Chapter 90 - Fly Freely
Arrived at Haneda Airport.
Moved to central Tokyo by bus.
During the ride, I was impressed by the scenery once again.
I wonder how cars even drive on such cluttered roads.
Multi-level roads weave through the gaps between skyscrapers.
I thought it was amazing when we were in Osaka, but as expected of the capital, Tokyo.
As I remained glued to the bus window, Airi poked me in the back.
"I'm begging you, let's stop the staring and gawking once we get to Tokyo."
"Why?"
"Because it's embarrassing."
"Is it embarrassing to be with me?"
Poke
"Learn your lesson already, Toya! Has Airi ever once thought it was embarrassing to be with you!? No, right!!"
Then why?
"If you look around like that, people will laugh and think, 'Ah, look at this country bumpkin'!"
Ah, I see.
"Come to think of it... Kanna, was there a time when you lived in Tokyo?"
"Yeah."
"Then, if we follow Kanna, wouldn't Tokyo sightseeing be a breeze..."
Poke
"If you keep saying things like that... I'm going to cry."
That would be a problem.
"It'll be fine if we just wander around Shibuya. Other than that, maybe just the Landmark Tower in Tokyo."
Both were places Airi had said she wanted to go.
It's okay, I've also thoroughly researched a nearby monjayaki shop.
Just then, the teacher began speaking into the microphone.
"Ah—this is a special exception just for my class, but you may act freely during your free time! However, you must submit a report with content summarized by each group. You must return within the time limit. Above all, do not cause any trouble."
"That basically means 'do whatever you want as long as you don't get caught,' right?"
Airi whispered.
I think she's mostly correct.
"Now, make plans within your groups. Make sure you return together as a group."
Having said that, Mizuta-sensei sat down.
"So, what are we doing in the end?"
Kanna spoke to me.
"Toya-kun and I are together, and everyone else is together, right?"
"About that... it seems something happened on the plane... with Isshy and the others."
At Sashihara-san's words, four of us were left speechless.
"Then, wouldn't it be better to just let those two act on their own?"
"No, letting Isshy wander Tokyo with just the two of them is dangerous. Let's stick to the original plan. Though Sashihara-san and the others can act separately if they want?"
"No, for Emi-chan's sake..."
The three of them discussed it.
Watching the three of them, I spoke.
"Airi, maybe we should also..."
"If you say 'wouldn't it be better if we were together?' I'm really going to cry."
I feel like I'm being left out here...
(2)
A certain bus terminal in Tokyo.
I thought the same thing in Osaka, but where do all these people come from?
Apparently, it's also Airi's first time coming to Tokyo.
She is clinging tightly to my arm.
I'm being relied upon.
I push through the crowds, advancing while protecting Airi.
Let's see... the Yamanote Line and... thank goodness it's JR...
But which one—!?
"Toya-kun, which one should we take?"
"I want to take the Yamanote Line."
"Then, it's that way."
Airi looks at the bulletin board.
It was indeed written there. Outer loop, inner loop?
Which one!?
...Apparently, the outer loop is fine.
Found it.
After a while, the train arrives.
We board it.
I move Airi toward the door and board in a way that covers her.
It's probably better not to go deep inside.
Because it seems like it would be a struggle to get off.
We arrived at Shibuya Station.
Phew...
As we leave the station, Airi is searching for something.
Airi was the one who said it was embarrassing to be looking around, right?
"Found it, found it~"
Airi pulls my arm.
Ah, Hachiko.
Airi stands beside me and takes a photo.
After that, we stroll through Shibuya while visiting various shops.
Even so, the Tokyo sky is narrow.
Thinking such things, I was looking up at the sky.
I had taken my eyes off Airi.
An accident brought about by that moment of carelessness.
Airi was also excited by her first time in Tokyo.
While eating ice cream, she was walking along happily.
...We got lost.
"Hey? Toya-kun? Shall we go to the next place soon?"
She says with a smile, thinking I must be hungry too, right?
But, perhaps seeing my grim expression.
"What's wrong?"
"...We're lost."
"Hoe?"
"We got lost?"
"Eh? We have GPS, so it's okay."
Airi looks at her smartphone.
"Huh? Which way is which?"
Airi panics at the first trouble.
Get calm; we came up the slope, so we just have to go back down.
"Airi, this way..." Wait, what?
Airi disappeared!?
