Chapter 62 - Misunderstanding
(1)
The Prefectural High School General Athletic Meet. The opening ceremony.
High school students gather at the athletics stadium.
Everyone is required to attend the opening ceremony.
Well, some people skip it.
The three of us went, as usual.
When we arrived at the venue, a crowd formed around me as I walked with Airi and Kanna.
Why is a guy like this with such beauties...
I felt those gazes directed entirely at me.
I instinctively looked down.
Then, Airi clung to my right arm.
And whispered in a low voice.
"Why are you looking down?"
"No, it's just the gazes from around us..."
"Toya-kun, you haven't done anything wrong, so be more confident."
She says that, but I can't stand these looks.
As for Kanna, she was letting it all slide as if it were nothing.
Is she used to it? Well, with those looks of hers, it makes sense.
Even with me there, many male students still try to call out to Kanna.
Kanna ignores them and simply keeps moving forward.
Then, we reached the spectator seats.
Our own high school was one thing, but there was another school we needed to keep an eye on.
The entrance of Ida High.
Kanna searched for a certain person.
Of course, it was Makoto.
She took a barrage of photos of Makoto as he entered wearing his jersey.
He had a match the day before and had won and advanced.
Apparently, he has more matches starting tomorrow.
Since it's a holiday, maybe I should go watch.
"It looks like he has matches starting tomorrow, so do you want to go watch?"
The one who suggested it was Airi.
"Sounds good, let's go, let's go."
Kanna was also keen.
"I'm getting thirsty. I'll go buy something."
"I'll buy it."
"No, it's fine. What do you want?"
After we each gave our orders, Kanna went to buy them.
Kanna didn't come back for quite a while.
We headed toward the juice stand.
A crowd had gathered.
I pushed through the people to see inside.
Kanna, holding the juices, was glaring at Makoto... and a girl.
"Kanna, what are you doing?"
When I asked that, Kanna shouted.
"Go ask Makoto!"
Makoto was in his jersey, and the girl was wearing the same jersey.
Maybe she's the club manager?
"Makoto-kun, an acquaintance?"
The girl whispered into Makoto's ear.
"Makoto, say something! You're not even going to greet your own girlfriend!?"
They had been linking arms.
That seemed to be the cause.
"Makoto-kun, your girlfriend was here!?"
The girl asked Makoto in surprise.
"Senpai, it's not the kind of relationship Kanna thinks it is."
"Then what kind of relationship is it!"
"She's the manager."
"You link arms with just a manager!?"
A crowd began to form, wondering what was happening.
Maybe it's time to stop this?
"Kanna, calm down."
"How can I be calm!"
"I'm telling you to be rational, he said she's just the manager."
"You're telling me to believe that!? They were linking arms!"
"Could it just be a misunderstanding? For now, let's calm down and talk."
"I think it's the same as what Toya-kun is saying. Kanna, you're the one who always told me 'don't waver,' right?"
Airi came to my aid.
Did she calm down a little?
"Fine... When are we talking?"
"People are in the way here, so let's talk slowly later. Right, Makoto?"
"Yeah, that's right. Then, after the opening ceremony. I'll contact you. You guys should probably get back too, right?"
"True, see you later then. Kanna, let's go."
Saying that, Airi took Kanna's hand.
"Fine."
With that, the three of us returned to the spectator seats.
(2)
After the opening ceremony ended, we met up at the exit.
Makoto, the manager-san... and one more person?
There was a tall man with short hair.
He had the look of someone who definitely played sports.
"Who is that person?"
Airi asked.
"I'll explain in order, so for now, let's go to a family restaurant."
When Makoto said that, we moved.
After entering the family restaurant and ordering, the manager-san and Airi went to get water.
In the meantime, Makoto began to talk.
"First, this person is the captain, Kudo Shinji-senpai. The manager... Igarashi Mai-senpai's boyfriend."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Kudo. You're Katagiri-kun, right? I've heard rumors. That you play amazingly. Ah, I've heard about Otonashi-san too. You're Makoto's girlfriend, right? I've been told how incredibly lovey-dovey you two are."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you..."
We exchanged greetings.
"Oh? Are the introductions finished?"
Igarashi-senpai and Airi returned.
"So, how are you going to explain this, Makoto?"
Kanna threatened him.
Then, Igarashi-senpai bowed her head.
"I'm sorry. It was just me messing around."
Igarashi-senpai said, sticking out her tongue.
The story was very simple.
Makoto, who didn't attend the opening ceremony, went to buy juice with Igarashi-senpai.
Girls from other schools were screaming and making a fuss upon seeing Makoto.
Some asked for autographs, some suddenly confessed their love; in any case, they were blocking the way.
So, Igarashi-senpai linked arms with him to signal that she was his girlfriend.
Then, naturally, the swarming girls gave up and opened the path.
Though the girls asking for autographs still followed.
Kanna happened to be there.
Thus, a panicked Makoto, an angry Kanna.
And it became a huge commotion.
That was the end of the story.
"And so. I'm the one at fault. Sorry."
Igarashi-senpai apologized.
Kanna's behavior was strange.
