Chapter 67 - Just Having You Here
(1)
The end of August.
The opening ceremony, and then the August exams.
For Kanna, who had spent her time doing nothing but part-time jobs, it felt like a sneak attack.
Well, I would have known if I'd looked at the event calendar.
Still, she did come over to finish her homework before the summer break ended, and since I taught her the parts that were likely to be on the test, we managed to avoid any disaster.
After the tests were over, she treated me to hamburgers as a thank-you.
Getting treated by a girl?
Doesn't matter.
As expected of someone with a part-time job, she's generous.
Though I kept the amount low-key since Airi would get mad if I were treated too lavishly.
The test results.
Airi and I remained unchanged.
Kanna didn't do too badly either.
Kanna is the type of girl who can pull off a cram session.
Well, she said she'd cut back on her part-time work before the next test after learning her lesson from this.
August 26th.
Girls are crowding in front of the school gate.
I wonder what's going on?
We go over to take a look.
"Makoto!!"
Kanna lets out a surprised cry.
"Ah, Kanna."
Makoto spots us and calls out to Kanna.
"What are you doing in a place like this?"
Kanna approaches Makoto.
Seeing this, the crowd of girls disperses, thinking, "Oh, so he was waiting for his girlfriend."
"There's something I absolutely wanted to give you today..."
Today?
Ah, right.
"Long time no see, Toya. You're the same as ever, huh?"
Suddenly, Makoto turns the conversation to me.
"I guess. Looks like you're doing your best with your club, Makoto. Isn't it amazing to suddenly be a regular in your first year and even make it to the Inter-High?"
The Inter-High result was disappointing, though.
It couldn't be helped that their first opponent was the champion school.
"The opponent's FW played in an unpredictable way, just like you, Toya... Why don't you transfer to my school? You could take the number 10 spot if it were you."
"I told you I have no stamina."
"Stamina isn't the only thing you lack. You have no motivation either."
Kanna cuts in without hesitation.
Well, she's not wrong.
"I see, that's a shame. Listen, absolutely do not play soccer in Hofu! We'll stop being able to win."
"Even if I do, it'll be for something like a class match at most."
"Then it's fine. Oops, I got sidetracked. So, Toya... can I borrow Kanna for a bit today?"
"I don't mind, but I mean, Kanna is Makoto's girlfriend, right? I don't think there's any reason for me to refuse."
"Right, thanks. Well then, Kanna, come with me for a second."
Saying that, Makoto took Kanna and went somewhere.
Did Kanna mention that Makoto is attentive?
I see, so it was today.
"I wonder what happened to Kanna and the others?"
Airi says worriedly.
Does Airi not know?
"Today is Kanna's birthday."
When I tell Airi, she lets out an "Ooh~".
"That's so nice~, he celebrates properly even though they're apart."
Come to think of it, did she say she skipped club to introduce him to her parents?
I suddenly notice Airi's gaze is directed at me.
Her eyes look like she wants me to say something.
"What is it?"
"Toya-kun, do you remember? My birthday."
"Of course I remember."
I give her a present every year.
"I wonder what kind of surprise is waiting for me this year~"
"If I tell you now, it won't be a surprise, will it?"
"I guess so~"
Actually, I hadn't thought of anything.
I need to think of something soon.
(2)
"So, what is it?"
Having been called out by Makoto, I asked him while pretending to be calm.
Then, Makoto held out a rectangular gift box.
"I thought I'd never given you something proper like Toya and the others do."
"I told you to stop comparing yourself to Toya and the others, didn't I?"
"That's right, sorry."
"Can I open it?"
"Yeah."
When I carefully peeled off the wrapping, there was a white box.
Opening it, there was an open-heart necklace inside.
It was from a famous brand.
"It's nothing much, but..."
"It's more than enough, thank you."
Saying that, I immediately tried on the necklace.
"Does it suit me?"
"Yeah, it suits you."
...
It's no good, I'm comparing myself to Airi too.
"Sorry, I can't convey my feelings well."
"What's wrong?"
"No, I just thought that if it were Airi, she'd probably hug you or something."
"You're the one who said no comparing."
"Yeah... so sorry."
Makoto hesitated for a moment, then suddenly hugged me.
"Wait, Makoto!!"
"This makes us the same, right?"
After a while, I softly hugged him back.
"Thank you."
"Me too, Kanna. ...Thank you for being born."
"?"
"I've always wanted to try saying that once."
Between him and Toya, why are men like this?
You don't have to say clumsy, cheesy lines.
It would be enough if you just told me what you were thinking frankly.
"Did I mess up?"
Perhaps mistaking my silent thinking for me being in a bad mood, Makoto asked anxiously.
"Not really, I just thought that Makoto isn't used to handling girls either. By the way, how long do you intend to keep doing this?"
When I said that, Makoto hurriedly pulled away, as if he'd finally realized our situation.
"Sorry. Just like Kanna said, I'm not very used to handling girls."
That was unexpected.
But thinking about it, I convinced myself that it might be true.
