Episode 333: Onto the Stage…

Kusahara Yutaka POV

This may be sudden, but I think I’ve lived a fairly smooth life so far.

If I had to say, that time when the company’s future was up in the air was probably the toughest, but in the end, our firm successfully secured a better position as a group company under a massive corporation.

Plus, our positions were maintained. Looking back, everything turned out perfectly fine.

And right now, I’ve unexpectedly gained an opportunity to establish a personal connection with「the」Managing Director Satsukawa, the man said to be the next Chairman and President of the Saba Group. If I just keep following him today, I’m scheduled to give a personal greeting later to his wife, Satsukawa Mayumi-san, who is a direct descendant of the Saba Group’s founding family. Once that’s done, I’ll naturally be able to greet the young lady, Satsukawa Sara-san. Rena will surely introduce me as a close friend of hers.

Everything will go smoothly, and I’m guaranteed to make a great impression.

Today is truly a wonderful, perfect day.

…Or so I believed without a shred of doubt.

In fact, everything was going really well for a while. Even if just a little, I felt like I was making a good impression on Managing Director Satsukawa. Things were flowing smoothly enough to make me think everything would work out.

So… where did it all go wrong?

I can’t understand what’s happening right in front of me. Or should I say, I can’t quite keep up with it?

Is this really reality?

If so… what on earth is Rena doing?

「Hiding her true self with a nice sounding title while gathering popularity… how black hearted. Was the reason she hid her lover’s existence because she didn’t want to lose popularity? And the second it was discovered, she scrambled to cover up the reason she hid it, desperate to maintain her reputation… haa… what a truly unpleasant personality.」

Completely unaware of my agony, Rena is insulting the young lady as much as she possibly can. She just won’t stop spouting abuse.

What’s driving her to go that far… no, now isn’t the time for that. I don’t know what to do. I can’t find any way to break through this situation.

The only thing I know for sure is that this is the biggest crisis to ever hit my successful life.

「…Hmm.」

Managing Director Satsukawa hasn’t said a word for a while. He’s just quietly watching Rena’s outrage on the screen without showing any particular reaction.

But that silence is only fueling my anxiety.

Even so, what am I supposed to say in a situation like this?

Nothing I say will help. If anything, wouldn’t I just be digging my own grave? I can’t help but think that. Plus, it might just be my imagination, but I feel a heavy pressure coming from the Managing Director’s silence. That’s why I can’t move. I can’t say anything reckless.

My thoughts are just going in circles.

「Ku, Kusahara-san…」

「…I know.」

Of course, I’m not the only one who realizes how bad this is. My subordinates who joined me today are looking at each other awkwardly.

I feel bad for dragging them into this… but I don’t have the luxury to worry about that. I can’t find any plan to get through this or any way to fix it.

「Kusahara-kun?」

「Y, yes!?」

「As a parent, I have no intention of meddling in children’s squabbles. Parents shouldn’t butt into fights between kids. I think I understand that well enough. If I did that, Mayumi and Sara would get mad at me for doing something unnecessary.」

「Y, yes! I certainly hear stories like that often!」

「Right. But you see… I think I’d like to ask for an explanation for this. My daughter certainly isn’t the most social person, but by the same token, she doesn’t go out of her way to get involved with others. The only exceptions are Kazunari-kun and her friends like Eri-san and Natsumi-san. Basically… there’s no way she would interfere with Rena-san on her own.」

「I, I see. So that’s how the young lady is? But that means…」

Maybe it’s because my head is in a panic, but I don’t quite get what the Managing Director is saying. I can understand what he means about the young lady if I look back at that party, but… wait, that man!?

Right, it was hidden behind Rena’s mess, but there was another shocking story!!

That man named Kazunari… what is his deal!? He’s the young lady’s lover, and they’re already living together!?

And when that topic came up, Managing Director Satsukawa didn’t look shaken at all. Does that mean the Managing Director, and probably his wife too, have given their approval or are at least turning a blind eye to them living together!?

What could that possibly mean… no, no, I’m surely overthinking it.

