.
"Work is fine, but since things have gotten on track, think about children soon, okay?"
"...I'll think about it after I get home."
Two companies and child-rearing.
A difficult future was waiting.
(3)
"Well then, I'll go home once."
"Yeah, you know the place, right?"
"It's the same restaurant as last year, right?"
"Yeah, don't be late."
"Yes, well then, excuse me first."
Saying so, I leave the company and call Airi.
"Airi, I'm heading home now, so get ready and wait."
"Yes, I understand. Please be careful on your way home."
After finishing the call, I go home.
April.
It is the season for cherry blossom viewing.
Though, even so, it's a pufferfish restaurant again.
"Since we haven't celebrated yet, bring your wife along since it's a special occasion."
When the President said so, everyone decided to bring their spouses.
When I get home, Airi is dressed and waiting.
Taking Airi with me, we board the bus, go to the city, and head to a traditional restaurant on the outskirts of the entertainment district.
Everyone is gathered.
"We're late. I'm sorry. There was no bus."
"My husband is always in your care."
"No, the pleasure is ours. Katagiri-kun is working hard. It's rare to be working on the front lines in just one year."
The President says.
Airi pours drinks for everyone and goes around greeting them.
"You got a good wife!"
Tatsuhiko-senpai says.
"Toya's future is secure. All that's left is to make a child, I guess."
Koriyama-senpai says.
After that, everyone got excited.
I was eating pufferfish with all my might.
Airi is conversing with everyone.
And so, after finishing the first party, we go to the second party.
"Sorry, I have to take care of my kid."
Tatsuhiko-senpai said so and went home.
"He'll probably have a hard time for a while too."
Koriyama-senpai says.
It seems they require a lot of care until they are about three years old.
Airi was listening seriously.
"You guys are coming to the second party, right?"
Koriyama-senpai says.
"Airi, are you okay?"
"Yes."
Airi and the others seem to be having a lively time among the women.
They apparently exchanged smartphone contact info too.
I was receiving encouragement from Koriyama-senpai and the President.
"I think you'll understand if you look at Uehara, but from here on is the hard part. You have to properly help with child-rearing too."
"Tatsuhiko will be a good role model. Watch him closely."
The President and Koriyama-senpai say.
Sawajiri-san also told me, "Do your best."
After having a drink at the bar, the second party was over.
Afterward, we dispersed.
Since it was a special occasion, I dropped by another bar with Airi for a drink before heading home.
When I took a bath, Airi prepared ochazuke for me.
"I thought you'd surely be hungry."
While I am eating it, Airi takes a bath.
After taking a bath, Airi tidies it up and goes to the bedroom.
By the time I finished keeping the household account book, the clock had passed midnight.
"Shall we sleep soon?"
"Yeah."
I get into bed with Airi.
"Hey, Toya-san."
"What is it?"
"Did I do well as Toya-san's wife today?"
"Everyone was praising you, saying you're a wonderful wife."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Airi is pleased.
"Are you okay with drinking parties two days in a row?"
Tomorrow is the Watanabe group's cherry blossom viewing.
"I'll manage somehow."
"Please be careful not to drink too much."
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, good night."
"Good night."
Airi became quiet.
Since we got married, it became spring in the blink of an eye.
And then, it becomes a new fiscal year.
(4)
"Well then, everyone, cheers!"
When Nishimatsu-kun said so, the banquet began.
I, Nakajima-kun, Kiritani-kun, and Makoto are together.
Nothing good ever happens when I'm with these three, though.
Kiritani-kun is apparently entrusted with ETC's sales.
Even though it's sales, it's not a job of bringing in customers.
It's dealing with clients who come to pitch their own products.
Even so, the other parties are nothing but presidents, bank employees, and other VIPs.
It seems it was a hectic week.
Even so, he is enthusiastic, saying it's better than fraudulent business practices.
Makoto is showing his usual active performance.
The genius-class forward Makoto talks about belongs to an overseas club, so he is apparently positioned at the top class in J1.
In fact, he is participating in the top scorer race.
It seems he still plays around at night when staying overnight for away games, as usual.
It is apparently a source of worry for Kanna.
Nakajima-kun still feels heavily the responsibility of being a civil servant, but Honoka-san is apparently supporting him there.
Naturally, Nakajima-kun does not play around at night.
Speaking of civil servants, Watanabe-kun and his team apparently have a hard time with handover work because the person in charge changes starting in April.
Saki-san also started working in an administrative position at ETC.
Speaking of ETC, Ishihara-kun has apparently started learning the work of a representative director in his second year.
With USE and all, is it going to be okay?
Speaking of USE, a newcomer has apparently joined. Karasuma Kokoro-chan. A child actor who is a first-grader in elementary school this year.
With her motivation, acting ability, and politeness, she is well-received on-site, and work is apparently coming in smoothly.
ALICE has also already acquired her position as a songstress.
Both CD sales and download numbers are apparently so strong that it's unbelievable for a newcomer.
She appeared on a music program only once during spring break.
