Episode 357: Santa Claus

After getting through all those busy days, it was finally the weekend.

The class had mostly regained its composure, but it seemed like we still drew a lot of attention while moving through the hallways or arriving at school.

Well, considering the massive uproar we caused, I guess that can’t be helped.

「See ya!」

「Bye bye!!」

「Let’s hit up karaoke!」

「Sorry, I’ve got plans today.」

Since it was Saturday, school ended after a half-day. The classmates made quite a fuss as they celebrated this long-awaited moment, splitting off into groups heading straight home, to club activities, or for a detour.

And then…

「Hanasaki-san!!」

「Come on, come on, time is limited!!」

「Sigh… alright, I get it.」

Hanako-san picked up her bag and slowly stood up from her seat, trailing an air of reluctance. I felt like she was silently seeking help from me…

Unfortunately, I have my own plans after this.

「Kazunari, Big sister is heading out.」

「Got it. It’s a rare chance, so try to have at least a little bit of fun.」

「I’ll do my best, for what it’s worth.」

After this, Hanako-san was being forcibly taken… or rather, accompanied… to a karaoke place near the station frequented by high school girls to attend an important girls’ meeting hosted by the female students.

By the way, I’ve already confirmed that this is strictly a girls’ gathering and not a mixer.

「If you’re so curious, you could come too, Takanashi-kun.」

「Yeah, we’d totally welcome you!! …Hehe.」

「I’ll respectfully decline.」

I’m not so eccentric that I’d go out of my way to jump into a den of love-obsessed maidens when the result of me, the sacrifice, is so obvious.

「Well, I’m…」

「Kazunari-san, I’ve come to pick you up.」

Just as I stood up, a voice called out, and appearing at the wide-open classroom door was the person I was supposed to meet at the main gate…

「Sara-san?」

She wore a goddess-like smile that captured the gaze of everyone, regardless of gender. Directing that smile only at me and ignoring everyone else, she walked straight toward me.

It’s rare for Sara-san to come to this classroom, so I wondered what brought her here so suddenly.

「S-Satsukawa-senpai is here!!!」

「Hey, her left hand! Look at her left hand!!」

「Whoa, she really is wearing a ring!!!!」

「Is that the engagement ring Takanashi-kun gave her!?」

「…Uuugh… seeing that really makes reality sink in…」

「…Getting married to Satsukawa-senpai, that’s beyond being a winner…」

「…A super-beauty like that, devoting herself to him every day? Takanashi could die now and have no regrets.」

「S-Sara-san, what’s wrong?」

While feeling a bit panicked by the suddenly rowdy atmosphere in the classroom, I steeled myself and spoke to Sara-san. Even though it was just that, the noise somehow grew even louder…

「Hehe… there isn’t really a specific reason, but I just felt like coming to pick you up, Kazunari-san. …Was I being a nuisance?」

「No, no, that’s not it at all.」

The idea of me feeling like Sara-san’s actions are a nuisance is something that wouldn’t happen even if the world turned upside down.

「Wife… it’s better if you don’t come here pointlessly.」

「Why is that?」

「This class is one thing, but the other classes haven’t settled down yet. The hallway…」

「The hallway?」

As I followed Hanako-san’s calm gaze to check where she was pointing… a mysterious crowd of people had gathered near the classroom entrance!!

When did they get there!?

「…I see. I was a bit reckless.」

「The biggest interest in this school right now is definitely the story about Kazunari and his wife. Especially if the wife moves, that alone draws attention.」

「Sigh… I suppose so.」

Sara-san let out a small sigh and gently picked up my bag that was hanging on the desk. Even a casual action like that seemed to draw intense, staring gazes.

「…W-Wait, that girl is talking casually to Satsukawa-senpai.」

「…She’s been calling her ‘wife’ for a while now…」

「…Wife… does that mean she’s a bride!?」

「…Eeeeh!? And Satsukawa-senpai is just answering her normally!?」

「…That’s the ring, right, that one!?」

「…Dammit!!!!」

「…The ring finger on her left hand, that means… it really is like that, huh…」

Hmm…

It seemed best to leave this place before the commotion grew any larger.

