Episode 350: Natsumi-senpai, the Hard Worker

「Yes, say ahh…」

「Ahh…」

Chomp.

Munch, munch…

「Haa… it’s a total mess already…」

「Natsumi-senpai, are you tired?」

Having somehow survived the hectic morning, it’s lunch time as usual, relaxing by the flowerbed. The members who weren’t there this morning have joined up, making it a full group, but it doesn’t feel very harmonious, especially with Natsumi-senpai looking exhausted.

「Natsumi must be tired from her morning club practice. Oh, Kazunari-san, don’t move, okay?」

「Mm-hm」

Sara-san pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped around my mouth. Occasionally she stared into my eyes and gave a gentle smile, well, I’m happy but also embarrassed.

「Half of this is your fault!!」

「Is that so? But half is your own fault, isn’t it?」

「Ugh… I mean, I’m talking to you, so look at me!!」

「Yes… you’re all clean now♪」

「Thank you」

「Don’t ignore me!!」

「Calm down, Natsumi. A woman shouldn’t shout for no reason. It’s unseemly.」

「Urrrgh, wh-whose fault do you think…」

Natsumi-senpai grimaced with a look of pure frustration and glared at me past Sara-san. I don’t know what happened in her classroom, but for her to be this riled up, it must have been something big. If it’s about Sara-san, nine times out of ten, I’m involved too.

「Natsumi-senpai, it’s a waste of time trying to talk back to the Wife. Anyway, judging by the conversation, did something happen in your class too?」

「The way you put that, did something happen on your end too, Hanako-san?」

「After making that much of a scene at the Miss Contest, it’d be weirder if nothing happened.」

「Haa… you’ve got a point.」

「A-Ahaha… you’re right. When I got to school, the entrance was a total madhouse.」

「Yeah. It was crazy on my end too.」

At Hanako-san’s words, not just Natsumi-senpai but even Hayato and Todo-san gave wry smiles and sent meaningful looks my way.

Apparently, well, that’s not the right way to put it.

On my end, there were a lot of inquiries about my proposal, but of course it didn’t end there.

Naturally, there were busy moments where I was asked about Natsumi-senpai and Yuji, or about Hayato and Todo-san. If that was the case, Natsumi-senpai’s complaints were more than understandable, or rather, they were all too clear.

「The classroom was a disaster from the moment I arrived. Sara was bombarded with questions, and my classmates teased me relentlessly about Yuji. Plus, every single break, people from other classes kept barging in.」

「Aah…」

「Th-That sounds…」

「And because of the tennis club connection, they’re even asking me about Yokogawa-kun and Todo-san!? On top of that, they’re asking about Takanashi-kun personally… I can’t count how many times the teacher had to step in!!」

Whoa… I knew it.

And it sounds like her situation was several times worse than mine, I can really feel for Natsumi-senpai’s struggle.

I feel legitimately sorry.

「I’m sorry, Natsumi-senpai… even for things about me.」

Hayato seemed to feel the same way, as he bowed his head while offering an apology.

I should probably apologize too.

「Natsumi-senpai, I’m sorry from my end too…」

「There is no need for you to apologize, Kazunari-san. This is my…」

「You don’t get to say that!!」

「What a strange thing to say? Weren’t you just troubled by people prying into Tachibana-san’s business, Natsumi? The talk about Yokogawa-san might be true, but most of the talk about Kazunari-san should have come to me.」

「…Gugh.」

At Sara-san’s words, Natsumi-senpai wore a look like she’d just swallowed a bitter bug. Or perhaps it was exactly as Sara-san said, but judging by her reaction, there was no doubt she’d been asked quite a bit about me too.

「Were you asked that many different things?」

「Fufu… there were certainly many questions, but the content was basically all the same. It was no big deal.」

「I see. Well, I was asked all sorts of things too, so I guess it’s the same?」

「Yes. Most of the questions were about our daily life.」

「…Huh?」

About our daily life?

Not about the engagement, but daily life?

Does that mean… could it be…

「Do not worry. Since it is a private matter, I only gave harmless answers.」

「Riiiight. She just made public how much of a housewife she is in her daily life. Everyone was calling her the Wife by the end because she was so domestic.」

「Um… what?」

「Oh, and since they were calling Takanashi-kun the Husband, you’ll probably be called that by all sorts of people from now on, you know?」

「WHAAAAAA!?」

If what Natsumi-senpai said was true, then it was highly likely that Sara-san had happily shared details about our daily life, in other words, what goes on at home.

I’m sure the most vital secrets were kept confidential, but just how much was made public. Especially when that class has my natural enemy, Yuri-senpai!!

「…And I mean, Takanashi-kun isn’t half bad himself. There were several girls asking for an introduction…」

「…Pardon?」

Huh!?

「Hieeeeee!?」

Suddenly, a mysterious something seemed to reside in Sara-san’s smile as she reacted sharply.

Natsumi-senpai hurriedly shut her mouth, and Todo-san let out a short scream.

Yeah… I was a little bit scared too. Just a little bit, okay?

「Hey, you… stop silencing people with your pressure. Do you know how many people you’ve shut up today with that…」

「Fufu… I am joking.」

「The Wife’s joke isn’t funny. By the way, Natsumi-senpai, the names of those ridiculous people…」

「You too?」

「Joking.」

「…Heh, ‘joking,’ sure.」

And Natsumi-senpai’s critical gaze, full of complaints, was directed straight at me. I mean, why did talk about me go to Natsumi-senpai in the first place?

Hmm?

「By the way… Yokogawa-san aside, how were things for Todo-san?」

「Ah, right. I was curious about that too. I think things should be fine since I applied a bit of threat, I mean, pressure.」

Did she just start to say threat?

