Episode 359: A Cute Person

I guess my bad feeling hit the mark, or maybe it was just as expected…

Even at the massive general store that was our best bet today, I unfortunately couldn’t fulfill my goal.

On the other hand, since we both love browsing these shops, there were plenty of things that caught Sara-san’s eye or little trinkets we wanted for the house…

But this time, I was looking for something that I actually wanted for myself, keeping a「hobby」element in mind. I guess searching aimlessly like this just isn’t working.

「Ah… this series is…」

Sara-san muttered softly as she picked up a figurine, an object of a fairy(?) that looked familiar.

The detailed paint, the slightly realistic facial features, and the characteristic design decorated with plants…

「That figurine, I’m pretty sure there was something similar at your family home, right, Sara-san?」

Yes, I felt like there were several similar ornaments lined up on the shoe cupboard in the entrance of the Satsukawa house.

They were the first things that caught my eye when I went to her house for the first time, so they left a deep impression on me.

「Yes. I bought that with Mother when we came here before. But since the package specifications are different, it looks like a new series has been released.」

「I see. What do you want to do? Since we’re here, should we buy it?」

「No, I’ll just send a report to Mother for now. Personally, it’s not something I particularly want.」

「Understood. But it’s fun to collect cute ornaments like this or stylish furniture, isn’t it?」

「Yes♪ It’s not exactly a dream, but someday, I’d like to collect lots of cute trinkets and furniture to decorate the house with…」

Sara-san spoke happily while holding an animal figurine. That was something I could actually relate to quite well… because.

「That sounds great! I also have a vague idea, for example, putting something like this in a garden…」

I pointed to some figurines that looked like the dwarves from a certain fairytale or a white angel statue holding a water jar, which were placed directly on the floor below the shelves.

Decorating a garden with those, having water flow from the jar to make a little water feature… just imagining it was exciting.

「Hehe… that would be wonderful. Just imagining it makes me happy.」

「Right! I once mentioned something similar to my classmates a long time ago, and they made fun of me for being too girly for a guy…」

This was back before that incident started. A bitter memory of when I went to a local mall with my classmates and talked excitedly about it in a general store, only for them to be completely put off.

「That’s just because everyone around you was a child. It’s useless to say anything to people who don’t have the sensitivity to enjoy an atmosphere or aesthetic.」

「Y-You’re right, aren’t you? It’s not strange, is it?」

「Yes. I think it’s very wonderful.」

Sara-san gave me a beaming smile, as if she were completely validating everything I said.

Thank goodness… this was a secret preference of mine, so I was really happy she understood.

「Actually, a topic like that once came up at my family home too. In the end, it didn’t happen because we ended up building a separate annex for Father.」

「Ah… with a garden that large, it definitely feels like you could have that kind of playful touch.」

「Yes. Other ideas came up too, like building a simple gazebo and using it as a place to relax… personally, I wanted a little Western-style garden.」

「Ah, I totally get that. I’m more of a Western-style garden fan than a Japanese-style one myself. Though, to actually do that, you’d need a pretty big garden.」

It might be possible in the Satsukawa garden, but it’s definitely impossible at the scale of my family home. At the very least, to realize the image in my head, a typical home garden probably wouldn’t be enough.

But thinking about it… the Satsukawa house really is big.

「Hehe… there’s no end to it if we talk about ideals. But it would be fun to have a space with that kind of playfulness, even if it’s just one section.」

「Yeah. Let’s make that one of our future goals then! …Wait, am I looking too far ahead?」

It was just one goal, and I didn’t mean to make such a grand boast… but talking about things that far in the future might be a bit childish.

「No, it’s certainly a story for the far future, but having clear dreams and goals isn’t a bad thing at all. It’s important as a driving force for oneself. Besides…」

「…Besides?」

After saying that, Sara-san’s cheeks flushed a little shyly… yet she still stared straight into my eyes.

「We aren’t just lovers but fiancés… so isn’t it actually natural for us to talk about future goals and our outlook after marriage?」

「Ah… y-you’re right. Thinking about it that way, it’s true…」

「Yes. And… um, I think about things after marriage myself… I know it’s still early, but seeing myself wearing this formal engagement ring makes it feel real all over again…」

Sara-san spoke somewhat embarrassedly while lovingly stroking the ring shining on her left hand.

To be honest, I don’t think I can imagine things that far ahead yet… but even so, I do have vague thoughts about future goals and hopes, even if they’re just ideals.