「Basically… I hate to put it like this, but Sara wouldn’t end up in a situation like this unless the other party was unnecessarily bothering her.」

「Ugh!?」

I, I see… if the young lady doesn’t interfere with anyone except specific people, then if trouble breaks out, it’s highly likely it was the other person who started it.

Meaning in this case… the cause of the trouble was Rena!?

And to make matters worse, Rena is still spouting abuse at the young lady right now!!

Seriously, what is she doing!!!!

「I don’t know what she has against Sara that would make her say such things, but… am I the only one sensing a strange amount of malice?」

「No!!! Th, that’s, well…」

「By the way… the matter of them living together is something both families have approved. There’s a formal reason for it, and we’ve spoken properly with the school about all of it. So they won’t be facing suspension or expulsion like she said, you know?」

「……Y, yes.」

A formal reason…

I wonder what that meaningful comment refers to.

No, there’s no point thinking about that now.

Right now, I just have to get through this situation somehow. That’s the priority.

For my sake… and ultimately, for the sake of our company.

Masaomi POV

Honestly… regarding Rena-san’s actions, I feel like I can’t just let them slide, even if it might be childish of me. No matter how I look at it, she’s only interacting with Sara out of malice, and she’s gone way too far. Plus, seeing her talk so gleefully about expulsion and such makes it look like she’s enjoying this, or rather, aiming for something. I can’t help but doubt her true intentions.

But more importantly right now…

「I believe there were issues on my side as well, so I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for that. Even if it seemed like nothing more than shallow nonsense to me, it might have been serious for the person involved… and it is also a fact that my reason for rejecting confessions has changed over the past six months, after all.」

Participating in this Miss Contest was already a surprise in itself.

But I never dreamed that Sara would talk like this in front of people.

Sara, who used to hate men and people so much she avoided all contact with others, has finally reached the day where she speaks her true heart.

It means she wanted to convey her feelings. she wanted people to understand, even if just a little. It’s an action that’s completely unnecessary if you have zero interest in others.

But Sara spoke her mind, regardless of the reason. And she even showed a tiny bit of consideration for the boys she used to despise.

You have no idea how incredible this is to me… no, to us as a couple. The expression on Mayumi’s face on the screen says it all.

「Kazunari-san intended to keep supporting me in silence forever. It is because of such a kind hearted Kazunari-san that I learned the feeling of love for the first time in my life.」

And the one who changed Sara this much is none other than Kazunari-kun.

I had never heard the story of how they met until now… but even from this short explanation, I can tell Kazunari-kun stayed close to Sara’s heart and supported her firmly.

I never imagined he treasured Sara that much even before they started dating.

Now, I feel like he’s my own son. I’m certainly expecting great things from him in the future. But hearing this today, the only word I have is convinced that he is the only man Sara could open her heart to. I’m truly happy that such a boy is by my daughter’s side as her lover… as her future husband.

Sara is the direct descendant of the Saba Group’s founding family. The only one. I’m sorry to say it, but regardless of her wishes, her destiny is tied to the company.

Even if she maintains the same stance as Mayumi, she’ll still have to show her face for the important parts. This is a path she can’t avoid since she’s decided to stay in the family as a wife and support Kazunari-kun. If that’s the case, Sara just has to grow.

But… the way she looks today…

Even if it’s a small step, it’s definitely a sign of growth.

By being with Kazunari-kun, Sara can surely grow. Sara’s inner self, which had been stagnant for so long, has finally found a reason to start walking. A scene that makes me feel that is happening right in front of me.

As a parent, how could I not be happy about this? I have nothing but words of gratitude for Kazunari-kun.

So…

I wonder what you’re thinking as you watch this… Mayumi?

「Wait, wait, wait, wait a second!!! What have you been doing this whole time!!!」

Rushing out from the side of the stage is the source of all this trouble. The well known Chairman of the Miss Contest Prep Committee.

I saw Minamin looking annoyed and taking off her intercom earlier, so he was probably making a fuss backstage this whole time. I guess he couldn’t stand it anymore and finally jumped out?

