Episode 288: A Present for Father-in-law as Well

「Welcome home, both of you!」

When Sara-san opened the front door, Mayumi-san was there to greet us in her apron. It seemed she was right in the middle of preparing dinner, and an indescribably delicious smell was wafting from inside the house. Being welcomed like this made me feel like I had really come back to my childhood home, and it made me feel kind of happy.

「I’m home.」

「I’m home, Mother-in-law… ah.」

I surprised even myself, but the word「Mother-in-law」had slipped out naturally. There was nothing wrong with it, but it was… maybe a little embarrassing.

「Nfufu, Mother-in-law is so happy!!!」

Mayumi-san wore a radiant smile as she looked at me. If Sara-san hadn’t been blocking her path, I might have been caught and ruffled up by Mayumi-san right then and there.

Actually, her hands were moving in a really weird way. I guess she was just that happy.

「Well, welcome home again. I have tea ready, so you two go sit on the sofa and wait.」

「Th-Thank you very much.」

「I shall help as well.」

「It’s fine, Sara-chan, you go sit down too. Kazunari-kun would be all alone, wouldn’t he? Or maybe… I should stay with Kazunari-kun alone…」

「We will wait together, so please go prepare things quickly.」

「Yes, yes. Well then, Kazunari-kun, wait just a little longer.」

「O-Okay.」

Mayumi-san laughed happily and disappeared into the back with the pitter-patter of her slippers. Sara-san and I headed to the living room and sat side-by-side on the sofa as usual.

「Good work today, Kazunari-san.」

「No, if anything, good work to you, Sara-san. All sorts of things happened since this morning, and I caused you trouble…」

「No-no.」

Sara-san lightly poked my forehead, wearing an expression that said「I am angry, you know.」Of course, I knew it was just a pose, but it didn’t change the fact that I had made a slip of the tongue.

I really need to fix that bad habit.

「You’re not at all responsible for what happened this morning, Kazunari-san. Furthermore, when it comes to you, there is nothing I would ever consider a nuisance. So to say you caused me trouble…」

「You’re right, I phrased that wrong. Thank you, Sara-san.」

「Yes, good boy♪」

When I corrected myself, Sara-san smiled happily and gently stroked the spot she had just poked.

Still, I really have to do something about that habit.

「For the record, I would gladly accept any trouble you might cause me, Kazunari-san. So please, do not hold back.」

Sara-san said it so casually, but knowing how she usually is, I couldn’t be sure it was a joke. In fact, she probably meant it for real.

But that was exactly why I couldn’t let myself be a burden. Besides, if the roles were reversed, I would probably feel the exact same way as Sara-san.

So…

「Thank you… Sara-san.」

The only thing I should say here was a heart-felt thank you. I shouldn’t worry about unnecessary things and just convey my happiness toward Sara-san’s feelings as pure gratitude.

「Yes♪ …Mnh.」

Chu…

Sara-san leaned in and gave me a light kiss on the cheek. My feelings seemed to reach her clearly, and she looked very happy. She stared intently into my eyes, and I…

「G-Gosh, Sara-chan. If you two are always flirting like that, Kazunari-kun is going to melt, you know?」

「I don’t understand what you mean by melting, but there is no limit to the love I feel for Kazunari-san.」

Sara-san said it so simply, as if to say「is there something strange about that?」But since I felt the exact same way, it didn’t seem strange to me at all.

「Oh dear… Kazunari-kun is thinking the same thing, isn’t he. Well, I suppose you are a perfect match. Nfufu, good for you, Sara-chan.」

「It feels a bit subtle being told that by you, Mother. Our meeting was fate, and this was inevitable.」

「Whoa… you really go that far… Wait, Sara-chan, you are mean! Why is it subtle when I say it!?」

「Who knows. Why don’t you ask your own heart?」

「Sniff sniff, Kazunari-kun… would you ask Mother-in-law’s heart?」

Wait, why are you looking at me!?

And she was pretending to cry while showing off those very large「things」… showing off… wait, this is bad!!

I felt the danger in my own actions and tried to look away instantly, but before I could, a hand reached out from the side and grabbed my head!?

Squish…

I was pulled right in, and instead of danger, I plunged into that soft「place」of Sara-san’s that was basically heaven. My entire field of vision was blocked.

「There is no need for that. Kazunari-san’s place is right here.」

「Sara-chan, if you’re that forceful, Kazunari-kun will have a hard time, won’t he?」

「I’m being very careful with my strength. Besides… Kazunari-san is very happy when I do this for him. Right, Kazunari-san?」

Nod.

Without a word, I just nodded to confirm it. As usual, it was a fine line whether this could be called a hug, but from Sara-san’s perspective, it was a perfectly natural way to hold me. So this was a hug. No matter what anyone said, it was a hug!

And the fact that I was happy was definitely true, so I admitted it honestly. Because… being held by Sara-san was pure bliss.

