Episode 385: Kazunari’s Classmate

Sara POV

Leaving Kazunari-san’s side felt like my heart was being ripped out, but I headed off with everyone toward our next objective… picking out gifts for the exchange during the party. This was the plan from the start, and I have no intention of complaining about it now, but I do wonder if it was truly necessary to split up…

But since it’s come to this, I’ll focus on finding something that Mio-chan and the others would be happy to receive.

Oh, if you’re wondering about the gift for Kazunari-san, there’s no problem there. That is my top priority, and it’s a given that I don’t even need to check…

「What should we do? Should we split up for a bit?」

「Hmm… honestly, that would probably be better, but I’m a bit worried about letting Sara go off on her own.」

Natsumi frowned at Tachikawa-san’s suggestion, looking at my face with a contemplative expression.

Based on experience… or rather, considering our current situation, I can’t exactly say she’s overthinking it… sigh.

「Ah, you’re right. Ever since we left Takanashi-kun and the others, there have already been several groups that look like they’re about to call out to us at any moment… it would definitely be bad if Satsukawa-senpai was alone.」

「Y-yeah. You’re right. And even Nishikawa-san…」

「Oh, Eri-rin will be fine. She’s got people lurking around her anyway.」

「My, you caught on to that, Natsumi?」

「How could I not.」

Leaving aside our juniors who don’t usually have the chance to go out with Eri, it’s obvious to me and Natsumi… you can’t tell just by a quick glance, but whenever Eri goes out, there are always several people positioned nearby.

「Oh, come to think of it, during the autumn festival too…」

「Exactly. Eri-rin basically always has someone watching her from the shadows. They say it’s because it would be a problem if she got into trouble.」

「Hah… I guess that’s what it’s like being a high-society lady.」

「I think it’s an exaggeration myself, but Father is quite persistent about it.」

「Eri has it tough too…」

Certainly, considering Eri’s position, I can understand the logic of being extremely cautious… but if your private life is essentially being monitored, it must be nothing but a lack of freedom.

「You say that like it’s someone else’s problem, but position-wise, you’re in a similar boat, Sara?」

「Even so, I absolutely refuse to have my time with Kazunari-san interfered with.」

「I get the feeling, but both you and Takanashi-kun are already treated as VIPs whenever you go out in public, you know? Especially after the upcoming party, once it’s announced that Takanashi-kun is Sara’s fiancé…」

「I am aware of that even without being told.」

At the party hosted by Saba next weekend, it will be announced that Kazunari-san is my fiancé… and that he will marry me and become an adopted son-in-law of the Satsukawa family in the future…

They said they won’t say any more than that「yet,」but it shouldn’t take much thought to realize how much weight Kazunari-san’s position as an「adopted son-in-law」carries.

「Hmm… how should I put it, it feels like a story from above the clouds.」

「Well, Eri-rin and Sara are both from families that run ultra-giant corporations. The environment surrounding them is just different from us ordinary people.」

「But I don’t consider myself a special person just because people say that, you know?」

「I’m not even conscious of it to begin with. As long as I have time with Kazunari-san, I don’t need anything else.」

Even if I couldn’t choose my birth and even if there is a position expected of me… the thing that is more important than anything else and should be prioritized is my beloved Kazunari-san, him alone.

「Ahaha… as expected of Satsukawa-senpai. You’re not wavering a bit, just like always.」

「I think Takanashi-kun is truly happy to be loved that much by Satsukawa-senpai!」

「Hehe… to me, it’s just a perfectly normal way of thinking, though?」

My current feelings and thoughts are my everything, and they will never shake… there is nothing special about it.

「Whoa!? S-Satsukawa-senpai!?」

「Huh? …Whoa, seriously!?」

「H-hey, who is that person!?」

「Whoaaaa, what a beauty…」

「Wait, if you look closely, the others too…」

「H-Hanasaki-san…」

Suddenly, a group of people approached us, making loud, rude noises. It was a group of about ten males, and looking closely, there were some faces that looked vaguely familiar… well, either way, they seem to be students from the same school.