Master and his group also say that traveling back and forth between their hometown and Tokyo is tough.
Anan-kun and the others have also been selected for a drama starting in April.
USE is aiming for further business expansion.
Of course, there seem to be talent agencies that do not think well of that.
They are receiving various harassments, but the Eguchi family's retaliation seems to be extreme, so there is apparently almost no second harassment.
The members who entered Akira-san's family's construction company are working under Kimoto-senpai.
Even though they are site supervisors, they are newcomers.
The work is apparently harsh.
Kanna, Ai-san, and Honoka-san also seem to have gotten used to their work and are working energetically.
Sakai-kun has apparently entered a further phase.
"I want a child."
Akira-san's words freeze the surroundings.
Sakai-kun's hardships are one thing, but if Akira-san starts child-rearing, they will have to read Akira-san's mood even more.
With just one mood of Akira-san, the company will falter.
She seems to have more power than the president.
Mika-san is gaining ability.
I heard she was approached by Hiyama-senpai about whether she would like to become independent.
However, Mika-san refused, saying it was still too early.
The reason is that she wants a child.
She apparently plans to consider independence once the child grows up to some extent.
While listening to everyone's good news, the banquet progressed.
"Nishimatsu! What are you going to do about this year's newcomers!?"
Kanna says.
"The first semester hasn't even started yet. Please wait a bit."
Nishimatsu-kun says.
"The quota is at least one pair, okay! Bring someone worth training!"
Mika-san says.
"Now, now, let's avoid making unnecessary interference. We've left the university students to Nishimatsu-kun and the others."
Watanabe-kun says.
"Toya, is your newlywed life going smoothly?"
Makoto asked.
"Yeah, thanks to you. We are living smoothly without any incidents."
There are no complaints from Airi either.
Though she still acts spoiled as usual.
"How does it turn out like that?"
Kiritani-kun asked.
"I think Kiritani-kun and the others understand that better than I do, though?"
"I'm asking because I don't know!"
Kiritani-kun stands up.
Everyone looks at Kiritani-kun, wondering what is going on.
"I get it, so sit down for now."
Makoto soothes him.
"Makoto, don't you find it strange too? No matter how you think about it, these two are weird!"
"That's true..."
Makoto seems to have something on his mind.
"I've watched the two of them since middle school, but I guess it really is an accumulation, huh? Until they entered university, both of them did nothing but fight."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, compared to back then, both Toya and Airi-san have changed. They've come to care for each other."
Makoto talks.
I don't feel like we've changed that much, though.
"Of course, there are things that don't change too."
"What is that?"
Kiritani-kun was asking.
"That both of them have always loved each other. In the past, because they loved each other, they were anxious. That's why they fought. Now, because they understand that they love each other, they can believe."
Makoto is awfully eloquent today.
"Since you understand that much, why haven't you changed since long ago?"
Kanna says.
"There's no way everyone is like Toya and the others, right? There are even those who finally noticed their romantic feelings, like Haruto and the others, or Chi. Besides..."
Besides?
"Even I have been looking at Kanna since long ago. I love Kanna. That's why we've been able to make it this far even when our high schools were separated, right?"
"...That's true."
Makoto is somewhat different today.
"The time of 'falling in love' is already 'goodbye'. Because we arrived at the end of endless sadness, we got married too, right?"
Goodbye love, huh...
"Somehow it's lacking excitement! Let's party more wildly!"
Mika-san says.
"Is it Toya and the others' newlywed life after all?"
Watanabe-kun says so, and Ai-san and Kanna say.
"Stop that. It will only make us feel empty."
When the two of them said so, everyone was laughing out loud.
(5)
"Toya-san, please wake up. It's morning."
"Good morning, Airi."
I exchange morning greetings with Airi.
"I'll go prepare breakfast."
Airi heads to the kitchen.
I look at the window. The weather is nice today too.
In the dreamlike first thing in the morning, the light shone in.
Everyone is already walking separate paths. I'm not ready in my heart yet, but time won't wait.
It is too deep, I cannot touch the heart directly.
The cherry blossoms on your shoulder as you wave.
Goodbye, love.
A message spun by a lonely sigh.
Can you hear the voice bidding goodbye to love?
In this empty, wide world, the eyes that begin to speak look at me just as they were and gently smile.
Why can you stand so firmly like that?
Do we know of something that cannot be shortened?
O cherry blossoms, to your voice dancing and scattering endlessly, a message spun by breath toward this beloved sky.
Where is the end of endless sadness?
O cherry blossoms, forget all the tears.
At that time, I fell in love and it reached you.
After getting ready and having breakfast, I spend time talking with Airi.
A moment that seems short yet long.
And then, I go to work.
"Have a safe trip, please take care."
"I'm off."
Responding to Airi who sees me off with a smile, I leave the house.
Bidding goodbye to love, from now on I will fall into love.
Will that voice reach?
Another new day begins.
Everyone starts walking their own separate paths.
The preparation of the heart won't wait.
We continue to walk our respective paths.