Episode 295: An Unexpected Guest

「By the way, what are you going to do once the people you’re meeting get here? I assume you’ve already got a schedule?」

Uesaka-san asked suddenly, looking back and forth between me and Nishikawa-san.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t really told him about that.

「Yes. Until the lunch break for Takanashi-san and Sara, I thought I’d walk around with the others after we meet up.」

「I, I see. And have you decided on lunch? Are you eating at one of the stalls, or buying something…? Oh, you’re welcome to use the student council room… and…」

I might not be one to talk, but it was written all over Uesaka-san’s face that he wanted to have lunch with Nishikawa-san.

I didn’t exactly misunderstand the feeling, but we were all looking forward to lunch as a group. I couldn’t just say「here you go.」

「Thank you. But we’ve already decided on lunch, so we’ll be fine. Right, Takanashi-san?」

「Yeah. We’re all bringing a bento for a potluck lunch.」

Nishikawa-san smiled happily and passed the topic to me. I knew she didn’t have any ulterior motives or bad intentions, but saying it like that would just make Uesaka-san misunderstand again.

「A bento… does that mean you made one too, Takanashi-kun?」

「Yes… though in my case, Sara-san won’t even let me stand in the kitchen. By the way, Nishikawa-san, your bento…」

While we were talking, I realized that Nishikawa-san only had a small, cute pouch with her. She didn’t have anything else… right?

「Eh? Oh, yes. I made one properly. I asked someone to bring it later, so it is just not with me right now.」

「Oh, I see. By the way… can you cook, Nishikawa-san?」

I had a feeling she could do just about anything.

She felt like a similar type to Sara-san, a sort of all-rounder.

「I can cook too, you know. I might not reach Sara’s level, but I am confident I can do better than Natsumi.」

「Is that so? I’m looking forward to it!」

「Yes. Takanashi-san, I know it will be tough for you with Sara and Hanako-san’s bentos, but please eat some of mine as well, okay? This is the first time I have ever had a man eat my cooking, so I worked harder than usual on today’s lunch.」

「Underst…」

「F-First time!?」

Uesaka-san showed an abnormal level of interest in Nishikawa-san’s casual explanation… but putting that aside.

Even if I was in for a challenge with Sara-san and Hanako-san’s bentos, I was already prepared for that. So it wasn’t a problem.

Besides, Sara-san had anticipated I’d be eating other food and reduced the portion size for me.

「U!?」

While I was thinking about that, my vision suddenly went pitch black.

Of course, it hadn’t turned into night, and nothing was wrong with my eyes. My eyes were just being covered from behind.

I’d noticed Nishikawa-san and the others glancing toward me… or rather, behind me… for a little while now.

So this was why.

「Fufu… guess who?」

A cute voice that felt a bit more mischievous than usual came from right behind me.

Naturally, there was no way I could get it wrong.

「Sara-san.」

「Fufu, correct♪」

I thought for a split second about pretending to be stumped, but I was so happy about Sara-san’s cute prank that I answered immediately.

Even if it was decided from the start, being separated from Sara-san right as the fun festival began was… well, the truth was I’d been lonely.

「Welcome back, Sara-san.」

「Yes, I am back. But before that. A reward for Kazunari-san for getting it right♪ Mnh…」

Chu…

Just as I thought Sara-san had leaned her face in, I felt a soft, happy sensation on my cheek.

Even if it was just a light touch, a gentle kiss from Sara-san made me incredibly happy!

「Thank you, Sara-san.」

The kiss ended quickly, but for some reason, I felt like I still wanted to be close to her.

Just as I was about to reach out my own hand, I suddenly noticed the gazes from around us.

Looking closely, the newspaper club members were watching from a distance, along with various other people.

But more than that, the gloomy, dark stare from Nishikawa-san was becoming intense. This was a bit much.

「…Wait!? Wh-What just… happe…!?」

「…Ha, haha, no way, it’s an illusion… it has to be, or I’m in trouble, hah, I’m in trouble!!」

「…Wh-Wh-What was that just now…」

「…It’s a lie, it’s definitely a lie…」

「Hyaaa, did you see that!? Did you just see that!?」

「I saw it!! What what what!? Satsukawa-san!?」

「Kyaaaa!! The rumor about her dating the Vice President was for real!?」

「Idiot, that was Satsukawa-san kissing him in public!?」

「Sara!? Do you realize where you are!?」

「Hello, Eri. You are early. And you asked where this is? It’s the headquarters tent, but what about it?」

「It’s not ‘what about it’!!! We are in public!? It is one thing in front of us, but in… in front of all these people… plus, Takanashi-san must be troubled!?」

「Huh?」

I understood what Nishikawa-san was saying, but I didn’t feel inconvenienced or troubled at all.

