Chapter 48 - Agitation
(1)
Day one.
The start of Obon.
The adults are busy with preparations for the Obon altar and other things.
The issue that arose here was the visit to the family grave.
The grave is in Fukuoka, at my uncle's house.
There was no way we could go.
Since they were likely cleaning the grave properly, my uncle and his family didn't come on the first day.
Father and the others were in a bad mood.
As for Ako, as soon as she returned home, she shut herself in her room and didn't come out.
My uncle arrives around evening.
The memorial service is tomorrow.
Today, we eat dinner leisurely.
Ako cheekily takes the seat next to me.
"Speaking of which, I heard our Ako was in your care."
"No, no, she's such a capable daughter..."
"That's true..."
"Do you have souvenirs for Mother and the others!"
I was startled.
A bright voice, completely different from her usual self.
She can make a voice like this...
Ako returns to her room.
Mother and the others were stunned as well.
"Did something happen?"
When my uncle asks, they only answer, "No..."
Ako comes back.
She hands the souvenirs to my uncle and his family.
"Thank you," my uncle says as he accepts the souvenirs.
Then, Ako talks about the things that happened while she was in my hometown.
With a lively voice.
She talked about Airi and me too.
She only kept the things about herself hidden.
"Mr. Katagiri's son is a good boy, isn't he?"
"No, no, compared to Mr. Inoue's Katsuya-kun, our child is nothing."
It's a common story.
Praising the other person's child to the skies while comparing their own child to them.
It's best to just ignore it.
After this, it'll be Katsuya's boasting, right?
That's what I thought.
Until I heard Ako's words.
"But Toya-kun is also very kind. I want to become his bride."
I almost spat out my tea.
W-what is she starting to say?
"What are you saying? Ako-chan is cute and smart, she's too good for our boy."
"But Airi-san is the same, isn't she? She's much cuter than someone like me."
Saying that, she takes out her smartphone and begins operating it.
"It's this person."
Saying so, Ako shows the smartphone to her parents.
Was she taking photos?
"She's quite cute, isn't she?"
I can tell that "But not as much as our daughter" is coming right after that.
"When did you take a photo?"
"Oh? Was that not allowed? The two of them looked so close, I just couldn't help it. I'm sorry."
"A photo is fine, isn't it?"
Since my father said that, I couldn't say anything more.
After that, my father and the others drank beer and began to get drunk, so they retreated early.
Katsuya is still remaining in the room.
It seems they are getting excited using Katsuya's stories as a side dish.
The sound of laughter can be heard all the way to the bedroom.
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
(2)
Day two.
The memorial service begins.
Sitting seiza is painful.
As expected, I can't get used to the sound of the wooden fish.
After it finished, I couldn't stand up.
"Are you okay?"
The one who reached out her hand saying that was Ako.
"I'm okay, I can stand on my own."
Trying to stand up alone after saying that was a mistake.
My legs were numb and I had no strength.
I lose my balance and fall.
Naturally, there was no way Ako could support me.
It resulted in me pushing Ako down.
With the momentum, it resulted in me kissing Ako's cheek.
"What are you doing, Toya!"
My father scolds me.
"No, my legs were numb and I couldn't stand."
"You really are a hopeless fellow."
I grab the hand of my exasperated father and get up.
"Sorry, Ako."
"It's okay, don't worry about it."
There were more guests that day than yesterday.
Naturally, the night was very lively.
I, who wasn't satisfied with just the bento, went out to eat at a nearby hamburger shop.
Katsuya is still the center of attention as usual, so he cannot leave the house.
My uncle said, "I'll treat you," so I decided to take him up on his offer.
Then, Ako says she will come along.
I don't particularly mind.
Conversation flows well with my uncle.
And so, we talked about my uncle's children... my cousins, and from my side, I talked about Airi, Kanna, and the others.
Ako was listening to the conversation from behind.
We eat hamburgers at the hamburger shop.
Ako was eating onion rings and drinking grape juice.
Is that enough?
It was the same on the way back.
Perhaps being considerate, my uncle directed conversation to Ako as well.
"Ako-chan, how was Toya-kun's hometown?"
"There were too many people, so it was tough."
"I heard Toya-kun's girlfriend was with you?"
"Yes, they were very close."
Ako answers while laughing.
"I want a boyfriend like Toya-kun too."
Without forgetting to add an unnecessary word.
"S-she says. Toya-kun, if your current girlfriend doesn't work out, why don't you date Ako-san?"
"I won't break up!"
I said firmly.
I probably won't break up, yeah, I think so... it'll be okay, right?
"That's right, they're incredibly lovey-dovey, so you mustn't say such things, Uncle."
Ako says this while crossing her arms.
There's a problem with me not resisting at times like this, isn't there?
It probably wasn't clearly visible from my uncle's perspective in the dark, as he didn't say anything.
When I return home, I think about sleeping, but I forgot to call Airi.
I go outside to make the call.
"Hello~?"
"Airi, it's me."
"I know~. How was it?"
"How was what?"
"I mean~. Did Ako-san do anything?"
"Nothing happened. Don't worry."
Am I not trusted at all?
"I see, then it's fine. You're coming back tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah."
"Send me a message when you get back."
"I know."
After talking for a while, I hang up the phone.
When I look back, Ako was standing there.
"W-what are you doing?"
I panic for no reason.
"Nothing, Toya-kun was standing here, so I wondered what he was doing."
She's returned to that detached tone again.
"Even so, you shouldn't stand behind someone without saying anything, right?"
"You were on the phone, so I thought it would be bad to disturb you."
I see.
No way that's the reason!!
"Stop imitating eavesdropping."
"It didn't seem to be a conversation that would be bad if overheard."
Ako says this without any remorse.
"Do you need something?"
"Nothing in particular."
"I see, then..."
