Chapter 429 - Ten Years Ago
(1)
"Well then, cheers!"
Nishimatsu-kun raises his can of beer.
Everyone drinks their respective drinks.
July.
We had come to the sea.
During the day, we swam and played.
And now, we are having a great time with a BBQ.
"You guys! Eat up, eat up!"
Mika-san grills the meat.
Airi takes some meat that is ready to eat and gives it to me.
A day of eating, drinking, and making noise.
It comes once a month.
Days where not a single thing changes.
We will probably pile up days like this and slowly grow older.
The student group is frolicking.
Such days will also pass by in an instant.
That is probably why adults say it repeatedly.
"Enjoy your youth"...
By the time you realize that, it is already too late.
You have already joined the ranks of adults.
Whether you wish for it or not, it will surely come.
People are probably just like that.
Being young means not looking back.
Running forward recklessly without thinking about anything, and the moment you look back, you are an adult.
I wonder how Tange-san and Shiina-san, who are older than us, look at us?
I tried asking.
"It's still too early for you to look back!"
Tange-san said so and laughed.
"That's right, it's something often said, but once you pass twenty, you become thirty in the blink of an eye. Once you pass thirty, it accelerates even more and forty arrives. That's how it is, I suppose."
Shiina-san said.
"If it's still you guys, you'll be fine. Your bodies can move. As you get older, you lose your freedom of movement."
Tange-san says.
I understand that well.
Sometimes, there is a part of me that cannot keep up with Haruto or Umemoto-kun's energy.
Did I have a time like that too, I wonder?
"You had basketball, didn't you? Didn't it become a good memory?"
Tange-san says.
Once we finished eating the meat, the men started the fireworks.
A massive amount of fireworks bought in bulk.
And then, a battle of shooting bottle rockets and aerial fireworks at each other begins.
The men getting scolded by the women.
Takanashi-san and Tsukimisato-kun were quietly playing with sparklers.
"Toya-san, won't you do fireworks?"
Airi says.
I watch the fireworks together with Airi.
"Fireworks are beautiful, aren't they? But they scatter and disappear someday."
The words Airi let slip.
I understand what Airi wants to say.
It is probably the same thing I was thinking.
So I tell Airi.
"That's right, fireworks will scatter someday. That's why I will light a new firework."
Airi looks at me wonderingly.
"...Because I will keep blooming flowers in Airi's heart forever."
Airi nodded happily.
When the fireworks end, we eat ramen for a late-night snack.
Ramen eaten on the beach is exceptional, isn't it?
Without learning their lesson, the men gather around Makoto, Kiritani-kun, and Nakajima-kun.
Sensing danger, the veteran members do not try to get close from the start.
And they end up having their evidence confiscated by Kanna and the others, receiving a strict warning.
Iori-san has really become robust.
They say marriage changes a woman, and it must be true.
But, Airi does not change.
No, did she change?
Probably, within Airi, she was already prepared to marry me when she decided to cohabitate with me.
Airi has changed since then.
Very kind.
Very lovely.
And she remains beautiful forever.
That will probably remain unchanged from now on as well.
Crying, laughing, unstable feelings, but that is the proof of me and Airi.
From now on, it will probably fill up my memories vividly, bit by bit.
(2)
End of July.
We were at a beer garden in Beppu.
It was to watch the fireworks.
We are watching the launched fireworks while drinking slowly.
The Watanabe group's first attempt.
Though there are guys drinking without caring about the fireworks at all.
Airi was wearing a yukata on this day.
Even though she didn't wear a yukata last year, this year she went back to her parents' house to get her yukata.
"Does it not suit me anymore?"
Since Airi asked, when I replied, "It suits you," she gave an embarrassed smile.
That Airi is captivated by the fireworks.
Her appearance was so beautiful that I forgot to eat and was captivated.
Did she notice my gaze, I wonder?
Airi looks over here.
"Is something the matter?"
"No, I was just captivated by Airi."
"Oh, Toya-san..."
Airi, looking embarrassed.
When the fireworks end, everyone starts to go home.
Since we had also come by train, we dismissed on the spot.
Haruto and his group, and Ayato and his group were fine since they were in Beppu, but everyone else was from our hometown, so we were together.
Arriving at the local station, everyone parts ways.