「Fufu… good boy. Come closer.」

Sara-san pulled my upper body slightly and hugged me tightly. I ended up in a position where something soft was pressed against me with all her might.

「Kazunari-san, I will always do this for you, you know. If you hold back… it will be a no-no, understood?」

And she whispered it in such a shockingly sweet voice… my heart was pounding so hard. I was… I was… I was happy, I was happy, but it was rough!!!

Click…

「I’m home. I’m back now. Are those two here yet… w-what… are you doing?」

Oh… for crying out loud. I never expected Masaomi-san to come home at this timing.

I didn’t know what Masaomi-san looked like right now, but I could imagine it perfectly. It was etched into my mind. And because I could see it so clearly… I was too scared to pull away…

God is so mean…

「Um… well, welcome home.」

「Y-Yes. Welcome, Kazunari-kun…」

Man, what should I do. Because of what happened just now, it was awkward. Really awkward. Masaomi-san was obviously confused, too. But I guess I should consider myself lucky he wasn’t angry.

「Well, I think it’s wonderful that you are on such good terms. But perhaps, a bit more… moderation…」

「Darling, stop saying that to Kazunari-kun. You know how much restraint he has shown up until now, do you not?」

「Guh… w-well, that is true, but…」

I honestly didn’t want to understand, but I knew exactly what Mayumi-san meant. From her way of thinking, since I was maintaining「certain standards」regarding the final line, she was telling Masaomi-san to forgive and overlook this much. And Masaomi-san probably gave that reaction because he understood that too.

Still, as a father, I guess… yeah.

「Or rather, it’s my own will to hold Kazunari-san. If he were to say he disliked it, I would refrain, but there is no reason for you to stop me, Father.」

「S-Saraaaa!?」

As a final blow, Sara-san declared it flatly, and Masaomi-san hung his head with an expression that said「Shock!!」

Ugh, Masaomi-san, I’m sorry.

Sara-san went to the kitchen to help Mayumi-san, leaving Masaomi-san and me to chat while relaxing over tea. I liked talking with Masaomi-san, so this time was actually quite nice.

「Heh, a project like that… wait, come to think of it, there was something like that in the documents I organized the other day. I think it was the Second Planning Department…」

「Oh, that is right. You remembered well.」

「Yes, I just happened to see the prototype photo and thought it looked interesting.」

「Yes, yes, so you think it looks interesting too, Kazunari-kun? Actually, I was planning on giving it a push at the next meeting.」

「Yes! I think functionality and price are important, but I really liked how the sense of playfulness was front and center. It totally hit my personal weak spot… wait, s-sorry, I shouldn’t be so cheeky…」

Crap. I was so happy Masaomi-san was listening that I spoke like I knew everything. I even sounded pretty overfamiliar considering it was his company and work we were talking about.

「Hahaha, you weren’t being cheeky at all. In fact, it is a valuable opinion, so I appreciate it. Besides…」

「…Besides?」

「…This is the first time I have ever had someone at home listen to me talk about my work. So, well… haha, it’s actually quite nice.」

Masaomi-san laughed a bit sheepishly as he said that. Come to think of it, I’d heard before that Sara-san had always kept him at arm’s length. So maybe he’d never talked about work like this with her.

「But I have never talked to my own old man like this either. I’ve never given my opinion like this.」

「Is that so? I just figured if I had a son, it would be something like this.」

「I wonder… at the very least, I have never experienced it.」

「I see. But in that case, is it because you are my son-in-law? Either way, this makes me very happy.」

「Y-Yes. I’m happy I can talk with you like this too, Masaomi-san.」

Maybe it was because we weren’t actually father and son that we could have this kind of distance, and because I didn’t look at him the same way I did my own father. That’s just a feeling I had.

「Hmm… now I’m really looking forward to the day when you can drink alcohol, Kazunari-kun.」

「Come to think of it, do you not drink at home, Masaomi-san?」

「No. I go out for drinks occasionally, but I make it a point not to drink at home. If I get drunk… Sara will scold me, you see.」

「Ah…」

I couldn’t imagine Masaomi-san getting drunk and rowdy, but I could easily imagine Sara-san giving a drunk Masaomi-san a lecture. So… I guess it was natural for him to hold back.

「But if you were to drink with me, Kazunari-kun, I thought maybe Sara wouldn’t get as angry. Ah, but that isn’t the reason I want to drink with you. I just genuinely want to have a drink with you.」

「Haha, I know. But she might just scold both of us…」

That said, if that happened, I had a feeling Sara-san would still save the real lecture for Masaomi-san alone. It was definitely possible. In fact, I could only see it going that way.

「I wonder. Sara seems like she would forgive anything you do.」

「But she still warns me if I say something wrong, you know?」

In fact, she’d just given me a「no-no」earlier. Sara-san didn’t just blindly agree with everything I did, which was actually a help for me.

