Chapter 80 - Things That Do Not Fade
(1)
"Ah... we gave up another point."
Airi lets out a sigh.
More than that, I want someone to do something about this heat.
The first round of Koshien.
The opponent is a powerhouse school from Tohoku.
Apparently, our high school's pitchers were weak.
From the top of the first inning, we were pelted by hits and trailed by a huge margin of 8-0.
This is a public execution.
Airi cheers with all her might.
I am worn out by the heat.
Kanna didn't come to cheer because of her part-time job.
Our school's strength lay in its batting power, but even so, we were overwhelmed by the opponent's pitcher.
By the top of the third, the opponent's pitcher was changed.
I admire the players who work hard despite being down by such a large margin.
Airi seems moved as well, cheering with all her heart.
My head is spinning from the heat.
A towel is placed on top of my head.
It's Airi's.
Airi is wearing a hat.
"Thank you."
"I'm glad I applied sunscreen."
Airi is fair-skinned.
She seems to have a constitution that doesn't tan.
Instead, she says she turns red and stings like a burn.
That's why she rarely goes to the beach or such places.
Even so, she is cheering desperately.
However, the difference in skill was obvious.
Airi's cheering—no, the cheering of everyone who came—was in vain, and we lost the game 14-0.
Why is it that girls can cry at times like this?
Airi cries with her face all crumpled.
I softly returned the towel to her.
Airi hides her face with the towel.
The dream of eating Akashiyaki if we won became a fleeting one.
(2)
Inside the bus on the way back.
The interior of the vehicle was silent.
Everyone must be tired from cheering.
Airi, sitting next to me, is asleep using my shoulder as a pillow.
I was listening to music with earphones on.
Seeing brand new scenery, I was too excited to sleep.
Apparently, I'm a scenery maniac.
Despite that, I had absolutely no interest in temples or shrines.
But I love the scenery visible from the car window.
Once I'm able to drive a car myself someday, I'll come back here personally.
I hope Airi is sitting next to me then.
Though she'd probably be sleeping next to me.
I glance at Airi.
Her sleeping face is cute... huh? Her eyes are open.
She's not rolling her eyes back. Is she awake?
Airi taps my shoulder.
I took off my earphones.
"Can't you sleep?"
Airi's eyes are red and swollen.
It's surely because she was crying.
"Well, yeah. Whenever I come to a place I've never been, it's usually like that. Are you okay without sleeping, Airi?"
"Yeah, I slept a little. Toya-kun, do you hate baseball?"
"I think I hate playing it myself. As for watching, I'm not interested, regardless of whether I like it or not."
"I see, so that's why you were completely unmoved? No, I was wondering if you weren't frustrated by the loss... you didn't seem disappointed at all, right?"
Well, isn't it enough for only the players to shed tears of frustration?
"I don't think it's just me. I think boys don't cry."
"There were boys crying too~"
Does Airi want to see me crying?
"I guess people with deep emotions end up like that."
"I've never seen Toya-kun cry during a movie, so I wonder if Toya-kun is cold-hearted?"
"Do you want to see me cry, Airi? I have a good way."
"Wha~t is it?"
I whisper in Airi's ear.
"I think I'd cry if Airi told me we were breaking up."
Airi's body jolts.
"Who benefits from that? I'd end up crying too!"
I see, that's a relief.
"I mean, don't say things like that even as a joke!"
She starts hitting me repeatedly.
"...But would you really cry for me?"
If I said "Want to try it?", she'd probably get angry.
"Hey, hey? Toya-kun, have you never felt frustrated with things like soccer?"
"I told you before, right? The game we lost because of my teammates."
"Yeah."
"I was frustrated then. I was pissed when I was told it was my fault, but I was frustrated."
I probably just wanted to win, purely.
Though my passion for soccer vanished after that.
Did my face look depressed? Airi is looking at me anxiously.
"Sorry, I made you remember something unpleasant."
"Don't worry about it, it's in the past."
