Episode 280: That Thing

Sunday

Today is finally the day I go to buy「that thing.」To be precise, I suppose it will be an「order,」since just picking it up wouldn’t be a big deal. In other words, effectively today… to me personally, today is a「certain anniversary.」

Sara-san is scheduled to go shopping with Mayumi-san, so the two of them are currently in the middle of getting ready. When I think about it, it feels like it’s been quite a while since Sara-san and I have done things separately.

It is only for half a day or so, yet I wonder why I feel a subtle loneliness, or an indescribable sense of restlessness… maybe it’s just that being with Sara-san all the time has become way too much of a given.

Well… I would never say something so pathetic out loud, not even if my mouth were torn open.

「Kazunari-san, do you have something on your mind?」

「Eh? No, I just thought it’s been a while since we’ve done things separately, Sara-san.」

Did it show on my face, by any chance?

Being spoken to by Sara-san at such an exquisite timing makes me feel a little flustered.

I don’t think I’ve been found out, but Sara-san normally「reads」my thoughts, so I can’t be optimistic.

「…That is certainly true. I have been so happy being by your side, Kazunari-san, that I too have begun to think of being together always as a matter of course. It is only half a day, but thinking of it as separate actions makes me feel a bit lonely.」

「Sara-san…」

「I am saying something pathetic, even to my own ears. However…」

「That’s not true. I feel the same way.」

What Sara-san is saying is exactly what I was thinking. That’s why I understand her feelings so well. Even if it feels like she’s saying something pathetic, because I feel the same, I can think of it as something perfectly natural.

「Fufu… I am happy you said that. However, we must get used to it…」

Ping-pong.

The chime of our doorbell echoed through the room, cutting off Sara-san’s words.

I couldn’t help but think we were in the middle of a nice atmosphere… but it can’t be helped.

I wasn’t expecting any guests…

It’s still early, but there’s a possibility that Mayumi-san came to pick her up, so I hurried to open the door and…

「Morning, Kazunari. I came to pick you up.」

「Hayato?」

Standing at the entrance was the refreshing ikemen, Hayato, whom I hadn’t seen in private clothes for a while.

His specs are high as always… wait, that’s not it. It was a bit unexpected, or rather unplanned, but did something happen?

「What’s up, Hayato?」

「Well, I pass by here to get to the station from my place. So I thought we might as well go together.」

「I see.」

That makes sense.

We were supposed to meet at the station today, but if he’s passing by, I’d do the same. It’s perfectly logical.

「Yokogawa-san, hello.」

「Ah, hello, Satsukawa-senpai.」

「Thank you for coming to pick up Kazunari-san.」

「N-No, I didn’t mean to do anything worth being thanked for!!」

Instead of just sounding humble, Hayato’s reply was somewhat flustered.

I didn’t think there were any such elements in the current conversation… well, I’ll ask him later.

「Kazunari-san, since Yokogawa-san has come to pick you up, shall you depart now?」

「I suppose…」

Since the objective is already decided, there’s no reason to hold Hayato back here.

It’s still a bit early, but it’s fine if we just wait there. I intended to leave after seeing Sara-san off, but there’s no guarantee Mayumi-san will arrive before our departure time.

「Sorry, I’ll head out first then.」

「Yes. If dinner becomes unnecessary…」

「I’ll be back for it. I want to eat your food, Sara-san.」

「Ah… fufu, understood. In that case, I shall put all my skill into making dinner tonight as well♪」

Hearing my answer, Sara-san wore a happy, full-blown smile. I didn’t say it with any particular intention, but I think it was a good answer.

I heard Hayato mutter「Smooth as ever, Kazunari」in a small voice from behind.

I wasn’t aiming for that, okay?

「Hayato, shall we go?」

「Yeah. Well then, Satsukawa-senpai, I’ll be borrowing Kazunari.」

「Sara-san, I’m off.」

「Ah, Kazunari-san, wait. You’re forgetting something, you know?」

「Eh?」

Forgetting something?

…I have my wallet, my smartphone, a handkerchief in my pocket, and a pack of pocket tissues in my bag…

While I was checking each item one by one with my hands, Sara-san had come right up to my side before I knew it.