「S-Satsukawa-senpai, yo!!」

「’S-sup!! Um…」

「…Hello.」

I felt irritated by the two in front of me who couldn’t even manage a decent greeting to someone they’re essentially meeting for the first time… but pointing that out would be a hassle, so I’ll just give them a casual response.

「Ooooh, I-I finally talked to Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Crap, I’m so moved!!」

「Hey, don’t just talk to her yourselves, introduce me too!!」

「Yeah, unlike you guys, I don’t even get to see her at school.」

Apparently, the other two are students from a different school and don’t know who I am. Of course, that in itself doesn’t matter, but this is heading toward the kind of development I hate most… to be blunt, this is a total pain.

「Stop it, you guys. You’re being rude to our senpai.」

「What is it, Kawamura? You’re just acting cool.」

「I’m not trying to act cool. This is for your own sake too.」

「Hah?」

A person interjected to scold the four of them. Based on his atmosphere and behavior, he seems a bit different from the other boys… and I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before?

「Sorry, Satsukawa-senpai. These guys are being loud.」

「I don’t think you’re the one who needs to apologize?」

「Haha… even so, if I overlooked this, I feel like Takanashi would be mad at me.」

「Kazunari-san? …Ah, I remember now.」

That’s right, I believe he is a close friend of Kazunari-san in his class… and he’s been to our house before.

「H-Hanasaki-san, those clothes look great on you! So cute…」

「Oh, really. Thanks.」

「Way too blunt again!!」

Moreover, if I look closely, the boy being brushed off by Hanako-san over there was also from the autumn festival… well, more importantly.

「Are you acting separately from Takanashi today?」

「We are only temporarily acting separately right now. We will regroup later.」

「I see. Anyway, I’m sorry for the disturbance.」

「Wait, Kawamura!? You bastard, why are you sneaking ahead and having a normal conversation!!」

「That’s dirty, you!! If you know her, introduce us too!!」

「Be quiet, you’re bothering the people around us. Besides, Satsukawa-senpai is my friend’s girlfriend, so there’s no reason or meaning to introduce you to her.」

「Huh?」

Kawamura… san(?) scolded the types who raise their voices in public places, then looked at me again and gave a small bow.

It seems my initial feeling was correct; unlike his companions, he is undoubtedly a sensible person… though that much is only natural if he calls himself Kazunari-san’s friend.

「Girlfriend… you mean this person is your buddy’s girlfriend!?」

「Yeah. And for the record, they’re already engaged.」

「Enga… ged… engaged!?」

「Hah!? No way, they’re still in high school!?」

「High schoolers can be engaged too, can’t they? Look, check out senpai’s left hand.」

「Left hand?」

Kawamura-san pointed to my left hand… specifically to the ring finger of my left hand, which holds my lifelong treasure… I guess it can’t be helped, I’ll make it easier to see. Above all, showing the presence of the ring in a situation like this is also Kazunari-san’s wish.

「Huh? A ring on the ring finger… an engagement ring?」

「Yeah. It’s a genuine engagement ring that my friend gave her when he proposed at the school festival in front of the whole school.」

「That was something else… the whole school was in a total uproar.」

「Someone in my class actually took to their bed over it.」

「Hey, hey, seriously… that guy is living life on easy mode.」

「But man, isn’t a proposal at our age way too heavy? That guy’s just a bit too obsessed, or maybe he’s just delusional… honestly, it’s cring— hie!?」

The individual who began to spout the most inexcusable nonsense looked at me and gasped, letting out a small shriek. Of course, there’s no need to wonder why; above all, I am fully aware that I am feeling clear anger…

「Y-you idiot!? You…」

「Wait, w-what…!?」

「Whoa… I haven’t seen this Satsukawa-senpai in a while…」

「Kazunari-san is… what?」

「Eh!?」

A voice that was low and devoid of emotion, even to my own ears, slipped from my mouth.

Even if the other party knew nothing of our circumstances or the history leading up to them, I absolutely cannot overlook a remark that mocks Kazunari-san’s actions. I will never forgive it.

