Episode 388: Mama

「Waaaaaaah」

「Onii-chan, Onii-chan, Mio wants to eat potatoes!!」

「I’m excited!!」

Mio-chan, Sakura-chan, and Yuki-chan are the three little ones whose eyes are sparkling brilliantly in front of the array of dishes lined up on the table.

And even now, they are intently watching the progress of the Christmas staple, roast chicken (Sara-san special), brought over by Sakura-chan’s mother… their appearance is just so adorable and heartwarming, it’s truly wonderful.

「Thank you very much for your help.」

「No, not at all, on our part…」

「That’s right. We feel truly sorry for leaving everything from start to finish to you…」

「I’m sorry, Satsukawa-san.」

The mothers bow their heads in a deeply apologetic manner after being thanked in return by the greatest contributor to today’s banquet, Sara-san.

On our side, we originally intended to have them wait with the children until the preparations were finished… but they earnestly requested to help even a little, so in the end, we asked them to help with serving.

「Ooooh, amazing!?」

「Ehehe, it’s really incredible when it’s all lined up like this!!」

「Hah… honestly, I can’t believe you finished all of this in just half a day or so.」

「Agreed. Is the lady of the Satsukawa family a monster?」

「Isn’t that a phrasing I’ve heard somewhere before?」

「No, this is just normally too incredible.」

「As is always the case, Sara’s cooking skills are truly absurdly high. At this point, if anything, you could switch places with the person in charge of cooking at my house…」

「I have no intention of doing anything unnecessary except for things related to Kazunari-san, you know?」

「I know that without you telling me.」

As expected, with this much food lined up, everyone seems unable to contain their excitement… though I won’t say who, the feeling of them already sizing up their targets is coming through loud and clear. Well, even for me who eats Sara-san’s cooking regularly, I can only say this is seriously amazing, so I think it’s unavoidable.

Even so… Sara-san’s cooking skills are truly bottomless.

「Eh!? Did you really make all of this yourself, young lady!?」

「It wasn’t… exactly all of it. I did have some help to a certain extent.」

「A-a certain extent…」

「Eeeeek…」

The mothers wear expressions of astonishment at Sara-san’s words, which sounded as if they were absolutely nothing. Then Kazumi-san sends a gaze my way as if to confirm something, so I nod honestly… seeing that, the mothers raise their voices in surprise once more.

「Haaa… it’s truly amazing. And she’s still just a high schooler.」

「No, this is more than just amazing. To think you made such elaborate things…」

「C-come to think of it, Satsukawa-san was cooking with incredible skill during the Miss Contest recently, wasn’t she?」

「Satsukawa-senpai is good at cooking, sewing, and any kind of housework!!」

「It’s really amazing… I look up to her.」

Tachikawa-san speaks happily with a proud face for some reason at the mothers’ surprise, and Todo-san praises her deeply as well… the Sara-san in question wears a slightly tickled smile and glances at me.

That looks like she’s a bit embarrassed… cute!!

「Ah, speaking of the Miss Contest, what happened in the end?」

「Right, right. We went home immediately after that, so we don’t know the final results.」

「Fufufu, for Satsukawa-senpai, of course it was a victory!!」

「Victory!?」

「That’s truly impressive. But to be able to cook this well, be an all-rounder at housework, and on top of that…」

Sakura-chan’s mother stops there and stares intently at Sara-san… mainly at her face, then does a full circle from head to toe. For some reason, Yuki-chan’s mother and Kazumi-san do the same full circle, and then they all let out a deep sigh at the same time…

「Hah… the person who can marry this young lady in the future will be a lucky man.」

「Truly, truly. I almost want to switch places with him.」

「Hehe… that’s what they say, Kazunari-kun?」

「Eh?」

The one who suddenly interjects is Sachie-san, who had been watching the mothers with a joyful expression. She wears a mischievous look reminiscent of a certain someone, and looking closely, even Sara-san is sending me a gaze that seems to be expecting something… so this is the part where…

「Um… y-yes. I’m the one who understands that best of all.」

「「Eh??」」

When I answer honestly, the mothers of Sakura-chan and Yuki-chan, who likely don’t know the circumstances, look at me with wide eyes.

