Episode 248: Goddess, Charge In

The bell for the start of class had already rung, so the teacher would probably be here any second.

There was nothing more I could do at this point. So, regarding Mayumi-san, I figured the only path left was to just let her attend the class observation as my mother.

I couldn’t help but feel like this was a bit much this time…

But when I think about how Mayumi-san was acting out of her own brand of consideration for me, the truth is that my feelings of happiness are honestly stronger.

「Kazunari-kun! I’ll be watching from right here!」

As I accepted the situation and tried to return to my seat, Mayumi-san sent that cheerful, happy cheer my way.

It was definitely going to make me the center of attention for my classmates again, but somehow, I felt more happy than embarrassed.

It seems I’ve been more poisoned by… no, I’ve accepted Mayumi-san more than I thought. And the fact that it doesn’t feel bad at all is just…

…Mayumi-san is really unfair.

「Riko, do your best.」

In a voice more reserved than Mayumi-san’s, Kayo-san sent a cheer to Hanako-san.

She must have been embarrassed to have it said in front of her classmates too. Hanako-san’s face turned a bit red, but she still nodded with a look of happiness.

Rattle rattle rattle…

The moment Hanako-san and I returned to our seats, the classroom door opened and the teacher walked in.

Unlike usual, the teacher entered while scattering pleasantries with a strange, forced smile, and I couldn’t help but feel it was a bit gross… though maybe that’s being mean?

Standing behind the lectern, the teacher looked around the room with a broad, artificial grin. But it seemed he noticed something halfway through. His eyes went wide in shock and he froze.

He was definitely looking toward the parents… wait, it couldn’t be Mayumi-san, right?

The teacher quickly realized he was drawing attention, cleared his throat as if to recover, and gave the order to start the lesson.

Even though it was a class observation, what I did was no different from usual.

Since Mayumi-san was watching, I didn’t completely lack the desire to show off a little, but focusing on the lesson was a higher priority for me.

Part of the reason was the promise I made to Sara-san, but regardless, I’d decided I would never skip or slack off in class.

Since my future path is clearly decided, I want to aim for a solid recommendation for my first goal of university entrance. That’s why I’ve decided to take my daily classes seriously and study hard. I figured that as a little bonus, my classroom attitude might be reflected as part of my evaluation… if I were to be calculating about it.

In that sense, maybe my position as the student council vice president is somewhat useful?

「Now then, for this problem… Takanashi-kun.」

「Yes.」

Since the teacher’s call-outs are basically in order of seating, I knew my turn was coming from the start. The old me might have panicked, but honestly, this level is easy for me now. Part of it is that I’m listening to the lessons properly, but a big part is that I’ve gained quite a bit of confidence from my review sessions with Sara-san.

Standing in front of the blackboard, I began to write as slowly and carefully as possible in the handwriting I’m not exactly proud of.

「Yes, that’s correct. It was a trick question, but you didn’t hesitate. Well done.」

This uncomfortably polite demeanor would be enough to make me lose interest if I thought about his usual self… though I suppose it can’t be helped today.

As I finished what I had to do and headed back to my seat, Mayumi-san sent me a huge smile and some air-clapping.

Since it was right in front of me, it was a little embarrassing, but it’s not a bad feeling to have my efforts praised like this.

Come to think of it, how long has it been since I was praised for my studies by a mother (figure)…

「Alright, it’s a bit early, but this is a good stopping point, so we’ll end here.」

The bell hadn’t rung yet, but by the teacher’s discretion, the third period ended there. That meant I’d somehow managed to survive this situation.

It goes without saying, but Mayumi-san stayed quiet during the lesson, which was a huge help. It seems we managed to get through it without any real trouble.

All that’s left is to get Mayumi-san to Sara-san’s classroom as planned before Mom gets here…

No… wait a second…

Now that I’ve come this far, I’ve realized a huge problem.

At this moment, my classmates recognize Mayumi-san as my mother.

In a situation like that, how am I supposed to have her swap with Mom?

They aren’t twins, so swapping them secretly without anyone noticing is absolutely impossible. In other words… the moment they swap, the people around us will definitely question it. No matter what, a scene is unavoidable.

In that case, at the very least, I want to get Mayumi-san out of the classroom as soon as possible… or rather, have her go to Sara-san’s room and avoid the worst-case scenario of her bumping into Mom here at all costs.

I’ll probably be questioned by my classmates, but I can just say she’s a relative or something. I figure once the person herself is gone, they’ll lose interest anyway.

「Stand… bow!」

「「「 Thank you very much! 」」」

I finished the end-of-class greetings along with the class representative’s call and started moving as soon as the teacher left the room. First, I have to get Mayumi-san out of the classroom no matter what before Mom arrives.

