Episode 243: A Moment at the Satsukawa Residence

When we went up to the living room, the room was filled with the sweet scent of vanilla. Of course, it wasn’t the scent of aroma or perfume: it was the smell of baking cookies or cake. I suspect Mayumi-san is preparing some tea treats for us.

I sat down at my usual spot on the sofa without hesitation, and Sara-san sat down to my right as if following me. This is Sara-san’s fixed spot too. By the way, for some reason Mayumi-san sat down to my left…

「I wonder if they’ll be done soon. I tried baking cookies today ♪」

「Ah, I thought so. I had a feeling.」

「Mmm-fufu, I’m glad Kazunari-kun likes sweets. It makes it fun and rewarding for your Mother-in-law to make them.」

I’ve heard that baking sweets is a hobby for Mayumi-san, but the finished products are beyond the level of a mere hobby. They’re indistinguishable from those at a specialty shop, and it wouldn’t be strange at all if they were put on sale right now.

「I hope the oven arrives soon… Even though I know Kazunari-san likes sweets, the fact that I can’t bake any…」

Sara-san murmured that, looking somewhat regretful.

Since she used to make sweets for me often before we started living together, I’m well aware of her skill. Since she was taught directly by Mayumi-san, I think her ability is every bit as good. However, I’ve never eaten anything fresh out of the oven or things that are difficult to transport, so in that sense, I really wanted that oven.

「Did you buy it during your shopping trip the other day?」

「Yes. Kazunari-san chose a slightly large convection oven for my sake.」

Sara-san reported this to Mayumi-san happily, emphasizing the「for my sake」part.

Since I’d heard that having an oven would increase the variety of dishes we could make, I’d intended to buy one soon anyway. So I’m really grateful that we were able to buy a really good one this time thanks to Mayumi-san.

By the way, a convection oven is like a combination of a toaster oven and a microwave. Besides daily cooking, it can apparently be used for a wide range of things like making sweets or baking bread.

I thought it was a necessity for Sara-san, who is particular about her cooking, so when she tried to hold back and pick something simple, I stepped in and forced her to choose a high-quality one.

「Oh, that’s wonderful. By the way, did Kazunari-kun buy something for himself too?」

「I’m fine. Sara-san will be making delicious things with the oven, so it’ll end up benefiting me too.」

「Yes! I’ll make lots of delicious food and sweets for Kazunari-san’s sake ♪」

Seeing her this happy, I can’t help but think I should have bought it sooner… but with my personal budget, I probably could only have bought something truly simple.

「Kazunari-kun really is a good boy. Sara-chan can feel secure about the future since he understands things like that so well.」

「Fufu… I’ve known from the start that Kazunari-san would become a wonderful husband.」

「…………」

The two of them are getting fired up, so I’m trying not to ruin the mood, but listening to this conversation is making me incredibly embarrassed. Being praised so openly is one thing, but being called husband by Sara-san is truly bashful.

「Oh, Kazunari-kun, are you blushing?」

It seems Mayumi-san noticed. She’s peering into my face with a mischievous expression. I really don’t want to be stared at so intently right now…

「Mother, please stop. Here, Kazunari-san, come here.」

Sara-san wrapped her arm around my head and pulled me toward her, then held me firmly against her chest as if to hide my face. It’s true that this escaped Mayumi-san, but I wonder about this in its own way…

「Wait, Sara-chan, that’s unfair. I can’t see Kazunari-kun anymore.」

「Kazunari-san is shy. Kazunari-san is very adorable when he’s embarrassed, so I don’t want to show him to Mother.」

「Ehh, I want to see that too…」

Just having that said is already embarrassed. I wonder about a guy being called adorable, and if they say they want to see it, it makes me feel like I can’t let them see it even more. This is practically a shaming play…

As I thought that, the strength of the hug around me increased slightly.

「There… please stay still like this… It’s okay. Cute Kazunari-san belongs only to me. I won’t show him to Mother or anyone else.」

「Sara-chan, you’re mean!! …Fine, I’ll have Masaomi-san comfort me.」

Beep beep beep… beep beep beep…

A loud alarm echoed through the room.

It wasn’t an alarm clock; it was likely the sound of a timer. Since Mayumi-san said she was in the middle of baking cookies, it’s probably for that.

「Please do that from the start. Look, the timer is going off.」

「Yes, yes. Sara-chan really does have a strong possessive streak.」

With that, I felt the presence of Mayumi-san standing up beside me. She must have gone to check on the oven quietly.

But… Mayumi-san is amazing in many ways, or rather, I really don’t know where the jokes end and the seriousness begins. I can tell she likes me quite a bit, but for example, if I were to act needy, she feels like she’d actually accept it, which makes me hesitate.