And the crucial Sara-san… yeah, she has a top-tier smile that is unfairly good at grabbing hold of my heart as always!

「Hehe… Takanashi-san and Satsukawa-san are engaged, you know? Look, at Satsukawa-san’s left hand…」

Kazumi-san, who softly offered a supplement on our behalf, points to the ring shining on Sara-san’s left hand… the two mothers follow it with their eyes, and after confirming the existence of the ring, they look at us with expressions of shock once again.

How should I put it, that ring has been more useful in showing our relationship than I expected lately, so it was truly worth giving it to her.

「Eeeeek!?」

「N-no way, is that an engagement ring!? Even though you’re still high schoolers?」

「U-um, well, there are various circumstances.」

「It might not be our place to say, but I’m surprised your parents allowed it? Especially for the young lady’s parents since she’s their daughter.」

「No, my parents were also enthusiastic, so there was nothing that could be called opposition. Especially my mother, she was overjoyed at the idea of Kazunari-san becoming her son-in-law…」

「Eh, i-is that so!? That is certainly…」

From an adult perspective not knowing the situation, it’s probably natural for them to feel a sense of mismatch or have various thoughts… but the fact that they don’t say it out loud shows they are still conscientious and can read the room.

「Ah, then, was that what you meant earlier? About anything except matters concerning the Vice President-san…」

「Yes. I have promised to support Kazunari-san in both public and private life as his future wife.」

「Public and private? …Ah, so that’s what the “circumstances” are?」

「I don’t want you to misunderstand, but that is merely one of the reasons for moving up the status of fiancé. Our relationship is extremely pure, and I can say with pride that I love Kazunari-san from the bottom of my heart.」

「I feel the same. This might not be understood even if I say it, but to me, Sara-san is “that person.” So I have no hesitation at all, and I intend to be with Sara-san forever from now on…」

I know full well that just hearing this might make it sound like a green youth’s dream story… but no matter what anyone says, we will just continue moving straight forward without fearing anyone.

「Hehe… I was also surprised when I first heard about the engagement, but seeing you two together, it makes sense.」

「Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai are such a well-matched couple that it actually feels strange they aren’t married yet!」

Todo-san backs me up while looking a bit bashfully embarrassed at Kazumi-san’s comment… and everyone else nods along with smiles as if in agreement.

Seeing that, the mothers also wear similar smiles…

「Hehe… it’s rather nice. This kind of connection between friends.」

「Truly. It makes me thoroughly envious.」

「I also spent a little time with them during the School Festival, and I felt a special connection from everyone that couldn’t be compared to my own high school days…」

Kazumi-san looks at us in turn and says that in a heartwarming… and somewhat envious way.

「I know, I know! When Sara onee-chan becomes a mama, Mio will play with the baby!」

「Eh? A-a baby?」

Everyone’s attention suddenly gathers on Mio-chan’s remark, which came out of nowhere with something incredible.

I-if I recall, this topic before…

「Yeah!! Mio is a big sister, so I promised to play with the baby! Right, Sara onee-chan?」

「E-eh, um… w-well…」

At Mio-chan’s extremely pure question which holds zero malice or ill-will, Sara-san’s eyes wander in trouble while… she looks over here after all!?

And if that happens, naturally!!

「Hey hey Onii-chan!! Mio is going to play with the baby, right!!」

「No, about that!?」

Mio-chan, having sharply sensed the reaction, naturally turns the point of the conversation toward me!

Yeah, I know. I know full well that there is no malice or other intention in this from Mio-chan… I know that!!

