Chapter 95 - Sharing Worlds
(1)
Tapping, tapping, tapping... simmering.
Airi is preparing breakfast.
The faint scent of miso soup drifts through the air.
Is Airi a fan of Japanese food?
I quietly approach Airi and hug her from behind.
"Kya!"
Airi lets out a small scream and turns around in surprise.
"Geez, good morning, Da~rling♡"
"Good morning, Airi."
"You can't be like this from the morning~"
"Why not? Today is Christmas Eve."
"...You said Eve starts from the night~"
"We can flirt even if it's not Eve, right?"
"I'm happy about that, but..."
"But?"
"I'll be upset if you don't wake up already~"
Airi smiles brightly and puts a kitchen knife in my hand... eh?
I'm awake, aren't I...?
"Stop being half-asleep already!!"
I woke up as Kanna smacked me on the head.
"Ah, looks like he's awake."
Apparently, I was dreaming.
When I realized it, I was hugging Airi from behind.
Airi and Kanna had already started studying together.
"What kind of dream were you having?"
Airi asked me with a smile.
"...A dream where Airi stabbed my hand with a kitchen knife."
"What was that about?"
Airi looks at my face suspiciously.
Ah, I wanted to gloss over it vaguely, but...
I started talking about the dream.
"Hmm, so that's Toya-kun's dream!"
I knew she'd say that.
"How happy for you, right from the morning."
You're actually doing it, aren't you, Kanna?
"Toya-kun is a 'Darling' type! I get it!!"
Well, I think "Toya-kun" is questionable even after we become adults.
I don't think "Darling" is an option...
"...Anyway, I'm going to eat."
When I returned after eating and washing my face, the two of them had resumed studying.
Looking closely, Airi has an unusually large amount of luggage.
Ah, so that's how it is.
Right. Today is Christmas Eve.
Her outfit is also quite spirited.
Ah, come to think of it, did we make a promise?
"Hey, Toya."
I've properly planned things for today.
It would be boring if it were the same as always, so I did some research.
Illuminations are nice, but once in a while... you know.
It's a bit far.
But since we're staying over, it's the same no matter what time we get back.
"This is how you do it at times like this..."
Ah, did I enter again?
Will Airi end up crying?
Maybe I should just come out already.
"Hmm, hmm... I see, you were thinking about tonight. I'm happy."
Eh?
A warm sensation made my heart leap and pulled me back to reality.
Airi has her arms wrapped around my waist, her face buried in my chest, and her eyes closed.
"What are you doing?"
Airi looked up at me and spoke.
"I thought if I listened to Toya-kun's heart, I might be able to enter the same world as Toya-kun."
Ah, so that's the method she was using.
Airi is thinking about various things in her own way.
I'm just glad she's not heading in a painful direction.
But if she can read my heart with that method, couldn't she enter without even listening to my heartbeat?
In a sense, that's painful.
"I don't understand your world..."
Kanna is exasperated.
"Look! Toya-kun, our world!! I wonder if I was able to enter the same world too!?"
In a sense, you did enter.
(2)
When noon came, Kanna went home, saying "I have my part-time job."
After that, I changed clothes.
"Ah, you remembered our promise!"
Of course I remember.
A white long-length T-shirt with a red crewneck knit, and black skinny pants for bottoms. A navy chester coat is also ready.
Everything was chosen by Airi.
I also have the black postman shoes ready, which she bought for me.
Wrapping a black snood around my neck and putting on the coat, I say "Shall we go" to Airi.
A midi-length flare skirt and a white high-neck top. She is wearing a black hat and a coat.
The way she coordinates the colors gives off a mature feel.
Since we aren't going by bicycle today, it seems she wore pumps.
We take a bus to the station and from there, a train to Beppu Station.
The train was already crowded.
And here I thought we left early.
A level of crowding rarely seen around here.
Well, compared to what I experienced in Tokyo, it's nothing much.
I let Airi take a seat and I stand in front of her.
One hand holds the strap, and the other holds Airi's hand.
It's three stations to Beppu Station.
A short amount of time.
I kept a seat near the exit.
When we arrive at the station, I stand by Airi's side while holding her hand, protecting her from the crowds.