「Um… just for reference, I’d like to ask, what are you thinking about for after marriage, Sara-san?」

「Eh!? T-That… um…」

I asked out of simple curiosity and a sense of determination to fulfill her wishes as much as possible… but for some reason, Sara-san’s face seemed to be getting redder and redder?

Did I ask something that sensitive?

「Ah, if it’s hard to say, you don’t have to force yourself…」

「N-No, it’s not like that at all… it’s just that there are things I’ve thought about idly, and a wish I absolutely want to fulfill someday, and, um… all sorts of things.」

「I see. Then, that wish you absolutely want to fulfill is…」

「I-I am so sorry. Regarding that… for now, still, um…」

Sara-san’s voice trailed off more and more, and in proportion to that, her face turned a bright, vivid red.

With a reaction like that, I couldn’t help but be curious no matter what… but I absolutely didn’t want to force her to tell me.

She’d probably tell me if I took a firm stance, but I vowed to myself not to do that unless there was a very good reason.

「I-I understand. Then, I won’t ask for now. But, someday…」

「Y-Yes. I’ll definitely tell you someday, so please don’t think too deeply about it now, okay?」

「Roger.」

It would be mean to Sara-san to continue this conversation, so I’ll try to forget it for now.

If it’s a story for after marriage, I’m sure she’ll tell me when the time eventually comes.

「…Uu, I’m embarrassed by my own self.」

「S-Sara-san?」

Suddenly, Sara-san clung tightly to my right arm and pressed herself against me so I couldn’t see her face.

That reaction is a foul in so many ways, but the「something」being pressed against me at the same time is also a foul, speaking as a guy.

「You dummy, Kazunari-san…」

「Why!?」

And to top it off, that one line that would normally be too unreasonable… combined with Sara-san’s adorable appearance, it was nothing but a reward to me.

「S-Shall we get going for now?」

「Yes…」

In a situation I didn’t quite understand…

I decided to leave the shop, leading Sara-san as she clung to me(?).

Whether it was out of inertia or because Sara-san had something on her mind, we walked through the store in a state of closer contact than usual, her arm rarely unlinking from mine.

On a normal shopping date, we’d hold hands often, but we never walked this closely. But right now, Sara-san was actively taking my arm instead…

I’ve seen many opportunities to look at people who walk around openly like this, so-called「normies,」but I never thought the day would come where I’d do it myself… or rather, it still feels like a dream and not reality that the person I’m doing it with is Sara-san.

Because… I’m just too happy.

「Ah…」

「Sara-san?」

Sara-san suddenly noticed something and directed her gaze toward it.

It was something I’d been waiting for, in a sense.

「Haha, shall we stop by?」

「Uu… is it alright?」

「Of course. In fact, even if you said you wouldn’t stop by, Sara-san, I’d drag you there by force.」

I had intended to stop by from the start, and I knew more than enough that Sara-san truly wanted to. So, I had no intention of letting her hold back at all.

And above all, stopping here was a reward for me too.

「Hehe… thank you very much. Then…」

「Whoa, it’s not going anywhere, no need to rush.」

She gave a modest pull on my arm, her eyes sparkling, and stepped into the store with an excited air.

And naturally, waiting for Sara-san inside the shop was…

「Yip yip!!」

「Mew~ mew~」

「Haaa… so cute…」

Drawn by the sounds of puppies and kittens filling the store, Sara-san arrived in front of a single cat.

It was a Munchkin kitten, its tiny front paws stretched out from inside the cage, tapping the glass as if to appeal for something. Its characteristic folded ears, short legs, and round face were unfairly adorable.

Plus, given its small size… it probably hadn’t been long since it was born.

「Mew~ mew~」

It didn’t go「meow meow,」but instead let out a thin「mew mew,」and the adorable sight of the kitten waddling was enough to make even a guy like me go weak in the knees… which meant there was no way Sara-san, an incurable cat lover, could withstand it.

「It’s so cute… hehe, kitty kitty♪」

This sight of Sara-san, already completely smitten, starting a conversation with the kitten in kitty-speak(?). Besides the gap from her usual self, it was a supreme-level foul that even a hundred red cards wouldn’t be enough for. In fact, more than half the reason I brought Sara-san to the pet shop was for this. (The rest was because it makes Sara-san happy).

「Welcome. Do you like cats?」

「Yes. I like dogs too, but I’m definitely a cat person.」

The staff member who was watching us naturally called out, so I answered for Sara-san.

