Chapter 66 - The Summer You Are Here
(1)
Summer vacation.
The first summer vacation as a high school student.
But nothing had changed.
I wasn't taking summer courses, nor was I going anywhere to play.
I simply worked through my summer homework in a detached manner.
If there was one thing different from last year, it was that Kanna wasn't here.
It seemed Kanna had taken this opportunity to pack her schedule with part-time job shifts.
She only came by occasionally, spending most of her time at work.
I wonder if her homework is going to be okay...
"Listen to me!!"
Airi was shouting a line that sounded like something I'd heard somewhere before.
"What is it, Airi?"
"What do you mean 'what is it'?! Even when I talk to you, you're totally spacey..."
Airi pouted as she said this.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about something..."
"You were probably thinking about Kanna again, weren't you!"
"How did you... ah!"
I wonder why I'm so weak against this kind of leading question.
"I knew it!"
"No, I was just wondering if I should have gotten a part-time job too."
"Why?"
"Well, I thought maybe I could spend my time more meaningfully instead of doing nothing but studying since the summer of my first year."
"Is it not meaningful when you're with me?"
Huh?
"I'm spending every day meaningfully. I get to go on dates with Toya-kun."
Is studying considered a date?
Or rather, has she forgotten about Kanna's existence?
"...In short, as long as you're with me, it's fine."
"Yep!"
Airi answered with a beaming smile.
"I see."
"It seems Toya-kun is still dissatisfied with just that."
"Well, yeah. It's not that I'm dissatisfied, but..."
I believe I understand the importance of spending time alone with the person you love.
But, you know, I can't help but think that staying shut in a room every day is unhealthy, and that we should go out somewhere.
"For someone like you, I have some special information."
Is she reading my mind?
"I checked, and it looks like Kanna can't come tomorrow or the day after. Why don't you study at my house for a change?"
The studying part doesn't change, does it...
"What's the reason for doing it at your house?"
"It's fine once in a while, right? ...It's more relaxing at my house, isn't it?"
"It's the same either way."
"I never know when your parents might come home at Toya-kun's house, so I get kind of nervous~"
Does she think there's a boy who wouldn't be nervous doing that kind of thing at a girl's house?
"Well, whatever you prefer, Airi."
"Then it's decided! Ah, since it's an overnight stay, I have to tell Maya-san..."
"I'll tell them, so it's fine."
Somehow it's been decided that I'm staying over, but I'm not surprised anymore.
Really, at this point, it's just how it is.
That night, after walking Airi home, I told my parents.
"It's good that you're close, but keep it in moderation. You mustn't neglect your studies."
I know.
(2)
The next morning, I went to Airi's house.
We started studying.
As always, Airi is truly serious when she's studying.
She's really good at switching her on-and-off modes.
The fact that Airi's grades are excellent might not be just talent, but the result of that kind of daily life.
The fact that my grades are good, since I study with her in the same way, proves that.
Well, it's not like we study in total silence the whole time; we chat normally too.
Airi-mama is attentive in strange ways.
When it became noon, Airi's phone rang.
When Airi answered, the notification was "Lunch is ready~"
No matter how you look at it, it's not like it's since the morning, Airi-mama.
I get sleepy after eating lunch.
Airi pinched my cheek to wake me up.
Even so, I couldn't withstand the sleepiness and fell asleep.
When I woke up, my head was on Airi's lap.
"S-sorry."
"It's okay. Now, let's study!"
After that, we studied until dinner time, and I was treated to a meal.
I took a bath and returned to Airi's room.
Airi was still studying.
"I'm back."
"Ah, welcome back~. Well then, maybe I'll go in too... ah!"
"What's wrong?"
"We should have gone in together."
What is she saying?
"Just kidding. It's half a joke, so you don't have to worry about it."
So the other half is serious.
While Airi was in the bath, I made progress on my own studies.
Airi returned and we resumed studying.
Airi's study switch turned off exactly at 23:00.
"Alright, that's it for today!"
