Episode 246: Parent Visitation Day

Parent Visitation Day

「Good morning…」

「Fufu… Good morning.」

Sara-san was in a good mood again this morning.

To be precise, as far as I know, Sara-san is in a good mood every single morning. I wonder if she was like that at her family home too?

When I got curious about it before and subtly asked for the reason, she said,

「Because I am charging myself every morning ♪」

Apparently.

Of course, she doesn’t mean electricity, so she must be charging up with something only Sara-san understands.

「Breakfast will be ready in just a little bit, so please wash your face and get changed first.」

「Hokay…」

Hearing my yawn-filled reply, Sara-san laughed happily as she headed back to the kitchen. I washed my face and brushed my teeth in the bathroom while remembering my phone call with my mother last night…

「I might not make it in time for third period, but I’ll make sure to be there for the class visit in fourth period.」

「Got it. Honestly, you don’t have to push yourself.」

「I’m not pushing myself at all. My real goal isn’t your class visit, I just want to see Sara-chan.」

「I figured you’d say that.」

As you can tell from this conversation, my mother really likes Sara-san.

From the very first day they met, the two of them became as close as if they were actual mother and daughter.

But since they’re closer than me and my own mother, the「as if」part is probably the key.

Of course, that’s fine. For me, there’s nothing better than the two of them getting along.

「Is Sara-chan there?」

「She’s right next to me?」

「Then put her on.」

「Alright.」

I tapped my phone screen and switched to speaker mode. This way she could talk directly to Sara-san, so my mother wouldn’t have any complaints.

「You can talk now.」

I moved the phone closer to Sara-san and told my mother everything was ready.

「Sara-chan, good evening.」

The voice of my Mother coming from the speaker was so gentle it made me want to demand why her attitude toward me just now was so different. Hearing it, Sara-san spoke with a joyful smile on her face.

「Good evening, Mother-in-law. It has been a while.」

「It has. I know it’s weird coming from me, but feel free to contact me even if you don’t have a specific reason, okay?」

「No, just being able to talk like this occasionally makes me happy.」

「Aah, honestly, what a good girl you are. I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.」

「Yes, I want to see you soon too, Mother-in-law.」

To me, she’s just a normal mother, but she must be special to Sara-san. Come to think of it, looking at the reverse, I think Mayumi-san is ten… no, a hundred times better than my own Mother, so maybe Sara-san feels… wait, that can’t be it.

「After the social gathering is over, I’m supposed to talk with Mayumi-san at a nearby shop. Sara-chan, you’ll come too, right?」

「Yes! I would be delighted to join you.」

「Hey, what about me?」

「I guess you can tag along as Sara-chan’s extra?」

As usual, the difference in how my mother treats me versus Sara-san is way too big. I’m sure if I asked her, she’d say she actually wanted a daughter like Sara-san.

「Mother-in-law, please don’t tease Kazunari-san too much.」

The ever-kind Sara-san gently scolded my mother for my sake. Even when dealing with my mother, her kindness in looking out for me can only be described as that of a Goddess.

「Geez… Sara-chan really is such a good girl. Kazunari is the luckiest guy in the world.」

「Fufu… even if it’s just flattery, I am truly happy to hear you say that. Regardless of myself, it is a fact that I want to make Kazunari-san the happiest person in the world.」

Being able to say things like that without any hesitation is what makes Sara-san amazing.

If I may be so bold as to say something self-centered, I think Sara-san has absolute confidence in her feelings for me.

Isn’t that why she can say it so clearly?

「Oh, Sara-chan… I’m really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.」

「Yes! I am also looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.」

That was the conversation we had.

In other words, the only saving grace was knowing my mother would only be monitoring… I mean, spectating me for one hour.

The rest is what kind of talk will happen when the four of us meet after school… that might actually be the biggest source of anxiety.

Speaking of mothers, Mayumi-san had also contacted Sara-san.

「I’ll definitely be there by fourth period.」

「You don’t have to push yourself, it’s okay.」

Wait, this exchange sounds familiar, like I heard it just a second ago…

「Geez, Sara-chan, don’t be so cold. Like I said before, I’m supposed to talk with Fuyumi-san after the social gathering is over. Kazunari-kun, you should come along with your mother-in-law too, okay?」

「Eh? Ah, thank you?」

Mother?