Many pet shop employees don’t push the sales side too hard, so it’s easy to talk to them, which I appreciate.

「Ah, if you’d like, would you like to hold that one?」

「Is it alright?」

「Yes, of course… !?」

Looking at Sara-san who finally turned toward her, the staff member’s eyes went wide… and she froze as if speechless.

However, I’ve seen this reaction plenty of times before, so this time was likely…

「…W-Wow… so beautiful…」

「Um?」

「Hah!? M-My apologies. It’s fine! Please wait just a moment.」

Because Sara-san is so beautiful that even someone of the same sex would unintentionally be captivated, I’ve had this experience several times before.

And the staff member coming back to her senses and hurriedly resuming the service has also become a pattern in a way.

「Miss, please sanitize your hands here first, then sit on that bench.」

「Y-Yes.」

Following the instructions of another staff member, Sara-san sanitized her hands with the alcohol spray prepared on the table, then sat on the bench with a slightly nervous expression.

I made sure to sanitize as well, just in case, and right then the staff member came back from the back with the kitten that was in the cage just now in her arms… wait, it’s tiny!?

「Mew~ mew~」

「Here you go.」

「T-Thank you very much! Here.」

When Sara-san gently offered her right hand, the kitten, which had been staring at it curiously(?), started sniffing it. Then, as if it had already gotten used to her, it started rubbing itself against Sara-san’s hand.

「Oh, that’s the first time I’ve seen that one get attached so easily.」

「Is that so?」

「Yes. Animals are sensitive to whether someone truly likes them or not… I’m sure your girlfriend’s love for cats reached the little one.」

「Heh…」

I’m not sure if that’s true or if it was just sales talk… lip service… but even so, it didn’t feel bad to have Sara-san praised.

And Sara-san herself…

「Ufufu… that tickles, kitty kitty♪」

We’ve stopped by pet shops many times before, but we never had the chance to hold a kitten like this… I absolutely have to save this rare scene of my goddess (blush) playing with a cute kitten on my phone!!

「Even so… your girlfriend is very beautiful, isn’t she?」

「Eh?」

「By any chance, is she a model or an idol…」

「No, nothing like that.」

「Pardon me. But with a girlfriend that beautiful, doesn’t she inevitably stand out?」

「Y-Yeah. Well, I guess.」

「Just as I was saying… look.」

The staff member pointed behind me, and when I followed her gaze… a large number of new customers had increased in the shop, and their interest was directed either at the kitten, or…

「Woooah… so pretty… who is that girl?」

「Wait, is this some kind of photo shoot!?」

「W-Whoa… does a beauty like that really exist!?」

「Whoa, this is beyond just being a pretty picture!!」

「W-When did they…」

「She’s been standing out since she started talking to the little one, you know? There were already plenty of people watching from outside the shop too.」

「Since that far back?」

Honestly, the fact was that I only had eyes for Sara-san too… but the scene of「Sara-san playing with a kitten」was just too incredible in many ways, so it was almost unavoidable that it would draw attention… or rather, it was at a level where it would be strange if it didn’t.

「H-Hey… isn’t that girl wearing a ring on her ring finger?」

「Eh… hah!? For real!?」

「N-No, maybe it’s a fake to ward off guys…」

「Hehe… that’s a clever way to keep the pests away. Was that your idea, boyfriend?」

「It wasn’t really an ‘idea’… that’s not a fashion ring.」

「Ah, I see… eh!?」

「Fufu… do you like it here? There… kitchy-kitchy-koo…」

「Mew~ mew~」

She didn’t care at all about the commotion around her. One moment she was tickling under the kitten’s chin, and the next she was slowly stroking its belly. I couldn’t help but feel that, if anything, the kitten was the one being smitten.

And as proof of that, the kitten seemed to be in full spoiled-brat mode already…

Wait, that thing isn’t a male, is it?

…No, it’s not like it matters.

「Hehe… would you like to join us, Kazunari-san?」

「I guess so, I’ll take you up on that.」

「Yes.」

The moment Sara-san spoke to me, a stir arose from the people around us (mainly the guys). But that level of reaction is a daily occurrence when I’m with Sara-san, so it didn’t bother me.

「Let’s see…」

First, following Sara-san’s lead, I didn’t pet its head right away but let the kitten check the scent of my finger. Apparently, doing this thins out a cat’s guard to some extent.

