Chapter 72 - Team Play
(1)
Winter break.
There are three things high school students do:
Hang out, work part-time, or study.
However, I want to dare to choose a fourth option.
Sleep!
But there was no way Airi would allow such a thing.
"Come on, wake up!!"
Airi ruthlessly stripped away my futon.
C-cold.
"You're living a sloppy life as usual, Toya."
Kanna is here too?
"...I'll go eat breakfast."
I trudged out of the room.
After finishing breakfast and washing my face, I felt fired up.
Why do I wash my face with water instead of warm water?
Is it to blow away the first-thing-in-the-morning sleepiness?
It doesn't seem to be very effective, though.
Still, it's weird to start studying at 9:00 AM on a day off.
Yeah, it's weird!
Once my thoughts settled on that, I returned to my room and naturally dove back into bed... but there was no way she would overlook that.
"Why are you back in bed again!"
Airi grabbed me by the collar.
"It's a rare holiday, why not enjoy the bed?"
Airi didn't bite on my secret strategy.
"There's no way we can do that while Kanna is here!"
"What kind of stupid things are you saying since morning, Toya? Are you still half-asleep?"
You shouldn't underestimate a man's morning urges.
Well, I have none of that at all.
I simply wanted to sleep.
Though it didn't get through to them.
"Hey, what are you doing tonight?"
"Hmm? I'm eating soba and sleeping."
"Eh? Really?"
I answered Kanna's question as if it were obvious.
Airi looked surprised hearing that.
Did I say something strange?
Today is New Year's Eve.
Normally, I'd probably do some cleaning, but using the excuse of being an examinee as a shield, I'm running toward the escape route of studying without cleaning.
I usually keep things organized, so... maybe I'll wipe the windows?
I thought about it, but I decided against it, thinking it would be a bad move to start cleaning while Airi and the others were here and make them help.
"Ah, right."
Saying that, I turned on the TV.
"Toya-kun, I wonder about having the TV on while studying."
"You said before that you turned it on because you couldn't stand the silence."
"The fact that you can't stand the silence even though there are three of us today means... ah."
Looking at the TV, Airi seemed to realize why I turned it on.
The All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
Makoto and the others happened to be playing a match.
Their first opponent seemed to be weak; the score was 3-0 with about 15 minutes left in the second half.
"Makoto-kun and the others are strong~"
Kanna seemed relieved.
Seeing that, I felt relieved too.
I watched the match for a while.
Makoto's side had an overwhelming advantage in ball possession.
Their movement was completely different from the Inter-High, when they had only recently formed the team.
Systematic movement.
If they moved like that, even I wouldn't be able to compete.
Before I knew it, I had started thinking about how I would move if I were them.
Though before that, I don't have the stamina to run around for 90 minutes.
At that moment, I noticed Airi gazing at me instead of the TV.
"What is it, Airi?"
Airi, smiling, answered happily.
"As I thought, Toya-kun is somehow different when he's watching soccer. You're a different person from the usual vacant Toya-kun."
Ah, I got absorbed in it.
"Sorry, I have to concentrate on studying..."
"Why don't you play soccer now? You had that look on your face."
"I was thinking about it just now, but I really don't have the stamina to run for 90 minutes."
"There's such a thing as a 'super sub,' right?"
"I don't have that level of ability. If it were a class match, maybe, but if I were faced with the organized movement of Makoto's high school level, I wouldn't be able to do anything."
"You think so~?"
"The match is ending."
The match ended with a 3-0 victory for Ida High.
I turned off the TV and returned to studying.
Soccer isn't something you do alone.
I was shown that vividly when I was in elementary school.
That was the real reason I stopped playing soccer.
"What's wrong? Are you thinking about something again?"
Airi suddenly asked.
"Ah, just a bit. It's nothing major. I just remembered something from the past."
"As long as it's that."
Did I make Airi anxious again?
"Toya, I warned you not to brood. Most of your worries aren't anything good."
How rude. There are times when I worry about serious things.
But Airi seems worried.
