Episode 223: Sara-san’s Popularity Is…

「See you later~」

「Good work~」

「Be happy~」

The Student Council members were in a total uproar before we split up at the station. We headed into the shopping district to buy things for dinner. Normally, I’d just settle for a convenience store or a supermarket, but Sara-san is picky about ingredients, so she sometimes shops at specialty stores. I heard she’s been coming here with Mayumi-san since she was little, so she shops at all sorts of places I don’t know.

By the way, the person in question, Sara-san, linked her arm with mine the moment we left the Student Council members. Right now, she’s clinging tightly to my left arm, looking quite cheerful.

「There are a few ingredients we’re missing, so please let me stop by the butcher and the greengrocer.」

「Got it. Is the butcher the same one we went to before?」

「Yes. I’m glad you remembered.」

「Well, that lady said all that stuff about her son. It left a bad taste in my mouth.」

I still remember that clearly. A shop lady trying to set up her son with a customer; it’s like a textbook cliche.

If I hadn’t shown my face back then, who knows if they would’ve actually introduced them without me knowing. Just thinking about it makes me feel a bit annoyed.

Of course, I know Sara-san would turn them down.

「…Um, Kazunari-san. If such a bothersome topic comes up again, would it be alright if I clearly stated that I have someone I’ve pledged my future to? I think it would allow me to refuse more firmly.」

「Ugh… y-yes. I’d be happy if you did that…」

Sara-san said she’s「pledged her future」without any hesitation or embarrassment. That just made me feel even more bashful. Sara-san is the type who can be really dignified about these things, but I’m still not used to it.

「Fufu… is something wrong, Dear?」

!?

Noticing my embarrassment, Sara-san called me「Dear」with a bit of a mischievous look. That name makes me feel weirdly restless, or rather, I don’t know how to describe the feeling. Am I happy, embarrassed, shy, or something else entirely…

I’ve been thinking lately that Sara-san’s little devilish side and the way she dotes on me might actually be influenced by Mayumi-san.

I secretly suspect my guess isn’t far from the truth…

「Welcome, Sara-chan. Is your boyfriend with you today?」

The first voice we heard when we entered the shop was a greeting that clearly came from a regular spot.

I’ll probably be showing my face here more often from now on, so I should introduce myself properly so I don’t embarrass Sara-san.

「Hello. I’ll be coming with her from now on, so nice to meet you.」

「Yes, hello. You two are as close as ever. But what’s with the sudden change?」

「I’ve been leaving the shopping entirely to her until now, so I thought I’d help out with the bags or whatever else I can do.」

I obviously wasn’t going to say it was because Sara-san begged me… so I just gave a normal answer. It was actually what I was thinking, so it wasn’t a lie.

「Oh my, isn’t that nice, Sara-chan. He might become a good husband in the future.」

「Fufu… I’ve always believed that.」

「Ahaha, Sara-chan, you’ve certainly learned to speak up. I’ve watched you grow up, so I can really see the change.」

I could tell she was very used to brushing off the shop lady’s… I mean, the older sister’s jokes. Seeing her like this, Sara-san’s maturity really stands out, and it makes me feel like a kid again when people call me cute…

After that, she served us normally, so we bought what we needed and left the shop.

Next up was the greengrocer right next door.

While looking at the vegetables lined up in front of me, a「classic」uncle wearing a headband and an apron came out from inside.

「Yo, Sara-chan, welcome! You haven’t been coming with Mayumi-san lately… Wait, who’s the young man?」

「Hello. I’ll be coming with him from now on, so please remember his face.」

It was the same kind of regular-customer talk here, too.

This was my first time at this shop, so it reminded me of the first time I went to the butcher. I hope they don’t start talking about their son here, too.

By the way, the uncle’s eyes went wide with surprise when he heard Sara-san’s reply.

「…I’ve heard rumors from the neighbors… so they were true. Man, to think there’s a guy who could catch Sara-chan… You’re quite something, kid!」

「Um… yes, I think it’s a miracle myself…」

「Kazunari-san, I was the one who fell in love first, you know? Didn’t I tell you that before?」

Come to think of it, we did have an argument before about who liked who first.

Back then, Sara-san silenced me with a kiss and I had to wave the white flag. That was definitely cheating.

「Whoa, Sara-chan caught him? That’s even more of a surprise!! I’m jealous, kid. Sara-chan will definitely make a great wife.」

Whap, whap!!

「Y-yes. I… I think so too.」

He slapped my back so hard I almost choked.

I really don’t have the experience to know how to respond in situations like this.

