Episode 185: Time with Family

「Alright then, see you later.」

「Yes, until next time.」

I stepped out of the car right in front of the apartment and finished saying my goodbyes to Masaomi-san through the open passenger window.

My part-time job at the Satsukawa house, which gave me such a surprising sense of fulfillment, was finally over.

Receiving a reward for my work and feeling the joy of having my efforts recognized was a truly valuable experience.

At the same time, I’d caught a glimpse of the warm, happy atmosphere of the Satsukawa home.

Maybe it was because I felt like a part of that circle, even if only for a short time, but the truth was I felt a sudden pang of loneliness in the life I’d started on my own…

Once I got back inside, I didn’t have anything left to do, so I aimlessly browsed the internet on my phone. I say「aimlessly」because my head was so full of worries that nothing I looked at actually registered.

The source of those worries was, of course, today.

At the Satsukawa house, I saw Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san waiting for Sara-san’s return with so much excitement.

Masaomi-san’s happy face, Mayumi-san cheerfully prepping a feast since the morning… seeing them like that, who could possibly want to interfere with such precious family time?

Even if today was a no-go, Sara-san was going to stay over tomorrow anyway. I just had to endure one more day.

Of course, I knew that way of thinking was just me acting tough. To be honest, I was incredibly lonely and it was painful…

And I’m sure it wasn’t just my ego to think that Sara-san would feel lonely too.

But even so…

I’d just been leaning on Sara-san’s kindness without noticing what was on the other side of that happiness. Thanks to my part-time job, I finally realized that I’d been constantly taking away time that she could’ve spent with those wonderful parents.

That was why, on a day like today, I wanted Sara-san to value her time with her parents at home.

I decided to convince her of that.

But I at least wanted to see her to tell her that…

With that in mind, I called Mayumi-san to confirm the pickup time.

「Nfufu~, so you want to see her the second she gets back? I’ll head over a little late then, so feel free to flirt as much as you want in the meantime~」

It was a bit embarrassing. I wasn’t sure if I should say I was glad she was such a quick study or just glad she didn’t ask too many questions…

Either way, I decided to just be grateful.

With a hidden desire to add a little surprise to the mix, I headed toward the school without telling Sara-san.

An hour and a half until the second years were scheduled to arrive.

I picked a spot just slightly away from the empty main gate of the school and waited for Sara-san’s return.

Even I thought I’d come way too early, but I couldn’t settle down at home, so I didn’t have much of a choice.

I occasionally messed with my phone, waiting for the time to pass while thinking about what to say to her. Even though it felt like I had so much to say, I realized there wasn’t actually that much I could talk about.

Since I’d done nothing but work all week, my list of topics was naturally pretty short if I couldn’t talk about that.

Of course, the main focus would be her stories from the trip, so I guess it wouldn’t be a problem…

The number of family members waiting to pick up students kept growing.

The area in front of the main gate was starting to look crowded. I was far enough away that it didn’t affect me, but with this many people, I started worrying if we would even be able to find each other.

But while I was worrying, the buses finally came into view.

They were pretty much on schedule. One by one, the buses drew closer.

When the last bus finally arrived, I unfortunately couldn’t spot Sara-san inside.

Crowds of family members were already forming around the doors of each bus. It looked like I would have to wait for things to settle down a bit.

「Sara, wait a second!!」

I thought I heard Natsumi-senpai’s voice, just a little bit. It might have just been my imagination, but either way, I couldn’t go jumping into that crowd since I wasn’t family.

So, just a little longer…

I was leaning against the fence and looking down, so I didn’t notice until the very last second.

I realized footsteps were running toward me, and when I looked up… I barely caught the figure that came flying into me with total momentum.

The person who threw herself into my chest… was Sara-san, of course.

I wondered how she’d noticed I was here… we shouldn’t have been able to see each other from the bus…

But I could only stay that calm for so long.

