Episode 216: Second…

「Yes, sorry for the wait~」

Mayumi-san returned with a tray carrying a teapot and cups.

We decided to take a break and have some tea.

Sara-san came back as well, carrying a tray with slices of cake. It looks like there are snacks… Mayumi-san probably made them.

After finishing the distribution, Sara-san sat in her usual spot to my right. However, Mayumi-san sat on my other side, creating a scene that reminded me of the first time I ever came to this house.

Masaomi-san looked puzzled by the fact that Mayumi-san sat next to me, but he seemed more concerned about the fact that there was no cake in front of me.

For the record, the moment I saw two slices of cake in front of Sara-san, I could already guess what was coming next.

「Kazunari-san, aahn…」

Chomp… munch, munch.

Yeah, it’s definitely delicious.

Today it’s just a standard shortcake, but simple things really show the skill of the maker.

「Wh… s-so naturally…」

Masaomi-san froze while looking at us, eyes wide, still in the middle of trying to eat his own cake. I think it’s a bit much that I eat like it’s a reflex the moment Sara-san gives me an「aahn,」but…

「Oh my, Sara-chan, you’ve certainly got him well-trained… I’m jealous.」

「Please don’t say it like that. I just want to do anything that makes Kazunari-san happy.」

The way Mayumi-san put it makes it sound like I’m a pet being fed… but to be honest, I do remember being fed enough that I can’t really complain if people think that.

「A-A-Anything!? Sara, what on earth does that mean!」

「Here, Kazunari-san, aahn.」

Is she just ignoring him now? Masaomi-san looks like he’s about to cry…

「Kazunari-kun, an aahn from your Mother-in-law too.」

「What are you doing? If you want to do that, do it to Father, okay?」

I almost opened my mouth out of habit, but I stopped myself when Sara-san snapped back again. Mayumi-san was laughing happily at the whole situation.

「Eeeh, but I’m the one who baked this cake, so I think I have the right… right, Kazunari-kun?」

「Absolutely not.」

Mayumi-san looks young enough that it wouldn’t be strange if someone called her Sara-san’s older sister, so I think it’s unfair for her to tilt her head cutely like that. But for the sake of the Sara-san next to me…

「Um…」

I wanted to say something, but it’s hard to give a clear「no」to Mayumi-san… how do I turn her down gracefully…

「Sigh… Mayumi, that’s enough. Takanashi-san is troubled, isn’t he?」

「Yes, Mother.」

Sachie-san, who had been watching us this whole time, scolded Mayumi-san with a wry smile. Apparently she can’t talk back, because Mayumi-san backed down obediently, though she looked reluctant. That was a close one…

Click…

「Now, Kazunari-san, please come in.」

「P-Pardon the intrusion…」

I followed Sara-san through the door she opened, and a faint, pleasant scent hit my nose. It wasn’t aroma oil; it felt like a more natural fragrance.

Looking around the room, the first thing that caught my eye was a bed that was full-on fancy, decorated with cute cat and dog plushies. On the other hand, the desk was decorated with practical things like reference books and dictionaries. But among them, in a stylishly designed photo frame that stood out, was the commemorative photo we took with Kuu-chan as a trio (?) during our aquarium date.

「I’m sorry for the wait. It looks like Mother tidied up the mess I made when I left, but I hadn’t checked the state of things yet.」

「No, it’s fine.」

This is actually my first time visiting Sara-san’s room, and the strange tension I’m feeling makes me realize I’ve lost my composure. Even though the two of us are together in my room almost every day, I clearly feel that something is different. Maybe it’s because the location is different, or because it’s Sara-san’s room. It’s strangely embarrassing.

「…Kazunari-san.」

I was gently embraced and deeply enveloped in Sara-san’s warmth and the scent I love so much. At the same time, I felt the weird tension I’d been feeling just melt away.

「Calm down now… fufu, let’s hold each other a little longer.」

I reflexively wanted to be pampered by that comfort, and Sara-san seemed to sense it when I leaned my weight into her. She slowly guided me to the bed, and after we sat on the edge together, she hugged me even deeper than before.

「Aside from Father, this is the first time in my life I’ve invited a man into my room, so I was a little nervous too.」

「It’s my first time entering a woman’s room too. …Maybe that’s why I was nervous.」

I murmured that as if asking myself, but I wonder how true it is. Of course I’d been to Yuzuha’s house several times when we were little, but I remember always playing in the living room, so I’d never been to her room. So it’s true that this is a first.

「It’s a small thing, but another of my ‘firsts’ has become Kazunari-san’s. And I’m happy that your first was me as well.」

As she spoke while stroking my head, I could clearly hear the joy in Sara-san’s voice. Sara-san gets happy when even the smallest of her「firsts」belong to me. And if it’s a first for me too, she gets even happier.

「Kazunari-san, um… the talk progressed so quickly that it actually doesn’t feel real yet… we, in the future…」

「Actually, it doesn’t feel real to me yet either. To be honest, the talk of future marriage feels vague to me, and I just feel happy that I can be with you forever, Sara-san.」

Thinking I should be honest with her, I took a chance and said it.