Should I tell her?
If I do, she might tell me to start playing soccer again.
"If it's nothing major, tell me."
"...I'll tell you tonight."
"No!"
"That's a no!"
I was shot down by both of them.
"I can't let you say your worries when it's just the two of you. It'll just lead to another fight with Airi."
I let out a sigh.
"Fine, I'll talk. It's not that big a deal. I was just reflecting on the reason why I quit soccer."
"That... what happened?"
Airi asked naturally.
Well, I suppose so.
The two of them stared at me intently.
"Let's see, I think it was in elementary school..."
(2)
When I was in fifth grade, I started soccer and was appointed as a substitute member within six months.
I was put in during crucial moments and consistently met the coach's demands.
But a problem arose.
Every time we won, Makoto and I were highlighted.
I was bad at that kind of thing, but it didn't feel bad.
That's why I didn't notice.
The cold gazes from my teammates.
In local tournaments, we had become a powerhouse team.
The incident happened during the final tournament of elementary school.
We were losing 2-0.
I was put in for the second half.
Makoto and I were completely marked.
Even so, passes were sent to me and Makoto.
They probably thought that if it were me or Makoto, we could do something about it.
I thought so at first, too.
But that was a mistake.
I shook off four markers, received the ball, and passed it to an open teammate.
But the opponent didn't even look at the ball.
"Toya! Give me the pass!"
Makoto was also marked.
Even so, he desperately shook them off and created a situation where he could receive the pass.
I scored one point myself, and Makoto took another, bringing us to a tie.
However, I had completely forgotten.
I was so desperate to score that I neglected the defense.
A vertical pass pierced through our own half.
Normally, I should have cleared it.
But I had crossed the center line.
It looked as if the teammate DF hurried to chase after it.
But there was no desperation.
The opponent FW ran right in front of the goal and shot.
We lost 2-3.
After the match, the teammates were scolded by the coach.
I thought it was only natural for players without motivation to be scolded.
But the teammates' reactions were different.
"We got scolded because you didn't do your job."
"We lost because you guys didn't do your jobs."
"It's your fault."
"I guess we should just leave it to you guys, right?"
"Anyway, only you guys..."
"You..."
At that time, I felt it keenly.
Soccer isn't something that can be handled by one or two people.
And yet, if you stand out alone, all the responsibility is pushed onto you.
I grew disgusted with that and quit soccer.
I just felt it was a bother to have such trivial emotions thrown at me.
(3)
The two of them listened to my story in silence.
When I finished talking, Airi spoke up.
"What's that? Toya-kun isn't in the wrong! Why did you quit?"
"If I'm there, the harmony of the team is disrupted. That's how I judged it."
"But Makoto-kun continued!"
"Makoto is good at socializing. He's fundamentally different from me, who is bad at it."
"...So that's what happened."
It seems Airi was convinced.
She must have suffered from pressure and jealousy far more than I did.
But Kanna was different.
"What's with that? Isn't it Toya who's running away by blaming others?"
She hit where it hurts.
I didn't dare deny it.
Because I knew it myself.
"That's right, I ran away."
"That's unfair, Toya!"
Kanna shouted.
"Makoto said it. 'It's frustrating that Toya throws away such a great talent because it's a bother! Give that talent to me'... You're abandoning something that others can't get no matter how much they struggle!"
"That's not it, Kanna!"
Airi answered in my stead.
It wasn't that it was wrong, but Airi probably had her own thoughts.
"Being 'able to do it' and 'wanting to do it' are fundamentally different! Toya-kun said it, didn't he? That he grew disgusted. Not doing something you like might just be running away. But Toya-kun was the one who made the decision to quit decisively, so I think his opinion should be respected."
"Does Toya hate it then? Soccer?"
"It's not that he hates soccer. I think he grew disgusted with other people's jealousy. I was the same. I was pushed into the idea that I could do anything and was envied. And then I was bullied. Isn't it the same for you, Kanna? Because you're beautiful, people you don't even like hit on you or get jealous for no reason, and it's the same with studying! Kanna can do it if she tries! But you hate being forced to do it, right!"
