Episode 218: I’ll Look After You at Your House!!

Right now, I’m dealing with a level of tension I’ve never felt before. When I tried to confess to Sara-san, that was the biggest moment of my life, but this tension is just… different.

Why? Well…

「No, no, the pleasure’s all mine… yes, thank you very much.」

Because my old man and Masaomi-san are on the phone!

Since there was some time while Sara-san and the others were cooking, I figured I should at least contact my parents. My Okan said she’d respect my wishes, but you never know until you actually talk. When I told Masaomi-san I was calling home, he said he wanted to say a few words too.

So, I called my Okan, but for some reason, my old man was the one who picked up. Apparently, she’d forgotten her phone and gone out shopping. The good news was that she’d already filled him in, which saved me the trouble of explaining everything to him.

「If that girl’s really important to you, don’t you dare give up. I mean, I heard from your mother that she’s cute, has a great personality, and is perfect at housework… I still can’t believe you landed a girl like that. But if it’s true, a miracle like that won’t happen twice, so don’t miss your chance (lol).」

He’s as lighthearted as ever.

Could he not have at least half of Masaomi-san’s dignity or gallantry? Something?

Also, once he finally meets Sara-san, I’m definitely going to make him apologize.

After that conversation, my old man is currently in the middle of talking to Masaomi-san. I can hear some laughing, so I guess there aren’t any problems… but I can’t imagine that old man saying anything sensible, so I’m on edge worrying he’ll say something weird.

「I’ll contact you again later regarding the schedule. I’m sorry for the sudden call today. Well then, I’ll put Kazunari-kun back on.」

Looks like the talk is over. I’m way too worried about whether it actually went okay.

「Man, that was a surprise. Honestly, being told they want you as an adopted son doesn’t really feel real. But it’s not like you’ll stop being our kid, and if it means you can be with her, then isn’t it fine?」

「I mean, if you’re okay with it, that helps me out, but still.」

He’s so breezy about it… though I don’t think he’s saying it without thinking. My old man might sound flighty, but he actually considers the important things.

「We only talked for a bit, but he seems like someone I can trust. I’ll give a real answer after we meet in person, and I’ll tell your mother too, but based on our talk the other day, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Well, either way, it’s a sudden proposal, so I can’t give an instant ‘yes’ right here and now…」

The whole「adoption」thing was out of the blue, and for my old man, who wasn’t part of today’s discussion, it must have been a total bolt from the blue. If anything, I guess I should be glad he didn’t say no on the spot.

Once the report was done and I hung up, Masaomi-san spoke to me, looking relieved.

「Thank you. I’m glad I got to talk to your father. It was a short conversation, but he seems like a good father who truly cares about you. I’m looking forward to meeting him.」

I don’t know what they talked about, but judging by Masaomi-san’s reaction, I’d like to believe there weren’t any issues.

「The details and the formal talk will have to wait until we meet next time, but he said he has no intention of opposing us. Honestly, it’s a relief… I was prepared to work hard to persuade him, but if he’d been negative from the start, things could’ve gotten difficult.」

From the look of things, it seems my old man actually held a proper conversation for once.

So, it wasn’t just Masaomi-san who was relieved; I was too.

「No intention of opposing us,」huh.

Sitting in the middle of all the dishes on the table was the main course: hamburger steak, my absolute favorite. The spread was perfectly tailored to my tastes, and since there were two half-sized patties lined up, I assumed they’d each made one. I couldn’t tell just by looking, but since I’d eaten both of their cooking before, I was certain both would be delicious.

Though, not to be rude, but against Sara-san, who knows my tastes inside and out, this shouldn’t even be a contest…

「Now, let’s eat before it gets cold.」

My seat was right next to Sara-san’s, and she pulled the chair out for me with a「Right this way.」

「「「「 Let’s eat! 」」」」

Alright, here we go.

It’s just dinner, but why does the atmosphere feel like every single move I make is being observed?

「By the way, Kazunari-kun, I want you to guess which patty is mine and which one Sara-chan made.」

「Eh!?」

The bar just got raised right before I started eating.