「Sigh… honestly. Now then, Kazunari-san, since Mother is gone, please give me…」

I can tell more or less what Sara-san is trying to say based on the flow of the conversation so far. I know, so please give me a break on the shaming play. It’s okay; Sara-san isn’t the type to force me if I hate it. To signal that, I hugged her back a little from my side.

「Are you still embarrassed? Fufu… Kazunari-san, you really are shy ♪」

After Sara-san said that, for some reason she lifted my bangs a little with a cheerful look.

My heart is pounding as I wonder what’s going to happen.

「To a cute Kazunari-san like this… I’ll do this… mmm…」

Chu…

I felt the sensation of soft lips on my forehead. The ticklish feeling of the light touch made me reflexively squirm.

「Fufu… are you happy? Then, once more… mmm…」

Chu…

After falling to Sara-san’s continuous attack, there’s no doubt my face is so love-struck that I could never show it to anyone else. Now I’ve become even more unable to leave Sara-san’s side.

In the end, I was literally being pampered by Sara-san until Mayumi-san finished preparing the tea and came back.

Since there was still time before Masaomi-san got home, I decided to do today’s review first.

Whenever there’s a part of the lesson I’m unsure of, I always check it in my notebook, then have Sara-san teach me again during review so I can master it. This is my routine, as I’ve decided to work hard regularly rather than just cramming like before.

And if I study well, it comes with a reward of being praised by Sara-san.

「Yes, that’s correct. Is there anything else you’re unsure of?」

「I’m fine. That’s about it for today.」

After this, I should be fine just doing a little more on my own after I get home.

Last year, I spent every day just studying at home for a different reason, but after entering school, I’d completely lost my edge. So I never thought the day would come where I’d study seriously again like this. Plus, I even have a teacher who teaches me using nothing but treats: sugar, sugar, and more sugar.

「Yes, you studied very well today too. Good boy, good boy ♪」

Pat, pat…

Since this is a reward, I let her stroke my head without holding back…

Click

「I’m home, just got ba………」

Masaomi-san, who had just returned, froze the moment he looked our way.

I don’t think we were doing anything particularly weird… Sara-san was just smiling and stroking my head, so it’s not exactly a shocking image… right?

Then I wonder how we look in Masaomi-san’s eyes?

「Ha, hahaha, I see you two are close as ever. That’s good… yeah.」

Masaomi-san rebooted and put on a slightly bewildered smile as if forcibly pulling himself together. Since there’s zero benefit in poking at that, I decided to just go along with it.

「Welcome home, Masaomi-san. Sorry for the intrusion.」

「Father, welcome home.」

Perhaps because hearing「welcome home」from his daughter makes him the happiest, his face finally changed into a beaming smile.

「Yeah, I’m home.」

「Welcome home. Good work today. You were earlier than I expected.」

Mayumi-san, who had returned from the kitchen before I noticed, approached Masaomi-san and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. I can’t help but find the sight of them being such a harmonious couple heartwarming. I think my parents get along well too, but I really can’t compare them to a couple that looks this much like a picture.

「Once again, welcome, Takanashi-kun.」

Since it had been a bit half-hearted before, it seems Masaomi-san decided to do a reset. He gave me another greeting while looking at me. I tried to reply to that, but…

「Geez… Masaomi-san. Your cute son has come home, you know? Calling him ‘welcome’ like he’s a guest… and calling him ‘Takanashi-kun,’ how long are you going to stay so formal?」

Mayumi-san didn’t seem to like Masaomi-san’s greeting, and she cut into the conversation with a sharper tone. As for me, it’s the same as always and my position hasn’t changed at this point, so I don’t mind, but…

「I, I see. Well then… Kazunari-kun, welcome home.」

Masaomi-san seemed to find it a bit hard to say, but it definitely wasn’t out of dislike. If anything, he said it again looking embarrassed. Since Masaomi-san said「welcome home,」I should probably match that. I’m embarrassed too, of course.

「Yes, Masaomi-san, I’m home.」

「Kazunari-kun, you can call Masaomi-san Father-in-law, you know?」

This time the rejection of the status quo came my way. She’s probably saying it with the same feeling as Mother-in-law, but even for Masaomi-san, that’s surely still a bit tough. Or rather, it’s impossible for me…

「Um, that’s still a bit…」

「Mother, that’s enough. Come on, let’s finish preparing dinner.」

Seeing my state, Sara-san seemed to take the hint. She forcibly pulled Mayumi-san toward the kitchen, so in the end, the two of us men were left alone.

「Hahaha, sorry about that, Kazunari-kun. Mayumi really has taken a liking to you.」

「No, I’m happy she feels that way.」

As Masaomi-san sat down on the sofa, I sat back down in my usual spot. Since my study materials were still on the table, he looked at them with interest.