Well, she’s not entirely wrong, which makes it hard to comment.

Putting that aside, I was honestly worried about Todo-san too.

Yuji goes to a different school, and I’m used to being targeted by those around me(?), so we’re fine. But Todo-san is a truly normal girl. If she’s being targeted from the shadows because of Hayato’s matter, we’d need to think of countermeasures immediately.

「Oh, I’m okay! I was told by everyone that they were jealous, but so far, nothing more than that has been said.」

「I see, that’s good then. If anything happens, tell me right away, okay?」

「You must not hold back, okay? It is best to quickly eliminate fools who interfere with others’ happiness, after all.」

「A-Ahaha… thank you.」

「The Pretty Boy should be the one to take the lead on countermeasures for this.」

「Yeah, I know. I’ll take proactive steps for the sake of my precious Marina-san.」

「Hayato-kun… ehehe.」

The two of them seemed to be having a conversation with their eyes that went beyond words as they stared at each other. Since there aren’t any problems for now, I guess I can breathe a sigh of relief for the moment.

I don’t think there are many idiots in this school who would want to make enemies of Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai.

「Haa… I think the number of baka-couples has increased.」

「True. There are three pairs now.」

「Wait, we aren’t like that, are we!?」

「The fact that you lack awareness means it’s already terminal.」

「WHAAAT!?」

Apparently she really didn’t realize it, because Natsumi-senpai slumped her head at Hanako-san’s words.

It’s not my place to say, so I won’t butt in, but I think those two are well into the baka-couple category too.

「Regardless of the term ‘baka-couple,’ it is proof of how well we get along, so I do not understand why you would be shocked? Now, Kazunari-san, say ahh♪」

「Ahh…」

Chomp

Munch, munch…

「Fufu… how is it?」

「I can only say the same thing every time, but I can’t find any other expression than ‘delicious’!!」

「Thank you♪ Oh, Kazunari-san, you’ve got a bit of ‘lunch’ on you?」

「Eh?」

Chu…

Sara-san leaned her face in and gave a light kiss right next to my lips.

I’d expected this as soon as she mentioned ‘lunch,’ but as long as I get to see her happy smile, it’s not a problem!

「…S-So we’re in the same category as this!?」

「…It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.」

「…No… way.」

「…I’m so jealous.」

「Marina-san?」

「Hwah!? I-It’s nothing, okay!?」

「If you want to do it too, Marina, then just do it. A kiss…」

「Th-That’s not it!!」

「Then it’s an even simpler matter.」

「Uu… but…」

Todo-san stole a glance at Hayato’s face and looked down in embarrassment, whatever she was thinking.

But if she shows such an adorable gesture, it must be no joke for a guy, especially for Hayato.

Todo-san is quite the man-killer.

「…Marina-san, I…」

「Hayato-kun, w-wait a second! Um… Satsukawa-senpai, I have something I’d like to consult you about…」

「I don’t mind, but looking at the lunch you made for the school festival, I don’t think there is any need to worry, you know?」

At Sara-san’s blunt statement, Hayato took the lead in nodding his head vigorously, and the rest of us nodded in agreement. She likely lacks confidence in her own lunch, her cooking, and wants to do something about it before giving one to Hayato.

I think she’s worrying too much and I want to tell her that, but in the end, whether she’s satisfied or not is up to her.

「Th-Thank you. But… but, I want to get at least a little bit better. I won’t say anything beyond my station, but still, at least a bit…」

「Fufu… well, it is good to have ambition. But are you sure I am the right person? Personally, I would recommend asking your Mother.」

「Well, it’s just that you are overwhelmingly better, Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Well, comparing yourself to Sara is pretty harsh. This girl is a professional housewife, so to speak.」

「The Wife’s wife-power is at a cheating level, so it’s meaningless to compare it to the general standard.」

「It is offensive to call it cheating. Everything I do is built upon effort, you know.」

Sara-san’s domestic skills are the result of her elite education from Mayumi-san since childhood and her hard work every day for my sake, all of it is undoubtedly due to Sara-san’s efforts.

Though I think there’s definitely a bit of genius in there too.

「As long as it is during my free time, I don’t mind helping you with your cooking. However, that is assuming it fits into Kazunari-san’s schedule.」

「Honestly, you don’t need Takanashi-kun’s permission for something like that…」

「Do not misunderstand. I am Kazunari-san’s fiancée, and we share every aspect of our lives. This is not a matter for me to decide on my own.」

「Ah… r-right. I guess so.」

「Sara-san, I’m fine with it!」

It might sound a bit dramatic, but on the flip side, I always check Sara-san’s schedule when I’m deciding on my own personal plans too.

In that sense, maybe she isn’t entirely wrong… right?

「Um, I didn’t mean to force you or anything…」

「Todo-san, it’s okay, so don’t hold back.」

「Yes. I also feel like I want to support you personally, so please don’t hesitate.」

「Th-Thank you so much! I’ll do my best!」

Todo-san gave a polite bow, and Hayato bowed his head in the same way behind her.

I’m sure Hayato wants to tell her she’s already good enough as she is, but if he said that, it would just pour cold water on her feelings.

I understand that feeling well, so I think the right answer is to let her reach a point where she’s satisfied and then praise her with everything he’s got later.

「I’m sorry, Hayato-kun. But I…」

「No, it makes me really happy that you’d think that much for my sake. Good luck, Marina-san.」

「Yes!!」

The exchange between those two is truly heartwarming.

Even if I set aside the fact that he’s my best friend, I can’t help but want to cheer them on.

So I’m sure that everyone else, the people in class and those who didn’t look kindly on his relationship with her, would have no choice but to accept it if they saw them like this.

That’s how it feels to me.