Chapter 71 - Thank You
(1)
"Toya-kun, morning~"
"...There is no response. It is as if he were a mere corpse."
"I'm alive, you know."
Actually, I had already changed.
It was just a matter of resistance.
However, Airi breathed against the back of my ear.
"○×△☆♯♭●□▲★※"
Apparently, I am weak to ears.
"Found Toya-kun's weak point♪"
Airi frolicked happily.
Then, she looked at my left hand.
Damn it!
"Ah~! You're not wearing your ring!! What happened!?"
I silently pointed to the ring on the desk.
"Why aren't you wearing it!?"
As expected, she began to get angry.
"It's okay to take it off while I'm sleeping, right?"
"But the fact that you've changed means you're awake!"
"I just forgot."
As I said this, I put the ring on.
At that moment, Airi hugged me from behind.
"Do you dislike the matching rings that much?"
If there were a boy who could say he disliked this, I would, in a sense, want to praise him.
For the record, it's impossible for me.
"It's not that I dislike it... I took it off when I was taking a bath and just forgot."
I told her the reason honestly.
"Uuu... you said you'd never let it leave your skin, right?"
No, no, the ring would get damaged.
"Cheer up already."
I turned around and hugged Airi.
"Kanna is watching."
"She can watch."
"As if that's okay!"
Kanna cut in.
"How long are you two going to keep flirting! Hurry up and get ready!"
Saying so, Kanna left the room.
"Is she in a bad mood for some reason?"
I asked Airi.
"I'm sure that's not it. But maybe we just went too far. It's Toya-kun's fault, you know."
"I-I see..."
"Let's go quickly, okay?"
I nodded and left the room with Airi.
(2)
The closing ceremony.
The start of winter break.
Everyone was talking about nothing but promises to go out, what to do for Christmas, or hanging out at the start of the new year.
Of course, there were students oscillating between joy and sorrow upon seeing their report card grades.
We didn't join any of those groups and headed home.
"Kanna! Be careful not to overdo your part-time job!"
"I know."
I wonder if she was able to apply the lessons from summer break.
Kanna answered honestly.
"Still, I'm bored. Makoto will probably be busy with club activities during winter break."
Come to think of it, did he win his way up to the prefectural representative?
"Kanna, what are you doing for Christmas?"
Airi asked.
"Working... ah, I didn't put in a shift for the daytime. I'll study properly. I'll be getting in the way, though."
"You don't have to worry about that, we're only going out starting at night anyway..."
Why do girls want to see the illuminations every year?
It's not like anything actually changes.
...Is it the same logic as wanting to eat kalbi every time?
But there's both tongue and loin... hmm.
"I see, then it'll be fine."
The conversation proceeded without anyone noticing my thoughts.
"Aren't you lonely without Makoto-kun?"
Is it okay to ask something like that? Airi.
"Well, it can't be helped. I don't want to do anything that would get in the way of Makoto."
"Then, let's spend Christmas the three of us!"
It seems Airi's head was already full of Christmas.
Christmas, huh. I'll have to think of a present.
"No, I've put in a shift for the night, since it's the peak season."
"I see~, that's tough."
"Kanna, part-time jobs are all well and good, but don't forget there are tests immediately after the break."
"I know, I've stopped putting in daytime shifts, so I can study."
"Then it's fine."
"To think I'd even be worried about by Toya..."
Kanna was laughing.
Thinking about it, Kanna maintains a middle-of-the-pack position while working a part-time job.
If she focused solely on studying without working, wouldn't she overtake me?
Well, the problem is that she has no intention of doing so.
I wonder if Kanna is thinking about her future path?
When I asked her before, she said, "I'll probably go to a vocational school or something."
She seemed concerned about tuition, but I heard there are support systems for national and public universities.
When I told Kanna that, she laughed and said, "Well, if I had that kind of brain, I'd consider it."
I feel like she could do it if she had the motivation.
Well, I suppose it depends on what one places weight on during high school life.
Those who place weight on club activities like Makoto, those who place weight on academics like Ijuin-san, those who enjoy school life itself like Kanna. Those who place weight on romance like Airi.
What do I value?
Of course, I value Airi.
Hmm, nothing in particular.
For now, I just hope to spend three years safely and be able to advance to university.
Though, as of now, I'm not safe at all.
"I wonder what you're thinking about so deeply~"
Airi looked at me as if peering into my face.
"Ah, just a little thing..."
"Hiding something again?"
Airi's expression became stern.
It's not particularly something to hide, but it's not something to talk about here either.
"I'll tell you while we study after we get home."