But I didn’t think I’d forgotten anything in particular…

「Sara-san, I…」

Chu…

!?

A gentle sensation touching my cheek. Just as I thought Sara-san had brought her face close, she kissed me on the cheek.

I’m happy, but what was that all of a sudden!?

「Fufu, have a good day… Darling.」

Sara-san gave a small wave, seeing me off with a radiant smile.

Don’t tell me this is that「goodbye kiss」I’ve heard rumors about?

In other words, the「forgotten item」was that?

「Ugh… I-I’m off.」

She often kisses me on the cheek, but in this situation…

It’s a bit embarrassing…

We started walking toward the station after leaving the house, but Hayato hasn’t said a single word yet, even if I have.

But when I flicked a glance to the side, I saw him smirking as he watched me…

「W-What?」

「No, no, no, it’s business as usual, but I just thought you two are really close.」

「Well, I’m not denying that.」

「Hey, Kazunari. By any chance, is it just that you haven’t announced it to us, but you’re actually already married to Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Not yet!!」

To be blunt, I thought that exchange just now felt like a newlywed couple myself!!

But thinking about that only makes me more flustered, so I just forcefully looked away from it back then!!

「Haha, well, considering what we’re going to buy now, I know that. But if I can give my impression as an outsider, Satsukawa-senpai already looks completely like Kazunari’s wife.」

「………」

「Especially since I knew Satsukawa-senpai before she met you… please don’t be mad, okay? I’ve said something similar before, but to be honest, I just saw it with my own eyes and I still can’t believe it. I mean, if even I feel that way, it’s no wonder the other guys say they can’t believe it either…」

「Yeah, I guess so. It’s just that the previous Sara-san and the current Sara-san are that different, right?」

「Yeah. To be precise, the usual Satsukawa-senpai probably hasn’t changed that much. It’s just that the Satsukawa-senpai who is with you is way too different.」

I don’t even need Hayato to point that out. It’s something I think about and understand every single day. I occasionally hear talk about how Sara-san has softened lately, but her attitude toward men is consistent. That’s exactly why her treatment of me stands out so much, and it leads to people feeling like they can’t believe it.

「But well, I guess this time it really is checkmate. If they see that right in front of them, they’ll be forced to realize they have no choice but to admit it.」

「Well, if that weren’t the case, there’d be no point in making a move in that specific place.」

「True. I don’t think it’s something a high schooler would normally do, but that’s exactly why it might be super effective. Plus, the rumors are starting to spread, so it’s all the more perfect. Though to adults who don’t know the circumstances, it’ll probably just look like a joke or child’s play.」

「I don’t care what adults think. The main point is to make the people at school recognize the reality of Sara-san and me. If it turns into a commotion, that’ll help achieve the goal of crushing the Miss Contest too, killing two birds with one stone.」

「Right. For the record, my prediction is that more than half of the men in the audience will be gone before the Miss Contest even ends.」

「Same here.」

As for what will actually happen, we won’t know until it does.

But considering our patterns so far, I expect「Hayato’s prediction + a huge uproar」will naturally occur. If that happens, things will probably spin out of control, and depending on the timing, votes and everything else might become meaningless. If that’s the case, there’s even a possibility it leads to the result of the Miss Contest itself being… well.

As a fellow man, I can understand the feeling of wanting to get hyped over a project like that. But even so, I cannot forgive a Miss Contest that forces Sara-san to do things she finds unpleasant.

Whether it’s custom or tradition, I don’t care. I’m going to take advantage of the situation and stir things up…

We arrived at the station, but as expected, we were still a bit early.

Especially since Yuji is coming by train, the meeting time is set by the timetable. Naturally, there was no chance of him being early.

That didn’t mean we had enough time to go to a nearby cafe, so while we were just chatting…

「Oh, looks like someone’s arriving before Yuji?」

As Hayato turned his gaze toward the station roundabout, a single car clearly different from its surroundings… a luxury car, gracefully entered.

It stands out so much that I recognized it instantly, but come to think of it, is that a private car?

When the car stopped in a temporary parking space, a driver hurried out from the driver’s seat. Once he opened the rear passenger door, the one who stepped out was, naturally…

「Hmm… she’s really out of place.」

「Well, she’s a genuine ojou-sama, after all. Her inside is a bit of a po…」

「Takanashi-san, what exactly were you about to say?」

An ojou-sama… no, Nishikawa-san, cut in with a quip before even a greeting. We’re still a bit away… how’d she hear that?

