Albatross Sky_Season 2 ~Self-Defense Force Love Story~ [Part 1] Love is an action. We were born with the power to love. Even so, we have to train it like a muscle. ③

If you haven't read Season 1, please read it from here first ↓

[Part 1] Love is an action. We were born with the power to love. Even so, we have to train it like a muscle. British actress Audrey Hepburn ③

"Ah, Misuzu, that's it."

Toshio, who had been deep in thought, slapped his knee as if he had just had an idea.

"Huh?"
"Listen. You're not quite as cute as Yuhi, but you're still cute. You established yourself as an idol-like figure back in Komatsu, and now here in Atsugi, too."
"Is that so?"
"That's right. And on the other hand, Wataru is an otaku type, and he's probably a virgin, so he doesn't have any confidence in himself. That's why he thinks you're a girl who's out of his league."
"That's not true... Petty Officer Sakamoto is really cool! Like how he fixes things in a flash based on feedback from his brother, or how he instantly notices things I didn't even catch."

I see. I understood that those were the things that struck a chord with Misuzu. It was a perspective only another aircraft mechanic could have. Come to think of it, my own start with Toshio was being captivated by his overwhelming skill as a pilot.

"Yeah, he's the best mechanic, after all. But unfortunately, he doesn't realize it himself. He doesn't see his own worth."
"No way."

As Misuzu looked at him pleadingly, he nodded.

"Plus, you've always got confident, handsome shark-bastards hanging around you, keeping each other in check. That's a total 'surrender' mode for Wataru."

Yuhi nodded along, too. Even she knew that if Toshio hadn't made the first move, she never would have approached him herself. For someone super shy, it's a fact that outgoing people like Toshio and Misuzu seem like inhabitants of another world.

"...What should I do?"
"You just need to lower the wall for him. Make him think, 'Wait, do I actually have a chance?'"
"...But Petty Officer Sakamoto doesn't even really make eye contact with me most of the time."
"That's actually proof that he's self-conscious. He doesn't want to make eye contact and have you think he's creepy."
"That's not true, he's not creepy at all..."

Misuzu looked uncharacteristically down. As Yuhi squeezed their joined hands in prayer, Toshio let out a sigh.

"Can't be helped, I guess we'll have to borrow the power of alcohol. There's a unit drinking party next Friday, right?"
"But it'll be hard to sit next to Petty Officer Sakamoto..."
"Hey, hey, you've got your reliable brother and sister here, don't you? Right, Yuhi?"
"M-me!?"
"Yep. When the party starts, Yuhi will sit next to Misuzu, and I'll sit next to Wataru. That way, no one will suspect anything. Then, halfway through, Misuzu and I will swap seats. See? Perfect, right?"
"That's true."
"I'll make sure to get Wataru fired up. And once you swap seats, you use the alcohol as a weapon to break into his personal space all at once. After that, just get him drunk, take him to a hotel, and create a 'fait accompli.' If you don't go that far, an otaku virgin won't get the message."
"W-wait a minute. Surely doing it without consent is a bad idea, right?"

Yuhi was intimidated by Toshio's aggressive plan.

"Of course. So, when he wakes up in the morning, he finds a half-naked idol sleeping next to him, and that's the end of the situation. It's a classic strategy, but can you go that far?"

Misuzu thought about it for a while, but eventually, she lifted her head as if she had made up her mind.

"I understand, I'll try it!"
"Wait? Misuzu-chan, don't do it. If something happens..."
"No, Sana-san gave me the guts to do this. Yuhi-san, please help me out. I'm going to put an end to this two-year unrequited love, even if it's a long shot!"
"Good. That's my little sister figure."

Toshio and Misuzu clinked their glasses together. It was nothing but anxiety for Yuhi, but seeing Misuzu's positive attitude, she thought, 'Well, okay,' and downed her highball.

　　　　　　　　　　　＊

"Toshio is amazing."

After dropping off Misuzu, who lived in the barracks, in front of the base quarters, Yuhi waved back at her from the passenger seat and muttered deeply.

“Hmm? Are you saying, ‘How can you talk so drunkenly without even having any alcohol?’”
As he slowly started the car, he joked.