She hadn't said anything for a while.
Her body was trembling slightly.
Just at that timing, the ordered food arrived.
Feeling awkward, I had an inspiration.
I stood up from my seat.
"Where are you going?"
Airi asked.
"Just to get some juice."
"Then, I'll go get some too~"
"Ah, I'll go too."
Kudo-senpai followed as well.
"I wonder if Kanna is okay?"
Airi said worriedly while pouring juice.
"It's just a misunderstanding, right? She'll be fine."
"It's just a misunderstanding, but they can't see each other normally, right? If it were me, I couldn't stand it. Even if it were a misunderstanding."
"In that case, you just have to believe."
Kudo-senpai said that.
He continued talking.
"Mai is quite popular too, and on top of that, she's the manager of a soccer club full of men. With her personality, there are plenty of anxieties. But in the end, you just have to believe. Well, even if I say believe, it sounds like the excuse of a philanderer."
In the end, it's about how much you can believe in the other person?
After finishing pouring juice for everyone, I returned to the table.
Returning to the table, I saw Makoto and Igarashi-senpai desperately trying to soothe her. And the sight of Kanna sobbing.
"Kanna, what's wrong?"
Airi sat next to Kanna and hugged her shoulder.
I sat next to her.
Kudo-senpai also sat next to Igarashi-senpai and asked about the situation.
"What happened?"
"No, she suddenly started crying..."
I also asked Makoto.
"What happened?"
"No, I apologized, but she started crying and I was at a loss."
"Kanna, what's wrong?"
When Airi asked, Kanna answered while crying.
"No... I just felt pathetic... while I told Toya and the others 'don't waver,' here I am in this state..."
"Otonashi-san isn't in the wrong, I just took the prank too far. I didn't think her girlfriend would be here."
"Kanna, I'm sorry. Kanna isn't in the wrong. I'm the one who's wrong... I didn't think about Kanna enough."
"Kanna isn't in the wrong. Cheer up."
"...If we don't eat quickly, it'll get cold and taste bad."
I said that while putting a hamburger steak in my mouth.
"Toya-kun, now is not the time for that!"
I was admonished by Airi.
"But basically, it was just a misunderstanding, right? Kanna must understand that. After that, there's no point in saying this or that, right? For now, we just have to eat and calm down."
"It's just as Katagiri-kun says. Once the stomach is full, one might calm down. Let's eat before it gets cold."
Kudo-senpai also said that and began to eat.
"There's no persuasiveness when Toya-kun, who thinks of nothing but eating, says it."
"Kanna... shall we eat for now?"
"I guess so..."
And by the time the six of us finished eating, Kanna seemed to have calmed down and was joining the conversation with a laugh.
Maybe a little more?
"Excuse me, one large order of french fries..."
Smack
I was hit by Airi.
"Geez, don't get carried away!"
"We need food to talk a bit more, right?"
"We do not."
"Well, it's fine, isn't it?"
Kudo-senpai supported me.
"Please don't spoil him too much. Toya-kun's stomach is bottomless."
"You're still under her thumb as always, Toya."
When Makoto said that, Kanna said with a sigh.
"These two are always like this."
After settling the bill, we went outside the store.
"Well, Makoto, I'll go cheer you on tomorrow. What time does it start?"
"For us, I think it'll probably be after noon. But is it okay? It's the Sports Park ground. I mean, our schools are different."
"Our school has already lost, so it's fine. I have to make Toya-kun exercise a bit, so it's good."
"There's a bus to the Sports Park..."
"Move around a little!"
I don't get fat, so it's fine...
Even so, I can't win against Airi, so I'll give in here.
"Makoto, you get some exercise too."
Kudo-senpai said to Makoto.
"Eh? We're going back to practice now, right?"
Makoto answered curiously.
"Forget practice today and go hang out with Otonashi-san. If you don't clear your head, practice won't sink in. I'll handle the coach."
Kudo-senpai said, patting Makoto's shoulder.
"...Yes. Then, I'll walk you home, Kanna."
"Yeah..."
"Then, shall we take a little detour too? Toya-kun."
"Eh?"
"Don't 'Eh' me!"
Airi approached me and whispered in my ear, "Be a little more considerate."
Ah, I see.
"Then, shall we have a break at a coffee shop? I heard the miso katsu sandwich is delicious..."
Smack
I was poked by Airi again.
"We're going to do some shopping in town. Kanna, I'll send you a message later."
Airi and I thanked Kudo-senpai and Igarashi-senpai and left the scene.
"Well, come back within today, Makoto."
"See you, Makoto-kun."
Kudo-senpai and Igarashi-senpai also left.
Makoto also said, "Well, shall we go?" and took Kanna home.
(3)
Airi enjoying window shopping inside the station building, and me following along.
Whenever I found a food shop and stopped, Airi would pull my hand.
"Still, I was surprised. To think that Kanna would lose her composure to that extent."
"Eh? I think any normal girl would lose her composure."
"But it's unimaginable from the usual Kanna."
"...It seems you look at Kanna, but you don't really see her, Toya-kun?"
Airi said something meaningful.
"What do you mean by that?"
