Chapter 84 - Intuition!
"Whoa! We're airborne~"
"Yay~!"
Applause erupted.
Inside the plane, which was halfway to being a private charter, cheers and clapping broke out.
It was the first day of the school trip, and everyone was hyped up.
Since it was my first time on a plane, I was also feeling a bit excited.
Kiritani-kun told me, "Toya! You're supposed to take your shoes off on the plane," and when I actually tried to take them off, Airi stopped me.
I heard there were in-flight broadcasts, so as soon as I sat down, I tried using them.
There are quite a few channels.
While I was clicking around and playing with it, Airi tapped my shoulder.
When I took off my earphones, Airi said, "Since we're here, I want you to pay a little more attention to me."
Even so, it looked like it would still take a while until takeoff.
Just as I thought that, the plane started to move.
I wondered why it was moving so slowly, but then it suddenly began to accelerate.
Then we soared into the sky, and cheers erupted.
After that, the plane emerged above the clouds.
Everyone was snapping photos, trying to capture the clouds.
I also pointed my smartphone toward the window...
"Toya, you can't capture clouds with a smartphone,"
Kanna said with a laugh.
I know that much. What I want to capture is...
That main wing, which looks so thin it seems like it could peel off at any moment.
Isn't it just going to peel right off eventually?
Pokatsu
Can Airi read my mind?
"You were just thinking something unlucky, weren't you!"
"Not really, I just thought wings are surprisingly fragile."
"That's because they're designed to flex on purpose, so the wings don't snap off when the plane enters turbulence."
"Heh~. Ah, I can see land below."
"Hmm, I think it's still the Chugoku region or maybe the Japan Sea side~"
"Airi, you know everything, don't you?"
"It's just knowledge I read in books."
Airi is quite the reader.
"But, there's knowledge you can't get from books."
"For example?"
"...Like this?"
"I can't hear you well."
Pokatsu
I got hit, though I don't really know why.
Then Airi whispered in my ear.
"Like Toya-kun's feelings... or the way you do things..."
I was fine as long as I watched the DVDs.
"That's why Kanna makes fun of you. She says Toya-kun is one-pattern."
"I wouldn't have known if you didn't say it, Airi."
"U-ugh... but it's a fact."
"Were you actually worried about it?"
I suddenly became anxious.
"It's like you're just going through the motions and there's no emotion put into it... it's not about being good or bad, it's just that there's no feeling in it."
"What, what are you guys talking about?"
Kanna cut in from the side.
"We were talking about how Toya-kun is just going through the motions and I can't feel any affection."
Wait... you're saying that now...
Hearing that, Kanna burst out laughing.
"Are you still using that as a reference?! For goodness' sake, think for yourself! What Airi wants you to do, what she's looking for... you're usually good at thinking that way!"
"Airi, huh..."
I try to imagine it...
Pokatsu
"You don't need to think about that now! Right now, just think about enjoying the school trip!"
Airi's face was bright red.
Just flying through the sky is boring.
I might as well mention the group composition for this trip while I have the chance.
Me, Airi, Kanna, Ishihara-kun, Kiritani-kun, Sashihara-san, and Watanabe-kun—seven people.
Since they are people I've been with since first year, there are no particular problems.
We'll be acting as a group for the general trip.
We decided beforehand that during free time, we'd just decide on a meeting time and act freely.
Next, the itinerary for this trip.
After sightseeing in Sapporo by bus, free exploration in Otaru, two days of skiing at a ski resort, free exploration in Tokyo, and finally, free time at a theme park before returning home.
It's a 5-day, 4-night schedule.
I heard some other high schools go overseas.
Also, I heard some go to the disaster-stricken areas of Tohoku for training, such as practicing English check-ins and check-outs.
I'm bad at English listening for overseas, and apparently, even in the Tohoku disaster areas, they make you practice English check-ins and check-outs, so I guess this is the most enjoyable option.
"Japanese is understood in some tourist spots, you know~" Airi had laughed.
But the impression of comedians using exaggerated body language on a certain program is too strong, and it makes me want to hold back.
It takes about two and a half hours by plane to New Chitose Airport.
Kanna is asleep.
Airi... was reading a novel while listening to something through her earphones.
I was looking at the sky.
As I've said before, I'm a scenery fetishist.
Clouds in the sky,
The earth below.
It looks like we're moving terribly slowly, but we must be flying at an incredible speed.
The sound of the jet engines is intense.
I really lucked out with the window seat.
Tap tap
Airi poked my back.
"What?"
"Can't you sleep again? Planes are noisy, aren't they~ If you put on earphones and listen to slow music, you can sleep."
