Chapter 88 - What Are You Thinking?
(1)
Day four.
I was woken up by Mizuta-sensei around 4:00 AM.
I was sent straight back to my room and went back to sleep.
"Toya, wake up! We're going to breakfast!"
At Watanabe-kun's call, I sat up and changed into my school uniform.
"Hey, today is the Tokyo sightseeing trip. You've gotta wear civilian clothes."
Watanabe-kun's words made me realize.
That's right. I put on the clothes Airi had chosen for me.
"Heh, you look sharp."
Watanabe-kun looked at me with admiration.
A long-length T-shirt under a knit sweater, with a jacket over the top.
Black skinny jeans on the bottom.
Everything was chosen by Airi.
I hope she notices, but a lot has happened, so she's probably forgotten.
...Maybe the jacket can wait until later?
And so, I made it to the morning buffet.
Today is the day; today is the last day.
I will absolutely conquer it.
My enthusiasm only lasted for the beginning.
"Good morning, Toya-kun."
It seems she had been keeping watch.
I was led away without a word being spoken.
"Here, I made sure to get extra bread today."
"Eh?"
"That outfit suits you."
Airi whispered in my ear.
"Thanks."
"No problem. I'm glad you wore them properly, Toya-kun. But you could have changed after breakfast; you might get them dirty, you know?"
It's okay, Airi.
I know exactly how to eat without making a mess.
I wasn't the only one who had changed.
All the boys—except for Sashihara-san... meaning, Kanna and Airi—had changed.
"By the way, Isshy, did you send a message to Iida-san?"
When Kanna asked Ishihara-kun, he answered.
"A woman's morning is early and busy, right? Besides, I think a lot of people exchanged IDs with her, so I thought it might be a nuisance."
"Ho-ho, you're quite considerate for a first-timer. Impressive, impressive."
While Airi was praising Ishihara-kun, an unfamiliar girl approached.
She was carrying a tray with breakfast on it.
"Um, would it be alright if I joined you?"
"Sure, but... who are you?"
When I asked that, an oshibori was thrown at me by Sashihara-san.
"It's fine, Emi."
Ah, so this person is Eguchi Emi, Isshy's partner.
Sashihara-san spoke a name she had heard somewhere.
Eguchi-san sat down next to Kanna.
"So, Ai-chan. Which one is Ishihara-kun?"
When Eguchi-san asked, Airi pointed to Ishihara-kun, who was sitting next to Watanabe-kun.
"He's very pure and quiet, but he's a good person."
"I thought about it last night, and I think it's better to say it directly, so I'll just say it."
The atmosphere is starting to look ominous.
"Wait, Emi, it's not good to jump to conclusions before you've even spoken. He has good points if you talk to him..."
Sashihara-san must have sensed it too.
She hurriedly tried to follow up.
"But, I wonder about people who leave this kind of thing to others and do nothing themselves."
"I'm sorry..."
Ishihara-kun apologized.
"Do you have anything else to say? If not, I'm leaving."
"You know, with the hamburger steaks at a certain family restaurant, if you eat them believing 'these taste bad,' they really do taste bad."
"Toya-kun, food talk again!"
I was cautioned by Airi, but Watanabe-kun said, "Keep going."
"But if you eat them without thinking about anything, they're delicious. I think preconceptions are important, you know? Why not try eating without thinking about anything?"
"But I haven't even received the item I ordered."
"That's because you're currently at the stage of being told 'for now, this is our recommended menu.' After this, it's up to Ishihara-kun, just as Eguchi-san said. Right, Ishihara-kun?"
I passed the baton to Ishihara-kun.
"U-um, excuse me..."
Watanabe-kun covered Ishihara-kun's mouth!
"Sorry, this guy hasn't talked to girls much. We'll let him prepare a bit. Let's see, in Toya's terms, he hasn't been seasoned yet."
"I came here wanting to check the taste of the raw ingredients."
I added another word.
"Coming to someone who just woke up. It's like eating meat raw, you know?"
"Katagiri-kun is funny. All your metaphors are about food."
Good, it seems my favorability has risen in Eguchi-san's eyes.
But what's the point of raising my favorability?
"For now, just wait until he's marinated and grilled."
"Understood."
