Episode 347: Madam

Clink-clank…

「Welcome.」

Welcomed by a staff member waiting near the entrance, I stepped into a building that felt as out of place as ever.

I took a quick look around the shop, which felt completely cut off from the noise outside and had a unique atmosphere, and my eyes met those of someone smiling at me from across the counter in the back.

「Takanashi-sama. Welcome, we have been expecting you today.」

「Suzuhara-san, hello.」

Suzuhara-san immediately came over and gave a deep, polite bow with the same refined manner as always.

Being greeted so formally makes it hard to know how to react, even though I know I’m a legitimate customer… I’m just not used to this at all.

Clink-clank…

「Huh!? Welcome!」

Looking at the other person who followed me into the shop, the staff member showed a look of surprise, as if they’d caught their breath for a moment. They just stood there staring in a daze… I totally understand that feeling, but miss, aren’t you also a woman?

「Well, well, if it isn’t the Young Lady of the Satsukawa family! Welcome, we are honored by your visit!」

As expected, Suzuhara-san didn’t look shaken at all. He welcomed Sara-san with a smile while showing the same polite and elegant greeting as before.

Come to think of it, I believe he mentioned having met her before?

「Hello. Thank you for taking care of us today.」

「No, no, not at all. On the contrary, it is a supreme joy to have the Young Lady visit our shop.」

Suzuhara-san’s humble attitude was incredible, appearing strangely reverent… just like when he deals with Nishikawa-san. Even Sara-san gave a slightly troubled look at his behavior… but unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do about it.

「Oh, excuse me. Perhaps it would be better to call you Madam?」

「Fufu… either is fine, you know? However, we have not officially married yet.」

「Hoho, you got me there. As expected of the Young Lady… you brushed that off with such composure.」

「I did not mean it that way. I am always aware that I will become Kazunari-san’s wife, so I simply thought there was no particular problem regardless of which term you used.」

「…I see, I am impressed. To think you would say such a thing at your age… between that and the fact that Takanashi-sama chose a ring so early, it seems you both already possess a corresponding sense of awareness.」

「That may be true. In fact, Kazunari-san has already designed his career path toward the future, based on his promise to my father…」

I don’t know… I feel like they’re making it sound a bit more dramatic than it is…

It’s true we’re moving with the future in mind, but I don’t think we’re at the level where people should talk about us like that realistically. Most of it is stuff for later…

Well, I guess there aren’t many boys and girls this age thinking about all the details for marriage.

「Ho… I see… so it really is like that.」

「Suzuhara-san?」

「No, no, it is nothing. More importantly, Takanashi-sama, if you have any troubles at all, please do not hesitate to consult me. I would be happy to listen, and not just regarding our products.」

「Oh, uh… thank you?」

Suzuhara-san is easy to talk to and seems very knowledgeable, so I’m honestly grateful for the offer… but why is he being so kind?

Is this part of the business?

But to be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever be that much of a regular customer…

「Oh, where are my manners… Please accept my deepest apologies for the delay in greeting the Young Lady. My name is Suzuhara, and I serve as the owner and manager of this shop. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.」

「The pleasure is mine. I am Satsukawa Sara.」

「Thank you for your courtesy. Actually, I have had the privilege of seeing you several times at parties… however, I never quite found the opportunity to give a formal greeting…」

「Is that so. Then please excuse my rudeness.」

「No, no, not at all. Being able to greet you like this today is an unexpected joy. Besides, at those parties, seeing the Young Lady ruthlessly turn away the young men who approached you felt almost refreshing…」

「The way you put that is a bit complicated… but I have not the slightest interest in men other than Kazunari-san. Such things are nothing more than a nuisance.」

「Hoho… to hear the Young Lady herself go that far… Takanashi-sama, you are a lucky man, aren’t you?」

「Yeah. I also think I’m the luckiest man in the world.」

Being loved this much by Sara-san makes me the happiest man in the world. I truly believe that, and I can say it with my head held high, even if people think I’m just bragging or being overconfident.