Saying that, she came to my side and clung tightly to me.
"Toya-kun is finished too~"
"J-just a little more."
"Oka~y."
Saying that, she stared intently at my hands.
"Airi."
"Ye~s?"
"If you stare, I get distracted and can't concentrate."
"Then, shall we stop?"
"Just five more minutes."
"There's no point in dragging it out, you know?"
"I just want to finish this part."
"How boring~"
Saying that, she took a novel from the bookshelf and began to read.
I finally finished.
"I'm done, Airi."
She was slumped over the desk, asleep.
That's rare.
What should I do?
I took the blanket from the bed and covered her.
"Nn... huh?"
Airi opened her eyes and raised her upper body.
"Was I asleep?"
"Yeah."
She wore an anxious expression.
"How long was I asleep?"
"Probably one or two minutes."
"You didn't take any, right? Pictures of my sleeping face."
"I got a cute one."
"No! Delete it immediately!!"
Airi hurriedly tried to grab my phone.
Maybe I was a bit too mean.
"I'm lying. Well, I did sear it into my memory, though."
"Delete that too!"
Airi patted my chest repeatedly.
She's cute like a small animal.
I thought about watching TV, but...
"Shall we just go to sleep today?"
Airi nodded silently.
(3)
End of July.
Right around the time summer vacation reached its halfway point.
Airi didn't come today.
That's rare, did she catch a cold?
I wonder if I should go visit her?
I was thinking things like that.
While I was eating lunch, my mother told me.
"You're staying overnight today, so get ready."
Hm? Another urgent matter at the family home?
"Are we going to the family home?"
"No. We're going to the Fire Sea Festival with the Tosakas and the others."
"Hmm."
Deciding things on her own again.
I didn't even feel like questioning it anymore.
...Wait?
"Preparations for an overnight stay just to go to a festival?"
"That's right. Your father and the others intend to drink, so they even took paid leave."
Mother and the others are drinking too, right?
Otherwise, it would be a simple matter of Mother driving us back.
"We're leaving early, so prepare yourself with that in mind."
"Oka~y."
Saying that, I returned to my room.
I began preparing for the overnight stay.
After finishing the preparations, I relaxed on the bed.
Well, playing games, reading manga, sleeping.
Eh? What about studying?
It's fine to take a break on a day when Airi isn't here...
"Toya-kun, wake up."
Is it time to go to school?
I woke up because I didn't want my earlobe bitten again.
Huh? No hug today?
Thinking that, I opened my eyes, and there was Airi, not in her school uniform, but in a yukata.
Ah, that's right. We're going to a festival, right?
"The yukata suits you."
Praise her for now.
Did Makoto say that?
Airi smiled.
"Thank you. Well, let's go."
It was way more than just a little early, but we headed to a hotel near the festival venue.
The room assignments were as expected.
I don't even feel like questioning it anymore.
I've accepted that this is just how our parents are.
If they're that kind of parents, it's okay for me to do this too, right?
"Airi."
I hugged Airi from behind as she gazed at the scenery from the window.
"Ah, no... the yukata will get all wrinkled."
Ah, that's right.
"Sorry."
"I'll change after we get back from the festival, so do it again then♪"
Maybe I did something unnecessary.
As the sun set, crowds began to form.
Naturally, the eateries started getting crowded too.
Predicting this, we had arrived at the yakiniku restaurant early.
Meat meat meat rice meat meat occasionally vegetables.
Anyway, I ate as much as I could.
The parents were already under the influence of alcohol.
I couldn't let Airi, who was wearing a yukata, grill the meat.
Or rather, was choosing a yakiniku restaurant a mistake?
Sorry, Airi.
This is the least I can do as atonement.
"Airi, you can't eat much, can you?"
"Hmm? I am eating?"
Airi made a puzzled face.
It's hard to eat, isn't it.
I took a piece of kalbi that had grilled deliciously, dipped it in the sauce, and brought it to Airi's lips.
