Episode 265: Let’s Have Lunch Together…

Just before the end of fourth period.

Haa… seriously, I’m hating myself right now.

Why couldn’t I just hold back?

Even if it was out of my control, I actually ended up charging into Sara-san’s classroom.

And I’d decided that was the one thing I’d never do…

That being said, I’m not planning on blaming Yuri-senpai for it.

Regardless of the catalyst, by entering that room, I’d allowed myself to hope I’d see Sara-san. I’d thought I was happy. I’d felt joy.

At that point, the responsibility is mine.

I’ll apologize properly to Sara-san during the lunch break.

I’m sure she’ll tell me she’s not mad, but still, I need to settle this for my own sake.

…Man, I’m doing a lot of「settling things」today.

Ding-dong…

Once the fourth period lesson ended and the teacher left, the classroom instantly shifted into a noisy lunch break mode.

Starting with the group rushing out to the school store, my classmates all began moving to their usual spots.

「Kazunari, let’s go.」

「Yeah.」

Hanako-san spoke to me while standing up, holding the drawstring bag with her lunch in one hand.

For the record, I was empty-handed, but that was nothing new.

「Hey, hey, Takanashi-kun, I’ve been wondering for a while. By any chance, do you have lunch with Satsukawa-senpai every single day?」

As I was about to leave the room, I was stopped by a group of girls stationed near the entrance.

It’s not like it’s a secret anymore, so I might as well be honest.

「Yeah, I do.」

「I knew it!」

「Hey, hey, is being empty-handed related to that, by any chance?」

「Eh? Oh, Sara-san makes my lunch…」

「Kyaaaaaa!!」

「Whoa, Satsukawa-senpai makes you lunch every day!?」

「Wait, she really is like a wife!」

「…I’m not jealous… I’m not jealous… I’m not jealous at allllllllll.」

「…E-Every day… Every day, Satsukawa-senpai makes a lunch box…」

「…Ugh, it’s just way too enviable…」

I only mentioned the lunch boxes, but the group of girls started a total uproar.

Maybe girls enjoy this kind of talk more, but I’m a bit lost on how to react.

「Kazunari, everyone is waiting, so we should hurry. If we’re late, the Wife will get restless.」

While I was debating my reaction, Hanako-san threw me a lifeline from the side. Using her right hand, which wasn’t holding her lunch, she gave my left hand a little squeeze and pulled me along to lead the way.

「Ehehehe, you two are as close as ever!」

「Ah, sorry for stopping you!!」

「Say hi to Satsukawa-senpai for us~」

「…He’s got a super-beauty girlfriend, and yet even Hanasaki-san is…」

「…Hey, how effective do you think the power of a curse is?」

「…Should we try it? Want to give it a shot!?」

The classroom has been in an uproar all day long, starting from this morning.

Well, I guess it is partially my fault… wait, more importantly, I’ve got to go!

Once the flowerbed came into view, I could see that everyone besides us was already gathered on the picnic sheet spread over the ground.

Looks like we were the last ones after all.

Well, it was only natural since I’d lost time being stopped by the girls on my way out of the classroom.

And the one who noticed our arrival first was Sara-san, as expected.

The moment she spotted us, she stood up and approached at a light run.

「Good work today, Kazunari-san.」

「Sorry to keep you waiting.」

Come to think of it… during the break earlier, I thought I heard some shouting as I was leaving Sara-san’s classroom…

At least, judging from her appearance now, there don’t seem to be any problems.

No, actually, if anything, she looks to be in a better mood than usual.

「No, everything is ready, so let’s have our lunch.」

「Wife, why are you in such a hurry?」

「I am not exactly in a hurry. However, we have a promise that I shall hold Kazunari-san once we finish lunch. I simply wanted that time to be as long as possible…」

「…Huh?」

In contrast to the happily smiling Sara-san, Hanako-san’s expression instantly shifted into one of exasperation.

I wouldn’t say she was rolling her eyes at us, but I felt like her face was saying,「What is this idiot couple talking about?」and it made me feel extremely awkward.

But this was something I’d requested too, and Sara-san is the type who definitely follows through when she says she’ll do something like this.

Which means the hug is set in stone, so I’m about to be subjected to a humilia… no, a reward(?), right in front of everyone.

「Now then, let’s eat. And after that… I’m going to give you lots of good-boy pets, Kazunari-san♪」

Sara-san looked at me with a broad smile. If it’s for a Sara-san who looks this happy, I don’t care if I’m teased, looked at with dead eyes, or whatever else might be said.

