Episode 254: Fiancé

Right now, Mayumi-san was on a roll, singing my praises with such passion it felt like a one-woman show. As for how things even got to this point…

「Is Kazunari causing you any trouble?」

That one question from mom was the spark.

From there, Mayumi-san launched into a relentless torrent of words, and Sara-san jumping in only fueled the fire. Mom didn’t know anything about the part-time job since I hadn’t mentioned it, and Sara-san, who’d been on her school trip, didn’t know the full details either. That’s probably why Mayumi-san was so fired up.

「It was obvious he was exhausted from working multiple jobs, yet he worked so hard without ever cutting corners. He looked like he was in pain, and he even had that injury on his hand… but he pushed himself anyway just because he wanted to make Sara-chan happy. It was just so precious and cute…」

Mayumi-san gushed about me, squirming in her seat as if she were overwhelmed by her own story. I wasn’t quite sure why she was acting like that, but I could tell she was genuinely praising me.

「Huh… I never knew Kazunari had that kind of reliability in him.」

「Mother-in-law, Kazunari-san is someone who holds strong convictions as a man. I’ve seen that side of him many times, and I fall for him all over again every single time…」

Sara-san had been listening to the story of my part-time job with intense focus, and it seemed to have made her a bit emotional.

「Well, I’m happy to hear that as his parent, but in reality, he’s totally dependent on you, Sara-chan.」

「No, I actually prefer it that way. Kazunari-san always shows me his reliable, manly side when it truly counts. That’s exactly why I want him to feel free to lean on me as much as he wants the rest of the time. Besides…」

「Besides?」

「When Kazunari-san acts spoiled, he’s just so cute… and it makes me so happy…」

Sara-san said that while looking into my eyes, a sweet smile on her slightly flushed face.

Hearing her feelings and being praised by Mayumi-san was definitely a good thing, but after being showered with compliments all day and then having the person I love look at me like that, no guy could stay unfazed.

「Kazunari-san, your face is beet red, you know?」

「I mean, after all this…」

「Fufu… you’re so cute♪」

Sara-san and Mayumi-san often call me cute, and honestly, being called cute as a guy is a bit complicated. Still, on a personal level, there was a part of me that actually liked it…

「Come to think of it… Kazunari-kun, how is that injury from back then?」

Mayumi-san suddenly remembered and started looking at my right hand with concern. The scar was still clearly visible, but I didn’t feel any pain at all anymore. The skin was just a bit tough, so it was basically healed.

I wasn’t sure if it would ever fully disappear, but to me, it was like a medal from the first time I’d ever worked specifically for Sara-san’s sake. So even if it stayed there forever, I didn’t think it was a problem at all.

「It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt at all.」

「Kazunari-san, could you show me your right hand?」

As Sara-san spoke, she gently took my right hand from the table into both of hers. She pulled it closer to her to get a better look and used her fingers to softly spread my lightly clenched hand. Then, while watching it, she began to trace the scar slowly with her finger as if to check the progress.

It actually tickled a little…

「Sara-chan, how does it look?」

「I think it has healed quite well. However, the scar remains quite prominent…」

Sara-san had tended to my right hand almost every day since that day. She wouldn’t stop even when I told her it was fine, and only after she confirmed that I was back to normal in everything I did did she finally relax.

Seeing it again after a while might have brought back those feelings from back then.

「Sara-san, like I said before, this scar is…」

「Yes, I know. I would never be so tactless as to hold negative feelings toward something that is a precious point of pride for you, Kazunari-san. Just one thing… I find this scar dear to me too. After all, it is proof of how much you were thinking of me, Kazunari-san…」

Sara-san seemed to understand my feelings perfectly. My worry that she was still upset by it was just a misunderstanding.

As if to cherish it, she stroked the scar several times before bringing her face close to my hand.

「Chu…」

As I watched to see what she would do, she gave the scar a gentle kiss. A kiss on the palm was so ticklish I couldn’t help but twitch. Sara-san gave me a little smile when she saw my reaction, but it didn’t seem like she intended to stop yet.

「Chu…」

「Chu…」

Twice, three times, she repeated the sweet kisses while slowly shifting her focus.