In the meantime, Eguchi-san finished her breakfast.
"Well then, excuse me. See you later."
Saying that, Eguchi-san departed.
Eguchi-san doesn't seem like a bad person.
I don't get a bad feeling.
Her face is beautiful, too.
I heard her grades are good, as well.
In that case, she might be good for Ishihara-kun.
Being a bit sharp in personality is the same for Airi and Kanna.
But the fact that she understood my talk is a big point.
"Hey."
I wonder how it looked to Ishihara-kun?
How did I seem?
How did he feel?
I feel like he was too intimidated to look properly.
They say people aren't just about appearances.
But if you don't look properly, it's the same as eating food without even looking at it.
See with the eyes, smell with the nose, and then taste...
If you're smelling girls with your nose, you're just a pervert, though.
But you'd smell the scent of shampoo, right?
If it's a girl, you'd be healed by a gentle voice, right?
You'd enjoy the sensation of hugging, right?
Enjoying by making full use of the five human senses...
"Phew..."
See, like having breath blown into your ear.
Wait, Airi, in a place like this!?
"You were lost in thought by yourself again~"
Airi said discontentedly.
"Sorry, I was thinking about Ishihara-kun."
"About what?"
I looked at Ishihara-kun's face and spoke.
"Ishihara-kun, what did you think when you looked at Eguchi-san?"
"Eh? ...I don't really know."
"That's no good; you have to look properly and listen. If you can't understand the other person's good points, dating will be hard, you know? I think Eguchi-san came to verify that, but Ishihara-kun is looking down. He doesn't say anything. Then, nothing is conveyed and Eguchi-san will find it suspicious. She'll wonder why it's him."
"T-that's true..."
"In the first place, what part of Eguchi-san did you come to like?"
"...Her looks, her kindness, and her intelligence, I guess... I don't have a real feeling of having fallen for her."
"Then all the more. You have to talk properly, look properly. If you see her in person and think it's no good, that's fine too. It's the first impression. In everything, the beginning is important."
It's the same with soccer.
When I first touch the ball, an image of the field somehow floats into my head.
"Toya is the type to move by intuition, huh."
Watanabe-kun looked impressed.
"Though that intuition doesn't work sometimes," Kanna added.
"But when his intuition works, it's very wonderful~" Airi said.
"Well, for now, just try talking to her. I'll follow up for you."
Sashihara-san said to Ishihara-kun.
"B-but, what should I talk about..."
"That's why I said I'll follow up!"
"Are we acting together in Tokyo?"
I asked Sashihara-san.
"Katagiri-kun and the others can act separately; you two go enjoy Shibuya or something."
No, I strongly recommend Asakusa!
It's like the Kaminarimon of Senso-ji!
And...
"But the five of us are acting together, right?"
Airi asked.
"Well, I'm free, anyway."
Kanna would be like that.
"I have the responsibility of having invited them. Eita is with us too, right!?"
"Yeah..."
Kiritani-kun seemed to say it reluctantly. Finally... there's Watanabe-kun.
"I'm free too. Well, you two enjoy your date."
"I'm sorry."
"No need to worry, Tosaka-san. Well, we'll gather again tonight."
"Are you sneaking into the girls' room again!?"
"Your voice is too loud, Eita!"
Sashihara-san cautioned him.
"Don't say something that sounds so bad as 'sneaking in.' We're 'invited.'"
It's all in the wording, Kanna.
"Now that it's decided, it's time for immediate combat preparation! Isshy."
When Sashihara-san said this to Ishihara-kun, he was surprised.
"Eh? But I thought it was after we arrived in Tokyo..."
"You can't win a battle with such naive thinking."
What does "win a battle" even mean here?
"I'm ready, so I'll drop by the boys' room. I have to coordinate Isshy."
Why is she in such a rush?
It seemed Kanna and Airi thought so too.
"That could just be done later..."
"If it's me, a deal with Mizuta-sensei is a simple matter."
"Eh?"
"Assuming we can sit wherever we want on the bus. I can manipulate airplane seats just as easily."
"Seriously!? Sashihara, you really are a capable woman."
Watanabe-kun was surprised.
I was surprised too; when did she make such a deal...
