Episode 207: The Act of Relying

「Kazu… nari… sa…」

Mixed in with her rhythmic breathing, Sara-san murmured my name, maybe she’s dreaming.

As I stroked her head, she happily nuzzled her face against my chest.

Usually, I’m the one getting pampered like this, so I don’t think it’s bad to have the roles reversed for once. Besides, Sara-san is being so honestly affectionate today that it makes me want to spoil her even more.

…………

After Sara-san finished her bath and took a breather, I took a chance and invited her into the futon. I figured if we lay down and her heart settled, she might unexpectedly be able to talk. I didn’t have any other intentions, of course.

The moment we lay down together, Sara-san clung to me like she was never going to let go. When I hugged her back, she looked relieved instantly, and before I knew it, she’d fallen fast asleep.

She must’ve been so mentally exhausted. When I think about how her nerves have been frayed all this time, a bit of anger wells up in me even though I know Masaomi-san didn’t mean any harm.

While feeling Sara-san’s warmth, I recalled the conversation I’d just had with Mayumi-san…

「I know this is still a heavy topic for you two. But now that the other side has made a move, if we just sit back and watch with our arms folded, things might become even more troublesome than they are now. If you don’t want that, Takanashi-san, I want to hear your thoughts, even if they’re vague, on what you intend to do from here on… just tell me what you’re thinking.」

What I intend to do…

What do I want to become with Sara-san?

When I think about my true feelings, the answer is already decided.

I didn’t become her lover with any intention of us breaking up.

I want to stay with Sara-san like this forever; I’ve got no plans to part ways. Even if someone calls it the nonsense of a child, it’s my true opinion and my true heart.

And I understand in my head that if we keep spending our time together from here on, the word「marriage」will eventually come up.

That said, as a romance novice, I can’t exactly claim to fully understand marriage. Vaguely, I’ve only perceived it as something waiting far beyond our current relationship.

So, was Mayumi-san’s question a difficult one for me?

The answer, of course, is no.

My feeling of wanting to stay together forever hasn’t changed one bit. If that’s the case, I don’t have a reason to hesitate, regardless of what lies ahead.

The story grew so large that I felt it was heavy, but I realized the answer is actually quite simple.

「I want to stay with Sara-san forever from here on out. I can’t say anything complicated, and I’m sure I don’t properly understand marriage myself yet. But I won’t hesitate, no matter what’s waiting at the end of the road with Sara-san. When it comes to Sara-san, I’ve got nothing to hesitate about.」

I don’t know if this was the answer Mayumi-san was looking for, but I conveyed it as my unvarnished, true feelings.

What I don’t know, I don’t know.

Without trying to act cool, I just need to tell her the truth: I want us to stay together.

I just need to tell her my true heart: I won’t hesitate to do whatever is necessary for that.

「Thank you… I understand your feelings well, Takanashi-san. You want to stay together, so you won’t hesitate for that sake… I see. Ufufu, now your Mother-in-law can work hard too!」

Mayumi-san shifted her mood and returned to her usual gentle, bright self. I felt somewhat relieved by that familiar tone of voice.

「So, I want to talk with Masaomi-san.」

「Yes, it’s probably best to have a thorough talk at least once. I’ll tell him to make time this weekend, so please keep your weekend open.」

The weekend, huh…

I haven’t been able to consult with Sara-san yet, and my plans are pretty thrown off, but now that it’s come to this, I’ll definitely persuade Masaomi-san on my own. I’ll make him acknowledge us.

「I’ll be there for the talk with Masaomi-san too. Now that things have come to this, for the sake of Sara-chan’s happiness, we absolutely must have you, Takanashi-sa… no, Kazunari-kun, come as our son-in-law!」

Son-in-law… she means me, right?

It’s not strange since unfamiliar words like fiancé and marriage are flying around, but being told that directly still makes me feel a bit flustered.

…By the way, did she just call me by my first name?

「Leave the setting of the meeting with Masaomi-san to me. As for Sara-chan…」

Right, the question of what to do about Sara-san, who ran away from home.

The option of forcing her back home is absolutely out.

「Kazunari-kun, I’m sorry to ask this, but could I leave Sara-chan in your care for a while? I’ll hand over the necessary living expenses when we meet this weekend.」

I thought that would be best too.

The shock Sara-san received was too great, and I think it’s currently hard for her to calm down and think clearly. In that case, it’s better for her to stay away from home for a while and talk again once she’s able to process things.

「Leave it to me. But I don’t need living expenses.」

「No, we’re the ones asking you, so please accept them properly. Now, if we don’t end this soon, Sara-chan might come out of the bath.」

「Probably. Then, I’ll be counting on you for the matter with Masaomi-san.」

「Likewise, please look after Sara-chan. Well then, good night.」

…………

I have no hesitation.

I’ll simply choose the path of staying together with Sara-san.

However… the fact is that the opponents aren’t just simple nuisances.

What I learned from Mayumi-san’s story is that simply being lovers won’t be enough to shut them up. With people like that as opponents, even if we announce we’re engaged, it might only look like the fire’s been extinguished on the surface while the embers remain. I had a feeling that might be the case.

I feel like things were actually easier when I was dealing with Yamazaki…

The next day.

I think Sara-san showed a normal appearance this morning.

No, it was obvious that she was just pretending to be normal, and my heart ached when I thought about her inner feelings.

But while Sara-san is enduring it, I can’t afford to let my own feelings show.

What I can do right now is stay close to Sara-san and help her feel even a little bit safe.

And to have Masaomi-san acknowledge me as soon as possible. That comes first.

