Episode 247: Mayumi-san is My「Mother-in-law」

First, let’s calm down… Let’s stay calm and assess the situation.

In yesterday’s talk, both my mother and Mayumi-san said they would be coming from the fourth period.

I heard it clearly from my mother, and Sara-san heard it clearly from Mayumi-san.

Mayumi-san said she would go to Sara-san’s place during the fourth period. In other words, she never said she wouldn’t go to Sara-san’s classroom during the third period. So, her being in this classroom for the third period isn’t technically a lie… Which means…

Is this another trick played on me!?

No, this has already gone beyond what you’d call a trick; is she actually serious!?

What am I supposed to do…

「Kazunari, is something wrong?」

Hanako-san, noticing that I had frozen in place, was looking at me curiously. Fortunately, Mayumi-san hasn’t talked to me yet. The classmates are making a fuss looking at Mayumi-san, but naturally, they haven’t realized who she is related to.

In other words, if I can just ride this out, there’s a good chance it’ll somehow work out. No matter how much Mayumi-san loves pranks, I want to believe she just came to watch this time.

For now, greeting Kayo-san comes first. Hanako-san is waiting too, so I’ll at least talk to Kayo-san first.

When I stepped back beside Hanako-san and approached, Kayo-san gave me a deep bow. Being treated that politely is honestly too much, and it makes me feel awkward.

「Hello, Takanashi-san. Thank you for looking after Riko.」

「Hello, Kayo-san. On the contrary, I’m the one always being looked after by Hana… Riko-san.」

I can’t exactly give a clever greeting, so it was a safe, standard one, but Kayo-san still smiled happily. And looking at that smile, I felt a faint trace of the smiles Hanako-san has started showing me… I can’t put it well, but for some reason, there’s a part of me that feels happy about it.

「…Hey, they said that’s Hanasaki-san’s mother.」

「…She’s got a cute vibe. As expected of Hanasaki-san’s mother.」

「…That slightly baby-faced look is nice.」

「…She seems close with Takanashi-kun too.」

「…So it really is parent-approved…」

「…Hey, unrelated, but doesn’t the older sister next to her look like someone?」

「…Right? I’ve been wondering about that too.」

「? Kazunari, did something funny happen?」

「No, it’s not like that, but Hanako-san’s smile and Kayo-san’s smile just overlapped.」

I couldn’t explain well why it made me happy, so it ended up being a half-baked explanation. Even so, Hanako-san seemed to understand what I meant to some extent, as she gave a slightly bashful laugh.

「Hey, Kazunari-kun! I want you to introduce your mother-in-law already!」

…Oh God… So you aren’t going to let this end peacefully after all.

I knew it… I knew that Mayumi-san, standing right there, was looking at me with an expectant gaze, waiting for me to talk to her.

That said, since I didn’t know what Mayumi-san was actually thinking, I intended to avoid talking to her as much as possible. I had a hope that maybe she’d just finish by watching over us, a「don’t touch the danger」or「don’t wake the sleeping dog」kind of thing.

And those words from Mayumi-san resulted in a massive stir in the classroom.

「…M-M-Mother!!?? She’s not an older sister!?」

「…Whaaaaat!? Takanashi’s Mother!?」

「…N-No way… Having a beauty like that as a Mother… I’m so jealous.」

「…Damn it, if she were an older sister, I would’ve wanted an introduction!!」

「…Ehhhhh, that’s Takanashi-kun’s Mother!?」

「…Wait, way too young… I mean, way too beautiful!?」

Ah… the commotion is spreading.

Now that it’s come to this, there’s nothing I can do. From here on, the only path left for me is to react on the fly.

「Eh!? K-Kazunari’s Mother!?」

As expected, even Hanako-san couldn’t hide her surprise, her eyes going wide as she looked at Mayumi-san. And it seemed Kayo-san was the same, standing there with her mouth agape as she looked at Mayumi-san.

「Kazunari, how mean. If your mother was coming, I wanted you to tell me. Um, nice to meet you, I’m Hanasaki Riko…」

「Wa-Wait a second, Hanako-san!」

I hurriedly put an emergency stop to Hanako-san, who had started her greeting with a nervous look. Letting things proceed while they’re still misunderstood is obviously bad, so I should explain the situation at least to Hanako-san and Kayo-san.

But before that, I decided I should check the situation with Mayumi-san first.

「M-Mayumi-san, why are you here…」

「Mmm-fufu~, I asked the Principal.」

While keeping an eye on our surroundings and speaking in a low voice, Mayumi-san seemingly showed some consideration by responding in a whisper as well.

「The Principal!? W-Why do you have a connection like… no, that’s not it, does Sara-san know about this?」

「!?」

Hanako-san, who had been listening to the conversation right beside us, looked at Mayumi-san with a face of pure shock as if she’d heard something unbelievable. I’ve never seen Hanako-san this surprised before. But then again, I’m sure I looked just as shocked the moment Mayumi-san entered the room.