All I felt was a normal sense of happiness and love for Sara-san.

「Ah… I see, I see. Takanashi-san is just like Sara. Yes, yes, of course you are, you idiot couple…」

Nishikawa-san’s completely deadpan gaze pierced through me.

I mean, I hadn’t even said anything yet.

How did she read my thoughts so perfectly every single time? It really was a mystery.

At this point, I started to wonder if it wasn’t that I was simple, but that everyone else was just too sharp.

「Eri, I don’t mind about myself, but I shall never forgive you for saying things that mock Kazunari-san.」

And Sara-san, who lost all sense of humor when it came to me, immediately snapped at Nishikawa-san.

「Hey, Sara… are you saying that seriously?」

「Of course. I don’t tell jokes regarding Kazunari-san.」

「Ah, I see… after all, female friendship is just that once a man is involved…」

「That is that, and this is this. However, it is only natural for me, as the one who will be Kazunari-san’s wife, to prioritize my husband, is it not?」

「Guh… you damn normies.」

Um… hearing Nishikawa-san call someone a normie felt a bit out of place.

Even if she was talking about relationships, there was a high-spec guy standing right in front of her who clearly had feelings for her, even if she hadn’t noticed.

「Um… sorry to interrupt your conversation. Do you have a moment?」

Suddenly being called from another direction, I realized for the first time that guests had arrived at the reception desk.

Crap… I was so caught up in the exchange between Sara-san and Nishikawa-san that I’d neglected my duties.

…WHAAAAAT!?

Wh-Why are you here!?

「Ah, sorry. My apologies… how can I help you?」

Uesaka-san immediately put on his refreshing smile and began assisting them, but honestly, my mind was elsewhere. It wasn’t that anything was wrong or that I was in trouble… I was just so shocked by the suddenness.

「Um, Kazunari-san, what is…」

「Ah, I knew it was Kazunari-kun! Long time no see. How have you been?」

「「「Kazunari-kun?」」」

The person who called me「Kazunari-kun.」

She had a boisterous smile that somewhat reminded me of my mom. She was slightly stout, and her trademark fabric hairband, as big as a hat, stood out from a distance.

She looked just like she always did, very easy to recognize.

「…Eh, Mother-in-law?」

Sara-san seemed to notice too. To someone who knew her, the resemblance was clear enough to see the family likeness.

「Auntie, long time no see.」

「「「Auntie!?」」」

「It has been a while, Kazunari-kun. Though we haven’t seen each other, I was coming by to check on you until around May.」

「Eh!? You were coming by!?」

That was news to me!

Did she know back when Sara-san started coming over!?

「Ahahaha, I didn’t go to your house. I was just checking on you occasionally after school. But since you didn’t contact me, I was prepared to barge in as a last resort.」

「After school… I didn’t notice at all.」

「I was watching from a distance. But once Fuyumi went to see you directly, I held back… anyway…」

My Aunt said that and wore a strangely meaningful smile.

It looked exactly like the face my mom makes when she’s up to no good or plotting something I won’t like.

In other words… I had a bad feeling.

「Mother, don’t just disappear on me. What are you doing… oh?」

「Ah, Shinya-san! Long time no see!」

「Kazunari! Man, it’s been a while.」

The man who appeared after my Aunt was Shinya-san… her son, which made him my cousin.

He was a university student living away from home, so it had been quite a long time since I’d seen him.

「Shinya-san, you’re back?」

「Yeah. A few things happened. I heard you were at this school, and I’m an alumnus here. I came along to chaperone Mom. Man, it really has been a while.」

「Yeah. Good to see you’re well.」

「You too. I was worried because I heard you were in a bit of a situation, but it looks like you’re doing okay?」

「Yeah. Sorry for worrying you. I’m fine now.」

「Looks like it. That’s good. So, what is Kazunari doing he… re…!?」

While talking to me, Shinya-san scanned the inside of the tent and his gaze came to a sudden halt.

I had an extremely bad feeling… no, it wasn’t just a feeling anymore.

Which one was it? I could only think of two possibilities.

Or maybe both!?