「Good work, Kazunari-kun. Mother-in-law was so surprised!」

Before I could start the conversation, Mayumi-san spoke to me in a happy voice. I was caught off guard right from the start, but I’d feel bad if I just ignored her and forced her out…

But more than that, there was another reason I was flustered.

It was because Mayumi-san was wearing a smile so radiant you could tell at a glance she was happy from the bottom of her heart.

What on earth was she so happy about?

I was just taking a normal lesson, and I don’t remember doing anything special.

And yet…

「Ehehe, you have a look on your face like you don’t know why mother-in-law is so happy.」

While poking my forehead lightly with her finger, Mayumi-san laughed with a somewhat mischievous expression. Even though it’s a regular occurrence, why do Sara-san and Mayumi-san hit the nail on the head regarding my feelings so accurately?

「…Whoa, w-what is that, a mother that sexy is cheating…」

「…Man, if I had a mother like that, I wouldn’t even need a girlfriend…」

「…Ughhh!! He’s got a cute girlfriend and his mother is a total MILF, he’s way too much of a winner, right!?」

「I’m just happy that you’re working hard for your future, Kazunari-kun. Seeing you working so positively makes me feel so relieved.」

…This is really unfair.

When she says it so happily like that, I can’t say anything.

「I knew that because of us, you were being forced to shoulder extra hardships, Kazunari-kun. So I was always worried if you were overextending yourself. From what I saw at home, I thought you were okay, but I couldn’t see how you were at school. Since an opportunity like this is rare, I acted a bit forcefully… and besides…」

It seems it was just as I expected. Mayumi-san was truly concerned about me, and as a result, she took this kind of action. Thinking about it that way, maybe the way she usually tries to play pranks on me or shows her playful side(?) is actually her being considerate…

「As your Mother-in-law, I couldn’t miss such an important event as my cute son’s class observation!!」

…

And here I thought she was being considerate…

With a somewhat cute, smug face, Mayumi-san boldly stated what seemed to be her true feelings.

I was actually moved for a second, but she ruined it all!!

Ding-dong…

Crap!!

Even though the lesson ended early, I completely wasted that time. However, it seems Mom hasn’t arrived yet, so there’s still a good chance I can make it if I hurry.

「Mayu…」

The moment I tried to call her「Mayumi-san」…

I felt a mysterious pressure coming from Mayumi-san as she looked at me, and my mouth instinctively froze.

Even though she didn’t say「It’s Mother-in-law, right?」out loud, I felt as if she were strongly telling me so.

「M-Mother-in-law…」

「Ehehehe, yeees, it’s mother-in-law, you know?」

When I gave in to the pressure and called her that, Mayumi-san gave a very happy reply. But right now, there’s something else that takes priority.

Mom could arrive at any moment. Since there’s no time for a detailed explanation, the only way is to just take her hand and lead her out, even if it’s a bit forceful.

As I resolved to move, Mayumi-san, who was looking at me, seemed to misunderstand something. She suddenly spread her arms, moving as if to embrace me. I felt a strong sense of dread and slammed on my mental brakes, but it seemed I was already within Mayumi-san’s strike zone.

Softly…

As her hands reached out to me, she lightly pulled me into a hug. The sweet scent I’d smelled from Mayumi-san before grew stronger, and the sensation of something larger than Sara-san’s made me feel intense panic.

「Oh, Kazunari-kun. If you wanted this, you should have just said so sooner.」

「…Aaaagh, I want a mother like that tooooo!!」

「…So jealous…」

「…Guaaaah…」

「Haa… what am I going to do…」

RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE!!

「EXCUSE ME!!!!!!」

The classroom door was flung open with a violent noise. It seemed to have a lot of momentum, as the door hit the stopper with a loud「BANG!!」.

And following that, someone entered the classroom with a voice that seemed to be tinged with panic.

No, it was obvious who it was.

There’s no way I could mistake this voice.

「S-Satsukawa-senpai!!??」

「Whoa, w-why all of a sudden!!!」

「I got to see the Goddess at close rangeeeee!!!!」

「Aaaah, she’s totally my type after all… seriously way too beautiful…」

「Crap!? A chance to talk to her!!!!!」

「Whoa… seeing her up close, Satsukawa-senpai is incredible as always…」

「How can someone even look like that…」

「…H-Hey, doesn’t Takanashi-kun’s mother look like Satsukawa-senpai?」

「…Now that you mention it… no, isn’t that way too similar…!?」

I don’t have eyes in the back of my head, so naturally, I didn’t know what was happening near the classroom entrance.

But there’s no doubt Sara-san has arrived.

I haven’t contacted her yet, so the fact that Sara-san came charging in like this anyway… does that mean Mom really went over there?

「……What… are you… doing…?」

It’s rare for Sara-san to use such a low voice. If it were directed at me, it would be absolutely impossible. It’s a voice that doesn’t suit the usually gentle Sara-san.

In other words… it means she’s just that angry.