Airi said mostly everything I wanted to say.
Fundamentally, I hate bothersome things.
And if I play soccer, I'll be involved in bothersome things to some extent.
In that case, it's better not to play soccer.
That was the answer I came up with.
"True, it is annoying to be envied for things you don't want."
Kanna seemed convinced as well.
"Ah, Kanna, it's time!"
"True. Well, see ya. You're going for the first shrine visit of the year today, right? If I'm not in the way, I'll go too."
"There's no way you'd be in the way."
"Then I'll come after eating soba. You're going after watching a comedy show anyway, right? See you later."
Airi and I saw Kanna off.
After that, when I returned to the room with Airi, Airi sat back in her original spot.
I sat next to her and leaned my shoulder against hers.
Airi was surprised.
"Wa-wait, just because Kanna is gone, you suddenly do this? You have to study properly."
Even as she said that, Airi showed no sign of dislike.
"Can you let me be spoiled for just a bit?"
"...Yeah."
"Thanks for earlier."
"No, Toya-kun had bad things happen too, huh. Since Toya-kun looked so lively while watching soccer, I misunderstood and wondered why you don't do it even though you like it."
"If it's just a class match, it ends with 'you're good,' so it's fine. In a sense, I can enjoy it purely. Though it's exhausting."
"It's okay. You can say that exhausting things are exhausting. That's why I'm here."
I see.
Airi is putting it into practice.
Accepting everything, including the flaws.
I feel that Airi is precious.
I looked back on the past, and though it was denied, Airi defended me.
I thought Airi would understand.
That might be why I told her.
And Airi understood.
Then, what can I do?
Accept Airi's flaws?
As I've said before, Airi has no flaws.
Even the flaws in her personality seem like plus points.
Jealous, and sulks easily.
Cries easily, wants to be spoiled easily.
A slightly bothersome personality.
But I can think of even that as cute.
I can think of even that as precious.
Wait? Doesn't that mean I've already accepted everything about Airi?
Did I already love Airi?
Though my capacity to accept is too small, so I make her cry often.
Though we fight immediately.
But there hasn't been a single time I've come to hate her.
There are many times I become anxious.
But maybe it's the same for Airi.
What is this feeling?
What is this atmosphere?
No, I can't hold back.
Before I knew it, I had pushed Airi down.
"Wait, Toya-kun!?"
Airi resisted a little, but looking into my eyes, she accepted me.
I don't know what kind of expression she was making.
Just before lips and lips touched.
When we had come to the point where we could feel each other's breath.
Knock knock.
Is that Mother!?
We both sprang up instantly.
"It's almost time for dinner."
"Got it!"
Was it already that time?
At that moment, I felt a soft sensation on my lips for just a second.
I looked at Airi's face.
That gentle expression showing maternity rather than cuteness.
Precious. I want to stay like this forever.
But she wouldn't allow that.
"That's it for today."
What terrible timing.
With Airi's one sentence, I naturally released Airi's body, which I had been holding down.
Airi stood up and tried to leave the room.
I watched Airi while remaining seated.
"Aren't you coming down?"
Told by Airi, I remembered that I had been called for dinner.
"Shall we go?"
Saying that, we left the room.
(4)
My heart was pounding.
There were many times Toya-kun approached me, but unless I set it up for an event or anniversary, it almost never happened.
We're in the middle of studying, you know?
I tried to refuse once, saying that, but when my eyes met Toya-kun's, I felt some kind of empathy.
Ah, he finally noticed.
He understood.
Thinking that, I closed my eyes.
It's okay, just for this once.
But things didn't proceed so smoothly.
Maya-san knocked on the door.
"It's almost time for dinner."
"Got it—!"
A little reward for the deflated Toya-kun.
I softly overlapped our lips.
"That's it for today."
Saying that, I smiled.
Released from Toya-kun, I stood up and tried to leave the room.
Toya-kun was still dazed.