Well, setting that aside, it’s been a while since we met in person, and she seems the same as ever, which is good.

「No, I was just going to say that even though you’re a genuine ojou-sama, you’re easy to talk to.」

I am definitely not lying, yeah.

If she were a typical, picture-perfect ojou-sama like that stuck-up girl, she’d be hard to get along with… so, she’s easy to talk to.

「…The praise is a bit subtle, but I suppose that’s fine. My apologies for the order of things, but it has been a while, Takanashi-san. Yokogawa-san. It is good to see you are well.」

Her tone is frank, but the way she greets us with polite movements is exactly what you’d expect from an ojou-sama.

Plus, it feels very natural without any hint of sarcasm, which is completely different from that pseudo-ojou-sama. Though I don’t even know if that one is actually an ojou-sama in the first place.

「It’s been a while.」

「It’s been a while, Nishikawa-san. Thank you so much for your help with the engagement to Sara-san. I’m grateful once again.」

I already gave my thanks at the report meeting, but that was then. She really helped me out back then, and the fact that I’m able to spend my time with Sara-san like this is thanks to the lifeline Nishikawa-san provided. I want to thank her as many times as I can.

「No, no, I have already received plenty of thanks for that, and I was the one who was helped first, after all.」

「No, that was mostly for my own convenience, so calling it help is…」

「Regardless, my father is also grateful to you, Takanashi-san. He says he is looking forward to seeing you at the end of the year.」

「The end of the year? …Ah, the Saba party?」

「Yes. Have you not heard yet?」

「Masa… Sara-san’s father did ask me to attend. I haven’t heard the details yet, though.」

Among the things I was asked to cooperate with when getting engaged to Sara-san, that must have been included. I remember being asked to attend together with Sara-san.

Come to think of it, there was something like that in the message from Nishikawa-san’s father, too…

「Well, in short, it is like a year-end party. My father is invited every year, so I have attended two or three times in the past.」

「I see. But to be honest, I was anxious about going to such an out-of-place location as a company party. Not only would I not know anyone, but everyone there would be an adult. So if you’re going to be there too, Nishikawa-san, I’m honestly grateful for that.」

「Fufu… it doesn’t feel bad to be relied upon, but you must get used to it quickly, Takanashi-san. You might think of it as another world, but you are Sara’s fiancé, after all. You will be diving deep into that world in the future, you know?」

「True… employees participate in the party too, right?」

That’s right, I’m going to work for Saba in the future, so naturally there’s a possibility I’ll attend company parties. And like this time, cases of accompanying Masaomi-san are also conceivable.

「Um… w-well, I suppose that is fine for now. Anyway, if you get used to it gradually starting from now, you won’t have to panic in the future.」

?

I felt like Nishikawa-san just struggled for words for a second… well, regardless, she’s right. If such opportunities exist, then for my own sake and to avoid embarrassing Sara-san, it’s best to get used to it early. Being able to experience it now is actually lucky.

「You’re right. As expected of you, Nishikawa-san. That’s helpful advice.」

「Fufu, you won’t get anything out of praising me, you know? However… let me see, to help you get used to it as quickly as possible, perhaps I should have you escort me at the party?」

「Eh? Escort… me?」

「Just kidding… it was a joke. If I said such a thing, I would be killed by Sara.」

Nishikawa-san let out a laugh while wearing a mischievous expression as she said that.

I know it’s a joke, but to be honest, I don’t quite understand the meaning of「escort」… well, if it’s a joke, it doesn’t matter.

「My, Yokogawa-san, what is the matter?」

At Nishikawa-san’s voice, I turned that way too, and Hayato came into view with a blank expression. It’s rare to see Hayato make a face like that.

「Hayato?」

「No, you two were just having a normal conversation, but the content… I expect it from Nishikawa-san, but I realized Kazunari really has entered that kind of world too.」

「I wouldn’t say entered, I’m just participating this time for a reason. Well, it seems certain there are such opportunities at the company, so I guess there will be some in the future after I start working.」

「Eh… start working? Ah, y-yeah, you’re right. I’m sure that company has all sorts of opportunities like that.」

「A-Ah, I think so too.」

?