Sara-san wrapped her arms all the way around my back, clinging to me tightly as if she never intended to let go.

As the realization caught up to me, that the person in my arms was my beloved whom I’d missed so dearly, all the logical thoughts in my head were replaced with pure affection.

As I wrapped my arms around her, Sara-san whispered「Kazunari-san… Kazunari-san… I missed you…」over and over, leaning her whole weight into me.

「Sara-san… I missed you too… I really missed you…」

While holding her, I finally managed to get those words out.

Hearing that, Sara-san started fidgeting as if she wanted to move, so I loosened my grip on her back.

She was able to move now, and she smoothly wrapped her arms around my neck. At the same time, she stood on her tiptoes, and her face was suddenly right in front of mine.

Chu…

Sara-san kissed me on the cheek and then stopped moving for a while, staying in that position without pulling away.

I wonder how long we stayed like that… when she finally pulled her lips away and stepped down from her tiptoes, she tucked herself back into my arms as if that was her rightful place.

She must have noticed I’d frozen up, because she pulled her face back a little and stared at me from the front with a longing look.

「Kazunari-san… more…」

It’s rare for Sara-san to beg for something!

Of course, I knew what she wanted, so I wasn’t going to be so tactless as to make her say the rest. I held her tight again, careful with my strength so I wouldn’t hurt her, and she happily nuzzled her face against me.

As we flirted like that, I finally felt like my heart was starting to settle down.

「Kazunari-san… I’m home.」

「Welcome back, Sara-san.」

We finally managed to exchange greetings, but of course, she was still clinging to me and I was still holding her.

I thought about pulling away for a second to talk properly, but when I loosened my arms.

「Kazunari-san… just a little longer like this…」

She said it with that longing voice again.

Unlike usual, Sara-san being so pampered was just so cute that I couldn’t pull away either.

「…I am so sorry. I saw your face and I just couldn’t hold back anymore. I was the one who wanted to be the one to hold you, but…」

「No, I’m usually the one acting like a pampered baby, so please let me be the one to do it this time.」

I said that and tightened my hug just a bit. Sara-san happily leaned into me.

Then, she whispered in a small voice.

「Then, please let me be pampered right now. In exchange… please let yourself be pampered as much as you want when we are at your house, okay?」

After she whispered that, she tucked herself back into my arms.

Once we had calmed down enough to talk properly, I decided to tell her about today before I forgot.

「I didn’t hear that you were coming, but did something happen?」

「Sara-san… please go straight home today.」

「Eh? Yes, I’ll head home first, and then go to your place…」

「No, that’s not it. I mean stay at your house tonight. I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow morning…」

「……Eh?」

Understanding the meaning of my words, Sara-san looked confused as she let out that small sound. I hope I can convince her…

「Sara-san, I think your parents are really looking forward to your return today. Did you hear from them?」

「…Yes. They said we’re having a party tonight… but I…」

「Sara-san, I’ve just been leaning on you and letting you look after me this whole time. Almost every day, from morning until night. But I’m sure your parents value their time with you too. You’re having a party tonight, right? Then please spend today having fun with them. You’re the only one who can make them that happy…」

「……………」

Instead of answering, Sara-san squeezed her hands tight against my chest.

I think she was trying to accept what I was saying.

「Kazunari-san… I…」

「Sara-san, I’m lonely when you aren’t around. It’s pathetic, but I can’t even get through daily life without you. I want to be with you forever. But if that means I’m making you neglect your parents, I’ll feel so guilty that I won’t be able to let you look after me anymore. So Sara-san, please stay with your parents today for my sake too. Please…」

「Kazunari-san…」

I explained it slowly and carefully so she would understand.

It’s okay. Sara-san will understand.

「Besides, we just saw each other! We weren’t supposed to stay over tonight anyway, so it’s not like it’s a huge deal!」

Right, it wasn’t a huge deal.

