Episode 271: Life Long Care

The commotion from earlier hadn’t settled yet, but we had to restart the cooking class because we were out of time.

Honestly, I wanted to wait until things calmed down completely, but I’m the one who caused the mess, so I shouldn’t be the one talking.

And so, under Sara-san’s reorganization, our classmates returned to their respective tasks.

Naturally, a somewhat flighty atmosphere still lingered. But that all started with my own stupidity, and thinking about it makes me feel genuinely sorry.

「…………」

「…What… are we even doing…」

「Don’t say it…」

「Aaaagh, Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Haa… I finally saw reality… I might not recover for a while.」

The boys seemed to be dragging the earlier uproar with them, and to be honest, it might have been for the best.

But in the end, everything turned out exactly the way Hanako-san and Kawamura said it would.

When I think about that, I feel a bit frustrated, or rather complicated… it’s a weird feeling.

Well, if the boys finally understand now, I guess I can be happy about that.

「…Man… what an interesting sight.」

「…Yeah. After having it flaunted in their faces like that, even an idiot has to get it.」

「…Actually, I’m kind of in shock too…」

That said, as the person who turned the cooking class into something weird, I can’t exactly rejoice.

So, I’ll stop thinking about useless things and focus on the lesson.

With that thought, I reached for the potato I had been working on, but a hand suddenly reached out from the side and covered mine. It pushed my hand down, holding it there.

Um… why?

「Kazunari-san, you must not touch the food anymore today, alright?」

「Eh? No, I haven’t even really started yet…」

I know Sara-san isn’t being mean.

I’m sure there’s a reason, but as someone who can’t help out at the class stall during the actual festival, I wanted to at least contribute this much.

「Just so you know, since you’ve injured your finger, there is a risk of food poisoning. Besides, you have no need to learn how to cook, Kazunari-san.」

Food poisoning!?

Is that really a possibility… I had no idea…

But if that’s her reason for stopping me, I can’t exactly force my way into participating. If I did that, I’d just be causing trouble for Sara-san and everyone else.

This is a problem…

「Kazunari already contributed to the class just by setting up this cooking class. If anyone complains, I won’t forgive them.」

I appreciate Hanako-san’s backup, and hearing her say that makes me happy. But I know she’s only saying it to keep me from cooking, so I can’t say I’m purely happy about it.

Then again, this is all the result of my own clumsiness, so I guess it’s just my own fault.

「Um, Satsukawa-senpai!! Why does Takanashi-kun have no need to learn to cook!?」

「I get that Takanashi-kun contributed, but these days even guys should know a dish or two…」

For some reason, the girls nearby jumped into the conversation.

They were just hype-men a second ago, so why the sudden interest?

Plus, the fact that they look strangely excited is starting to worry me.

「It is unnecessary. Because I handle all of Kazunari-san’s meals and his personal care.」

「……Eh?」

「…U-Um?」

Hearing Sara-san’s「of course」response, the girls wore looks of utter shock.

No matter how mature Sara-san seems, she’s still just a high school girl if you look at her age. Anyone would feel that this isn’t the kind of thing a typical high school girl says or does.

Naturally, it’s even more unbelievable for strangers who aren’t directly involved.

But for me, the one actually being taken care of by Sara-san, it’s not a mystery at all.

「Everything… you say?」

「Yes.」

「Does that mean you do all the housework?」

「It is not limited to housework. I mean everything that I can possibly do for Kazunari-san.」

「What!?」

「Why go that far!?」

「Even if you ask why, I can only say that this is my way of loving him…」

「「「 LOOOOOOOVE!!!??? 」」」

The classmates’ gazes… to be precise, the girls’ intensely curious looks and the boys’ intensely dark glares, all focused on me at once. Sara-san basically expresses things like this straight out, after all…

「Love, she said…」

「S-So that means, in other words…」

「Satsukawa-senpai, l-l-loves Takanashi-kun…」

「L-L-L-L-Love…」

「Yes. I love Kazunari-san. Therefore, I wish to make Kazunari-san happy with everything I have.」

「「「 !!!!!!!!!!!!! 」」」

Looking into my eyes, Sara-san wore a full, happy smile.

No matter where we are, Sara-san shows her feelings for me like this. She conveys them. She expresses them.

And I feel the same way. My love for Sara-san and my desire to make her happy are exactly the same.