I absolutely cannot get this wrong… if I do, I won’t be able to look Sara-san in the eye.

「Fufu… I’m sure you’ll be fine, Kazunari-san.」

I’m sure this support (?) is just her genuinely believing in me, but she probably doesn’t realize that from another perspective, it’s an insane amount of pressure.

Ignoring my internal panic, Sara-san cut the first hamburger steak into a bite-sized piece and brought it to my mouth with her usual fluid movements. The way she naturally tucked her left hand under the fork always reminded me of how domestic she is.

「Here, say aahn…」

Chomp… munch, munch…

Yeah, it’s good! The char is great, and it’s really juicy… but…

「Next is this one. Here, aahn…」

Chomp… munch, munch…

「Aaaah!! I wanted to be the one to give you an ‘aahn’ for at least one of them!!」

「Like I said, stop talking in your sleep. This is my role.」

Yeah, the fluffiness inside is totally different. This softness is exactly how I like it, and the sauce is a bit sweeter than usual, this is definitely Sara-san’s hamburger steak.

Seeing my expression, Sara-san realized I’d found the answer and beamed.

「See? There was no way Kazunari-san would get it wrong!」

「Even though I’m the one who taught her that recipe, why was it so easy for him to tell…」

I hadn’t even commented on the taste yet…

Despite her words, Mayumi-san, who’d known my answer from the start, was laughing as if she were enjoying the moment rather than feeling frustrated.

「Yeah. This one is much softer… did you mix something in?」

Masaomi-san also seemed to notice the different texture.

「It’s the Takanashi family style that Mother-in-law taught me before.」

「Eh, that’s cheating~.」

「Fufu… that’s why I told you that you couldn’t beat me. Though I wouldn’t lose to you in anything else, either.」

Sara-san looked proud and a bit smug. Seeing that, Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san both softened their gazes.

As for me, watching Sara-san acting so cute while I enjoyed this amazing feast made the meal even more satisfying.

「Sorry, can I have a moment?」

Just as I was thinking about heading home, Masaomi-san spoke up. I thought it was just for me, but his gaze included Sara-san as well. It looks like he has something to say to both of us.

Once everyone, including Mayumi-san, was seated on the sofa, a serious-looking Masaomi-san spoke first.

「Actually, I’ve been curious for a while… or rather, after that meal, I’m almost certain… By any chance, Sara, do you usually make meals at Takanashi-kun’s house?」

「「………」」

Sara-san and I reflexively made eye contact.

Considering the future, it’s probably better to explain this. There’s nothing shady going on, and there shouldn’t be anything to hide or anything difficult to say… I think…

「Yes. It’s true that I’m usually at Kazunari-san’s house. I make meals and handle the housework there.」

Sara-san, having nothing to hide, answered Masaomi-san with total confidence. In fact, she was so dignified about it that Masaomi-san actually flinched a bit.

「Is there a problem with that? You aren’t planning on telling me to stop, are you?」

「Ugh…」

Sara-san’s gaze grew sharper by the second.

Her eyes were basically saying,「If you tell me to stop, I’m leaving this house right now, you know?」leaving Masaomi-san at a loss for words.

「Masaomi-san, I was aware of everything. I gave her my permission.」

Mayumi-san added a follow-up to support Sara-san.

「…I figured. You didn’t look surprised at Sara’s attitude toward Takanashi-kun at all; you looked like you were used to it, as if it were only natural.」

It seems Masaomi-san isn’t trying to interrogate us, but rather just confirming the current situation.

「Um, Masaomi-san. It’s true Sara-san comes to my place, but I swear nothing shady is happening. It’s a bit pathetic to say this so confidently, but Sara-san really is just doing the housework for me.」

「…I see. No, of course I believe you. Mayumi wouldn’t have given permission if she didn’t believe you too. Still, I suppose if your relationship has progressed this far, it wouldn’t be strange for it to be like that.」

He must have been at least a little shocked, but he seemed to accept it properly. I’d wondered what I’d do if he told us to stop or said it was absolutely forbidden.

「Then Masaomi-san, there won’t be a problem from now on either, right?」

「Yeah. But please keep it at the current level. Anything more will have to wait until after the engagement is finalized…」

Masaomi-san gave a tentative okay to Mayumi-san’s question.