I was happy, but between the embarrassment and the ticklishness, I was reaching my limit.

「S-Sara-san!」

「…Is it ticklish?」

「Eh? Well… yeah, a little. Also, you know…」

「Fufu… then, just one last time…」

「Chu…」

The soft, warm sensation on my palm. Maybe because it was the last one, this kiss lasted a bit longer than the others. Then, when I saw the lingering, bittersweet expression on Sara-san’s face as she pulled away, my heart rate accelerated instantly.

…What am I supposed to do with my right hand after this?

「I am sorry. While I was looking at the scar… I just couldn’t help myself.」

Sara-san stared into my eyes with a hint of bashfulness, yet she continued to touch my right hand. Tracing it with her fingers, pressing it softly… it almost looked like she was playing with it.

「……Ah… e…」

「…No… way…」

「…………」

「…Hieee…」

「…What was… that just now…」

「…Hold on…」

「M-Mayumi-san… I heard from the other kids in the student council room, but are these two always like this?」

「Ehehe~, they sure are. I’m not sure who she took after, but Sara-chan is incredibly proactive. It surprises even me.」

While she said she was surprised, Mayumi-san didn’t actually look shocked at all. She was clearly enjoying this, watching us with a broad smirk.

And in contrast to Mayumi-san, there was mom, who looked like she couldn’t comprehend what had just happened right in front of her. She was just staring at us blankly, her jaw practically on the floor…

「Sorry for the wait~」

The arrival of the food we ordered brought a temporary halt to the conversation. Since the topic had been nothing but praise for me, I was honestly relieved. I really didn’t know how to react anymore, so I wished they’d at least keep it within reasonable limits…

Once we started eating, the conversation shifted to harmless small talk and updates on our daily lives. Sara-san and I joined in the talk when appropriate, and I think we were able to enjoy our meal in a peaceful atmosphere the whole time.

And then…

The parents started another conversation about their son and daughter, so I decided to ignore it and reached for the cake in front of me.

Sara-san did the same, reaching for her own cake and carefully cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

For no particular reason, I happened to be watching her, and then Sara-san looked up and our eyes met perfectly. She looked at me with a blink of surprise for a second, but then she immediately gave me a soft smile and held out her fork to me.

「Here, Kazunari-san. Say ahhh.」

Chomp…

Yeah, it’s delicious.

「「「 !!!!???? 」」」

?

I thought I felt the air in the shop buzz for a second…?

Regardless, it wasn’t like I was looking at Sara-san because I wanted cake, but it seemed I’d given her the wrong idea.

Sara-san looked happy watching me chew, but I felt bad that I ended up taking some of her cake.

I’ll have to make sure Sara-san gets some of my cake later.

「Fufu… stay still, okay?」

Once I swallowed the cake, Sara-san took a paper napkin and began gently wiping around my mouth. Did I get some cream on me?

For some reason, she brought her face close and was wiping very carefully.

「…Guaaaaaah.」

「…N-N-N-No… way…」

「………」

「…Man… after that kiss earlier, she’s definitely the one for him.」

「…She looks so happy taking care of him…」

「…The guys over there are all face-down on their tables…」

「Sara-san… um…」

「Ah, you mustn’t move yet.」

I thought she’d wiped it enough, but it seemed there was still some left. Could it be that it wasn’t just cake, but marks from the actual meal too?

「Honestly… you’re such a handful. How much are you going to make Sara-chan do for you?」

Mom was supposed to be focused on her talk with Mayumi-san, but she’d apparently been watching us. She was glaring at me with a scowl, as if she were exasperated.

「No, I didn’t mean to…」

「Kazunari-san, no-no.」

I’d moved instinctively when Mom spoke to me, but Sara-san immediately hit me with a「no-no.」

「I, I’m sorry…」

「Fufu… I’m almost finished, so be a good boy, okay?♪」

I felt like I was being hit with piercing gazes not just from Mom and Mayumi-san, but from everyone else around us too. To be honest, I was embarrassed, but Sara-san didn’t seem to care at all and looked as cheerful as always.