My current feeling is less about「marriage」and more like I’ve been granted permission to be together in the future.

「Even if we call it marriage, I think the bottom line is the same. It means we’ll live together happily. Though there are various differences, of course.」

「Right. Even I can understand that much. It’s still just a promise for now, but I’m sure it’ll eventually start feeling real to me.」

So for now, rather than「marriage,」isn’t it enough to just have the fact that we promised to be together from now on and in the future? That’s how I felt.

「Yes. But why did the talk suddenly go that far? I’m very happy, but it felt like it came out of nowhere.」

Since I’d kept the fact that I talked to Mayumi-san beforehand a secret until today, it must have seemed sudden to Sara-san.

It’s not something I need to hide anymore, so I guess I can tell her… even if it is a bit embarrassing.

「I heard about the marriage meeting from Mayumi-san, and when she said those kinds of talks might continue in the future, I hated it. I don’t want to be away from you, Sara-san, and even though you have me, I couldn’t stand the thought of other guys hitting on you. Then she told me that if I wanted to shut them up…」

「…And that’s when the talk of being fiancés came up.」

「Yeah. But for me, the fact that it meant I could be with you in the future was more important than the meaning of words like ‘fiancé’ or ‘marriage.’ I decided that if I could be with you forever, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second about Masaomi-san or the company… mgh.」

I couldn’t finish my sentence because my face was buried in Sara-san’s chest.

Being wrapped up by Sara-san and having my head stroked like this makes me feel like I could fall asleep from the comfort, so I have to keep my wits about me…

「…You thought that much for my sake, didn’t you… compared to that, I feel pathetic. But I will never show such a shameful side of myself again. To me, having pledged my future to Kazunari-san, there is nothing left to fear.」

That powerful declaration clearly showed she had recovered. This was the dignified and gallant Sara-san I knew.

「I think there will be many difficult things ahead. I will support you forever, Kazunari-san, so let’s work hard together.」

「…Yes.」

There are probably, no, definitely difficult things waiting for us that we can’t even imagine at this stage. But I’m certain that if Sara-san is there, I can work hard and pull through. If we do that, then someday…

「I’ll work hard. I’ll become a man who makes it so no one else even tries to hit on you, the kind of guy where they just give up and say, ‘I guess it can’t be helped if it’s him’…」

「Kazunari-san… I’m so happy… I love you…」

Silence enveloped the room. It was the kind of feeling where we understood each other’s hearts without saying a word.

I wonder how much time passed while we were held in each other’s arms… a quiet murmur reached my ears.

「…Kazunari-san, would it be alright if I received my first ‘memory’ in this room?」

A memory in this room?

Maybe Sara-san thought of something, but I had no reason to say no.

「Sure?」

「Thank you very much.」

After saying that, Sara-san pulled her body away from my chest slightly. While still wearing a smile, this time she met my eyes.

「I promised that next time it would be my turn…」

…I don’t think I’m that dense. I immediately realized what that promise was. In other words, that’s what she meant by a memory.

Sara-san’s beautiful face gradually drew closer. Since she declared she was the one doing it, it would be tactless for me to move.

「Always, and forever, by your side… I love you… Dear…」

Chu……

Our second kiss. In this space wrapped in a gentle atmosphere, we felt reluctant to pull apart and stayed hugging even after the kiss ended. And this would become our very first memory in this room…

Another Extra that breaks the mood

Mayumi POV

「Masaomi-san, now that we’ve confirmed Takanashi-san’s intentions, please make sure to report it to the company. I’m sure those two would hate it, so please do it as soon as possible so no unnecessary talk comes up.」

「Yes. Behind-the-scenes work is necessary, and if possible, I’d like to introduce them both to the President at the year-end party… so I’m thinking of having them attend then.」

「I see. I’ll write a letter to Shoji-san as well. After that, once the adoption is finalized, I’d like to move at least my own shares early, putting Mayumi aside for now.」

「Understood. First, I’ll talk to Takanashi-kun’s parents…」

Masaomi-san and Mother were exchanging opinions in a rapid-fire meeting.

I listened without interrupting, but this flow was exactly as expected. It’s similar to when Masaomi-san became an adopted son-in-law himself.

Though back then, Father was still alive…

「…I suppose that’ll satisfy them on the surface. After that, it’s about after he actually joins the company……」

「I’m sure Takanashi-san will be fine.」

「Yes. Come to think of it, President Nishikawa…」

He must have been shocked about Sara-chan, but now he has a confident expression that balances his roles as a father and as the next President of Saba Electronics. He was probably really happy to be told that by Kazunari-kun.

I could tell right away that he was desperately trying to hide his joy.

Regardless, I’m so glad everything seems to be working out for the best. Kazunari-kun probably doesn’t realize what kind of position he’s in yet, but I think that’s fine. For now, he can just work hard at what he can without worrying about unnecessary things. Once he’s grown physically and mentally, we can tell him then.

So as his mother-in-law, I’ll support my cute son along with my daughter.

Still, Kazunari-kun talking about Masaomi-san like that was really… mmm-fufu… saying such adorable things, I was right on the verge of not being able to hold myself back because he was too cute…

I’m really looking forward to the future.