Especially since Sara-san was clearly letting her discomfort show in this situation.

「Sara-san, shall we go?」

「Yes. Well then, Hanako-san.」

「Bye bye.」

I took my bag from Sara-san, said goodbye to Hanako-san, and started the charge toward the classroom exit… toward that wall of people.

Since it’s a pain to deal with them one by one, I’ll just force my way through all at once…

「Do you have some kind of business with us?」

「Eh!?」

「N-No…」

「Um…」

…Just as I thought that, Sara-san stepped out in front of me and suddenly spoke to the crowd. Her tone seemed normal, but her voice carried a strong pressure… the people in the front row especially looked at each other in a panic.

「If you have no business, could you please move? You’re blocking the way.」

「Y-Yes, ma’am!!!!」

「I’m sorry!!」

「Forgive us!!!!」

At Sara-san’s undeniable intensity, the group of background characters scattered like baby spiders and left the area.

I mean, there were more people gathered than I thought… just how much free time do these guys have?

「Now, Kazunari-san, shall we go?」

「Yeah.」

If we stay here forever, there’s no guarantee another unnecessary fuss won’t break out…

It seemed best to get going quickly.

After leaving the school while being the center of attention in various places, we headed straight for our destination, the shrine.

It wasn’t like we had any particular business there, but Sara-san really wanted to report the recent events to Sachie-san… about me formally proposing and her receiving the engagement ring.

To be honest, reporting it all over again felt a bit like an exaggeration, and I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed myself.

But since she is Sara-san’s Grandmother… and the person who will be my Grandmother-in-law, I decided that I should report it properly.

More than anything, Sara-san looked happy.

「One, two, three…」

As we started climbing the stairs leading to the shrine grounds (though calling it that might be an exaggeration), we heard the voices of children from above. Right then, a boy wearing a baseball cap appeared, looking around before disappearing into the bushes on the side.

It looked like they were playing hide and seek.

「Hehe… that boy will be found right away.」

「Yeah. That’s a classic spot.」

Near where the boy entered, there was a small natural tunnel that a small child could easily fit into, making it a classic hiding spot.

However, it wasn’t very deep, and because it was such a classic, it was also a prime hunting spot for the seeker.

「Now, shall we go?」

「Yeah.」

When I idly glanced over while passing by, my eyes met with the boy who was also looking our way. He wore a meaningful smirk and put his index finger to his lips in a「shh」pose.

I’ll keep quiet, of course, but if you stay that close to the entrance, you’re going to be found easily, you know?

As soon as we reached the grounds, we passed a boy who seemed to be the seeker running vigorously (he’ll find the other one soon, for sure), and apart from that, I spotted some familiar people near the main house.

While meeting them here isn’t unusual, seeing the three of them together might be considered a bit rare in its own way.

「Aaah!!!! It’s onii-chan and Sara onee-chan!!!!」

Mio-chan, who found us first, charged toward Sara-san with the force of a fired arrow… or rather, a bullet… or so I thought, but she changed her path at the last second and suddenly headed toward me!?

Crap… I let my guard down!?

「Guh!?」

「Kazunari-san!?」

「Kyahahaha!!」

Mio-chan landed a powerful tackle on my stomach and jumped onto me, clinging to my front.

I somehow managed to regain my posture and held Mio-chan firmly so she wouldn’t fall.

Whew… you’re good, Mio-chan.

Nice tackle.

「T-Takanashi-san, are you okay!?」

「Whoa, Takanashi-kun, are… you alright!?」

「I-I’m fine.」

Todo-san and Kazumi-san, who had been watching in a daze, rushed over in a panic. And Sara-san, who was next to me, was gently stroking the area where Mio-chan’s head had hit… my stomach, that is.

But… how do I put this…

Stroking me there outdoors looks just a tiny bit risky, I think.

「Mio!! That’s dangerous, you know!! I’m sorry, Takanashi-san, as always…」

「A-Ahaha… it’s okay. A-And Sara-san, I’m fine now.」

So you can let go now… I conveyed that indirectly. If this keeps up, it feels like Todo-san especially is going to have a rough time…

「H-Hauuu…」

…Wait, you’re totally watching through the gaps in your fingers, aren’t you?