I’ve already made up my mind to just be spoiled honestly.

「Here, Kazunari-san. Say ahhh.」

「Ahhh.」

Chomp… chew, chew…

「Fufu… how is it?」

「It’s delicious!」

It really is delicious, but I feel a bit bad that I always end up giving the same kind of feedback.

I wish I could say something a bit more clever, but if I said something like「The texture of this combined with that makes it taste great,」it would just sound forced.

So in the end, I can only manage a simple「It’s delicious.」But Sara-san looks happy, so I guess it’s fine.

「Haa… every single time, over and over again. I’m impressed you don’t get tired of flirting that much.」

「You say the strangest things, Natsumi. Getting tired of something this happy? How could that possibly be the case?」

「……」

For the record, I completely agree.

The possibility of getting tired of happy times with Sara-san is something that absolutely, definitely won’t exist for even a split second in the future.

I can state that for a fact!

「Now, now, Natsumi-senpai. If we stopped seeing these two like this, it would throw our own rhythm off too.」

「That’s right. I like seeing Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai getting along. It makes me feel happy just watching them.」

Ugh… Todo-san’s honest smile is so healing. She’s an angel as always.

「Well… I agree with the opinion that it would throw my rhythm off. But I don’t mean it in such a flowery way.」

And this little angel here is in total exasperation mode…

She’s looking at me with a completely dead-eyed stare, but what does it mean when she keeps glancing between her own lunch and my face?

「Hanako-san, ‘flowery’ is mean!」

「Mistake. My true feelings slipped out.」

「That’s not exactly helping your case.」

「Shut up, ikemen.」

「Guh… strict as ever. Hey, Hanako-san, shouldn’t you at least give me about a third of what you give Kazunari…」

「You’re a thousand years too early to be comparing yourself to Kazunari. You wouldn’t even reach his toes.」

Business as usual over there: no chance of getting through.

Still… based on what I saw this morning, I feel like Hanako-san is actually enjoying this dynamic to some extent.

I don’t think she has that same look for Hayato that she shows the guys in class… that look filled with contempt and disdain, as if she’s looking at something worthless… that blatant sense of loathing.

Her words are harsh, but her expression isn’t quite that bad… well, she still doesn’t smile, and I’m not even sure if you can call their exchanges actual conversations, but at least she’s responding properly.

Just by not avoiding him and responding every time, you could say she’s treating him far better than the rest of the class.

「It’s your ahhh, Kazunari-san.」

「Ahhh.」

Chew, chew… Mmm, so good!

「Why don’t you do the same for Tachibana-san, Natsumi?」

「Wha!? N-No, I’m… that’s right, we go to different schools!!」

Her defense is as low as ever. Natsumi-senpai is extremely weak to being targeted herself.

Considering her usual tough attitude, this lack of immunity is sort of girly, or what you’d call gap moe…

「Ah, I suppose that is true. It is a shame you are not at the same school.」

「D-Don’t you think?」

「In that case, we simply need an opportunity for you to prepare a lunch box. While we are at it, we could all go out somewhere and bring lunches…」

「No objections!! Satsukawa-senpai, since everyone is gathering for the school festival soon anyway, why don’t we all bring lunch boxes!? Tachibana-kun will be there, and Nishikawa-san and Yoko are coming too, so I think it’s perfect!!」

The one who bit hard on the plan Sara-san casually mentioned was Todo-san.

She started speaking passionately with rare excitement, but I agree that it sounds fun and like a great idea.

The only issue is that if we’re all bringing food, I’m going to run right into the problem of being completely unable to cook…

「…Hey, Hayato. Can you cook?」

「No, never done it once. How about you, Kazunari?」

「Do you really think I, someone who’s completely dependent on Sara-san, could do that?」

「Wow, that’s impressive. I actually kind of respect you for being that unashamed about it.」

Look, I know I’m saying something pathetic.

But it’s the absolute truth, so what can I do?

I might as well try to learn a little during tomorrow’s cooking class so I can at least make one thing…

「There is no need for you to learn to cook, Kazunari-san. I shall handle everything myself.」

「Ah, okay.」

Yeah, I knew she’d say that.

I have no intention of saying anything archaic like「men shouldn’t be in the kitchen,」but Sara-san is 100 percent that way.

In other words, since I’m marrying Sara-san, that’s how it’s going to be forever.

She’s made it clear she’ll never let me help with the cooking, after all.