With that, we’ve at least got permission for now, so I guess I can breathe a sigh of relief. And to make sure I don’t betray that trust, I’ll have to double down on my restraint…

「I understand. Then things will continue as they have been. That’s a promise, right?」

Sara-san gave a strong reply to Masaomi-san’s words. That confident follow-up question made me feel like there was some other intent behind it… or was it just my imagination?

「Ah, yeah, it’s a promise. As long as it’s ‘as it has been,’ I’ll allow it.」

「I’ve heard you clearly. Kazunari-san, since Father gave his formal permission, I’ll continue looking after you as I have been. Mother, you heard that too, right?」

For some reason, Sara-san, the one who was asked for the promise, was the one confirming the promise with Masaomi-san. It was a weird exchange.

Mayumi-san seemed to find something funny about it, as she covered her mouth and giggled while nodding. I wonder what that was about…

「S-So, anyway, how did the cooking battle end up?」

Masaomi-san, who was starting to look awkward standing there alone, brought up a desperate topic change.

That said, I realized I hadn’t actually given a clear answer on whose was more delicious, leaving it vague…

「Kazunari-kun, your Mother-in-law’s food was delicious, wasn’t it? You don’t have to hold back for Sara-chan’s sake, you can be honest, okay?」

Mayumi-san obviously knew my answer from the start, yet she asked me in a tone clearly meant to provoke Sara-san.

「…Kazunari-san, please ignore Mother’s sleep-talking.」

Normally, Sara-san should be able to ignore that level of provocation…

At the risk of sounding conceited, I guess it’s because it involves me.

「But Kazunari-kun told me my hamburger steak was delicious when he ate it before, you know?」

「…………Hah?」

With Mayumi-san’s further provocation, I could sense the atmosphere around Sara-san shift instantly.

In my mind’s eye, I could clearly see Mayumi-san laughing while lighting the fuse on a bomb labeled「DANGER (The Part-time Job).」

「I am his Mother-in-law, after all. If Sara-chan isn’t around, naturally I’ll step in to handle the meals and the laundry…」

「…………Wait a moment. What are you talking about?」

…I-It’s cold… beyond freezing.

Wh-What do I do? What should I do?

Sara-san isn’t looking at me yet, but I’m terrified to imagine what kind of face she’s making.

「Ah, you mean the talk from the part-time job. Right, thinking about it now, since Sara was on the school trip, Takanashi-kun wouldn’t have had dinner ready…」

「Yeah, so I made dinner and bentos for him instead… wait, Sara-chan?」

She finally seemed to notice the change in Sara-san. Mayumi-san stopped talking, but… it looks like it’s too late.

…I know, I’m the one who procrastinated on telling her.

It’s true that a lot was going on, but since I didn’t think it was an urgent topic, I kept pushing it to the back of my mind.

Turning toward me, Sara-san was unexpectedly wearing a smile. More accurately, it was a very well-crafted fake smile.

「……Kazunari-san, an explanation, please.」

「Y-Yes…」

I gave up any thought of resisting that single sentence and decided to confess everything right then and there. While I was explaining, Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san looking awkward entered my field of vision, making me feel a bit guilty.

It’s all my fault…

I reported that I worked at the Satsukawa house and that Mayumi-san had looked after me in various ways. Once the explanation was over, it was Sara-san’s turn for interrogation.

「So, while I was away, Mother was the one making dinner the whole time?」

「Yes…」

「The bentos were Mother too?」

「Yes…」

「Is there anything else?」

「Well… the laundry, and cleaning the room too…」

「!?」

I figured it would all come out eventually, so I didn’t hide anything and answered her questions honestly.

As she listened to those answers, Sara-san’s fake smile vanished completely. Her cheeks were puffing out more and more, and I knew if I called her cute right now, she’d definitely blow a fuse. She was officially furious… but she was still cute.

「……I understand perfectly now. My precious role was snatched away by Mother… that’s what happened, isn’t it?」

Sara-san was still sulking.

