Episode 266: Fate and Possibility

Lunch was over, and we were in the middle of a relaxing tea time.

「Come to think of it, Takanashi-kun, what did you actually come for earlier?」

「Ah… well…」

I had a faint premonition this would happen, but Natsumi-senpai asked about the incident during the break anyway.

Even if I’m asked what I came for… to be honest, I can only say「Because I really wanted to see Sara-san.」

Well, if I said that, I’d probably just be looked at with dead eyes again.

「Natsumi, that is something for me to hear from Kazunari-san. Now then, Kazunari-san, it is the continuation from earlier. Come here, please?」

The time had finally come…

Sara-san gazed into my eyes, a happy smile on her face. She spread her arms wide and waited for me in that posture.

As we discussed during the break, this meant Sara-san was going to hold me now.

「Wife, what are you doing?」

「Whaaaa, are you two seriously going to do this?」

「Eh, wait? What is it?」

Natsumi-senpai, who knew the situation, let out an obviously disgusted voice. The others just tilted their heads in confusion, not understanding the context.

Well, it was a sudden development, so that reaction was natural.

This was something I’d requested from Sara-san, and honestly, a large part of me wanted to just act spoiled and lean into her. But the one thing on my mind was that we were at school, not at home.

Plus, everyone was watching us.

At home, I wouldn’t have hesitated, but in this situation, it was a bit hard to just dive in…

「Fufu… understood. Then, I shall start.」

Softly…

Even though I hadn’t said a word, for some reason, Sara-san took charge.

She slowly leaned her body toward me as I hesitated. She wrapped her wide-open arms around my back, holding me gently so it wouldn’t be stifling, yet firmly enough to envelop me.

Finally, she placed a hand on my head, applying just a little pressure to pull me closer to her. Naturally, that meant my face ended up nestled against her soft parts.

Stroke, stroke…

Once my face was settled in its usual spot, Sara-san began stroking my head.

Haa… this is bliss…

「Being like this is truly calming. If you are alright with it, Kazunari-san, I would like to do this every day even at school.」

「Sara-san…」

I felt just as calmed by this as she did. To be honest, I’d be happy if she did this for me every day. But if we actually did that, I’m sure Natsumi-senpai and Hanako-san wouldn’t stay quiet.

Natsumi-senpai would get angry, and in Hanako-san’s case, there was even a chance she’d demand to do it herself too.

Stroke, stroke…

While I was thinking about that, Sara-san continued to stroke my head. Rubbing my back gently, she let me act as spoiled as I wanted.

I could feel Sara-san’s warmth and kindness seeping into my very core, and the comfort was so intense I could feel all the strength draining from my body.

The fact that we were in front of everyone, or whether it was pathetic for a guy, or whatever else… all those thoughts grew smaller and smaller.

I was just so happy to have Sara-san do this for me, so incredibly happy, that I…

「Fufu… good boy… come closer, please.」

Sara-san noticed that I’d started to act spoiled. She whispered happily into my ear and applied more strength to pull my body even closer. Since I’d lost my strength, that movement caused me to lose my balance. I ended up in a position where I was completely leaning my weight against her.

At this point, it felt less like we were hugging and more like I was actually being held like a child…

Stroke, stroke.

「…Sara-san.」

「You are so cute, Kazunari-san♪」

「…H-How can you two even do that right in front of us…」

「…It is nothing new that the Wife only thinks of Kazunari. But today she is getting too worked up. It looks a bit dangerous.」

「…I-Is it dangerous? You can tell?」

「…You can tell just by looking at the Wife’s face.」

「…A-Ahaha, true, Satsukawa-senpai does look really happy, though…」

T-This might be bad.

The reason it’s bad is that we still have afternoon classes left. But at this rate, I might end up completely spineless. That’s how much Sara-san is trying to pamper me right now.

I was almost at the point where I’d forget my original intent and just let her spoil me completely…

…No, I can’t do that.

At the very least, I have to apologize, even if it’s just one thing, just one word, or I won’t be able to settle my mind.

I don’t care about trivial things like being embarrassed to be heard by everyone or looking pathetic.

Everything I did was because I find Sara-san so precious. Even if it’s pathetic, it’s not something to be ashamed of. So I don’t care if people think I’m weak or laugh at me.

At least settle this for yourself, me.

「Sara-san, about the incident during the break.」

「Yes.」

I put my loosening willpower into full gear and managed to start the conversation.

If I can just say this, I should at least be able to carry out my original intent…

「First, let me apologize.」

「But, you have done nothing wrong, Kazunari-san?」

Stroke, stroke…

Even while we were talking, Sara-san gently stroked my head. Over and over, she stroked me gently, tenderly, carefully.