It might be a cheesy line, but I don’t feel any embarrassment at all.

「Fufu… being loved by Kazunari-san makes me the happiest woman in the world too.」

「Sara-san…」

「Hohoho, I never imagined I would be shown such a wonderful scene. Since the relationship between you two seems rock solid, I am as happy as can be.」

「Eh?」

I actually almost forgot Suzuhara-san was right in front of me… no, never mind.

Just as he said, Suzuhara-san was looking at us with a very heartwarming smile.

Until now, whenever we pulled a「stunt」like this, we always got scolded by someone… so being welcomed with such open arms actually feels a bit weird.

「Takanashi-sama, Satsukawa-sama… once again, congratulations on your engagement. Please accept my sincere well wishes.」

「「Congratulations!!」」

Following Suzuhara-san’s words, which sounded almost like an official declaration, the staff members all bowed deeply and offered their congratulations in unison.

This is the first time I’ve been congratulated so formally regarding the engagement, so I don’t really know how to respond…

「Thank you for your courtesy.」

In contrast to me, Sara-san returned a deep bow just like the staff and spoke words of polite gratitude.

I see… instead of just saying「Thank you,」that’s how you’re supposed to respond in a situation like this. I’ll keep that in mind.

「…So, would it be better to call you Madam?」

「Fufu… please do as you like. I do not mind either way. Right, Dear?」

「Eh!? I-If Sara-san is okay with it, I don’t mind either!?」

「Hohoho, you really do get along well, which is truly for the best.」

I feel a bit like I’m being left behind… but Sara-san looks like she’s having fun, so I guess it’s fine.

Plus, seeing Sara-san enjoy the flow of a conversation like this with someone who isn’t part of our group is fresh… so I might be having a bit of fun too.

「Now then, I shall hear your business for today. Though I suspect it involves the size of the ring?」

「Yes. It seems to be a little too large…」

「Understood. Then I shall take your measurements again. And…」

「And?」

Suzuhara-san gave a meaningful smirk and turned his gaze toward me for some reason…

「If you would not mind, I would be delighted to hear the story of the day you presented this ring.」

「Ah…」

I see, so that’s what he meant.

It makes sense, since Suzuhara-san was the one who advised me that I should do「that.」It’s only natural for him to be curious about how it turned out.

「If that is the case, shall I be the one to tell the story?」

「Oh, that would be more than I could hope for. Then by all means, Madam, please let us hear it from you.」

「Um… like I said…」

「Fufu… what happened yesterday is a precious memory I will never forget for the rest of my life♪」

Maybe because it’s a topic about me, Sara-san seems strangely eager to talk.

I mean, it feels like I’m being left behind again…

Well… if Sara-san is enjoying herself, then I guess that’s what matters to me.

Mayumi POV

「Honestly… you really are something…」

「Uuu… I’m sorry. I’m reflecting on my actions.」

Masaomi-san didn’t say anything in the car, but as soon as we got home, he started giving me a lecture.

I’m aware I went a bit too far today… so I have no choice but to apologize honestly.

「So… what on earth happened? I can’t imagine you would do something so outrageous without any thought.」

「Nfufu, I’m happy you trust me.」

「Don’t get cocky. Depending on your answer, I intend to give you a serious scolding as promised to Sara, so be prepared.」

「…I’m sorry.」

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Masaomi-san being this strict, but he’s still so dignified… wait, no, I can’t think about that or I’ll just get in more trouble.

Reflecting, reflecting…

「So, why did you do such a thing? For now, I’ll turn a blind eye to you entering the Miss Contest itself… but you really should consider your age…」

「…Dear?」

「Whoa!? S-sorry… that was a slip of the tongue.」

Honestly… speaking so lightly about a woman’s age, he really has no delicacy!

Even like this, I intend to stay young enough to be mistaken for Sara-chan’s sister, you know?