Airi said while browsing through stuffed animals.
"There was a time when she liked you, right? When you and I were getting along, Kanna looked on lonely. Even when she first started dating Makoto-kun."
"What does that have to do with her getting angry this time?"
"You don't get it~? Kanna puts on a strong front, but she's properly a girl. She was trembling when she fought at school, too, right?"
"Ah, I see."
Airi looked at me with half-closed eyes.
"I wonder if you really understand~? Even I would get angry if Toya-kun linked arms with another girl! Moreover, those two can't always meet."
"I see."
"Well, I'm fine now, though?"
"Eh?"
"Because I believe in Toya-kun's feelings."
She said it looking a little embarrassed.
In the end, is it just about having to believe?
But believing seems difficult.
What would I do if Airi were clinging to another man?
...I don't really want to think about it.
"...If."
"Eh?"
"If I linked arms with another man, what would Toya-kun do?"
Another difficult question...
If I said I wouldn't be shaken because I believe in her, she'd probably get angry. If I said I'd be anxious, she'd probably get angry and say, "So you don't believe in me!"
"Is it a problem to worry about that much?"
I'm worrying. Please tell me the correct answer. I couldn't even say that...
"I guess my mind would go blank? I think I'd panic a bit."
"See, that's how it would be!"
Airi said with a triumphant look.
It seems that was the correct answer.
"Panicking a bit is inevitable. But don't let your heart waver. Believe in me, okay?"
Saying that, Airi returned to evaluating the goods.
She's looking at the items happily.
Come to think of it... I've never seen Airi with another guy.
"Hey, Airi, do you not hang out with other boys?"
"Eh?"
"No, I just haven't seen you with other guys much?"
"That's because, unlike a certain someone, I'm careful. I don't want to make you worry."
"...Sorry."
"Well, the fact that you seem more interested in food than in me or other girls is a flaw, though."
Ugh, did she have to say that...
"Shall we eat something on the way back?"
"Maya-san is preparing something~"
"If I call now..."
Smack
How many times do I have to be hit today?
(4)
On the way home.
"How's the part-time job? Have you gotten used to it a bit?"
"Yeah..."
"How's school life? Are you enjoying it?"
"Yeah..."
"Toya and the others are probably still flirting without caring about people's eyes, right?"
"I guess..."
The conversation isn't continuing.
Is she still in a bad mood?
"...I'm really sorry about earlier."
"...I told you it's fine, didn't I? I was in the wrong too."
"But..."
"Stop talking about that."
She is still bothered by it after all.
What should I say at a time like this?
What would Toya do?
"We're here. See ya."
Saying that, as she tried to enter the house, I hugged Kanna from behind.
I did it reflexively.
However, what came back was a cold sentence.
"I have to get ready for my part-time job now. Sorry."
"Wait, give me 30 minutes! No, 10 minutes is fine."
"10 minutes?"
"Yeah! 10 minutes is enough!"
It didn't take long to understand the meaning of those words and regret them.
"Even after 10 minutes, nothing changed, so what's going to change in just 10 minutes? You're taking me for a fool."
"I didn't say it with that intention."
"That's enough, right? I told you I understand. Makoto, you have practice, right? Go home quickly."
"But..."
"If you say any more, I'll seriously snap."
Saying that, Kanna went into the house.
I had no choice but to return to the dorm.
Is that okay?
I stopped in my tracks.
It's no good like this.
I took out my smartphone and sent a message to Kudo-senpai.
11:30 PM.
Kanna came back.
Upon confirming my presence, Kanna approached me with heavy strides.
"What are you doing! I told you to go back to the dorm."
"If I go back by morning, I can make it work!"
"Until morning... do you think I'm that kind of easy woman?"
"It's not that, I'll persuade you even if it takes until morning! And if that doesn't work..."
"What do you mean 'if that doesn't work'!? Don't say it so easily!!"
Kanna was screaming.
"Nobody said it wouldn't work... I was just disgusted with my own pathetic self. Thinking that I'd be hated if I were like this."
I hugged Kanna.
"...There's no way I'd hate you."
She doesn't understand herself very well.
That's what's cute about her.
The girly parts she shows occasionally.
That's what I loved.
Since the time Kanna was looking at Toya.
"...Stay over at my place. That's what you intended, right?"
"Sorry."
"It's fine, it's too late for that now, right?"
Finally, Kanna smiled for me.
That night, I accepted Kanna's feelings as much as possible.
Kanna spoke while crying.
I carved every single word into my heart.
While nodding.
As I thought, Kanna is cute.
I wonder if Toya knows this?
But I want to see the Kanna that only I, and not Toya, knows.
No, I'm already seeing her.
When I tried to quietly leave the house at 4 AM, there was Kanna, who wouldn't let me go.
"...When can we meet next?"
"If we make it to the Inter-High, maybe mid-August?"
She made a lonely face.
Don't make a face like that...
"I'll come again whenever I can sneak out."
"Sneaking out is only for this once. Until then, I'll endure with just your voice."
Saying that, she saw me off.
I'll be careful from now on.
For the sake of her, who is unexpectedly fragile.