Up until then, it was fine.
The miscalculation was dinner.
"I'm sorry, we are currently full with reservations..."
"It's very crowded right now, so there's a one-hour wait..."
Damn, I didn't make a reservation.
I thought it would be fine without one since there are plenty of eateries.
Underestimating the situation was my mistake.
Surely, if I took her to a ramen shop on Christmas, she'd be angry.
That said, I don't think making her wait for an hour is right either.
I'm the type who can't be smart in times like this.
I walk around while desperately searching for a restaurant on my smartphone.
"Hey, Toya-kun... shall we rest a bit?"
With one word from Airi, I realize her feet seem to be hurting.
We sit on a bench on the main street to rest.
Bad things tend to chain together.
When you try to fill one hole, another hole opens up somewhere else.
Including the time spent resting, we no longer have time even to wait for a seat.
In the end...
I prioritized securing a spot to watch the fireworks.
We buy food at a fast-food restaurant and eat while holding the spot.
Pathetic.
I shouldn't have tried doing something I'm not used to.
I regret it.
"Are you thinking that you shouldn't have done this?"
Airi hugs my shoulder.
When I look at Airi, she is smiling brightly.
"I was right~. Lately, I've started to understand Toya-kun's world~"
I'm not happy about you finding that out...
"Don't think things like that; the fact that I've become able to share a world with Toya-kun—the fact that I'm the only one—is what's important."
"I'm sorry... it wasn't supposed to be like this..."
"The fireworks are about to start, you know?"
The launch fireworks begin to go up.
Fireworks bloom suddenly in the night.
They bloom in the night and quietly vanish.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah..."
"Make sure you look properly. At the fireworks."
"Yeah."
Before the fireworks end, people start walking away in droves.
Probably to avoid the congestion.
It has nothing to do with us.
We watched until the end.
When it finished, I took the hand of Airi as she stood up.
"Are your feet okay?"
"I'm okay."
Airi, who is infinitely bright in contrast to me.
Is she trying to be considerate of me?
On the way back to the station.
"It was beautiful~"
"Yeah."
"Illuminations are great, but fireworks are nice too~"
"They are."
"Let's come again next year!"
"I guess so."
"...Toya-kun!"
Airi stopped.
Has she finally gotten angry?
"What is it?"
Airi crosses both hands to make an X sign.
"You promised, right!? That you wouldn't be self-deprecating!"
"Ah... sorry."
"A 'sorry' won't be forgiven~. Do you remember the promise?"
"I remember."
But I'm not in the mood.
"Say it even if you're not in the mood! Because it's a promise!"
Airi's intuition seems to be very sharp.
"I'm happy that I was able to get closer to Toya-kun's feelings today, but I'm not happy to share feelings like this. I was happy, the fireworks date. It's fine even if we couldn't enjoy dinner. Do you understand what I want to say? I'm always by Toya-kun's side. I'm still thinking of you even now. It's the result of Toya-kun continuing to think of me too, right? That makes me happy! So..."
So?
"You don't have to worry."
Airi says this and smiles.
"I get it. ...I love you."
"Yes."
"I love you..."
After I finished saying it ten times, Airi clung to me.
"Very good! Now, shall we go home?"
Saying so, Airi starts walking.
(3)
On the way home, I bought only some sparkling cider.
Because Airi said, "Cake is fine!"
And in front of my house
"I have something to prepare!"
She said, and returned to her own house.
"Welcome home~ Oh? Alone?"
Mother said.
"Airi seems to have some business."
"You're terribly depressed, did something happen?"
"No, I just realized you shouldn't do things you're not used to..."
"Did something happen with Airi-chan?"
"No, not really..."
"I see, as long as that's the case..."
Ding-dong.
"Oh? I wonder if it's Airi-chan?"
Mother goes to the entrance.
"Good evening~"
"Welcome, Airi-chan. Did something happen? Toya seems terribly depressed."
"He'll probably be fine. I'll take care of it."
Saying that, Airi brought a large box to me in the dining room.
She placed it on the table and opened the box.
"Ta-da!!"
It was a cake.
"It's my homemade cake~!"
It looks delicious.
"Let's eat it right away!"
Airi's desire to encourage me is painful.