"When the boys were returning to their rooms, I said, 'Mizuta-sensei, I have a request because I want to create high school memories for Ishihara-kun~'. Since it was Mizuta-sensei, it was a breeze."
"Does that mean Mizuta-sensei is an accomplice!?"
Kanna raised her voice in surprise.
"Well, yeah~ but since it's Mizuta-sensei, it's fine."
That's what she's saying, Mizuta-sensei.
When I returned to the room, Sashihara-san followed along.
When she told Ishihara-kun to take out all the clothes he had, Ishihara-kun took them all out.
She layered them on the bed while combining them.
And then...
"This will do!"
She said, and told Ishihara-kun to wear them.
While he was changing, she prepared a hairdryer and the wax Watanabe-kun had.
Once Ishihara-kun finished changing, she sat him in front of the dressing table and styled his hair.
While I was admiring her practiced movements...
"I do aspire to be a beautician, after all," she said with a smirk.
And in 30 minutes, Ishihara-kun underwent a transformation.
Satisfied with the result, Sashihara-san returned to her own room.
He was now wearing a white long-length T-shirt, denim skinny pants, and a down jacket.
Neither I nor Watanabe-kun could hide our surprise at the transformation.
I suppose this is a case of "clothes make the man."
When we went downstairs to check out, Kanna and Airi were also impressed.
Eguchi-san was surprised as well.
After that, we boarded the bus.
In the very back seats were Kanna, Ishihara-kun, Eguchi-san, Sashihara-san, and Kiritani-kun.
Watanabe-kun sat in the front left, and Airi and I sat on the right.
...This is too blatant.
I felt nervous and occasionally looked back...
"Eguchi-san, do you have any hobbies?"
"Reading, I suppose."
"Heh~ Isshy likes reading too, right?"
"Y-yeah. Mainly mysteries and fantasy."
"Oh? It seems you do have a hobby."
"That's right, I like Kanae Minato or Tougo Minato."
"The Function of Midday was interesting."
"Eh~ I haven't bought that one yet."
...It seems they're talking well.
I relaxed and looked at the scenery.
People in Hokkaido step on the accelerator without hesitation even on roads frozen like this.
Accelerating in small increments.
Did someone say it?
That those who conquer the snowy roads conquer the summer...
The scenery of running through a land of pure white is enjoyable in its own way.
In summer, it must be a land of pure green.
I heard Hokkaido in summer is also great.
I really want to visit once.
Work, earn money, and together with Airi...
"Hey."
I wonder where would be good to go.
Wakkanai seems like it would be fun.
Other than that, maybe Sapporo or Hakodate?
But I'm not really interested in tourist spots.
"Geez, you're hopeless."
Airi blew breath behind my ear.
"Uwah!" I cried out.
"What happened?"
"He went into his own world again."
"It's fine if it's during travel, right?"
"But~ I'm bored."
"You should just sleep, right?"
"This is time spent with Toya-kun, you know?"
Ah, she remembered.
"...What do you want to do?"
"Give me attention~"
Saying that, Airi clung to my arm.
I looked around.
Most were sleeping.
Looking back, Sashihara-san and Kiritani-kun were flirting together.
Wait, what about Eguchi-san and Ishihara-kun!?
...No worries there.
"What kind of fantasy do you read?"
"Things like Guardians of the Spirit."
"I like that series. Also, The Twenty-Two Kingdoms."
"That series is long, isn't it?"
It seems the conversation is flowing well.
Kanna was sleeping.
Watanabe-kun was sleeping too.
I took my smartphone out of my bag and started a game...
Poke
"Your girlfriend is saying 'give me attention~' and you're playing a game!"
I stayed silent and started the game.
"Wait, entering your world again... oh? Cute."
It was a simple game where you operate your own avatar to collect fish and insects to give as presents to animals and invite animals to your own camp.
You can also customize the campsite to your liking.
You can even invite friends.
When I explained it to Airi, she said "I'll do it too~" and took out her smartphone.
I thought she'd say that.
I explained how to play to Airi.
From the outside, it probably looked like we were flirting.
Airi seemed to be enjoying it too.
Inside the plane
Naturally, no one is excited for a second time.
Everyone seems to be deciding where to go for sightseeing in the next destination, Tokyo.