But when this talk comes up following the flow of engagement and marriage, it could lead to a serious misunderstanding that we have already made such detailed plans…

「…What’s wrong Onii-chan? Sara onee-chan?」

「M-Mio-chan, you see…」

「E-err…」

However, Mio-chan, who couldn’t possibly notice such nuances, looks at us with a curious… and slightly anxious expression because we aren’t giving a clear answer… ugh, we really don’t want to make Mio-chan make that kind of face, but this topic has a very sensitive aspect!!

And…

「Kukuku… well, well, how will the two of them answer!?」

「Natsumi, stop saying indiscreet things.」

「Are those two already talking about things like that?」

「No way, it probably just came up in the flow of the conversation, right?」

「Man, those two wouldn’t be strange at all even if they were already discussing plans to that extent…」

「Honestly, Yoko!!」

「Mio-chan is an angel.」

The biggest problem is that those people are looking at our situation with amusement!!

So if I say the wrong thing here, there’s no telling what they’ll say later!!

「Onii-chan, Onii-chan, Sakura will play with the baby too!」

「Yuki too! Yuki too!」

「Nooooo!! The one who plays with the baby is Mio!!」

To top it off, with Sakura-chan and Yuki-chan declaring they’re joining in, Mio-chan’s grumpiness goes straight up in a vertical line!!

This is becoming more and more impossible to manage!?

「But Sakura is the best big sister, so Sakura will be better at playing with the baby, you know?」

「Muuu…u…u…u」

At the attack from the slightly「precocious」Sakura-chan, Mio-chan puffs out her cheeks significantly… and lunges to cling to Sara-san, appealing her dissatisfaction and protest with her whole body in silence.

I have plenty of desire to back her up, but honestly, what should I even say!?

「Onii-chan, Sara onee-chan… the one who plays with the baby is… Mio, right?」

「Mio-chan…」

Seeing Mio-chan mutter that sadly, Sara-san and I lock eyes… although it wasn’t direct words, I instinctively pat Mio-chan’s head gently. And Sara-san, wearing a smile at my action, for some reason brings her face close to the ear of Mio-chan whom she is holding…

「…is… so… let’s, okay?」

「…Yeah!! Ehehe!!」

I thought I heard some whispering (unfortunately I couldn’t hear what was being said), and Mio-chan nods deeply with a full smile, then looks at Sakura-chan and the others with an expression that even suggests she has room to spare.

By the way, Sara-san… for some reason, she looks at me with a slightly reddened face and looks down bashfully when our eyes meet!?

Eh? Eh?

What?

What is that concerning reaction!?

「Sakura-chan and Yuki-chan can play with the baby too, okay?」

「Yeah. Yuki will play lots too!!」

「Fuhun, because Sakura can play the best of all!!」

I don’t know what Sara-san told her, but for now, Mio-chan seems satisfied… but between Sara-san’s reaction and Mio-chan’s suddenly overconfident attitude, I’m very curious about what the secret talk was… although I also feel like it might be better if I don’t ask?

Hmm…

「Ehehe, I’m looking forward to playing with the baby~」

「Yeah. Looking forward~」

「I wonder what I should play with them.」

Even so, Mio-chan’s mood is successfully restored, and the talk seems like it will conclude safely… so I should just not dig deep and think 「as expected of Sara-san」…

「Hey, hey, Onii-chan, how do babies get made? Mio wants to play with a baby soon.」

「Eh?」

「Eh?」

…or so I thought, but here we go again with a conversation flow that gives me nothing but a bad feeling.

「H-hey Mio!! If you say things like that…」

「Fuhun, you don’t even know that Mio-chan? Babies are made when people love each other!!」

「Love each other?」

Sakura-chan speaks triumphantly as if this were her turn, and Mio-chan and Yuki-chan tilt their heads curiously… wait, is this that typical development you often see in manga or anime?

In other words, if I leave this alone, I can tell exactly how the flow is going to go…

「Onii-chan, what is love each other?」

I knew that was coming!?

Yes, yes, I knew it!!

And Sakura-chan is acting proud with her chest out, but she definitely doesn’t understand the meaning, does she!?