"Sleeping would be a waste, with such great scenery. I told you I like looking at scenery."
"Hmm. It is sunny today, isn't it? Though all I see are the sky and clouds. I wonder what Toya-kun sees?"
"I think it's the same."
"...I don't know. Toya-kun occasionally shows those unexpected hobbies."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, I wish you'd be half as obsessed with me as you are with that."
Looking around, most people were asleep.
After confirming that, I whispered in Airi's ear.
"I'm already plenty obsessed with you."
"Liar, Toya-kun's eyes were sparkling just now. Those weren't the eyes you use when looking at me."
"Well, that's because I'm used to seeing you... ah!"
As soon as I said that, I thought, Damn.
I might have made Airi angry again...
However, Airi was smiling.
Huh?
"You thought I'd get angry, didn't you~. If it were the beginning of our relationship, I probably would have. But it's already the fifth year, you know? I've finally gotten used to it."
I wish she'd be that lenient with my overeating too.
"It's already at that point, isn't it? It's closer to the mindset of a married couple than lovers~. That's how I took Toya-kun's meaning of 'used to it'."
Isn't that a bit fast? But I understand what she means. Always cherishing, always being cherished.
"Still, I want you to make my heart race once in a while. I want some excitement~... ah!"
"What's wrong?"
"Toya-kun, no heart-racing things or surprises! It'll give me a heart attack!"
Isn't she the one staging pranks like a haunted house?
Though that might be even worse in nature.
"I try every year, but Toya-kun is only sharp at times like that. You're either too dull or you don't notice—it's too extreme."
"You make my heart race every time, Airi."
"Eh?"
I whisper softly into Airi's ear.
Airi's face turns red.
"Uugh... you see me as an easy woman, don't you?"
"That's not true, I'm the only special one, right?"
"Yeah, I mean... it's okay if Toya-kun makes a move on me once in a while."
Airi is the type to counter before I can fully attack.
"I'll do my best next time."
When I say next time, I mean Christmas Eve.
Wait, huh?
"Haven't I made quite a few moves myself?"
"Now that you mention it, you have."
Airi said, laughing.
Ping
The seatbelt sign came on.
Well, I'd had it on the whole time anyway.
It seems we'll be landing soon.
Landing was somehow more interesting than takeoff.
(2)
Upon arriving at New Chitose Airport, we immediately boarded the bus and departed.
First was sightseeing in Sapporo city.
We toured several famous spots from inside the bus.
The bus guide seemed to be explaining things, but I wasn't listening at all.
I was captivated by the scenery outside the window.
I committed each and every detail to memory.
"It's beautiful, isn't it~"
Airi, who was sitting next to me, spoke to me.
"Yeah."
"I want to come back again."
"Yeah, next time..."
Just the two of us, Airi and I...
"...I'll tell you now, I'm definitely in the overseas camp for honeymoons!"
No, I'm not thinking that far ahead!
"Ho, so Tosaka-san was already thinking about that."
Watanabe-kun, who was sitting behind us, joined the conversation.
"Where overseas would be good?"
"Hmm, Guam or Hawaii feel a bit cliché~ Italy, France, or maybe Switzerland would be nice too~"
"So she says. Good luck, Toya."
Watanabe-kun was laughing.
You've raised the hurdle nicely for me, Watanabe-kun.
Afternoon meal break.
...No! Something is wrong.
This isn't Hokkaido food!!
I was furious, having been served a completely ordinary lunch.
There's gotta be! There's gotta be something like this!
Ramen! Seafood bowls! Genghis Khan!
What is this completely ordinary meal from a completely ordinary cafeteria!
If I were the father from a certain manga, I'd be screaming, "Call the manager!"
If it's come to this... in Otaru...
"Ramen! Seafood bowls!"
"Music boxes!!"
Well, it's the usual, isn't it.
It always ends up like this.
The only difference from usual was that Watanabe-kun was there as the mediator.
"Well, how about the option of splitting up into girls and boys? I'm hungry too."
However.
"That's not allowed!"
Kanna said.
"Even if you gloss over it now, the problem between these two won't be solved."
If I just glossed over it, there are plenty of ways to soothe her, but...
"Since we're at it, let's just leave these two behind and we'll wander around. Ai and Eita, you guys want that too, right? Let's the three of us go somewhere."
No one objected to Kanna's proposal.
We split into three groups.
At that time
"Don't run away. This is a problem that will definitely keep coming up as you two date."
I wonder what she means by "run away"?
What kind of situation does she call "running away"?
Probably suggesting "Then shall we split into two groups as well?" would be absolutely forbidden.