I was looking outside as usual.
Aomori is clearly visible.
That alone makes my heart dance.
While I was moved, thinking how amazing it is, one girl interrupted.
"Hey, hey, Toya-kun."
Airi appealed with eyes that said "give me attention."
"Is there anywhere in Tokyo you want to go, Airi?"
"Hmm, Shibuya and Landmark Tower."
I searched on my smartphone. ...We'll pass through Asakusa!
"That's fine, it would be good to stop by Asakusa on the way!"
"Asakusa~? Another old-person choice."
"I want to see Kaminarimon!"
"I won't be fooled~ you're thinking you want to eat monjayaki, aren't you~?"
Ugh...
I want to avoid another fight.
Then don't say it from the start, you ask?
I just thought I might get lucky.
But I've been found out, so I have no choice but to give up.
But I want to eat monja, can't I somehow persuade her?
"Toya-kun?"
Look, look, she's making a sad face again.
Even though I decided I'd never let her do that again.
Why always, always...
Is Airi's interest in food thin?
Wait, there might be a place that does monja near Landmark Tower too.
Then it's possible!
No wait, if she shows aversion to the act of eating itself, that's a fundamental problem.
Choose Airi or choose food.
The answer was decided from the start.
But, can I completely give up?
Unlike the time in Hokkaido, this is a one-time chance!?
Monja, which has become hard to eat in my hometown. I want to eat it!
I've already searched the internet for the proper way to grill it.
"Hey...?"
Bad, I have to say something soon.
But what should I say?
Since I said I wanted to make memories with Airi, I just have to put that into practice.
Monja? I could just eat that in my hometown.
Though I don't know if there are any.
This is the time for searching.
I search...
There are quite a few!
However, there's one thing that bothers me; is it okay to invite a girl to monja?
It was written here. If you're reasonably close, monja and okonomiyaki are fine.
But Airi was concerned about the green seaweed during the takoyaki.
Is it unpopular with girls of that age after all?
It was written that they hate the smell clinging to them.
Because in the case of a first date, girls put a lot of effort into their clothes.
But Airi still puts a lot of effort into her clothes even now.
...I'll go with Makoto!
"Uuu..."
That's it, I'll just go with a male friend.
Then there's no problem at all.
Isn't that the case today too?
If we act in groups, I can casually invite them to monja.
Surely Watanabe-kun will follow up.
Isn't it nice for everyone to eat one monja bit by bit?
Though I don't know if there's time to eat bit by bit.
The distance between Eguchi-san and Ishihara-kun might also shrink.
"Hey, you!"
I took a chop from Kanna.
At that moment, I noticed.
Airi, who was crying to Kanna.
Damn it!
I thought too much this time.
"...Sorry."
"If you're apologizing, it's to Airi, you idiot!"
"I know."
"If you know, then why do something that makes Airi cry!? Do you still not get it!?"
I was thinking because I know.
"Sniff... Toya-kun was thinking about things like enduring not eating monja... even though I thought it was already okay..."
"No, about that matter... why don't we all eat monja... ow!"
A knuckle sandwich flew from an unexpected place.
It was Watanabe-kun.
"Hahaha, can I borrow Toya for a bit? Otonashi-san too, if you don't mind."
"True... Airi, wait a bit."
"Am I the only one being treated as a nuisance~?"
"It's not that, I just have something to talk to Toya about, I'll be right back."
"...Then I'll come along too."
"I want Tosaka-san to keep an eye on the luggage for a bit."
"Airi, sorry."
When Watanabe-kun and Kanna said that, she said "Understood" once and started reading a novel.
"You idiot!"
The first word was from Kanna.
Watanabe-kun restrained her.
"Hey, Toya. You really are a genius, in both a good and bad way. I saw the whole thing. When you concentrate on one thing, you lose sight of your surroundings. It seems you can sense the surroundings, though."
"Sorry..."
"Hey, Toya. Do you know why Tosaka-san was crying?"
"That's because I was worrying about the monja."
"That's a bit different. She's probably not that angry about the monja."
Eh?
"You were worrying about the monja, leaving Tosaka-san behind and entering your own world, right? That's what was sad."
Ah, I do that sometimes.