We take the bus and go home.
Airi takes off her yukata and folds it neatly.
When I come out of the bath, Airi goes in.
When Airi comes out, she says, "Since we have work starting tomorrow, Toya-san, please rest early too."
I get into bed together with Airi.
Looking at Airi's sleeping face, I think.
I thought that if possible, I wanted to keep touching this gentle illusion forever just like this.
(3)
Early August.
We had come to the local fireworks festival.
This time, with just me, Airi, Kanna, and Makoto.
"Because ten years ago, we couldn't come together."
Makoto says.
I remembered.
"I saw you guys, Makoto."
"Eh?"
Kanna and Makoto look at me.
Airi is also looking at me.
"That was Makoto and Kanna's first kiss, wasn't it?"
I said with a grin.
"Y-You, how do you know about that?!"
"Where were you watching from?!"
Makoto and Kanna are flustered.
"Toya-san, you didn't tell me anything."
"No, I just happened to think, 'Oh, there's a couple I've seen.' I kept quiet the whole time, but as I thought, that really was Makoto and the others."
"Toya, you have bad taste!"
"Would it have been better if I called out to you?"
"T-That is..."
Makoto is at a loss for words.
"Ah, so that's why Toya-san was in a hurry to go home."
Airi seems to have understood.
While we were having that conversation, the fireworks ended.
"Toya, do you have plans after this?"
Makoto asks.
"No, I don't, but?"
"Then, tag along for a bit. You came by car, right?"
"That's fine, but where are we going?"
"Nanasagawa Park."
When we went to the park, there was no one there.
Unlike back then, it isn't firefly season.
Even so, there are young couples here and there.
There are also couples whispering of love in their cars.
We sat on a bench.
"Why did you think of coming here?"
Kanna also seemed to find it strange. She was asking Makoto.
"August, ten years later."
Makoto said in a single word.
"I thought back then. Our paths are different, but wouldn't we be able to meet again?"
I see, ten years have passed since then.
"At that time, I had half-given up on Kanna. I thought that I wouldn't be able to erase the Toya inside Kanna."
That's why you broke up once, right?
"Is there really such a thing as feelings that don't change even after ten years? I was half-doubting it. But now, it has been realized like this. Isn't this amazing?"
"It certainly is amazing."
"At that time, I was also scared. That Toya-san might be taken away from me by Kanna."
"I couldn't completely give up on Toya either."
Each of us talks about our memories.
The end of summer, future dreams, big hopes.
The encounter was triggered by a chance.
It started with the single phrase, "What's wrong?"
It started with the single phrase, "I think this way is better."
I was truly very happy.
That night when the fireworks bloomed in the night sky was a little painful.
The wind flows with time.
I was happy, and it was fun.
We were sad, lonely, and we even fought.
It was the best memory.
"Hey! Let's make a promise again!"
Airi stood up.
"Let's meet here again ten years later!"
"That's right."
"Yeah."
"We will surely meet."
The four of us swore.
Summer is not over yet.
Remaining like this forever, as long as the sun and moon get along.
I don't know if that promise will be fulfilled or not.
Let's believe, just like Makoto did.
That is what we thought.
(4)
Mid-August.
During the Obon holidays, I went back to my parents' house.
I greet my parents.
I go to greet both the Katagiri and Tosaka families and report on our recent situations.
Though, having said that, Airi apparently meets my mother frequently.
"The wedding ceremony is one thing, but isn't it about time you report that we have a grandchild?"
"U-Um..."
My father was the same as always.
"I'm fine with it anytime, but Toya-san is..."
"Ha, hahaha."
"Airi-chan, could you perhaps be infertile~?"
"No~ Toya-san won't do it with me~"
"Toya!! Are you troubling Airi-chan again?!"
It is unreasonable anger.
After finishing the greetings with our parents, we return home.
On the weekend, it was camping.
As usual, we go to the amusement park, camp by the lake, and then challenge the men's greatest obstacle.
I let out a sigh.
But it was strange.
Only this year, that gloominess is not there.
What is wrong with me?
I look at Airi.
Even though she should be fed up with it since we come every year, Airi happily takes photos.
Is that how it is...
Is this what they mean?
I was understanding it by myself.
The words Airi always said.
"As long as I'm with Toya-san, it's fun wherever we go."