Mother-in-law?

I wonder which one she meant just now…

Thinking back now, they were both saying pretty much the same thing?

That aside, what I thought after talking to both mothers yesterday was that Mayumi-san is totally different from my mother.

Her kindness, her housekeeping skills, and even her appearance; I feel bad for my mother saying this, but in my evaluation, Mayumi-san is on a completely different level in everything.

Her only downside is her troublesome habit of playing pranks on me, but with Mayumi-san, I find myself forgiving her immediately. Is that simply because she’s Mayumi-san…

After I finished washing my face, I went to change into the uniform Sara-san had prepared, only to notice it was even crisper than usual.

Apparently, she had carefully ironed it for me. I’ll make sure to thank her properly for that later, but for now, I’ll finish getting dressed.

I even tied my tie perfectly and did a full grooming check. After confirming everything looked good, I went back to the kitchen, where breakfast seemed to be ready.

But before eating, I have to say thanks.

「Sara-san, you ironed my uniform for me, didn’t you? Thank you.」

「Because your mother is coming today. As your future wife, I cannot let my husband be embarrassed ♪」

Sara-san wore a proud smile as if saying it was only natural.

I really can’t compete with her…

「Now, let’s eat. If we’re too late, we’ll keep Natsumi and Hanako-san waiting.」

I stole a glance at the clock; I think we’re still okay on time. But it’s better to have room to spare.

Once we finished the meal and did a quick cleanup, Sara-san looked at me as if she’d remembered something.

「Let me do one last check before we leave the house.」

After saying that, Sara-san began to move slowly while scanning my entire body. Apparently, she was doing a thorough grooming check. She seemed to be confirming everything from my head to my toes. Eventually, when the check was finished,

「Please wait right there for a moment.」

She said that and went back to the kitchen, returning with a wet towel she’d warmed up slightly in the microwave.

That’s a method used for fixing bedhead, so did I have some hair sticking up somewhere?

I hadn’t noticed any when I looked in the mirror.

「It’s only a tiny bit, but there is a spot in the back that’s bothering me… leave it to me.」

So the bedhead was on the back of my head after all. I didn’t notice when I checked the mirror.

However, for some reason, Sara-san didn’t walk around behind me but reached her arms out from right in front. She was trying to apply the towel to the back of my head like that, which naturally meant her face was coming very close to mine…

No, Sara-san is just trying to fix my hair, it’s wrong of me to think of anything inappropriate.

I thought that, but since she was staring straight into my eyes without looking away at all, I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and reflexively closed my eyes.

Staying still like that, a warm sensation gradually spread across the back of my head. Apparently there really was bedhead there.

Waiting like that for a while, the sensation of the towel vanished.

「There, all better now.」

It seemed the hair-fixing was over.

So I opened my eyes, and as if she’d been waiting for that exact moment, Sara-san’s face approached in an instant.

Chu…

It happened so suddenly that I couldn’t move at all.

I reflexively froze and let her do as she pleased.

Then Sara-san slowly pulled away and smiled at me mischievously.

「Fufu… I decided to live up to your expectations.」

「Eh!?」

「Was I mistaken?」

When she puts it like that, it’s a fact that I was actually thinking about all sorts of unnecessary things. I can’t help but think it was Sara-san’s fault in the first place, but apparently she’d seen right through me, including that part.

「Kazunari-san, you’re so cute… let’s do it again…」

Sara-san placed her hands on my shoulders and slowly approached while standing on her tiptoes. Since I was prepared this time, I ended up looking straight at Sara-san’s face with her eyes closed… and captivated by her beauty, I knew immediately that my face had turned bright red.

Chu…

This time, it wasn’t a light touch like the previous kiss. It was a more solid, real kiss.

Eventually, we pulled apart at the same time, and Sara-san looked at me while placing a finger against her own lips. And seeing Sara-san like that, I felt a sense of sexiness that made my heart pound uncontrollably.

「Fufu… I ended up kissing you twice ♪ I’m very happy starting from this morning.」

Whether she knew about my pounding heart or not, Sara-san was in a very good mood.

「So… why has Kazunari had such a loose face since this morning?」

We met up with the other two at the convenience store, and Hanako-san hit me with a sharp observation as her opening line. I thought I’d returned to my normal state of mind, but was it really that obvious on my face?