Sure, I was lonely, but if I just wanted to see her, I could see her tomorrow morning.

I’d just moved up the meeting we were supposed to have at home to right now.

「……Yes, I understand. As you say, I will spend today at home with my parents.」

Sara-san seemed to accept it, nodding against my chest.

Good… Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san will be happy now.

「Kazunari-san, could you let me go for a second?」

I loosened my arms as she asked, and this time, Sara-san wrapped her arms around the back of my head and pulled me into her chest. The warmth and softness I hadn’t felt for a week made me want to stay pampered like this forever.

「Satsukawa-san, it’s almost ti… o-oh, sorry for interrupting…」

「Fwaaaah…」

「Th-this… this is seriously bad…」

「Sigh I figured it’d end up like this. Come on, let’s go, you guys.」

Being held by Sara-san made me dazed. I thought I heard some voices, but I couldn’t really tell.

「Thank you for thinking of me and my parents. I know you’re holding back your own feelings too, Kazunari-san. So, to answer those feelings, I will do as you say.」

While stroking my head, Sara-san spoke to me slowly.

So, today was decided. It was decided… it was lonely, but I didn’t regret it.

「So at least for now… please let me pamper you. I want you to lean on me, Kazunari-san.」

Being told that, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

I took her up on her offer, leaning my whole weight into her as I hugged her back.

Sara-san held my head close, squeezing me tight.

「Kazunari-san… I love you… I truly love you…」

With Sara-san’s sweet, whispered words, her warmth, and her softness, I truly wished that time would just stop right then and there.

Extra: Girl Side

(To break the lingering glow of the romantic mood)

「Sara, wait a second!!」

Sara started acting restless even before we got off the bus, and the second we stepped off, she suddenly bolted.

I called out to her, wondering what was up, but Sara didn’t even glance back as she ran toward a secluded spot.

「Ah boy, she couldn’t hold back, huh.」

「No way she could; Satsukawa-san has been wanting to see him this whole time.」

「And I even warned you to wait until we were dismissed before telling her.」

Those three seemed to know what was going on, as they were arguing about something.

「What are you talking about?」

When I asked, the other two answered for Yuri, who looked a bit guilty.

「Yuri spotted Takanashi-kun from the bus window. We told her to stay quiet until we were dismissed because Satsukawa-san would definitely go running, but…」

「She said it would be interesting to see what happened and told her anyway. Then Satsukawa-san just couldn’t settle down…」

I see. So that explains the sprint.

In a way, it was a stroke of good luck that Takanashi-kun was waiting in a secluded spot.

If he’d been nearby, it would have been a total disaster.

「We haven’t even finished the dismissal greetings yet…」

Some students were already talking to their families, so the teacher told everyone to start gathering up.

「What should we do?」

「We have to go get her.」

「I wonder if it’s okay.」

While saying that, those three looked like they were practically vibrating with excitement.

We couldn’t just not call her, so we headed toward where Takanashi-kun was supposed to be…

「Satsukawa-san, it’s almost ti… o-oh, sorry for interrupting…」

「Fwaaaah…」

「Th-th-this… this is seriously bad…」

「Sigh I figured it’d end up like this. Come on, let’s go, you guys.」

I guess I should be glad they weren’t kissing…

Sara was hugging Takanashi-kun so lovingly. Usually, I’d expect it to be the other way around… but it’s Sara.

And since those three didn’t just hear the conversation this time but actually witnessed the scene, they were in total hysterics.

「That was way too passionate…」

「Satsukawa-san was the one holding him!? Hyaaah, I saw something amazing!!」

「Satsukawa-san had such a gentle face… I didn’t know she could look like that.」

「A maiden in love… no, is she a maiden in adoration at this point!?」

Sigh… I guess it’s too late now.

More importantly, how am I going to lie to the teacher?

If they don’t do a roll call, maybe they won’t even notice?

And just as I hoped, there was no roll call, so we managed to get away with it.