「The Kazunari-san who proposed to me… what about him?」

「N-no…」

「Don’t stay silent, answer me. Or do you not understand Japanese? I am telling you to explain right now what you intended to say about Kazunari-san.」

「Ah, ugh… w-well…」

「For a total stranger who knows nothing of the situation, you certainly talk like you know everything, don’t you? What could you possibly know about Kazunari-san? Even as a joke, it isn’t funny at all.」

I laced my voice with maximum contempt, yet remained calm and detached as I thrust my anger at him. I did not raise my voice, remaining icy to the end. I cornered him thoroughly…

Tachikawa Yoko POV

「Ah-ah, he made Sara mad.」

Yuzuki-senpai muttered an optimistic comment at the sight of Satsukawa-senpai, who, having had her Berserk button pushed, was cornering her opponent not with a roar, but with a calm, freezing fury. Even Hanako-san, upon hearing that, let out a loud, deliberate sigh…

「A moment’s carelessness, a lifetime of being a fool. That won’t be fixed until they die.」

「Hanako-san is being harsh too.」

「It’s a fact, so it can’t be helped.」

「Hey, you two…」

They were carrying on a truly carefr… I mean, oblivious conversation… wait, wait, Satsukawa-senpai is legitimately furious, is that really okay!?

「I-I’m sorry, Satsukawa-senpai!! I’ll give this guy a good talking-to, so please, hold back for now!!」

Into that murderous atmosphere, someone bravely interjected… likely the only person in that group who understood the situation. A boy who held the title of Takanashi-kun’s classmate… friend? He bowed his head so many times it was almost pitiful… no, more than that, I’m shocked that he could even speak to Satsukawa-senpai in「that state」!?

「…I see. Well, I’ll let it go just this once.」

Moreover, upon seeing him, Satsukawa-senpai, though looking reluctant, for some reason withdrew her anger… no, she lowered her sword!?

Wait, um…?

「Whoops, that’s rare.」

「Kawamura is the one Kazunari is closest with in our class.」

「So she’s showing him some respect?」

「You could say that.」

「You two over there are being noisy.」

I see, certainly if it’s the Kazunari-kun-first Satsukawa-senpai, it might not be strange for her to consider such things… maybe.

But even so…

「Um… I-I’m very sorry.」

「Me too, I’m sorry…」

「That’s enough. However, stop making assumptions based on your own sensibilities in the future.」

「「Yes… we’re sorry.」」

The two of them apologized with somber expressions, perhaps having learned their lesson or feeling bad for their friend who apologized in their place, and Satsukawa-senpai gave them a final piece of advice.

But I guess that means we’re safe for now? Good grief…

「Well then, that’s one case settled. We’re wasting time, so shall we get moving?」

「Right. Thanks to Sara acting like an adult, I didn’t have to follow up.」

「I, I was so nervous…」

「Hanasaki-san, those guys are the ones at fault.」

「Everything I wanted to say, the wife said. Just don’t get involved with us ever again.」

「Gugh… s-sorry.」

It seems things ended safely(?) for Hanako-san as well, as the boy who had been dominated the whole time slumped his shoulders. He didn’t stand out much this time because of Satsukawa-senpai’s momentum, but Hanako-san is also merciless when it comes to Takanashi-kun… I’m just really glad things settled down safely.

「Um…」

「Fueh?」

The one who spoke to me while I was taking a breath of relief was that boy who had been talking to Satsukawa-senpai just now. Of course, that in itself wasn’t a problem, but…

「…Me?」

「Y-yeah. Um…」

Whether it was because it was our first time meeting or there was some other reason, he seemed to find it a bit hard to speak… was he shy?

Um…?

「W-what is it?」

「No, we caused a lot of trouble, so I wanted to at least offer a word of apology…」

「Huh? To me?」

「Yes. Well, Satsukawa-senpai seems busy with Yuzuki-senpai and her friend…」

「R-right?」

「And as for Hanasaki-san, I feel like if I talk to her unnecessarily, I’ll just make her grumpier…」

「U-huh?」

That means…

「Ah…」

When he got that far, the boy wore an expression that was clearly and obviously awkward.

No, I knew. I knew, okay?

Why this person skipped over everyone else to talk to me, whom he’s never met.