"Aren't you coming down?"
"Shall we go?"
He was that disappointed, huh.
But there's no need to rush.
There are plenty of chances ahead.
The Toya-kun from just now should be able to create plenty of chances.
Just as you created many chances in soccer.
From now on, you'll probably slip through the gaps in my heart's defense.
I'm looking forward to it.
After eating dinner, resuming studying... didn't happen.
When the comedy show started, the two of us watched TV.
Taking turns in the bath, and then snuggling together again to watch TV.
He was laughing the whole time by my side.
Kanna said it, didn't she? "Toya, don't brood uselessly!"
I think so too.
I want him to never let that smile fade.
If possible, I want him to direct that smile at me.
It might just be infatuation, but... a laughing Toya-kun is wonderful.
Around past 23:00.
Maya-san brought us soba.
Seeing us snuggling, she laughed, "Oh my, oh my."
We watched TV while eating soba, and after a while, Kanna arrived.
Seeing us, she said with a laugh, "Was I in the way?"
When you're snuggling and holding hands while watching TV, you'd want to say that too.
When the TV show ended, we headed to the shrine.
As expected, there was a line.
I met an acquaintance from middle school, but it wasn't a time for talking.
Because...
"Let go! The hashimaki is calling me!!"
"You just ate soba!"
"I'll let you say 'ah' to a candy apple."
"I won't fall for that! I'm full right now."
The affection he had for me until a moment ago seems to have shifted toward food.
Geez!
I put in the offering, rang the bell, and prayed.
At that moment, I heard unbelievable words from the side.
"I pray that we can live together while keeping Airi's smile from fading..."
Toya-kun might have been saying it like a mutter, but I heard it clearly.
In the midst of what felt like the surroundings falling silent, I heard it distinctly.
The partner for 'together' is me, right?
After finishing the prayer, Toya-kun hurried to the stalls.
Food over leaving her behind?
When will affection become greater than appetite?
Kanna patted my shoulder.
"That thing of his will never be cured in a lifetime. Don't mind it... it's better than being cheated on, right?"
That might be true.
I drew a fortune with Kanna.
Both were Great Blessing.
There was nothing in the content that particularly concerned me.
Good.
It seems I can spend this year peacefully.
"Di-you-dra-a-for-tune?"
I don't know what you're saying, Toya-kun.
I mean...
"How much do you have to eat to feel satisfied!?"
The moment I take my eyes off him, it's always this.
On the way home.
"Hey? What were you praying for?"
I asked Toya-kun.
Is this a bit mean?
"It's nothing major."
Nothing major?
Liar.
"There's no need to hide it."
"...Did you perhaps hear it?"
It was late at night on a road without streetlights, so I couldn't tell, but I could tell his face was turning red.
"What what, did he say something interesting?"
Kanna, who had been following behind looking bored, seemed to have become interested.
"I heard it. But I want to hear it from the person's own mouth."
"...'from the person's own mouth'..."
"What's with that! Are you already planning to get married or something!"
Kanna is laughing.
You don't have to laugh that much.
I was happy.
So I just smiled.
Don't make a face like you wish you hadn't said it.
I'm happy.
"...What did Airi pray for?"
Me?
"...Nothing in particular. I was just giving thanks."
"Thanks?"
"Yeah!"
I said with a big, bright smile.
"Thank you for letting me meet Toya-kun. Thank you for letting us be together until now."
Kanna is laughing.
There's no need to laugh that much.
"Then what about Kanna?"
I tried asking Kanna.
"Let's see, maybe 'please let Makoto win'."
I see.
It's surprisingly normal.
Are we just a lovey-dovey couple?
But even so, that's fine.
I don't care what people around us think.
Not like Toya-kun, but I'll be honest with myself this year.
I'll be as spoiled as I want to be.
Surely the current Toya-kun will accept that.
In exchange, Toya-kun can also be spoiled by me when things are hard, okay?
Sharing tears, laughter, sadness, and joy together...
Let's keep sharing them together.
If possible, stay by my side forever...