By the way, my actual age is… a secret.

「…Ahem!! So, what were you trying to achieve there?」

「What I was trying to achieve… or rather, what I wanted to see… I suppose?」

「Wanted to see? What?」

「Sara-chan’s growth.」

「……I see.」

「Yes. Normally, even I would think there’s no need to go this far. But Sara-chan only shows her true self when it involves Kazunari-kun… and Masaomi-san, you must know what will happen in the future if she continues to reject others and can’t even manage the bare minimum of communication, right?」

「…You’re right.」

This is a very important and concerning topic for us as a couple.

Especially if Kazunari-kun is to walk the path of being Masaomi-san’s successor, we have to make sure Sara-chan gains at least a minimum level of social skills.

If she were just a housewife, we might have had more leeway…

「Even if I give her personal tests at home, I can’t see how Sara-chan acts in the outside world. Plus, their debut match is already set for the year-end party… so we don’t exactly have much time. On that day, she’ll need to greet people she barely knows, and she’ll be drawing a lot of attention from a large number of people. Don’t you think the same could be said for this Miss Contest?」

「…So you intentionally set it up there?」

「Yes. Knowing her life with Kazunari-kun would be interfered with if she lost, Sara-chan would definitely go all out. And to beat me under the Miss Contest rules, she had no choice but to show a certain amount of social skill even in front of a crowd. Even if she hated it in her heart…」

Regarding the fact that Sara-chan despises others in her heart… especially men, honestly, I don’t intend to demand she fix that completely.

What that girl needs is just the bare minimum of social skill… for example, like me, usually acting as a housewife while helping Masaomi-san, and only appearing in public when absolutely necessary. With that style, the required hurdle becomes much lower.

「I see. So, Sara entering the Miss Contest provided the perfect timing to give her that kind of test?」

「Yes. Though the entry itself was a complete coincidence. But they told me I could do as I pleased, so I thought I’d take the plunge.」

「Haa… I suppose I’m convinced for now, but you still went way too far with this.」

「Fufu… I’m sorry. When I realized it was a Miss Contest stage, I just couldn’t help it♪」

It’s not like I’m bragging about winning three times in a row back in high school, but remembering those days brings back memories…

I vividly remembered that day when Masaomi-san… Masaomi-kun was cheering for me in the front row.

During my winner’s interview, a group of boys all confessed to me at once… and Masaomi-kun got all stubborn and angry, telling them not to ruin my victory… nfufu.

「…You aren’t reflecting at all, are you?」

「How rude… of course I’m reflecting, you know?」

「Fine then… but your popularity was quite something too. I had a lot of trouble because of it.」

「Nfufu… how nostalgic. But…」

「Yeah. Sara today was beyond incredible. The excitement from the general visitors especially felt almost abnormal…」

「True. I was concerned about that too.」

From what I could see on stage, the excitement from the general visitors and students from other schools was intense. They clearly came to the Miss Contest just for Sara-chan…

But…

「Well, after seeing that today, it should be fine now.」

「Likely so. Even in the area where I was watching, many of the boys left while making a scene after finding out about their engagement.」

「Nfufu, Sara-chan is quite the sinful woman. But it can’t be helped, that girl only has eyes for Kazunari-kun.」

「…Now that you mention it, Kazunari-kun was being fussed over by the female students too. Calling him cute and such…」

「Oh boy, I wonder if some girls have noticed Kazunari-kun’s charm points? But what a shame, that’s a privilege only for Sara-chan and me, you know?」

It’s too late to notice Kazunari-kun’s good points now. He’s already engaged to Sara-chan, and it’s confirmed he’ll be my precious son. Plus, given Kazunari-kun’s personality, there’s no way he’d ever do anything to make Sara-chan feel insecure… fufu.