Hmm...
"I'll go along with Toya-kun. Which one are you eating first?"
Airi said in a sunken voice.
It didn't seem like a time to be carefree and happy that I won.
Then, a couple happened to catch my eye.
A high school couple walking with a bag from a music box specialty shop in one hand.
Airi seemed to be looking at them the same way.
...Sorry! Ramen and seafood bowls!
"Airi! Let's go!!"
"Eh?"
Taking Airi's hand, I searched for a shop with a map in the other.
...Found it!
When we entered the shop, there were many different kinds of music boxes.
The scale was different from those in local tourist spots.
"...I'm not happy even if you do this. It makes it look like I was the one being selfish."
"Someone said that this moment will never return."
Airi looked blankly at me.
"Don't let the present escape, feel the present. What is it that must be done today and not another day!? I thought it wasn't about eating, but about the time spent flirting while looking for a music box with Airi. That's why I brought you here."
Airi was bewildered.
"Usually, you go along with my selfishness, right? But the good girl Airi is on break now. You've endured enough. It's fine now."
"Don't say it like that. It sounds like this is the last time."
"It's not the last time. From now on, you can throw your selfishness at me too. ...I'll do my best to accommodate it."
"I was the one thinking it's fine to just have food since I'm always the selfish one."
"Your selfishness had benefits for me too. It's fundamentally different from mine."
"...Thank you."
Saying that, Airi clung to my arm.
"So, what kind of one do you want?"
"Well~ I want to find that~"
Huh?
"I wanted to choose and buy one together with Toya-kun~"
I see, I had a vague inkling.
I remember clearly that envious look when she saw that couple.
I accompanied Airi in choosing a music box.
Airi was worried about the time.
"It's okay to take your time. We still have time."
"But, Toya-kun's meal time..."
"That's no longer a priority. I found something else I want to see more."
"Heh?"
"Look, how about this one?"
It was a plush-style music box of the same shape as the one decorating Airi's room.
"If Toya-kun says it's good, I'll take it~. I wonder what songs it has~"
While Airi was choosing a song, I was checking the map.
"I bought it~"
"Then, shall we go!"
I tried to take Airi's hand... but instead, she clung to me.
It seems her mood has improved.
I hope she'll be in an even better mood at the next shop.
"This place is..."
She probably thought it wasn't a shop I would choose.
She looked at me with a surprised face.
I smiled and guided her inside.
It was a glasswork shop.
They even had things like candle glasses.
Airi frolicked around, picking up and looking at small items.
I bought a soy sauce dispenser that doesn't drip as a souvenir for home.
I'll eat TKG with this.
Airi bought two chopstick rests.
Hm? Two?
"We'll use them as a matching set when Toya-kun comes to stay over~♪"
Her mood seems great.
"Well, shall we hurry and go eat ramen?"
There's no need to rush, Airi.
Today's me is a little different, you know?
"Airi, do you want to eat ramen or a seafood bowl?"
"...I'm already full."
"Then that's good. There's a shop above this one."
A cafe hall on the rooftop where the lamp lights were fantastical.
There, we ordered juice, soft-serve ice cream, and lemon tea.
"It's beautiful, isn't it~"
"Right? I found it in the guidebook earlier."
"But, was it really okay?"
"Airi... the reason I want to eat ramen or seafood bowls is to leave the taste of that place in my memories."
"?"
"But Airi isn't in that, right? If so, I want to go home with the memory that I came here with Airi tucked in my heart."
"..."
Oh no, did she think I plagiarized some line again?
"Is it my fault?"
Huh?
"Because of me, Toya-kun is always not Toya-kun. You've become strange~"
How rude! I have priorities too.
The top priority is Airi... the second is food... maybe priority 1.5?
"Don't tell me you caught a cold right after coming to Hokkaido!"
"If you want, do you want to touch my forehead?"
Airi is thinking about something.
Or rather, plotting.
That's the face she makes.
And she executed it immediately.
A kiss on the forehead...
"You can't tell the fever with that, right?"
"I know well enough that you haven't caught a cold. This is a thank-you for today. I also got various memories as presents from Toya-kun."
"I see, that's good. Shall we head back soon?"
"Yeah! ...Wait! Toya-kun, the time is crazy!"
"Eh?"
She's right.
Can we make it if we run!?
"Hurry, Airi!"
After settling the bill, I took Airi's hand and ran.
"Yes..."
By the way, there was no worry about being late.
Because Kanna and the others were the latest to arrive.
"Man, the ramen shop had a surprisingly long line."
It seems it was the right choice to rule out the ramen option first.