"Eh? A difficult topic?"
"No, not really."
"Mm, I understand..."
The three of us studying at home.
One boy and two girls.
Moreover, both of them are beauties.
In this situation, the fact that I don't feel anything means I've already reached the realm of a sage, right?
I simply studied within an environment that anyone who heard of it would envy.
"What was that talk from earlier~?"
It was Airi who broke the silence.
Contrary to her relaxed, drawn-out tone, she had an anxious face.
"If you start fighting over future paths like you did before, I'm going to punch you."
Kanna gave a warning.
"Well, it's close to that..."
"No matter who says what, I'm going to the same university as Toya-kun! We'll be together at university and forever after that!!"
As I opened my mouth, Airi spoke loudly.
"Now, calm down, it's not that kind of talk."
When I said that, Airi breathed a sigh of relief.
"No, what I was thinking about earlier was... setting aside Airi and Kanna, why am I attending school?"
"Eh?"
"Huh?"
Their lines were different, but both had roughly the same reaction.
"What do you mean? Isn't it to study?"
Airi asked as if to say, "Why are you asking something so obvious?"
"Airi... you enjoy being with me, right?"
I'm embarrassed saying it myself.
I feel like I'd be told to stop being so self-conscious.
"...Well, yes. Yeah."
Without any shame, Airi affirmed it.
"Kanna, your goal was to attend high school with us, right?"
"Yeah."
Whether Kanna was relieved or had judged it to be a boring conversation, she listened while spinning her pen.
"But I don't really have a reason. It's like I'm just going to school to study for the sake of advancing."
"Is there something inconvenient about that?"
Kanna asked.
"To be blunt, it's like I'm spending the period of youth wastefully..."
"Wastefully... that's cruel, Toya-kun."
Huh? Did I say something that would make Airi cry?
I thought back to my own words.
Nothing in particular, right?
"If you're serious, I'm going to punch you, Toya."
Kanna's eyes had become serious.
Eh? Why did it turn into this?
"Airi says that being with Toya is her enjoying her youth, and yet you're calling that a waste of time!"
Ah!?
I realized it after Kanna told me.
Now that she mentions it, that's true.
"I mean, realize it yourself! Why is it that your intuition is so sharp during soccer or tests, but when it comes to Airi, you're that dense!?"
I looked at Airi.
She was sobbing.
Kanna was comforting her by holding her shoulder.
"Don't worry about it, it's just because Toya is dense. I'll give this idiot a piece of my mind later."
"...I'll say it myself, so it's fine."
Saying so, Airi looked at me.
"You understand that for us, spending time as three or being with Toya-kun is fulfilling, so why don't you understand your own feelings? Is just being with me not enough? Is there still something missing?"
"I'm sorry..."
" 'I'm sorry' isn't the answer! If you think everything can be settled by apologizing, you're gravely mistaken!"
I'm sorry.
I seriously don't understand.
What should I say?
Seeing me troubled, Airi pulled both me and Kanna's shoulders close.
"Wait, Airi."
"Now! Is being together as three like this a waste!? Or is it fulfilling!? If it's fulfilling, then what do you say!? Still don't understand?"
"Thank you..."
"Notice it from the start!"
"Yeah."
Why do I cause Airi such unnecessary mental distress?
I feel intensely frustrated.
I feel pathetic.
"If you think I'm not a good match for someone like you, I'll get angry, okay?"
That was close.
"Geez... Toya, I'll give you some advice. Don't think about anything. You don't have to think about anything, so just act on what you feel. That's probably the right way. Nothing good happens when you start worrying."
Kanna said that.
Act on what I feel, huh... I just conveyed exactly what I felt just now, though.
It seems somewhat absurd.
Rather than feeling, was I just worrying?
Ah, speaking of things I felt...
"Kanna. Have you thought about your future path at all?"
"That talk again. Well, I thought about various things because Toya told me to, but I'll think about it once I'm a third-year. I'll choose the same course as you guys for my class. Airi will be with Toya anyway, right?"
"Is it okay while you're working part-time?"
"I am devoting some time to studying, you know. Despite how I look."
So that was it.
"It's reckless to put effort into studying while working part-time. Kanna will collapse."
Airi's worry seemed to have shifted to Kanna.
"I'm fine. What I cut back on was gaming time."
Saying so, Kanna stuck out her tongue.
She's surprisingly serious about it.
(3)
Christmas Eve.
Airi had come dressed up a little.
Apparently, she was staying at my place tonight. She had even prepared an overnight set.
