Chapter 70 - Proof
(1)
"Toya-kun, good morning."
I woke up obediently today.
I look at Airi's face.
There are dark circles under her eyes.
Could she not sleep?
"Good morning, Airi. Couldn't you sleep?"
"Yeah, a little. Hurry up and get dressed."
Saying that, Airi left the room.
I wonder if she's still angry after all?
For the time being, I pick up my uniform to change, and I smell something.
It's the smell of deodorant.
Was this Airi's doing?
Is she that concerned about it?
It seems it would be better to explain as soon as possible.
I hurry to change and head outside with my things in hand.
When I go down to the first floor, Father, Airi, and Kanna are sitting at the dining table.
When Kanna spots me, she glares.
"Have you still not told her?"
That's the expression she's wearing.
"Airi, about yesterday's story..."
"If we don't eat quickly and get ready, we won't make it in time."
There's no opening to get a word in.
"Toya seems to have something to say, so listen to him,"
Kanna tries to admonish Airi, but
"I'll let him tell me everything in detail later, so for now, hurry,"
she says, making conversation impossible.
I'll give up and just eat for now.
"You'll listen to me later, right?"
I double-check.
Perhaps the way I said it rubbed her the wrong way, because
"Yes, if it's just listening, I'll listen as much as you want. I'm sure you'll give me a most convincing explanation."
"My my, a lovers' quarrel for once? You two need to get along."
Mother steps in between us.
"Please tell Toya-kun!"
She even takes it out on Mother.
She's really worked up.
I really have to explain soon.
However, that chance would not come until school was over.
(2)
"Airi, your attitude this morning wasn't great. Toya looked troubled."
During a break at school, Kanna spoke to me.
"Did you hear the reason, Kanna?"
"Well, yeah, but it's not for me to say, right?"
"That's true."
I was out of it this morning.
Just smelling it made me ticked off, so I sprayed deodorant all over his school jacket.
"Couldn't you sleep?"
Whose fault do you think it is!
I know he's trying his best to explain.
But I can't just listen obediently.
Why didn't you tell me last night?
If it's an explanation you can give in the morning, you could have just done it last night.
"I'll tell you one thing. It's not the kind of situation Airi thinks it is. It's a truly trivial reason."
"Is that so? But the reason I'm irritated isn't about the reason itself. I'm angry at Toya-kun for talking smoothly to Kanna while giving me a single word—'It's not your business.'"
"Toya probably has his own way of thinking, right?"
"Makoto-kun talked to Kanna properly, didn't he?"
"Ah, that's true too..."
Actually, I'm also irritated with myself for getting angry over something trivial and refusing to listen to Toya-kun's side.
Why am I being so stubborn?
In the end, Toya-kun didn't talk to me during lunch break either.
Aww. And here I was, having made special preparations.
Everything is ruined!
Toya-kun, you idiot!
When school ended, Toya-kun finally made a move.
"Airi, please listen to me."
"Is this something I can hear while we walk home? Why did you stay silent until now? There was plenty of time during lunch break and such."
I mean, where did you even go?
"Ah... sorry."
"Fine. If it's okay while we walk, I'll listen."
"Yeah."
I wonder why?
Was I too preoccupied?
I had forgotten my bag in the classroom.
"Sorry, I forgot my bag. I'm going back to the classroom to get it."
Saying that, I returned to the classroom.
As I was about to enter, I heard voices.
"Honestly, isn't Katagiri-kun just unbelievable?"
"You're telling me. He's a killjoy, and he acts all serious even though his grades aren't even that good."
Are they talking about Toya-kun?
"I thought he was pretty cool when he was playing soccer, though~"
"He's completely useless at everything other than soccer."
"Toya-kun isn't that bad of a person!"
Before I knew it, I had interrupted their conversation.
Even if we were fighting, if someone badmouths my boyfriend, I want to say something back.
"Ah, Tosaka-san, perfect timing."
"What exactly is good about Katagiri-kun? I get that he's good at soccer, but it's not like he's in the Soccer Club."
"It's not like he has any other strengths either."
"He just feels below average."
I got pissed.
Why does he have to be spoken of like that!
Below average?
What is "average"?
What criteria are you using to decide that?
"That's not true, Toya-kun has good points too!"
"Then what are they? Katagiri-kun's good points."
"T-That would be that he's kind..."
"Well, anyone is kind to their girlfriend."