Since he's been waiting for my OK for so long.
And he said he'd introduced me to his parents for the first time.
This time, I hugged Makoto.
"You're fine just as you are. You don't have to try and act cool. You're cool just being natural."
"I'll give those exact words back to you, Kanna."
Eh?
"You're fine just as you are. You can be as pampered as you want to be. You have a cute side more than you think."
"...Thank you."
After staying like that for a while, Makoto said, "I should get going soon."
I didn't let go of Makoto.
"You said I could be as pampered as I want, right?"
It was a little bit of mischief on my part.
"...Just for a little bit, okay?"
Makoto stood still, saying that.
When the time felt right, I let go of Makoto.
"See ya."
Saying that, I saw Makoto off.
"Give my regards to Toya and the others!"
With that, Makoto left.
I followed his retreating figure with my eyes until he was out of sight.
(3)
Academic Track Orientation
From the second year, classes are divided into humanities and sciences.
I attended the orientation for that with my parents.
That night, there was a family meeting.
"Toya, which one are you choosing?"
"Based on what I heard today, maybe humanities?"
"Are you thinking seriously? Your path leads to Airi-chan's path."
"I know that."
"There's a chance you might hold her back..."
"I don't think that'll happen... I think."
"Toya."
Father joined the conversation.
"I heard from Tosaka-san. After graduating from university, Airi plans to undergo bridal training. Apparently, she has no intention of getting a job."
"Y-yeah. I heard that from Airi."
"If you don't get a proper job, you'll make Airi-chan unhappy."
"I don't think that'll happen."
But I do have to get a job at a decent place.
Wait, has the conversation already reached that point?
I felt a sense of dread that things were progressing so rapidly without my knowledge.
"I'm thinking about it properly. You don't need to worry."
"If that's the case... I don't want to put pressure on you, but..."
"Please keep this conversation a secret from Airi. She'd worry about it."
"Understood. I won't say anything unnecessary."
"More importantly, there's something I want Mother and Father to help me with."
My parents looked at each other.
"It's about October 5th..."
I coordinated with my parents.
Now, it's the present.
I started the computer and entered keywords into a search site.
Various things came up.
What would be good?
Entering the fourth year makes it difficult.
Is something practical better? Cosmetics... I don't really understand those. Accessories are every year...
Then, something caught my eye.
This might be good.
I ordered it immediately.
And then... should I order this too?
My wallet is going to be tight next month.
(4)
Midterm tests.
The results were satisfactory for all three of us.
"Airi, when we go home today, we're having a party at my place."
"Eh?"
Airi made a puzzled face.
"It's always at your house, right? Let's do it at mine for once."
"But I think Rie-chan is making food."
"I've already told your parents."
Airi thought for a bit.
And then...
"Alright. I'll go at the usual time."
"I'm coming too,"
Kanna said to Airi.
"Yeah..."
Airi seemed somewhat out of sorts.
Did I upset Airi again?
"I'm looking forward to it!"
Airi answered with a smile.
Am I overthinking it?
When I got home, Airi-mama and Mother were happily preparing food in the kitchen.
I checked with Mother to see if any packages had arrived.
She said they were in my room.
I went up to my room.
On the desk were a large bag and a small paper wrap.
Now the preparations were complete.
Ah, I forgot.
I wrote a message on the card.
Kanna arrived first.
The setup for Kanna was already done.
Now we just had to wait for the guest of honor to arrive.
Ding-dong
The doorbell rang.
"It's Tosaka."
It was Airi's voice.
Mother went to the entrance.
Then she led Airi into the living room.
The lights were off.
"Huh?"
Just as Airi said that.
POP!!
Everyone set off party poppers at once.
Airi was surprised.
"Happy Birthday!"
Everyone offered their congratulations at once.
"...Thank you."
Hmm? Is she not happy?
It wasn't her usual bouncy voice.
"Airi, this is from me."
Kanna said and handed over a present.
It was lip balm.
"Thank you."
Airi looked happy seeing that.
It seemed her mood wasn't spoiled.
"What about Toya-kun?"
"Mine is for later..."
"I see, I'm looking forward to it."
Airi was beaming.
With the lights still off, I lit the candles on the flower cake.
Airi blew them out.
Then I turned on the lights.
That was when Airi noticed the flower cake for the first time.
"It's so pretty~"
Yeah, it seems she was satisfied.
After that, we started the meal.
Once the meal was over and we had chatted for a while, Kanna and Airi's parents said they were going home.
"Then I'll go home too," Airi said.
No, no, wait.
I stopped Airi, who was trying to go home with the flower cake in her hand.
"Wha~t?"
"I haven't given you your present yet."
"Then, give it to me."
Airi held out her hand.
"I'll give it to you in my room."
"Why?"
"What do you mean why..."
As I thought, is she in a bad mood?
"Airi-chan has tomorrow off, so please relax and stay a while."
"But Rie-chan, I didn't prepare an overnight set."
"I'll bring it for you~"
Airi-mama pushed her toward it.
Kanna did too.
