Chapter 54 - Early Spring
(1)
January 3rd
Airi and I, Makoto and Kanna, and my Father and Mother were heading toward Takatsuka.
It was a visit to pray for success in our exams.
Makoto and Kanna were chatting with my parents.
Airi didn't say anything.
She was just smiling beamingly.
Even when Kanna asked her, "Is something up?" she would only answer, "Not really~"
For now, I'm probably the only one who knows the reason for that smile.
Makoto asked me via message, "...did you do it?" but I replied, "...no comment."
I feel like by saying "no comment," I'm basically confirming it, though.
"What happened? Tosaka-san is so energetic, but you've got a gloomy look on your face."
Makoto brought up the subject.
"He's right, what happened? You've been weird since New Year's Eve, right?"
Kanna joined in.
There's no way I can tell them now.
"It's true. He's been strange ever since he came back."
Even Mother...
Father's expression was grim.
Did they notice?
"Ugh, this is so frustrating! What happened!"
Kanna started making a fuss.
"It's not like something bad happened~. We didn't have a fight or anything."
"If it's something good, tell us! I'm dying of curiosity here!"
After a while, Airi took out her smartphone and operated it.
She was probably sending a message to Kanna.
It seemed to hit the mark.
Kanna looked at her phone and burst out laughing.
Then she whispered into Makoto's ear.
Makoto exploded into laughter...
She told them everything.
Airi looked down, appearing embarrassed.
I let out a sigh.
That's why I didn't want those two to find out.
Makoto whispered into my ear...
"I'm going to hear all the details once we get back."
It was an act of rubbing salt in the wound.
Perhaps sensing the situation, my parents fell silent.
Just one word.
"There's only a little time left until the exams, so show some restraint."
Yes... right now, I don't have that kind of energy.
Takatsuka Atago Jizoson
A famous spot where many students come to pray.
They say that if you write one wish as many times as your age and pray, the wish will come true.
We had prepared ours as well.
Some might say, "Are you relying on God!" but doing something for good luck is fine, right?
To get to the main hall, you have to climb quite a slope.
Once we finished praying. Now then... first, some grilled squid...
Someone grabbed my arm.
Well, I can pretty much guess who.
Airi smiled brightly and said
"It's not even noon yet, you know?"
True... ah, I'm sorry, all you various foods.
On the way back
"I wonder what we should do for lunch?"
Mother asked.
"Since we've come all this way, how about some yakisoba!"
"You can eat that in the city too,"
Makoto said.
"But it'd be lonely to come all this way and just have dango soup."
I resisted.
I had even researched a famous yakisoba shop behind Airi's back for today!
"I mean, does the idea of waiting until we get back to the city not occur to you?"
Kanna seemed indifferent.
"You really do get energetic when it comes to food..."
Airi looked exasperated.
"But since we've come all this way..."
"WE DIDN'T COME HERE TO PLAY!!"
Told off by five people, I quietly returned to the city and we ate at a family restaurant.
"Phew~ I'm stuffed."
Satisfied, I lay down on my bed.
"You sure eat a lot~"
"And it's a mystery how you don't get fat."
"Double hamburger Japanese-style set with two servings of rice, natto, and egg is a Toya-kun exclusive menu..."
Three different impressions from three different people.
Say what you want, I'm satisfied.
I want to sleep just like this... ow!
"Don't sleep! You promised to tell us in detail once we got back!"
I don't remember making such a promise...
"I'll tell you..."
Airi said shyly.
Is that okay! Me!?
"That sounds more interesting!"
"If Tosaka-san is okay with it, then definitely that way."
No, that's not allowed!! ...I tried to protest, but Makoto's hand covered my mouth.
"Then, I'll tell you. Let's see. Just like the year before last, last year only Rie-chan and Papa went back to their parents' house..."
(2)
December 31st of last year.
Rie-chan and Papa had been back at their parents' house since the day before yesterday and weren't home.
This year, Toya-kun's parents also went back to their parents' house for four days, from the 30th to the 2nd.
I thought Toya-kun would go back too, but for some reason, he stayed.
Maybe because of his exam studies?
That should be it, but right now Toya-kun is sleeping on the bed.
In my room.
Yes, the two of us discussed spending the end of the year at my house.
Of course, I got permission from my parents.