You've got to be kidding!? Don't move on your own...
I cursed myself for not holding her hand firmly.
"Toya-kun!!"
I look toward the voice.
A crowd has gathered in an open lot.
Airi was inside it.
"Toya-kun!!"
"Airi!"
What on earth happened!?
"Heh, so you were with your boyfriend?"
"No way, were you planning to go to a love hotel?"
The men with her are saying something.
I push the men aside and take Airi's hand.
"What are you doing..."
"Um..."
Apparently, she got lost and was looking around to see what to do.
Then she found an open lot where people were gathered.
I wonder if they're doing some kind of event?
Thinking that, when she asked people...
"Yeah, you're cute."
"Um, I'm lost..."
"Are you a student on a school trip or something?"
"Well, since you're here, you might as well enjoy yourself."
"Let go. Is there some kind of festival going on?"
"You'll see if you watch."
That's how she was approached, apparently.
"...And that's why you called me."
With frightened eyes, Airi nodded.
"I know the way now, so let's go back."
As I said that and tried to leave the open lot.
"Wait, since you're here, why not participate?"
"If you do, I'll guide you back."
"...What do I have to do?"
Good grief. I was told not to get involved in trouble.
"Can't you see that?"
Where the man pointed, there was a basketball hoop.
"This is a place where we play 3ON3. Right now, we're doing a dunk contest. To put it simply, the one who pulls off the flashiest dunk wins. Simple, right?"
"Don't call it simple! That guy over there is shorter than Nanase."
Jeers fly.
"...I get it. I just have to dunk, right?"
"Yeah, sure. What happens if you lose?"
"Do whatever you want. But don't lay a finger on Airi."
"I get it. ...Then, maybe I'll take the girl."
"Wait, Toya-kun!?"
Airi's arms are being gripped by two men.
"Can I prepare for a second?"
Saying so, I prompt them to hand over the ball.
"Are you seriously going to do this?"
A stir arises from the surroundings.
Ignoring them, I take a 3P shot.
It missed, just slightly above the hoop.
"Hahaha, don't try too hard to look cool."
"If it were a regulation hoop height, it would have gone in."
"Y-you..."
"Wait, Toya-kun!?"
Airi is half-teary-eyed.
"It's okay, I was just confirming the hoop height. I'd heard that streetball hoops are sometimes lower than official ones."
"Eh?"
"Now, shall we begin?"
Since it's slightly lower, it's not a problem even if the drop point is a bit slow.
The court seems narrow too.
That wasn't in the rules, but it's likely a matter of the location.
I check with my smartphone.
"Checking how to dunk on a smartphone?"
Jeers that sounded like they were laughing their heads off fly my way. I ask them to clear some space behind me.
Then, I start dribbling.
Thinking that if I don't do at least this much, it can't be called flashy.
I start running! And then...
"No way! That's the 3P line!?"
"Could it be...!?"
It was exactly that.
Jumping from the 3P line, at the peak of the jump, I twist my body two and a half times to face backward. And then, a both-hands reverse dunk!
Crash
Upon landing, I spoke to the man.
"Is this okay?"
"A-ah..."
The man seems unable to even speak from surprise.
"Toya-kun, that was amazing!"
Taking advantage of the moment the man let go of Airi's arm in astonishment, Airi clings to me.
Clap clap...
When a man who looked slightly older, wearing a hat, applauded, it spread to those around him and became a great ovation.
"You're good. Did you play basketball somewhere?"
The man approached and spoke to me.
"Just a little, during high school class matches."
"I see. How about it? Want to join a 3ON3?"
"I don't have time. More importantly, we had a promise, right? Tell us the way."
"Promise?"
"The promise that if Toya-kun made the dunk, you'd guide us! In exchange, if he lost, you'd take me..."
"You made a promise like that?"
The face of the man in the hat turns grim.
"I-it was just a little prank, Sakurada-san. So, where should we guide them?"
"Shibuya Station!"
"In that case, if you go down this slope, there's a guide board."
A girl with a somewhat good figure said with an exasperated face.
"Well, it's fine since I got to see something great, but I won't forgive such a stupid stunt next time."
The man is scolded by the girl.
"Y-yes, sorry."
"Well then, have some good memories!"
As the girl waved, we waved back and left the open lot.
"Toya-kun, you're amazing! I got excited too! I wouldn't mind being embraced right now!"