「I see. But in my case, I would probably get scolded by Mayumi as well. Mayumi really thinks the world of you… oh, that’s right. I wanted to thank you for the brooch.」

「Ah, no, it really wasn’t anything special. She’s always looking after me, so it was just a small way to say thanks…」

「No, no, Mayumi was so incredibly happy. she kept showing it off to me over and over. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her look so delighted.」

「Is that so. I’m happy if she liked it that much.」

I see… Mayumi-san was that happy about it. She’d looked delighted when I gave it to her, but hearing that she was like that at home made me happy too. Now if only I could make Masaomi-san happy too… ah, right.

Isn’t right now the perfect time to give it to him?

「Um, Masaomi-san.」

I reached into my bag, pulled it out, and gently held it toward Masaomi-san. But Masaomi-san, just like Mayumi-san had, stared at it blankly, looking like he didn’t know what was happening.

Well, it was sudden.

「I’m sorry, I intended to give it to you at the same time as Mayumi-san, but I’m a bit late.」

「Eh? Um… is this for… me as well?」

「Yes. To be honest, it isn’t anything grand.」

Masaomi-san wore an expression that was a mix of surprise and confusion, his hands reaching out and then pulling back repeatedly. It was a bit heartwarming, but I figured I should just say it clearly.

「Thank you for everything, Masaomi-san. It is a simple thing, but please accept it.」

「!?」

When I said it clearly, Masaomi-san finally seemed to make up his mind to accept it. He tentatively reached out, took it in his hand… but then he froze, looking like he didn’t know what to do with it.

「Um, if you like, please open it.」

「I-Is it okay?」

「Yes.」

Masaomi-san stared at the object in his hand for a while before determinedly removing the wrapping paper. Seeing him struggle a bit with the tape was weirdly cute, but he managed to get the paper off neatly. And once he held the brooch that came out, he stared at it with his eyes wide.

「Well, I made it from a kit I chose specifically because it was for a man…」

Masaomi-san’s brooch was a uniquely shaped piece for a man, with a small crown ornament and a bird-shaped pin connected by a chain. Since the pins were the snap-in type, it was actually easier to make than the women’s versions in terms of effort, and it turned out looking pretty decent as a result. So I thought it looked fine.

「……………」

「Um, Masaomi-san?」

I wondered what was wrong… Masaomi-san was acting strange. He had been frozen since he took the brooch, and he had almost no reaction at all.

「Kazunari-kun…」

「Y-Yes.」

「No, sorry. How should I put it, I can’t really think of a time I’ve been this happy, except for when I received presents from Sara…」

「………」

It seemed his freezing was because he was more happy than I’d imagined, and he was so surprised he didn’t have the energy to react. To be honest, I hadn’t expected him to be that delighted, so I was surprised too.

「I’m sorry for showing you such a strange sight. But… haha, I’m happy. I never dreamed you would prepare something for me too. And receiving a present like this… yeah, I understand perfectly now why Mayumi was so giddy. It really is a wonderful feeling.」

As he spoke, it seemed the reality finally sank in, and Masaomi-san gave me a truly happy smile. He held the brooch against his jacket, checking the position over and over to see how it would look when worn.

「Haha… how is it? Does it look good?」

「Yes. But it really isn’t suitable for work, is it.」

「That’s fine. I want to treasure this, and it would be a disaster if I snagged it and broke it while working. I’ll use it at the next party immediately.」

「Eh? But for an occasion like that, wouldn’t something more substantial be better?」

If someone in a solid position like Masaomi-san was going to wear something to a formal party, I thought a proper item would be better. Anyone would be able to tell it was cheap, and if other people thought it looked tacky…

「No, no, this has enough value to be worthy of such an occasion. So I shall use it with pleasure.」

「O-Okay. But I’m already fully satisfied just knowing you’re that happy, so please don’t force yourself.」

In the end, it was up to Masaomi-san to decide, but I didn’t want him to feel forced to use it just because it was a gift from me. I chose something simple because I wanted him to feel free to use it, and I would be perfectly happy if he just used it for normal, everyday scenes.

「Yeah. Thank you, really. You’ve been through so much trouble because of Sara, and because of Mayumi too, really, so many things… so many things…」

Masaomi-san’s movements stopped again after he said that much. But this time it probably had nothing to do with the brooch. It seemed he’d thought of something else… his gaze was fixed on me, yet not quite seeing me?

「I see… it might be better if I talked to you properly about this…」

「Masaomi-san?」

I wondered what was wrong, but Masaomi-san was acting strange again. All that happiness from just now had vanished, replaced by a look that was deathly serious, like something grave had happened. He stared intently at me with an indescribable expression.

「Kazunari-kun… there is something I want to talk to you about regarding Mayumi.」

「Something about… Mayumi-san?」

「Yeah. Considering Mayumi’s behavior toward you lately, I thought I should give you a proper explanation. So, would you mind giving me a bit of your time?」

「Y-Yes. Understood.」

An explanation about Mayumi-san? I didn’t mind, of course, but looking at Masaomi-san’s stiff expression and manner…

It didn’t sound like it was going to be a happy story.