「There, all done.」

「Sorry, Sara-chan. My son is always such a bother…」

「Mother-in-law, I enjoy doing this, so I don’t consider it a bother at all. Please leave everything regarding Kazunari-san’s care to me.」

「Haa… you better make sure to treasure Sara-chan, Kazunari.」

「I know that without you telling me.」

「It’s alright, Fuyumi-san. Kazunari-kun does treasure Sara-chan. Right, Kazunari-kun?」

「Y-Yes?」

I thought I felt some other nuance in the way Mayumi-san said the word「treasure」…

But treasuring Sara-san was something so obvious I didn’t need anyone to tell me. It was my top priority, and it was a resolution I would never forget…

「Well then, let’s get down to business.」

Once the food and the small talk were finished, Mayumi-san’s expression tightened, completely changing the atmosphere. I guess it was finally time to talk about the engagement.

「My husband will discuss the details at our formal meeting later, but first, we would very much like to welcome Kazunari-kun into our family as an adopted son with his future in mind.」

「Yes. I heard about that the other day. I was told there are certain circumstances.」

「Yes. There are matters regarding our company, so we will explain those as well during our meeting. It is quite a complicated story…」

「I see. Then tell us the details then. However, regardless of the specifics, I’ve already discussed this with my husband and we’ve decided to leave it up to Kazunari. It’s his life, so if it’s what he’s decided, we have no intention of objecting. Honestly, I think Sara-chan is way too good for my loser son, but as a parent, I have nothing but gratitude.」

Because of the nature of the topic, Mom had dropped her usual carefree attitude and was speaking quite seriously with Mayumi-san. Honestly, even for me, it was rare to see Mom like this.

「Thank you. In that case, can we consider this a tentative agreement?」

「Yes. We have no problems on our end. He’s a bit unreliable, but please look after him.」

With that statement from Mother, I suppose I could consider our engagement to be officially recognized.

「Fiancé」… I’d looked it up a bit online, and basically, it just meant two people who had promised to marry. It was often described as just a verbal promise without any formal paperwork.

That said, there are obviously physical symbols of an engagement. I probably can’t prepare anything grand right now. But it could potentially serve as a lucky charm for Sara-san, so now that it’s been confirmed, I definitely want to prepare something. I can get her something truly proper in the future.

After that, I’ll follow the plan for the beauty contest…

「I am sorry, I would like to say a few words, but before that, may I move to the seat next to Kazunari-san?」

Sara-san had been listening intently to the conversation between the parents, but after Mom’s statement, she asked to change seats. Sensing something in Sara-san’s demeanor, Mayumi-san didn’t tease her this time and quietly moved to allow the switch.

Once Sara-san was on my right with Mother and Mayumi-san in front of us, she looked Mom straight in the eye and gave a deep bow.

「Mother-in-law, thank you very much for accepting me as Kazunari-san’s fiancée. I shall give a formal greeting when your husband is present as well, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Both now and in the future, as the one who will become Kazunari-san’s wife…」

「「「 WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!! 」」」

「I will strive to become a woman you will not be ashamed of. I look forward to our continued relationship.」

If we were at home, she probably would have been sitting on her heels with her hands on the floor… Sara-san looked that sincere and solemn.

「…Wife!!!!???」

「…M-M-Marriage… that’s what that means, right…」

「…H-Hey, is it okay to say this at school… this sounds like a really big deal…」

「…Maybe… the guys over there already left because they were in shock.」

「Ahaha, you’re so serious, Sara-chan. I never thought the day would come in my life when someone would say those words to me. Once again, I look forward to it too.」

「Yes! Thank you very much… Mother-in-law.」

Having finished her greeting, Sara-san relaxed her shoulders as if she were relieved. I stroked her head as a way of saying「good job,」and she happily linked her arm with mine and leaned her weight against me.

I suppose all the goals for today’s discussion had been achieved. We had permission from both parents, and Sara-san had successfully finished her greeting.

So, from here on, it’s my turn to work hard.

I’ll keep my promise to Masatomi-san regarding my future, and my promise to Mayumi-san regarding my private life.

And when I’ve achieved it all, Sara-san and I will move on to the next step.

But first… the beauty contest…

For Sara-san’s sake.