I can’t wait for the weekend.

「Morning, Takanashi-kun.」

The greeting in a slightly blunt voice came from Hanako-san, who became my classmate yesterday.

In addition to her position as a precious best friend, the element of being a classmate was added, making her an even more irreplaceable presence.

「Morning, Hanako-san.」

「…………」

What is it? Even though I just returned her greeting, she stared at my face like she was confirming something.

「Look, they’re staring at each other from the morning.」

「It’s true, they’re already lovey-dovey.」

「Kuaaa, I’m so jealous.」

「It’s fine, I still have Satsukawa-senpai.」

「I feel like she’s become even more beautiful lately. Though there are too many rivals…」

「Just stick to admiring the Flower of the High Peaks like I do.」

「Come here for a second.」

Muttering that one sentence, Hanako-san suddenly grabbed my jacket sleeve and pulled.

I was surprised by the suddenness, but judging that she must have a reason, I decided to follow her in silence.

Leaving behind someone’s voice saying「Be back by HR~,」we went out into the hallway and continued moving while she pulled me even further.

And where we ended up was the deserted stairwell landing where I often talk with Hayato.

To think she noticed this spot already on her second day after transferring…

「Hanako-san, what’s up?」

「That’s my line. If you’re in trouble, I’ll listen.」

「So talk.」I felt like I could hear those words from Hanako-san’s eyes as she stared at me. Am I really that bad at keeping secrets?

「…I might not have enough time to explain.」

It might sound like I’m running away, but the truth is that we don’t have much time before HR, and if I started explaining now, there’d be far too little time.

「I see… so it’s that big of a story. In that case, call for a gathering on RAIN tonight.」

A gathering!?

…Ah, she means a group call.

「A fool’s thoughts are as good as nothing. I don’t know what you’re worrying about, but if you consult everyone, there might be a solution. I can guess it’s about your wife anyway, but you can’t forget that the fact that people around you help you out is, in the end, your own power.」

People helping me is my power?

What does she mean by that?

…I sometimes think that Hanako-san sees things from a different perspective than the rest of us. At those times, she unexpectedly gives sharp opinions or says meaningful things without being swept away by the situation.

If that’s the case, then these words too…

「Everyone is here for you, and I’m here too. If you can’t do it alone, then just rely on us honestly.」

「Hanako-san……」

There’s quite a height difference between Hanako-san and me, but she stood on her tiptoes with all her might and just barely managed to stroke my head.

If it’s those words, even I can understand.

I also want to be a source of strength and help when a friend is in trouble.

So surely, everyone else must feel the same way about each other.

Because it was about Sara-san, I was panicking and thinking I had to handle it myself, and I’d unconsciously ruled out the option of consulting my reliable friends.

「Hanako-san, you’re amazing.」

There must be other ways to say it, but that was the only sentence that escaped my mouth.

「Because I’m your Onee-chan.」

With a smirk, Hanako-san used her recent standard keyword,「Onee-chan.」

That being said, considering our exchange just now, I guess I can’t say a word against it this time.

「Hanako-san, about that Onee-chan thing…」

Ding dong…

The warning bell echoing through the school was the signal for us to hurry back to the classroom.

I couldn’t have this talk this time either.

We looked at each other and both began walking back the way we came. Toward my back, she murmured:

「I’ll tell you next time.」

Lunch break.

After finishing our bentos and taking a breather…

「U-Um… Kazunari-san, really…」

「Of course. Come on, hurry!」

「Auuh.」

I patted my knees, trying to urge Sara-san over.

Maybe she’s a little embarrassed as her face turns red, but the fact that she hesitantly tries to follow my words might be because she also feels happy.

「What are those two doing?」

「It looks like Kazunari is trying to give Satsukawa-senpai a lap pillow.」

「I wonder what it feels like to have a guy do that for you?」

「You’d know if you had a handsome guy do it.」

「Eh!?」

I wish they’d leave us alone, because if they make too much of a fuss, Sara-san will get embarrassed and hesitate.

「W-Well then, if you’ll excuse me.」

As if she’d made up her mind, Sara-san murmured a small「Ei!」before resting her head on my knees, or rather, my thighs.

After draping my school blazer over her, I tried the classic lap pillow move and stroked her head.

「Fuaaa…」

I heard a sound from Sara-san that I rarely get to hear, whether it’s because she was happy or it felt good. So I got happy too and stroked her head over and over. Eventually, Sara-san seemed to get used to the situation, and the weight on my legs increased just a little.

Stroke, stroke…Stroke, stroke…

It felt like the space around us had changed, and a slow, peaceful time flowed.

Sara-san’s hand, which was touching my leg, moved as if confirming something with a small squeeze, and a smile naturally spread across my face at that gesture.

I might’ve understood just a little bit how Sara-san feels when she usually gives me a lap pillow.

「…Um, Natsumi-senpai, what are you…」

「I’m going to show this to Eri-rin later~」

「Takanashi-kun looks so happy… Watching them makes me happy too.」

「If it’s that good, maybe I should ask for one next time. No, actually I should be the one…」

「Kazunari-san…」

I’d realized it, but it seemed Sara-san wasn’t actually sleeping. When my eyes met Sara-san’s as she turned to face forward, she gave a soft smile.

「You couldn’t sleep after all?」

「Fufu… I’m so happy that it felt like a waste to sleep.」

「In that case, should we do this at home too?」

「Thank you. But if I had to choose, I’d rather be the one to give Kazunari-san a lap pillow, you know?」

Is Sara-san actually happier when I’m the one being pampered?

In that case, maybe I’ll try being bold and asking for one next time…