"It seems there are plenty of hotels."
"I-I'm joking."
I know.
"But, even taking into account that you showed me such an amazing dunk, I cannot forgive you for using me as a bet."
"Ugh, that just happened because of the flow of things..."
"Boo! I'm giving you a penalty!"
"...I'll treat you to crepes, ice cream, or whatever."
"I won't fall for such a cheap trick~"
"Then what should I do?"
Airi grips my arm tightly.
"Stop deciding that you're an inferior student. Whether it's soccer, basketball, or skiing. You're doing well in your studies too. Toya-kun, have confidence in that."
"That's the penalty?"
"It's a penalty. If you break it..."
"Don't say you'll break up with me if I break it, okay?"
"I won't~. That wouldn't be a penalty."
That's penalty enough.
"I'll have you say 'I love you' ten times on the spot!"
Is that beneficial for Airi? ...It probably is.
"I get it..."
"Yay~"
"...Keep it a secret from Kanna and the others, okay?"
"I'm telling them~ I've never seen a dunk like that before."
"Not that... the part about using Airi as a bet."
"I know~"
"It's a promise. If you tell them..."
"If I tell them?"
Airi had an anxious expression. I whisper in Airi's ear.
"Does that become a penalty game?"
Eh?
It does, right?
I intended to say it half-jokingly, but now I'm the one becoming anxious.
Airi says with blushing cheeks.
"Rie-chan said, 'Once you're 18, you're an adult, so just do whatever you like from then on~. Mama and the others will just be cheering you on~'..."
Are you serious, Airi's Mama.
"In other words, it's okay to say it once I'm 18~. Actually, maybe I'll just say it now~"
...At least wait until high school graduation...
(3)
Around the same time in Shibuya.
Me, Watanabe, the couple Isshy and Emi, and the couple Kiritani and Ai had come to Shibuya.
Two couples were taking photos in front of the Hachiko statue.
Me and Watanabe were watching them.
"You're thinking you're lonely right now, aren't you?"
Watanabe spoke first.
"Well, I'm always with Toya and Airi. I'm used to it. This kind of thing... more importantly, are you okay, Watanabe?"
"My situation is similar, so I cherish the time we spend together that much more."
"I see, we're the same. ...Hey, can I ask something personal?"
"'Why didn't you go to the same high school?' right?"
I nodded.
"Despite how I look, I was too serious, and her grades were bad. She goes to Sakuragaoka High."
"I see. Was there no option for Watanabe to go to a private school?"
"My family isn't that wealthy, and I have three younger brothers... plus, we have smartphones, right? So I didn't think deeply about it. Then, the timing just didn't work out unexpectedly."
"What about university?"
"I'll aim for it as much as I can. I'm probably the same as Otonashi-san."
Do as much as you can, and if it doesn't work, get a job...
"And your girlfriend?"
"She said she'd either aim for a vocational school or get a job."
"Want to see a photo?" Watanabe said, operating his smartphone.
When he showed me, I thought, I see, she's quite a wild one.
"With this, there's no way she's aiming for university, right? She has no intention of it herself."
I've seen a movie like that.
A movie featuring an actress Toya likes.
"Shall I show you mine too?"
"By all means."
I operate my smartphone and show it to Watanabe.
Watanabe lets out a sound of surprise.
"This is exactly what they mean by a beautiful couple."
"...Thank you. But Watanabe's girlfriend is also beautiful."
"Thank you, that's her only redeeming quality. I mean, I don't get any compliments, do I?"
"At least lose a bit more weight."
Saying that, we laughed.
"Hey~"
The double couple returned.
"Are the photos done already?"
"They're finished. Sorry for taking up your time. What were you talking about? It seemed like you were having quite a deep conversation."
Ai asked.
"Nothing, just talking about how we're struggling compared to you guys."
"Eh, I'm struggling too, you know? This is my first time doing this... I don't know what to do, so I'm just imitating Ai-chan and the others."
When Emi said that, I looked at Isshy and laughed.
"Isshy, you're no good. You've gotta lead her properly."
"I-I'm also a first-timer, so I don't know what to do. But it's certainly fun."
"I see, that's good."
"Well then, I'll have to make sure she enjoys herself tonight too."
Watanabe said with a laugh.
"W-Watanabe-kun, I'm not such a loose woman!"
"M-my heart isn't prepared either..."