And you’re staring intently, aren’t you?

But since this is a completely wholesome act with nothing shameful about it, it’s fine for you to look normally, you know?

「Onii-chan, I’m sorry…」

「Yeah. You’re a good girl for being able to say sorry, Mio-chan. Onii-chan is fine, okay?」

I spoke gently to Mio-chan, who was shrinking back gloomily, and patted her head to reassure her.

At that, Mio-chan looked up with a start, narrowed her eyes happily… and rubbed her head against my hand as if spoiled.

This gesture, like a little kitten, is way too cute and totally unfair!!

「Ehehe, I love you, onii-chan~」

「Honestly… Mio.」

「Hehe… Mio-chan, it hurts if you get hurt, so let’s be careful, okay?」

「Yeah!!」

Mio-chan gave an energetic response even to Sara-san’s gentle warning. As a reward, Sara-san and I both patted her head thoroughly, and she let out a happy laugh, shouting「kyah kyah!」

「…A-Ahaha… not to repeat what Yoko said, but looking at them like this, they really do look like a married couple…」

「Hmm? Todo-san, did you say something?」

「N-No, it’s nothing!! More importantly, Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Oh my, I thought I heard some voices. This is quite an interesting combination today, isn’t it?」

A voice suddenly called out from a different spot, and everyone’s gaze turned toward the same place at once.

There, Sachie-san was peeking out from a gap in the glass doors on the veranda, smiling cheerfully at us.

「Hello, Sachie-san.」

「Hello, Grandmother.」

「Grandma, hi~」

「Yes, yes, hello. Hehe… seeing you like that, you look just like a young couple with a child♪」

Looking at the three of us, Sachie-san let out a series of happy giggles.

Come to think of it, I feel like someone said something similar during the Miss Contest too…

「Listen, listen, Grandma!! When Sara onee-chan becomes a Mommy, Mio is going to play with the baby!!」

「Oh my, really? That will be a big help for Sara-chan. I’m also looking forward to the day I can see a Great-grandchild…」

「G-Grandmother!! T-That kind of talk is still… well…」

Apparently that topic was a bit too embarrassing (for me too), as Sara-san hurriedly interjected. Her face was tinted a soft crimson, and for some reason, she kept glancing at me instead of Sachie-san… wait, I don’t even know what to say in this situation!?

「Hehe, seeing you getting along as well as ever makes me happy too. So, what brings you here today?」

「Listen, Mio wants to meet Santa Claus!!」

「Mio-chan?」

Mio-chan’s sudden cute comment made me feel warm inside… but unfortunately, I couldn’t follow the connection of the story.

「I’m sorry, the truth is…」

As if reading the room, Kazumi-san immediately took over the conversation.

And as for the crucial content…

「It seems she heard a story at kindergarten today from a friend who had a Christmas party last year… and she heard that Santa Claus came to that party. Hearing that, Mio…」

「Mio wants to meet Santa Claus too!! So I came to ask the God to let me meet Santa Claus!!」

…It seemed that was the case.

It was a cute and charming request that was very much like Mio-chan… but in reality, it was a rather difficult story…

Because there is no father in Mio-chan’s house, so there’s no one to play the part of the important Santa Claus.

「Hehe… so Mio-chan wants to meet Santa Claus?」

「Yeah! Because Sakura-chan said that since she was a good girl, he came to the party at her house. But Mio is being a good girl too…」

「…You’re right. Mio-chan is a very good girl, so I’m sure Santa Claus is watching you, okay?」

「Yeah!!」

While playing along with the conversation, Sara-san seemed to be thinking intensely about something.

As for me… and of course Todo-san and Kazumi-san too, they must be thinking of some kind of countermeasure…

「Kazumi-san, how about the Christmas party itself?」

「…To be honest, it’s difficult to host something on the scale of a party at our house. It’s just me and Mio… and our place is small, too.」

There must be family circumstances involved, so I’ll refrain from prying too deep… but certainly, with just her and her mother, the kind of「party」Mio-chan is looking for might be difficult.