"Here, say ah..."
"Eh, wait, our parents are watching!!"
They're drunk, so they won't remember.
Airi looked a bit embarrassed, but she took a bite.
"Thank you. It's rare for Toya-kun to do something like this."
She seems happy.
"No, I just thought it would be hard to eat because of the yukata."
"Ah, I see. I'm okay. ...But, since you're offering, maybe I'll be pampered a bit~"
Just then, Airi-mama stepped in.
"I'm sorry. My daughter is still quite the spoiled one."
"No no, the one always being pampered by Airi-chan is our Toya..."
My mother said.
Airi was smiling.
"Toya is still a child, after all. Ah, has he become a man!"
"...U-umu."
"Thank you for making our son a man."
"O-our daughter is the one..."
The fathers were getting excited, talking about things I didn't understand.
That's not something a parent should say, Father.
I got carried away and ate ice cream, and now my stomach hurts...
"That's what happens when you get carried away..."
Airi said, looking exasperated.
After finishing in the restroom, when I returned, the parents were gone.
"Airi, where are the parents?"
"They went ahead~"
"I see, shall we go then?"
"Yeah."
I've properly learned what to do at times like this.
I grabbed Airi's hand.
"!"
Airi looked at me with a surprised face, but when I smiled, my hand was brushed away.
Huh? Was I wrong?
"This way is better~"
Airi said, linking her arm with mine.
Well, since "matching the walking speed" is the important part, if this is better, then this is fine.
As soon as we reached the venue, I found the parents.
The parents took a position at a table near a stall selling beer and started their banquet.
"You two go try the front area. The hotel room key is fine, right? From here, you're free to move."
"Don't get too rowdy."
"Airi-chan, make sure to fold your yukata properly~"
"...Umu."
Yeah, same as always.
I took Airi and went around the stalls.
Frankfurters, takoyaki, hashimaki, yakisoba...
Poke!
"You just had an upset stomach!"
"I'll be fine as long as I don't eat cold things!"
"I want to eat shaved ice!"
"I'll do the 'ah' thing for you again later!"
"Uuu... then, only up to three... absolutely no more than that!"
The 'ah' thing is quite an effective technique on Airi; I'll remember that.
Then I chose takoyaki, yakisoba, and yakitori.
Airi chose cotton candy and shaved ice.
We managed to get a spot in the front row.
Before eating my own, I first put some shaved ice into Airi's mouth.
Airi looked satisfied.
Now, I'll...
"Ah, Toya-kun, hold this too."
Saying that, she handed me the cotton candy she bought.
"Mmm, if you eat shaved ice all at once, you get a brain freeze!"
"...You don't have to eat it that fast."
Airi ate hurriedly, as if she wasn't listening to me.
"Here, thank you."
Airi said, receiving the cotton candy from me.
"..."
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's just..."
"?"
She looked at me puzzledly while eating the cotton candy.
If you're a man, you'd understand, right?
Is it... okay to ask this from a man's perspective...?
"Aren't you eating?"
"...Are you okay?"
"Eh?"
"Are you okay with the restroom?"
"...Toya-kun is unusually kind today. I'm fine for now."
It seems she was okay.
Relieved, I got to my food.
"Is it the effect of the yukata? Maybe I should go study in a yukata every day?"
"...Since it's only once in a while, isn't that fine?"
"Is it?"
"Probably."
Whish... Boom.
The fireworks began to go up.
While I was eating the last of the food, the yakisoba.
"Your mouth is dirty..."
When she said that and wiped around my mouth with a handkerchief, our eyes met.
It felt as if time had stopped for the two of us.
While the people around us were captivated by the fireworks, we were kissing.
(4)
When my shift ended and I was about to go home, Makoto was waiting outside.
"Yo!"
Don't "Yo" me!
"What are you doing here?"
"I was waiting for Kanna."
"If you're waiting, you could have just messaged me that you're waiting."
"I just kind of wanted to surprise you."
I don't need those kinds of surprises.