I can’t brush it off as smoothly as Sara-san…

「Uncle, Kazunari-san is troubled, so please stop there.」

Thanks to Sara-san’s warning, the uncle stopped slapping my back immediately and scurried back to his「position.」

「Oops, can’t have Sara-chan getting mad at me. Alright, I’ll give you a discount as an apology, so pick whatever you want.」

「Good grief… then this and…」

We only went to those two shops today, but while we were walking, we were called out to by several other places as well. It was only today that I realized Sara-san is popular not just at school, but in the shopping district as well.

We finished the curry for dinner, and just as we were picking at our dessert, our phones rang at the same time. Since it was simultaneous, there was no doubt it was a group RAIN notification.

Since my phone was charging and wasn’t on me, Sara-san checked hers for me.

「Kazunari-san, Eri sent a message about the report meeting. It’s a bit sudden, but if tomorrow works for everyone, she wants to hold it over a meal.」

Tomorrow, huh…

Everyone, starting with Nishikawa-san, really helped us out this time, so I wanted to report to them soon. We could’ve just used the group RAIN, but I think things like this should be discussed in person.

「I understand. Is it okay with you, Sara-san?」

「Yes. I… have no problem with it.」

She said that, but the way she hesitated for a split second bothered me. Is something on her mind?

「Sara-san, if there’s something, just say it. No holding back.」

「Ugh…」

When I pressed her a bit, Sara-san looked a little troubled and hesitantly explained her reason.

「It’s nothing major. It’s just, well… even though we finally started our life with just the two of us, we’re already eating out…」

Given how picky Sara-san is about making my meals, just like she is with housework, this might not be a small issue for her. Especially since this is only our second dinner together since starting this life. If she’s all fired up about it, it’s only natural she’d have some feelings about eating out so soon.

「You’re right… well, then I’ll try not to eat much there. That way, I can still eat at home too.」

「You’re being mean… I can’t let you do that just because of my selfishness, Kazunari-san.」

Sara-san puffed her cheeks out and gave a cute protest to my joke (which was actually half-serious). Since I was the one who forced it out of her, did I do something bad?

「But really, from my perspective, I’d rather eat your food than a dinner at a famous hotel. Your cooking is number one for me, better than any restaurant. By the way, I’m not just flattering you; I mean it.」

I told her the truth, exactly what I always think.

The place Nishikawa-san took us to before was a very famous restaurant, and the food was definitely delicious, but in terms of my personal preference, it doesn’t compare to Sara-san’s cooking.

「…Thank you. I’m truly happy to hear you say that. Please don’t worry about tomorrow. Your feelings are more than enough for me.」

It seemed she cheered up after hearing my words, as she looked like her normal self again.

「Listen, I really mean it, okay?」

「Yes, I know. Then, will you believe me if I do this?」

Chu……

Sara-san leaned in without any hesitation and kissed me. That smile convinced me she really did believe my words.

「How was that? If you still don’t believe me, next time it’ll be on the mouth, okay?」

「Ah………」

I don’t doubt that she’s happy anymore. But a kiss on the lips is special, and since I’m the type who can’t easily bring it up myself, being told that makes me expect it.

「Fufu… your face is so honest, Kazunari-san, but your heart is so shy. You’re cute…」

Sara-san, clearly noticing my expectation, gave a gentle smile and pulled my head into her chest.

「Kazunari-san, look this way…」

She whispered into my ear, and guided by her hand on my face, I looked up. Sara-san’s face slowly drew closer… and I closed my eyes.

Chu………

「Nnh…」

I wonder how many seconds we stayed like that… I just let her do as she pleased until she finally pulled away.

「………」

After the kiss, Sara-san stared at my face with a dreamy look for a moment before giving a cute smile.

「My body feels so light… I always end up like this when we kiss… how about you, Kazunari-san?」

「I feel like my sense of happiness is becoming too strong…」

「I agree. I feel like I’m going to end up this way because I’m too happy. Kazunari-san, come here…」

「Y-y-yes…」

I was still in a bit of a daze, and my reply was shaky.

Sara-san guided me back into her chest and hugged me softly, and then she began slowly stroking my head.

「Fufu… if you stay this shy, I’ll keep being the one to kiss you first, you know? I don’t mind at all if you’re okay with that.」

「Ugh… I’ll… I’ll work on it.」

I don’t know if「working on it」is the right phrase for this situation, but it felt pathetic to leave everything to the proactive Sara-san.

So I decided I’d try my best in that sense.

「Yes, I’ll be waiting whenever you’re ready… Dear.」

While being held by Sara-san, I secretly vowed to myself that next time, I’d be the one to kiss her…