What's with Isshy, saying things like a girl.
"You just don't get it. Everyone's like that on the first night. Just be happy that you can spend the night together."
Watanabe puts Isshy in a rear-naked choke and rubs his head.
Just being happy to spend the night together, huh.
Then those two must be at the peak of happiness.
"Hey? Aren't you a little hungry?"
"If fast food is okay, I know a good place. ...Assuming it's the same as it was about four years ago."
"Then let's go there! I wonder if they have crepes?"
"I'm pretty sure they did. I used to stop by on the way home from school."
"Eh? Kanna-chan, did you live in Tokyo?"
Emi is surprised.
"Only for about three years."
I don't really want to remember it.
I don't want to meet any acquaintances either.
But when I think that, that's exactly how these stories go.
Suddenly bumping into someone.
"K-Kanna, watch out, in front!"
Eh...!
Thump
I bumped into someone.
"Hey~ look where you're walking, that was dangerous."
"S-sorry. I was thinking for a moment... wait, Yukari?"
"Eh... Kanna? No way!? Why are you in Tokyo!?"
It really is a common occurrence in these kinds of stories.
Of all people, I've met the person I wanted to meet the least.
(4)
A fast food restaurant.
Each of us has ordered drinks or food and is eating or drinking.
It's a large group of eight people in total, including two uninvited guests.
When silence continues with eight people, it becomes suffocating.
"Otonashi-san, who are these people?"
Eita asked.
"Shimotsuki Yukari... we were friends until the first year of middle school."
Her hair is dyed pink and tied in a side ponytail as if to be the opposite of me.
The other one... was a girl with blonde hair and a slight perm. A face I don't know.
"This is Kayo. A friend I made after starting high school."
The girl called Kayo bows her head.
"Um, this is the Kanna I've been talking about. She said she went back to her parents' home in the second year of middle school."
"Ah, I've heard the stories. But the image is completely different."
"That's right, what happened? Suddenly acting all serious."
"Between studying and working part-time, the effort of redyeing my hair became a hassle, so I haven't dyed it."
"Studying!? That Kanna!? ...I can't believe it."
I suppose so; back then, I was doing my best just to fit in with those around me.
"So, are all the people over there your friends?"
"We just happened to be in the same group. We're here on a school trip."
" 'Happened to be' is so cruel. I thought you were friends..."
"Eita, shut up!"
Ai stopped him.
"Is that so? Have you been alone all this time?"
"I have friends. They're acting separately right now."
"No way, a guy?"
"...One of them is a guy."
"No way... Kanna, who was always so devoted, has a guy."
"The guy in that sense is currently in my hometown. He's at a different high school."
"I see, so you have a boyfriend... thank goodness."
I suppose so; she must have been tormented by guilt all this time. On my end, various things happened, so I wasn't in a position to worry about that.
"Tokyo sightseeing, huh? Shall we guide you? A rare shop has opened."
"No thank you, we've already decided where to go."
"Otonashi-san, we'll go around on our own, so please catch up on old stories with your friend."
Watanabe probably intended to be considerate, but...
"Unfortunately, we're not on those terms. Well then, shall we go, Watanabe?"
"A-ah..."
Watanabe seems to have noticed.
"Wait a minute, Kanna, was it? Don't act like a tragic heroine all by yourself. Yukari and Aya went through a lot too!"
Aya... I reacted excessively to that name.
"To think you'd talk about Aya in front of me, I wonder what you've been told! This girl kept deceiving me for the sake of her own sense of superiority."
"That's why I'm saying you're acting like a tragic heroine! What do you think Yukari felt while watching the relationship between you and Aya!?"
This woman is seriously irritating!
As I raised my hand, Watanabe grabbed it.
"Let go, Watanabe!"
"I don't know what happened, but if it becomes a physical altercation, it'll cause trouble for everyone in the group. Stop it."
If I'd known this would happen, I should have let them go ahead.
"Calm down, Otonashi-san, this isn't like you."
"What do you know about me, you who were only in the same class for a mere two years."
"What are you so afraid of? What are you frightened of?"
Watanabe spoke matter-of-factly.
I shook off Watanabe's hand.
"Let's go... we'll be late."
Saying so, I tried to leave the shop.
"Wait, Kanna. This is my smartphone's..."
I ignored her and left the shop.
I only found out later that night that Watanabe had accepted it.