It was just a process of elimination, and he only talked to me because I was the only one standing out, right?

It’s fine, I’m not misunderstanding anything!!

「I-I see. But I’m fine, okay? I’m not really bothered by it.」

「Is that so. I’m really sorry… for everything.」

「Ahaha…」

He showed more than just an apology, a sense of guilt… no, he even showed a gesture of concern for me, which actually made me feel a bit guilty instead.

It’s true that things got a bit tense because he made Satsukawa-senpai that mad, but once we regroup with Takanashi-kun, Satsukawa-senpai’s mood will be fixed right away anyway.

「Um…」

「Oh, I’m the same year, so you don’t need to use formal speech, okay?」

「…Eh? S-so it’s… I mean, is that so?」

「Yeah. You’re Takanashi-kun’s classmate, right? That means I’m the same age as you.」

「R-really? I thought for sure you were older…」

「…Huh?」

This time it wasn’t my misunderstanding; he looked truly embarrassed… well, he was probably just embarrassed by his own mistake… but thinking I was older, does that mean I looked at least as old as Satsukawa-senpai or older?

Me?

No way.

「Ahaha, there’s no way I could be the same age as Satsukawa-senpai and the others, right?」

「No, Satsukawa-senpai and the others are in a league of their own, so there’s no point in comparing…」

「Ah, that’s true.」

That wasn’t just limited to me; if you were compared to those three, even a college student would have a hard time…

「Anyway, I’m sorry again for today. Including those guys.」

「Yeah, I understand. I didn’t really have anything happen to me, and you stopped Satsukawa-senpai… by the way, I’m impressed you could talk to Satsukawa-senpai in that state?」

Since he’s Takanashi-kun’s friend, he must know at least a little that Satsukawa-senpai is the ultimate man-hater… and it goes without saying what would happen if a boy other than Takanashi-kun talked to Satsukawa-senpai while she was legitimately furious.

「Haha… well, to be honest, I was scared, but if I hadn’t stopped senpai there, I wouldn’t be able to face Takanashi.」

「…I see.」

「Besides, it was a trouble caused by my group, so even more so.」

「You’re a good friend, aren’t you?」

「Stop that. They’re just a bunch of people I’m stuck with, and I’m only hanging out with them today out of obligation because they were persistent.」

As he scratched his cheek with his finger, looking a bit embarrassed… it’s a secret that I thought the gap between that expression/gesture and his somewhat aggressive impression was cute.

「But regardless of the reason, I think it’s amazing that you had the courage to even bow your head for your friends?」

「This time was special because of Takanashi. Besides, I felt like nothing less than that would reach Satsukawa-senpai.」

「…True.」

Since Satsukawa-senpai basically shows no mercy to any boy other than Takanashi-kun, that prediction was likely not wrong… probably.

「A-anyway, that’s how it is.」

「I understand. In consideration of you bowing your head for your friends, I’ll tell the others too.」

「No, I told you those guys… sigh, fine, whatever.」

「Ahaha. Don’t be shy, little boy.」

「Who’s a boy!? Honestly… you really throw me off.」

Though he showed a slightly sour expression at my reaction, it quickly turned into a wry smile… and that reaction was somehow funny, making me laugh too.

What is this, it’s been a while since I felt this way with a boy other than Takanashi-kun and the others.

「Well then, we’ll disappear before we get in the way anymore.」

「Yeah. I’ll follow up with Takanashi-kun too, so don’t worry.」

「Thanks. I’ll apologize directly when I see him next, but tell him I’m really sorry for today.」

「Roger.」

「See ya.」

Finally, he concluded in a blunt manner (to hide his embarrassment?), and for some reason, the boy left the area at a brisk pace. I don’t really know what that was all about in the end, but for now, the fact that he seemed difficult but was actually easy to talk to made him an interesting character… maybe?

And if I think about it carefully, this is the first time I’ve been able to talk to and laugh with a boy other than Takanashi-kun and the others since that incident… ah.

Come to think of it… I promised to follow up, but I forgot to ask his name.

Well, someone will know who he is… so I guess it doesn’t matter.