Episode 219: The Start of a New Life

The Satsukawa household was in a total uproar over Sara-san’s cohabitation declaration (?), with Masaomi-san leading a desperate resistance.

「L-look, Sara. If that’s the case, why don’t we at least have Takanashi-kun move into this house so we can all live together?」

「That would be a burden on Kazunari-san. Also, if I show even a moment of weakness, Mother will likely plot something unnecessary, so I refuse.」

「Sara-chan, that’s so mean… I just wanted to dote on my future son as his mother-in-law…」

Whether she was actually shocked or just acting, Mayumi-san looked down for a moment… but I caught a glimpse of her mouth twitching into a smile, so she was definitely acting.

Still, while it’s only natural for Masaomi-san to put up a fight, things aren’t going to get anywhere at this rate.

「Enough already! I told you, holding Kazunari-san, giving him ‘good boy’ treatment, and doting on him, all of that belongs to me and me alone! Mother, please just go be lovey-dovey with Father.」

「S-S-S-Sara!?」

Ah, she just added even more fuel to Masaomi-san’s fire…

I really need to step up and have a man-to-man talk with him.

Masaomi-san had mentioned he wanted to talk to me too.

Sensing my gaze, Masaomi-san seemed to get the message. His expression shifted back to a serious one and he gave a nod.

「Sara-chan, I’ll help you out, so let’s get you packed now. You’ve got a lot to take with you, right?」

Mayumi-san also picked up on the silent exchange between me and Masaomi-san. She skillfully guided Sara-san away with a topic she knew Sara wouldn’t refuse.

「Sara-san, I’ll be waiting, so go ahead and get ready. We’re… living together, right?」

「Yes!! Then I’ll go prepare, please wait for me!」

When I followed up with that, Sara-san beamed with a happy smile and headed back to her room with her spirits high. Finding the whole thing amusing, Mayumi-san let out a little giggle and followed after her.

…Now the stage was set for me to talk to Masaomi-san alone. I had to finish the talk before Sara-san came back, so there wasn’t much time to spare.

I decided not to wait for Masaomi-san to speak and prioritized what I needed to tell him.

「Masaomi-san, I’ll never betray your trust. I’ve kept that promise until now, and I swear I’ll keep it for the rest of my life. So please, believe in me. I’ll work as hard as I can, so please let Sara-san do what she wants… I’m begging you!!」

Without looking away, I delivered my resolve straight to him and gave a deep bow. Words alone aren’t enough to make someone believe you, so I’ll just have to prove it through my actions. That’s why I wanted his permission, even if it was just a trial run.

「Listen, Masaomi-san. Kazunari-kun has always treasured Sara-chan. He kept his promise to me, and he’s been looking after Sara-chan the whole time she was away from home these past few days.」

Mayumi-san, who was supposed to be helping Sara-san, had slipped back into the room. I panicked for a second, but it looked like Sara-san wasn’t with her.

Mayumi-san seemed determined to help me persuade him, showing an unusually serious side. Masaomi-san listened to both of us intently and didn’t try to shut us down.

「…I see. Honestly, I’m probably the one who should be saying thank you. Besides, even if I refused here, Sara would just end up going to you anyway. Looking at her now, that’s clear as day. If that’s the case, I’ve got no choice but to leave Sara to you, Takanashi-kun… Alright, I’ll believe in you. If that’s how it’s been until now, then I want you to keep it that way. You’re both still students. So, until marriage—」

「Masaomi-san, you talk too much. Kazunari-kun, we’re good, right?」

「Yes, thank you!!」

I made my declaration with strength one more time, and Masaomi-san finally seemed satisfied, giving a nod with a smile. Thank goodness, with this…

「Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve prepared the essentials for now. I’ll just come back whenever I need something I missed.」

Sara-san returned right on cue, carrying a large bag.

It looked heavy, so I practically snatched it from her despite her protests.

「…Thank you. Well then, Kazunari-san, shall we head home?」

「Yeah, looking at the time, we should probably get going.」

I checked the time on my phone; it was already nearly 8:00 PM. Even if it’s Sara-san’s family home, we’d stayed far too late.

Seeing us getting ready to leave, Masaomi-san called out to Sara-san.

「Sara, I won’t oppose you anymore. I’ve decided to watch over you both. But please, come back at least once a week. Let us see that you’re doing well.」

Since Masaomi-san had conceded this much, there was no way I could refuse. I’d planned to persuade Sara-san myself if she’d looked like she was going to say no.

「…Kazunari-san, what should we do?」

As expected, Sara-san didn’t turn him down immediately. The fact that she asked me meant she was leaving the final decision to me.

「Masaomi-san, we’ll pick a day and make sure to come back once a week. Would it be okay if I came along too?」

「Of course. You’re going to be our son in the future. That makes this house your family home too. So don’t hold back; come over whenever you want.」

Masaomi-san looked happy as he accepted my suggestion.