「Whoa… they’re communicating with their eyes.」

「I can’t even tease them after seeing that…」

「No, at this point, you just have to support them!」

「Agreed!!」

The girls’ excitement seems to be heading in a direction I don’t quite understand.

Their energy is clearly getting weird, so what kind of flow is this?

But if the girls are becoming supportive of us, maybe that’s not a bad thing…

「Come on, Takanashi-kun, Satsukawa-senpai said she loves you!!」

「You have to answer if you’re a man!!」

「I wonder what Takanashi-kun thinks of Satsukawa-senpaaaaaai~」

「Ehehehe… this is so fun… cough, I’m rooting for you!!」

…Actually, never mind.

The girls are acting like fish in water… could this actually be a disadvantage for me in a way?

「Everyone, please don’t egg him on so forcefully…」

「It’s not forced!!」

I accidentally reacted to Sara-san’s word「forced.」

After letting Sara-san go this far, it would be too pathetic if I, the person in question, didn’t answer at all.

When I think about what I’m planning to do at the beauty contest, if I can’t even declare my feelings here, then what am I doing?

I should express my feelings by my own will, not because some girls are teasing me.

「…Whoa, he’s going for it!?」

「…Alright, Takanashi-kun, are you going to show us your manhood!?」

「…So exciting!」

「…Kazunari-san?」

「I feel the same way about loving Sara-san. I’m always thinking about how I want to make you happy, how I absolutely will make you happy. I can’t do much yet, but in the future, I’ll definitely make Sara-san happy in my own way!」

I know I’m just leaning on Sara-san’s kindness right now. I know our relationship only works because she asks that of me.

But I still haven’t figured out how I can repay Sara-san, who does so much for me, or what I can do for her right now. So at the very least, I’ll return her feelings with my own. That’s my absolute premise, so if Sara-san is going to show her feelings for me to everyone, I should accept that and return them the same way.

I think that’s one of the few ways I can pay her back right now.

And Sara-san, who had been listening silently, wore a smile so happy it was radiant.

「Your feelings make me truly happy, Kazunari-san. But just one thing, you are wrong to say you can do very little, you know? The reason I feel happy every single day is because you accept me and love me, Kazunari-san.」

「But that’s not enough. It might be my own self-satisfaction… but I still…」

「Fufu… understood. In that case, I shall also work even harder to make you happy, Kazunari-san.」

I’m already in a state of being completely pampered and taken care of, so if she does even more, I might not be able to pay her back even with my entire future.

「…This… isn’t a conversation between high schoolers, is it?」

「…Thanks for the feast!!」

「…Was Satsukawa-senpai always this sweet of a person?」

「…No, just for Takanashi-kun.」

「…If anything, she’s extra spicy to other guys.」

「…Hey… how long do we have to watch this…」

「…It’s seriously getting painful…」

「…So that means Satsukawa-senpai is actually head over heels for Takanashi!?」

「…This is too much.」

「…Please… please just start the cooking class already…」

「Wife, I get how you feel, but going too far isn’t good. What if Kazunari becomes a man who can’t do anything around the house?」

Hanako-san, who had been observing without joining in until now, cut in with a word of caution.

That isn’t a joke: actually, it’s something I’m quite worried about myself. Since Sara-san started taking care of the house, I haven’t done any housework at all.

I used to do at least a little bit…

If I keep leaving everything to Sara-san, I’m a bit afraid I’ll really become unable to do anything around the house.

「I would have no problem with that at all. If I could be entrusted with all of Kazunari-san’s care and the housework, that would be exactly what I want.」

She doesn’t waver… Sara-san is truly consistent in everything she does.

But the conversation is getting too exaggerated.

It’s true my daily life depends on Sara-san, but I don’t intend to become a loser who just opens up and dumps everything on her.

I might not have much credibility, but…

「But Kazunari-san will definitely be fine. Even you understand that much, don’t you, Hanako-san?」

「I guess.」

Phew… good.

At least she doesn’t think I’m that much of a useless person.

It looks like Hanako-san is convinced too, which is a relief because I almost lost my footing there.

「Oh, Kazunari-san. Even if that were to happen, it wouldn’t be a problem. In that case, I will take responsibility and take care of you for the rest of your life♪」

Looking at me suddenly, Sara-san said that with a smile.

Even if her words sounded like a joke, knowing her, it didn’t feel like one at all.

In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sara-san were dead serious about it.