Just like Nishikawa-san earlier, Hayato seemed to struggle for words… and I thought he flicked a glance at Nishikawa-san for an instant, too.

Don’t tell me I’m the only one saying something completely off the mark…

「Sorry Kazunari, kept you waiting.」

「Yuji?」

I turned around at the voice to find Yuji had arrived before I knew it.

I was so focused on the conversation I didn’t notice the appointed time had passed.

「Hey Yuji, good work.」

「Hello, Tachibana-san. It has been a while.」

「It’s been a while, Nishikawa-san. Hayato, you too.」

After exchanging general greetings, everyone’s eyes focused on Nishikawa-san. In reality, only Nishikawa-san knows where we’re going next. We decided on a destination today based on her recommendation, but we haven’t heard where that place is yet.

In the first place, this shopping trip was something I’d planned to do with only the three guys, accompanied by Yuji and Hayato.

However, given the nature of the item, I consulted Nishikawa-san, who seemed likely to be knowledgeable about where to buy it, and she said,「I happen to have an errand to run as well, so would you like to go together if you are alright with that?」

And when I told Yuji and Hayato, they both said,「For our future reference…」and so we ended up with the rare composition of three guys plus Nishikawa-san.

「Well then, shall we move now? It is not a distance we can walk, so please get in the car, everyone.」

Since that car had been waiting in the parking space the whole time, I’d expected as much.

It looks like I’m going to be even more indebted to her than I thought…

「Nishikawa-san, is it far from here?」

「Let me see… about twenty minutes, I believe.」

「Um, it’s a bit late for this, but is it really okay for me to go? I don’t want to say this, but I heard the shop is incredible…」

Since it was a recommendation from Nishikawa-san, I wasn’t worried at all about its reliability. In fact, I thought it must be a shop where I could buy things with peace of mind.

My only concern was… I expected it to be quite a high-end shop.

Which meant there was a possibility the products they carry would be priced accordingly. Nishikawa-san is an ojou-sama, after all, and I’ve seen her different sense of money many times. So I’m just a little worried about that part…

「It will be fine, I have confirmed that on my end, so please rest assured. Of course, it is a shop that will handle things properly when the time comes, as well.」

「I see, that helps.」

I wonder what she means by「when the time comes」…

「Yes. By the way, have you confirmed the ring size properly?」

「Yeah. I asked Mayumi-san, and she measured it perfectly… though for some reason, she sent me her own size as well.」

Not just Sara-san’s, why she sent her own size too is a total mystery. No matter how much she likes me, I would never send a ring to Mayumi-san… well, it’s probably just her usual joking, surely.

Still, I think I should consider some kind of gift for her eventually as a regular thank-you.

「Ehehehe, I see, I see. But you seem to be quite well-liked by Mayumi-san too, Takanashi-san. That is for the best.」

「Yeah, to be honest, I’m grateful for that. Though the fact that she loves pranks is a bit of a flaw.」

「Heh… is that so? That is a bit unexpected. I usually see Mayumi-san in professional settings, and I do not have that image of her at all.」

「Huh?」

「Due to my position, I often meet her in business-related contexts. How should I put it… her aura is incredible, or rather, everyone around her recognizes the difference in status just by her being in the room…」

Nishikawa-san’s explanation made sense and didn’t at the same time, but at the very least, it didn’t connect at all to the image of Mayumi-san in my head.

Sure, she occasionally shows a sharp face toward Sara-san, but I think any parent would do that.

「I cannot explain it well myself. I believe you will understand the meaning of my words at the year-end party.」

「I, I see…」

「Yes. But you will be fine, Takanashi-san. For the great Mayumi-san to go that far means she must truly trust you. Perhaps she even thinks of you as a real son?」

Like a real son…

Actually, she’s always telling me she wants me to call her mother-in-law.

But if she thinks well of me, that’s a happy thing, and even if she has a side like that, to me, Mayumi-san is just the usual Mayumi-san. That won’t change now or in the future.

Still, I thought… maybe I should call her mother-in-law once in a while normally… just a little bit.