Only now do I chew on the meaning of those words.
As long as I'm with Airi, I can enjoy myself wherever we go.
I was realizing that now.
Kiritani-kun and the others are the same as always, though.
The newcomers also seem to be struggling, though.
I think they will surely reach this state of mind someday.
So, do your best...
I send them a cheer in my heart.
"Toya-san?"
"What's wrong?"
"No, since you were spacing out, I wondered if you were bored...?!"
I hug Airi.
"O-Other people are watching!"
"Usually you wouldn't care."
"That is true, but... you are a troublesome husband-sama."
"Toya, what are you doing!"
The Kiritani couple came over.
"I don't get you guys flirting in a place like this! It's boring!"
"Do you dislike dating your wife that much?!"
"The location is the problem! Toya, you think so too, right?"
When Kiritani-kun says that, I say with a smile.
"I'm having fun."
"Huh? You had that kind of taste?"
"Because I'm with Airi."
Airi, looking happy.
Ai-san, letting out a sigh.
"I really should have reconsidered my marriage partner..."
"Before long, Ai-san, Kiritani-kun will start to feel that way about you too."
"We've spent more than twice as much married life as Katagiri-kun, and yet we're like this!"
I was watching Ai-san, who was venting her dissatisfaction, with a laugh.
On the way back, we stop by a family restaurant to eat dinner and go home.
"Hey, Toya-san?"
"What's wrong?"
"It's about what Rie-chan was saying the other day..."
"Yeah."
"I think it's about time, don't you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean... won't you make a baby with me soon?"
Pardon?
"Is after the ceremony no good?"
"If we start now, the time my belly starts to show will also be after the ceremony."
That is certainly true.
"...It seems I'll have to work extra hard tonight."
"Yes!"
And so, we went home and spent the night.
(5)
End of August.
"Well then, congratulations on your marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Mizushima! Cheers!!"
The Watanabe group participated in the after-party of the Mizushima couple's wedding.
"Tasuku, is it okay not to invite people from work?"
"It's not like I have anyone that close. It's fine."
"Sakurako-san, congratulations."
"Thank you very much."
Airi greets Sakurako-san.
We attended the reception.
Airi was captivated by Sakurako-san's beautiful wedding dress appearance.
Speaking of the Watanabe group, next is our turn.
Airi caught the bouquet toss.
"What do you plan to do, Toya? The reception and all?"
"...I'll invite Tasuku."
"Thanks."
Tasuku said so and laughed.
Returning to the table, the entertainment of Alice's live performance and Mustard's comedy routine begins.
Both of them are popular stars now.
Precisely because they are popular, they have been asked to drop out of university, but Emi-san is apparently preventing it.
They were also told to transfer to a university in Tokyo, but they reportedly refused, saying that the time to retake credits now would be a waste.
The Anan couple has also been appointed as image characters and is apparently in high demand.
When the entertainment ends, it becomes time for the last call.
"You bastards, you know what to do without me saying it, right?!"
When Mika-san says that, everyone raises their fists.
The high school group went home, but everyone else flows into karaoke.
While Kitamura-san and the others sing, everyone drinks, eats, and makes noise.
Watanabe-kun came over holding a beer mug.
"Finally, you guys are next."
Watanabe-kun says.
"That's right."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm getting nervous."
I spoke my true feelings.
Watanabe-kun says with a grin.
"Well, that's probably true. But the real thing starts now."
"Eh?"
"The moment you see her in her wedding dress is the climax."
"I see."
"Katagiri-kun, you have to be careful not to make a fool of yourself by getting too absorbed in the food at the reception."
Emi-san says.
As expected, that's impossible...
"It's fine. Toya-san was so nervous even at today's reception that he barely ate."
Airi says with a laugh.
"Well, if that's the case, then it's fine."
Emi-san says so and laughs.
"Assuming the after-party is done by the Watanabe group, what about the reception?"
Ishihara-kun said.
"I plan to invite all of our peers."
I answer.
"Then, what about the speech representing the friends?"
"I'm thinking of asking Watanabe-kun."
Airi answered.
After that, we were asked various questions like, "What are you going to do for your honeymoon?"
Airi is answering most of them.
Listening to such exchanges, I think.
Our turn has finally come.
That we are finally arriving.