Still, I have to eat the cake.
Ah, it's quite delicious.
"How is it?"
"It's delicious."
"I'm glad~♪"
Airi is happy.
"Oh? It really is delicious, isn't it, Father?"
"Yeah, as expected of Airi-chan."
My parents are also surprised.
"This is the first time I've made one this professional. I was so nervous~"
Airi said.
Just as we finished eating the cake, as I tried to return to my room, Mother said, "Go take a bath."
"I understand."
"Then, I'll take one too~"
What is this girl saying.
There's no way Mother would allow that.
"I'm sorry, our bath is narrow."
There's something about that reason that's open to questioning, but for now, she was rejected.
However, Airi continued regardless.
"We'll go in alternately, so it's fine~"
No, that's not the issue here.
"Well, it's late, so just go in together."
No, that's not allowed!
"What are you panicking for, you've gone in once before, right?"
Even Father...
"I'll wash your back for you."
In the end, we were in together.
I had my back washed.
At that moment, breasts that had grown slightly larger pressed against my back.
"It seems you were depressed again."
"I'm still depressed."
"Then, it's a penalty game!"
Was it not just once?
"I don't remember deciding on a number of times, you know?"
Tell me, how many more times do I have to shout my love?
"I get it. I love you..."
"Buzz!! There's no emotion in it!"
Hasn't the condition increased since before?
"I love you..."
While saying it, she really started to seem precious.
"...Did your mood clear up?"
Ah! ...
"I love you too~"
Airi, this is the bathroom. The voice echoes, if you shout that loud...
"...How lovey-dovey."
Mother's one word stabs deep.
"Yes."
In the room, I gave Airi her present.
Then Airi also took a box out of her bag and gave it to me.
"From me too."
We opened the boxes simultaneously.
They were the same thing. Gloves.
The two of us laughed, saying "This year too, huh."
"...You finally laughed."
Airi says.
"I guess so..."
"That's all that matters. Toya-kun's smile fills me up. There's no feast greater than that."
"Yeah... sorry."
"That's not it, right?"
My eyes meet Airi's.
Ah, it seems I've entered the world.
A state where the time around us seems to have stopped.
The difference is that Airi is here.
"I love you."
It looked as if Airi's eyes were pleading that.
"I love you."
I plead that too.
And just as the silhouettes of the two were about to overlap.
Ring-ring
The sound of the smartphone pulled me back to reality all at once.
Who is it at this hour.
Looking at the smartphone, it was from Kanna.
"Merry Christmas. Meet in front of the station tomorrow at 10 by Watanabe"
Again, on her own...
I show the smartphone screen to Airi, who was next to me.
Airi also had a troubled face, but...
"Well, we can get along tonight, so it's fine!"
Airi says.
"Now then. Well, I can't stay up too late..."
Airi suddenly starts taking off her clothes.
At least dim the room lights before doing that.
When I switch the lighting, Airi says with a laugh, "Even though you saw everything just now."
As a man, I wonder about her having absolutely no bashfulness.
While thinking that, just as I try to take off my clothes too.
"Toya-kun can't! Quickly, into the bed!"
"?
I don't really understand, but I get into the bed.
Airi comes in after me.
"I've always wanted to try this once."
Saying so, she starts taking off my clothes.
"￠￡％＃＆□△◆■!?"
Airi kisses my erogenous zone with all her might.
"As I thought, this was the vital point~"
It's troubling because Airi's face is cute every single time she says things like that.
"You heard it from Kanna, didn't you? That boys are weak here!"
She's planning to share that information with Kanna again, isn't she. Yeah.
I don't really mind, though.
"Toya-kun... thank you."
I don't know what I'm being thanked for, but for now, I answered "Yeah."
I can't properly convey the feelings I want to tell her.
"I miss the casual moments now..."
Airi lets a word slip.
"Don't worry, this feeling won't change, you know what I want to say. I'm waiting for you."
Airi understands my feelings.
So that I can understand Airi's feelings too...
Tap
Airi nudged me.
"You understood, right? We were in the same world just now."
Ah...
I wonder if we can enter that world anytime as long as we think of each other.
"For now... put your feelings into this."
That's right...
The nightly activities still remained.