Looking at Mayumi-san, her usual cheerful atmosphere had completely vanished, and she was showing signs of panic. Even though she usually showed composure even against Sara-san’s anger, this kind of reaction was rare for Mayumi-san.

「S-Sara-chan… c-calm down, calm down… okay?」

「…Today of all days… I absolutely… will not forgive you…」

Is it possible that Sara-san is actually, legitimately pissed?

If Sara-san thinks Mayumi-san came here as part of her usual teasing of me, then that’s a definite possibility.

「…I-Is it just me, or is Satsukawa-senpai snapping?」

「…Y-Yeah. I’ve seen her angry before, but this is even worse.」

「…Why is she mad at Takanashi’s mom?」

「…Wait, she called her Sara-chan. Are they acquaintances?」

「…I’ve heard enough!! Hurry and take those hands…」

「Hiee, K-Kazunari-kun, save mother-in-law!!」

Mayumi-san spun my body around and pushed me out slightly so she could hide behind my back.

That meant, as a result, I ended up turning around… and before I knew it, a「furious」Sara-san, whose eyes were completely fixed, was closing in right in front of me.

Thump!

「Whoa!」

「Kya!?」

Even Sara-san couldn’t stop in time for me suddenly turning and approaching.

Thanks to her trying to stay her ground just before colliding, the momentum was somewhat weakened, but we still lightly bumped into each other.

「Ah-ha, he’s gonna get scolded…」

「You’ve done it now, Takanashi…」

「Satsukawa-senpai is strict about stuff like that. It’s time for the famous Goddess Lecture.」

「No, they’re somewhat close in the student council, so she won’t go that far.」

「…Sucks for the normie.」

「Even an accident is enviable…」

We were both frozen while in contact with each other, but when Sara-san showed a slightly troubled expression, she proceeded to wrap her arms around my back and… squeeze… in a hug.

「「「 WHAAAAAAAATTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!?????????? 」」」

「Kazunari-san… I am so sorry. My mother has caused such a terrible inconvenience…」

「No, I was certainly surprised. But it seems Mayumi-san was just worried about me…」

「Honestly… Kazunari-san, you’re too kind. My mother isn’t thinking of anything that admirable.」

While hugging me like usual, Sara-san patted my head with a slightly apologetic expression.

The fact that Mom didn’t come here with her meant that my worry about her going over to Sara-san’s side was fortunately groundless. If that’s the case, it’s a blessing in disguise since it didn’t cause Sara-san any extra trouble.

「Sara-chan, that’s a bit harsh, isn’t it…」

「Be quiet. You’ve caused Kazunari-san such an inconvenience, I absolutely won’t forgive you this time.」

Because of her usual behavior, she probably misunderstood and thought Mayumi-san came here solely to prank me. It might be true that she had that goal too, but I know that Mayumi-san came because she was worried about me. That’s why I’d feel bad if she got yelled at due to a misunderstanding, and I’d feel guilty too.

「………Wha………Wha………Wha……..」

「…Wait…………What just…」

「…H-Hey…………I’m, I-I’m seeing hallucinations…」

「…Hahaha………No way……No way that’s happening…」

「…S-So daydreams……really do happen……haha…」

「…This is a prank, right……hosted by the student council… that’s it, right, tell me it is!!??」

「Wife, you should probably stop for a bit, it’s going to cause a scene.」

It seems Hanako-san came to follow up after seeing this. As expected of my big sister, I’m honestly grateful this time. By the way, what scene…

Ah…

I’d forgotten a lot of things since Sara-san hugged me, but this is a classroom in the first place.

I hurriedly looked around to see the boys and girls all staring this way, stunned, with expressions of pure shock. Not only them, but even the other mothers looked puzzled, as if they didn’t understand what was going on.

「True, it would be an inconvenience to have a fake mother mixed in forever.」

「No, not that part…」

「Kazunari-san, I’m taking my mother with me. I’ll come to pick you up when the lessons are over.」

Sara-san reluctantly let go of my body, then reached for my tie and adjusted it bit by bit. The sight of her tightening it at the end looked so devoted that I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

Satisfied with that, she looked into my eyes and gave me a smile.

「「 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 」」

From my (male) classmates, who should have been in a state of frozen time until then, a tremendous,「swallowed」 scream rose up.

It was a scream that sounded like a voice but wasn’t, almost like a groan, and it was extremely gross.

「What is it, how disgusti…」

「「「 W-WHAT THE HECK IS THATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!????? 」」」

As if to erase Sara-san’s annoyed remark, it was a grand shout that felt like it would echo through the entire school.

The sheer loudness of it made me, Sara-san, and the mothers all grimace.

「Oh my, I saw something quite nice right after arriving.」

And appearing in the classroom wrapped in such a strange atmosphere was…

In other words, the situation I feared most had finally come to pass…