"Not just me! He's kind to everyone!"
"Isn't that just being a people-pleaser? In Katagiri-kun's case, I think 'indecisive' fits better."
"You probably wouldn't understand. Toya-kun's good points."
"Isn't that dodging the question? Is it okay if only you understand? Isn't that more like pity than affection?"
"Ah, that fits. Like thinking she's kind for falling for a useless guy."
Useless guy!?
I was completely enraged.
"Listen..."
As I was about to say something, I noticed someone behind me.
"Leave it at that."
When I turned around, the person standing there was...
"Toya-kun!?"
"Airi, leave it at that. It's fine now."
"Toya-kun, aren't you frustrated!? You're being made fun of."
"I'm not particularly frustrated."
Just how good-natured is this person?
"Hahaha, Tosaka-san is right. Only Tosaka-san understands Toya's virtues."
Another person arrived. It's Watanabe-kun.
"Could you two give me a moment? I want to talk."
Saying that, he led me and Toya-kun to a secluded spot.
"I heard the circumstances from Toya during the day. I'm sorry, Tosaka-san."
"
?"
Was he talking to Watanabe-kun during the time he was gone during the day?
But why is Watanabe-kun apologizing?
"I was the one who told him to keep quiet from Tosaka-san."
I can't quite grasp the situation.
"I'll tell you about yesterday. Actually..."
...
...
...
I see.
"...and that's why Toya isn't in the wrong at all. Rather, the fault lies with me for forcing an invitation on Toya, who didn't want to go. Sorry."
Saying that, Watanabe-kun bowed his head.
"Well, that's about it. The rest is for you two to talk over. I'll disappear now."
Watanabe-kun left, saying that.
Toya-kun and I were left behind.
"Airi, um..."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"...I was scared."
Huh?
"You said it when the Makoto thing happened. That you'd be angry if I linked arms with other women... so I was scared and couldn't say it."
I did say that, didn't I?
"But I also said that I believe in Toya-kun, so I wouldn't waver, right?"
"Ah..."
Did you only just remember now?
"Toya-kun isn't in the wrong. Why are you scared, Toya-kun? Am I that scary?"
"N-No. It's not that... but I'm scared of being told we're breaking up."
"If you think that, I won't do something like this ever again. Even if I'm invited, I'll explain the circumstances. That's all you need to do."
"I understand."
"That said, I cannot forgive you for meeting a girl without telling me~"
"Eh..."
For a moment, Toya-kun's expression clouded.
"Let's go home? The punishment comes after."
Saying that, I started walking.
(3)
I go home.
I hurry to change.
17:30.
If I fly on my bicycle, I might just make it in time for the appointment.
Ding-dong
Wait, what?
"Toya, Airi-chan has come to pick you up."
Why?
"I thought it would be faster if I came to your house."
Then the two of us head out into town.
The destination is the station building... no, a shop in the shopping district.
A shop that sells accessories and such.
"Oh, you came as promised."
A male clerk with a soft mohawk said, looking at Airi.
"Um, about this person's finger size."
Saying that, she grabs my left hand and shows it to the clerk.
The clerk looks at my ring finger and says.
"Hmm, looks like a size 15. Wait a moment."
The clerk says this and disappears into the back of the shop.
I am bewildered.
Airi is smiling.
After a while, the clerk comes out.
"Here, it's done~"
And so, he hands two silver rings to Airi.
Airi holds out a ring to me.
"Here, a birthday present."
Eh?
Ah, today is my birthday.
But two of them...?
Airi silently holds out her left hand.
???
"Boy, you're still dense~. Put it on your girlfriend. By the way, it's for the ring finger."
The clerk is watching while laughing.
Wait a minute!
Isn't that a wedding ring?
I mean, is it okay for me to receive this from Airi?
The clerk says further
"It's an imitation, so it doesn't have a huge meaning, so just wear it casually."
But does a high schooler wear this?
Airi urges me with a "Hurry!", so I put it on her for the time being.
The small silver ring fit Airi's ring finger perfectly.
Now, the problem is me.
There's no curse where I can't take it off once I put it on, right?
While I was thinking such things, Airi announces.
"That's the punishment~. You are to wear it without letting it leave your skin as much as possible! I'll be angry if you take it off without a reason!"
"...Does that mean I have to wear it at school too?"
"Of course~"
Airi looks at me as if to say, "How about that?"
"What do I do during uniform inspections?"