Rie-chan encouraged me, saying, "Do your best this time."
However, nothing happened during these two days.
I didn't feel any determination to try and do something.
Makoto-kun and Kanna seemed to be saying something to Toya-kun, but nothing happened.
Did he already give up?
Is he giving up that easily?
Did he think I'd grown tired of him?
Despite that, he helped me make meals and helped with the big cleaning.
What is he thinking?
Hiding something again?
We were trying to cross into the new year while watching a comedy show again this year.
I couldn't laugh.
After we finished eating soba, we started watching TV again.
Is this year going to end just like this?
At that moment, he stood up suddenly.
At this timing!? I don't understand the meaning.
But the timing doesn't matter!
I expected something for a moment, but I was brilliantly betrayed.
"I'm going to borrow the bathroom for a bit."
Thump!
Saying that, Toya-kun left the room.
...
Hanging onto a sliver of hope, I took the pillow.
...It was there!
It seems certain that he has the intention!
He's just timing it.
Thank goodness.
At what timing does he intend to say it?
The only thing left to think of is the New Year's transition...
Did he intend that from the start?
Toya-kun returned and watched TV as if nothing had happened.
23:45
The TV was still going, but the laughter vanished from Toya-kun's face.
He was glancing at the clock.
Somehow, I started to get curious too.
The New Year's Eve bells could be heard.
Both of us fell silent.
Only the loud noise from the TV and the sound of the New Year's Eve bells.
Is something wrong with Toya-kun?
He seems to be worrying about something.
What's wrong?
"Airi!!"
Eh!? Now!?
"Yes!?"
"...What do you think?"
Eh?
"Do you think it's better to do it after it becomes the New Year, or do you think it's better to do it within this year?"
This person really worries about things that don't matter at all...
"...Do what?"
I tried being a little mean.
"Eh... I mean... so... that..."
Toya-kun seemed flustered.
While that was happening, time passed.
The clock passed 0:00.
"Ah, uh, my family is in mourning so I can't give a New Year's greeting... but uh"
"You don't have to worry about it anymore."
"Eh?"
I pushed the flustered Toya-kun down.
And we exchanged a long kiss.
"Um, Airi... can I ask one thing?"
"Wha~t?"
Is there still something else at this stage?
"...Shall we go to the bed?"
"...Yeah."
And so, we finally came to the act.
This time, the condom definitely had its turn.
.........
...
...
Then, what was the problem?
That is...
"It hurts!"
"S-sorry."
"I-it's okay..."
I didn't know it would hurt this much...
Then, after several dozen seconds had passed
"...Airi!!"
"Yes?"
"Sorry!"
Huh?
The pain is already gone, you know?
At that moment, I noticed something strange about him...
Ah, so that's it?
Toya-kun, getting depressed just like that time.
"Sorry..."
"I'm not bothered by it."
He didn't say anything after that.
There's no need to be that depressed.
I gently hugged Toya-kun.
"I told you, right? It's fine at Toya-kun's pace. Compared to before, this is a huge step forward."
"Is it?"
"...Compared to when you fell asleep."
(3)
Makoto and Kanna burst out laughing.
I thought so.
"It's a good thing your partner was Airi, Toya. If it were me, I would have been furious."
"You finished instantly!?"
"What about you guys then?"
"Huh?"
"There's no way Makoto and the others just ask about us and say nothing themselves, right?"
"Ah, I'm fine, but Kanna..."
"If you say that, I'm seriously breaking up with you!"
"So that's how it is, sorry. I can't say anything from my end."
Makoto apologized while laughing.
"Ah~ unfair, Kanna. I was embarrassed too!!"
Unusually, Airi didn't back down.
"No, it's just... it hurt more than I imagined..."
"Ah, I get it. It really hurts, doesn't it?"
What happened because it hurt?
"Well, isn't it great! Now you're a real man."
Saying that, Kanna slapped my back.
"Th-thanks."
"I hope it lasts a bit longer next time. I think finishing in seconds is a bit much!"
Are you still saying that...
But... I'll do my best next time.
"At Toya-kun's pace, the next time will probably be around graduation~. There probably won't be any during the exam season."
Airi said with a laugh.
I see, maybe today is the last day I can laugh like this?
The greatest obstacle for an examinee will soon arrive.