The feeling was so good that if I let my guard down, even the resolve I’d just resteeled felt like it would melt away.

「I barged all the way into your classroom, Sara-san. Even though I didn’t intend to do that…」

「You had some business with me, did you not?」

「Yes. But it wasn’t really ‘business’ exactly… truth is, I was planning to leave after just catching a single glimpse of you.」

I had no intention of making unnecessary excuses about it being out of my control or anything like that.

Since Sara-san gave me this chance to talk, I wanted to at least convey my feelings properly. I couldn’t exactly talk about the part regarding Hanako-san and Yamakawa, but I should still be able to communicate the core of it.

「…Hey, what is he apologizing for? What did Kazunari do?」

「…Ah… basically exactly what they’re doing now.」

「…Oh, I see. But to do this in the classroom, they’re as wild as ever…」

「…Y-Yeah. Amazing, isn’t it…」

「I’m sorry… I can’t tell you the direct cause. But seeing that made me imagine the possibility of not being your lover, Sara-san, and what I would be like if that happened. I became anxious. But because of that, I realized all over again how happy I am to have ended up like this with you… and then, I just really wanted to see you—mmph.」

Chu…

!?

I couldn’t finish my sentence. Just as I thought Sara-san had pulled her body away slightly, her face suddenly closed in, and she sealed my mouth with a kiss.

「…Whaaat!!!???」

「…Haa… I knew she’d do it.」

「…Wait, i-in a place like this!!??」

「…W-W-W-W-W-Wha, she’s kissing him right here!!??」

「Mnh…」

A second? Five seconds? Ten?

Sara-san’s face slowly pulled away.

My sense of time was fuzzy so I couldn’t be sure, but I knew it hadn’t been long. So I think this was also meant to stop my talk.

「…Fufu.」

Even after the kiss ended, Sara-san continued to stare into my eyes from point-blank range. I was embarrassed, and I could feel my face turning deeper and deeper red. Sara-san watched my face with a smile, then placed a hand on my head once more. She guided me back to her chest, which had become my fixed position.

Stroke, stroke…

「I am certain that our encounter was fate, Kazunari-san. However, speaking only of possibilities, it is true that our meeting might have changed if even a single button had been done up wrong. But even if that had happened, we would surely have met. I would have definitely found you, Kazunari-san. And then, I would fall in love with you.」

「It’s the same for me. I would definitely find you too, Sara-san. But that wasn’t what I wanted to say just now. Possibilities aside, in reality, I was able to meet you like this. I became your lover. Calling that fate is just one word, but because I’ve now seen the possibility of what might have been, I’ve reconfirmed just how precious and beloved you are to me. When I thought that, I couldn’t hold back, and so I went to your classroom…」

Even if our meeting was fate, since we have our own wills, possibilities also exist. But I overcame all the possibilities that led to other futures and met the Sara-san I have now. Then I fell in love, became her lover, and we got engaged. Even if I think it was inevitable, I was able to reconfirm what a miracle it was to end up like this with Sara-san, and how precious and happy it is.

Squeeze…

Sara-san’s hold on me grew stronger. It wasn’t painful, but I could count on one hand the number of times I’d been held this tightly.

「I have certainly heard your feelings, Kazunari-san. I have nothing but happiness left in me now. So please, do not apologize…」

Sara-san did not loosen her hold. In an infinitely gentle voice, she told me her feelings.

I knew perfectly well that Sara-san didn’t find it a nuisance. So I knew that if I apologized, it would actually trouble her.

But this was for my own sake… to put it bluntly, it was just self-satisfaction, but I still couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t say it.

「I knew you’d say that, Sara-san. But I still went to your classroom…」

「Kazunari-san, I told you I would do this for you anytime. Therefore, it makes no difference whether it is here or in the classroom. I did it because I wanted to hold you, Kazunari-san. I kissed you just now because I wanted to kiss you. This was all my own will, and there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about, Kazunari-san.」

I understood what Sara-san was saying, of course. If I were in her shoes, I’d have thought and said the exact same thing.

So I knew that any more than this would just be troubling her.

I’ll just thank her, and then I’ll end my side of the talk.

「Thank you. I knew that apologizing out of nowhere would just trouble you, but even so…」

「…Yes. I have received your feelings. So, let us leave it at that.」

As it turned out, I ended up combining the apology and the reason, but I feel I managed to settle things by being honest in my own way.

With that, my talk was over.

And that also meant the end of Sara-san holding me. It was a bit of a shame, but…

Stroke, stroke…

Um…

「Sara-san, um, that’s all I had to say…」

「Yes. I am aware, you know?」

「No, I mean…」

Yeah… the talk was over, but Sara-san showed absolutely no sign of stopping the hug.