「N-No way… The wife… Satsukawa-senpai’s…?」

「That’s right~. But I’m Kazunari-kun’s mother-in-law.」

「…Ah, in that sense. Honestly, that was close…」

「He-Hey, Riko. What are you two talking about?」

For now, Hanako-san seemed to have more or less understood the situation, and I was grateful that she spoke in a low voice to match us.

And Kayo-san, the only one who couldn’t process the situation, was bewildered and seeking an explanation from Hanako-san. I should explain to her too…

「Mother, listen quietly. This person is… the one scheduled to become Kazunari’s mother-in-law.」

It was Hanako-san quality explanation, which was expected in a sense. Of course, Kayo-san’s confusion hadn’t cleared up in the slightest, so I should probably offer a supplementary explanation.

「Kayo-san, this is Satsukawa Mayumi-san and…」

Kayo-san seemed to catch on when she heard「Satsukawa.」She suddenly began moving restlessly in a panic and started bowing her head in such a low-profile way it was almost pitiful.

「M-My apologies! M-My husband is very much in your debt at the company!!」

「Eh? …Ah, is that so. No, no, we’re the ones in your debt.」

If I think about it, if Tadao-san is an employee of Saba, does that mean Mayumi-san is the wife of his husband’s boss?

Thinking about it myself, I realized it was a bit of a complicated relationship.

And Mayumi-san seemed used to these kinds of situations, responding with her usual smile without being particularly fazed. With a presence that even felt composed, it was a scene that made me think,「as expected of a family that manages a major corporation.」

「S-So, Mayumi-sa—」

「It’s mother-in-law.」

At this moment, I realized for the first time that the situation was being used against me. It’s true that if I called her by her name, people around us would find it suspicious. In other words, in the current situation, I have no choice but to call her that.

「M-Mother-in-law.」

「Mmm-fufu~, what is it, Kazunari-kun?」

Mayumi-san looked extremely pleased, wearing a brilliant smile. It’s a bit late now, but is she really that happy to be called that by me?

「No, I mean, over there…」

「T-Takanashi, your mother is a total beauty!」

「Whoa, seeing her up close, there’s so much…」

「N-Nice to meet you, mother!」

Starting with one person talking to her, the classmates (guys) started swarming around. It’s plain as day that they’re interested in Mayumi-san, but honestly, this situation is annoying.

Moreover, since the classmates gathered in a clump, it seems to be drawing quite a bit of attention from the other parents as well.

「Oh… thank you. Please keep being friends with Kazunari-kun, okay?」

「Yes!!」

「Of course!!」

「It’s fine, we’re friends!!」

In that moment, I inadvertently… saw Mayumi-san, who was talking to the classmates, as if she were my real mother. She always makes it sound like a joke when she claims to be my mother-in-law, but seeing her like this makes me feel like she doesn’t think it’s as much of a joke as her words suggest.

No… I knew that even if Mayumi-san seemed to be teasing on the surface, she was actually thinking of me deep down. I knew she thought of me like a real son.

Thinking about it that way…

Maybe this wasn’t just a simple prank, but she came after truly thinking about me… That’s what it started to feel like.

「Kazunari, is this really okay?」

「Eh!?」

I’d been overwhelmed by Mayumi-san’s presence and was reflexively taking the current situation in a positive light, but I had completely forgotten the problem in the most crucial part. Mayumi-san coming here was totally unexpected, but precisely because of that, I have another bad feeling.

Yes… that means there’s a possibility that my mother has gone over to the other side, doesn’t it?

I suspect that for this occasion, the mothers have definitely coordinated with each other. That’s why I thought about confirming it… but I’m being swarmed by the other guys, and it doesn’t look like I can have that kind of talk in this state.

Ding dong…

And here, the bell signaling the start of class cruelly rang out.

The teacher should be arriving soon, so no matter how much I panic, there’s nothing I can do anymore. So, I can only pray that it’s just a groundless fear.

And only now did it occur to me that I should have contacted Sara-san via RAIN to check.

But… it was all too late now…

Sara POV

The time goes back just a little bit, right before the end of the second period…

The voices coming from the hallway must mean that the parents have already gathered. Since today is parent visitation day, everyone in class is showing a somewhat restless atmosphere.

However…

To be honest, I do not like parent visitation day.

But that isn’t because I dislike my Mother coming to the classroom or having her see my school life. To be precise, I dislike the results that arise from my Mother coming to the classroom.

I might be called a daughter-obsessed parent in reverse, but even put modestly, I think my mother is a beauty. Looking at the reactions of those around me, I have no choice but to recognize that whether I like it or not. And she looks very young. My mother sometimes jokes to people she meets for the first time that she is my older sister, and they always believe her. So this is also an objective fact.

But… if I am like that in the future, will Kazunari-san be pleased…?