「Hmm… if it’s about a location, you could use the community center here.」

「Thank you. But regardless…」

「Uuuugh…」

Feeling that the conversation was going in a bad direction despite being a child… Mio-chan clung tightly to me, looking like she was about to burst into tears at any moment.

If there was anything I could do, I really wanted to help her out…

But…

This year’s Christmas is the first important day for me and Sara-san to spend together…

「Kazunari-san…」

Sara-san looked like she was agonizing over the same reason as me, wearing a pained expression at the sight of Mio-chan about to cry.

That’s right…

Now that we know about this, if we can’t make Mio-chan smile, the kind-hearted Sara-san will surely… and even I might end up welcoming Christmas with something weighing on my mind.

If that’s how we’re going to spend the day, then what should we do… the answer was already decided, so I absolutely couldn’t let Sara-san be the one to say it.

This is something I should say.

「…Sara-san.」

「Hehe… as you wish.」

Sara-san, who had apparently read my thoughts, showed her agreement without saying a word.

With that, I no longer had to hesitate. In that case…

「Sachie-san, please secure the community center for us.」

「Takanashi-san!?」

「Takanashi-kun!! But on Christmas, you and Satsukawa-senpai…」

「That goes for you too, Todo-san, doesn’t it?」

「Ugh… b-but.」

As expected, Todo-san had been thinking the same thing, and she was quickly silenced by my words. She turned a troubled gaze toward Sara-san… and Sara-san gave a nod with a full smile.

「Mio-chan, shall we have a party together this year for Christmas?」

「Sara onee-chan… you’re coming?」

「Yes. Kazunari-san will be there too, okay?」

「…Onii-chan too?」

「Yeah. Let’s have a Christmas party together.」

「Yay!!!!」

Where did her sad look from earlier go? Still being held by me, Mio-chan started bouncing around in great excitement.

Moreover, she clung to Sara-san’s arm across me, showing the high-level technique of being spoiled by both of us at the same time.

「Party!! Christmas party!!」

「Ahaha…」

「Hehe…」

「Hey, hey, onii-chan!! If we have a Christmas party, Santa Claus will come to play, right!?」

「That’s right. I’m sure he’ll come.」

「Yeah!!」

As if expressing her joy with her whole body, Mio-chan clung to me with great strength.

If she’s going to be this happy…

To be honest, I still felt a bit bad for Sara-san, though…

「Hehe… as expected of the boy Sara-chan chose.」

「Yes. Kazunari-san is the most wonderful man in the world♪」

「Oh my, how sweet♪」

「Eh, no…」

Being praised directly by the two of them, especially since Sara-san was being completely lovestruck, it was quite embarrassing.

But if Sara-san is welcoming my decision… then this was for the best… surely.

「…Takanashi-san, Satsukawa-san, are you really sure? For the two of you, Christmas is…」

「We’ll be fine, so let’s not talk about that anymore.」

So please don’t say anything more… I told her a bit firmly, adding some emphasis.

Of course, to be honest, it’s not that I don’t feel a bit disappointed… but even so, I don’t want to have any regrets.

And…

「I think we can still find time for a date… so Todo-san, you and Hayato should…」

「W-Wait, Takanashi-kun, you can’t say that!!!!」

「Oh, Marina-chan? What was that about…」

「Auuugh.」

「Ah… s-sorry, Todo-san.」

It seemed that things with Hayato were still a secret.

Without knowing that, I might have done something bad…

「…Thank you, Takanashi-san, and Sara-san too. Really, I don’t know how to thank you…」

「No, we’re looking forward to it too, so please don’t worry about it. Besides…」

「Besides?」

「This is just the kind of person my husband is♪」

「Oh, hehe… that was sweet♪」

「Hehe… you’ve really started to say things, haven’t you, Sara-chan.」

Everyone’s eyes gathered on me at once, but it wasn’t like they were teasing me, it felt more like they were looking at me with pure, warm gazes…

And as for Sara-san, she was staring straight into my eyes with an incredibly happy smile… which made it even more embarrassing.