“Geez, that’s not it. Well, I guess it’s not entirely wrong.”
She giggled, let out a sigh, rested her elbow on the window frame, and leaned her cheek on her hand.

“You made both Sana-chan and Misuzu-chan look forward so quickly. I couldn’t even stop Sana-chan from crying, and for the past two years, I was so wrapped up in my own problems that I didn’t notice anything about Misuzu-chan.”
“No, that was a good call on your part, too. Calling me.”

“Huh?” She turned back to Toshio.

“When it’s just women, you inevitably end up taking Sana’s side and just badmouthing her boyfriend. But it didn’t seem like Sana wanted to break up. I felt that, so you called me, the guy, right? You were able to understand Sana’s feelings perfectly.”

His words scooped up her sinking spirits at the perfect moment. She really couldn’t beat him.

“Before, I think I would have easily said, ‘Just break up with a guy like that.’ But after meeting Toshio, I think I’ve become able to see things from two sides, at least a little.”
“Yeah. Love is a two-way street between a man and a woman. I just added the male perspective that’s hard for girls to see as advice. The same goes for the Wataru situation.”

Yuhi nodded firmly and sank into her seat.

“Love is... really difficult. Flying a plane is much easier.”
“Is love with me difficult?”

Oh, shoot. She had phrased that wrong.

“That’s not it! Don’t misunderstand! Toshio, you always treat me in a way that’s very easy to understand!”

She leaned over toward him in a panic to correct herself.

“It’s okay, I know what you mean. People don’t move the way control sticks do, after all.”

Relieved by his words, she looked out the window again.

“But... I’m always just receiving from Toshio. I wonder if this is really okay.”
“What are you talking about? I’m the one who receives so much. Since I met you, Yuhi, my world has been filled with color.”

His profile as he drove the car was gentle. She thought that in this atmosphere, she might be able to say it now.

“Ah... um, Toshio!”
“Hmm?”
“I, I, you know!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah, well... um... you know.”
“Oh... I get it! Can you hold it? I’ll drop you off in front of your apartment, so go back to your room first.”
“Oh... yeah.”

The perceptive Toshio, sensing Yuhi’s strange behavior, seemed to have mistaken it for needing the restroom.

When she got out of the car as he urged her in front of her apartment, she sighed while watching the taillights. She had missed her chance, but she felt relieved somewhere inside.

Come to think of it, for the year and a half since they met, she was the one who had always been making him worry. It was too convenient of her to try to rush him into marriage only half a year or so after they started dating.

What on earth was I so anxious about? For the past month or so, events that deepened our bond, such as meeting each other's parents and Toshio's crash accident, had occurred, and I had mistakenly let myself get carried away.

“Huh? Yuhi, didn't you go back to your room?”

He had parked his car in the back lot and returned, only to find Yuhi standing in front of the apartment. When he saw her, he looked surprised and rushed over, and Yuhi couldn't help but throw herself into his arms.

“Y-Yuhi? What's wrong? Why are you crying?”

Flustered by her behavior, he looked at her with a worried expression.

“...I don't want you to leave.”
“Huh?”
“I was left behind by Toshio... I felt lonely.”
“Oh... I-I'm sorry! I thought, you know...”

As he held her tightly, Yuhi sniffled.

“No... I love you.”
“...Man, this is dangerous. I'm too happy...”

He was facing her so sincerely. There was no need to be anxious at all. He was always doing his best to make her happy.

And without a doubt, she was the happiest she had ever been in her life.

That was exactly why she wanted to respond to his feelings with all her might. She wanted to be the one to make him, the person she loved so much, happy—no one else. As she vowed this in her heart, she felt the lump in her throat melt away.

Yuhi broke the hug and looked up at him with teary eyes.

“Tonight, I'm going to make you even happier, Toshio.”

He stared at her with a surprised expression.

“S-seriously?”

Yuhi nodded firmly and gently pulled his hand.

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Albatross Sky_Season 2 ~JSDF Love Story~ [Part 1] Love is an action. We were born with the power to love. Even so, we have to train it like a muscle. (1) | Kyo