"You had a conflict in Otaru before, right? What did you do then?"
"I acted on intuition. I looked into Airi's eyes and went to the music box shop."
"You were in it then too, right?"
"Ah, come to think of it..."
"In the world of sports, they call it the 'Zone,' but you're prone to entering that state normally."
"I see, what should I do?"
For now, assuming I give up on the monja.
"You're probably thinking about giving up on the monja and things like that, but that's wrong, Toya."
Kanna said.
"It's not that she hates monja or anything; Airi enjoys including those kinds of interactions. The reason she started crying just now was because you abandoned that interaction and entered that Zone or whatever."
"Then, what should I do?"
"Like I always say, think only of Airi. What would Airi want to do? What is Airi thinking? You said it just now, right? 'Look into Airi's eyes'... That's the correct answer."
"I see."
"And one more thing!"
Kanna cautioned.
"Watanabe said it too, but Airi isn't a small-minded person who would get angry at your gluttony. She's aware of it herself and is trying to accept it. Accept that effort a little."
"I don't understand what you're saying at all. Don't think about the monja, but she's not angry about the monja..."
"Don't think, act as you feel before you think! That's the best method. Of course, look into Tosaka-san's eyes when you talk."
Watanabe-kun patted my shoulder.
"Shall we head back? If we spend too much time, Tosaka-san will worry."
We returned to our seats.
Airi was wearing earphones and reading a novel.
It was the same even when we returned.
Airi's face had returned to normal.
Since she's wearing earphones, it's useless to talk to her now...
I took my handheld game console out of my bag...
Whack
The corner of a book hurts, Airi.
"Back and immediately to games? Is that the answer you reached after talking with Kanna and the others?"
I looked into Airi's eyes.
Oh no, tears are welling up again, aren't they?
From beyond Airi, Kanna with a demon-like expression...
"Sorry about before; it seems I have a personality that enters my own world quickly."
"Hmm... and?"
"Just now, I was weighing monja against Airi."
"Huh?"
"I didn't properly understand the meaning of the words 'Airi accepts me.' Even though I said I wanted to make memories with Airi, I'm like this."
"...So you do understand."
"That's why I'll say it now, even though it's not exactly our first joint activity... I'll believe the words about wanting to spend a relaxing time together and say it... I want to eat monja together."
"Is that something we have to do specifically in Tokyo? Monja can be eaten in our hometown too."
"Yeah, but it wouldn't be a travel memory, right?"
"...Are you saying that while looking at my clothes?"
A white turtleneck and a black jumper skirt.
Yeah, I'm starting to feel like it's not an outfit for eating monja.
"Sorry."
"If you're going to apologize, don't say it from the start."
"I thought I should speak as things come to mind. Looking into Airi's eyes."
"Were you told to do that?"
Hey, no matter how I think about it, this is counterproductive...
I looked at Airi's face once more... huh?
She's not angry.
"If you wanted to go to monja, you should have just said so; anyway, lunch is during free time. Then I would have thought about my outfit."
You didn't prepare clothes for monja, did you?
"S-so, which shop do you want to go to?"
"I searched earlier and there are monja shops near Landmark Tower... wait, huh?"
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's just that monja is no good in that outfit..."
"Since we've come to Tokyo, isn't it more Tokyo-like than ramen? I'll get angry if you call it a snack!"
No no, I heard Tokyo ramen is also delicious.
Hmm...
"What does Airi want to eat?"
"Yes?"
"I wonder what 'Tokyo food' is to Airi."
"Hmm... udon? That was subtle. Other than that, places that feel expensive. The kind high schoolers can't easily enter."
"Then, there's no problem."
"I told you it's fine~"
Airi's eyes were infinitely gentle.
Ping
The seatbelt fastening lamp turned on.
"This aircraft will soon arrive at Haneda Airport..."
"Toya-kun."
"What?"
"I'm a handful, aren't I? Crying or sulking immediately..."
"That's why I can't leave you alone, right?"
"!?"
"No matter what you say now, I have no intention of letting go. I swore on the ring, after all."
"T-this is an imitation. I'll have you buy me a real one, Toya-kun~"
"It's an imitation, but I think it's something meaningful."
"...Thank you."
We land.
Finally, Tokyo.