「Were you studying?」

「Yes. Just homework and review. Now that my future path is decided, I’m going to keep working hard.」

「If you work hard from now on, aiming for a recommendation will be well within your sights. I have high expectations.」

Masaomi-san gave a happy nod at my reply. This is something I’m doing for my own sake, of course, but it’s still nice to have him be happy about it.

「By the way, how was the student general meeting today?」

「Sara-san’s inaugural speech as President was moving. She really had the dignity of a Student Council President: the atmosphere was so intense the whole student body was listening intently…」

In times like these, it’s frustrating not being able to convey my impressions well. So I just tried to tell him how moved I was using gestures.

After that, we never ran out of things to talk about, chatting endlessly about daily school life and things at home, until before I knew it, it was time for dinner…

While being healed by the peaceful dining scene, I’m currently in the middle of conquering a roast beef salad. Mayumi-san’s homemade roast beef was exquisite, and quite literally, I couldn’t stop my chopsticks.

「Mmm-fufu, it makes your Mother-in-law so happy to see you eating with such gusto.」

「Kazunari-san, have this too… here, say aah…」

Sara-san grabbed a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks and held it out to my mouth.

Pak Pak… munch munch

「Mmh… this is the one Sara-san made, right?」

「Fufu… correct.」

The exquisite level of sweetness and the soft, melty texture, which is perfectly to my taste, is something neither my Mother nor Mayumi-san could copy. Because this is the tamagoyaki made exclusively for me, perfected by Sara-san through research just for my sake.

「…Seeing Kazunari-kun eat it with such relish makes me want to eat it too.」

Unlike me, Masaomi-san was eating regular, non-sweet tamagoyaki, so he seemed curious. Of course, that was also made by Sara-san, and Masaomi-san was eating it with great joy.

「Here, Dear… say aah…」

Mayumi-san cut off a piece of her own and carried it to Masaomi-san’s mouth.

「…Yeah, sweet tamagoyaki is nice once in a while too.」

「Sara-chan made it, so of course you’d say that, wouldn’t you?」

「No, I’m happy when Mayumi makes it for me too.」

They were flirting on their end while eating, so I accepted Sara-san’s care without holding back either.

If I think about it, it’s a strange dining scene with two couples flirting across from each other, but maybe this is okay too. The best thing is being able to enjoy the meal.

「I see. Well then, from now on, I’ll leave Father’s meals entirely to Mother. I will only make Kazunari-san’s meals.」

「Eh!? N-no, that’s a separate matter. I want the meals Sara made.」

「Oh, in that case, I’ll leave Masaomi-san’s meals to Sara-chan, and I’ll make Kazunari-kun’s…」

「That will not be necessary. Making Kazunari-san’s meals is my role as his future wife.」

「Wife!? Sa, Sara, isn’t it a bit early to…」

「Father, please be quiet.」

GAAAAN

Seeing Masaomi-san look so dejected it almost made me feel sorry for him, Mayumi-san and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

If it’s a fun dinner gathering like this, maybe we could have them a bit more often. But a happy table with just the two of us, Sara-san and me, is important too. Even I think to myself that it’s a luxurious dilemma to have…

「Sara-chan, I’ll be the one going to the upcoming parent visitation day.」

「I actually wanted to go too, but work just wouldn’t allow it…」

While enjoying our post-meal tea time, the topic turned to the parent visitation day this weekend. Mayumi-san would be coming for Sara-san’s side, but it seems Masaomi-san really wanted to go too. He kept muttering about how regrettable it was since he absolutely couldn’t make it due to work.

By the way, I’ve already received a message that only my Mother will be coming for my side as well.

「To be honest, there are almost no families where both parents come, so it would actually be a problem for me if you did.」

Masaomi-san took another shock from Sara-san’s single line. Is this how it is for every family with a daughter?

「My mother is coming too.」

「Yes! I received a message from Mother-in-law on RAIN the other day. I’m very much looking forward to meeting her…」

I know Sara-san has been wanting to meet my mother, of course, so I was thinking of making time somewhere to let them meet. If we wait in the Student Council room or at the flowerbed until the post-school social gathering is over, can we meet up after that?

「That’s right, I’ve already arranged to meet Kazunari-kun’s mother on that day. Since we’re at it, why don’t we all have tea together after the social gathering is over?」

Apparently, the parents had already arranged to meet up before I even thought about it.

In that case, waiting around to kill time would be the better option.

「I understand. I’ll wait until then.」

「Yes. I’m really looking forward to it!」

To be honest, I don’t like parent visitation days very much, but for the sake of Sara-san who is looking forward to meeting my mother, I couldn’t help but wish for that day to come quickly.