"No, I just feel like I touched upon something I shouldn't have out of mere curiosity. Toya-kun is human too, after all. There are painful things, right?"
"But I want to be smiling when I'm next to Airi."
"...Thank you. I'll sleep a little more. Good night."
Saying that, Airi falls asleep again using my shoulder as a pillow.
Come to think of it, what do they do if they take Koshien soil home?
Do they just keep it in the club room?
The club rooms of regular schools must be quite something.
(3)
That day, Airi and I were studying together.
"Kanna, what are you doing for Obon?"
"Ah, about that... I was invited to Makoto's house."
"What! That's amazing! His parents already approve!"
"I've been called over once before, but apparently, they've taken a liking to me."
"That's great, now you can stay over as much as you want!"
"It's not like something happens just because I stay over. Don't lump me in with you and Airi."
This was the first I'd heard of it.
Had things progressed that far already?
"So, what are you and Airi doing?"
"Yeah, we're studying!"
I see, so this year I can study in peace...
"I heard Maya-san and the others happened to be able to rent one. A vacation villa."
Huh?
What are you talking about? This is the first time I'm hearing this.
"Studying at a summer resort in a vacation villa, I'm jealous."
No matter how you look at it, that's a flag for partying or drinking.
I silently leave the room and confirm with my mother.
It's not "Huh? Did I not tell you?" Mother.
Apparently, things were proceeding beneath the surface without my knowledge.
It's always like this.
Far from being filled in from the inner moat without my knowing, the castle gates are constantly open, and on top of that, I suffer the terrible treatment of being ambushed by my own vassals.
"It is your father's fault."
I feel as if the masked man is saying that to me.
Why do I dislike it so much? Try being in a situation where you're with a girl you like, both sets of parents approve, and it's known that you're in that kind of relationship.
It's awkward, right?
Well, there's nothing to be done about things that have already been decided.
I don't know whether to be grateful or regretful for being born to such parents.
For now, let's go back to the room.
Airi and the others are shyly watching a DVD.
That DVD was one I received from Makoto before...
I stand there with my mouth agape.
They haven't noticed my presence.
"Toya-kun, you still had it even though you broke the soccer DVD so easily."
"Toya is a boy after all."
"I thought it was always the same pattern, but so this is what it was."
"If you think so, you should try initiating it from your side once in a while, Airi."
"Hmm, I'll think about it~"
You don't have to think about it.
Kanna, who finally noticed my presence, spoke without any guilt.
"Close the door. The sound will leak outside."
Is that all?!
"What are you doing instead of studying?"
"E-err, Kanna found the DVD in the rack... and so."
"You should change the pattern once in a while. Airi will get bored if it's always the same, right?"
"I-I'm fine. Just the fact that it's Toya-kun makes me happy."
Airi says this shyly, while Kanna doesn't mind at all.
"Well, does Makoto-kun change the pattern every time?"
"Yeah, though he occasionally requests some maniac things. When that happens, I kick him."
"Makoto-kun is amazing..."
That's not the part to be impressed by, Airi.
Around the time the parents entered the Obon holiday.
We loaded our luggage, bought ingredients and such on the way, and headed to the vacation villa.
Yes, there is space to study. For now, I'm relieved.
Airi occupied one of the two single beds with luggage, making a gesture that it was off-limits.
I'll pretend I didn't see that.
Surely, in a situation with an open ceiling where sound leaks downstairs, that's impossible... right?
As expected, the parents were drinking that night.
They aren't going to drink for all three days, are they?
After finishing the meal, when I told Airi let's study upstairs, Airi started saying, "Before that, the bath~"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"Eh? What are you saying?"
"I mean, you're going to the bath, right?"
"This is an open-air bath, and the view is great."
"I see, I'll also take it slow later...!"
Ow! Stop pinching my cheek!
"Don't make a girl say it until the end! This is where it's 'Then, want to enter together?' 'Eee~ no way, Toya-kun is such a pervert~'!"
If you had a personality that said "No way~", I'd say it.
"If you don't want to, you can just enter alone."