「Fukazawa-san, what on earth are you doing!?」

「No way, it’s obviously impossible to interrupt the conversation in that situation, right!?」

「Ugh… anyway, no more of this.」

「R-right!! How long are you going to let her do as she pleases!? Living with a lover is an act unbecoming of a high schooler!! How long are you going to let a person like that…」

「Oh, that matter isn’t a problem either, you know?」

「Hmph, don’t make me laugh… what proof do you have of that? Even if they are lovers, a high school boy and girl…」

「Then what if they aren’t just lovers!?」

「Huh!?」

Maybe she didn’t expect me to lunge in here, because the stuck up woman froze with a look like a deer in the headlights.

I’m tired of listening to her run her mouth. it’s nothing but unpleasant, so I’ll start by shutting her up!!

「Go, Kazunari!!」

「Kazunari, do your best!!」

「Takanashi-kun, good luck!!」

「Fight on!! Takanashi-kun!!」

「Take care of Sara, okay!」

「Good luck, Takanashi-san!」

「Kazunari, your Big sister is with you.」

「Thanks, everyone. I’m off!!」

With everyone’s powerful support at my back, I start walking toward「that spot」on the stage.

Being exposed for living together was completely outside my predictions, but there’s no point in complaining about it now. I’m not without anxiety about how it will affect our life later… but I have a feeling it’ll work out somehow.

It might be a naive way of thinking, but right now, I just have to do what I came here for!!

「Kazunari-san…」

「Sorry, Sara-san… I couldn’t hold back, so I came out.」

Relying on the mic and speakers to talk to Sara-san, I climb the center stairs all at once. I take a spot in the center of the stage, between Sara-san and the stuck up woman, then brace myself and look at the audience. Waiting for me there is a sea of stares even bigger than the one at the general assembly. Stares, stares, and more stares.

And those stares aren’t exactly welcoming… it reminds me of「that day」when I was left all alone. My past and present situations overlap in my head.

Because of that, I almost flinch for a second… but I push it down with spirit!!

It’s just starting!!

「Fufu… thank you. I was actually thinking of calling you up after this.」

「Really?」

「Yes. One of the main reasons I participated in this farce is because I need your help, Kazunari-san.」

The harsh expression from before is gone, replaced by the gentle smile Sara-san only wears when she’s with me.

She walks over and puts her hand on my right arm, leaning right into me.

「「 WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!? 」」

「Honestly, I didn’t think Sara-san would talk that much.」

「…I am sorry for acting on my own without consulting you.」

「No, that’s not a problem at all. But why so suddenly?」

「Let’s see… I can’t put it well, but maybe it is because the idol known as Lonely is nothing but an obstacle now?」

「An obstacle?」

「Yes. It has been unnecessary for a long time now… so I thought I would use this stage to settle everything once and for all.」

I had a hunch, but it seems Sara-san was planning to use this stage for something too.

I don’t know what it is yet… but showing her will so clearly, was that a setup for the main event coming next?

「I did not expect you to jump in right before, though… but as a result, it became a good chance to publicly declare what a wonderful man you are, Kazunari-san. So on that point alone, I am glad, you know?」

「Well… um.」

「I really have much more to say, but I do not think others would understand even if I said it… in short, once the fact that I love Kazunari-san is clear, everything else is no problem.」

「Sa, Sara-san…」

「Fufu… Kazunari-san, your face is turning red.」

「…I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention it even if you noticed.」

「You are cute♪」

「「 GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!! 」」

uh!?

「Uoooooh!!! Stop flirting already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!」

「What is that!? What is with Satsukawa-san’s attitude!!!!!!!!!!??」

「It’s completely different from before, isn’t it!!!!!!!!!!」

「Uooooh, I didn’t come here to see a scene like this!!!!!!!!!!」

「I’m not jealous!!! I’m NOT!!!!!!!!!!」

「What is with that expression… DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!」

A roar of shouts and screams from the men erupted from the stands. It mixed with the stares directed at me, making me feel a certain amount of intense hostility…

Either way, it seems most of the boys have officially labeled me an enemy.

But I have Sara-san… so I’m not scared at all.