Which means, in other words, I really can’t afford to become a useless person.

「Um, Sara-san? No matter what, even I should at least…」

「The rest of his life!?」

「Whoa… that’s way too heavy…」

「I just broke up with my boyfriend the other day…」

「Realistically, that’s how it is. Talking about ‘forever’ right now is just…」

「Please do not misunderstand. We are engaged, not just lovers. We are already moving with our future in mind, and naturally, we are speaking on the premise of marriage. Therefore, the word ‘lifelong’ is not an exaggeration at all.」

It was exactly as Sara-san said: we were lovers, but also a fiancé and fiancée who had made a promise to marry.

That’s why talk of the future naturally comes up, and in fact, I’ve even decided on my path and my future job based on our marriage.

But I’m aware our situation is far from that of a typical high school student, so I don’t expect our classmates to understand it easily.

Also, the important part is that if it’s a lifetime with Sara-san, I’m all for it.

「Ah…」

「I see, Satsukawa-senpai and Takanashi-kun are…」

「Right, they’re g-getting married. So they don’t think like we do.」

「…Wow… I feel like I’m talking to an adult.」

To be honest, even I thought it was heavy when the topic first came up.

So it’s not surprising the girls in front of me feel the same way.

Now, it doesn’t feel out of place at all: in fact, I think it’s only natural.

「Well, either way, Kazunari is fine. If Wife has a hard time, I’m here. It’s a sister’s job to look after her brother. I’m studying housework too, so it’s no problem.」

「Um… Hanako-san? I have no intention of leaving Kazunari-san’s care to any other woman.」

「Even so, there might be a time when it’s necessary. You can leave it to me whenever you’re in trouble.」

Wait a second. Didn’t you just agree that I’d be fine?

Why are you both proceeding on the premise that I’m a man who can’t do anything?

「Honestly… please don’t say things like Mother, Hanako-san. That person is also noisy about leaving things to her if anything happens…」

Wait… is Mayumi-san saying things like that to Sara-san too…?

It’s true that Mayumi-san is the type who’ll try to do something to me the moment she sees an opening. I can see her happily jumping in the second she sees a chance.

Mayumi-san is just as much of a caretaker… or meddler… as Sara-san, after all.

「…Whoa… a total Kazunari-kun shift with a wife, a mother-in-law, and a sister-in-law!」

「…Isn’t that slightly off? I totally get what you mean, though.」

「…Crap… that’s so fun… I mean, I can’t believe it.」

「…Damn it, Satsukawa-senpai alone is super enviable!!」

「…Plus Hanasaki-san and even a beautiful mother like that…」

「…Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it.」

「…Haa… I’m starting to feel sad for making such a fuss earlier…」

「…I just want to finish up and go home now.」

「Anyway, taking care of Kazunari-san and the house is all my job as his future wife. I will not yield this to anyone, nor will I entrust it to anyone. There, that is the end of this conversation. Now, let us continue the cooking class.」

Maybe because she remembered Mayumi-san, Sara-san looked fed up and forced the conversation to a close.

Well, it was turning into a discussion confirming my status as a loser, so it’s probably best to just let it slide without pushing further…

「Whoa, that’s too amazing!?」

「…How can she make it look so beautiful!?」

「Crap, she’s a total pro…」

「As expected of Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Whoa, that looks so good…」

「Aaaah, I want some… I’d die for just one bite…」

「That… is a handmade omurice by Satsukawa-senpai…」

「I wonder why it looks like it’s glowing.」

「I can’t eat it anyway, so I want to at least memorize how it looks.」

In the end, Sara-san went around each table, acting as a proper teacher while giving specific instructions.

Unfortunately, I could only watch, but everyone seemed to be enjoying it after a while, and the idle talk died down as they became serious about the work.

Before I knew it, everyone had finished a basic version of the dish, and after checking them all, Sara-san suddenly started making an omurice right next to me.

Which brings us to now.

「There, the omurice is finished. How was it, Kazunari-san?」

「How should I put it… it’s so amazing I’m speechless… I’m honestly moved.」

「Fufu… hearing you say that, Kazunari-san, makes all my effort until now worth it.」

Sara-san says she was just trained by Mayumi-san, but I can easily imagine how much hard work it took to gain this level of skill.

Actually, this was the first time I’d watched her cook from start to finish (since Sara-san is a literal ‘men stay out of the kitchen’ type), and I was honestly surprised by how fluidly she could do it.