It would be enough if he just stayed normally, why are men like this...
"You're staying over today, right? I'll make something for dinner..."
As he said that, Makoto showed me a paper bag.
It was from the fast-food restaurant where I work.
"I can't let you make dinner when you're tired, right? Also, I wanted to see where Kanna works."
I could tell my face was turning red.
After eating, I took a bath and watched TV.
When I turned on the TV, I thought, "Damn it!"
At the worst possible timing, the topic was the Inter-High.
Makoto and his team had been defeated in the first round.
I thought it would be bad to bring it up, but...
"Um... that was a shame."
"Yeah, well, the opponent was a powerhouse school from Fukuoka. More than anything, their FW was too amazing! He was incredible, it was almost as if Toya had become the FW. I guess that's what they call a fantasista."
Far from being frustrated, Makoto was praising the opponent. Was the gap that large?
"If you're frustrated, it's okay to cry, you know? If it's me, I'll be your shoulder to cry on..."
"No, on the contrary, I feel refreshed. Well, I guess I'm just thinking that if only Toya were there? When you get beaten that badly, it's not frustrating at all."
I saw it on the news. They're this year's champion school.
That FW is also a candidate for the U-18 national team...
"Speaking of which, how are Toya and the others?"
"They're doing fine. Speaking of Toya, in the class match soccer..."
I explained Toya's play in words that my brain could understand.
"Using the dip for passes, huh. He'd do that."
"How do you know?"
"I heard it once a long time ago. 'Why are you only looking at your feet?' And then he said, 'If I don't look at my feet, I won't know where the ball or the ground is, right?' When I asked, 'But if you only look at your feet, you won't know what's around you, right?' he said, 'I can tell that with a general sense.'"
"...That's already a world I don't understand."
"Top players probably live in a world we can't comprehend. If I'm frustrated, it's about that. Toya, who is in such a world, doesn't play soccer. And the reason is 'it's a pain.' It makes me want to say, 'Give your talent to me!'"
"But it's not just people like that, right? Makoto, you can become a great player if you work hard. You're working hard every day. Hold your head high!"
"There are plenty of people who work as hard as I do. Even the time I spend with Kanna, there are people working hard for that too."
"...Am I in the way?"
Was that something I shouldn't have asked?
I was afraid to ask.
I just ended up asking.
But Makoto acted contrary to my expectations.
Makoto suddenly hugged me.
"Never say those words again. Even so, I'm having a fulfilling high school life. It's unmistakably thanks to Kanna."
"Makoto..."
Click.
The sound of the door unlocking echoed.
Instantly, Makoto pulled away from me.
Mother had come home.
"I'm home. Is Makoto-kun here tonight?"
I left the room to greet Mother.
"Welcome back. Yeah, Makoto is staying over today."
"I see, get along well."
"Ah, dinner is hamburgers, but I've got them ready. Makoto bought them."
"I see, tell him thank you for me."
Saying that, Mother returned to her room and began to change.
I also returned to my room.
"Mother's home."
"Well, tonight is impossible then."
"At this point... I don't think anything of it."
But, for now, let me flirt a little more.
Saying that, we began watching TV again.
(5)
Sparrows are singing from early morning.
I woke up and tried to sit up.
Inevitably, this meant waking Makoto, who was hugging me.
"Kanna?"
"Ah, sorry. I'll go prepare breakfast."
"I'll help."
"No, you just rest comfortably."
Saying that, I put on my clothes and headed to the kitchen.
While I was preparing, Mother woke up.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, it'll be ready soon, so get ready."
When I said that, Mother headed to the washroom.
After eating breakfast, Mother got ready and headed to work early.
Around 9:00, I woke Makoto.
Makoto put on his clothes and came out to the dining area.
After one bite, he exclaimed, "Delicious!"
"It's the usual lazy cooking."
"No, Kanna, you'll make a great wife."
"I want to say thank you, but... you're talking as if it's someone else's business."
I tried saying it a bit meanly.