「I don’t really see it… but if Hanako-san is right, you were probably flirting with Sara since first thing this morning anyway.」

Natsumi-senpai’s guess was a bulls-eye, but there’s no need to go out of my way to say she’s right. It’s best to just let this slide.

「Fufu… Kazunari-san was just so cute, I couldn’t help myself…」

But Sara-san didn’t do that. She loves talking about us being close, so if I leave her alone, everything will be exposed.

So, it’s better to intervene.

「B-By the way, are Natsumi-senpai’s and Hanako-san’s mothers coming starting from third period?」

「My mother said she’d be there from third period. I think she’s worried since I just transferred.」

It was a desperate topic change, but my big sister seemed to go along with it for her younger brother’s sake. I felt like I could see a hint of「good grief」in her demeanor, though.

「I’m not sure about mine. She’ll just come whenever she can. What about you guys?」

「We’re both making it in time for fourth period, it seems.」

「I see. But come to think of it, won’t your two mothers have a lot to talk about?」

「Yeah. That’s why after the social gathering, they’re planning to move to some shop and talk over a meal.」

「I see. In that case, I want to say hello to Kazunari’s mother before that. My mother wants to say hello too.」

She’d said something like that the other day as well, but it seems she really intends to give a greeting. What should I do? Just in case, I should warn her not to say anything about the sibling thing…

「You don’t have to look like that, it’s fine. I won’t say anything unnecessary, and my mother doesn’t know in the first place.」

Apparently Kayo-san hasn’t told Hanako-san about our talk in the park.

If that’s the case, I should probably stick to the same story.

On the flip side, I can’t give her a warning either… but it’ll probably be fine.

「Got it. Well, it’s after the social gathering, so I think there will be a chance to talk before then.」

「Yeah. For me, meeting Kazunari’s mother is something to look forward to.」

It’s one thing for Sara-san, but I never dreamed the day would come when someone would say meeting my mother was something to look forward to.

You want to meet her that badly… that woman?

The classroom this morning is noisy in a different sense than usual.

About whose mother is doing what, or how someone’s own parents are; whether they’re looking forward to it, jealous, or just setting up defensive lines… well, I’m sure everyone has their own thoughts.

And the homeroom teacher who showed up for HR also seemed to be putting in effort for the visitation day, as he was dressed sharply in a suit, unlike his usual self. Plus, his hair was gelled into place. It was a little funny.

As the time approached, I felt my own feelings becoming strangely restless. I kept giving myself template retorts like,「I-It’s not like I’m worried about my mother coming or anything!?」while still taking the lesson seriously. I have a clear path to university, so I can’t afford to neglect my classes for any reason… I’m so diligent.

And just as second period was about to end, I started hearing voices from the hallway.

I could see shadows of people passing by the small glass pane of the door, so I assume the parents of my classmates who are participating starting from third period are gathering.

Kayo-san should be among them, so should I at least say hello before class?

Ding dong…

The chime for the end of class echoed through the school, and finally, the second period came to an end.

And as the teacher left the classroom, the parents of my classmates came in as if competing to be first. I didn’t have anything in particular to do, so I just watched them blankly for a while… then I confirmed Kayo-san entering. Realizing that, I reflexively looked at Hanako-san, and she seemed to have noticed Kayo-san’s arrival too, as she stood up immediately. So I stood up with her, intending to give a greeting.

But…… looking at the person who came in next, I stood there in a daze.

Of course, it wasn’t a mistake.

That beauty that clearly set her apart from the surroundings, an appearance that wouldn’t feel out of place even if you called her Sara-san’s big sister.

No matter how you looked at it, it was…

Mayumi-san!?

「…Wait, wait, there’s a total beauty there!?」

「…Whoa, whose mother is that!?」

「…No, she’s an older sister, right!?」

「…Crap, that’s insane…」

「…Hey, hey, whose mother is that!?」

「…She’s way too young! She’s an older sister, right!?」

「…Hieee, I’d have such a complex if I had an older sister like that…」

I can tell the classroom is starting to buzz little by little.

But that makes sense, Mayumi-san clearly has a different aura.

It would be weirder if she didn’t stand out.

Or rather, what am I supposed to do!?