For the sake of the Masaomi-san who put his trust in me, I want to help him and Sara-san close the distance between them just a little more.

Besides, I actually enjoy being around this family.

「That’s right. If you hold back, Mother-in-law won’t forgive you, okay?」

「Ahaha… I’ll do my best, Mother-in-law.」

Since I’d been in their care all day, I decided to meet her expectations as a bit of a thank-you. It turned out to be way more effective than I’d imagined.

Mayumi-san’s body actually trembled with emotion before she launched herself at me… but Sara-san stepped in between us, so she was the one who ended up receiving her mother’s passionate embrace.

「I absolutely won’t let you!」

「Oh, honestly, Sara-chan. Your Mother just wanted to give her cute son a hug.」

「Hahaha, tough luck, Mayumi.」

「Don’t laugh, Masaomi-san… Kazunari-kun, I’ll get you next time, okay?」

I think the Satsukawa family is really wonderful.

And thinking that I’ll eventually be a member of this family made me feel genuinely excited for that day.

「Thank you so much. Good night then.」

「Good night.」

Because of Sara-san’s luggage, Masaomi-san drove us home. As we got out of the car in front of the apartment, I gave my farewell through the open passenger window.

「Takanashi-kun, I’m counting on you to look after Sara. And, sorry to repeat myself, but please…」

「It’s okay. Trust me.」

「?」

It’s only natural for Masaomi-san to be worried. I think that’s unavoidable, so I’ll just show him through my actions until he can truly believe in me.

Sara-san just tilted her head in confusion as she watched our exchange…

…………

While Sara-san was organizing her things, I decided to fold up the sofa bed.

I actually wanted Sara-san to use it, but she wouldn’t budge on her stance that she couldn’t forgive herself for using it while I was left out.

And since we always ended up laying out futons and sleeping side-by-side anyway, I just figured it would be in the way from now on.

Sara-san seemed to grasp the meaning of me putting the bed away as she watched.

「It still feels like I’m in a dream… are we really living together starting today…?」

「We are.」

「……And I’m going to be your wife in the future, right?」

「…R-right.」

It’s embarrassing being asked that face-to-face…

But by hearing it directly from me, Sara-san seemed to finally feel that this was reality and not a dream.

She slowly stepped closer and wrapped her arms around my head like she always does, pulling me into her chest.

「We’ll be together forever now… I’m so happy, I feel like I might lose my mind…」

She murmured that with deep emotion, lovingly stroking my head as she held me. I relaxed and let myself be pampered.

「Kazunari-san, promise me you won’t hold back from now on, okay? If there’s anything I’m lacking in, please tell me immediately. It’s all for the sake of our future.」

I think not holding back at all is impossible, but maybe asking for things within a common-sense range is okay.

And… letting her pamper me… no, that’s just because Sara-san enjoys it too, not because I’m some kind of spoiled brat.

「Then, don’t hold back either, Sara-san. We’re living together now, so it shouldn’t just be one-sided.」

「……Is that alright?」

「Of course. Though the most I can do is probably just help out a bit. But if you’re telling me not to hold back, then you have to do the same, okay?」

The way she asked back made it clear she hadn’t intended to let herself be pampered at all. I’m glad I told her straight…

「I’ll handle the housework, so I actually have no intention of letting you help. Since this is what I want, please leave everything to me.」

I knew she had strong feelings about housework, so I’d expected that refusal. If anything, I hoped she’d have other requests.

「However… um, may I take you up on that offer?」

「Of course!」

Sara-san rarely asks for anything, so I want to hear it before she changes her mind. If I hear it now, even if she tries to hold back later, I can just use the「you already asked」card and force the issue.

「Buying the groceries for our meals… um, together…」

The request Sara-san hesitantly voiced was something incredibly small and cute.

「Got it, we’ll go shopping together from now on. Anything else?」

That’s something I’d want to do even without being asked. Is there anything else?

「…Pamper yourself with me every day. Let me hold you like this. And at night, in the same futon…」

「U-um, okay, I get it.」

I-if it’s Sara-san’s request, then that much… Every day is going to be a trial for me, but hang in there, me.

「And sometimes… may I be the one to be pampered?」

「!? B-by all means!!」

Unused to making requests, Sara-san voiced her hopes one by one while looking embarrassed the whole time.

Every single one was a cute request, and I felt myself getting embarrassed just listening to them.

Chu……

Just as I thought she was pulling away, I suddenly felt a soft, warm sensation on my cheek.

「I’ll do my best.」

「I’ll do my best too!」

「Thank you! I love you… Dear…」

I want to watch Sara-san smile happily like this forever. For that, I can work through anything.

And so… our new life began.