"Ah, no. I just think the person who gets Kanna as a wife will be happy..."
"As I thought, it's someone else's business."
"Eh...?"
Makoto didn't notice.
The answer I was hoping for.
I smiled and said.
"Well, whatever. Eat quickly. You're going out, right?"
After I finished my own preparations, we went out into the city.
We watched a movie, had lunch, went to karaoke, and did some shopping.
Pleasant time passes in the blink of an eye.
Before I knew it, it was evening.
We returned home.
It seemed he was staying over tonight as well.
There were plenty of ingredients in the refrigerator.
"You don't have to make it too fancy. I mean, I'll help."
Saying that, Makoto also stood in the kitchen.
Honestly, he was in the way.
I couldn't maintain the pace I have when I'm cooking alone.
I pointed a kitchen knife at Makoto, who occasionally played pranks, to warn him.
I got a bit too enthusiastic.
But, just in case, I set aside Mother's portion first.
As expected, Makoto ate everything else.
He really eats a lot.
While I was tidying up the dishes, I told him to take a bath, and Makoto went in.
After that, I went in.
Then, we watched TV and talked together.
"Kanna, why don't you come to my house tomorrow?"
"Eh?"
"It's about time I introduce Kanna to my parents."
So that's how it's going to be.
"I guess that's fine, but..."
"Alright!"
Makoto did a victory pose.
The next day, Makoto and I headed to Makoto's house.
It was my first time.
I was nervous.
"Mother, I'm home—I brought her."
"Welcome back, oh, welcome! Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, I am Otonashi."
Should I have greeted her first?
"My. Please come up. I have things to talk about..."
Things?
I suddenly became anxious.
To state the conclusion.
There was nothing to worry about.
"I'm sorry that our Makoto is always hanging around your place. Has he caused any trouble?"
"Which high school? Hofu? That's impressive. Are you going to university?"
"You're working a part-time job?! For your family?! How admirable."
"You even handle the housework. You could be a bride anytime. How about our Makoto?"
Are all parents like this?
Makoto's mother asked questions as if she were barraging me.
"Mother, Kanna is troubled."
"Ah, oh. I'm sorry, it's the first time Makoto has brought a girlfriend. I wondered what kind of girl she would be. And she's such a beauty, isn't she?"
"Makoto... is this the first time?"
I asked Makoto.
"Hm? It is the first time, though?"
That was unexpected.
"Please take care of our boy."
"No, likewise, please take care of me."
Saying that, I bowed my head.
After that, I was treated to lunch and went to Makoto's room.
...For now, I'll secure some space to sit.
Silently, I gathered and tidied up magazines and manga.
"Ah, sorry. I haven't been home for a while..."
"Don't worry about it. Even so, you've made a spectacular mess."
In the end, I spent two hours cleaning Makoto's room.
"Oh? Makoto is slovenly, so... thank you for even tidying up. Please make yourselves at home."
Saying that, Makoto's mother brought some juice.
However, we couldn't relax for that long.
In another hour, Makoto would have to return to the dormitory.
While we were chatting a bit, an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
Then I left the house with Makoto.
"Come again~"
Makoto's mother said.
"Sorry... that the conversation got weird."
"Don't worry about it, that's just how it is for the first time, right?"
I know a family that's even more far gone, after all.
Makoto walked me home and then returned to the dormitory.
"When can we meet again?"
"I don't know... But I'll make an effort so we can meet."
"If you have time to make that kind of effort, work hard at soccer."
"Don't say things like that. I want to leave memories with Kanna too... so that we can still meet after ten years have passed."
"I don't know about things that far ahead."
"I don't know if I'll still be doing soccer in ten years either. But, I want to be with Kanna."
"I understand... I believe you."
"See ya."
Saying that, Makoto began to pedal his bicycle.
Summer is already ending.
A summer spent entirely on my part-time job.
But in the end, Makoto came to me.
That alone is enough.
So that we can meet ten years from now...
At that time...