「…………」

Shinya-san stared blankly at one spot as if he couldn’t look away.

If it were Nishikawa-san, that would be one thing, but if it were Sara-san… that gaze was just too dangerous.

Shinya-san was my cousin, and in terms of future family relations, I didn’t want things to be awkward with Sara-san.

So I should probably take the initiative and introduce them now.

「Um, Auntie, Shinya-san, I want to introduce you…」

「Right, right, that. I heard a bit from Fuyumi, that Kazunari-kun managed to get back on his feet thanks to someone wonderful appearing in his life. She’s a student at this school, right? I’d love to be introduced.」

「Wh-What, Kazunari, you already have a girlfriend? I see… well, I’ve been ‘focusing on my university studies,’ you see. I haven’t had the time until now, but I’m thinking it’s about time I got a girlfriend too.」

Shinya-san kept glancing behind me, emphasizing certain words for some reason.

I should hurry up and introduce them before things get annoying.

「…Sara-san.」

「Yes!」

When I called her name, Sara-san gave a happy reply as if she’d been waiting for it. She stepped right up next to me and gave a very deep, polite bow.

When my Aunt saw that, she looked like she’d been hit by a thunderbolt… and Shinya-san just froze with a weird smile on his face.

I knew he was looking at Sara-san…

「Nice to meet you… I am Satsukawa Sara.」

「M-My, how very polite… I am Mizutani Kazumi.」

It was the first time I’d ever seen my Aunt speak so formally. She looked strangely cowed, maybe she was being overwhelmed by Sara-san?

「I apologize for the late greeting. I am dating Kazunari-san with marriage in mind. I look forward to our future relationship.」

「「…Huh?」」

The two of them froze with blank looks on their faces after hearing Sara-san’s polite greeting.

They continued to stare at Sara-san in a daze, each with a different expression.

「「…Mar…」」

「「…Mar… mar…」」

Expressions…

「「MARRIAGE!!!???」」

「「「WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!???」」」

What on earth!?

A massive, chorus-like scream followed my Aunt’s shock… wait, looking closely, a huge crowd had gathered around the tent!?

Wh-When did that happen?

「M-m-m-m-marriage!?」

「It’s a lie, it’s a lie, it’s a lie, it’s a lie!!!」

「Wait, but would that Satsukawa-san ever lie!?」

「Shut up! If it’s a lie, it’s a lie!!!」

「Whoaaaaa, I hadn’t even confessed yet!!!」

「DAMN IIIIIIIT!!!!!」

「W-w-w-w-wait a second, Kazunari!! Dating with marriage in mind? You’re both still high schoolers!!!??」

「D-Does Fuyumi and the others know!? And what about the young lady’s parents!?」

「Marriage isn’t something you just talk about that easily!!!」

The inside and outside of the tent were in a total state of panic.

The crowd outside was arguing over whether to believe it or not, and my Aunt and Shinya-san were firing questions at me like they were out of breath.

Their intensity was so high I couldn’t get a word in…

「We are officially engaged. My parents have recognized this, and Kazunari-san’s parents have also recognized us. We are planning a formal meeting between our families soon!」

「「「「「u!?」」」」」

Sara-san cut into the conversation at the perfect timing, her voice full of a power that commanded everyone to listen.

Since she’d included the necessary explanations, the crowd and the two family members shut their mouths instantly. I guess they finally understood.

「Ka-Kazunari-kun… for real?」

「For real, you… you’re engaged to that person?」

「Yeah. Sara-san is my fiancée. I mean, didn’t you hear from my Mom?」

「I didn’t hear that much… Fuyumi, why would she leave out something so important…」

「Whoaaaaa, for real… I’m so jealous…」

They still looked shaken, but they seemed to understand what Sara-san had said. Though Shinya-san looking so theatrically defeated was a bit much…

「「「 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! 」」」

And then the guys (boys) who were also looking defeated let out fierce screams and bolted off somewhere… and they were all running in the same direction.

Is there something over there?

「…Uesaka-san… those two seem strangely used to this despite such a commotion… could it be…」

「…Yeah. It’s a regular occurrence.」

「…Haa… what are you doing at school…」

「…Well, they are just being close as ‘usual.’ It is just the people around them who make a scene.」

「…I see… so this is ‘usual’… honestly.」

These two were also having a normal conversation by using us as a topic.

Uesaka-san seemed strangely happy about it, too.

Actually, he was smirking too much.