「Mew~」

After confirming the kitten had sniffed my finger for a bit, I tried petting its head. It seemed to be more effective than I thought, as the kitten accepted it quite easily.

It even rubbed its face against my hand, showing a spoiled gesture.

Whoa… this is…

「Mew~」

「Haha, good boy.」

When I tickled under its throat, the kitten started purring.

Once it gets like this, I can’t say anything about Sara-san; the kitten is just too cute to handle!!

「Hehe… it’s being spoiled by you, Kazunari-san.」

「No, but it won’t leave your side, Sara-san. If anything, I’d say it’s being totally spoiled by you…」

「Hehe… that’s not true at all. The truth is, it loves Kazunari-san, nyan. Right, kitty kitty♪」

「Mew~♪」

Sara-san lifted the kitten’s front paws, making it do a beckoning cat motion. The kitten followed along obediently, meowing「mew mew」happily(?)…

But more than that, Sara-san’s words and actions were just too cute for me to bear!!

「…Wait, that girl is way too cute…」

「…That’s unfair… for a beauty like that to have that character is a foul.」

「…Dammit, I’m way too jealous of that guy…」

「…That ring isn’t real, is it?」

「…But that guy only looks like a high schooler at best.」

「…Hmm, a beautiful woman and a kitten really do make a great picture.」

「…You, did you suggest they hold it just for that reason?」

「…Hehe, the crowd-drawing effect is outstanding, isn’t it? But those two, are they really…」

「Hehe… kitty, that tickles.」

「Mew~」

Being held by Sara-san, the kitten repeatedly rubbed its cheeks against hers as if spoiled to the max. Occasionally it licked Sara-san’s finger, showing a gesture that looked like a sign of affection.

Watching Sara-san look at it with happy, gentle eyes… I felt somewhat envious… but then I wondered if Sara-san’s appearance when she pampers me also looked like that to others…

「Hehe… honestly, Kazunari-san.」

「Eh?」

「Even without making that face, once we get home, I’ll pamper you to your heart’s content, okay?」

「N-No, I didn’t mean it like that…」

「…Is that really so?」

「Ugh…」

Even if she showed me a mischievous expression and asked such a teasing question…

If I nodded honestly here, I’m afraid she’d seriously think I was jealous of the kitten. (That’s definitely not the case!)

My pride… my pride won’t allow it!!

「Kazunari-san?」

「I’ll be in your care.」

「Yes. Understood♪」

Agh, laugh if you want!!

Sara-san’s smile takes priority over my tiny pride!!

「Hehe… well then, kitty, my cute husband is getting jealous, so it’s time to say bye-bye, okay?」

「Mew~」

There was no way the kitten understood Sara-san’s words… but it was surprisingly smooth, as it moved into the staff member’s hand on its own.

So, with a sense of apology at least, I gave it a parting pat along with Sara-san, and it meowed twice toward us.

It was as if it were a「bye-bye」from the kitten to us…

Anyway, I’m not jealous, just for the record.

「Thank you for letting us stay so long.」

「No, no, not at all. Even so, you two really do get along well, don’t you? Rather than lovers, you looked just like a happily married couple.」

「Hehe… if it looked that way, I’m happy. We aren’t married yet, but we are fiancés.」

「Ah, I see… eh? F-Fiancés!?」

「B-But aren’t you two still students?」

「Yes. We are indeed students, but even so, the fact remains that we are formal fiancés officially recognized by both our families.」

「E-Eeeeeek!?」

「「No waaaaaaaay!?」」

At Sara-san’s direct statement, the staff member and many others in the gallery let out cries of surprise.

I knew full well people would be surprised by this, but you didn’t have to shout that loud in such a crowded shopping mall…

Ah, as I thought, we’re drawing massive attention.

「Sara-san, let’s go.」

「Yes. Well then, thank you very much.」

With one last polite bow from Sara-san, we quickly left the store.

Honestly, if I thought about how we could have spent at least a little more time playing with the kitten, I felt bad for Sara-san… but that was a misunderstanding, and I’m definitely not jealous, okay?

「Hehe… that kitten was cute, wasn’t it?」

「Yeah. After all, do you want to try keeping one someday?」

「Yes, I certainly have that feeling, but… still.」

「Still?」

「…I already have a world’s cutest person whom I want to pamper at any time♪」

Watching Sara-san say that and spill the world’s cutest smile… I couldn’t help but realize that it wasn’t just a follow-up, she really meant it… no, it’s actually the truth.

Because… it’s Sara-san.