I was happy too, I really was!

But if we kept doing this without a reason, it would just be me acting like a spoiled kid…

「…It is Kazunari-san’s fault.」

「Eh?」

Sara-san’s voice sounded somewhat sulky and bittersweet.

She tightened her hug on me even more.

「I am truly happy… to be thought of this much by you, Kazunari-san… your feelings make me so happy. I am truly blessed. When I feel like this, I cannot possibly let you go… so, this is Kazunari-san’s fault, you know?」

「Well…」

Maybe it was because she was emotional, but Sara-san’s hold on me felt different from usual. But if we’re going that far, I didn’t want to leave her side yet either.

Call me a spoiled brat or whatever, but I think it’s only human to want to savor such a happy moment for even a second longer.

「Kazunari-san… I adore you… I love you… I only have eyes for you…」

「Sara… san…」

「Call me Sara… my husband.」

Sara-san’s hold on me grew stronger and stronger.

Hearing her say that made me feel my own emotions rising higher and higher.

Honestly, I…

「…Wait, wait, wait!! I’m getting a really dangerous vibe here!?」

「…That’s why I said it was dangerous.」

「…No, this isn’t the time to be so calm about it!?」

「…Aughhh, w-w-what’s going to happen!?」

「KNOCK IT OFF!! How long are you two going to keep flirting like that!!!」

!!??

Natsumi-senpai’s shout, a mix of panic and anger. It pierced through my back, and my consciousness instantly regained its composure.

T-That was close… I don’t know specifically what was so dangerous, but I felt like something was.

Or rather, I was supposed to be aware that everyone was here, but I’d completely forgotten before I knew it…

「I-I am so sorry… I simply got carried away by my happiness…」

Sara-san apologized bashfully.

But she said that to me… not to Natsumi-senpai.

I’m sure Sara-san had been absorbed in the moment too, but to think both of us almost lost control like that…

「No, I got carried away too…」

Now that I could finally think straight again, my current situation came rushing back into my mind.

Once again… I’m aware that I did it once again, but this time might have been a bit worse than usual.

I feel so bad for everyone…

「I stayed quiet because it sounded serious, but now you’re just flirting. It’s awkward for us, so knock it off.」

「I can kind of understand the feeling this time, but I’m jealous so it’s still a no. Break it up.」

I knew it was only natural to be scolded this time.

Even I was surprised by how much my feelings for Sara-san had peaked.

Maybe I should have waited to talk until we were home…

Anyway, first, let’s have Sara-san let go.

「Sara-san, we should probably…」

「Yes… unfortunately.」

Suppressing my own reluctance, I spoke up, and Sara-san slowly released her hold on me.

The slightly pained expression I saw on her face as she pulled away made my heart skip a beat once again.

Looking around once more after separating from Sara-san, Natsumi-senpai and Hanako-san were staring at us with looks of total exasperation. Hayato was wearing a wry smile, and Todo-san… yeah, I feel really bad for her.

「Aughh… hauhh…」

Todo-san was as red as she could possibly be. She was covering her face with both hands, but her eyes were peeking through in that「classic」pose.

「Hey, did you two forget we were even here!?」

「I-I’m sorry…」

I’m aware I went too far this time. So, I’ll just apologize honestly.

Again with the apologizing… don’t overthink it, me.

「I am sorry, I am reflecting on my actions this time.」

Sara-san apologized honestly as well, seeing Natsumi-senpai’s intensity.

「Well, it’s partially my fault this time, so please overlook it.」

I thought she was mad, but Hanako-san actually offered some backup.

That was unexpected… though I don’t think this was Hanako-san’s fault in the slightest.

「It is?」

「Yeah. I was the one who egged him on to go see the Wife.」

「Somehow… hearing that makes me curious what actually happened.」

「It was nothing major. I’ll tell you some other time. If I say anything extra here, it’ll be a problem if they lose control again.」

I want to say we’re fine now, no matter what. But I knew that if the current me said that, it would have zero credibility.

So I guess it’s best to just stay quiet here…

「I am sorry, I simply got carried away because I was so happy…」

「Haa… you’re alone together at home anyway, so you should just do that stuff there. No one will complain at home, and you could have finished what you started earlier.」

Hanako-san’s opinion was more than logical, but remembering earlier made me feel a different kind of fear.

If I frequently felt like that at home, my iron willpower (which I consider stronger than orihalcum) might actually crack.

So please don’t say anything about「finishing」…

「That is true. Kazunari-san, let us be very close tonight too, until we get sleepy, alright?」

「Y-Yes…」

Just as I was thinking that, Sara-san already issued a declaration of wanting to flirt.