Airi's expression becomes stern in an instant.
Before that, a word from Airi's father.
"...I've said it many times, but if it's Toya-kun, I don't mind. ...Please enter with her."
That's not a father's line!
I mean, stop her even if you're drunk!
"Toya-kun, you can't~ if you make a girl feel ashamed~"
"Stop your useless struggling already. You're doing it anyway, right?"
"Toya, just indulge in Airi-chan's goodwill."
I really have nothing but enemies.
Having no choice, I went up to the second floor to get a change of clothes.
It certainly is a great view.
Being able to relax while looking at the starry sky is pure paradise♪.
Ah, I won't do something without manners like soaking in the tub suddenly.
I did the rinsing water, and after that, washed my body with the attached shower...
Clack.
I hear the sound of the door opening.
...I was stunned seeing Airi's figure.
Having her hair tied up is fine.
How should I put it?
Like a goddess... but goddesses in mythology aren't that well-shaped, are they?
Anyway, a body like one that appears in anime, unsparingly... I mean, spare a little!
"What's wrong?"
Airi asks curiously.
I'm the one who wants to ask.
"How about hiding a little?"
"Ah, Toya-kun, you watch too much TV. It's not good to soak in a hot spring while wearing a towel."
I know, they sometimes put a caption about that.
That's not what I meant.
"Shall I wash your back?"
"...Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Smiling, Airi washes my back.
Once I finish washing myself, I give the spot to Airi.
I mean, there are two showers.
Even so, I intended this as a concession, but it seemed Airi was dissatisfied.
"Aren't you going to wash my back?"
I don't mind, though.
I put body soap on the towel, lathered it well, and washed her back.
It really is white, translucent skin.
And a magnificent body line.
Rather than Kanna's model-like figure, I prefer Airi's voluptuous yet slender-where-it-should-be figure.
Have I seen Kanna naked? Of course not!
Finally, I rinse her back with the shower, being careful not to wet her hair...
"I'm going to wash my hair too, so you didn't have to be so considerate."
Saying that, Airi laughs and I hand her the shower and hurriedly soak in the hot water.
"It would have been fine if you washed it for me too~"
I can't hear you, I can't hear you.
She really is washing her hair, and it's taking time.
Maybe I'll get out first.
I was one step too late.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing, getting out before I enter!"
I was caught by Airi.
"You're beautiful..."
"Ah..."
"What's wrong?"
"No, well..."
"?"
A question mark is floating above Airi's head.
Open-air baths are strange, aren't they?
Despite being unnecessarily spacious, for some reason, two people naturally snuggle close.
And as Airi said, I'm not doing something without manners like wrapping a towel around my waist.
With a beautiful, naked Airi beside me... men would understand, right?
The gaze naturally moves downward.
Noticing the anomaly at the end of that gaze, Airi says.
"Toya-kun really is a boy after all."
"...Sorry."
"I told you let's stop apologizing without meaning."
"There is a meaning... well, for my pathetic self."
"No, just the fact that you're in the mood is enough. Because I sometimes get anxious, wondering if I'm not attractive."
"That's not true."
If it were any other guy, probably by now...
"Please don't make that face. Toya-kun was the one who said he wants to be smiling next to me always."
What do you think?
What should I do at a time like this?
Should I just act according to my desires?
"Sorry, am I being too pushy? Am I troubling Toya-kun instead?"
"No, I'm grateful that I'm loved by Airi. I just don't know how to react."
"It's because you're captured by that DVD. I belong to Toya-kun, so you can do whatever you like with me, okay?"
"Sorry, right now I can only think about studying."
That's a lie.
Where is the saint who can immerse themselves in sage time and think about studying in this situation?
"Then that's fine too, though it's a bit frustrating..."
Airi has a sad face. I can still redo this now.
"...Shall we get out soon?"
Airi says and stands up.
It was unconscious.
I grab Airi's hand.
"What's wrong?"
A voice that is kind to the end.
You're actually sad, right?
One word will solve it, right?