「Now then, everyone, please taste the food you have made. Feel free to talk to those around you and try each other’s dishes.」

「「「 YES, MA’AM!!! 」」」

At Sara-san’s command, the classmates gave their primary schooler-like responses and headed back to their seats. They immediately started trying each other’s food in a friendly atmosphere.

「…Yeah, it’s good!」

「…Wow… I couldn’t make it this well at home.」

「…As expected of Satsukawa-senpai… to have a skill like this.」

「…The rumors that she can do anything might actually be true.」

But in the end… I wasn’t able to cook…

「Here, Kazunari-san, say ahhh.」

Chomp.

Chew, chew…

Haa, it’s good, way too good… wait, did I just do that by reflex!?

「…Wait, he didn’t even hesitate!?」

「…That was a shockingly natural ‘ahhh’.」

「…No, they definitely do that all the time, for sure.」

「Oooooh…」

「How far are they going to go… give me a break, seriously.」

「The cooking class is over, right!? Just let me go home…」

「I want to punch my morning self for being so excited…」

「How is it, Kazunari-san?」

「It’s delicious, or rather, too delicious.」

「I am glad to hear it.」

Hearing my honest feedback, Sara-san wore a happy smile.

Right, I get to eat food Sara-san actually made.

Since it was my own fault, I’d be letting her down if I kept worrying about it.

So, switch gears, me.

「I am sorry, Kazunari-san… I…」

「Please don’t say that, Sara-san. Getting injured and being unable to participate was entirely my responsibility.」

See, I was too late… I’m such an idiot.

The kind Sara-san ended up feeling responsible for me not being able to participate in the class.

But it really was all my fault, and Sara-san isn’t to blame at all.

If anything, I’m the one who needs to apologize.

「I… see. In that case, please at least let me make it up to you, alright?」

「Make it up to me?」

I didn’t know what she meant, but if it was something Sara-san was doing, there was no way I’d refuse. If it would make her feel better, I would just accept it.

「Yes. Since you have injured yourself, Kazunari-san…」

I wonder why… Sara-san’s expression looked like a mix of worry and joy… a complicated look… wait…

「Therefore, please leave everything to me, alright? It is a wife’s important duty to nurse her injured husband♪」

「Wife, you aren’t married yet.」

「It is indeed only a rehearsal for now, but that is exactly why. To avoid trouble after marriage, we must proactively handle these kinds of irregular occurrences.」

Sara-san brushed off Hanako-san’s quip with a logical (sounding) argument.

Hearing that, part of me almost wanted to just nod and agree… or not.

But Sara-san seemed quite eager, and even if it was just an excuse, I already didn’t have the option to refuse.

「…Whoa, ‘husband’ and ‘wife’!?」

「…Hey… I’ve been wondering about this for a while…」

「…What?」

「…Satsukawa-senpai does everything for Takanashi-kun, right? Where does she do it?」

「…At his house, obviously? …Wait.」

「…And about the nursing, where is she going to nurse him?」

「…Also at Takanashi-kun’s… house?」

「…Um, I heard Takanashi-kun lives alone, though……」

「「「 ………….EH!!!??? 」」」

In the past two instances, Sara-san had given me incredibly thorough nursing care for my injuries.

That was really something, but that was before we were engaged.

I don’t think she’ll go that far for a simple scratch like this (like forbidding me from using chopsticks), but it wouldn’t be strange if her way of thinking or her mindset was different from back then.

Which means… I might need to be a little careful…

Especially with the bath!

「And so, I shall feed you all of this omurice. Now, say ahhh.」

Chomp…

Chew, chew…

Well, setting that aside, it’s fine for now.

As long as I’m happy and Sara-san is happy, that’s all that matters.

Because if I can see Sara-san’s happy smile like this, there is nothing that can surpass that.

「It’s delicious.」

「Fufu… that is because it is filled with all of my love.」

「Haha, I guess so. I can really feel it.」

「Honestly, Kazunari-san♪ Now, say ah—」

「「「 ENOUGH ALREADYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! 」」」

And so, the cooking class, which had been wrapped in screams and uproar from start to finish, came to a messy conclusion with the boys’ final shout.

But for the record, this definitely wasn’t intentional. I wasn’t thinking about delivering a final blow or rubbing it in. It was just pure feelings, part of a perfectly natural flow.

I mean, it was all just out of our control, right? Yeah.