I guess another battle I can’t afford to lose begins tonight… a lonely battle, as a man…

「…Uuu, just listening to you is embarrassing.」

Ah… crap.

I’d better apologize to Todo-san separately later. I’m sorry, Todo-san…

「Kazunari-san, are you not cold?」

「I’m fine. It’s actually really warm.」

As usual, we were curled up in the same futon, and I was being held against Sara-san’s chest.

I feel like I’ve been held by Sara-san all day today… no, I actually have been doing this more than usual.

My feelings of happiness were intensified, but I’m doing some self-reflection for being a bit too spoiled.

「Sara-san, about tomorrow’s cooking class.」

Before I get carried away by acting spoiled, I need to talk about the important stuff.

There’s something I want to request for tomorrow’s cooking class.

「Yes.」

「I’m going to learn properly too, so please treat me just like the rest of the class.」

Even after saying that, I don’t expect Sara-san to actually be able to treat me that way. But assuming a little bit of favoritism is a given, I at least want to learn the cooking part properly.

I can’t participate in most of the class’s event, so that’s exactly why I can’t slack off on this. I feel like I’d be letting everyone in class down if I didn’t do at least this much like everyone else.

「…Understood. I lack confidence, but I will never let your resolve go to waste, Kazunari-san. So, I will do my best.」

Without even asking why, Sara-san agreed readily. In other words, as usual, she saw right through my thoughts.

She’s seriously sharp. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if someone told me she could see inside my head.

「Please.」

「Yes. However, even if you become able to cook…」

「I know. I’ll leave all the meals at home to you, Sara-san.」

「Then I have no problem at all.」

This is a point Sara-san won’t back down on, so I’ll never do anything unnecessary. Still, I can’t help but think that maybe if an opportunity arises someday… but if it makes Sara-san sad, there’s no need to force it.

I’ll just think of it as something for「if an opportunity arises.」

Stroke, stroke…

「Kazunari-san… thank you for today. I was very happy.」

After continuing our idle talk until the atmosphere grew relaxed enough to feel drowsy, Sara-san shifted the topic. Regarding the talk during the day, I’m the one who should be saying thank you. And the one who should be apologizing…

「I’m the one who was happy to be held by you the whole time, Sara-san. But about making a scene, I’m sorr—」

「Kazunari-san, no-no.」

Squeeze…

「Mmph.」

Crap, we just talked about not apologizing anymore, but it slipped out. Of course, I wasn’t worried because I knew Sara-san wasn’t actually mad, but for now, my mouth was sealed by her special move(?).

「I-I’m thorry…」

「Kyaa, i-it’s ticklish…」

Ah, I should have waited until she pulled away a bit to speak, but I spoke while being pressed in hard…

「Cough… Kazunari-san, we promised not to apologize for the lunch incident anymore, did we not?」

Nod, nod…

Since it’s dangerous to speak in this state, I’ll just stick to nodding.

「Then, you promise not to apologize anymore, right? Next time will be a punishment, alright?」

Nod, nod…

I’m very curious what kind of punishment she means, but I can’t do anything that would make Sara-san sad. I’m really done apologizing for this incident.

「Yes, good boy. I am sorry, was that stifling?」

She loosened her hold on my head so I could pull away… but I didn’t want to.

「Kazunari-san?」

Noticing that I wasn’t trying to pull away, she called out to me in confusion, but…

「Fufu… Kazunari-san has become a spoiled little one♪」

Squeeze…

Sara-san whispered that in a tone that didn’t sound troubled at all. Then she held my head firmly once more, pressing me in lightly.

「Then, shall we go to sleep like this for tonight?」

「Sara-san…」

「Tell me if it becomes stifling, alright?」

「I’m fine.」

She’s holding my head with an exquisite level of pressure that isn’t stifling. I could actually fall asleep like this.

Stroke, stroke… Tchop… tchop… tchop…

While carefully stroking my head, Sara-san began to gently pat my back in a steady rhythm. When she does this, my sense of comfort and security peaks, and I get sleepy instantly. Sara-san knows this, so she always does this right before we sleep.

「Let’s do our best tomorrow, Kazunari-san.」

「…Yes. I will…」

Stroke, stroke… Tchop… tchop… tchop…

「…Sa… ra… san…」

The drowsiness I was already feeling grew intense all at once. Enveloped in Sara-san’s warmth, I…

「Goodnight, Kazunari-san. Have sweet dreams…」

Chu…

I thought I felt a soft sensation on my forehead… but I couldn’t even confirm what it was… anymore.