「…Whoa… they look like they’re bleeding tears in their hearts.」

「…It’s too early for that. Their despair is just starting.」

「…True. This is just the beginning.」

「…Honestly, you two…」

「Fu, fufufu… I didn’t expect you to wander out here too. You seem quite composed, but I wonder how long you can maintain that attitude?」

Despite standing there looking like an idiot earlier, the stuck up woman suddenly starts acting arrogant again. Maybe she still thinks she has the upper hand, because her tone is especially pompous.

Well, it’s probably just a bluff.

Now… how should I attack.

「I’m offended. There’s no way I’d let Sara-san stand in the line of fire alone in this situation, is there?」

「I see. I suppose I’ll call that manly for now. But nothing changes just because you came out… oh, unless the two Student Council heads plan to apologize together…」

「Why would we need to apologize? We haven’t done anything wrong, and we have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.」

「Oh my, living together as high schoolers, something like that can’t be allowed…」

「The school decides that, not you. Or does it say ‘cohabitation is forbidden’ in the school rules?」

「Don’t use sophistry… I am speaking based on general common sense and ethics…」

「Hey… why are you so happy?」

「…Hah?」

「Haven’t you noticed? Ever since our living together was exposed, you’ve been wearing that gross smile and looking so happy… and you suddenly got really talkative, didn’t you?」

「Ugh!?」

As soon as she heard my point, the stuck up woman hurriedly put a hand to her face and tried to fix her expression. Acting so obviously just proves she has something to hide… she’s always so easy to read.

「If you want to say something that sounds proper like ethics, you should have at least acted seriously angry or given a warning on the surface. Look around you. You’re the only one in this place who’s smiling happily, you know?」

「…What are you trying to say?」

「Nothing? Oh, but I did hear an interesting voice in the stands. Someone was wondering if that man was a plant for someone else. I don’t know if it’s true, but what do you think?」

「…………」

「…I wonder if what Takanashi-kun is saying is true?」

「…We don’t know yet, but I considered that possibility too. So… I’m having that man secretly followed.」

「…Eririn is always so fast at handling these things.」

「…I’m used to it, after all. But I was a bit surprised Takanashi-san realized the possibility.」

「…Maybe Kazunari is sensitive to that kind of malice because of his past. But ideally, I’d want to corner them from behind rather than confronting them head-on.」

「…I think that’s correct as a strategy, but Takanashi-san is thinking purely of Sara. I find that likable.」

「…I know that. Since Kazunari is so honest, I just have to move in the background.」

「…Those two are actually talking about something pretty crazy if you listen closely.」

「Oh, I’ll tell you this too. Sara-san seriously thinks the Miss Contest doesn’t matter, okay? She’s only thinking about her duel with Mayumi-san, she doesn’t care about you one bit. So don’t worry about Sara-san and just aim for the win. You haven’t gone all out yet, right?」

「Tsk… UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!!!」

「Fufu…」

「Sara-san?」

「No, there is no deep meaning. It is just that… I thought the assertive Kazunari-san is wonderful as well, unlike usual.」

「So that’s what you meant…」

「Yes. I love the cute Kazunari-san who always acts spoiled with me, but an assertive and reliable Kazunari-san like you were just now is wonderful too♪」

「Well… um.」

「Do not overthink it, okay? I love you exactly as you are, Kazunari-san.」

「Yes, thank you.」

「…Always acting spoiled!? What is Satsukawa-san doing for him!?」

「…I love you… I love you… I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUU!?」

「…Flirting every chance they get… DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!」

「…God, this is too much!!!!!!!!!!」

…I want to be called cute too.

「Sa, Satsukawa-san, and Takanashi-kun!! What is the meaning of this…」

「There is no meaning to it. Were you not the one who said I could do as I pleased as long as I accepted the entry?」

「No, even so, this is way too much!!」

「That is a difference in perception. To begin with, I did not start this myself. If you have a complaint, why don’t you tell those people who brought the topic here, and that person over there who started making a fuss about expulsion?」

「「 WHAAAAAAA!? 」」