At this point, my parents didn't say anything. I think that's also a bit strange in its own way.
Kanna had also studied with us from morning until evening.
When evening came, Kanna left for her part-time job.
"Shall we go too? Wait, Toya-kun hasn't changed yet!"
"You didn't even give me time to change!"
Let's go back a bit.
"Toya-kun, morning~"
It was Airi's usual voice.
It's winter break now. Let me sleep just a little longer...
"...Do you know what day it is today?"
"It's Eve, right? I know."
"Greeting me in sleepwear on a day like this? And you were sleeping!"
"Airi, do you know?"
As I said that, I raised my upper body.
"W-what?"
"To be precise, Eve starts from sunset on the 24th. Therefore, it's not Eve yet!"
"...And? What does that have to do with Toya-kun oversleeping?"
"Eh, no. Because it's not Eve yet..."
"If it's not Eve yet, then as usual, it's Toya-kun's study time, right? Now, let's wake up."
"I get it..."
Saying so, I got up with sleepy eyes and took clothes out of the closet...
"Wah! You can't change now! Kanna is here too!"
"I don't mind either way."
Kanna was looking this way while laughing.
"Even if Kanna is okay with it, I'm not~!"
Eh? I'm the one in the wrong?
Yes, I know.
I was just explaining the reason.
"I get it, I'll change now..."
"Mm."
"Wait downstairs."
"Ah... it's not like there's any need to hide it now... Well, I'll wait downstairs."
I changed quickly. I went to the washroom and tidied my hair.
"I'm ready."
"Then, let's go!"
We went to the city, and Airi frolicked while looking at the unchanging illuminations.
If there was one thing that had changed, it was the train-shaped car running in the square in front of the station.
A train carrying children.
Airi said she wanted to ride it, but I resisted with all my might.
As a result, I was able to escape the humiliation play of circling the square mixed in with parents and children riding in a vehicle that was clearly the size for children.
I couldn't enjoy a Christmas dinner like adults do, but I did my best.
We entered an Italian restaurant on the 4th floor of the station building and enjoyed a meal.
Budget-wise it was tight, but if Airi is happy, this much...
I gave up on one game I wanted.
Once our stomachs and our eyes were full, we returned home.
And then, we exchanged presents in the room.
I was surprised.
Both of them had chosen wristwatches.
I locked eyes with Airi.
"Coincidences really do happen, don't they?"
"They really do."
After that, while enjoying the cake and Champmerry we bought and watching TV...
"Um."
Airi, who was lying in my arms in bed, spoke to me.
If we were adults, we'd probably be smoking cigarettes.
For the record, both my parents don't smoke.
It's the same for Airi's.
※Smoking in bed is very dangerous. Smoking by minors is prohibited.
"What is it?"
"Kanna told me before, 'You two aren't in love anymore, it's love'..."
"I see."
"Yeah. And then, I tried looking it up. I wondered what the difference between romance and love was. Then, I found these words: 'Love is accepting everything, including the partner's flaws.' That's why I've decided to accept Toya-kun's flaws too. So, I want Toya-kun to accept me too."
Was that written there?
I was told this:
"Saying 'I like you' is still normal. Saying 'I love you' is being a menhera..."
"Toya-kun... is it still too soon? I have plenty of bad parts, right?"
If I refuse in this situation, it's an immediate breakup, right?
She's bold to say that after driving me into a situation where I can only say yes.
But I know she doesn't have that kind of calculating nature.
The amazing thing about Airi is that she pulls it off naturally, not by calculation.
Airi's flaws, huh...
From the outside, there are no flaws anywhere.
A wonderful girlfriend who turns even flaws into plus points.
There must be plenty of men who would want to accept her.
Among them, she found me.
And she says she'll accept all of me, despite my many flaws.
Who could possibly reject such a delicious situation?
What should I say?
"Toya-kun?"
Airi looked at me curiously.
Ah, I should use it at a time like this.
I said quietly.
"Thank you, I love you too."
Maybe I acted a bit too cool.
But it's fine for a special day like Christmas Eve, right?
"Mm, I love you too."
Airi said that and hugged me.
I don't care if I'm called a psycho.
"Ah."
"What's wrong?"
Airi suddenly spoke up as if remembering something.
She looked at my left hand.
"You're not wearing it again!"
The ring, huh...
"It's stored properly."
"Storing it doesn't mean anything!"
"I was wearing it during the date."
"Uuu... I know that, but."
She was watching.
"I'll put it on again when I wake up tomorrow morning."
"Put it on now."
"...Is there nothing more for tonight?"