「U-Um, it’s about time…」

「Hehe… it seems he’s more of a shy person than I heard?」

「Grandmother, please stop there. Admiring Kazunari-san’s cute appearance is my privilege alone.」

「Oh my, you really have started to say things. Could that perhaps have something to do with that ring?」

「Eh?」

Apparently Sachie-san had noticed the existence of the ring… and Kazumi-san’s curious gaze, and Mio-chan’s interest, all turned toward the ring shining on Sara-san’s ring finger.

Finally, we were about to touch on the main reason we came here.

By the way, that thing Sara-san said had nothing to do with the ring or anything… it was her genuine self, just for the record.

「Ah!! Sara onee-chan is wearing a ring!!」

「Sara-san, that’s…」

「Yes. The truth is, I received a formal proposal from Kazunari-san the other day… and this is the engagement ring I received at that time.」

「P-Proposal!?」

「My, my, my!! That’s wonderful, Sara-chan!! Congratulations!!」

「Hehe… thank you very much.」

Glancing at me, Sara-san somewhat proudly offered her left hand… pushing it forward gently so Sachie-san and the others could easily see the ring.

And Mio-chan looked very curious too, clinging firmly to me while trying her best to turn only her head to the other side.

「T-This was given by a high school boy…!?」

「Hehe… if you receive such an amazing ring, I can see why Sara-chan would want to brag about it.」

「Yes! This is a lifelong treasure for me♪」

Being praised for her treasure, Sara-san looked especially happy… she was so delighted she almost looked a bit playful.

If I can see her like this, it really was worth preparing the ring.

「Takanashi-san… let me say thank you too. Thank you so much… for giving Sara-chan happiness, and for meeting her. I’m happy that Takanashi-san became Sara-chan’s special person.」

「I’m the one who… I think the reason I could become like this with Sara-san is because of the connection I had with you, Sachie-san. So, thank you. And please continue to look after me.」

「Yes. I should say the same to you. You can feel free to call me Grandmother, you know?」

「A-Ahaha… well, I’ll do that gradually.」

Grandmother… huh.

Come to think of it, I haven’t called anyone that in a long time…

「Hehe… seeing Sara-chan wearing an engagement ring makes it all feel so real. We have to start planning for the future even more seriously!」

「G-Grandmother, please don’t get too fired up, okay?」

「That’s an impossible request, you know? There are so many things to talk about for the future of you two, and now that things have come to this, I can’t exactly retire yet. Besides, the face of a Great-grandchild…」

「G-Grandmother!!!!」

「Hehe, I’m sorry. This isn’t a conversation to have with two high schoolers yet, is it? I just got ahead of myself…」

「Y-You’re right… a-ahaha…」

What was that… for a moment, I thought I saw Mayumi-san’s shadow behind Sachie-san… wait, in this case, would it be the other way around?

Don’t tell me this is a family trait…?

But please, I’d like you to avoid topics involving sensitive parts like that… it’s hard to know how to react in so many ways.

For now, I should change the subject…

「A-Anyway, let’s talk a bit more about the Christmas party.」

「Ah, right. There’s only about a month left, so while we’re all here, we should probably decide some things, right? Kazumi-san, do you still have some time?」

「Y-Yes. I’m fine. Thank you so much, really…」

「It’s fine. And if you’re going to thank anyone, please say it to Takanashi-san and Sara-chan. Well, it’s not good to stand around talking forever… shall we take our time over some tea?」

「Mio wants to eat snacks!!」

「Hehe, I have plenty of snacks ready.」

「Yay!!!!」

「Hehe… that’s good, Mio-chan.」

「Yeah!! Sara onee-chan, onii-chan, Marina onee-chan, Mama, and Grandma too, let’s all eat together!!」

「Yes.」

「Right.」

「Yeah.」

「Honestly, Mio…」

「Ehehe~」

Mio-chan gave a mischievous laugh in response to Kazumi-san’s voice and wore a supreme smile while looking up at me.

That smile looked truly happy…

Alright.

Now that it’s come to this, let’s plan a Christmas party that’s as fun as possible, aiming for a day that not only Mio-chan but we ourselves can enjoy!

As for Todo-san, I’ll handle backing her up with Hayato… no, in that case, maybe it’s even worth having Hayato participate too?

Besides, Hanako-san would probably be happy to meet Mio-chan too…

It might even be interesting to be bold and invite everyone.