「When Onii-chan and Sara onee-chan love each other, does Sara onee-chan become a mama?」

「Uh!?」

「Th-that is…」

Th-this is a very bad flow.

What’s bad is that even though she shouldn’t understand the meaning at all, it’s even more dangerous because it’s not wrong in context!!

And mothers, this is exactly the time for adults to step in!?

Why are you looking at each other so awkwardly!?

「Sakura-chan, what is love each other?」

「That is of course, you hug and chu and then sleep together!」

「Ehh, but then even Takashi-kun and Aya-chan…」

「That’s no good because they aren’t adults!! It’s just child’s play after all.」

「Ah, I see!! Sakura-chan is amazing!!」

「Heee, so that’s how it is!!」

「Fuhun, it’s obvious because Sakura is a big sister.」

Receiving unconditional praise from Mio-chan and Yuki-chan, Sakura-chan acts even more proud (she likely doesn’t understand the meaning).

There are many points to interject (including this Takashi-kun and Aya-chan business), but if they’re satisfied with that, then we are saved… right?

「Come on Sakura, stop pretending you know everything and come over here.」

「Yuki-chan, let’s come over here too, okay?」

「「Okay!!」」

Called by the mothers who finally interjected, Sakura-chan and Yuki-chan each go to their mother’s side. Mio-chan’s mother also comes to get her, but she leaves Sara-san and lunges to hug me as if escaping. It looks like I should be the one to look after her during the meal.

「U-um, well then, let’s eat before it gets cold!」

「Yeah! Mio wants to eat quickly!!」

「Hehe… I made lots of things that Mio-chan likes, so please eat a lot, okay?」

「Okay!!」

This time, Mio-chan raises her voice with full energy while being held by me, her eyes sparkling at the dishes lined up on the table. And the atmosphere of the place finally becomes one of starting mealtime…

「Hey Onii-chan?」

「Hmm, what is it?」

Mio-chan suddenly looks up at me with a carefree smile…

「Make Sara onee-chan a mama soon, okay?」

「Pfft!?」

She detonated today’s biggest ultra-extra-large sensitive bomb and wore a very meaningful「nishishi」smile… no, I probably just felt that way and it doesn’t actually have that meaning… right?

There’s no way it does, right?

「Hihihi, see, Sara?」

「I-I don’t know!!」

「Ehh… do you hate it?」

「T-there’s no way that’s true!! It’s just that it’s still too early for us… wait, what are you making me say!?」

「Kyaaaaa!! Satsukawa-senpai’s bombshell remark is here!!!!」

「Satsukawa-senpai, how bold…」

「N-no, that’s… K-Kazunari-san?」

「S-Sara-san!?」

Sara-san, at a loss for an answer, instinctively calls my name and looks over here… Tachikawa-san is making a fuss with particular excitement, and Todo-san has her face hidden (with the eye parts open as usual) and is bright red. By the way, Hanako-san, who usually helps with a sharp interjection, is just looking over here with a dead-eyed look while letting out a big sigh. The root of all evil, Natsumi-senpai, is still grinning nastily… and Yuji is watching Natsumi-senpai with a fed-up look while Hayato next to him has a wry smile as if saying hang in there. The last person is… with an incredibly expressionless face, something even darker than the darkness… no!!

That is really scary, that one!?

「K-Kazunari-san, um, please don’t misunderstand, okay? I just think it’s still early, of course eventually… ah, b-but if possible, even after marriage I’d like to be alone with Kazunari-san for a while…」

「Wait!? Sara-san don’t pile it on there!?」

If you say things like that now, the surrounding situation…

And Nishikawa-san… Nishikawa-san isssss!?

「Hey Onii-chan, I’m hungry~」

「R-right, let’s eat before it gets cold?」

「Yeah!」

But Mio-chan, who started the whole uproar, is now shaking my body and prompting me as if it no longer concerns her…

Well.

Let’s just have our meal for now, yeah.