"Mizuta-sensei won't mind. Besides, if you're wearing that, no matter how much, no girl will try to seduce you."
Though there will probably be people who tease me.
"Boy! You're a man, right! Just go for it, go for it!! Or do you want your girlfriend to put it on for you?"
The clerk is watching with amusement.
"I see."
Airi snatches the ring from me and forces it onto the ring finger of my left hand.
"Don't lose it. Well then, thank you very much."
Saying that, Airi turns on her heel and leaves the shop.
I follow her.
"This is troubling~"
"What is?"
"With this, hasn't the hurdle for the Christmas present just gotten higher?"
"Hmm. If you're with me on Eve, that's enough for me."
Just how many men would say "I understand" to that?
"Airi, sorry about yesterday."
I hadn't apologized properly.
Even if it's late now.
Airi puffs out her cheeks.
"No more talk of that. I just gave you a punishment, so we're even~"
"But..."
"I'll be angry if you say more."
"...I understand."
Airi still seems dissatisfied.
"That's why people say whatever they want about you being dense! There's something else you should say!"
Something else... ? Ah.
"Airi, thank you."
Airi wore a full smile.
"You're welcome."
It seems she's not angry anymore.
As I relax, I start to feel hungry.
"Since we're here, want to eat something?"
"Maya-san is preparing something."
"I'll eat it tomorrow morning... ow!"
"If you keep eating so much that your fingers get fat and you can't take the ring off, don't come crying to me."
Was such a trap waiting for me?
H-You plotted this!!
"Listen..."
Did Airi suddenly speak to me?
"What is it?"
"The ring... did you hate it?"
How many times do I have to say that it's unfair to say that with a face like that.
"There's no way. Just as you said, Airi, this might serve as a charm against evil."
"A charm against evil... that's rude to other girls!"
Airi laughs, saying that.
"There's one more thing."
"What?"
"You don't have to be so enthusiastic. About the Christmas present. I told you before, right? If the two of us can spend it relaxedly, I couldn't ask for more."
"Y-Yeah."
"Well, let's go home."
To begin with, this was an incident caused by me not speaking properly.
Making Airi anxious for no reason was the root of the failure.
I should trust Airi more.
(5)
That night, a call came from Kanna.
"Hello."
"It's not 'hello'! What happened today?"
"We exchanged vows."
"Huh?"
"I was made to wear a proof on the ring finger of my left hand. I was told to keep it without letting it leave my skin."
"Is that a ring!?"
"...Well, yeah."
"I see, that's good then."
Is it good?
"What, aren't you happy?"
"It's a complicated feeling. I didn't think I'd be given one by Airi. I was planning to give her one for Christmas."
"You'll just have to work hard on that part! It's fine, you guys are heading straight for a happy ending."
"She said it's just an imitation."
"You idiot, Airi has her own meaning attached to it."
Is that so.
"Well, I'm relieved to hear a good result. See ya."
"Yeah, good night."
(6)
The phone rings; it's from Kanna.
"Yo, I heard the general circumstances from Toya."
"Yeah, it seems I was just sulking on my own."
"I heard you gave Toya a punishment?"
"I had it prepared from the start. But it felt spiteful to just give it to him obediently, so I acted selfishly."
"Airi is better that way. Keep Toya under your thumb."
"Yeah..."
"What? Is there still something?"
"...I wonder if I'm causing trouble again?"
"Why not just cause it?"
"Eh?"
"Be as selfish as you want and trouble him. If you don't, that guy won't notice anything."
"I wonder."
"Even now, he doesn't realize how much he's loved."
"Love..."
"What you two have isn't even at the level of 'romance' anymore. You're a couple who love each other. Have confidence."
"Yeah..."
"We won't lose either."
"Kanna?"
"I'll get into a relationship like you guys."
"Yeah."
"Well, see you tomorrow."
"Okay~"
Saying that, the call ended.
I tried searching for "the difference between romance and love" on the internet.
Yeah, it might be love.
But knowing Toya-kun, if I said "I love you," he'd probably be completely appalled.
It was written that it's important to think from the other person's perspective.
Until now, I might have pushed my own way too much.
I've decided. I'll accept Toya-kun exactly as he is.
I'll pray only for his happiness.
So that it doesn't become pushy.
Just being able to see his smile is enough.
I think of him.
...I could only think of him eating.
...I wish he'd be a little more considerate of me too.