「I do not mind a potluck, but the main goal is strictly for Natsumi to let Tachibana-san eat her lunch. Therefore…」

「W-Wait a second! Why is this conversation moving forward on its own!?」

「Isn’t it fine? Once you experience it, I am certain you will understand my feelings. Then you won’t be talking in your sleep about getting tired of it ever again. If you have a complaint, say it after you’ve tried it at least once. It’s decided, then.」

「Ughhhhh…」

Ah, once it reaches this point, there’s zero chance of Natsumi-senpai winning against Sara-san.

Something similar happened before, but a match between Sara-san, who’s honest with her feelings, and Natsumi-senpai, who isn’t, isn’t even a contest.

Plus, in this case, the moment she gave Sara-san the opening of「deciding you’d get tired of it without even trying,」Natsumi-senpai’s defeat was as clear as day.

「We discussed a potluck, but for now, Natsumi, please focus on making Tachibana-san’s lunch. Naturally, I shall be making Kazunari-san’s.」

Emphasizing the「naturally」part, Sara-san steadily wrapped up the conversation.

Well… I have no objections, and it sounds fun, so it’s fine with me.

Though I have to wonder about myself, feeling relieved the second I realized I wouldn’t have to cook.

「Hey, if it’s a potluck, then naturally anyone can eat anyone’s lunch, right?」

「Yes… I suppose that’s how it would work…」

「…I’ll do my best.」

For some reason, Hanako-san gave her hands a tiny squeeze, as if steeling her resolve.

Not just the fact that she bit on the topic, but seeing a reaction like that from her is rare, so it was actually a bit heartwarming.

「Um… I can’t cook either.」

「I have no intention of cooking for an ikemen. If you want to ask someone, why don’t you ask the person right in front of you?」

Hanako-san threw out an unexpected suggestion, and Hayato wore a shocked expression.

He looked intently at Hanako-san… but she glared back, and he immediately looked away.

Yeah… it looks like things over there are still going to take some time.

「Eh!? M-Me!?」

Todo-san, on the other hand, started flustering the moment Hanako-san turned the attention to her.

I could understand her being surprised, but why did she look so troubled?

「Well… if you don’t want to, then that can’t be helped, I guess.」

CLANG.

…It was like that sound effect was written right on Hayato’s face.

No, I’m not kidding, he’s legitimately shocked.

But honestly, I can’t imagine Todo-san actually being unwilling or refusing in this situation.

「Eh!? N-No, it’s not that I’m unwilling! It’s just… well… I’m not very good at cooking… so being told it’s for someone else… well…」

Todo-san’s voice gradually trailed off.

I see, so that’s the reason… makes sense.

But then, seeing Todo-san shrinking away looking so apologetic made me feel sorry for her…

Honestly. This is exactly when Hayato should be stepping in. I elbowed Hayato, who was still frozen next to me, to prompt him.

「Ah!? A-Anyway, even so, would it be okay for me to say I still want to eat your lunch, Todo-san?」

Having been poked by me, Hayato immediately provided backup the second he snapped out of it. He’s good at that.

「Eh? Um… but if we do that, it won’t really feel like a potluck…」

「Ah, let me say this first: I have no intention of letting any man other than Kazunari-san eat my cooking. The only exceptions are my father and my father-in-law.」

Right then, Sara-san added some backup… or whatever that was.

Sara-san’s feelings make me really happy, but at this point, where did the meaning of the word「potluck」go?

…Well, whatever.

「In that case, I’d really like to eat Todo-san’s lunch.」

「Um… are you sure you’re okay with me?」

Although Todo-san still looked anxious, a happy smile was starting to peek through. Being told that, I guess she really is happy deep down.

「Yeah. Is that okay?」

「…A-Alright… I’ll give it my best shot.」

「Thanks!」

Apparently, Hayato managed to push through.

Still… those two don’t seem to be making much progress, but I wonder what it’s really like between them?

I know Hayato is trying to stay together as much as possible, but Todo-san seems incredibly passive. So, there isn’t much visible movement.

「Hey… this isn’t even a potluck anymore, is it?」

Well… it’s only natural to think that.

Natsumi-senpai seems to have reached the same conclusion as me, but even if she said something…

「It isn’t a problem. We can just think of those details as being flexible. After all, the only important thing is that Natsumi makes a lunch box for Tachibana-san.」

「Yeah, no problem at all. I actually prefer it this way.」

And that was that.

Sara-san aside, it’s pretty funny how Hanako-san is agreeing so eagerly.

Still, a lunch potluck at the school festival, huh…

That’s one more thing to look forward to on the big day.