Airi looked blank.
It seemed to take a few seconds for her to understand the meaning.
Airi's face suddenly turned red.
"Toya-kun, you pervert!!"
I was lectured repeatedly by Airi.
But those last words might have been her true feelings.
"Actually, I would have liked it, though..."
(4)
The part-time job ended at 22:00.
After that, by the time I returned and ate dinner, it was past 23:00.
I finished the homework I had started at Toya's house.
I can just ask Toya and the others about the parts I don't understand tomorrow.
I'll just do as much as I can.
Then, the doorbell rang.
There's no way Mother would ring it.
I went to the entrance in my loungewear.
I confirmed the visitor through the peephole.
And I was surprised.
It was Makoto.
Wasn't he busy with club activities right now?
I opened the door.
"Kanna!"
Saying so, Makoto hugged me.
"Makoto! Is the club okay?"
"The captain is off on a date, so there's no way it's bad for a member to go, right?"
"I'm appalled."
"Anyway, let me in, it's cold!!"
Once Makoto entered the room, he checked the clock.
"Oh, it's still Eve. Good!"
Saying so, he took out some luggage.
It was a wrapped bag.
"This is a Christmas present."
"Thank you."
I looked at the contents.
It was a DVD.
I thought he'd bought something outrageous again... but it was an unexpectedly normal DVD.
An exhilarating success story that was popular a long time ago.
That night, I stopped studying and watched the DVD.
Beside me, Makoto was rustling while eating a bento he bought at the convenience store.
Naturally, we couldn't watch with the lights off, and Makoto spent more time eating than watching.
Well, he probably just slipped away right after club activities ended.
"...You're staying over, right?"
"Sorry about that."
"Go home once in a while."
"I'd like to say I will for the New Year, but I have matches."
"I see..."
"I feel bad for Kanna too."
"It's fine, I was prepared for this from the start."
Though I am lonely.
I kept that to myself.
"Ah, something from me too."
I handed Makoto something I had placed in the corner of the room.
A hand-knitted muffler.
It's misshapen because I'm not used to it.
"Thanks, Kanna."
He seemed to like it.
"After you eat, take a bath."
I'll get ready now.
"Aren't you watching the DVD?"
"You weren't watching, were you?"
"Despite how I look, my peripheral vision is wide, you know."
Saying so, Makoto grinned.
"I can stay until tomorrow evening, so let's go make some noise with Toya and the others."
Saying so, Makoto called Toya.
No, this time is bad!
"W-wait, Toya and the others might have plans..."
Too late.
"Yes? Makoto?"
"Yeah, Toya. I'm at Kanna's house right now. Want to go out as four?"
"...You're finally alone as two, right? You two should play together."
"I want to see you guys too."
"Show a little consideration for us."
"To think such words would come from you."
"...Figure it out."
"...Fine! Then, after the tournament ends!"
"There are tests."
"After that!"
"Is your practice okay?"
"I'll make it work."
"Alright."
In the end, it seemed Toya gave in.
"And that's why tomorrow is a date."
Doing whatever he wants again.
"I have a part-time job from the evening."
"Tough, even though it's Christmas. Then, a nearby karaoke place is fine."
"I get it."
The fact that a guy like this is the ace of the Soccer Club is quite something.
"How have Toya and Tosaka-san been lately?"
Makoto asked abruptly.
"Same as always, Toya makes no effort to notice Airi's feelings..."
I talked about the day of the closing ceremony.
"That's typical of Toya. And, how about Tosaka-san?"
"Airi changed. We talked after that."
"Airi, don't get too depressed. That thing of his is already a severe condition."
"I'm not depressed, I intend to have changed since Kanna told me~"
"Eh?"
"'It's not romance, it's love'... I looked it up. That loving someone means accepting everything about the other person. Including flaws."
"I see."
"I'll change. I'll make an effort to accept all of Toya-kun's bad parts."
"I see, good luck."
"Yeah, thank you."
"I see, I see."
Makoto was impressed.
"What about you, Kanna?"
"Will you... accept everything about me?"
"Would I easily let someone I don't accept stay over at my house?"
"You'd let someone in even if it was just romance, right?"
"Do you want me to say I love you?"
"No, if we're not at that stage yet."
"I love you."
"Huh?"
"I'm grateful to Makoto, for picking up the wounded me."
"Stop talking like you're a stray puppy I picked up. It was destiny."
"Destiny since high school?"
I laughed mischievously.
"Say whatever you want, tonight is Christmas."
"...Thank you."
Saying so, I snuggled up to Makoto.
And...