Thinking about how much she treasures doing the housework at my place, my sense of guilt grew stronger. It’s only natural for her to be angry.

「I’m sorry…」

「No, I understand that this situation occurred because I was absent. It is entirely due to my own lack of virtue. My absence allowed Mother’s reckless behavior and caused you unnecessary hardship, Kazunari-san. Therefore, I will not repeat the same mistake twice.」

She seemed to understand, but her way of accepting it felt slightly off, in a way I couldn’t quite put into words. Still, I guess I should be glad she accepted it at all?

「Kazunari-san, will you listen to a request? In addition to my pathetic behavior until the other day, I have committed the massive blunder of allowing someone else, even if it was Mother, to look after you. That is why, to ensure it never happens again, I want you to keep me by your side in the truest sense.」

Apparently, Sara-san had something on her mind, because she suddenly made a request.

To be honest, I didn’t think she was being pathetic at all these past few days, and calling the part-time job period a「blunder」was just going way too far.

But if that’s what it takes to satisfy her, I don’t really mind, and it’s actually something that makes me happy, so I have no reason to refuse.

「Of course. I want to be with you forever too, Sara-san.」

My answer never changes. Because this is my true heart.

「I’m so happy! Since it’s decided, from today onward, I will look after you at your house every single day!! If we live together, I can look after you by your side at any time, so the problem is solved!!」

「「「 ! 」」」

Sara-san declared that in a loud voice, as if she were taking a vow.

I see, living together… LIVING TOGETHER!?

「S-S-Sara!! You just promised to keep things as they’ve been, didn’t you!?」

Masaomi-san hurriedly tried to stop her. He’s right, she did just promise that, didn’t she?

「? I haven’t broken the promise, have I? I have been staying over at Kazunari-san’s house this whole time, so I’m simply continuing that. Therefore, I haven’t exceeded the current scope, have I?」

「What!? Y-You’ve been staying over… wait, Takanashi-kun, tell me, tell me everything!?」

Masaomi-san’s face twisted into an expression of pure shock.

I guess even someone like Masaomi-san completely crumbles when it comes to Sara-san… but now is not the time to be admiring that!

「N-No, well…」

「There’s nothing to explain; we just talked about it, didn’t we?」

「I didn’t hear anything about staying over!?」

「M-Masaomi-san, we didn’t do anything shady!!」

「Hmm, true, it is what she’s been doing until now. Sara-chan, when did you become such a clever girl?」

It’s true she’d stayed over many times, and it was a fact that she’d stayed over for several consecutive days recently. In other words, just continuing that from now on… I guess you could argue that… maybe?

「 I’m simply going to continue as I have been. Let me say this now: if Father intends to go back on his word, then I shall simply act as I please, understood?」

「A-Act as you please!? What does that mean!?」

「Exactly what the words imply.」

「Hmm…… if you don’t keep the promise, Sara-chan won’t stop. Conversely, if Masaomi-san keeps the promise, the minimum line we’ve had until now will be maintained… I see.」

「Ugh…………」

Mayumi-san’s quiet murmur seemed to strike a chord with Masaomi-san, and he stopped moving completely.

Ignoring him, Sara-san linked her arm with mine and leaned her body against me with a happy look.

「S-Sara-san, are you really sure about going that far!?」

「Of course. But if you dislike the idea, Kazunari-san… then I…」

No man could say no to a face that looks that sad. You could call it a weakness for the girl I love, but either way, my answer was decided from the start.

「I’d never say I dislike it! If I can be with you, Sara-san, then I…」

「I want to be by your side too. So, please leave everything to me.」

Watching her smile so happily, I could only think,「Isn’t this fine?」Just like Sara-san and Mayumi-san said, the actual situation hasn’t changed from what we’ve been doing until now. And if I’m happy about it, then there’s no reason to worry, right?

「We’ll be together forever from now on. I’ll definitely make you happy, you know? Dear♪」

And so, from today, my new life with a very meddlesome Goddess begins…

「Takanashi-kun, I trust you. I really do, okay? But we need to have a little talk after this… you’re okay with that, right?」

……I guess I’ll have to talk to Masaomi-san a bit more.