「Haa… honestly, before you talk about privileges, you should show a little restraint yourself.」

「Eh?」

「Don’t ‘Eh’ me! You keep messing with Kazunari-kun, so you must know it doesn’t make Sara feel good, right?」

「I know. That’s why I said I won’t mess with him anymore, didn’t I?」

「…If you say so.」

While saying that, what’s with that skeptical look?

I don’t break my promises, you know?

I won’t mess with Kazunari-kun「unnecessarily」while「Sara-chan is watching」anymore.

But there will be many things that are difficult for Sara-chan alone in the future… and that’s exactly when it’s Mother-in-law’s turn, right?

…Mufufu.

「Honestly… really, pull yourself together, okay? From now on, you’ll have more opportunities to appear in public too, after all.」

「Yes, yes, I know that without being told. It’s for the sake of our precious children, so I’ll work hard too. But first… is the greeting with Kazunari-kun’s parents.」

「Yeah. We are welcoming their precious son as our adopted son, after all.」

「True. And Kazunari-kun’s parents will become our relatives…」

It might sound like it’s too early to talk about, but the Satsukawa family… we are the management family of the Saba Group.

Naturally, relatives including distant ones are involved as officers, and besides, Sara-chan is the one and only direct descendant of the main family. When it comes to the parents of Kazunari-kun, who will be her husband, I honestly want them to take appropriate positions.

But we won’t know for sure until we actually interact with them… though I’m certain I can get along well with Fuyumi-san.

「Well, we can think about that later. First is the matter of Kazunari-kun himself and the talk regarding the engagement.」

「Yes. We’ll have to explain our family business as well.」

This isn’t a conversation that can be finished easily, so we’re planning to explain the details during the formal meeting… they’ll be surprised, for sure.

But since they are parents who respected Kazunari-kun’s will and approved the adoption so quickly…

「Phew… even so, I never imagined the day would come so soon where we’d talk about Sara’s engagement… I thought it was still a long way off.」

「True. I was prepared for it to be quite a while too… but it’s a happy miscalculation, so I welcome it with open arms.」

For that Sara-chan to suddenly get a lover and already be engaged… I wonder what the me from last year would think if she heard that?

She’d definitely say it was unbelievable, and maybe she’d laugh and tell me to save the sleep-talking for when I’m asleep?

「Well… for a person capable of perfectly securing the outer defenses to miraculously appear as Sara’s lover… I agree that it’s worth welcoming.」

「Nfufu… Kazunari-kun was way beyond the norm in many ways, getting me on his side and even having Chairman Nishikawa appear. But that’s exactly why I’m looking forward to the future.」

「I feel the same. I’m truly glad the partner Sara chose was Kazunari-kun.」

「Oh, it’s rare for you to go that far… what happened all of a sudden?」

Masaomi-san accepting Kazunari-kun isn’t news, but I wonder what brought this on?

「No… I talked with him as men the other day. I asked him once again to take care of Sara.」

「…Fufu, that’s good.」

「Yeah. I was able to speak frankly, and I don’t have a single doubt about entrusting my precious daughter to him. Kazunari-kun is undoubtedly my son.」

「Masaomi-san…」

I’m curious what kind of talk they had for even Masaomi-san to go that far. But since he said「as men,」it would be tactless to ask… oh well, I’ll back down for now.

「Nfufu… I’m really looking forward to the future. Sara-chan grows thanks to Kazunari-kun, Masaomi-san gets a promising successor, and I get a cute, cute son♪」

「……」

「Masaomi-san?」

「No… it’s nothing. I just thought you’ve become quite invested too. But come to think of it, you were from the start.」

「Of course. After all, he’s the first boy that Sara-chan ever got close to, isn’t he? Plus, he’s such a good boy…」

「…You’re right.」

I’m truly glad Kazunari-kun became Sara-chan’s special person.

The more time passes, the more I truly feel that way.

There will probably be many tough things waiting for those two from now on… but I’m sure it’ll be fine.

For the sake of a future where everyone can laugh together, let’s all work hard together with us.