Saying that, I return to the house.
Once I return, I go to sleep early.
I'll go back tomorrow.
Ah, I have to buy souvenirs.
Maybe I'll have them stop at a roadside station on the way.
Thinking about such things, I fell asleep.
(3)
Toya-kun is coming back tomorrow.
Just that makes me look forward to tomorrow.
"We're not going tomorrow, so you two take it easy. Toya must be tired too."
A message from Kanna too.
That's probably true, he must be tired.
...He won't just fall asleep immediately, will he?
But I want to let him rest.
While I'm thinking about that, the ringtone sounds.
It's a phone number not registered.
Normally, I wouldn't deal with it.
But for some reason, at this time, I had a premonition... and answered.
I immediately regretted not ignoring it.
"...This is Ako."
"How do you have this phone number?"
"I asked Toya-kun."
Toya-kun... why would he... be the kind of person to give away someone's phone number without permission?
"Lie. I looked it up from Toya-kun's call history."
He still hadn't set a lock?
"A lock was set. Fingerprint authentication is surprisingly easy to bypass."
So that's it... wait, eh...?
"What is Toya-kun doing?"
"He's sleeping next to me."
That person again... just how loose is his guard.
"I-I want to say that, but today he's sleeping in the bedroom, and I'm in my own room."
I'm relieved.
"So, what do you want?"
"I got kissed by him today. On the cheek, though."
"Ah, I see."
Although I pretended to be calm, I was agitated inside.
A kiss...
"Well, it was just a contact accident."
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
This person is just teasing us for fun.
I'll get exhausted if I deal with her seriously.
"I've heard various things about you."
"I see."
"I heard you're going to the same school?"
"That's right."
"And another friend... Kanna-san was it? is also coming along..."
"What about it?"
"You're quite composed. It's as if you've already won."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. You've convinced yourself that you and Toya-kun are already fine."
"That has nothing to do with you, Ako-san."
"Just make sure you don't get the rug pulled out from under you."
"What does that mean?"
"For example, if I were to sneak into the bedroom right now and attack Toya-kun."
"That's impossible!"
"It's just an example. You really get worked up quickly."
Damn it.
"You still don't trust Toya-kun, do you?"
"I do."
"Then why do you get agitated so quickly?"
Uuu...
"Telling Toya-kun not to waver, while you yourself waver immediately. What a convenient story. If it's like that, one of you will definitely get exhausted. The day you self-destruct might be near."
"..."
"After that, I'll be the one to comfort Toya-kun."
"That will absolutely never happen!"
"I hope so. Bye then..."
The call ended there.
What is with that person!?
But... she's right.
Am I wavering?
I suddenly became anxious.
Will I become a burden to Toya-kun again?
I look at the clock. It was still 22:00.
I wonder if Kanna is awake.
Kanna is the only person I can consult.
I called Kanna.
"O-oh, Airi, that's rare. What's up!?"
She's noisy, was she on a date with Makoto-kun?
"...If you're busy, later is fine."
"Ah, I'm playing a game right now. It's okay, I'll turn the volume down."
It became quiet.
"So, what's up?"
"Kanna!! You see..."
I told Kanna everything that had happened until now.
Kanna listened quietly.
"...I see."
"What should I do? Am I putting a burden on Toya-kun again?"
"...Let's see. What would you do if I said you are?"
Eh?
Is it really like that?
"What would you do? If I said it's better to break up, would you break up?"
"I hate that!!"
I was screaming.
I absolutely don't want that.
Then, Kanna said while laughing.
"That's exactly how it should be. You're just being shaken, Airi. You mustn't take it seriously or you really will self-destruct. I'll state it clearly. Toya doesn't think of it as a burden. It's the opposite. He's working hard so as not to be a burden. You both worry too much."
"Yeah."
"Don't deal with her, she's just trying to shake you and make you agitated so you'll self-destruct. You just have to be spoiled by Toya."
"Yeah."
"...Have some confidence. You're a couple that's enviable. It'll be okay."
"I understand."
Kanna's words are reliable at times like this.
"See ya. Tomorrow, be spoiled for two days' worth."
Saying that, Kanna hung up the phone.
The anxiety had vanished.
I'll get some good rest.
Tomorrow, I'll be spoiled by Toya-kun.
(4)
Day three.
My uncle and the others left in a hurry.
We also decided to return after noon.
"Well, see you."
Ako says as she sees us off.
"Yeah, see you."
After saying that, Ako shows a surprising action.
Let me just mention this.
My grandmother, my parents, and my uncle are there.
Right in front of them, she kissed me.
"See you."
Ako says, laughing.
After that, I was told off relentlessly in the car by my parents and uncle.
I dropped my uncle off at the station and headed home.
When I get home, I'm tired... I'm sleepy. I'll sleep for a bit.
Ah, before that, I have to send a message to Airi.
"I'm back."
I send that one word and fall asleep.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rings.
Mother answers.
"Oh, welcome, Airi-chan."
"Is Toya-kun in his room?"
"He is, though he seems tired... oh my."
The sound of someone thumping up the stairs is heard.
That sound stops in front of the room door, and instead, a clicking sound is heard.
The person who opened the door finds me and leaps at me.
"Toya-kun, welcome back!!"
She looks happy.
Airi hugs me in joy.
I hug her back.
"You see..."
Airi's story continued for about 30 minutes.
The fact that Ako stole Airi's number from my smartphone.
The conversation between Ako and Airi.
And the conversation between Kanna and Airi.
And then, the things Airi is thinking.
After hearing everything, I answered with a kiss.
"It's okay. Even if you waver, I'll show you that I can support you."
"Yeah!"
Airi looks satisfied.
I'm feeling worked up, but... I'm tired.
Using that thing stored in the desk drawer was still a story for much further in the future.