Since I am a woman too, if it would make Kazunari-san even slightly happy, I cannot help but care about my appearance. So in that sense, I cannot help but hope that my mother’s traits will be inherited by me.

…The conversation has strayed off course.

In short, if such a Mother comes, it inevitably causes a commotion. This isn’t a prediction; it is a phenomenon that has occurred every time there has been a parent visitation day since a long time ago. And when that happens, it draws「that」kind of attention that I hate, so to be blunt, I am fed up with it.

However, there is something happy waiting for me after this. Kazunari-san’s mother… the one who will become my mother-in-law, is scheduled to come here for the parent visitation day.

Since I have started dating Kazunari-san, I have not yet given a proper greeting to my mother-in-law. Especially now that we are fiances.

Of course, the official greeting will be at a table where my father-in-law is also present. But that is separate; I must give a greeting that is not embarrassing…

「…I wonder if Satsukawa-san’s mother is coming soon…」

「…You’ve been saying nothing but that since yesterday. I get how you feel, though.」

「…Last year was a shock. I totally thought she was an older sister.」

「…There are plenty of guys who think it’s a chance to appeal to both of them.」

「Sigh…… Sara has it rough.」

「Did you say something?」

「No, nothing really… Wait, huh?」

Natsumi, who had murmured something small, seemed to notice something behind me… to be precise, near the classroom entrance. So I turned around as well…

Ah, I see.

Natsumi seems to intend to talk to her as is, so I shall go along and give a greeting as well. Thinking back, I have not met her in a long time.

「Mother, you’re quite early, aren’t you?」

「I worked hard to finish up my job.」

「Hello, Koharu-san. It has been a long time.」

Natsumi’s mother… Yuzuki Koharu-san. Last year, I visited Natsumi’s house often, so there were frequent opportunities to see her… but since the opportunities to go to Natsumi’s house decreased this year, I have not met her lately in particular. Since meeting Kazunari-san, it has been almost not at all.

「Sara-chan, long time no see! You’ve become even more beautiful in the time I haven’t seen you. I guess it’s… that, isn’t it?」

?

What was she trying to say?

She seems to be giving a meaningful laugh as if implying something.

「I heard from Natsumi… so… congratulations!」

The conversation didn’t quite connect, but apparently she is talking about my situation with Kazunari-san. It seems it has been transmitted via Natsumi.

「Fufu… thank you. However, if you are going to say that, then Nat—」

「Waaaaaaaaaa!!」

「Whoa!? W-What is it, Natsumi?」

「What is it so suddenly?」

Natsumi suddenly raised a loud voice and cut in, so the conversation was interrupted. Lately, Natsumi often stops a conversation by making a fuss like this. I do not want to say it much, but as a woman, I think she should refrain from raising such a loud voice.

「No… look! It’s that!」

「Hmm~? Why are you acting so suspiciously?」

「I-I mean, there’s time later!!」

「A-Ah, you’re right. If it’s okay with you, Sara-chan, will you introduce me later?」

「Yes. If we can take the time, then by all means.」

Before we move to the shop, we might be able to take a little time.

Come to think of it, Hanako-san and Todo-san also wanted to meet my mother. How shall we handle that too…

「Hey, by the way… where is Mayumi-san?」

「Mother should be coming in the fourth period.」

「Eh? But I saw her just a moment ago?」

「Just a moment ago?」

「Isn’t it just mother’s mistake?」

「No way, there’s no way I’d mistake someone as amazing as Mayumi-san. She looked in quite a good mood, though.」

An amazing person…

Until now, I have often heard impressions of my mother from those around me, but this is the first time she has been called an amazing person. I wonder what kind of image my mother has within Koharu-san?

That aside, I also think it must be Koharu-san’s mistake, but…

「Where did you see her?」

「Let’s see, I believe it was toward where the first-year classrooms are… Huh? Could it be Mayumi-san got the classroom wrong? Sara-chan, why don’t you try contacting her?」

First-year classrooms……… no way…

「No way, there’s no way she’d go to the same place as last year…… could… she…」

Natsumi opened her eyes wide and slowly turned toward me.

Our eyes met instinctively, and Natsumi might have had the same imagination.

Since it is class visitation, if she is at the school, she would come here. Even by mistake, going to last year’s classroom is impossible. But if she intentionally headed for the first-year classrooms……

「Sa-Sara…… no way, Mayumi-san is…」

「I’m just going to go—」

Ding dong…

At the exact moment I was about to move, the bell announcing the start of the third period rang.

Ah… I was too late… if only I had five more minutes…

Rumble rumble rumble… (door sliding)

「Okay, everyone take your seats~」

There is nothing that can be done anymore. Now that it has come to this, I can only pray that Kazunari-san is not inconvenienced even slightly. As soon as class is over, I shall head to collect my Mother immediately.

If you do anything that causes trouble for Kazunari-san…… I will never forgive you…