"Airi, since you're here, you should be pampered by Toya."
She said.
"Then... yeah. Alright."
Airi seemed unconvinced.
Huh? She's acting different than usual.
Usually, she'd agree instantly.
Did I mess something up?
When we entered the room, Airi sat in her usual spot.
I handed Airi the present that had been on the desk.
Airi said "Thank you" and accepted the present.
She seemed somewhat curt.
"Can I open it?"
"Go ahead."
Inside was a ballpoint pen.
A matching one...
"This... wasn't it expensive?"
"Not at all, it's actually cheaper than usual."
"But there was that flower cake earlier too."
"It's fine, it's within the range of what I can do with my allowance."
"Yeah..."
She seemed lacking in energy.
I became increasingly anxious.
Knock knock
It was Mother.
"What is it?"
"I received a package for Airi-chan from Rie-san."
When Mother said that, Airi opened the door and received the package from Mother.
"Thank you very much."
"It's fine, now please enjoy yourselves."
After Mother left the room, Airi asked, "Can I borrow the bath?"
When I answered "Go ahead," she took a change of clothes from the package and left the room.
It doesn't seem like she's in the mood today.
I'll apologize later.
I don't know why I'm apologizing, but it's certain she seems to be in a bad mood.
Why is she so depressed?
I looked back on everything that happened today as far as I could remember.
Nothing particularly came to mind.
Hmm, what is it?
While I was thinking, Airi returned.
"Toya-kun, you should come in too."
Her tone was slightly lower than usual.
No use thinking about it now.
For now, I'll just take a bath.
When I returned from the bath, Airi was sitting and waiting still.
"Um, Airi."
"Wha~t."
I immediately prostrated myself.
Airi was surprised.
"I'm sorry, Airi! If I messed something up, I apologize! So please cheer up."
"Toya-kun?"
Airi looked blankly at me.
"I'm dense, so even when I look back, I don't even know what spoiled your mood. I'm sorry. So please don't start saying we should break up!"
"...Why does it lead to that?"
Eh?
"I'm not in a bad mood at all?"
"Eh?"
"Toya-kun... if there's something that makes me feel bad, it's probably the way you immediately get anxious like that?"
"Ah, sorry."
"See, again! I told you to stop apologizing if you haven't done anything wrong."
Saying that, Airi patted my head.
"I'm not in a bad mood. If anything, I'm happy. I can tell Toya-kun has been thinking about a lot of things for me."
Then, why did she look like she was in a bad mood...?
"Maybe I was bewildered? Thinking, 'I've been given so many things, what can I do for him?'"
"You don't have to do anything, just being here is..."
"You'd say that, wouldn't you?"
Saying that, Airi smiled brightly.
"I'm the same. You don't have to celebrate extravagantly. Just being by my side and saying 'Happy Birthday' is enough."
Ah, so that's it.
I somehow understood.
"I was happy when you told me to stay over today. But I was so happy that I was bewildered and couldn't express it well. I can't really criticize Toya-kun either. I couldn't convey it well and let you misunderstand."
"No, it was just my misunderstanding."
"Usually I can express that I'm happy properly, but I couldn't today. Actually..."
Saying that, Airi hugged me.
"I wanted to do this. Even this isn't enough. My head had already exceeded its capacity and I was panicking. I think that's why it came out in my attitude."
"I'm glad."
I'm truly glad.
It seems the surprise was a success.
I managed to avoid making Airi sad this year.
I can't let my guard down yet, though.
My birthday and Christmas are still left, and I'm worried I might fail those hurdles.
If possible, I want to spend them without seeing Airi's tears.
I softly hugged Airi back.
"Hey, can I ask one favor?"
Airi asked abruptly.
"Sure."
"I don't need any more prank-style things, so let's just spend time relaxedly, just the two of us, like this?"
"Understood."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then, I'll do that too~"
The smile had returned to Airi's face.
I worked hard just to see this smile.
I'll do anything if it makes Airi smile.
"Happy Birthday."
When I said it again, Airi said "Thank you" and closed her eyes.
We exchanged a kiss.
"Hey."
Is Airi asking something?
"What is it?"
When I asked back, Airi said.
"What do you want for your birthday?"
She's asking that...
She'd probably get mad if I said something like a game software.
Then again, she'd probably get mad if I said anything is fine.
In times like this, the predecessors said something good.
"As long as I have Airi, I don't need anything."
That's the one!
Huh? It's gone silent.
"There's that smug face again. You think you said something great, but it's a boo."
Airi is pouting.
"Eh? But..."
"I'm already Toya-kun's, you know?"
Ah, right. ...
"I guess I have no choice but to look for something myself."
"Sorry."
"It's fine, honestly I was happy. I could even give myself to you tonight!"
"If I said to wait until my birthday..."
"...I'd be mad."
Figures.
"Please give me Toya-kun as my birthday present."
Airi says shyly.
"Alright."
When I said that, Airi rejoiced with a "Yay!".
I don't know if it was for Airi or for me.
But it turned out that I accepted Airi's request.