"I want to be with you just a little longer..."
Airi, perhaps understanding the intent, soaks in the water again.
But...
"Don't say just a little longer. You can be greedier. Say 'together forever'."
"Ah, I see..."
"It's just like when we were in second year of middle school, Kanna appeared and things progressed suddenly."
"That's true."
"Let's cherish these current feelings forever. Forever. Even if the seasons change, they surely won't fade."
"Yeah."
Sorry, Airi...
"I'm at my limit..."
"Toya-kun!? Are you okay?"
It seems I got lightheaded from Airi's sex appeal and soaking in the hot spring for too long.
I immediately leave the bath, wipe with a bath towel, put on clothes, go upstairs, and lie down on the bed.
Airi sat next to me and fanned me with a folding fan for a while.
Pathetic...
(4)
My brother's girlfriend is coming to stay.
I was bewildered when I heard it from Mama.
What kind of person is she?
I was surprised when my brother brought a girlfriend for the first time, but coming to stay is quite bold.
"I'm home~"
My brother came back.
"Welcome, Kanna-san. Please, this way. Shall we put your luggage in the room?"
Footsteps approaching my room.
And a knock.
"Chii-chan. Kanna-san is here, so let her stay. I'll prepare the futon later."
The person she brought was a beauty, to the point where I thought she was a model.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Otonashi Kanna. ...Err."
"I'm the younger sister, Chitose. Chii-chan is fine."
"Then, nice to meet you, Chii-chan."
Saying that, she plopped her luggage down.
"Kanna, come over here once you've put your luggage down."
"Ah, okay. Well, see you later, Chii-chan."
Saying that, Kanna-san left the room and went to my brother's room.
She was a great beauty.
I knew my brother was popular, but I think this is the first time my brother has fallen in love with a woman.
What part of Kanna-san did my brother fall in love with?
Because she's beautiful?
If so, there were plenty of others, right?
After eating and taking a bath, Kanna-san is drying her hair in my room.
In the first place, what part of my brother did she fall in love with?
Even if I think about it, it's no use.
I'll try asking Kanna-san directly.
"Um, Kanna-san."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"I'll ask frankly. What part of my brother did you fall in love with?"
"Eh? You're asking so suddenly?"
"Because my brother has never brought a woman home before."
"Eh? Really? Even though he's that popular... so he's actually acting on it."
Acting on what?
"Let's see, the part I fell in love with. The way he's clumsy and kind. Though he doesn't notice it himself, the way he seems reliable but isn't."
That's a cliché answer.
"...Actually, I was rejected by Makoto once."
"Eh?"
My brother rejected her.
"The cause was on my end, though. But even after that, it seemed he was watching me. He said he couldn't stand seeing me looking so miserable, and he confessed to me again."
Is that the reason?
"I had a broken heart too, and I was in an impossible love. At a time like that, Makoto's words resonated in my heart."
I kind of get it, but does that mean my brother took all the credit?
"Makoto said, 'Do you need a reason to fall in love?' It's probably a rip-off of some line, though."
Saying that, Kanna-san laughed.
"I want to hear more details."
"Hmm, there's hardly anything to talk about?"
Still, I want to hear.
"Let's see, the joy of trusting each other and the sadness of hurting each other, someday as they are... I guess it's a story about how that partner was Makoto? There's such a thing as a fateful encounter. I'm sure one will appear for Chii-chan too."
I see, fleeing to fate.
"How do you know it's fate?"
Kanna-san laughed and answered that question.
"That's exactly where 'Do you need a reason to fall in love?' comes in."
I wonder if my brother thinks the same thing?
Does it mean their wavelengths matched?
I understood somehow.
You don't need a reason for love.
It's something that starts with some kind of trigger.
And the two of them had matching wavelengths.
I don't know what will happen from here on.
I hope she comes again next year.
Not just next year, but again within this year.
Like during meals, the conversation of the two when I happen to look.
There was a smile on my brother's face that I didn't know.
If I may wish, may the love of those two be eternal.