「Kazunari-kun, a girl this good is rare, you know?」

「Yes. I know.」

After finishing our conversation (except for the cohabitation part), my Aunt left me with a classic, typical line.

Rather than being rare, I didn’t even think there was another woman like Sara-san in the first place. Well, even if there were, it didn’t matter to me since I had Sara-san.

「…No way, there’s no way there’s another woman who’s this breathtakingly beautiful, perfect at housework, has a great personality, and is completely devoted… Kazunari, I’m way too jealous…」

On the other hand, Shinya-san had a stiff smile and kept muttering something under his breath.

For some reason, while it wasn’t as bad as Nishikawa-san, I couldn’t help but feel like some dark aura was peeking through.

「Well now… our main goal is achieved, and it wouldn’t be good to keep interfering with your work, so we’ll be going now.」

My Aunt scanned the area and made that sudden declaration.

Maybe she was reading the room, but honestly, it was a help to me.

I couldn’t exactly ask them to leave, after all.

No sooner had she said it than my Aunt started half-dragging Shinya-san, who was still muttering, and began walking toward the entrance.

And for some reason, she put her smartphone to her ear…

Hmm… I had an intensely bad feeling…

While I was watching them, the other student council members began appearing from the entrance as if they were switching places. It looked like everyone was back.

I could see Hanako-san and Todo-san among them. Had Hanako-san gone to help out somewhere?

「Kyaaaa, Nishikawa-san, long time no see!!」

「Yes, long time no see.」

「Whoa, Nishikawa-san, did you get even prettier?」

「Ahaha, I don’t think I’ve changed that much.」

While I felt heartwarming watching Nishikawa-san reunite with the seniors, I immediately started my own report.

Then I heard the specific whine of a microphone being switched on from the speakers… which meant, of course, that it was time for…

「Yahoo, everyone, are you having fun? It’s time for… Minamin’s Recommended Info!!!!」

「「「 MI-NA-MIN!!! 」」」

The standard「Minamin Call」from inside the building.

As lively as ever.

Even if the guests were laughing at it…

「Oh, Yoko and Tachibana-kun are here!!」

Todo-san shouted unusually loudly. I followed her gaze and saw Tachikawa-san jogging toward us while waving… and Yuji walking at his own pace.

It looked like they’d come together.

「Sorry to keep you waiting!!」

「Welcome, Yoko!!」

Clap!

Tachikawa-san arrived at the tent a step ahead of Yuji and exchanged a high-five with Todo-san. Then she headed straight for me.

Was I getting one, too?

「Takanashi-kun, long time no see!」

「Yo, Tachikawa-san, welcome!」

Clap!

The crisp sound rang out along with our brief greeting.

Tachikawa-san seemed to be in top form and high spirits today, and she went on to high-five Hanako-san, Nishikawa-san, and then Sara-san.

By the time they were done, Yuji had finally arrived.

「Good work, Yuji.」

「Sorry, did I keep you waiting?」

「Come on, Tachibana-kun, stop acting cool and give me a high-five!」

Tachikawa-san happily raised her hands to both me and Yuji. She really was in a good mood.

「Fufu, things are getting lively.」

「Yeah. I’m getting excited, too.」

「Me too.」

Sara-san and Hanako-san were smiling happily, and seeing them made me even more excited.

It felt like our actual school festival was about to begin, and the anticipation was becoming unbearable!!

「Okay, a business announcement from the broadcast club. We just received a report that several boys have started behaving strangely, and we also received multiple tips about the possible cause. I won’t say who it is, but… that idiot couple near the school gate!! You guys have way too much influence, so restrain yourselves!!!! …That is all!!!!」

Click

Um…

As the microphone switched off, the excitement in the air around us died down instantly… though it was mainly just around me.

And for some reason, everyone’s gaze was fixed on me and Sara-san.

That couldn’t possibly be talking about us… could it?

「Being called a couple means they are lovers, but it’s not good to cause trouble for those around you. Well, it has nothing at all to do with Kazunari-san and me. …By the way, why is everyone looking at us?」

「「「…………」」」

Sara-san wasn’t joking or waiting for a comeback.

And yet, everyone’s deadpan stares looked like they were pleading for something.

But we didn’t intend to cause trouble for anyone, we were just being close.

So I don’t think Minamin’s announcement was about us.

Everyone was just looking at us because of a simple misunderstanding… I’m sure. Probably… right?